Waking up every day to check the new tidbits and updates about the 2021 NBA preseason schedule felt like an adrenaline rush. Every second counted in those days since the preseason held the promise of witnessing new talents, revamped strategies, and the return of our favorite stars. The buzz around this period was almost palpable. Preseason games started on October 3rd and ran until October 15th, a compact but intense 13-day window that included 66 games. That’s a hell of a lot of basketball in less than two weeks, right? Imagine trying to catch every one of those games live—it sounds like a mad dash, but that's the thrill of it.
The excitement was not just among fans but also within the teams. Consider the Los Angeles Lakers, for example. The focus was on how LeBron James, at 36 years old, would mesh with Russell Westbrook, who had just joined the team during the offseason. Westbrook's explosive energy and James' seasoned precision opened the door to endless possibilities. Could this dynamic duo uplift the team's preseason performance, or would age and injuries slow them down?
On the technical side, the coaches and analysts poured over the preseason statistics like hawks. The average playing time for the starters never went beyond 25 minutes per game because the preseason is more about experimentation than all-out competition. Testing the waters with new lineups, rotations, and even those elusive zone defenses were all part of the strategy. It’s fascinating how the preseason is essentially a giant testing lab for coaches. The Golden State Warriors, for instance, focused on testing newer players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to assess their readiness for the regular season grind.
Fans were also glued to their screens for another reason: the highly anticipated debut of young prospects. Jalen Green’s maiden appearance in a Houston Rockets jersey was a must-watch event. Being the second overall pick in the draft brings an enormous weight of expectations. How would he adapt to the fast pace and physical nature of the NBA? In his debut game, Green scored 12 points in 28 minutes on the court, setting the tone but also indicating areas ripe for improvement. Similarly, Cade Cunningham, the number one pick by the Detroit Pistons, became another focal point as he navigated the pressures and challenges of transitioning from college basketball to the professional arena.
Ticket sales also painted an interesting picture. According to some reports, preseason ticket prices averaged around $100, significantly lower than regular-season games. However, the difference in price didn’t mean a dip in enthusiasm. The notion of seeing potential stars or new team compositions made these tickets a hot commodity. This was especially true post-pandemic, where any live sports event felt like a return to normalcy. Revenue generation from these games was also crucial for teams recovering from the financial strain induced by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The preseason also featured notable rivalries that added spice to the overall schedule. The Brooklyn Nets versus the LA Lakers was a game that no one wanted to miss, even though top stars like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving didn’t play extensive minutes. The tension, however, and the curveballs thrown by unexpected players made every minute worth watching. The joy of seeing an underdog player like Malik Monk from the Lakers step up and score 15 points in a critical moment brought a sense of unpredictability and excitement.
Media coverage was, unsurprisingly, thorough. Analysts broke down each game with a level of detail that could only come from years of expertise. ESPN’s coverage was particularly engaging, filled with insights that went beyond the box score. I found it intriguing how specific metrics, like player efficiency ratings (PER), analyzed not just the points but the overall impact a player had on the game. The focus wasn't just on veterans; rookies, benched players, and newcomers all received their fair share of the spotlight.
Something that struck me was how the 2021 preseason also focused on international players more than usual. Players like Rui Hachimura from Japan and Kristaps Porzingis from Latvia had their share of the limelight. It was a broader look at how the NBA remains a global league, attracting and cultivating talent from around the world. Hachimura’s performance with the Washington Wizards, scoring an average of 13 points per game during the preseason, hinted at his growing role within the team.
Overall, the 2021 NBA preseason schedule felt like a rollercoaster ride—short-lived but leaving lasting impressions. I sometimes wondered, how would the regular season unfold after such an exhilarating preseason? The answer lies in observing how these preliminary games laid the groundwork for what came next, shaping team dynamics, player roles, and even fan expectations. If you want to dive deeper, check out the nba preseason schedule 2021 for game-by-game details.