For the first time since the 2018-19 NBA season, the NBA returned to a full 82-game regular season from October to mid-April. The following are some of the NBA’s curiosities for the 2021-22 season.
● NBA celebrates their 75th anniversary
On July 7th, 2019, the NBA announced that it would be commemorating its 75th anniversary throughout the 2021-22 season.
The NBA’s new logo preserves the Jerry West-inspired silhouette while the backdrop shape commemorates the league’s “diamond” jubilee.
The 75th-anniversary diamond jubilee emblem appears in promotions across all NBA assets throughout the season. This logo appears on all merchandise, digital, and social media platforms, and is painted on playing courts.
● List of top 75 NBA players
The NBA unveiled a ranking of the top 75 greatest players in NBA history in October 2021. This list is compiled through voting from media members, coaches, current and retired players, team executives, and general managers.
However, this is not the first time they have created a list to commemorate their anniversary. They released a list of their top 25 players to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They updated the list and issued their top 50 players list 25 years later, on their 50th anniversary.
● Classic matchups
The league has hosted historic matchups throughout the season to honor the great teams, players, and coaches that have shaped the NBA’s 75-year history.
For example, on November 1st, the Toronto Raptors faced the New York Knicks, commemorating 75 years since the inaugural regular-season game between the New York Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies on November 1st, 1946.
This season’s on-court action is not over yet
● Changes in the rules
The NBA is enforcing new regulations to combat foul baiting. During the offseason, the NBA introduced rule adjustments to potentially prevent offensive players from making unnatural actions to generate fouls, commonly known as foul baiting.
Players like James Harden and Luca Doncic, to mention a few, have become infamous in recent years for their foul-baiting methods.
Foul baiting became so prevalent in basketball that in 2020 it was debatable whether it should be permitted.
Some degree of manipulation is understandable, but it reached a point that NBA officials felt compelled to act, enacting new regulations.
● Regulations of Covid-19
Cities that host the NBA teams permit both full vaccination and the presentation of a recent negative test result.
For example, the 11 cities that are home to the Mavericks, Pelicans, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Bulls, Thunder, Grizzlies, Blazers, Jazz, and Kings allow fans to attend live games as long as they have confirmation of being completely vaccinated or a recent negative test result.
The cities where the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets do not offer these options. You can only attend these games if you have documentation of being completely vaccinated.
● Kyrie Irving vaccine stance
Initially, he was supposed to be available for half of the season as a part-time player, but the Brooklyn Nets are unwilling to give Kyrie that choice since he does not want to get the shot.
He has already missed the start of the 2021-22 season, but he is finally returning to the NBA floor for the Nets, although he will only be permitted to play road games.
● Ben Simmons traded
The Ben Simmons ordeal lasted more than seven months and ended on February 10th, 2022. After what seemed like an eternity of negotiations, the disgruntled star was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons sought the trade in August 2021 because he felt the team blamed him for the Eastern Conference Semifinals game seven loss.
● NBA’s new 3-point leader
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors became the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader with over 3000 career 3-pointers.
He surpassed Ray Allen for the most three-pointers made in NBA history. He also became the NBA’s fastest player to hit 150 three-pointers in a season in 28 games.
● Giannis Antetokoumpo
Giannis made his NBA debut as one of the league’s youngest players on October 13th, 2013, aged 18 years. On January 13th, 2022, he became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double of 30-12-11 in under thirty minutes.
He also became the first player to lead in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks while playing 30 minutes in a game.
Conclusion
The regular season will be ending on April 10 and the playoffs commence immediately after the play-in tournament. With the finals planned for June 19th, it is safe to say that there is much to look forward to in the 2021-22 NBA season.