NBA Preseason 2021-22: 5 Key Storylines Every Basketball Fan Must Follow

As I sit down to analyze the upcoming NBA preseason, I can't help but feel that electric buzz that only basketball can bring. This 2021-22 preseason carries particular significance - we're coming off one of the most disrupted seasons in league history, and frankly, I'm fascinated by how teams will navigate this transitional period. Having followed the NBA for over two decades, I've learned that preseason narratives often foreshadow regular season realities, and this year promises some compelling storylines that deserve our attention.

The first storyline that jumps out to me involves the league's ongoing global expansion, which reminds me of something fascinating happening overseas. I recently came across information about Filipino players making waves in Japan's B.League, where their presence as imports has significantly boosted the sport's popularity according to sources familiar with the situation. This international growth mirrors what we're seeing in the NBA's global strategy. Commissioner Adam Silver has been vocal about expanding the league's international footprint, and I believe we're witnessing a pivotal moment where basketball's globalization could impact everything from talent pipelines to marketing strategies. Just last season, the NBA featured 107 international players from 41 countries, representing about 24% of opening-night rosters. That number feels significant when you consider how international players have transformed team compositions and playing styles across the league.

Speaking of roster transformations, the second major storyline involves the dramatic roster shakeups we've witnessed during the offseason. Personally, I'm most intrigued by the Los Angeles Lakers' overhaul - they've added nine new players to surround their veteran core. Russell Westbrook joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis creates what could be either basketball's most brilliant trio or its most fascinating failure. I've always been skeptical about stacking veteran talent, but something about this particular combination makes me cautiously optimistic. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets retained their superstar trio while adding valuable role players like Patty Mills and Paul Millsap. From my perspective, Brooklyn's depth improvements might actually matter more than their star power when it comes to championship contention.

The third storyline that keeps me up at night involves the ongoing recovery from last season's compressed schedule and its impact on player health. Having spoken with several sports medicine specialists, I'm convinced we'll see teams implementing more sophisticated load management strategies this preseason. The data suggests that players coming off shortened offseasons face approximately 23% higher injury risk during the following campaign. I particularly worry about teams like the Phoenix Suns, whose players had just 71 days between the Finals and training camp after two months in the NBA bubble the previous year. As a fan, I hate seeing stars rest during meaningful games, but the medical evidence supporting strategic rest has become too compelling to ignore.

What really excites me though is the fourth storyline - the emergence of what I'm calling the "next generation" of NBA talent. I've been closely watching preseason developments from teams like Memphis, Charlotte, and New Orleans, where young cores appear ready to leap into contention. Ja Morant specifically looks poised for a breakout season after adding significant muscle during the offseason. Having watched his development since Murray State, I believe he has the potential to become a top-10 player within the next two seasons if he continues improving at his current trajectory. The Grizzlies won 38 games last season, but my prediction is they'll push for 45-48 wins this year if their young players develop as expected.

The fifth and final storyline I'm monitoring involves the ongoing evolution of basketball strategy and how teams are adapting to rule changes. The NBA's new guidelines regarding non-basketball moves for fouls represent the most significant officiating adjustment since the freedom of movement rules. From what I've observed in early preseason action, officials appear serious about limiting what they deem "overt" attempts to draw fouls. This could dramatically impact players like James Harden and Trae Young, who have built their games around drawing contact. As someone who values skill over manipulation, I welcome these changes, though I suspect we'll see an adjustment period filled with frustrating offensive performances.

What ties all these storylines together, in my view, is basketball's beautiful complexity - how international developments, roster construction, health management, player development, and rule interpretations create this constantly evolving ecosystem. The B.League's growth through Filipino imports demonstrates basketball's borderless nature, while the NBA's own adaptations show how the game continues to reinvent itself. I've always believed that basketball serves as both sport and cultural barometer, reflecting broader societal shifts through its rhythms and narratives.

As we approach opening night, I find myself more optimistic about the league's direction than I've been in years. The talent distribution feels more balanced than during the superteam era, the global game continues to produce exceptional players, and the on-court product keeps evolving in fascinating ways. While preseason results often prove misleading - remember when the 2019-20 Warriors went 4-0 in preseason before finishing with the league's worst record? - the underlying narratives typically reveal something meaningful about the season to come. This year feels particularly rich with stories worth following, from Tokyo to Tennessee, from veteran superteams to emerging young squads. The beautiful game continues to surprise us, and frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.