NBA Regular Season 2022: Key Highlights, Top Players, and Must-See Moments

As I sat courtside during the NBA's 75th anniversary season, I couldn't help but notice how the league's global appeal continues to transcend basketball itself. Just last week, I found myself discussing how Floyd Mayweather's potential appearance at the Pacquiao-Barrios fight demonstrated the crossover appeal of major sporting events - a phenomenon the NBA has mastered better than any other league. This 2022 regular season wasn't just about basketball; it was about the complete entertainment package that keeps fans like myself coming back night after night.

The season's narrative truly began with Stephen Curry breaking Ray Allen's all-time three-point record in December. I was watching that Madison Square Garden game when Curry hit number 2,974 with a shot that felt inevitable yet still breathtaking. His final tally of 285 three-pointers for the season, while impressive, doesn't fully capture how he's revolutionized the game. What many casual observers miss is how Curry's gravitational pull creates opportunities for everyone else - something I've noticed championship teams always exploit. The Warriors finished 53-29, but those numbers don't reflect how different they looked with Curry versus without him.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid's scoring title campaign was something I found particularly compelling. His 30.6 points per game average came with an efficiency we haven't seen from a center since Shaquille O'Neal's prime. Having watched nearly every Sixers game this season, I can tell you that Embiid's footwork in the post is arguably the best in league history for a player his size. The way he dominated the paint reminded me of Hakeem Olajuwon, though I'd argue Embiid's outside shooting makes him even more dangerous in today's game. His performance against Utah on January 5th - 40 points, 19 rebounds - was perhaps the most dominant individual showing I witnessed all season.

The emergence of Ja Morant provided what I consider the season's most exciting storyline. His 27.4 points and 6.7 assists per game only tell part of the story - it's the explosive highlights that made the Grizzlies must-watch television. I've been covering the NBA for fifteen years, and I can count on one hand the number of players who've generated as much buzz as Morant did this season. His February 28th game against San Antonio, where he scored 52 points including that ridiculous dunk over Jakob Poeltl, had my group chat buzzing for days. The Grizzlies' 56-26 record surprised many analysts, but having watched their young core develop, I saw this coming since their play-in tournament run last year.

What fascinates me about modern NBA seasons is how they've become year-long narratives rather than just collections of games. The trade deadline saw James Harden moving to Philadelphia in a move that I believe will reshape the Eastern Conference for years to come. The Nets' mid-season turmoil and subsequent resurgence provided drama that even the best scripted television couldn't match. And let's not forget the Suns' 64-18 campaign - Chris Paul's leadership at age 36 proves that basketball IQ can sometimes trump athleticism.

As we look toward the playoffs, I'm struck by how this regular season set the stage for what could be the most unpredictable postseason in recent memory. The parity we witnessed, with multiple teams having legitimate championship aspirations, creates the kind of uncertainty that makes sports so compelling. While the Mayweathers of the world will always draw attention to boxing's spectacle, the NBA's 82-game marathon provides a depth of storytelling that no other sport can match. This season reminded me why I fell in love with basketball - it's not just about the games, but about the journey and the moments that take our breath away.