🏀 Celtics Raise Banner Kickoff NBA Season, Lebron & Bronny Make History, NBA Preview + More!

Good Morning Blitzers,

Hope your week is going well! After last night, we now have all 4 major sports playing games. So enjoy it while it lasts. Let’s jump right into today’s Morning Blitz!

WTF Stat: In 1943, the Steelers’ and Eagles’ rosters were so depleted from World War 2 that they merged into one team known as the Steagles.

🏀 In the NBA season opener, the Celtics celebrated their 18th championship banner by defeating the New York Knicks 132-109, tying the NBA record with 29 three-pointers. Jayson Tatum led the charge with 37 points and 10 assists, while Derrick White and Jaylen Brown contributed 24 and 23 points, respectively.

In a historic moment for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, played together for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This marked the first time a father and son have played in the league simultaneously. LeBron scored 16 points, while Anthony Davis dominated with 36 points and 16 rebounds. The game also featured JJ Redick in his coaching debut for the Lakers.

🏈 The Saints extended RB Alvin Kamara's contract for two more years, worth approximately $24.5 million. Kamara, who was willing to play out the season without a new deal, has been a key player for the Saints, with 111 carries for 438 yards and six touchdowns this season. The new extension guarantees $22 million and frees up $18 million in salary cap space for 2025.

🏀 Rudy Gobert has signed a three-year, $110 million contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks last season, expressed confidence in the Timberwolves' plans for contention and flexibility to enhance the roster.

NBA Season Preview

We are embarking on another season of the NBA, one that will surely be dominated by ESPN trying to convince you that LeBron and Bronny are the best thing to happen to professional sports since Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey, Jr. But you come to us because we’re actual sports people like you, so let’s talk about things that actually matter for the NBA this season.

PRESEASON TOP TEN

1. Boston Celtics - The Celtics hung banner 18 in the rafters of the Garden with one of the more dominating runs through the Finals in recent memory. No big changes in the offseason, just running it back with the same squad and why wouldn’t you? Plus, Steve Kerr probably gave Jason Tatum all the motivation he needed by snubbing him in the Olympics.

2. Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets ran out of steam against the Timberwolves last season, but they still have the reigning MVP (Jokic) and one of the best scoring guards in the NBA (Murray). They added Russell Westbrook to the mix as a 6th man and as long as Russ doesn’t cause chaos they will be a contender.

3. Dallas Mavericks - Dallas got run out of the gym by the Celtics in the Finals. Luka Doncic faced criticism about his physical fitness and his ability to show up in big games. Kyrie Irving has behaved and they added a solid locker room presence in Klay Thompson. The Mavericks still have a ton of talent and depth to be a powerhouse in the West.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder - Gotta love when a plan of stockpiling draft picks works out and the young players start to live up to their potential. We saw that with the Thunder last season. Of course, the inexperience showed up in the playoffs, so they went out and added some grizzled veterans. If the young Thunder continue in their current trajectory, they very well could find themselves in the Finals.

5. Milwaukee Bucks - Ever since the Bucks won the title it’s been nothing but drama. Mike Budenholzer got fired, Adrian Griffin couldn’t corral the star power of Damien Lillard and Giannis, so he got the ax, and Doc Rivers couldn’t do much better. However, if the Bucks get their act together, Lillard and Giannis should be the best combo in the league. Should.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - The T-Wolves finally re-entered the fray in the NBA in 2023-2024. Made the playoffs, swept the Suns, beat the defending champs before being unable to keep up with the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. I think they made a great move by getting rid of Karl-Anthony Towns. They have two great big men and the middle will be unclogged for Anthony Edwards to operate. Just gotta hope Julius Randle stays healthy.

7. Philadelphia 76ers - These next two teams are good on paper, but I have zero faith in them actually being contenders. Yes, the Sixers added Paul George to be Robin to Joel Embiid’s Batman, but how did it work out with James Harden? Jimmy Butler? Any championships? No? That’s right. This team will look great during the regular season as George and Embiid switch off sitting out games. Tyrese Maxey is fun though.

8. New York Knicks - The Knicks brought the juice back to Madison Square Garden and the NBA is a better product with the Knicks being competitive. But this move to bring in KAT…I think they got worse this offseason. Jalen Brunson is a star, but this year he will need to turn into a superstar to reach the expectations of the fans and the media.

9. Phoenix Suns - When you put three of the best scorers and three of the worst defenders on a team…what do you get? A team that’s a blast to play with in 2K, but doesn’t actually produce in real life. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker will again try to see if there’s enough shots in a game to keep each other happy. Yeah, they’ll make the playoffs. That’s the ceiling, though.

10. Orlando Magic - This is the year that Paolo Banchero makes the NBA take notice of the Orlando Magic and enters into the Top 10 players in the league. The Magic made the playoffs last year and this year they will make it past the opening round. Jalen Suggs is a star-in-waiting, they play gritty defense and as long as they take care of the basketball, a division title isn’t out of the question.

Next Teams Up: Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings

MVP: Luka Doncic

Defensive MVP: Victor Wembanyama

Most Improved Player: LaMelo Ball

Rookie of the Year: Dalton Knecht

Finals Prediction: Celtics over Thunder in 6

Lightning 8, Devils 5: Brandon Hagel netted a hat trick, and Victor Hedman added two goals. The Lightning snapped a two-game losing streak, and Conor Geekie got his first point and took a wonderful picture above.

Jets 3, Blues 2: Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves to help Winnipeg remain undefeated. All three Jets goals came in the second period, scored by Nino Niederreiter, Colin Miller, and Kyle Connor, with Cole Perfetti assisting on all three. Brandon Saad scored both goals for the Blues, marking his 500th career point.

Flames 4, Penguins 3: Calgary continued their impressive start to the season, securing a 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh. Justin Kirkland scored the decisive goal in the sixth round of the shootout, while Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, and MacKenzie Weegar netted goals in regulation for Calgary. The Penguins outshot the Flames 38-18 after a slow start but couldn't maintain their momentum.

Hurricanes 3, Oilers 2: The Hurricanes rallied to defeat the Edmonton in overtime, thanks to a dramatic goal from Sebastian Aho with just 6.1 seconds left in the extra period. Aho also contributed an assist, while Martin Necas had a goal and two assists. Connor McDavid was the standout for the Oilers, scoring both of their goals, but the team has now lost two in a row.

Avalanche 3, Kraken 2: Joel Kiviranta led the way scoring twice for Colorado, opening the scoring late in the first period and adding another goal in the second. Kiviranta's performance marked only the second multi-goal game of his career, and the Avalanche's discipline showed with just one penalty in the contest.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 1945, Jackie Robinson signs contract with Montreal Royals, a minor league farm team of Brooklyn Dodgers. He would play his first season with the Montreal Royals leading the International League that season with a .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage, and he was named the league's Most Valuable Player. The next year, in 1947 he was called up to the Dodgers and broke the color barrier.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Which NBA player has made the most free throws ever in their career?

D) Karl Malone - Malone leads the list with 9,787 free throws made on 13,188 attempts (74%). Moses Malone is second with 8,531. What is interesting is Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal are 21st and 24th on the list, however are 2nd and 4th in free throw attempts, respectively.

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's trivia question and more info!