The start of the 2021-22 NBA season is less than two months away. When the full schedule and Opening Week and Christmas Day matchups were released, fans were already brimming with excitement in anticipation for the league’s return. But which games are people looking forward to the most? Members of the NBA.com Philippines editorial team make their choices.
October 20: Bucks vs. Nets
Remember when Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets were one shoe size away from making the Eastern Conference Finals?
With James Harden and Kyrie Irving out with injuries, Durant went supernova and carried the Nets on his shoulders in their series against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wouldn’t it be exciting to watch a virtual Game 8 between the two teams?
Brooklyn’s Big 3 now has unfinished business after the Nets were pegged as title favorites throughout last season. And to settle that, they would want to show out—in full force, this time—against the reigning champions.
For the Bucks, this will be their chance to prove that they can take down the Nets even with a healthy three-headed beast. They have been criticized for taking the “easy” road to the title because all the other dominant teams dealt with injuries to their superstars.
If Giannis, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton continue to win against top contenders, then they can back up the championship that a lot of keyboard warriors are putting an asterisk on. —Charmie Lising
October 22: Bucks vs. Heat
The NBA has plenty of storied rivalries, but lately, short-term rivalries have become in vogue. Rapid player movement and playoff seedings have given way to some rivalries that may not last decades but are incredibly fun while they last.
Take for instance the low-key beef between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat that has been simmering for the past two years. Jimmy Buckets and the Heat stomped the Bucks in the bubble in the 2020 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Bucks could have ducked the Heat in the 2021 playoffs but they chose to go all out in their final regular-season meeting, setting up a date in the first round. The Bucks did plenty of marvelous things throughout their championship run, but sweeping the Heat was one of the best-for-the-culture moments of the 2021 playoffs.
This season, the Heat welcome the Bucks for their home opener on October 22. Miami was one of the busiest teams this offseason, trading for Kyle Lowry, then signing a key piece from the Bucks' title team in PJ Tucker. Lowry and Tucker are two of the most Heat Culture players in the league, so expect plenty more charge-drawing and complaining to officials in South Beach this season.
The Heat had problems last season because they barely had enough time to rest and develop with the shortened offseason following their Finals run in Orlando. A rested Heat squad should be more consistent. Bam Adebayo, arguably the most important piece of this team, should have gotten enough time to add to his offensive game following a successful Olympics stint.
The Bucks, on the other hand, mostly stayed put – a luxury only a team with a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo can afford. It will be interesting to see how the Bucks choose to match up against a slightly deeper Heat rotation.
After the opening weekend, these two meet each other three more times: December 5, December 9, and March 3. — Miguel Flores
October 29: Rockets vs. Jazz
If you're a casual NBA fan, this matchup between the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets is just a regular, unappealing game that you probably won't be anticipating. But if you're a Filipino fan, this is one of the games that’s already circled on your calendar, even if you're a hardcore follower of another NBA team.
For Filipinos, this isn't just the Jazz vs. Rockets. It's Jalen Green vs. Jordan Clarkson.
Jalen Green, who was the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, is only the third player of Filipino heritage to get drafted in the NBA. The other two? Clarkson and Warriors legend Raymond Townsend. That's why this matchup holds a lot of weight for the Philippines. This is history.
The #RepublikaNgNBA will be all eyes on @JordanClarksons and @JalenGreen when they face off for the first time on October 29! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/mKQGA2zOOy
— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) August 21, 2021
Green has the potential to become a generational talent. He played superbly in the Las Vegas Summer League (20.3 points on 51 percent shooting), giving us a glimpse of what we can expect from him throughout the season if he gets the same amount of playing time and touches.
Clarkson, on the other hand, is slowly becoming a polarizing figure in the NBA because of his impact both on and off the court. He had an amazing 2020-21 season, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 17.5 points off the bench for the Jazz.
Both Clarkson and Green are a treat to watch. They're both athletic and flashy and can handle the rock with style. Plus, they can FLAT. OUT. SCORE. Fingers crossed, when these two guys face each other for the first time, it'll be as explosive and captivating as we hope it to be.
After he got drafted, Green was asked in an interview about facing Clarkson, and all he said was: "I'm excited... I can't wait. I cannot wait."
Thousands of Filipinos could say the same thing. — JC Ansis
November 11: Rockets vs. Pistons
Basketball is a team game. It’s won when all five able bodies of one side chip in; when they move fluidly as one unit. Individual matchups are hyped, but it’s the whole team effort of running set plays, making the extra pass, gang rebounding, and efficient help defense that deliver the W.
For this game and this game alone, let’s forget all that. Because on November 11, it’s going to be about Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green. No. 1 vs No. 2.
We saw a sneak peek at this explosive matchup in the Summer League where the Houston Rockets beat the Detroit Pistons, 111-91. Not a lot of people remembered that. What popped out was Jalen’s 25 points to Cade’s 20.
The two went at it in ways we hoped they would. There was no being polite, only an elite exchange of buckets. In one play in the second quarter, Cade shook off Jalen with a nasty behind-the-back dribble and 3. In the fourth, Jalen disrespectfully splashed one over the outstretched arm of Cade.
It was an entertaining, top-tier duel between two superstar rookies whose paths are intertwined—from draft night until forever.
"My chip is super big. It started at draft night when I got drafted No. 2. I felt I was No. 1," Jalen said after the Summer League game.
With that, every single Jalen-Cade matchup has become more interesting. Every highlight has more color. Every milestone will now be an exercise on one-upping the other.
In 20 years, Jalen Green and Cade Cunningham will be sitting across from each other in one of those raw, candid, players’ only interviews talking about the battle scars and trophies they’ve accumulated throughout their NBA journey.
This game is the start of that journey. — Jon Rodriguez
November 30: Bulls vs. Hornets
This matchup between the Bulls and Hornets is compelling for many reasons. Both teams feature a mix of young-ish talent and veterans and are aiming for a playoff appearance this season. The Hornets have compelling athletes like Miles Bridges and PJ Washington together with Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. On the other side of the court, it’s Coby White and incoming sophomore Patrick Williams trying to build something special with Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and newly acquired DeMar DeRozan.
Discounting the Brooklyn Nets and reigning champs Milwaukee Bucks, the Eastern Conference is wide. Both of these teams are in each other’s way and are lumped in with other teams that are eager to crash the party. So it’s these types of matchups that count; the Hornets and Bulls—both on the same journey—will be able to test themselves against each other.
Oh, and one more thing. Reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball tangles with his brother, Lonzo, who should be rejuvenated now that he’s finally in a place where he wants to be. It’s always fun (and a little bit personal) when brothers go head to head. Can Gelo Ball also be an active participant? Time will tell! — Chuck Araneta
January 10, 2022: Spurs vs. Nets
Patty Mills facing off against his former team and former coach in the San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich isn’t a sexy pick for a “game to watch out for.” The Spurs visit Brooklyn on January 10 and Mills will make his San Antonio return on January 22. The matchup also doesn’t fall under the revenge game category plus Mills isn’t a superstar player that fans keep an eye on.
But the reunion between Mills with Pop and the Spurs is for all the feels. If you’re a Spurs fan (or a fan of basketball in general), Mills holds a special place in your heart. The Aussie guard spent 10 seasons in San Antonio and was part of the 2014 title run. He became a fan favorite and we’re not simply talking about his timely 3s or hustle plays. He was a leader on the floor and in the locker room and fans appreciated his time in the community.
Mills is a beloved role player and you can’t even be mad with him joining a super team like the Nets. You know he will bring his shooting, playmaking, and passion for a championship contender. And after leading the Australian national team to its first-ever Olympic medal, we’ve learned to appreciate the 33-year-old veteran even more.
Mills recently posted a video looking back on his time with the Spurs. It was a fitting and emotional tribute to the team and the people of San Antonio. — Yoyo Sarmenta
You can’t say goodbye to a place that will forever be part of you.
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) August 25, 2021
Besides, you still gotta have a fiddle in the band 😉
Forever connected #spursporvida @spurs pic.twitter.com/rtzEQWt0Bw
March 12, 2022: Lakers vs. Wizards
You probably know by now that Kyle Kuzma has been the recipient of many jokes since he began his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was part of the poor-performing Lakers squad some years back and recently the super team led by LeBron James that won the 2020 title. His play has been inconsistent and his slip-ups are often highlighted by the fact that he was on a championship contender.
Now that he’s moved to the Washington Wizards, Kuzma has a chance to redeem himself. At only 26 years old, his game is likely to improve over the next few seasons. Hopefully, with a starting role with the Wizards, the trajectory of his career is headed in the right direction.
In LA, he was just another young guy led by veterans. His name was rarely mentioned unless he did something over the top (good or bad). In Washington, he’s going to be one of the go-to guys and a potential leader.
Seeing Kuzma play against the Lakers could gauge whether or not he improved. Will his performance be enough to shock the Lakers community? Or will he still be left in the shadows of LeBron and Anthony Davis even as an opponent? We’ll just have to wait and see. — Renee Ticzon
