Five NBA story lines to follow in 2017
The NBA had its fair share of memorable moments in 2016 — from Kobe Bryant's 60-point finale to the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic Finals comeback to Kevin Durant's decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join forces with the Golden State Warriors.
Now that the New Year's Eve ball has dropped and the calendars have turned, we break down some of the Association's top story lines to keep an eye on in 2017.
Cavaliers-Warriors three-quel?
The NBA world has been prepping for a third Cavaliers-Warriors Finals series from the moment the Cavs rewrote the record books when they overcame a 3-1 deficit to give Cleveland its first professional sports championship in 52 years.
As if adding a superstar like Durant to the equation over the summer didn't stoke the fire of the league's hottest rivalry, there was that not-so-subtle Christmas Day reminder that anything less than another Finals meeting between the two powerhouses would be a letdown. Written in the stars? That's an understatement.
Will Russell Westbrook average a triple-double?
Westbrook is venturing into waters uncharted by anyone in the last 50 years, looking to become just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double over the course of an entire season, joining Oscar Robertson, who did it in 1961-62.
The stat-stuffing point guard is well on his way, leading the league with 16 triple-doubles and averaging 30.9 points, 10.5 assists and 10.4 rebounds. But with more than half the schedule left to be played, can he keep it up?
Ben Simmons' NBA debut
The No. 1 overall pick underwent foot surgery in early October, three weeks before he was scheduled to make his pro debut with the Philadelphia 76ers, temporarily halting the hype of an entire city chomping at the bit to see a little progress from its free-falling franchise.
Though there's still no official timetable for his return, Simmons is expected to get in on the NBA action at some point this season, joining a roster that — barring any trades — features runaway Rookie of the Year candidate Joel Embiid and former lottery picks Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric.
Free agency frenzy
With yet another free agency class full of top-tier talent on tap for the summer, who will be the next star to pack his bags and alter the NBA's landscape? After back-to-back MVP awards and one (or more) championship(s), will Stephen Curry really try to test the free agency waters? Will Chris Paul and Blake Griffin jump ship and uproot the Los Angeles Clippers core? And what about players like Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap and Kyle Lowry, who are all cornerstones of their respective franchises?
The last hurrah?
We bid adieu to some of the NBA's most storied superstars in 2016, from Bryant to Kevin Garnett to Tim Duncan. As Father Time ticks on, will 2017 bring something similar?
Paul Pierce announced in September that this will be his final season, but what about 38-year-old Dirk Nowitzki, who has only played in 10 of the Dallas Mavericks' 35 games this season? Or Chris Bosh, who failed his pre-training camp physical after dealing with blood clots in each of the past two seasons? Or 39-year-olds Vince Carter and Manu Ginobili?
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