THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT NBA PLAYERS FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH
Some PEOPLE Go to THERAPY. Some EXERCISE.
I have Preseason CHET vS WEMby on a TUESDAY.
The NBA season is rapidly approaching, which as an NFL fan, is quite alarming. As an NBA and NFL bettor, it’s even more alarming. As someone who loses money betting, it’s even more…jk this bit is over.
While it feels like the Denver Nuggets Championship parade was mere weeks ago, somehow, the 23-24 season has arrived. I’m not sure who is more blindsided, me or the reigning Finals MVP.
Now that I’ve come to terms with the fact that a new season is about to kickoff, I figured there would never be a better time than now to list out the 10 players who, if injured (or bad) this season, will slowly make me spiral into the deepest and darkest depths of my brain.
Will this piece serve as a curse? Knowing me, maybe. But I’m rolling the dice. Let’s start in reverse order.
#10: Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons
I have been a staunch Cade defender since he was drafted first overall. When he is at his best, he’s one of a very few select guards in the league that can completely bully their defender on offense, getting to wherever they want on the floor at their own pace. Peak Cade reminds me of Luka, which I don’t say lightly. In the month before his injury, he was averaging 23/7/7 on 45% shooting, and it looked like he was finally finding his footing in the NBA. In back to back games against the Hawks, he dropped 35 and 26 with a combined 17 rebounds and 14 assists. Alllllll this said, Cade needs to stay healthy this year. And beyond that, he has to start making threes. The three point shot was supposed to be a reliable part of his game, and his career average of 30.9% right now leaves a lot to be desired. If Cade can stay healthy, average around 22/6/6, and shoot even 35% from 3 this year, I’ll be a happy Cade defender.
#9: LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets
This one is less about proving my pre-draft takes right. I think LaMelo has shown the caliber of NBA player he is, and even his harshest critics have been quieted. Whether or not he’s a winning player is a different debate, but there’s no questioning his fun factor. LaMelo on NBA courts is just good for the product. It’s good for the fans. It’s good for Twitter (which will always be Twitter, idc Elon). And most importantly, it’s good for my mental health. I need the full court no look passes. I need the jelly layups. I need the goofy step back 3s from 30 feet. Fuck it, I want a half court shot this year just because. LaMelo is pure hooper heroin, and I need it injected into my veins for at least 68 games this year.
#8: Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
I just fucking love Ant. He is so god damn likable. He’s got Kobe vibes on the court but is an absolute goofball off of it. He was the best player the Nuggets faced in their finals run (I stand by this), and his run this summer on Team USA has a lot of NBA fans (myself included) ready to see if he’s about to take a leap and enter the rarest NBA air. I absolutely believe he’s capable, and there aren’t many (if any) young stars I’m taking over Ant right now. That said, he’s been dealt a tough hand. Minnesota is a mess, and unless that team can figure out the chemistry when all three of their priciest players are on the court, Ant might be held back from reaching his full potential. Either way, his dunks are some of the best from any player. Just once this season, I wanna see him dunk on Rudy. I know he wants to.
#7: Evan Mobley, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Alright, now we get into the heavy hitters. I have a lotttt of Evan Mobley stock. I’ve done the Tim Duncan comparisons. I absolutely think he’s already one of the best defensive players in the NBA. That said, I watched the Knicks series. I have no defense (neither did he). It was awful. He looked small, weak, and scared. Overwhelmed would be the nicest way to put it. That entire team is seeking redemption this season, and by extension, so am I. If Mobley is the caliber of player I think he can be, this is the year we really need to see it. The Jarrett Allen situation does cloud the water a bit, as I think Mobley will likely be most productive as a small ball five. Time will tell, but god damn. Please show up this year Evan. I’ve got a lot riding on it.
#6: LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers
Death. Taxes. LeBron James. These are the only constants in life. LeBron has been awesome since I learned how to spell “awesome.” He’s entering year 21. 21!!!!! That’s the average age of most NBA “veterans” these days. And somehow, someway, he’s still the best player on the court in Game 4 of a Conference Finals game. I don’t know when, if ever, the LeBron peak will come, but I sure hope it never does. He defies everything we’ve ever been taught about athletes, NBA careers, and longevity. I absolutely want to see him play with Bronny before he goes out. Thankfully, if anyone can continue to break all rules of nature, I trust LeBron is the one to do it.
#5: Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
I don’t think I would like Jokic this much if it wasn’t for how much people seem to hate him. And look, I get it. The constant doubling down on how much he doesn’t care about the NBA (while also absolutely dominating it) is annoying for those who hold a lot of love and respect for this league. I personally don’t care, and tbh think it’s super funny that a guy who just wants to ride horses is also the best player in the whole league. This is the year where I need to see Jokic and the Nuggets back it up, though. I don’t want this team to be a one hit wonder, providing more fuel for all his haters. And side note, I want to see Embiid actually play in Denver this year. Twitter champ vs actual champ.
#4: Chet Holmgren, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mmmmmk. While there are no tiers in this piece, this is a new tier. We’ve entered the “please dear god stay healthy so I don’t have to defend why you’re a good NBA player” era. I am absolutely mesmerized by the potential of what a healthy Chet Holmgren can do for this OKC team. There really aren’t many players like Chet (although there’s one coming up). His extremely unique combination of size, shooting, and rim protection are extremely tantalizing, especially in an era where more and more teams are moving to smaller and smaller lineups. Chet can truly do anything on the floor, including defending guards on the perimeter. He can switch 1-5, shoot 40% from 3, and also take a guy off the dribble from the 3 point line and finish with a touchy layup. That all said? Please stay healthy. Please hold up against the physicality. I need it. If you get injured after Joel lands on your foot I will have to crawl into a hole and die.
#3: Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
I just don’t understand not wanting to root for Zion. I get he’s had his issues with maturity, but healthy Zion is literally one of the most fun NBA players to root for of all time. It’s like if Zach Randolph had Blake Griffin’s bounce. Not only will he shoot 60% from the floor due to his unstoppable ability to get to the rim, but his breakaway dunks might just be the most exciting highlight of any NBA player. Staying healthy (and looking healthy) are going to be absolutely essential for Zion this year, especially with how much faith I’ve put into him. He is the center of my sports group chat’s largest disagreement, and a full year of dominant, healthy Zion would go a very long way for me personally. So please Z, put down the prawns and the porn stars, and just go out there and kill it.
#2: Victor Wembanyama, PF, San Antonio Spurs
I remember the first time I watched Wemby. I was on my anniversary vacation in Mexico, sitting on a deck at sunrise. I was watching Fiba U18 Championships, mainly to see how Chet looked. USA was going against France, and the announcers were talking about Wemby. He was an incoming junior, three years away from joining the NBA. I was already impatient then, so you can imagine how I’m feeling now. I am SOOOOOOOO ready to see Wemby play real NBA games. I think he is the freakiest, most talented player I have ever seen. He literally has no comparisons. His offensive and defensive ceilings are sky high. I think he could be one of the best 10 NBA players as a rookie. And of course, the one kicker: can he stay healthy? Please Vic. Please please please. I know how well you take care of your body, I know about the stretching routine. Just stay on the floor. I need it like I need air.
#1A and B: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, PG and SG, Golden State Warriors
Well, what do you want. I’m a Warriors fan after all. Steph dominating isn’t even a concern at this point. The Warriors “Last Dance” run might already be in the mirror, capitalized by Steph’s electric Game 4 in Boston. But, what if it’s not? What if we stay healthy? What if Klay doesn’t go freezing cold in a Lakers series? What if another Western juggernaut gets injured? One more ring for my boys would go a longgggg way for the mental. Hell, I have Klay tattooed on me. You think there’s no emotional investment in this year? Think again. With no more Poole, and a refreshed drama-free team, I have high hopes. Let’s just hope they don’t get crushed.
