NBA: here we go again! | SFR NEWS

It's time to bring out the Jersey of your favorite franchise: tonight, or rather tonight for us spectators in France, the NBA is (finally) back on track! Well, we're going to have to show a little more patience before the clock strikes 2 a.m., French time when the very first match of the season will start, to be followed live on beIN SPORTS. It will take place at the home of the Raptors in Toronto. And for good reason: they are the holders of the coveted title, since they beat the six-time champions of Golden State on June 13th.

The Canadian franchise – the only NBA playing outside the United States – will thus launch the 2019/2020 season, the opportunity for its players to parade their famous ring of champions (their first) as they meet the Pelicans of New Orleans. Then, a second oh so important match will follow at 4:30 in the hexagonal dial. Set your alarm clocks to make sure you don't miss it, because it will also be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS: it's nothing less than the first Los Angeles derby. Yes, the Lakers will face the Clippers from the outset. A whole program on this first day (well, night)!

Let's talk little, let's talk well: let's talk favorites

Finished, therefore, the reign of the Golden State Warriors. Dumped by the Toronto Raptors, then deprived of its greatest player, Kevin Durant, who left to play for the Brooklyn Nets (and injured his Achilles tendon anyway), the franchise with six NBA titles is no longer even part of the favorites in this new regular season. This year, all eyes are on Los Angeles… To land on the Lakers, with a strong duo formed by veteran LeBron James and newcomer Anthony Davis? No, rather on their opponents from the Clippers, led by another promising duo: Paul George, ex-Oklahoma City Thunders, and… Kawhi Leonard, he who carried the Raptors to victory four months ago, and moreover did MVP of the last Finals.

It is this franchise from the City of Angels which is the favorite in a traditional survey carried out within the NBA before the start of the regular season. The leaders of the 30 teams that make up the famous league have indeed voted 46% in favor of the Clippers according to beIN SPORTS. While 36% of the votes also went for the Milwaukee Bucks, still led by the man who was elected MVP for the entire previous season, Giánnis Antetokoúnmpo, only 11% of them believed in a victory for the Lakers.

It must be said that hopes had been placed too high last year, with the arrival of LeBron James seen as that of the messiah. If the so-called King did not succeed, on his own, to take the legendary Los Angeles franchise to the playoffs, perhaps he will get there this year, now supported by the former star from New Orleans? Still, we would have liked to see a third shock partner at their side, to form a formidable "Big Three". Ah, if only Kawhi Leonard hadn't signed for the opponent...

A young player to follow, and our little Frenchies

If the preseason has taught us anything, it's that we have to expect a lot from the younger generation. And more precisely of a young man of 19, freshly recruited by the New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson. The winger, who has proven himself on the floor of Duke University before treading that of the NBA today, has left all observers speechless with his (almost) impeccable achievements in this preseason. The only problem: a knee injury which should keep him out of competition for a few weeks. But ESPN argue that the Pelicans would be very careful, precisely to preserve their precious asset and thus ensure the show when the time comes. To be continued, then.

On the French side, the rooster should still sing in this new regular season across the Atlantic. It is that they are a dozen to evolve this year in the most prestigious basketball league. Starting with our tricolor heroes who gave the Americans a bad time on the Chinese floor during the last World Cup… We will thus find Rudy Gobert in his pivotal position with the Utah Jazz, Evan Fournier still with the Magic of Orlando, and Nicolas Batum, the captain of the Blues, also faithful to his Charlotte Hornets franchise. But also Frank Ntilikina in the New York Knicks rotation or Vincent Poirier, who signed his first NBA contract with the Boston Celtics after playing in the Euroleague. Still no contract for Joakim Noah, however, who is still looking for a franchise since leaving the Memphis Grizzlies…

Sources: beIN SPORTS, Eurosports, Yahoo Sport, ESPN