8. Houston Rockets (54-28, 4th in the West)
The Rockets didn’t quite lift off as expected last year after winning the 2013 offseason with the free-agent acquisition of dominant but much-maligned center Dwight Howard. They had a strong regular season, beating many quality teams and establishing themselves as legitimate contenders, but disappointed in the playoffs, losing their first two games at home before falling to Portland in six.
In the offseason, Houston had many a problem. They finally traded Omer Asik, sending him to New Orleans for the first-round pick GM Daryl Morey had been coveting all along, but will lose significant frontcourt depth as a result. Also, Jeremy Lin, also known as Linsanity, was sent to the Lakers with picks an attempt to clear cap space for Chris Bosh to join the Rockets. Bosh decided to remain in Miami in the end, but Morey couldn’t re-do the Lin trade. Finally, starting small forward Chandler Parsons was swiped by the Mavericks during the Bosh drama, leading Morey to sign Trevor Ariza as his replacement. Ariza will bring perimeter defense that Parsons did not, and can hit spot-up threes with the best of them, but this swap looks like another downgrade for the roster.
The Rockets didn’t quite lift off as expected last year after winning the 2013 offseason with the free-agent acquisition of dominant but much-maligned center Dwight Howard. They had a strong regular season, beating many quality teams and establishing themselves as legitimate contenders, but disappointed in the playoffs, losing their first two games at home before falling to Portland in six.
In the offseason, Houston had many a problem. They finally traded Omer Asik, sending him to New Orleans for the first-round pick GM Daryl Morey had been coveting all along, but will lose significant frontcourt depth as a result. Also, Jeremy Lin, also known as Linsanity, was sent to the Lakers with picks an attempt to clear cap space for Chris Bosh to join the Rockets. Bosh decided to remain in Miami in the end, but Morey couldn’t re-do the Lin trade. Finally, starting small forward Chandler Parsons was swiped by the Mavericks during the Bosh drama, leading Morey to sign Trevor Ariza as his replacement. Ariza will bring perimeter defense that Parsons did not, and can hit spot-up threes with the best of them, but this swap looks like another downgrade for the roster.
This all seems like it would significantly damage Houston’s title hopes, but luckily they have two of the league’s very best players as their core, and they should make steps forward to seize this team by the reins. James Harden, with the deterioration of Wade and Kobe, and the lack of stars at the position, is now the league’s best shooting guard. His defensive shortcomings are occasionally embarrassing, but he is a top-flight scorer with playmaking chops to boot. At his side is Howard, who showed last year in the Blazers series that he is still a force of nature with the ball in his hands, and is also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Why, does it have to be here, though? This guy wanted to be in Brooklyn! I’ll repeat that: AN NBA SUPERSTAR WANTED TO PLAY FOR THE NETS. What a Dwightmare that whole saga was. Let’s move past it.
With these two studs on board, and a respectable supporting cast (Patrick Beverley, Ariza, Terrence Jones, Troy Daniels, and so on), the Rockets are ensured a spot in the West’s second tier, and have the upside to make a run at the first, and a conference finals berth. Also, you know that Morey will always be on the lookout for the next star he can add to his squad. It should be another bloodbath among the Texas Trio this year.
With these two studs on board, and a respectable supporting cast (Patrick Beverley, Ariza, Terrence Jones, Troy Daniels, and so on), the Rockets are ensured a spot in the West’s second tier, and have the upside to make a run at the first, and a conference finals berth. Also, you know that Morey will always be on the lookout for the next star he can add to his squad. It should be another bloodbath among the Texas Trio this year.
7. Toronto Raptors (48-34, 3rd in the East)
Cheap shot time!
Cheap shot time!
What’s that I hear? The sound of 20,000- wait, there’s no sound at all in the Air Canada Centre after that brutal rejection. Ouch. There aren’t any Canadians reading this, right? If there are, I’m sorry. Here’s a high ranking for your beloved Dinosaurs, as an apology. It’s just that after all the pageantry, after all the gratuitous shots of ‘global ambassador’ Drake lint-rolling his black jeans courtside, after all the ridiculous “We the North” bravado, that play was the purest form of catharsis. If this is what it’s like when the Raptors are good, why does it have to be this way?
This is an organization whose GM declares “F**k Brooklyn!” at a pregame rally, and whose fans support those words like they’re at war with the borough. I’m sorry, but the way the NBA’s fan base and less esteemed commenters got behind that comment was ridiculous, and quite frankly, extremely childish. Let’s all just fling high-caliber expletives at other communities in a public forum because we’re pumped up for a professional basketball game. Let’s see where that takes us! A general manager job in the NBA, apparently. Watching that clip on ESPN is like sitting in the student section at Gampel Pavilion.
Oh, yeah, the team itself. They’re going to be good. Really good. Last year, they started the season poorly, compiling a 7-12 record before shipping off inefficient scorer Rudy Gay, along with Aaron Gray and Quincy Acy, to the Kings for John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes. These new arrivals made huge contributions off the bench as the Raps rallied to win the Atlantic Division and earn the three seed in the East. Vasquez and Patterson, in particular, played heavy minutes and scored points in chunks.
The starting lineup took huge steps forward last year, both offensively and defensively. DeMar DeRozan stepped up as the team’s No. 1 scorer, dropping 22.7 points a game and making the All-Star team for the first time. Kyle Lowry, the most prolific of all whiners, embraced leadership, as he drove and dished his way to the league’s respect at the point guard position. Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas showed great potential as youngsters, and played impressive defense. This is a strong roster with very few weaknesses, and it got even better this summer with the addition of Lou Williams and James Johnson.
With the Nets and Knicks moving laterally, and the disasters in Boston and Philadelphia, the Raptors should snooze their way to another division title, and are the class of the Eastern teams not named Chicago or Cleveland. It pains me to say, but that’s a great team up north of the border, and it’s only going to get better from here. This hurts. We need to move on. Take care Toronto, you can thank me later for the seven spot I bestowed upon your country.
This is an organization whose GM declares “F**k Brooklyn!” at a pregame rally, and whose fans support those words like they’re at war with the borough. I’m sorry, but the way the NBA’s fan base and less esteemed commenters got behind that comment was ridiculous, and quite frankly, extremely childish. Let’s all just fling high-caliber expletives at other communities in a public forum because we’re pumped up for a professional basketball game. Let’s see where that takes us! A general manager job in the NBA, apparently. Watching that clip on ESPN is like sitting in the student section at Gampel Pavilion.
Oh, yeah, the team itself. They’re going to be good. Really good. Last year, they started the season poorly, compiling a 7-12 record before shipping off inefficient scorer Rudy Gay, along with Aaron Gray and Quincy Acy, to the Kings for John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes. These new arrivals made huge contributions off the bench as the Raps rallied to win the Atlantic Division and earn the three seed in the East. Vasquez and Patterson, in particular, played heavy minutes and scored points in chunks.
The starting lineup took huge steps forward last year, both offensively and defensively. DeMar DeRozan stepped up as the team’s No. 1 scorer, dropping 22.7 points a game and making the All-Star team for the first time. Kyle Lowry, the most prolific of all whiners, embraced leadership, as he drove and dished his way to the league’s respect at the point guard position. Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas showed great potential as youngsters, and played impressive defense. This is a strong roster with very few weaknesses, and it got even better this summer with the addition of Lou Williams and James Johnson.
With the Nets and Knicks moving laterally, and the disasters in Boston and Philadelphia, the Raptors should snooze their way to another division title, and are the class of the Eastern teams not named Chicago or Cleveland. It pains me to say, but that’s a great team up north of the border, and it’s only going to get better from here. This hurts. We need to move on. Take care Toronto, you can thank me later for the seven spot I bestowed upon your country.
6. Golden State Warriors (51-31, 6th in the West)
Now that, my friends, is how you design a jersey. Check out the intricate use of yellow and blue, together, to accentuate the edges. Marvel at the smart font choice, the rather minimalistic design on the Golden Gate Bridge, and the way they combine to help represent the team’s location, and the city that stands behind it. Be taken aback with pleasant surprise by the bold choice to place the jersey number within the logo itself, a decision executed with aplomb to help make this uniform a true symbol of the modern NBA.
It’s the best look in the league, with Brooklyn, Boston, Phoenix, and the Lakers rounding out my top five, in no particular order. Additionally, when their deafening home crowd at Oracle Arena is decked out in a sea of yellow, it’s a true feast for the eyes. Not many NBA moments are more enjoyable than a Stephen Curry heat check at home. What a rush.
For the first time in the Curry era, I feel comfortable labeling the Warriors as a true contender. Their key defenders, Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala, are both healthy and ready to lead a defense that was third best in efficiency last year, after Indiana and Chicago. Klay Thompson is back, presumably with a vengeance after being dangled in a possible Kevin Love trade all summer until Cleveland finally stepped up and pulled the trigger. Klay, we’ll let you finish, but Curry and Love would have been one of the greatest pick-and-roll combos of all time! How do you defend that? Luckily, a Love/LeBron pairing might be the next best thing. Also, let’s not forget that Thompson is one of the league’s best shooting guards.
Golden State made a pair of moves this offseason that will provide a huge boost to their title hopes. First, they hired Steve Kerr as head coach after firing Mark Jackson. Jackson, was by all accounts, a great guy with a real penchant for leadership and motivation, but ran a rather stagnant offense given the shooting and passing available to him. Also, there were reports of rifts in the locker room, which may help explain the departure of two assistant coaches. Owner Joe Lacob decided to go in a different direction, despite the turnaround in team culture that Jackson had led. In Jackson’s place, Kerr has surrounded himself with experienced veterans on the bench, and has the knowledge and chops to lead this team to a chip.
Second, they signed Shaun Livingston in free agency to a three year, $16 million contract. Livingston was remarkable last season, as he served as one of Brooklyn’s key cogs in a true comeback year from his gruesome 2007 knee injury. I’d advise you not to head to YouTube for that one. He ran the offense with Deron Williams on the bench, often defended the other team’s best perimeter player, and oh yeah, he led the entire NBA in PPPP (points per post-up possession). He’ll fit in perfectly as a third guard in the Jarrett Jack role for the Warriors, and I promise that I’m done mentioning anything the Nets in this preview. There are only five teams left. I can do it.
With a 2018 move from Oakland to San Francisco looming on the horizon, now is a pivotal time in Golden State. They have a strong chance to reach the NBA Finals, but they need to stay healthy, and they aren’t even the best team in their own division. However, when Curry gets hot, watch out. Anything can happen.
Now that, my friends, is how you design a jersey. Check out the intricate use of yellow and blue, together, to accentuate the edges. Marvel at the smart font choice, the rather minimalistic design on the Golden Gate Bridge, and the way they combine to help represent the team’s location, and the city that stands behind it. Be taken aback with pleasant surprise by the bold choice to place the jersey number within the logo itself, a decision executed with aplomb to help make this uniform a true symbol of the modern NBA.
It’s the best look in the league, with Brooklyn, Boston, Phoenix, and the Lakers rounding out my top five, in no particular order. Additionally, when their deafening home crowd at Oracle Arena is decked out in a sea of yellow, it’s a true feast for the eyes. Not many NBA moments are more enjoyable than a Stephen Curry heat check at home. What a rush.
For the first time in the Curry era, I feel comfortable labeling the Warriors as a true contender. Their key defenders, Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala, are both healthy and ready to lead a defense that was third best in efficiency last year, after Indiana and Chicago. Klay Thompson is back, presumably with a vengeance after being dangled in a possible Kevin Love trade all summer until Cleveland finally stepped up and pulled the trigger. Klay, we’ll let you finish, but Curry and Love would have been one of the greatest pick-and-roll combos of all time! How do you defend that? Luckily, a Love/LeBron pairing might be the next best thing. Also, let’s not forget that Thompson is one of the league’s best shooting guards.
Golden State made a pair of moves this offseason that will provide a huge boost to their title hopes. First, they hired Steve Kerr as head coach after firing Mark Jackson. Jackson, was by all accounts, a great guy with a real penchant for leadership and motivation, but ran a rather stagnant offense given the shooting and passing available to him. Also, there were reports of rifts in the locker room, which may help explain the departure of two assistant coaches. Owner Joe Lacob decided to go in a different direction, despite the turnaround in team culture that Jackson had led. In Jackson’s place, Kerr has surrounded himself with experienced veterans on the bench, and has the knowledge and chops to lead this team to a chip.
Second, they signed Shaun Livingston in free agency to a three year, $16 million contract. Livingston was remarkable last season, as he served as one of Brooklyn’s key cogs in a true comeback year from his gruesome 2007 knee injury. I’d advise you not to head to YouTube for that one. He ran the offense with Deron Williams on the bench, often defended the other team’s best perimeter player, and oh yeah, he led the entire NBA in PPPP (points per post-up possession). He’ll fit in perfectly as a third guard in the Jarrett Jack role for the Warriors, and I promise that I’m done mentioning anything the Nets in this preview. There are only five teams left. I can do it.
With a 2018 move from Oakland to San Francisco looming on the horizon, now is a pivotal time in Golden State. They have a strong chance to reach the NBA Finals, but they need to stay healthy, and they aren’t even the best team in their own division. However, when Curry gets hot, watch out. Anything can happen.
5. Chicago Bulls (48-34, 4th in the East)
“Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.”
- Seal, “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
In a situation very similar to last year, the Bulls will enter the season with a newly healthy Derrick Rose, who is out to prove himself. Last time around, Rose tore his meniscus in Portland just 24 days after returning, sidelining him for the rest of the season. This time, it feels different. From everything we’ve seen and heard of Rose, it looks like he will finally return to the MVP-caliber play he displayed in the 2010-2011 season. He looked explosive in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and has made the kind of superb finishes this preseason that he used to make so easily before the onslaught of knee injuries. With a healthy Rose at the bow, and the ruthless Tom Thibodeau on the sidelines, Chicago looks ready to re-establish itself as one of the league’s five best teams.
Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the Bulls’ excellent surrounding parts. Joakim Noah won Defensive Player of the Year last season, and is as undesirable as ever to meet in the paint. Taj Gibson has developed into one of the best sixth men in the NBA. Jimmy Butler, when Thibodeau isn’t running him into the ground, is an excellent ‘three-and-D’ guy. This team is guaranteed to play tough, hard-nosed defense every single night, and this will make them a formidable regular season squad.
This summer, they focused more on adding scoring, and succeeded in droves. Pau Gasol is here now, and although his athleticism is fading, he can still shoot and drive, and he’ll enter into a creative partnership with Noah, who may be the best passing big man in the league. Nikola Mirotic is here as well, at long last. Mirotic, a power forward with legitimate three-point range and ball handling ability, was drafted in 2011, and the Bulls have been awaiting his arrival ever since. Chicago also drafted Doug McDermott, also known as Dougie McBuckets, who is fifth on the all-time NCAA Division I scoring list.
These three new additions, along with Rose, will provide an offensive jolt that is miles beyond what the Bulls had last year, when they still won 48 games. If the pieces click together, and Rose stays healthy (*knocks on wood*), Chicago will easily be one of the league’s top teams, and will pose a very difficult challenge to Cleveland in the East. Let’s start this rodeo.
“Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.”
- Seal, “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
In a situation very similar to last year, the Bulls will enter the season with a newly healthy Derrick Rose, who is out to prove himself. Last time around, Rose tore his meniscus in Portland just 24 days after returning, sidelining him for the rest of the season. This time, it feels different. From everything we’ve seen and heard of Rose, it looks like he will finally return to the MVP-caliber play he displayed in the 2010-2011 season. He looked explosive in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and has made the kind of superb finishes this preseason that he used to make so easily before the onslaught of knee injuries. With a healthy Rose at the bow, and the ruthless Tom Thibodeau on the sidelines, Chicago looks ready to re-establish itself as one of the league’s five best teams.
Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the Bulls’ excellent surrounding parts. Joakim Noah won Defensive Player of the Year last season, and is as undesirable as ever to meet in the paint. Taj Gibson has developed into one of the best sixth men in the NBA. Jimmy Butler, when Thibodeau isn’t running him into the ground, is an excellent ‘three-and-D’ guy. This team is guaranteed to play tough, hard-nosed defense every single night, and this will make them a formidable regular season squad.
This summer, they focused more on adding scoring, and succeeded in droves. Pau Gasol is here now, and although his athleticism is fading, he can still shoot and drive, and he’ll enter into a creative partnership with Noah, who may be the best passing big man in the league. Nikola Mirotic is here as well, at long last. Mirotic, a power forward with legitimate three-point range and ball handling ability, was drafted in 2011, and the Bulls have been awaiting his arrival ever since. Chicago also drafted Doug McDermott, also known as Dougie McBuckets, who is fifth on the all-time NCAA Division I scoring list.
These three new additions, along with Rose, will provide an offensive jolt that is miles beyond what the Bulls had last year, when they still won 48 games. If the pieces click together, and Rose stays healthy (*knocks on wood*), Chicago will easily be one of the league’s top teams, and will pose a very difficult challenge to Cleveland in the East. Let’s start this rodeo.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23, 2nd in the West)
Things changed in the Pan Handle State when their best player went down with a foot injury in mid-October, one that will likely keep him out from six to eight weeks. Who would that be? Only the 2014 NBA MVP, last year’s leading scorer (at a remarkable 32.0 points per game), the current second-best player in the league, and the guy who did this:
Things changed in the Pan Handle State when their best player went down with a foot injury in mid-October, one that will likely keep him out from six to eight weeks. Who would that be? Only the 2014 NBA MVP, last year’s leading scorer (at a remarkable 32.0 points per game), the current second-best player in the league, and the guy who did this:
This injury will definitely hurt Oklahoma City’s playoff seed come April, but damn, I am so excited for The Russell Westbrook Show. I can’t wait to see that ball of chaos unleashed as the No. 1 option. You could make a legitimate argument that he is a top five player, and he may be the most exciting guard in the league. You never know what will happen when Russ takes the court. The combination of Durant and Westbrook, along with the excellent Serge Ibaka protecting the rim, solidifies the Thunder as a title contender regardless of the quality of the supporting cast.
And on that supporting cast: this era for the Thunder took a 90-degree turn when GM Sam Presti traded away James Harden under the demand of ownership to avoid the luxury tax, and it is uncertain if the team can recover to return to the Finals. Presti has continued his sharp drafting, adding Reggie Jackson and Steven Adams in recent years, but he seems to be wary about going after an established player in free agency or the trade market. This offseason, he signed Anthony Morrow, who is statistically one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history, but his complete and utter lack of defensive ability means that this move won’t move the needle much. Additionally, he made the curious decision to send his 2014 first-round pick, Josh Huestis, directly to the D-League in a complicated transaction. It seems like he’s relying on Jeremy Lamb or Perry Jones to take a huge step forward, and that’s far from a sure thing.
If it seems like I’m down on the Thunder’s chances, I’m not. They will be an awesome team this year, and will be as long as Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka are around, and they have a huge home-court advantage at Chesapeake Energy Arena. It’s just that those guys may not be here forever. Durant enters free agency in 2016, and Westbrook the year after. The allure of the big-market may be too much to handle, if the Thunder haven’t reached the promised land by then. The Durant-to-Washington rumor mill is already alive and churning.
But again: Durant and Westbrook are together, in OKC. For now, at least.
And on that supporting cast: this era for the Thunder took a 90-degree turn when GM Sam Presti traded away James Harden under the demand of ownership to avoid the luxury tax, and it is uncertain if the team can recover to return to the Finals. Presti has continued his sharp drafting, adding Reggie Jackson and Steven Adams in recent years, but he seems to be wary about going after an established player in free agency or the trade market. This offseason, he signed Anthony Morrow, who is statistically one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history, but his complete and utter lack of defensive ability means that this move won’t move the needle much. Additionally, he made the curious decision to send his 2014 first-round pick, Josh Huestis, directly to the D-League in a complicated transaction. It seems like he’s relying on Jeremy Lamb or Perry Jones to take a huge step forward, and that’s far from a sure thing.
If it seems like I’m down on the Thunder’s chances, I’m not. They will be an awesome team this year, and will be as long as Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka are around, and they have a huge home-court advantage at Chesapeake Energy Arena. It’s just that those guys may not be here forever. Durant enters free agency in 2016, and Westbrook the year after. The allure of the big-market may be too much to handle, if the Thunder haven’t reached the promised land by then. The Durant-to-Washington rumor mill is already alive and churning.
But again: Durant and Westbrook are together, in OKC. For now, at least.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (57-25, 3rd in the West)
Rejoice! Donald Sterling is gone! Granted, new owner Steve Ballmer seems like a bit of a lunatic, but literally anything is better than Sterling.
Blake Griffin has come a long way from the explosive rookie who won a rigged dunk contest, and he is now a legitimate top ten player with room to improve. His jump shot is reliable, he’s improving as a defender, and the off-the-charts athleticism is still alive and well. Chris Paul, is, well, still Chris Paul. He’s the league’s premier floor general. You know what you’re going to get when Paul is on the floor. No one is a more reliable leader.
The pieces around these two are continuing to improve as well. DeAndre Jordan came into his own as a defender with Doc Rivers advising him last season, and is working his way towards a max contract. Jamal Crawford is the ultimate plug-and-play bench scorer. J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes are just two names from the team’s reliable bullpen of role players.
The new addition is Spencer Hawes, who is a rare commodity: a center who shoots threes. It’ll be intriguing to see how Rivers works him into the rotation, and balances his minutes with Jordan. Which one will be on the floor in crunch time? Jordan has shot a mind-boggling 42%for his career from the free throw line. It may be tough to keep Hawes on the bench down the stretch of close games.
This may be the year that the Clippers advance to the conference finals, and they have a head-start on a top two seed with the injury to Kevin Durant. They have the superstars, they have the depth, they have the coaching, they have the fan support, and now they have the quality ownership. The City of Angels is Clippers town now. Let the lobs begin.
Rejoice! Donald Sterling is gone! Granted, new owner Steve Ballmer seems like a bit of a lunatic, but literally anything is better than Sterling.
Blake Griffin has come a long way from the explosive rookie who won a rigged dunk contest, and he is now a legitimate top ten player with room to improve. His jump shot is reliable, he’s improving as a defender, and the off-the-charts athleticism is still alive and well. Chris Paul, is, well, still Chris Paul. He’s the league’s premier floor general. You know what you’re going to get when Paul is on the floor. No one is a more reliable leader.
The pieces around these two are continuing to improve as well. DeAndre Jordan came into his own as a defender with Doc Rivers advising him last season, and is working his way towards a max contract. Jamal Crawford is the ultimate plug-and-play bench scorer. J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes are just two names from the team’s reliable bullpen of role players.
The new addition is Spencer Hawes, who is a rare commodity: a center who shoots threes. It’ll be intriguing to see how Rivers works him into the rotation, and balances his minutes with Jordan. Which one will be on the floor in crunch time? Jordan has shot a mind-boggling 42%for his career from the free throw line. It may be tough to keep Hawes on the bench down the stretch of close games.
This may be the year that the Clippers advance to the conference finals, and they have a head-start on a top two seed with the injury to Kevin Durant. They have the superstars, they have the depth, they have the coaching, they have the fan support, and now they have the quality ownership. The City of Angels is Clippers town now. Let the lobs begin.
2. San Antonio Spurs (62-20, 1st in the West)
Yeah. That just happened.
Last year’s Spurs were dominant through the playoffs after stumbling a bit in their first-round series against the Mavericks, and easily beat the Heat in the Finals with incredible ball-movement, and an MVP performance from the young and reserved Kawhi Leonard. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, the team’s big three, arbitrary as that term has become, were excellent throughout the year, likely due to the precise management of minutes by coaching wizard Gregg Popovich. There are almost too many notable role players to list, but here they are: Marco Belinelli, Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills, Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Danny Green, oh my goodness does the depth ever end?
We know what they did last summer: not much. They picked the intriguing Kyle Anderson late in the first round of the draft, and he will likely become a very useful player, because Spurs. Everyone from last year’s championship team is back this year. They hired a pair of intriguing assistant coaches: Ettore Messina, one of the smartest and most experienced coaches in Euroleague history, and former WNBA star Becky Hammon, who will become the first full-time female assistant coach on an NBA coaching staff. You know you’re in Spurs land when assistant coaching changes are the notable offseason moves.
So why are they number two? Well, I’m in love with team number one. (Spoiler alert: it’s the Cavaliers.) Also, I think their overall drive may not be as strong this year, as they were on a hunt for blood after blowing the 2013 Finals, and now they go into the season on top of the mountain. And, as always, there’s the possibility that Duncan may start to lose it this year, because all humans age. Probably not, but I’m saying there’s a chance.
There’s not much else to say. It’s San Antonio. You know what to expect.
Yeah. That just happened.
Last year’s Spurs were dominant through the playoffs after stumbling a bit in their first-round series against the Mavericks, and easily beat the Heat in the Finals with incredible ball-movement, and an MVP performance from the young and reserved Kawhi Leonard. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, the team’s big three, arbitrary as that term has become, were excellent throughout the year, likely due to the precise management of minutes by coaching wizard Gregg Popovich. There are almost too many notable role players to list, but here they are: Marco Belinelli, Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills, Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Danny Green, oh my goodness does the depth ever end?
We know what they did last summer: not much. They picked the intriguing Kyle Anderson late in the first round of the draft, and he will likely become a very useful player, because Spurs. Everyone from last year’s championship team is back this year. They hired a pair of intriguing assistant coaches: Ettore Messina, one of the smartest and most experienced coaches in Euroleague history, and former WNBA star Becky Hammon, who will become the first full-time female assistant coach on an NBA coaching staff. You know you’re in Spurs land when assistant coaching changes are the notable offseason moves.
So why are they number two? Well, I’m in love with team number one. (Spoiler alert: it’s the Cavaliers.) Also, I think their overall drive may not be as strong this year, as they were on a hunt for blood after blowing the 2013 Finals, and now they go into the season on top of the mountain. And, as always, there’s the possibility that Duncan may start to lose it this year, because all humans age. Probably not, but I’m saying there’s a chance.
There’s not much else to say. It’s San Antonio. You know what to expect.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-49, 10th in the East)
Release the feels!
Release the feels!
He’s back! After a prolonged and painful period of rampant speculation, LeBron James (with assistance from SI writer Lee Jenkins) penned a lengthy letter announcing his return to the Cavaliers, explaining his departure from the Heat, and laying out the extensive reasoning behind The Decision II. It was released on the Sports Illustrated website on July 11, and immediately set the sports world on fire. Cleveland has been re-ignited, and not because of Johnny Football. The atmosphere at Cavs home games is going to be incredible. This is the best thing that could have happened to the NBA.
And no, it didn’t stop there. On August 5, they signed LeBron’s old shooting buddies, James Jones and Mike Miller. On September 9, Shawn Marion was added from Dallas to use as a Swiss-army knife on the perimeter, and defend wing scorers when LeBron sits on the bench. Ray Allen could be on the way, if he decides not to retire.
When you’re a bad NBA team, you enter the draft lottery. When you’re bad and lucky, you win the draft lottery. When the basketball gods are by your side, you win the draft lottery two years in a row. As it turns out, a pair of No. 1 draft picks are very useful assets in trades. The Cleveland Cavaliers learned these lessons, and cashed in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett for one of the league’s ten best players. Kevin Love is now a Cavalier, and he will bring scoring, long-range shooting, elite outlet passing, and top-tier rebounding at the power forward position. I bet we see him run devastating pick-and-rolls with both LeBron and Kyrie Irving. How in the world do you defend this team?
Yes, Kyrie Irving is still here! Wrap your head around that. Irving, arguably the league’s best ball handler, and an accomplished scorer, was good enough to win the 2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP. He’s the third option on this team. If Cleveland didn’t lead the league in offensive efficiency, especially with the streaky, but talented Dion Waiters on board as well, it would be the biggest surprise of the season. I envision many moments where the Cavs score a dozen points in 90 seconds, and the other team doesn’t even know what just happened.
There’s potential for some notable milestones on this roster. Love could average 15 rebounds, as he did in his third season. Irving, if he shares the ball, could easily average a double-double of points and assists. I’m officially picking LeBron to re-take the MVP from KD, which would be his fifth MVP award in seven years. He’s continuing to climb the ladder of the all-time greats, and he’s getting closer to the top. Winning a title, or multiple, in Cleveland, would make him immortal in that city, as well. From his letter, it seems like he has big things in mind for his beloved hometown. I can’t wait to see how this second stint goes. Regardless of what happens, it’s going to be captivating.
I’m going to guess what you’re thinking: what about the defense? Allow me to answer my own question. It’s going to be a work in progress, but I have faith in new coach David Blatt to install a system that plays to his roster’s strengths. They likely won’t be one of the best in the league, but you don’t have to be that great when the other team has to inbound from under the basket to begin every possession. A lot is hinging on center Anderson Varejao staying healthy, but if he does, his rim protection will be more than adequate.
This all builds to the NBA Finals, and I’m sticking with Cleveland. Officially: Cavs over Spurs in six games. Not one, not two, but number three for LeBron, and the first major championship for his city since the Indians won the World Series in 1948.
The Cavaliers are the league’s most interesting team, at a time when the league is at an all-time high. The players are as exciting and likable as ever, and although parity is a bit of an issue, it’s going to be another struggle of a season as these teams dogfight for glory. Grab some popcorn, and a Sprite, the official soft drink of the NBA. Pull up a chair, grab the remote, and tune in, whether it be to TNT, ABC, NBA TV, ESPN, or good old League Pass. This is going to be good.
It’s that time of the year again. Let’s go.
And no, it didn’t stop there. On August 5, they signed LeBron’s old shooting buddies, James Jones and Mike Miller. On September 9, Shawn Marion was added from Dallas to use as a Swiss-army knife on the perimeter, and defend wing scorers when LeBron sits on the bench. Ray Allen could be on the way, if he decides not to retire.
When you’re a bad NBA team, you enter the draft lottery. When you’re bad and lucky, you win the draft lottery. When the basketball gods are by your side, you win the draft lottery two years in a row. As it turns out, a pair of No. 1 draft picks are very useful assets in trades. The Cleveland Cavaliers learned these lessons, and cashed in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett for one of the league’s ten best players. Kevin Love is now a Cavalier, and he will bring scoring, long-range shooting, elite outlet passing, and top-tier rebounding at the power forward position. I bet we see him run devastating pick-and-rolls with both LeBron and Kyrie Irving. How in the world do you defend this team?
Yes, Kyrie Irving is still here! Wrap your head around that. Irving, arguably the league’s best ball handler, and an accomplished scorer, was good enough to win the 2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP. He’s the third option on this team. If Cleveland didn’t lead the league in offensive efficiency, especially with the streaky, but talented Dion Waiters on board as well, it would be the biggest surprise of the season. I envision many moments where the Cavs score a dozen points in 90 seconds, and the other team doesn’t even know what just happened.
There’s potential for some notable milestones on this roster. Love could average 15 rebounds, as he did in his third season. Irving, if he shares the ball, could easily average a double-double of points and assists. I’m officially picking LeBron to re-take the MVP from KD, which would be his fifth MVP award in seven years. He’s continuing to climb the ladder of the all-time greats, and he’s getting closer to the top. Winning a title, or multiple, in Cleveland, would make him immortal in that city, as well. From his letter, it seems like he has big things in mind for his beloved hometown. I can’t wait to see how this second stint goes. Regardless of what happens, it’s going to be captivating.
I’m going to guess what you’re thinking: what about the defense? Allow me to answer my own question. It’s going to be a work in progress, but I have faith in new coach David Blatt to install a system that plays to his roster’s strengths. They likely won’t be one of the best in the league, but you don’t have to be that great when the other team has to inbound from under the basket to begin every possession. A lot is hinging on center Anderson Varejao staying healthy, but if he does, his rim protection will be more than adequate.
This all builds to the NBA Finals, and I’m sticking with Cleveland. Officially: Cavs over Spurs in six games. Not one, not two, but number three for LeBron, and the first major championship for his city since the Indians won the World Series in 1948.
The Cavaliers are the league’s most interesting team, at a time when the league is at an all-time high. The players are as exciting and likable as ever, and although parity is a bit of an issue, it’s going to be another struggle of a season as these teams dogfight for glory. Grab some popcorn, and a Sprite, the official soft drink of the NBA. Pull up a chair, grab the remote, and tune in, whether it be to TNT, ABC, NBA TV, ESPN, or good old League Pass. This is going to be good.
It’s that time of the year again. Let’s go.