The 2017/2018 NBA season will kick-off on Tuesday, after big trades in the offseason, including the Oklahoma City Thunder acquiring Carmelo Anthony. They also acquired 4-time NBA All-Star Paul George from the Indiana Pacers to form a big 3 with Russell Westbrook. OKC is not the only team looking to topple the Warriors, as the Houston Rockets strengthened their roster by signing Chris Paul. Cleveland Cavaliers, who have reached the final of the last three seasons and are the 2016 champions, are the strongest contenders in the East, despite Irving's departure to Boston Celtics.
Teammates for the second time
The Cavs, who lost in the NBA Finals in 2015 to the Warriors, and won their only title against those same Warriors in 2016, added 3-time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade to the roster in the offseason. Wade will reunite with LeBron James after "King" LeBron left Miami Heat for the Cavaliers in 2014. Wade started his professional career with the Miami Heat in 2003 and won the NBA title in 2006 with the giant Shaquille O'Neal and in 2012 and 2013 with the "King" James. Tyronne Lue, the Cavs' coach had strengthened his roster by adding Derrick Rose who suffered a lot of injuries, Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas, who were part of Kyrie Irving's trade to the Boston Celtics. But these deals are not a threat to the Warriors' chances to win the title, according to Draymond Green in an interview with GQ magazine.
Super teams hurt NBA
Hornets owner Michael Jordan says in an interview with Cigar Aficionado, that NBA stars ganging up and playing for super teams will hurt competitive balance. Durant's move to Golden State was similar to what happened in 2010 when LeBron James decided to leave Cleveland to join the Miami Heat, where he was one of the "big three," with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
James played a key role in leading the team to a final League four consecutive seasons and win the title in 2012 and 2013. This year, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George landed with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, creating another so-called super team with tremendous star power
An exciting start
The season will see an exciting start as Cleveland Cavaliers will face Boston Celtics in a thrilling encounter, while the Rockets will be the guest of the Golden State Warriors.
Oklahoma City Thunder will play on Thursday against the New York Knicks, where Carmelo Anthony will face his former team. The competition will be at its strongest in the Western Conference this season with teams like the warriors, the OKC, the Rockets and the Spurs. On the other side LeBron James, with Rose and Wade, the MVP winners 2006 and 2011 respectively, will provide support which will make Cleveland again a winning team.
