I still remember walking into the arena last season during that empty stretch - the hollow echo of basketball shoes on hardwood, the distant shouts from benches that normally would've been drowned out by twenty thousand fans. That's why when I read Juancho Flores' comments about finally feeling that electric crowd energy again, it hit me right in the basketball soul. "But I love it. The energy, it was like I giggled out of it. We haven't had a crowd like that in a while, in like forever. That was actually great," he said after what sounded like a particularly magical home game. That single quote captures something essential about what makes this NBA season different - we're not just watching basketball return to normal, we're witnessing its joyful rebirth.
As someone who's followed the league through thick and thin since the Jordan era, I can tell you this season feels like coming home after a long trip. The Ringer's predictions reflect this renewed energy in fascinating ways. They've got the Warriors winning around 58 games, which honestly feels conservative to me given how hungry Steph Curry looked in preseason. I watched him drop 41 points against the Lakers last week and thought - this man isn't just playing basketball, he's conducting symphony with a basketball. The way he moves without the ball, the instantaneous release, the sheer audacity of those 30-footers - it's basketball poetry. Meanwhile, their prediction of the Celtics finishing with 55 wins might be slightly optimistic given their bench depth concerns, but Jayson Tatum's development into a legitimate MVP candidate makes them must-watch television.
What really stands out in The Ringer's analysis is how they're weighing team chemistry this season. After two years of disrupted rhythms and COVID protocols, the teams that kept their cores intact seem to have a distinct advantage. The Memphis Grizzlies predicted to win 52 games? That's directly tied to Ja Morant's explosive growth and their continuity. I was at their game against Brooklyn last month, and the way their young core communicates on defense - calling out switches, pointing to spots, the constant chatter - that's not something you build in training camp. That takes years of shared experience. Compare that to the Lakers' predicted struggle around 45 wins - their roster overhaul means they're essentially starting from scratch while everyone else is hitting their stride.
The Western Conference predictions particularly intrigue me because they reflect what I've been noticing about the changing of the guard. The Ringer has Denver finishing with 56 wins if Jamal Murray stays healthy, which feels right given Nikola Jokić's otherworldly passing. I've never seen a big man who processes the game like him - it's like he's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Meanwhile, Phoenix at 54 wins seems about right, though I'm slightly more bullish on them than The Ringer appears to be. Chris Paul might be 37, but his basketball IQ remains off the charts. I watched him dismantle Minnesota's defense last week with nothing but hesitation dribbles and perfectly timed passes - it was a masterclass in controlled pacing.
Let's talk about the Eastern Conference, where The Ringer's predictions have Milwaukee finishing with around 59 wins. Giannis Antetokounmpo is just entering his physical prime at 27, and his combination of size, speed, and improving skill reminds me of a young Shaq - except he's somehow more versatile defensively. I saw him block a three-point attempt then finish with a dunk at the other end within four seconds flat. The man is a basketball phenomenon. Meanwhile, their prediction of Philadelphia winning 53 games hinges entirely on Joel Embiid's health, which has been the story of his career. When he's on the court, he's arguably the most dominant two-way center since Hakeem Olajuwon.
What fascinates me about this season's predictions is how they account for the "fun factor" that Flores mentioned. Teams that play exciting basketball tend to draw better crowds, which creates home court advantages that analytics can't fully capture. Sacramento's predicted improvement to 38 wins might not sound impressive, but if you've watched their young core play, you understand the excitement building around that team. Their pace-and-space system generates highlight-reel plays that energize both players and fans. I noticed their home attendance has increased by nearly 23% compared to last season - that's the Flores effect in action.
The Ringer's dark horse prediction that fascinates me most is New Orleans finishing with 48 wins. Zion Williamson's return changes everything about their ceiling. When he's healthy, he's arguably the most efficient high-volume scorer in league history - his career field goal percentage of 60.5% is just absurd for someone who takes as many shots as he does. Combine that with CJ McCollum's clutch shooting and Herb Jones' emerging defensive prowess, and you have the recipe for a team that could surprise everyone. I watched them dismantle Golden State's defense last month, and the way they moved the ball - crisp passes, smart cuts, unselfish play - reminded me of the beautiful basketball Gregg Popovich's Spurs used to play.
As we move deeper into the season, what strikes me is how The Ringer's predictions account for the human element that analytics sometimes misses. The emotional lift from packed arenas, the confidence boost from winning close games, the momentum swings that can turn a decent team into a great one - these intangible factors feel more significant this season than any I can remember. When Flores talks about giggling from the energy, he's describing something real that affects performance. Players feed off crowd energy in measurable ways - home teams are shooting nearly 3% better from three-point range this season compared to last year's restricted attendance games. That might not sound like much, but over an 82-game season, it translates to several additional wins.
Looking at The Ringer's championship predictions, they have Golden State and Milwaukee as slight favorites, which aligns with my own observations. The Warriors' championship pedigree combined with their continuity gives them an edge that's hard to quantify. Draymond Green's defensive communication, Klay Thompson's off-ball movement, Stephen Curry's gravitational pull on defenses - these are things that championship teams are built on. Meanwhile, Milwaukee's physical style travels well in playoffs, and Giannis has that championship confidence now. I'd give Boston and Phoenix slightly better chances than The Ringer appears to, but their overall logic is sound.
Ultimately, what makes this NBA season so compelling is the perfect storm of returning stars, developing young talent, and most importantly - the fans being back in full force. The predictions matter less than the sheer joy of watching basketball at its best again. When Flores described that crowd energy making him giggle, he captured exactly why we all love this game. It's not just about wins and losses - it's about those moments that give you goosebumps, the plays that make you jump out of your seat, the shared experience of witnessing greatness. However the predictions shake out, we're all winners for getting to experience NBA basketball in all its glory again.
