The 75th NBA season starts in under a week’s time, tipping off with a battle of two heavyweights: the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. This will be a vital season for many players and teams to finally prove themselves and potentially hold the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season.

Let’s take a look at the major storylines heading into the new season.

1. Can Lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant keep up with Father Time: 

Obviously, they have nothing to prove anymore, but like questioned every year, will they still be capable of playing at an MVP level, at the ages of 36, 33, and again 33, respectively? Each of them has been affected by many injuries, so it will be interesting to see if they can withstand those injuries and continue their elite play!

2. Zion Williamson has to make some noise: 

The most hyped player to come into the NBA since Lebron James, Zion Williamson has failed to keep that same level of relevancy while playing in New Orleans. Last year, Zion averaged a very quiet 27 points per game on 61% FG percentage, one of the best seasons for a sophomore player of all time. The reason it wasn’t talked about though, is because it didn’t lead to winning basketball games. If Zion wants to reclaim that same level of excitement that he had coming out of Duke, he needs to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs and put up superstar performances in the process.

3. Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns must continue their playoff form:

The talk of last season mostly consisted of how injuries helped the Bucks and the Suns on their way to the finals. To be fair, substantial injuries to Finals favorites, Nets and Lakers, did make their time in the playoffs a bit easier. Although I don’t believe their achievements should be belittled because of it, it’s not an understatement to say that they need to make a strong attempt to go back to the Finals, or else the credibility of both the Suns’ and the Bucks’ NBA Finals appearance, will be substantially lost by the sports media.

4. Is this Dame’s Last Dance?:

One of the best guards of our generation could be forgotten if he doesn’t get a ring soon. There’s been much speculation about Damian Lillard’s discontent with the Trail Blazers, and although he has said before that he wants to stay loyal to the organization, it comes a certain time where he has to be selfish. There’s nothing that a player wants more than that NBA ring on their finger and if Dame wants that to be his reality, he has to realize that it’s not happening in Portland.

So with all of that being said, It’s time for the most important question? Who will win the NBA Finals? 

It was a tough decision but I’ve got the Bucks taking it home for the second straight year! I think it will be another tough injury-filled year, but they’ll be the most healthy, championship-capable winning team.