And how long will LeBron last? How does the “super alien” play?: The hottest questions about the new NBA season

19 years old, 2.24 meters tall and skills never before seen in a basketball player of his size. No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is considered the biggest prospect since LeBron James two decades ago because of his combination of size, mobility, athleticism and skills.

Wembanyama hasn’t played an NBA game yet, but he’s still on everyone’s lips. His role model LeBron James (38, LA Lakers) called him ‘a super alien’, while star colleague Stephen Curry drew the comparison with a ‘cheat code’ that usually only occurs in video games. Kevin Durant (35), who has been under contract with the Phoenix Suns since February 2023, assumes that the league will have “a huge problem” if Wembanyama does not have starting problems in the NBA.

In addition to his versatile repertoire, the 19-year-old all-rounder has an extremely good long-distance throw for his age. As a player of 2.24 meters, he can easily knock his opponents over from a distance – almost unfairly.

The experts are confident that Wembanyama will shape the NBA the way LeBron James did. The now 38-year-old has broken record after record in his career and is still the ultimate superstar, even in his old age as an athlete. However, after last season’s crashing playoff performance against the Denver Nuggets, LeBron struggled. So much so that he even considered resigning. “I now have to see what happens next for me personally with basketball. I will think about it a lot,” the 38-year-old said before the summer holidays.

It took a few weeks before he announced he wanted to move on. LeBron did not comment on how long he would play. He’s probably not even sure. His advisor Rich Paul says: “It’s important to understand what exactly motivates him. As long as he keeps his mind focused and has a clear goal, anything is possible. He could play until his mid-40s.”

One of LeBron’s goals, in addition to his fifth NBA title, is likely the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (July 26-August 11). In France he will most likely form a dream team with his American star colleagues James and Co. They announced this a few weeks ago, after their compatriots failed in the semi-finals of the Football World Cup in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia against eventual world champion Germany.

A superstar who, like LeBron, has chosen not to participate in the Basketball World Cup this year is the Serbian Nikola Jokic (28). After last season’s playoffs and title win with the Denver Nuggets, the 28-year-old treated himself to a vacation. Jokic was recently asked by a journalist whether he had ever held a basketball in his hands during the summer holidays. The humorous answer: “A few times, but not very often.”

Whether it is due to a lack of preparation for the season or not: Jokic and his team enter the new season as one of the big favorites. He himself is probably the best player in the world right now. Defending the title is the goal.

Denver is being hunted by the Milwaukee Bucks, among others. Last year’s regular season winner secured the services of point guard Damian Lillard (33) in the off-season, who, after eleven years with the Portland Trail Blazers, is now in Milwaukee with the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo (28), a new NBA dream duo should form. Favorites also include the Boston Celtics with star player Jayson Tatum (25), the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry and their new point guard Chris Paul (38), the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant or the Philadelphia 76ers with James Harden (34). . and Joel Embiid (29), the MVP of last year’s regular season.

Since 2011, NBA regular season games have been played on European soil. After a two-year break due to the corona pandemic, the competitions took place outside North America (in Mexico and Paris) last season. The best competition in the world is coming to France again this season. The Brooklyn Nets will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in Paris on January 11, 2024. The Mexico game (Orlando Magic – Atlanta Hawks) will take place on November 9 in Mexico City. NBA boss Adam Silver recently expressed hope that games could also be played in Germany in the future.