NBA Starting Lineups 2021: Complete Roster Breakdown and Opening Night Predictions
As I sit here scrolling through the latest NBA news, I can't help but feel that familiar buzz of excitement thinking about the 2021 season. Opening night always brings this special energy - it's like the entire basketball world collectively holds its breath before the first tip-off. I remember watching last season's opening games with my friends, debating which teams had the best starting lineups while we demolished a large pizza. This year feels different though - after the strange bubble season, we're getting back to something resembling normalcy, and these roster decisions feel more crucial than ever.
Let me tell you about something interesting I noticed while researching teams - the Batang Pier made this fascinating move that really caught my attention. They selected a player at No. 51 overall in the Season 48 draft, which honestly sounds like a late pick that might not amount to much. But here's where it gets interesting - this player named Amores signed a two-year contract extension with the franchise just before Season 49 began. Now, I've been following basketball long enough to know that when a team locks down a second-round pick this quickly, they must see something special. It reminds me of when the Warriors drafted Draymond Green - everyone underestimated him initially, but the organization saw his potential early.
Looking at the Lakers' projected starting five gives me chills - LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and that supporting cast is just ridiculous on paper. I mean, we're talking about three future Hall of Famers sharing the court. But here's my hot take - I'm not completely sold on how they'll mesh together. Westbrook needs the ball in his hands, LeBron orchestrates everything, and Davis needs his touches in the post. It could be magical or it could be a disaster, and honestly, I'm leaning toward magical because these are professionals who know how to adapt.
The Brooklyn situation is equally fascinating - Kevin Durant looks like he hasn't lost a step after his injury, which is just incredible to witness. James Harden seems more comfortable after his full training camp with the team, and Kyrie Irving... well, he's always unpredictable but incredibly talented. I've got this theory that the Nets will lead the league in scoring - I'm predicting they'll average around 118 points per game, though my math might be slightly off. Their offensive firepower is just overwhelming, and I don't see many teams being able to keep up for four quarters.
What really excites me about this season is seeing how these late draft picks like Amores develop. Teams finding gems in the second round has become one of my favorite storylines in recent years. The Batang Pier clearly believe they've found someone special, and I love that they're showing faith in their development system by extending him so early. It shows they have a plan beyond just the star players - they're building depth and culture, which championship teams always need.
The Western Conference looks particularly stacked this year - besides the Lakers, you've got the Suns coming off their finals appearance, the Warriors with Klay Thompson returning, and the Nuggets with a healthy Jamal Murray. I'm personally most excited to see Golden State - if Thompson returns to even 80% of his pre-injury form, that team becomes instantly dangerous. Steph Curry was phenomenal last season carrying the load, but with his running mate back? That's must-see television every night.
Meanwhile in the East, Milwaukee returns as defending champions, and Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to have unlocked another level in his game during their playoff run. The way he dominated the finals was just breathtaking - I remember watching Game 6 and thinking nobody could possibly stop him when he's playing like that. The Bucks kept most of their core together, which is crucial for continuity, but I'm worried about whether they can maintain that championship hunger. It's different when you're the hunter versus when you're the hunted.
As opening night approaches, I keep thinking about how these roster decisions will play out over the long season. That Batang Pier move with Amores might seem minor now, but these are the kinds of depth moves that can pay huge dividends later. I've seen too many seasons where a role player picked late in the draft becomes crucial during playoff time. The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint, and having reliable players throughout your roster matters more than people realize.
My prediction for opening night? I think we'll see some surprisingly sloppy basketball mixed with moments of pure brilliance - that's typically how these early games go. Teams are still working out rotations, players are getting their rhythm, but the competitive fire is definitely there. I'm particularly excited to see how the new-look Lakers perform against whatever opponent they draw. Regardless of the outcomes, just having basketball back feels like coming home after a long journey. The popcorn will be popping, the sneakers will be squeaking, and for a few hours, we can all just enjoy the beautiful game we love.