{"numbering":"desc","slides":[{"index":15,"title":"Bubble stars","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Murray_J_USATSI_14947861.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677001,"caption":"

One of the predictable outcomes of the NBA's restart in Orlando last season was that some players would perform better in a pick-up basketball atmosphere with no fans. T.J. Warren stands out as someone who played way above what we've come to expect from him, but even players like Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray kicked it up a notch. Teams are returning to home arenas this season, but fan attendance will still be either limited or none at all. Will we continue to see players outperform what we saw pre-pandemic?

"},{"index":14,"title":"2020 rookie class","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ball_La_USATSI_15315976.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677723,"caption":"

The NBA draft was only just a month ago, meaning this year's rookie class will get a crash course unlike any other on playing in the NBA. Add to that how underwhelming this class was from the standpoint of projected stars, there's no telling how the crop of rookies will perform. Players like LaMelo Ball showed flashes in the preseason, but how much of an impact will he, Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and others have once the games start to count?

"},{"index":13,"title":"New playoff hopefuls","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Paul_C_USATSI_15307686.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677785,"caption":"

Almost every team goes into the new season hoping to find itself in the postseason by season's end. But only a couple teams that didn't previously make the playoffs make offseason moves that reflect how serious they are. One team from each conference made that commitment this offseason: the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. The Hawks brought in veteran talent hoping to surround Trae Young with enough help to crack the top eight in the East. And the Suns swung a trade for Chris Paul, hoping a tandem with Devin Booker is enough to make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

"},{"index":12,"title":"Zion Williamson and Ja Morant","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Williamson_Z_Morant_J_USATSI_13981356.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677824,"caption":"

Speaking of playoff hopefuls, the Pelicans and Grizzlies came close last season and are hoping their franchise cornerstones can push them over the edge this time around. The top two picks of the 2019 draft, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant have lived up to their early hype and hope to build on solid rookie campaigns. Williamson, in particular, should give his team a huge boost after missing a large chunk of his rookie season due to injuries. Playoffs or not, both these players are fun to watch.

"},{"index":11,"title":"Solo Steph","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Curry_S_USATSI_15328783_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677866,"caption":"

We've seen Stephen Curry win a championship as the best player on his team before, but we've never seen him have to carry as much as he will this coming year. With Klay Thompson out for the season, the Warriors will lean on Curry offensively more than ever. The two-time MVP certainly has the talent to pile up the points, but does he have enough help to get this team back to the postseason?

"},{"index":10,"title":"Russell Westbrook in D.C.","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Westbrook_R_USATSI_15337222.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677890,"caption":"

Speaking of former MVPs, Russell Westbrook is on his third team in as many years and now forms one of the best backcourts in the NBA with Bradley Beal. After trading John Wall for Westbrook, the Wizards are another team with the potential to get back into the postseason after missing out last year. It isn't a question of if Westbrook improves the Wizards, it's by how much? Speaking of Wall, fans in Washington will still be keeping an eye on him to see how he's performing after two years on the sideline.

"},{"index":9,"title":"Luka 4 MVP?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Doncic_L_USATSI_15332525.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608677926,"caption":"

Luka Doncic followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018-19 with a sensational sophomore season highlighted by his performance against the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. He nearly averaged a triple-double with 31.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists while pushing a heavy title favorite to six games. Now, he's the betting favorite to win the 2020-21 MVP award on PointsBet.

"},{"index":8,"title":"Still processing","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Embiid_J_Simmons_B_USATSI_13976881.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678004,"caption":"

The Philadelphia 76ers overhauled almost every aspect of the organization outside of the star tandem of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. They brought in former Rockets mastermind Daryl Morey as the new team president, former Clippers coach and NBA champion Doc Rivers as head coach and made some adjustments to the roster. Now is the time for Embiid and Simmons to figure it out on the court and take this team to new heights.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Harden on the move?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Harden_J_USATSI_15328129.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678032,"caption":"

The James Harden saga has been one of the most bizarre storylines of the preseason and going into the early season. It seems obvious he wants out of Houston, and the reported list of teams are all contenders. Harden can swing the balance of the NBA depending on where he lands, but will one of those teams pull the trigger on a deal? And if not, will he give Houston all he has or become a headache for Stephen Silas, John Wall and company.

"},{"index":6,"title":"Will Clippers bounce back?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/George_P_Leonard_K_USATSI_14936027.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678053,"caption":"

After last season's meltdown in the Western Conference semifinals, anything less than a Finals appearance or hard-contested loss to the Lakers in the conference finals will be considered a letdown for this team. Paul George got a massive extension during the preseason and will need a bounce back year to justify the deal. Kawhi Leonard also has something to prove after his collapse against the Nuggets.

"},{"index":5,"title":"Kevin Durant is back","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Durant_K_USATSI_15343641.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678078,"caption":"

Kevin Durant isn't just one of the best players of this generation. He's one of the best, period. His return from a torn Achilles immediately puts the Brooklyn Nets in the conversation of contenders -- if he's close to what he was pre-injury. But they're also getting Kyrie Irving back from injury, which furthers their potential for success and maybe also combustion.

"},{"index":4,"title":"Pressure on Giannis","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Antetokounmpo_G_USATSI_14886933.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678100,"caption":"

The Milwaukee Bucks extended Giannis Antetokounmpo with the largest deal in NBA history. It's a huge win for the franchise to lock up one of the best players in the league, but it also heightens what was already mounting pressure for the Greek Freak to come through in the postseason. Two MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award and four All-NBA selections, Giannis still hasn't reached the finals. Anything less than that will be considered a failure for him.

"},{"index":3,"title":"LeBron goes for No. 5","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/James_L_USATSI_15334921.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678112,"caption":"

The "rings" debate is probably one of the silliest in sports, but silly has never stopped anything from existing. And though ring totals can be used in the wrong way, there's no denying they boost a player's legacy. LeBron James has a chance to clinch the fifth of his career, and the Lakers are arguably better this season than they were in last year's championship campaign. All eyes will be on the king.

"},{"index":2,"title":"Impact of COVID-19","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Empty_Arena_USATSI_15327670.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678135,"caption":"

Empty arenas will be a constant reminder of the circumstances this season is being played under. We are still in a pandemic and what other leagues have proven this year is that without a bubble, outbreaks are inevitable. How will the NBA schedule -- released in two halves -- be impacted? And will COVID-19 cases dip to a point where fans will be allowed back en masse sometime during the season? Load management and injuries are also something to watch for. Because of how soon this season is starting after the end of last season, some teams may limit the usage of certain players earlier in the season.

"},{"index":1,"title":"Social justice","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/NBA_kneel_USATSI_14711872_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports","published":1608678145,"caption":"

As sports leagues go, the NBA and its players have been one of the most progressive when it comes to addressing social issues. Look no further than the Orlando bubble this summer for an example, where "Black Lives Matter" was a focus of the league's restart, the Bucks refused to play following the shooting of Jacob Blake and players subsequently rallied to create different voting initiatives. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the league and players continue their efforts to bring awareness to racism and social injustices and attempt to create change.

"}]}

Top storylines entering 2020-21 NBA season