LeBron free agent, Kobe off the bench and another great final
2014 just started and it already promises to be a very exciting one for basketball. The NBA playoffs are not far away and the competition seems to be very tough right now, so it will most likely be a close race down to the deciding games of the season. Already, there are some interesting stories in the NBA which should make headlines and certainly deserve some early attention, and maybe even some betting consideration.
LeBron James may become a free agent in July
After winning the title for the past two years with the Miami Heat and being on track for another one this year, MVP LeBron James will have the entire basketball industry nervously sitting in their seats in 2014 with the option to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. He is joined by other NBA stars which will be in a similar position this summer, including Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade from Miami.
James already shocked the world once in 2010, when he made a dramatic move to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and become a free agent. He then joined the Miami Heat and won two championships, arguably making the right decision for his career. Now, we find him in a similar position and it remains to be seen what he will decide.
Kobe Bryant will return in a couple of months
Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in the game and despite having won five NBA championships, his future may seem a little bleak due to recent injuries. He recently agreed to extend his contract for another two years with the only NBA team he ever played for – Los Angeles Lakers.
He is currently on the bench with a knee fracture and will continue to stay away from the court until February, most likely. However, he plans on making a good return and help the struggling Lakers have a shot at the playoffs.
Bryant also suffered an injury on his Achilles tendon that had him sidelined for a significant period and was just starting to get back in shape before injuring his knee.
2014 NBA draft
The NBA draft this year will be one of the most exciting ones in recent history. Several great players will be in the sights of the top teams and the No.1 pick will help decide the future of the team that ends up having it. Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart will be on the list in the 2014 NBA draft and they are all great candidates for the top pick.
In fact, the talented players which can be picked this season will make sure that not just the No. 1 pick will be decisive, but also the second and the third, putting a lot of pressure on the teams to not make a mistake.
Miami Heat three-peat?
Needless to say that the biggest NBA story to follow in 2014 will be the fight for the title. As mentioned before, the Miami Heat won the past two NBA titles and has been doing fairly well in the season so far to think that they have a shot at making it a three-peat this year.
If Miami makes it to the final in 2014, it will be the first team in NBA history to make four consecutive finals since 1984-87, when the Boston Celtics did it. It will not be an easy thing to achieve as the Heat will have to get past the currently No. 1 Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference. And even if they make the finals, Miami would most likely have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, which will not make for an easy final.
