NBA preseason: 8 intriguing teams to watch, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's Heat

I've always found value in the preseason. It's the first glimpse into what teams are emphasizing and working on. It's one thing to think about a team's strengths and weaknesses, it's another to see how they come together on the court. Fit, vision and opportunity are some of the biggest factors for success.

Of course, a big part of preseason is seeing familiar faces in new places . We get to see how a team views and uses a player; how and when they are putting pressure on defenses; how much they initiate offense; how many different actions they're involved in, etc.

Preseason is also a chance to look at rookies and young, returning players . We want to see if players have improved individually in the offseason, then see how those improvements can fit what their team is trying to do. Are they more confident in their decision-making? What opportunities will they be given to showcase that growth? How much does that impact the team?