From Underdogs to Contenders: NBA Teams That Might Have an Unexpectedly Good Season

As the long-anticipated NBA regular season finally dawns upon us, the excitement amongst its fans is stronger than ever. The off-season, marked by nail-biting transactions, has injected a fresh wave of enthusiasm into the league. While the spotlight shone on high-profile moves like Damian Lillard joining the Bucks and Jrue Holiday's arrival with the Celtics, it's not just the big-market powerhouses that have evolved. The underdogs from smaller markets teams or franchises that fell into the background have quietly and steadily enhanced their rosters, setting the stage for an electrifying and unpredictable season.

The Houston Rockets

Photo by All-Pro Reels

With all the chatter surrounding The Rockets this off-season, they acquired key pieces and players that enhanced their roster significantly. The signings of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have not only introduced a formidable defensive presence but also injected a much-needed sense of leadership for the budding young core to admire and learn from.

As the preseason unfolded, we saw previews of what to expect from the team during the regular season. With stellar performances from Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr, Jalen Green, and of course, their rookies, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson. 

The breakout performances from Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson showcase the talent and promise of Houston’s draft picks. During the preseason, Thompson averaged 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists while his rookie counterpart, Whitmore, had two high scoring games against San Antonio where he scored 15 and 17 points. With stellar shooting, ball handling, and jaw dropping dunks, Rockets fans have a lot to be excited about when it comes to the rookies on their team. 

However, the most intriguing addition for the team was Ime Udoka, the former head coach of the Celtics, who guided the Eastern Conference team to the finals in his inaugural coaching year. Udoka’s coaching philosophy, grounded in a mix of tough love and unwavering accountability for every player, proved instrumental in Boston’s success. As he takes the reins in Houston, fans have a promising coaching career and praises from former players to comfort them on what they should expect from Udoka in the 2023-2024 season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder

While the Thunder didn’t experience any flashy off season changes that would affect their starting five, they did regain Chet Holmgren, their superstar pick from the 2022 draft. Following a challenging injury that sidelined him for the previous season, Holmgren showcased his exceptional athleticism and skills during the preseason, delivering an impressive performance with averages of 16.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game on a remarkable 57.9% shooting. With Holmgren’s triumphant return, a renewed sense of unity has swept not only through the Thunder team but also among the dedicated fanbase.

In addition to Holmgren’s comeback, The Thunder also acquired Kentucky guard, Cason Wallace from the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023 draft. During the preseason, Wallace also showed his skill and athleticism, giving highlights for fans all over social media to awe over and spark more interest in his capabilities for the upcoming season. It’s safe to say that the Thunder is no longer a team to underestimate, and the progress they’ve made over the past season is evident, they’re coming back to go even further and win. 

Photo by Brady Saylor

Despite concluding the preseason with a 2-3 record, it’s evident that this team is making all the right strides. The Thunder also acquired Kansas State’s, Keyontae Johnson, a player with virtues that align with the organizations values. After a health scare in 2020 that led him to be in a medically induced coma for 3 days, Johnson returned to the basketball court and led his new team the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, showing that against all odds, his goals were to persevere and achieve success. In a similar tale of perseverance and against-all-odds achievements, the Oklahoma City Thunder later picked up Vasilije Micic, a Serbian point guard renowned for his exceptional basketball skills and international experience.

With dedication, hard work, and continued growth from players such as these, there’s no doubt that the Thunder will leave everyone astounded with their remarkable progress and performances in the games to come. The Thunder’s resilience and potential make them a team to watch, poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming NBA season.

The San Antonio Spurs

During the summer, the San Antonio Spurs secured one of the most extraordinary draft picks in NBA history since the arrival of LeBron James, igniting a wave of exhilaration throughout the league and amongst its fans. From commercials to primetime interviews, the NBA has rolled out the red carpet for its emerging international superstar, Victor Wembanyana, and, impressively, he’s lived up to the hype. 

Coming from the Metropolitans 92 in Levallois-Perret, Victor caught the world’s eye as he averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game with his country’s team. On April 21st of 2023, he declared for the draft, sending a surge through the game of basketball and its fans. Everyone who followed the game had a prediction on where he was going to go as he was suspected to be the #1 pick in the draft. And on June 22nd, he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs, setting the NBA world ablaze along the way.  

Photo by Thomas S.

With the rich history of the Spurs, Wemby’s presence has injected a sense of nostalgia back into the streets of San Antonio and has also breathed new life into the organization. His imposing 7’3” height, combined with a remarkable 7’9” wingspan, positions him as a formidable defensive force on the court and a lethal threat behind the arc. Add in his scoring in the post, the Spurs rookie is not only intimidating, but unstoppable. 

After shaking off the pressure from the summer league, he used the preseason to show off his skills and give fans more of a closer look at what he was capable of on the court. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 50.9% shooting, Wemby also had a few highlight worthy blocks and sneaky steals that had all NBA fans baffled and worried about what was to come with him in the future. Needless to say, spurs fans have a lot to look forward to this season and beyond with Wemby on their team!

The young talent in this league is budding and waiting for their opportunity to showcase their skills on the grandest stage in the world of basketball. As these gifted athletes continue to develop and hone their craft, they represent the next generation of stars who will carry the NBA into the future. And rest assured, with these teams and emerging stars, the league is in great hands.