With the NBA preseason nearly upon us, many teams are preparing to compete for one of their 15 roster spots, and others simply buying for more playing time. Among the most intriguing narratives are the training camp position battles that promise to remold the team’s fortunes this season and beyond. Standouts such as Kevon Looney, Yves Missi, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons are competing for important roles on their respective NBA teams. They’re all ready to make waves this season. Whether they excel or falter during their preseason will play an important role in figuring out how successful their respective teams will be.
As is often the case, one of the biggest battles is at the 5-spot, where experience clashes with upside. Especially with a three-time champion like Kevon Looney providing so much experience and stability — the kind of thing every team wishes they had. He possesses a strong ability to serve as a frontcourt anchor. In addition, his impressive rebounding ability gives him a leg up as the early favorite for a starting role. Yves Missi has been breaking out as a pick-and-pop big man. He averaged a solid 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game last year. It’s this contrast of veteran leadership and youthful promise that makes this war so interesting.
The Center Position Duel
His intangibles and contributions in winning time have been invaluable to the Golden State Warriors, especially during their championship runs. His experience in high-pressure situations allows him to perform consistently, making him a key asset for any team looking to contend. Looney’s rebounding prowess and defensive skills help stabilize the frontcourt, ensuring that he can contribute effectively on both ends of the floor.
In his breakout 2021 campaign, Yves Missi proved to be a menace on defense, averaging 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game. His combination of scoring, rebounding and shot blocking lend credence to the belief that he can be a strong, multi-faceted contributor. With Missi’s versatility and ability to play in different styles and keys, that tactical flexibility can create unique advantages for his team. Follow along as Looney and Missi go head to head for the center position. Both players add distinct value to this matchup!
This intense competition can have an impact on individual careers in profound ways. It will determine how each team paces its game preparation for the next season. Teams usually look to veterans such as Looney to help ground teams with championship aspirations. Younger players such as Missi introduce future potential and flexibility to the game.
The Guard Position Landscape
In the guard position category, Judy finds many familiar faces competing for big roles especially with all these injuries changing up team scenarios. In addition, Payton Pritchard comes into the season as the defending Sixth Man of the Year. After losing star player Jayson Tatum to injury, for example, the team reportedly considered rebuilding on the fly. Consequently, Pritchard will assume the lead and take on a larger role with the squad.
Derrick White’s another key player in this position battle. Even as the floor general, he has notched impressive scoring performances while contributing in every statistical category. His experience and versatility further open up his team’s game plan, making him an invaluable asset. Pritchard and White are engaged in a hot and nasty battle. Both players are hellbent on winning a spot in the rotation.
Furthermore, Anfernee Simons brings an additional dimension of competition to the backcourt. Simons is at his best with his elite catch-and-shoot talent. With his great ball-handling skills, he can separate and get his shot off or create for others. He not only scores a ton of points, he’s dangerous hitting deep three-pointers and getting other players open looks after drawing attention. This should make him a favorite for guard minutes.
With these guards all competing for the same playing time, their ability to impress in the unevenness of preseason games will be vital. Each player’s ability to adapt to new roles and responsibilities will influence coaching decisions as teams finalize their rotations.
The Big Men Competition
The battle among big men is really sharpening up, especially in Indiana where Isaiah Jackson has been extremely impressive. He has been developing steadily since joining the Pacers and has gained significant experience working with the first unit during pickup games. While it’s not a guarantee, this early exposure could help him find an inside track for more meaningful minutes as the season goes on.
Jackson will have to hold off competition from Jay Huff and Goga Bitadze. Huff does bring an interesting skill set that might closely mirror Myles Turner’s. His unique playing style makes his team extremely difficult for smaller players to contend with, giving them a critical matchup advantage. Bitadze is hungry to compete for minutes, proving his chops in training and preseason action as well.
How Jackson develops will be central to how aggressive Indiana is with its frontcourt depth. If he can leverage his experience from pickup games effectively during official matches, he may solidify his role on the team. On the other hand, Huff and Bitadze will have to make the most of their chances if they want to wow coaches and win playing time.
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