As an avid NBA fan and sports analyst with over a decade of experience covering professional basketball, I always get that familiar tingle of excitement when the preseason rolls around. This year, the anticipation feels particularly electric, with the NBA preseason typically kicking off in late September and running through mid-October. For the 2023-2024 season, we're looking at games starting around September 30th, giving teams roughly two to three weeks of exhibition matches before the real action begins on October 24th. What many casual fans might not realize is how crucial these "meaningless" games actually are - they're where championships can be won or lost, where rotations are tested, and where unexpected players emerge as potential stars.

I've always believed the preseason tells us more about team depth than any analyst's prediction could. Just last week, I was reviewing footage from the East Asia Super League and came across something fascinating about the Meralco Bolts that perfectly illustrates this point. The Bolts already have two potential replacements in their own backyard if Mitchell's injury forced him to sit out, with DJ Kennedy and Ange Kouame ready and available as part of the Bolts' campaign in the East Asia Super League. This kind of depth planning is exactly what NBA teams emulate during preseason - testing their bench strength, experimenting with lineups, and preparing for the inevitable injuries that come with an 82-game grind. The smartest organizations use these games as laboratories, and frankly, I wish more fans would appreciate this strategic dimension rather than just focusing on the final scores.

What specifically should we be watching for this preseason? Well, I'm particularly curious about how teams are managing their star players' minutes. In recent years, we've seen a trend toward extreme caution - last preseason, LeBron James averaged just 17.2 minutes per game, while Kevin Durant saw the court for about 22 minutes nightly. This conservative approach makes sense given the investment these franchises have in their superstars, but I can't help feeling it sometimes deprives fans of the full experience they pay good money to see. Still, from a strategic perspective, it's the right move - why risk your $200 million asset in what essentially amounts to a glorified practice session?

The integration of new acquisitions always fascinates me during this period. Remember when the Lakers added Russell Westbrook two seasons ago? The preseason showed us all the warning signs of that ill-fated partnership that many chose to ignore - the awkward spacing, the turnover issues, the defensive lapses. This year, I'm especially intrigued to see how Damian Lillard fits in Milwaukee and how Kristaps Porziņģis adjusts to Boston's system. These early games provide invaluable data points that often predict regular season success or struggle. Personally, I'll be watching the Celtics' preseason games closely - their addition of Porziņģis could either make them championship favorites or expose crucial flaws in their roster construction.

Rookie watch represents another compelling preseason storyline. Last year, we saw Paolo Banchero dominate preseason play before capturing Rookie of the Year honors, while Jabari Smith Jr.'s early struggles foreshadowed his adjustment period. This year's number one pick Victor Wembanyama has already generated more hype than any prospect since LeBron, and how the Spurs manage his preseason minutes will tell us volumes about their development approach. I'm predicting they'll be extremely cautious, likely limiting him to 18-20 minutes per game while focusing on specific skill integration rather than statistical production. The smart organizations understand preseason isn't about winning games but about building foundations.

Injury management represents perhaps the most critical preseason consideration, and here's where teams demonstrate their sophistication - or lack thereof. The cautious approach taken by the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George versus the more aggressive minutes distribution we've seen from teams like Minnesota often predicts which teams will struggle with health later in the season. My philosophy has always been that it's better to be criticized for being too careful in October than to be making excuses in April because your stars are broken down. The Meralco Bolts situation I mentioned earlier demonstrates this perfectly - having Kennedy and Kouame ready demonstrates proactive roster planning that NBA teams would be wise to emulate.

The tactical evolution we witness during preseason frequently foreshadows regular season trends. Last year, we saw the early experimentation with "drop" coverage against pick-and-rolls that eventually became standard across the league. This year, I'm anticipating more teams testing aggressive switching schemes and innovative offensive sets designed to create more corner three-point opportunities. The analytics movement has fundamentally changed how coaches approach these exhibition games, with many organizations now tracking advanced metrics like potential assist rates and defensive disruption percentages rather than traditional box score statistics. As someone who values the strategic dimension of basketball, I find these developments incredibly exciting, even if they sometimes make for less entertaining viewing experiences for casual fans.

Preseason also serves as the ultimate reality check for training camp invitees and two-way contract players. These games represent their best - and sometimes only - opportunity to prove they belong in the league. I've always had a soft spot for these underdog stories, having covered the G League extensively throughout my career. The difference between securing a standard NBA contract versus being relegated to overseas opportunities often comes down to a handful of preseason possessions. Teams like Miami and Toronto have particularly strong track records of identifying and developing these overlooked talents during the exhibition schedule.

As we approach this year's preseason action, I'm most curious about how the league's new resting policy will impact team strategies. The NBA's attempt to curb "load management" could lead to some fascinating roster decisions during these early games. My prediction? We'll see more stars playing slightly increased minutes but in carefully managed situations, with teams using sophisticated substitution patterns to protect their investments while complying with the new guidelines. The tension between competitive integrity and player health management has never been more pronounced, and the preseason will offer our first glimpse into how organizations navigate this delicate balance.

Ultimately, the NBA preseason serves as both a teaser for the main event and a crucial developmental period that shapes the entire campaign. While the games might not count in the standings, their importance cannot be overstated for roster construction, tactical refinement, and injury prevention. The smartest fans will be watching not just the scoreboard but the subtle developments that predict regular season success. So when you're tuning into those first preseason games in late September, remember that you're not just watching basketball - you're witnessing the foundation of an entire season being laid, one experimental lineup and cautious minute restriction at a time.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.