The NBA is Back!

The time has finally come! The NBA is back for the 2013-2014 season! It has been a long off-season and with the other sports being, well, I’ll just say it, lackluster and boring, so the NBA couldn’t have come back at a better time!

Last week, the NBA kicked off the season with a bang! This year is sure to be an exciting one, especially compared to the exceptionally bland previous season we ended with.

It’s only been a week and there are plenty of things to look forward to and a lot of players to watch out for.

Here’s a quick recap of last week in case you missed it!

There are some strong contenders for a potentially great season. One of these teams is the Philadelphia 76ers and their new up and coming guard, Michael Carter-Williams. He good playing against D-Rose! They are having a great start but they lost to the Golden State Warriors this past Monday, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The Phoenix Suns are also looking better than many expected, especially since Steve Nash left. They are currently 3-1, but if they plan on keeping the momentum going this season, they are going to need to kick it up a notch.

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers are another strong team worth keeping an eye on. Currently undefeated with a 4-0 record, George is leading his Pacer team to a strong start. Assuming they keep up their defense and intensity, the Pacers should be able to go far this season.

On the other hand, the Miami Heat seems to be having trouble finding their groove in the first week. This is a bit weird considering that they are the defending champions. They have turned it around in the past couple games bringing their record to 3-2. Let's see if the current title-holders can continue their championship streak.

Surprisingly, Russell Westbrook came out strong after a torn meniscus. He came out to play weeks before his predicted return and he got on the hardwood just as intense and sparked as ever. The Oklahoma City Thunder doesn’t have the best record, but don’t count them out just yet.

On the opposite end is Derrick Rose. His long-awaited return has been overly hyped and was a bit disappointing for Bulls fans. He is still trying to find his way around playing post-injury. And just as Rose is having trouble, so are the Bulls with a 1-2 record. Hopefully, Rose and the Chicago Bulls can turn things around as the season progresses.

Last but definitely not least, the Los Angeles Lakers. They came out strong yet not so strong. It’s actually pretty typical Laker playing. Last week, the Lakers seemed inconsistent insofar as the big picture goes, but things are looking up from they way last season ended. With the summer changes, the Lakers look like they are on the up and up. Jordan Farmar’s return was great for the Lakers, as well as Pau Gasol’s new confidence following the departure of Dwight Howard. Many Laker fans are merely awaiting the return of their star player, the one and only Kobe Bryant, after the Achilles tendon injury in April. Kobe is still rehabbing his foot, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his return around December.

Only time will tell who will make a name for themselves this season as well as which team will rise and which ones will fall. One thing is for sure: bring back the fantasy leagues, the jerseys, and the chicken wings because the NBA is BACK!

(Photo via Mike Fuentes/WENN)

- Amanda Baltazar, YH Staff