NBA 2018/19: Storylines you need to follow this upcoming season

#4 Are the Celtics really that good?

Are the Celtics a lock in the East?

Last season, the Boston Celtics showed us they can put up a real fight even without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in their team. Brad Stevens is an excellent coach, who brought the best out of his roster and exceeded expectations in doing so.

This year with two key stars returning, their expectations have since sky-rocketed. With LeBron going to the West, the East is for their taking. You cannot ignore the spotlight they are getting and brush it off as just hype, as the team are one of the league's deepest and promising. With their starting five being one of the league's best already, it'll be interesting to see how they fare this time around.

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#3 The MVP race

Harden with his mum and NBA MVP accolade at the league's awards event in June

Every season, this is one thing everyone keeps an eye on. Winning the MVP is a dream that every basketball player has and is certainly a worthwhile trophy given to the league's best player throughout the regular 82-game season.

With it comes recognition, fame, money and added respect, as well as added pressure to perform at the highest level. NBA fans always keep a close watch on the MVP race as that player is regularly also the most entertaining to watch across the league.

Harden narrowly missed out in the previous two seasons, but the real question remains: Who wins this year? Will he secure back-to-back wins? What about LeBron? Anthony Davis finished third, could he surpass expectations even further? You can never count out Giannis Antetokoumpo either, who persists in yearly improvements. We'll just have to wait and watch.