After the summer of the New York Knicks, Pablo Torre finding out, and discovering my new favorite podcast, I’ve decided it’s time for me to start keeping up with basketball. To do this, it only feels right to pick a team for the first time.

Boston Celtics: I don’t like what they got going on in that city.

New York Knicks: Defending NBA Champions? I have more pride than than that

Brooklyn Nets: A contrarian’s basketball team.

Utah Jazz : At my editor, Sami Davis’ request, which I will honor.

Washington Wizards: I hate everything about Washington D.C. except museums and Gogo.

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Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Toronto Raptors

Unfortunately there’s not enough motion here to get me on board.

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Charlotte Hornets

Storylines: I’m from Charlotte, and the city is pretty special to me. The Hornets however, aren’t really. Most of my childhood was spent watching my dad ignore their existence, but since I’m choosing a basketball team, I can’t just let them fall by the wayside.

Players: I loved Lamelo Ball, but since getting rid of him, I guess I’m forced to get excited about Naz Reid and Kon Knueppel.

Intangibles: Being my hometown, which cannot be overstated. I love Charlotte, and the few games I went to with my dad growing up are really special memories for me. We rode the light rail downtown, and it was my first time on cool public transit like that. It’s a defining moment of my childhood.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Storylines: I watched this team blow a 29 point lead in one of the first games of the season, and apparently that happens a lot.

Players: Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are the big draws here. Donovan Mitchell just seems like a great basketball player, while James Harden doesn't have the internet allegedly.

Intangibles: Generally, these guys just seem like they put their heads down and work. I can always get behind that.

Denver Nuggets

Storylines: At one point they were real title contenders, but it seems like we’re in the post-that era now. They’re good, but the west seems pretty spoken for between the Thunder, Spurs, and Timberwolves.

Players: It’s cool that Nikola Jokic is seemingly one of the best to ever do it, and doesn’t seem to care at all.

Intangibles: Lung capacity and alcohol tolerance. Elevation is no joke.

Minnesota Timberwolves

“They talk shit and they back it up.” - Zander Collins

That’s my kinda team.

Storylines: They made a deep run in the playoffs last year in a tough Western conference. There was a bit of reshuffling this offseason, but they still have a lot of their core.

Players: Lamelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. Anthony Edwards is awesome, man, just one of the coolest guys out. If Lamelo Ball were a Charlotte Hornet, I wouldn’t even be writing this. I’ve been aware of him since the Chino Hills days, and the whole Ball family was like a mini-reality show for me. I wasn’t even watching basketball!

Intangibles: The vibes on this team are so high.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Storylines: They seem to be the villains of the NBA, and that’s interesting to me. They’re really good, and seem to be so well-run they’ll be good for a long time.

Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is known for foul baiting, but his signature shoe is quite good. Chet Holmgren has a bad blaccent. I love Jared McCain’s vibe.

Intangibles: They do sort of feel like the Monstars. I’m sure they’re all quite nice, but they do read as villains in a strange way.

Philadelphia 76ers

Storylines: Lebron James

Players: I know at least something about their entire starting five, I’m a fan of these guys.

Intangibles: An undercurrent of sadness running through this team. They’re good, but they don’t seem like they’re having as much fun as some other teams in the league.

Sacramento Kings

Storylines: I remember the whole “light the beam” thing, that seemed pretty fun. It seems like we're out of that era now though.

Players: Nique Clifford and I share a name, although his is last and mine is first, so that's cool. In my research I also found out a guy I went to high school with is on a two-way contract with the Kings, so I’m high on Leaky Black this year.

Intangibles: Can’t really get a vibe from this team, but Sacramento is another city with a river running through it, so we’re connected in that way.

San Antonio Spurs

Storylines: Last year’s runner-ups

Players: Victor Wembanyama is the obvious draw here, but I’m also a fan of the other young guys, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.

Intangibles: Lob potential here is crazy, obviously.

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Unfortunately, I can’t deny where I’m from, I’m  going into this season as a Charlotte Hornets fan. In doing this, I stumbled into the connection between basketball and a defining moment of my childhood, and that’s too special to let go of.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on the Minnesota Timberwolves this year as my team in the west.