As a longtime NBA analyst and someone who spends way too much time studying basketball trends, I've always found the preseason schedule to be more revealing than most fans realize. The 2023-24 NBA preseason kicks off with some fascinating storylines that could set the tone for the entire regular season. While looking at this year's matchups, I can't help but draw parallels to that intriguing pattern from Philippine basketball where National University failed to sweep Round 1 in two consecutive seasons because of one particular team that managed to defeat the defending champion both times. This kind of recurring challenge against specific opponents is exactly what makes preseason basketball so compelling - it's where these potential rivalries and matchup problems first emerge.
The preseason schedule runs from October 3 through October 20, featuring 63 games across 29 teams - yes, the Lakers and Warriors each have five games while some smaller market teams only play four, which tells you something about the league's priorities if you ask me. What really catches my eye are the international games, particularly the Bucks and Hawks playing in Abu Dhabi on October 5 and 7. Giannis versus Trae Young on a global stage gives us an early look at how these teams are adapting to their offseason changes. Back stateside, the October 15 matchup between Phoenix and Portland feels particularly juicy - watching Deandre Ayton return to face his former team after that blockbuster trade could reveal some real tension.
From my perspective, the most telling preseason games often involve teams that underwent significant roster changes. The Celtics hosting the 76ers on October 11 should give us our first real look at how Jrue Holiday fits alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's response without James Harden - assuming he's still holding out - will be crucial to observe. I've noticed that preseason results, while not counting in the standings, often foreshadow regular season patterns. Remember how Denver looked dominant throughout last year's preseason? They carried that momentum straight to a championship.
The Warriors versus Lakers matchup on October 13 at Crypto.com Arena is what I'd call a "dress rehearsal" game. These two teams have developed quite the history recently, and watching how Golden State integrates Chris Paul alongside their established core against LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be must-see television. Personally, I think Paul starting alongside Curry could either be brilliant or disastrous - there's rarely middle ground with such significant backcourt changes. The October 19 rematch in San Francisco will likely feature more rotation players getting extended minutes as coaches finalize their regular season rotations.
What many casual fans miss about preseason is how these games reveal coaching philosophies and developmental priorities. Teams like Oklahoma City and Orlando will likely give heavy minutes to their young cores - I'm particularly excited to see Chet Holmgren's official debut after missing all last season. The international games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also demonstrate the NBA's continued global push, something I've watched evolve dramatically over my fifteen years covering the league. These overseas contests typically feature more star players than your average preseason game, since the league wants to put on a good show for international markets.
As we approach the regular season tip-off on October 24, these preseason matchups provide crucial data points for understanding team dynamics. The pattern of a dominant team struggling against a particular opponent - much like National University's experience - often first appears during these exhibition games. While wins and losses don't matter in the standings, the psychological edges gained can carry into the regular season. From my experience, teams that develop preseason momentum frequently start the regular season strong - last year's Cavaliers went 4-1 in preseason and carried that into an impressive November. Keep your eyes on those final preseason games around October 19-20 - that's when coaches typically simulate regular season conditions most closely, giving us our clearest preview of what's to come.
