As I sip my morning coffee and scroll through today's NBA preseason schedule, I can't help but feel that particular excitement that only October basketball brings. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've learned that preseason games aren't just meaningless exhibitions—they're treasure hunts where you might discover the next breakout star before anyone else notices. Today's matchups present exactly that kind of opportunity, especially if you know where to look beyond the established superstars.
The beauty of preseason basketball lies in its unpredictability. While casual fans might only tune in for the marquee matchups featuring LeBron or Steph, I've always found greater satisfaction in watching the fringe roster battles and developmental players. These games matter tremendously for athletes fighting for their professional lives, and the intensity often surprises people who dismiss preseason as "just practice." I remember watching Fred VanVleet dominate in the 2016 preseason and telling my friends he'd be special—three years later he had a championship ring and was starting for the Raptors. That's the magic of paying attention when others aren't.
What makes today's games particularly intriguing are the tournaments like The Next Man cUP, which provide crucial platforms for emerging talents. I've got my eye specifically on the Blazers' situation, where players like Shawn Umali and Raffy Celis are getting their chance to prove they belong. Having tracked Umali's development since his college days, I'm genuinely excited to see how his game translates against NBA-level competition. His defensive instincts and improving three-point shot—he shot 38% from deep in the G League last season—could make him a surprise contributor for Portland this year.
Then there's the fascinating case of SJ Moore, the high-flying transferee from UST. Dunk highlights don't always translate to NBA readiness, but Moore's athleticism is reportedly off the charts. I spoke with a scout who told me Moore's vertical measured at 44 inches during private workouts, which would place him among the league's elite leapers if accurate. What I'm watching for today isn't just his highlight-reel dunks though—it's whether he's developed the defensive awareness and shooting consistency to complement his athletic gifts. The transition from college to pro basketball is brutal, and preseason is where we see who's put in the work during the offseason.
The statistical reality is stark—only about 4% of preseason standouts actually secure meaningful rotation spots, but that small percentage represents dreams realized and franchises transformed. I'm always looking for players who understand their role and excel within it, rather than those just chasing numbers. Last preseason, I watched Jose Alvarado perfectly execute New Orleans' defensive schemes despite modest box score numbers, and he's since become one of their most valuable bench pieces. That's the kind of subtle excellence that wins coaches' trust.
From a team perspective, today's games offer glimpses into strategic adjustments that might define entire seasons. Coaches experiment with unconventional lineups, test new defensive schemes, and assess player combinations without regular season pressure. I'm particularly curious to see how the Blazers integrate their younger players with established veterans. The dynamic between developing talent and win-now veterans is delicate—too much emphasis on either side can derail a team's chemistry. Preseason is where coaching staffs find that balance.
What many fans don't realize is how much these games mean to the players themselves. For someone like Celis, who went undrafted in 2022, today's game could represent his best chance to catch an NBA team's attention. The margin between the G League and an NBA roster is thinner than people think—sometimes just one standout preseason performance can change everything. I've interviewed dozens of players who described preseason games as more nerve-wracking than regular season because their careers literally hang in the balance.
As tip-off approaches, I'm setting my viewing schedule around these developmental stories rather than just the final scores. The beauty of modern broadcasting means I can watch multiple games simultaneously, focusing on specific players rather than complete contests. My advice? Pick two or three under-the-radar players to track throughout their games today. Watch how they move without the ball, their defensive positioning, and how they interact with teammates during dead balls. These subtitles reveal more about NBA readiness than scoring averages ever could.
The truth is, I'll probably forget the final scores of today's games by next week, but if Umali shows improved playmaking or Moore demonstrates NBA-caliber defense, those impressions will stick with me throughout the season. That's what makes preseason basketball compelling—it's not about who wins now, but who's developing to win later. So grab your preferred game-watching snacks, ignore the occasional sloppy play that comes with early-season rust, and enjoy the unique pleasure of discovering basketball's next wave of talent before they become household names.