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Predicting The NBA’s Biggest Headlines In 2017

By Josh Cornelissen

January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

After the NBA dominated headlines in 2016, what does 2017 hold for them? What will this year’s headlines be?

2016 saw a number of prominent NBA headlines grace the pages of newspapers and websites around the world. As the league grows in popularity and brings on fans from nearly every country, the impact of those headlines only increases.

No headlines were more celebrated than those proclaimed in mid-June, as the Warriors gave up a 3-1 series lead to lose the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “LeBron brings it home” and “The Curse is Reversed” are examples of the statements in the wake of LeBron James winning the first title for the Cavs franchise, and the first championship for the city of Cleveland in 52 years.

Other headlines exploded into our memories, from “Stephen Curry the league’s first unanimous MVP” to “Zach LaVine wins greatest Dunk Contest in All-Star history.” The Golden State Warriors became the first team in NBA history to win 73 games. This July the NBA landscape was rocked by the simple “Kevin Durant to sign with the Golden State Warriors.”

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Some headlines are more lighthearted in nature, such as “The Banana Boat Boys have reunited for 2016 offseason,” or more serious with “Chris Bosh may never play in the NBA again.” Some have a veneer of insanity — “Derrick Rose declares the New York Knicks a Super Team,” for example — and others a cloak of pride and respect: “Tim Duncan announces retirement.”

With the door closing on 2016, one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, a new door is opening on the year to come. Which headlines will 2017 have in store? Are they the ones we expect – or the ones that will shock us, excite us, and make us continue coming back for more?