The 2023/24 NBA season has just ended, with Africa’s representation in the league rising in terms of players and earning power. Nigeria led the way, with a total of five of its citizens making the cut. Cameroon proudly presented three players, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contributed two players. Angola, Mali, Senegal, South Sudan, and Sudan each had one representative that showcased their contributions to the league.
The Nigerian trio, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Precious Achiuwa (Toronto Raptors), Gabe Vincent (Los Angeles Lakers), and Cameroonians Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers) and last season’s MVP, Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), exemplified the continent’s rich basketball heritage. Congolese duo of Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) and Sudanese Bol Bol (Phoenix Suns) were among the most prominent Africans in the just-concluded season.
A gruelling six months of intense play, with all 30 teams playing 82 games each. It was a season that offered much and delivered much. It was also a season of innovation, with the In-Season Tournament debuting.
Let us start with the In-Season Tournament (IST). It was novel, yet long overdue. With the League season long and monotonous, the NBA has been looking for something to spice it up. Something to energise competition so that everyone – players and fans alike – is not waiting for the play-offs. They found it with the equivalent of Football’s FA Cup.
However, rather than have separate fixtures outside of the League fixtures, the NBA designed it such that some League matches also served as part of the IST. This unique plan ensured that players were not required to play more matches than they usually do in the “normal” season. It worked like a treat. The 30 teams were grouped into six. Each group had five teams and only the top team in each group made it to the Quarter Finals along with best two teams (Wild Cards) that came second. The Semi-Finals and Final were held in Las Vegas, a market that the NBA continues to eye for future expansion.
The tournament threw up a lot of surprises. Favourites like the defending NBA Champions, Denver Nuggets; losing finalists of the previous season, Miami Heat; Philadelphia 76ers; and Minnesota Timberwolves, did not make it out of their groups. The Semi-Final was even more surprising, with the Lakers, Bucks, Pelicans and Pacers making the final four. Only the Bucks were expected to do so. Keeping with the theme of surprises, the Bucks fell in the semi-finals, paving the way for a Final that featured eventual winners, Los Angeles Lakers led by Lebron James, and Indiana Pacers led by the young point guard, Tyrese Haliburton. A truly great innovation to basketball.
Despite the “distraction” of the IST, the League continued at pace. With the frenetic nature of the games, injuries piled on, denying the League of some of its best players. One of them was the defending League MVP, Joel Embiid. He was leading the League in scoring when he picked up a knee injury that saw him missing over 30 games. With that went his chance to repeat as MVP. Late in the season, former MVP, Giannis Antetokoumpo (of Nigerian descent) also picked up an injury that ruled him out of end of season games and the start of the play-offs. There is a chance we don’t see him until next season!
Despite the injuries and other distractions, the season was filled with many excitements. The Boston Celtics led the League, winning 64 of its 82 games. They played a brand of basketball that relied heavily on strong defence and high volume 3-point shooting. In Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, they had four players that made them near-unbeatable. It will be interesting to see if they carry their form into the play-offs.
The major surprises were Oklahoma City Thunders (OKC), a young bunch led by Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They led the tough Western Conference in a three-horse race that also had the Nuggets and the Timberwolves. All three should be very competitive in the play-offs.
Who and who gets the awards of this writer?
The MVP is a tough one. Nikola Jokic of Denver continues to show big man dexterity that has never been seen since Hakeem Olajuwon. Maybe since forever. Injury killed the hopes of Embiid who was looking good for another MVP title. The young guns, Shai, and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic all staked a claim. As is Giannis who became the first player to average 30 points a game on above 60% shooting! Ultimately, this writer has to go with Jokic who continues to set the pace in creativity, leadership, and execution.
The Boston Celtics were clearly the best organised team in the season. Only special teams win 60 plus games and they are a special team. But they will have to work harder to carry this form into the play-offs.
Defensive Player of the Year is a toss-up between San Antonio Spurs’ rookie, Victor Wembayama (Congo DR); and the perennial winner, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert. Victor’s case is strong, for a player in his first season to lead the league in blocks says something. But I have to go for Gobert as his defence contributed to winning – soothing Wemby cannot lay claim to as the Spurs failed to make the post-season.
Rookie of the year has only one winner. Victor Wembayama! The 7foot 4 inches player proved that all the hype before he came into the League was justified. In him, the Spurs have a player that reminds of its luck when it drafted Tim Duncan in 1997 and went on to win 5 titles with him. Wemby is a generational talent that, injuries permitting, will break and set records that will stay long in the game. The League is lucky to have him lead a new generation!
The Post-Season – what to expect?
Sixteen of the 30 teams made the post-season. Hardly any was a surprise, though some of the first round match-ups were. Given the way the brackets have shaped up, this writer predicts as follows:
Eastern Conference Final – Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Western Conference Final – Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks
NBA Finals – Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets
NBA Champion – Watch this space!!!
Let’s get it!!.
References:
- Kigozi Abdulsalam “African players hooping it up in the nba for the 2023-2024 Season” CHIMPREPORTS January 10, 2024.
- Leonard Solms, Africa’s NBA presence is more than Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid ESPN October 24, 2023.
Edited by Bimbo Ajayi
