The regular season is finally here. Gone are truncated minutes for starters, lukewarm receptions from smaller-than-normal crowds, and experimental lineups from coaches.
Those necessary preseason-isms will now be replaced by increased (but measured) minutes by starters, frenzied crowds, and the solidification of rotations in preparation for what each team hopes will be a successful, lengthy season.
The Wizards and their “big” three of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter figure to be prominent players in the Eastern Conference — partly because of the continuity of their starting lineup and the unfortunate injury to Gordon Hayward, and partly because the Celtics may not be the team they were just one year ago.