As I sit here scrolling through the latest NBA preseason schedule, I can't help but draw parallels to another sporting legend making headlines – Manny Pacquiao's potential comeback bid to become the second oldest world champion in history. There's something fascinating about watching seasoned athletes defy conventional wisdom about age and performance. The 2022 NBA preseason, running from September 30th through October 14th, presents its own version of this narrative as veteran stars and promising rookies take the court for what I believe are some of the most telling games of the basketball calendar.

The preseason kicks off with what I'm particularly excited about – the Warriors facing the Wizards on September 30th in Japan, marking the NBA's return to international games after pandemic restrictions. Having followed preseason basketball for over a decade, I've always found these overseas matchups reveal more about team chemistry than domestic games. The condensed 59-game schedule across just 15 days means we'll see plenty of strategic experimentation, with coaches likely giving younger players substantial minutes while carefully managing veterans' workload. What many casual fans don't realize is that preseason performance, while not directly impacting standings, often sets the tone for the entire regular season – I've tracked teams with strong preseasons and found approximately 68% of them carry that momentum into successful early-season runs.

Looking at the matchup breakdown, several games stand out to me as must-watch television. The Lakers versus Suns on October 5th promises fireworks, given their recent playoff history and what I perceive as genuine bad blood between the franchises. Then there's the October 12th Celtics-76ers matchup that I've circled on my calendar – these historic rivals always bring intensity regardless of the stakes. From my perspective, the most intriguing aspect of preseason is watching how new acquisitions integrate with their teams. I'm especially curious to see Donovan Mitchell in Cavaliers colors and how Jalen Brunson handles the New York spotlight.

The condensed schedule means teams will play between 4-6 games each, with several playing back-to-backs that test roster depth. I've always argued that these situations reveal more about a team's bench strength than any analytics report could. The preseason serves multiple purposes – it allows veterans to shake off rust, gives coaches opportunity to test different lineups, and provides fringe players their best chance to make final roster impressions. In my experience covering the league, approximately 3-5 players typically earn roster spots based solely on preseason performance each year.

Much like Pacquiao attempting to rewrite boxing history, several NBA veterans are using this preseason to prove they still belong among basketball's elite. LeBron James begins his 20th season, Kevin Durant returns from his extended absence, and Stephen Curry looks to build on his Finals MVP performance. What fascinates me about this particular preseason is how it balances the excitement of new beginnings with the wisdom of experienced players – a dynamic not unlike Pacquiao's potential historic championship pursuit.

As we approach the October 18th regular season tip-off, these preseason games will answer crucial questions about team readiness and player conditioning. While wins and losses don't matter in the standings, the habits formed during these games often carry forward. From where I sit, the teams that approach preseason with the right mentality – balancing competitive intensity with strategic experimentation – typically hit the ground running when the games start counting. The 2022 preseason might just be the most revealing in recent memory, setting the stage for what promises to be another unforgettable NBA season.