The NBA is the highest level of basketball in the world, with countless exciting events and shocking news every year. 2023 is a very special year for the NBA as it has experienced the impact of the pandemic, player transfers, the rise and fall of teams, and some historic records and accolades. What are some of the events of the year that we will never forget?Let's review the top 10 NBA events in 2023.
1.The Lakers won their 18th championship and James won his 6th FMVP
In June 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the Finals to win their 18th championship, surpassing the Boston Celtics to become the most decorated team in NBA history. It was also the Lakers' sixth championship since 2010 and their second post-pandemic title. Lakers core player LeBron James performed well in the Finals, averaging 287 points, 103 rebounds, 85 assists, 22 steals and 13 blocks, selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Finals (FMVP). It was James' sixth FMVP, tying Michael Jordan's record and becoming one of the greatest players in NBA history.
2.Curry broke the three-point record and became the second-leading scorer in history.
In April 2023, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors hit the 2,974th three-pointer of his career against the Utah Jazz, breaking the NBA-history three-point record held by Ray Allen. Curry is one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history, and his three-point shooting skills and ability have changed the style and tactics of basketball. That same month, Curry also scored his 32,319th career point against the Boston Celtics, surpassing Karl Malone to become the second-highest scoring champion in NBA history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Curry's performance in 2023 has been amazing, averaging 326 points, 61 assist, 55 rebounds, 1With 8 steals, he was selected as the MVP of the regular season, his third MVP, tied with many legends.
3.Durant returned to the Finals but was powerless to stop the Lakers' three-game winning streak.
In May 2023, the Brooklyn Nets narrowly defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals to reach the Finals. This is the Nets' second Finals since 2003 and their top player, Kevin Durant, for the fourth time since 2018. Durant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 2019 Finals, which caused him to miss the entire 2020 season, and in 2021, he missed most of the game due to coronavirus infection and other injuries.
2023 has been a big comeback year for Durant, who has shown amazing resilience and competitiveness in both the regular season and the playoffs, averaging 298 points, 74 rebounds, 56 assists, 14 blocks, was selected as an All-Star starter and a member of the All-Star team. However, in the Finals, Durant met a formidable opponent, the Lakers, who averaged 342 points, 87 rebounds, 63 assists, 17 blocks, but still couldn't stop the Lakers from winning three consecutive championships, and finally lost 2-4. Durant's journey to the Finals has been a tragic saga, and he has shown his tenacity and perseverance, while also earning the respect and sympathy of fans.
4.Towns and Russell teamed up to lead the Timberwolves to a playoff drought and set the best record in franchise history.
In March 2023, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded All-Star point guard D'Angelo Russell from the Golden State Warriors before the trade deadline, forming a formidable inside-outside combination with their center Carl Anthony Towns. Russell and Towns have been friends since childhood, and they worked together with the Timberwolves to lead the Timberwolves to an amazing winning streak in the second half of the season, and finally finished fourth in the West with a 54-28 record, breaking their playoff drought since 2004 and creating the best record in team history.
Both Downs and Russell had excellent numbers during the regular season, with Downs averaging 26 per game5 points, 123 rebounds, 47 assists, 1With 6 blocks, Russell averaged 23 per game4 points, 78 assists, 42 rebounds, 13 steals, and they were all selected as All-Star benches and members of the All-Star team. In the playoffs, the Timberwolves eliminated the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the first round, but lost 2-4 to the Lakers in the second round and stopped in the Western Conference semifinals. Still, the Timberwolves' performance in 2023 has been a bright spot, showing their potential and hope, as well as giving fans a glimpse into their future.