Newly healthy stars and rising young players could shift the power dynamics in both conferences. But if the Nets and the Lakers can recover from off-season drama, they may be the teams to beat.
A star turn with the Knicks in 2012 made Lin a cultural icon. But the focus on his race — Lin is Taiwanese American — made him uncomfortable for years.
Enes Kanter Freedom has condemned human rights abuses in Turkey for years. Now he claims the N.B.A. is blackballing him as he focuses on abuses in China.