As I sit down to analyze the upcoming NBA preseason, I can't help but feel that familiar excitement bubbling up. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've come to appreciate how these exhibition games often reveal more about team dynamics than many casual fans realize. This year's preseason carries particular weight coming off such an eventful offseason, with roster shakeups that could genuinely reshape the competitive landscape when the real games begin in October.
The quote from Australian coach Brian Goorjian really resonates with me here - "We need to have a nice, big pool of players to be able to play all these competitions and be successful." While he was speaking about international basketball, this philosophy applies perfectly to what we'll see during the NBA preseason. Teams aren't just testing their starters - they're evaluating their entire roster depth, trying to identify which of those 15 roster spots might provide unexpected value. I've always believed championship teams aren't just built on superstar talent but on having reliable options when injuries inevitably occur or when the schedule gets congested.
Looking at specific matchups that have me particularly intrigued, the Warriors versus Lakers preseason game on October 9th stands out. This isn't just another California rivalry - we get our first look at how LeBron James and Anthony Davis will integrate with Patrick Beverley, whose defensive intensity could either perfectly complement or awkwardly clash with their existing chemistry. Meanwhile, Golden State will be testing their bench depth after losing Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., two players who provided crucial minutes during their championship run. From my perspective, the Warriors' ability to develop Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga could determine whether they remain true contenders or take a step back this season.
The Eastern Conference presents its own fascinating dynamics, with the Celtics set to face the Raptors on October 3rd. Boston's addition of Malcolm Brogdon gives them what I consider the most formidable backcourt depth in the conference, potentially addressing their primary weakness from last season's playoff run. Toronto, meanwhile, continues building around their unique positionless basketball philosophy. Having watched numerous preseason games over the years, I've noticed teams with strong organizational identities often perform better in these exhibitions, as their systems don't rely as heavily on individual chemistry development.
What many fans overlook about preseason is how it impacts the final roster decisions. Each team will carry up to 20 players during preseason before cutting down to the standard 15 by the regular season opener. That means we'll see approximately 150 players across the league who won't make the final roster but could still showcase their potential. I distinctly remember watching Fred VanVleet during 2016 preseason when he was fighting for a roster spot - his performance in those meaningless games convinced Toronto to keep him, and the rest is history. This year, I'm particularly interested to see how Jaden Hardy develops in Dallas after his G-League success and whether Christian Koloko can provide the rim protection Toronto desperately needs.
The Nets situation deserves special attention, with their preseason opener against Philadelphia on October 3rd potentially offering our first look at Ben Simmons playing competitive basketball since June 2021. Having watched Simmons throughout his career, I'm skeptical about how smoothly he'll reintegrate after such a lengthy absence and mental health challenges. His fit alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving could either be brilliantly complementary or disastrously awkward - the preseason might give us early indications either way. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's addition of P.J. Tucker addresses their perennial defensive toughness issues, though at 37 years old, I wonder how much he has left in the tank.
International games return to the preseason schedule after pandemic restrictions, with the Hawks facing the Bucks in Abu Dhabi on October 6th. While these global games are fantastic for growing the sport, I've observed they often create challenging travel situations that can affect performance. The Hawks will log approximately 7,000 air miles for that single game, returning just days before their next preseason contest. Having tracked performance metrics for years, teams typically shoot 2-3% worse from three-point range in the game immediately following international travel.
Rookie watch will be particularly compelling this preseason. Paolo Banchero in Orlando, Jabari Smith in Houston, and Chet Holmgren in Oklahoma City all face different expectations and opportunities. Holmgren's situation fascinates me - without significant frontcourt competition, he could average 25+ minutes per game during preseason as Oklahoma City evaluates their future cornerstone. Having studied his summer league performance, I'm concerned about his ability to handle physical NBA big men, though his shot-blocking instincts appear genuinely special.
The coaching carousel brings new systems to evaluate, with Darvin Ham in Los Angeles and Mike Brown in Sacramento implementing their philosophies. Brown's defensive focus could significantly improve a Kings team that allowed 116.7 points per game last season, though I'm skeptical about their playoff chances given the Western Conference depth. Having watched numerous coaching transitions, preseason often reveals how quickly teams adapt - Gregg Popovich's Spurs typically look sharp immediately, while teams with younger rosters often struggle with new schemes.
As preseason progresses, monitoring veteran workloads becomes crucial. Teams like the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard returning from injury will likely limit his minutes carefully, perhaps to around 15-18 per preseason game. Meanwhile, younger teams like Detroit and Orlando might push their prospects harder, giving Jaden Ivey and Paolo Banchero 25+ minutes to accelerate their development. From my experience tracking preseason trends, the teams that balance development with injury prevention typically start the regular season strongest.
The truth is, while wins and losses don't matter in the standings, the habits developed during preseason often carry into the regular season. Teams that play with discipline and purpose in October frequently translate that to early success when the games start counting. Having analyzed this correlation for years, I've found that preseason turnover differential predicts early regular season performance more reliably than preseason winning percentage.
Ultimately, what I'm looking for during these exhibition games goes beyond the scoreboard. It's about seeing how new acquisitions fit within systems, which young players show unexpected development, and which teams appear to have improved their depth. The coach's comment about needing a "big pool of players" reflects the modern NBA reality - the 2022 preseason will determine which teams have built rosters capable of handling the grueling 82-game schedule ahead. While we shouldn't overreact to preseason performances, the observant fan can identify meaningful trends that will shape the coming season.
