5 talking points from week 1 of NBA Pre-Season

Every NBA franchise plays roughly 7-8 pre-season games for a number of reasons, majority of which are common for teams almost across all professional sports. The pre-season games begin a little over 3 weeks before the real deal, a grinding 82 games regular season.With just over two weeks remaining for opening night of the NBA, we have witnessed a week’s action so far in the pre-season.For a roster which has underwent a lot of changes like that of the Miami Heat, these 7-8 games are used by Head Coaches to empty the bench and find players off the bench best suited to play in the regular rotation of 9-10 players.On the other hand for rookie Head Coaches like Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher or head coaches who have signed with a new team, the pre-season is extremely crucial to get to know their new team better.Other than being easy on the starting five on every team and playing some games outside the country, the pre-season is known to have very few headlines however through one week of the NBA 2014-15 pre-season we already have a lot to talk about.Here are the 5 biggest headlines/ talking points from week one of the pre-season:

#5 Consequences of the Paul Pierce and Joakim Noah scuffle

An old photo of Joakim Noah (L) and Paul Pierce (R) in his Celtics jersey.

With an intense but spectacular 2014 Playoffs and a lot of player movement during this off-season, there were some team rivalries that were re-igniting and some that were building in anticipation of being equally matched and having to fight for the same spot in the standing later in the season.

The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls were two teams of the latter case and there was tension in just the first pre-season game. Looks like both teams have not forgotten their extremely physical first-round match-up from last season.

Based on last season’s performance (the team won their first Playoff series in a decade) and the addition of veteran Paul Pierce to a young talented team, the Wizards were expected to have a great upcoming season.

Due to a scuffle between Pierce and Joakim Noah in the pre-season game, four Wizards including Nene Hilario were suspended for the first game of the regular season against the Miami Heat for leaving the bench during the scuffle. An unfortunate start to a season that many believed would be extremely successful for the franchise.

#4 Golden State Warriors look strong contenders (again)

Four of the Golden State Warriors starting five

For two seasons in a row under Coach Mark Jackson, the Golden State Warriors improved over the course of the regular season and were unfortunate in both years to have an early Playoff exit. The team has one of the best well-balanced starting line-ups in the league.

Andrew Bogut, their starting center who the team dearly missed in last season’s Playoffs is back and has had an immediate impact on the team defensively. Steve Kerr and his new team seem to be on the same page very early in the partnership.

In the 2013 Playoffs, they were outplayed by a better San Antonio Spurs team and in 2014 were hurt with Bogut’s absence. With a 2-0 start to the pre-season in dominating fashion, will this be the Warriors’ season?

#3 Defending Champions San Antonio Spurs shocked in Berlin

Yes it is only the pre-season and yes it is off a buzzer beater so the loss shouldn’t be that big a deal but it’s the defending champions we are talking about so it was bound to make headlines.

As part of the NBA Global Games programme, the Spurs played their first pre-season game in Berlin against the home team Alba Berlin. Nobody was expecting them to thrash them like they did the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals but nobody expected them to lose either.

Anyhow if it all analysts do consider this loss as a setback to the Spurs chances of repeating, then it would only motivate the team more to get back to the NBA Finals and surprise everyone. The franchise has thrived when mentioned to be under-rated since Greg Popovich took over.

Here is the buzzer beating shot that help Alba Berlin shock the NBA Defending champions:

#2 Former teammates of LeBron James give Kyrie Irvign and Kevin Love some advice

From Left: Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James

Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers, former teammates of LeBron James had a few words of advice for the King’s new teammates in Cleveland. The former duo certainly seem to have turned their back to James despite him being a prime reason for them to be two-time champions.

“It’s going to be very difficult for (Love). Even if I was in his corner and I was able to tell him what to expect and what to do, it still doesn’t make any difference. You still have to go through things, you still have to figure out things on your own. It’s extremely difficult and extremely frustrating. He’s going to have to deal with that.”- An extract from Bosh’s interview to Bleacher Report about Kevin Love.

Love, a better offensive player than Bosh would certainly be waiting to hold a championship in his hands and there would be no doubt about the fact that he would be willing to do anything that is needed to win.

Chalmers who used to get the stick quite often from James and Dwyane Wade, also had a few things to say to Irving.

"LeBron is a dominant player so if he feels like something is not going his way, he’s going to say something about it,” Chalmers told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “For Kyrie, he’s going to have to adjust to that and LeBron is going to have to adjust to Kyrie. It’s going to be a different factor for Kyrie.”

Although Chalmers might be right about Irving having to adjust his game, the difference is that the latter is a legitimate perrinial All-Star talent who has also won the All-Star Game MVP award while the former is a role player on his team.

#1 Kobe Bryant is back!!!!

The Los Angeles Lakers might have split the first two pre-season games, winning one and losing the other, but fomer MVP Kobe Bryant looked his old self and extremely effective in both games irrespective of the result.

Have a look at these numbers and highlights:

	Vs Denver Nuggets	Vs Golden State Warriors
Minutes	21	23
Points	13	15
Assists	5	3
Rebounds	2	2
Steals	0	3
Field Goal Percentage	.420	.455

Bryant has shown a lot of indications that he has completely healed from both his injuries-the left achilles and the right knee. He has been dunking, shooting crazy fadeaways, stealing the ball and dishing out assists like a point guard.

Highlights from game against the Denver Nuggets:

Highlights from second pre-season game against the Warriors:

Edited by Staff Editor