As the NBA preseason looms on the horizon, I can’t help but reflect on how turnovers can completely flip the script in basketball—something we saw vividly in that TNT vs. Elasto Painters matchup last season. I’ve been following the league for over a decade, both as a fan and an analyst, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that preseason isn’t just a warm-up. It’s where teams lay the groundwork for handling pressure, and frankly, where bad habits either get corrected or magnified. That game was a perfect example: TNT managed to pull off an overtime win, but let’s be real—they shouldn’t have even been in that position. Seven turnovers in the fourth quarter alone? That’s not just a fluke; it’s a systemic issue. And as we gear up for this year’s preseason, I expect coaches across the league will be drilling ball security into their players’ minds, because sloppy plays in October can haunt you all the way to April.
Looking back at that comeback by the Elasto Painters, turning a 90-76 deficit with just eight minutes left into an overtime thriller, it’s clear how momentum shifts can define games. From my perspective, preseason is where teams test their resilience. I remember chatting with a scout last year who mentioned that young rosters, in particular, tend to crack under pressure early on. Take the Tropang 5G—they had the talent, but those seven errors? That’s roughly 15% of their total possessions in that quarter, a stat that still makes me cringe. In the NBA, where margins are razor-thin, giving away points like that is a recipe for disaster. Personally, I think this year’s preseason will highlight which teams have invested in mental conditioning. I’m keeping an eye on squads like the Lakers and Celtics, who’ve added depth to their benches—because when fatigue sets in, that’s when turnovers spike. And let’s not forget, the preseason schedule is packed; back-to-back games will separate the prepared from the panicked.
As we approach tip-off, I’m optimistic but cautious. The NBA’s shift toward faster-paced play means more possessions, which inherently raises the risk of errors. In my experience, teams that use preseason to experiment with lineups—like the Warriors did a couple of years back—often start slow but finish strong. But if I’m being honest, I worry about squads that overlook fundamentals. That TNT game stuck with me because it showed how a lead can evaporate in minutes; it’s a lesson I hope rookies take to heart. I’d bet we’ll see at least a 12% increase in teams focusing on turnover drills this preseason, based on trends I’ve tracked. Ultimately, as fans, we should expect some messy games early on, but that’s part of the charm. Preseason is where stories begin, and I, for one, can’t wait to see which team turns their weaknesses into strengths—or worse, lets them fester into another heartbreaking comeback.