The new NBA season has kicked off with two exciting games on Wednesday, giving start to one of the most captivating sports championships not only in the USA but also worldwide. In the first matchup, the reigning league champion Denver Nuggets hosted the LA Lakers, while the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Phoenix Suns in San Francisco. Wins for the "Nuggets" and "Suns" set the stage for this historic season for Bulgaria, as we now have a native representative in the league for the second time – Alexander Vezenkov, who joined the Sacramento Kings this summer. The first was Georgi Glushkov, who played for Phoenix in the 1980s and now serves as the president of Bulgarian Basketball Federation.
Better known as Sasha, Alexander Vezenkov signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Kings. Although his time with the Greek giants Olympiakos didn't end with a trophy, Vezenkov remains enthusiastic and motivated for his new adventure in the NBA. He received praise from head coach Mike Brown and his teammates, including De'Aaron Fox, during the preseason. In his unofficial debut with the Kings, he was the top scorer with 12 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. In the next test against the Lakers, Vezenkov started as a starter, and his standout performance came in Sacramento's only preseason victory, a 116-113 win over the Utah Jazz, where he contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes on the court.
While Coach Mike Brown praised Vezenkov, he also highlighted the need for improvement in his defensive play after the unofficial debut against Toronto. It's important to remember that Vezenkov is still at the beginning of his NBA journey and has recently transitioned from European basketball. Furthermore, he will typically come off the bench for most of Sacramento's games, so he needs to be ready to make an impact when called upon. He certainly did so in his NBA debut, helping the Kings secure a convincing 130-114 victory over Utah on the road. He made a three-pointer from the corner just over five minutes into the first quarter, finishing with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in about 16 minutes on the court. Sasha's performances in Salt Lake City caught the attention of Coach Brown, analysts, and commentators in the NBA community. Bulgarian NBA fans can look forward to following Vezenkov's performance in the upcoming games, which promise to be endlessly intriguing against the Warriors and Lakers.
Returning to the opening night of the new season, Denver celebrated their championship win with a ring ceremony. The Nuggets demonstrated their determination to defend the title, despite parting ways with key bench players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, and strong performances from Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray led the team to victory over LeBron James and the Lakers. While LeBron scored 21 points in limited minutes, Anthony Davis was unable to contribute any points in the second half. Denver made it clear that they are strong contenders for another championship.
In the same vein, the Phoenix Suns showcased their aspirations in California. Despite a subpar performance from Kevin Durant, Devin Booker scored 32 points to lead the Suns to victory. Phoenix played without new signing Bradley Beal, and center Jusuf Nurkic had a promising start as a replacement for Deandre Ayton, who moved to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Suns also acquired several role players to strengthen their bench. The Golden State Warriors, on the other hand, played without the injured Draymond Green.
Looking at the Eastern Conference, two teams stand out with serious potential. The Milwaukee Bucks, the 2021 NBA champions, made a significant signing by adding Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard, one of the top players in his position in recent years, seeks to increase his chances for a championship alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recently signed a new three-year, $186 million contract with the Bucks. The Bucks will miss the defensive prowess of Jrue Holiday, who joined the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics themselves are a strong Eastern Conference contender, securing a hard-fought win against the New York Knicks in their season opener. Jayson Tatum and new signing Kristaps Porzingis led the way, bolstering an already potent offense featuring Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With the addition of Holiday, who replaced Marcus Smart, Boston aims to compete for their first championship since 2008.
The first pick in the Draft, Victor Wembanyama from France, drew significant attention, and his official debut in the league was widely discussed. The 19-year-old talent joined the San Antonio Spurs and will be coached by the legendary Gregg Popovich. Known as "Wemby," Wembanyama's impressive height and shooting skills have made him one of the most talked-about prospects in recent years, drawing comparisons to LeBron James. Despite an impressive performance with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, the Spurs couldn't secure a win in their Texas Derby against the Dallas Mavericks in the opener. Wembanyama's development will be closely monitored, and his versatility on the court makes him an early favorite for the Rookie of the Year award.
The 2023-24 NBA season marks the return of the classic All-Star format, with the All-Star Game set to take place on February 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the home of the Indiana Pacers. This edition will feature an East vs. West matchup and the traditional scoring system with four 12-minute quarters, as both teams compete for a quarter to benefit a charity of their choice. The All-Star player selection process will remain unchanged, with 12 players from each conference being chosen.
The NBA has always been a source of great excitement for fans, and each season is filled with numerous questions. How will Alexander Vezenkov perform in his debut season with the Sacramento Kings? Who will make it to the Finals and claim the championship? What will the Giannis Antetokounmpo - Damian Lillard duo achieve with the Milwaukee Bucks? What will the 19-year-old French sensation Victor Wembanyama demonstrate after being selected as the first pick in the Draft? The answers to these and many other questions will unfold during the new NBA season, promising yet another year of endless intrigue, spectacular moments, and emotional highs. /BGNES
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Stefan Ignatov, BGNES Sports editor
