NBA 2022-23 season preview: Six burning questions | Is LeBron James done? Can Ben Simmons lead the Nets to glory?

Will Josh Giddey suffer second year syndrome? Can Ben Simmons resurrect his career? Is LeBron done? We answer the biggest questions ahead of the new NBA season.

Questions loom over Josh Giddey, LeBron James and Ben Simmons.

Another anticipated NBA season tips off on Wednesday, with countless storylines set to play out in the world’s best basketball league.

The action starts from 10.30am (AEDT) when the Philadelphia 76ers featuring Aussie Matisse Thybulle play last year’s runners-up, the Boston Celtics.

LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers then take on the champions - the Golden State Warriors - from 1pm (AEDT).

We’ll see a host of Australians take on the court for the first time on Thursday, including Ben Simmons and Patty Mills (Brooklyn), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans), Josh Giddey (OKC), Jock Landale (Phoenix) and Josh Green (Dallas).

Matt Logue and Michael Randall run their eyes over the six burning questions heading into the new NBA season. 

Questions loom over Josh Giddey, LeBron James and Ben Simmons.

Can Ben Simmons resurrect his NBA career and make Brooklyn a championship contender?
MR: Not sure his career needs saving. His reputation, on the other hand … People who know basketball know how good Ben is. Just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo. We all know Ben can’t shoot. It’s time to get over it. I mean, does he even need to on a team with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and a bunch of other high-level shooters? The Nets are a little thin in the big-man department, but there’s roster depth there. A title might be a bridge too far, but the stage is set for Ben.

ML: It’s time to get over Ben not shooting? C’mon, Mick, Ben is a max-contract player who aspires to finish his career as one of if not the greatest Australian ever. Therefore, he needs to add a jump shot and an improved free-throw percentage to his resume. Sure, Simmons is a brilliant basketball player who can contribute in multiple ways at a high level, but if he wants to earn his dollars and take the next step in his career then he needs to shoot. You mention Giannis. The Greek Freak has worked hard to improve his shooting and look at the results. Why can’t Simmons do the same?

Rising Boomers star Josh Giddey is ready for his second NBA season. Picture: Getty Images.

Will Josh Giddey suffer second year syndrome or is he destined for greatness?
MR: You seen this kid? Giddey is absolutely yolked. Just turned 20 and ready to build on a stunning rookie season with an improved physique and a (slightly) better-looking jumpshot. Whether Oklahoma City puts him in the best place to be a superstar this campaign is another question — with top pick Chet Holmgren done for the season before a game was played and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow a shot at basketball “alien” Victor Wembanyama, the Thunder might be tank commanders again.

ML: There is no doubting that Giddey possesses all the traits to maintain the rage in his second NBA season, but I also think he’ll experience inevitable slumps like he did in his rookie season. The NBA’s 82-game regular season is the most gruelling in world sport, especially when you factor in travel and short turnarounds. OKC is also a young, rebuilding team that will be inconsistent again this season as they learn the ropes. One thing is certain, though, Giddey has the skills, class and maturity to ride the bumps and progress his highly promising career.

Bendigo-born guard Dyson Daniels is tipped to have a strong rookie NBA season. Photo: Getty Images.

How will Dyson Daniels fare in his rookie season?
MR: Word has it the Bendigo kid has sprung again and is now 203cm — with a 211cm wingspan. Potential is there for him to be a super high-level defender. Pelicans teammates have hailed his IQ and instincts on that end of the floor and he showed it in the pre-season, helping contain the likes of Zach LaVine and Cade Cunningham — before he was derailed by an ankle injury. Just like Ben Simmons and Josh Giddey, though, he goes into the NBA with question marks about his shot — and that could make or break him.

ML: I’m expecting Daniels to prove that he belongs in the world’s best league with his determined defence, smarts and athleticism, but we could see a few rookie bumps in the road. It will take time for the Bendigo-born guard to develop, and refine, his shot in the world’s best league, which could see his minutes dip in and out throughout the season. Much like Giddey, though, Daniels ticks plenty of boxes and he has that Aussie work ethic to match. 

LeBron James turns 38 in December, so can he still stay at the top in the NBA? Picture: Getty Images.

Is LeBron James finished as an NBA force?
MR: You’d be a hard marker to say someone who averaged 30ppg is finished as an NBA force? But numbers only scratch the surface for LBJ, these days. If you’re still a believer, then you’d argue he mailed in last season on a bad team and will have a monster this campaign. The issue is, the Lakers sucked, and, while they’ve retooled slightly, he still has to play with Russell Westbrook and Anthony Day-to-Day-vis. Don’t get me wrong, LeBron is one of the greatest ever to step on a basketball court, but father time waits for no one. James might be the fittest 37-year-old on the planet, but a new generation of NBA stars has emerged and ‘The King’ has vacated his throne for good. Don’t @ me.

ML: Agree the Lakers sucked last season and they’ve got issues again this season with talk of trading Russell Westbrook, but you’re a brave man if you’re going to write off The King. Sure, James turns 38 in December, but he is one of the most dedicated athletes we’ve ever seen and he is far from done as a force in the NBA. He’ll drop big numbers again this season, and while his Lakers may not dethrone the Warriors in the west, I’m tipping The King to give everyone another timely reminder of his greatness as he edges closer to hanging up the sneakers.

Aussie Ben Simmons is fit and primed for a strong NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images/AFP.

Which team will be the biggest disappointment this season?
MR: Too easy, but Minnesota. The biggest disappointment nearly every year. Irrelevant since inception, they’ve paired tall underachieving sook Rudy Gobert (yes, I know he is a three-time DPOY) with fellow tall underachieving sook Karl-Anthony Towns. This might look good on paper, but there is something up with this franchise. Whether it’s trading one of the greatest power forwards of all time for a six-pack of Tooheys Red, drafting garbage almost every season or driving a man to eat vaseline, it’s always Murphy’s Law in Minnesota — what can go wrong, will. EDS NOTE: I retract everything if Anthony Edwards turns into the second coming of Michael Jordan (live chance).

ML: The star-studded Brooklyn Nets look like a video game on paper, but I’m not sure they possess the chemistry or ruthless edge to fulfil their championship aspirations. Simmons will help with his passing and defence, but the Nets need to collectively buy in to topple the likes of the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers in the East. If Brooklyn fail to at least get to the Eastern Conference Finals again with that big-dollar roster, then it can be deemed as nothing but a major disappointment. 

Can Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors go back-to-back in the NBA this season. Photo: Getty Images.

Who will win the NBA championship?
MR: Golden State back-to-back. Draymond Green decking Jordan Poole isn’t ideal but there’s time to figure it out. If they can’t, trading one or both will net a princely return — the Warriors will convince a perennially gullible team like Sacramento or Detroit to pay overs for Green, while Poole would be starting on about 20 other teams. Last week against Portland, the Warriors sat their entire championship starting line-up — Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Looney, Green, along with Poole and Iguodala. Still beat the Blazers by 33. Deepest team in the NBA. Jonathan Kuminga, JaMychal Green, Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody and James Wiseman would win 30 games. Warriors in five.

ML: It’s hard to bet against a team featuring one of the greatest shooters we’ve seen in Steph Curry and his championship-winning Golden State Warriors. The Warriors will be a contender again this season, but I can’t see GS going back-to-back. My tip: The Milwaukee Bucks will lift the trophy led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton’s return from injury.

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AUSSIES IN THE NBA:
Brooklyn Nets: Ben Simmons, Patty Mills
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey
Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle
Phoenix Suns: Jock Landale
Denver Nuggets: Jack White
Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green
Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Ingles
Sacramento Kings: Matthew Dellavedova

*Sacramento’s Chima Moneke was born in Nigeria, but spent a large period of his life in the ACT.
*Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving was born in Melbourne.

Originally published as NBA 2022-23 season preview: Six burning questions | Is LeBron James done? Can Ben Simmons lead the Nets to glory?