Everything we're excited about heading into the 2017-18 NBA season

After a busy offseason filled with blockbuster trades sending All-Star players to rival teams, on Tuesday night the 2017-18 season officially tips off with two marquee matchups that will give basketball fans the world over their first look at some of the league's newest lineups of superstars and might even be a preview of the conference finals — Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors.

There's plenty for basketball fans to love about the NBA's return, both on and off the court.

Below we'll take a look at why we are excited to see the NBA back in action.

No one backed down from the Warriors

Trash talk and subtweets

We've already had three Twitter subplots take over the timelines of NBA fans since the Warriors won their second title in three years back in June. Kevin Durant appeared to get busted using a burner account to respond to fans angry at him for leaving Oklahoma City, Joel Embiid is calling out Hassan Whiteside, and LeBron James called the sitting president of the United States "a bum."

Basketball offers Twitter users something of a respite to those looking to escape the constant deluge of hot takes and crippling self-doubt that the site can induce. While it's a complete mystery as to what social subplots will takeover this season, there will undoubtedly be plenty of them, ranging from who liked whose Instagram post to Embiid finally getting that date with Rihanna he's been pushing for for years.

— Tyler Lauletta

Game-changing rookies

This year’s rookie class has been called one of the most compelling in history, and no, that’s not just because of Lonzo Ball. The Lakers’ new point guard has already captured the attention of the league with his highlight reel passes (and his outspoken father, LaVar Ball), but he’s far from the only first-year player to keep an eye on this season.

The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, Markelle Fultz, will be fighting to get a fascinating 76ers team back to the playoffs. The Celtics, widely considered the main threat to unseat the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, have a star rookie of their own in Jayson Tatum, who has drawn comparisons to Carmelo Anthony.

Across the country, point guards De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr. will try to continue the terrific talent they have showed as freshmen in Sacramento and Dallas, respectively. Even Milos Teodosic, an international star with a Steve Nash-like passing touch, will be making his NBA debut for the Clippers. Expectations for this class are high, and I’m ready to watch them play in games that actually count.

— Sam Belden

Process: Complete

extended Joel Embiid with a deal worth $147 million

— Tyler Lauletta

Dunks!

Dunks are the simplest pleasure basketball can offer. Whether it's a posterizing dunk that destroys a defender, or a gorgeous alley from half court that reaches its destination for the oop unscathed, there are few instances in sport more truly athletic.

Images like the one above etch their places into our memories, and while we might not remember the specific instance of the slam, the snapshot will always evoke a feeling of "Oh man that was awesome."

You never know when a random Thursday will turn into "The Night Blake Griffin Destroyed the Jazz."

— Tyler Lauletta

Players getting political

The NFL season has seen more vocal activism from players on the field than any before it, spurned on by President Trump's continued insistence that players that don't stand for the national anthem be fired.

Trump would have a tougher time going after what is without question the most progressive of the four major sports leagues. Players and coaches across the league have already proven themselves adept at criticizing the president's divisive comments with insight and empathy, whether it's coming from Gregg Popovich or LeBron James or any number of other prominent figures in the league.

If the worlds of politics and sports are destined to continue overlapping in the coming months, it will be interesting to see how NBA stars react should President Trump take similar umbrage with their actions.

— Tyler Lauletta

Predictions