As the 2017-2018 NBA season is underway, this year should should be exciting to watch as the off-season introduced highly anticipated rookies and extreme trades. Notable rookies everyone is excited to see are the top two picks Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. Ben Simmons is another anticipated rookie, as an injury in last years off-season prevented him from playing a single regular season game. The rookie of the year award following the season is up for grabs and will be a hard fight.

Aside from the rookies, multiple high level trades were made that shocked the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder managed to build a “super team”, picking up 10x NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony and 4x NBA All-Star Paul George. The Boston Celtics were able to acquire star Point Guard Kyrie Irving and Forward Gordon Hayward. They were a serious championship contender until Gordon Hayward tragically broke his ankle on opening night. Even after the injury the Celtics are still holding on to the #1 spot in the Eastern conference.

The Western Conference is going to bring a lot of tough competition in the post-season, as the defending champions, The Golden State Warriors are making a run for their third championship in  four years. But this year the conference will most likely bring more challenge and competitiveness to the playoffs. The Warriors are highly favored to win the title, but the Western conference grew in strength his off-season. The Spurs and Rockets are always championship contenders and again are capable of making the Finals.

In the Eastern Conference, Lebron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers are favored to win the conference. As they usually easily make the Finals, this year won’t be so simple. The Cavs are off to a shaky start and the Celtics are making a statement early on leading the East. Even though the Cavs are starting slow, many expect a Finals rematch yet again for the fourth consecutive year.