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MIAMI – The training camps for most NBA teams are open Tuesday, and the season is fast approaching, here are 10 points to note when the league heads for the 2018-19 campaign:
JIMMY BUTLER
As media days ended on Monday, Jimmy Butler was still with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's temporary. The first big saga of the 2018-19 season is Butler and his commercial demand. "Our job is to look for the best opportunity for us," said Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau. "If something is good for us, then we are interested in doing it. Otherwise, we are ready to go to the other side. A lot of teams – including Miami, Cleveland, Brooklyn and many others – have an interest, as you'd expect with an All-Star four times.
State of the gold
The Warriors have won three of the last four NBA titles and have added DeMarcus Cousins over the summer, making the list even more beautiful. But Cousins, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and more could all be free agents on July 1, which means that Golden State could change more than its address (the Warriors are moving into a new arena in 2019) after this season. "The idea is to focus on the chance we have to be here together at this time, this time around. We know it will not last forever, "said Warrior coach Steve Kerr.
L & # 39; IS
For the first time since 2010, the Eastern Conference team in the finals of the NBA will not be led by LeBron James – as he is now with the Los Angeles Lakers. While Boston, Toronto and Philadelphia are clearly good, the Eastern race is as open as it has been in a decade. James helped Miami win the East from 2011 to 2014 and Cleveland in each of the past four seasons. "A 'LeBron-less East'. That's a good way to say it, "said Washington coach Scott Brooks. "He's gone." He had a lot of players cut off, traded, coaches fired.
VINCE CARTER
Carter is now with Atlanta, his eighth NBA team. He has an Olympic gold medal from 2000, but not yet an NBA championship – although instead of racing in a season when he turns 42, Carter has decided to join a young team in Atlanta and simultaneously become a player and a mentor. "I'm trying to twist the towel thoroughly," Carter said. The Hawks may not have a good chance in the playoffs this season, but if they succeed and Carter plays, he will become the third oldest player to play in a playoff game.
STREAKING SPURS
San Antonio has played in the playoffs in each of the past 21 seasons. The NBA record is 22 consecutive, established by Philadelphia from 1950 to 1971. If the Spurs get there this season, it will be the first time without their Big Three – Tim Duncan (retired two years ago), Manu Ginobili ( retired this summer) or Tony Parker (now in Charlotte) – on the list. "This is a great opportunity for a new challenge," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who accompanied Ginobili to the coaching retreat of the season in San Antonio last week and chose his brain for the season to come.
MVP WATCH
There are seven MVPs active in the NBA right now – LeBron James has won four times, Stephen Curry twice and Dirk Nowitzki, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the reigning MVP all claimed the award. All seven are now playing in the Western Conference and Harden plans to do his part to keep the trophy on this side of the league. "I have to take it to another level," said the Houston star. "Every year, I have to improve and make sure I'm a leader."
WELCOME, ROOKIES
1st overall pick, Deandre Ayton starts her rookie season with the Phoenix Suns with a rookie coach (at least, NBA rookie) to Igor Kokoskov. The star of suns, Devin Booker, complains about what he has already learned from Kokoskov, and Ayton is also very impressed. "Coach Igor is a smart coach, a very smart coach," said the new Suns center. "It's all about the fundamentals and really takes your time in the post, taking care of your body and really all about conditioning, as well as studying the game."
PATIENCE GAME
Omri Casspi, a veteran from Memphis, is coming out this season with a distinction no one wants – no NBA player has played more games in the regular season without a single playoff competition. Casspi played 552 games, none of which played in the playoff season, resulting in her playoffs causing 17 more games than the DeMarcus Cousins Golden State. But Casspi has made a career by being patient; the first Israeli to play in the NBA remembers a time when few people thought he would reach the league. "If you believe in yourself, good things will happen," said Casspi.
SALARY OF LEBRON
It's hard to find a list of all the NBA titles where LeBron James of the Lakers is not a leader, and that includes the winnings. James will move Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki to fourth place in the league's payroll this season. He will have $ 35.5 million in his first season. Los Angeles pushes him to about $ 270 million for his 16 seasons. He is about to overtake Shaquille O'Neal for third place in the 2019-2020 season. He should then pass Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett for the first place of the event in 2020-21.
LATEST DANCE
It will be the 21st and possibly the last season for Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas, and two players in the 2006 and 2011 NBA finals against Miami are among those entering a season for the last time. Dwyane Wade said earlier this month that it was his "last dance", and wave striker Udonis Haslem announced Monday that his 16th season was his final.
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