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The NBA 2021-22 season tips off on October 19th, with two blockbuster affairs taking place one after the other. The Brooklyn Nets play the Milwaukee Bucks in a re-match of the 2021 Eastern Conference semi-finals. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Stephen Curry will go head-to-head in a clash between the Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers.
The opening day of the new season will see a plethora of superstars take to the court, and here are the five best players fans should watch out for:
5 best players who will take to court on NBA 2021-22 season opening day
The two aforementioned matches are expected to go right down the wire, with all four teams in prime position to contend for a championship. The Nets will be desperate for revenge, while the Lakers-Warriors matchup seldom disappoints.
#5 James Harden, Brooklyn Nets
James Harden had a disappointing end to the 2021 NBA Playoffs as he was injured in the opening moments of the Brooklyn Nets' series against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 'Beard' made a return later in the series when Steve Nash had to compensate for Kyrie Irving's injury, but failed to make a mark as he was not completely fit.
However, James Harden has looked incredibly sharp in preseason games for the New York-based franchise and will be raring to go against the defending champions. Fans and analysts expect him to replicate his MVP-level form, and if that happens, there is doubt that the Nets will cruise to an NBA title.
#4 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry silenced his doubters with a near-perfect comeback season last year, when he finished in the top-3 in the MVP voting. Curry shrugged off his hand injury to lead the Golden State Warriors with Klay Thompson out, almost willing them to the playoffs single-handedly.
Curry will have much-needed help this season, with Klay Thompson returning from injury and the Warriors adding a couple of complimentary pieces. Curry is gunning for his 4th NBA title, and Dubnation's chances of winning it all will certainly rest on his shoulders.
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Still only 26-years-old, Giannis Antetokounmpo has one of the most enviable resumes in the league. He is a two-time MVP, title winner and Finals MVP winner along with a DPOY award. He excels on both ends of the floor, and the Brooklyn Nets will have to be wary of Antetokounmpo's two-way threat when the two sides clash at the Fiserv Forum.
The Greek Freak made his case for being the best player in the league in the 2021 NBA playoffs, and will now have to prove that he offers a similar production for a second year running.
#2 LeBron James, LA Lakers
After winning the championship in 2020, LeBron James and the LA Lakers had a poor outing in the 2021 Playoffs, crashing out in the first round itself following a loss to the Phoenix Suns. James and the Lakers caught considerable flak for it, and the 4-time NBA championship winner will be desperate to prove his critics wrong in the upcoming season.
His first test will be against a familiar face in Stephen Curry, who the King has a losing record against. The LA Lakers have been hyped up as championship favorites since Russell Westbrook's arrival, and they will have to justify that tag against the Warriors on opening day.
#1 Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Very few NBA players have made successful comebacks from Achilles injuries, but Kevin Durant has not only done that, he has comeback as arguably the best player in the NBA. He was inches away from leading his side to the Eastern Conference finals, and then proceeded to help Team USA win a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Durant is in inspired form and has the Brooklyn Nets as the firm favorites for the 2022 NBA championship win despite the Kyrie Irving controversy. He is also in contention to win the NBA MVP award this season, but will have to face stiff competition from the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.
