NBA Preseason 2021-22: 5 Must-Watch Storylines Every Basketball Fan Needs to Know

As I sit down to map out the most compelling narratives for the upcoming NBA preseason, I can't help but feel this particular season carries a different weight. We're emerging from the pandemic-altered seasons, teams are finally settling into their new normal, and the global basketball landscape feels more interconnected than ever. Speaking of global connections, I was recently reminded of how Filipino players are making waves as imports in Japan's B.League, with figures like Okamoto acknowledging how they're boosting basketball's popularity in the Land of the Rising Sun. This international cross-pollination makes me appreciate how the NBA's storylines now resonate across oceans, creating a truly global conversation about the game we love.

The first storyline I'm absolutely captivated by involves the Brooklyn Nets' championship calculus. With their big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving theoretically healthy for a full preseason together, we're looking at potentially the most skilled offensive team ever assembled. I've watched basketball for over twenty years, and I've never seen three players with this combination of shot creation, playmaking, and clutch performance on one roster. What fascinates me isn't just their talent—it's whether Steve Nash can mold this collection of superstars into a cohesive defensive unit. Last season, they ranked just 22nd in defensive rating, and that simply won't cut it against teams like Milwaukee who've proven they can execute under playoff pressure. The preseason will give us our first real look at whether they've addressed these concerns or if they're simply relying on outscoring everyone.

Then there's the Lakers' fascinating experiment with veteran talent. I'll admit I was skeptical when they added Russell Westbrook to a roster already featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis—the fit seems awkward on paper. But watching them during preseason will reveal whether Frank Vogel can make this work. The Lakers sacrificed depth for star power, with their roster now featuring eight players aged 32 or older, making them the oldest team in modern NBA history. While experience matters, I'm concerned about their regular-season endurance and whether these veterans can stay healthy through the grueling 82-game schedule. The preseason will show us glimpses of their rotation patterns and whether Westbrook can adapt his high-usage style to play alongside another dominant ball-handler like LeBron.

Golden State's return to relevance represents another must-watch element for me. Having covered the NBA through their championship runs, seeing Steph Curry carry the offense last season without Klay Thompson was both impressive and concerning. Now with Thompson potentially returning around Christmas, the preseason becomes crucial for integrating their new pieces around Curry's transcendent shooting. I'm particularly intrigued by James Wiseman's development—if he can make a sophomore leap, it completely changes their ceiling. The Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, giving them intriguing young talent, but I worry they're trying to balance winning now with developing prospects, which rarely works in today's competitive Western Conference.

The rookie class, led by Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Evan Mobley, presents another compelling layer. As someone who follows draft prospects closely, I believe this class has the potential to be the most impactful since 2018. Cunningham in Detroit fascinates me because he represents their franchise reset, and how quickly he adapts to NBA physicality will determine whether the Pistons' rebuild accelerates or stalls. Having watched Green in the G-League, I think his athleticism and scoring instincts are special, though his defensive awareness needs work. These preseason games matter more for rookies than established stars—it's where they build confidence and learn NBA speed before the games actually count.

What ties all these storylines together for me is how they reflect basketball's global moment. When I read about Filipino players boosting the B.League's popularity in Japan, it reminds me that the NBA's narratives don't exist in a vacuum. The league now has 121 international players from 40 countries, making up about 25% of rosters. This global connection means that how the Warriors integrate their pieces or how the Lakers manage their veteran roster resonates from Tokyo to Manila, creating a shared basketball language that transcends borders. The preseason gives us our first taste of these developing stories, the initial chapters in what promises to be another fascinating NBA season full of drama, redemption arcs, and the relentless pursuit of championship glory.