The NBA preseason officially begins tonight (8 ET, NBA TV) and the start of the 2019-20 NBA regular season is a little more than three weeks away. But before we get into all of that, it’s media day for 23 teams across the NBA!
As such, we’re keeping tabs of all the moments, photos and more from Western Conference teams in case you miss something.
* Eastern Conference Media Day coverage
* Team-by-team livestreaming media day schedule
* * *
Zion ready for debut season
No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is ready to contribute for the New Orleans Pelicans this season.
"It's a blessing to be here" – @Zionwilliamson pic.twitter.com/Dbzz0Zjl6b
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 30, 2019
But coach Alvin Gentry says the team isn’t looking for Williamson to “save the franchise.”
Gentry on Zion Williamson: "He's not here to save our franchise. He's a part of what we're trying to build, something Griff calls sustainable winning. … He's not here to put on a cape and save the franchise."
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 30, 2019
Porzingis should suit up in preseason
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a trade with an eye on the future last season when they landed Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks. He did not play a game for the Mavs last season as he continued to recover from the torn left ACL he suffered in February of 2018 with the Knicks.
However, Mavs fans could get a look at Porzingis in their uniform in the coming weeks. Coach Rick Carlisle told reporters at Monday’s media day that Porzingis should play in one of the team’s coming preseason games. The Mavs open their preseason slate on Oct. 8 with a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (8 ET, ESPN) in Tulsa, Okla. and then face the Detroit Pistons on the road on Oct. 9 (7 ET, NBA League Pass).
“I would expect if everything goes well, you’ll see him in one of those (first two preseason) games,” Carlisle told reporters. Carlisle also told reporters that it is unlikely Porzingis will play in both of those first two preseason games.
“I feel great physically. I feel 100 percent,” Porzingis said Monday. “I actually feel better than I ever have.”
Kerr: Big expectations for Looney
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has big plans for center Kevon Looney this season. Kerr said Looney will start at center to begin the year as Willie Cauley-Stein recovers from a mid-foot strain that will force him to miss all of training camp.
Steve Kerr says Kevon Looney likely will start at center with Willie Cauley-Stein out.
“He’s one of our best players.” Kerr also noted he had “bigger plans” for Looney this season anyway. #Warriors pic.twitter.com/baFssGwQZY
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 30, 2019
Looney averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds over 80 games with the Warriors last season.
