As
the 2015-16 National Basketball Association (NBA) approaches, there is one word
that can describe each of the 30 teams about how they are feeling coming in,
optimistic. For the defending NBA champions from the Bay Area, their optimistic
about their chances of repeating because all of their core players are back in
the fold. For several other contenders in the Western Conference like two teams
from the state of Texas and about three teams in the Eastern Conference, they
are optimistic about overtaking the defending champ’s crown thanks to the
additions they made to their teams in free agency. Other teams, who are
starting from ground floor are optimistic about getting back into the playoffs
this year or that better days ahead because of who they drafted this summer;
who they signed in free agency and their new approach to winning and how to go
about it. Here is the off-season review/season preview of all 30 NBA teams.
Abbreviation
Key: ppg (points per game); rpg (rebounds per game); spg (steals per game); bpg
(block shots per game); FG% (field goal percentage); 3-Pt.% (three-point
percentage); opp.-opponent’s.
Eastern
Conference
Atlanta
Hawks:
60-22 (1st Southeast Division; No. 1 Seed East) 35-6 at home, 25-16
on the road. Defeated the Brooklyn Nets 4-2 in East Quarterfinals. Defeated the
Washington Wizards 4-2 in East Semifinals. Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0
in East Finals.
-102.5
ppg-10th; opp. ppg: 97.1-4th; 40.6 rpg-28th
After
getting off to a 9-6 start with a 105-75 victory versus the Charlotte Hornets
on Nov. 26, 2014, the Atlanta Hawks seemed on course for another season of
making the playoffs and then flaming out.
All
of a sudden they reeled off a string of victories that made those on the
outside looking in take notice of them being in the conversation as a
contending in the East a reality.
They
won an incredible 34 out of 39 games from Dec. 2, 2014 to Feb. 11, which
included a franchise record 19 straight wins from Dec. 27 to Feb.2 which tied
the fifth longest winning-streak in NBA history. The eventual Southeast champs
garnered victories against the likes of Cleveland Cavaliers twice; Portland
Trail Blazers twice; the Los Angeles Clippers; the Oklahoma City Thunder,
Memphis Grizzlies; Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors during the streak.
The
Hawks became the first team in NBA history to have 17 wins in a calendar month
without a loss as they went 17-0 last January. In that same month, the starting
quintet of Jeff Teague (16.7 ppg-led team, 7.0 apg-led team, 1.7 spg), Kyle
Korver (12.1 ppg, 48.7 FG%, 49.2 3-Pt.%), who shot an NBA record 53.6 percent
from three-point range the first 41 games a season ago; Al Horford (15.2 ppg,
7.2 rpg); Paul Millsap (16.7 ppg-Led team, 7.8 rpg-Led team, 47.6 FG%) and
DeMarre Carroll were named Eastern Conference Players of the Month, marking the
first time in NBA history for that occurrence.
Last
February, the Hawks became the eight team in NBA history to have four players
make the All-Star as Horford, Millsap, Teague and Korver represented the
organization at the 2015 All-Star weekend in New York City last February
joining head coach Mike Budenholzer, who became the first Hawks since Hall of
Famer Lenny Wilkens in 1994 to coach the East All-Star. He also won the 2015
NBA Coach of the Year.
The
Hawks won a franchise record 60 wins not just because of their aforementioned
starting five, but the high level of play from their bench.
Teague’s
understudy Dennis Schroder (10.0 ppg, 4.1 apg) had a career season last year.
Forward Mike Scott (7.8 ppg, 34.4 3-Pt.%) provided the Hawks perimeter shooting
off their bench. New editions from last off-season in swingmen Thabo Sefolosha
and Kent Bazemore had a major impact, especially defensively and forward/center
Pero Antic and guard Shelvin Mack had their moments as well.
The
biggest key to their rise is a healthy Horford, who was lost the season before
to a season ending pectoral tear the day after Christmas a season ago.
The
consistent level of winning has also energized the fan base, which has not been
seen in many years. Fans flocked to Phillips Arena, a.k.a the “Highlight
Factory” selling out the arena for the first time in many years.
The
lingering question that remained was
could the Hawks make some serious noise in the playoffs, especially after
finishing the season 18-11 and the fact that they did not have that superstar
go-to-guy that put fear into the opposition.
While
it was not a walk in the park, the Hawks managed to get past the Brooklyn Nets
and the Washington Wizards in the first two rounds in six games, although it
helped their cause that the Nets did not play at their maximum in the opening
round and in the Semis versus the Wizards, All-Star guard John Wall injured his
hand in the early stages of that series and the Wizards were not the same team.
It
all fell apart though in the Conference Finals as the Cavaliers swept the Hawks
in 4-0 to advance to the NBA Finals.
Their
inability to rebound the basketball, which was weakness in the regular season
really bit them in the rear end as the Cavs dominated them, particularly on the
offensive glass in the series.
Korver’s
inability to provide scoring punch from the perimeter did not help and that was
before he sustained ligament damage to his right ankle when Cavs’ guard Matthew
Dellavedova rolled up on his foot in the Conference Finals.
On
top of that their ability to find the open man was nothing like it was in the
regular season where they were No. 2 in the NBA in assists per game at 25.7.
They averaged in the postseason just 23.8 per contest.
Coming
into this season, the question now is can the Hawks prove they are in the same
league as the likes of the Cavs and the Chicago Bulls as serious title
contenders.
Millsap,
who joined All-Stars DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings and Russell
Westbrook of the Thunder as the only players to average16-plus points,
seven-plus boards, three-plus assists and one-plus steals per contest in
2014-15 signed a new three-year $59 million contract this off-season to stay in
Atlanta.
Acquiring
guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. (11.5 ppg) from the New York Knicks on draft night back
in June will provide the Hawks some solid scoring punch whether he starts or
comes off the bench.
The
acquisition of forward/center Tiago Splitter (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) from the San
Antonio Spurs on July 9 and signing of Justin Holiday will add depth to a bench
that lost Antic, who will be playing overseas with Fenerbahce in Turkey and
Carroll signed a big time new contract with the Raptors.
Sefolosha,
who missed the Hawks’ postseason run after sustaining a broken fibula and torn
ligaments in his leg on a New York City street a week before the end of the
regular season will be back in the fold, but he will be challenged for playing
time whether as a starter or reserve from Bazemore and Hardaway. What Sefolosha
has in his favor is that he has played quality minutes for a contenders like
the Chicago Bulls and the Thunder and he knows his role.
Along
with a new sense of optimism because of what happen a season ago and new
uniforms, the Hawks feel very confident that they can get back to the
Conference Finals and this time win it this season. Will that dream become a reality
Conference Finals, we will find out over the next few months?
Best
Case Scenario:
The Hawks win over 50 games again and make the playoffs for the eighth straight
season; are a top three seeded team and they make it back to the Conference
Finals.
Worst
case scenario:
They lose in the first round of the playoffs.
Off-Season
Grade: B-
Boston
Celtics:
40-42 (3rd Atlantic Division; No. 7 Seed East) 21-20 at home, 19-22
on the road. Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in East Quarterfinals.
-101.4
ppg-13th; opp. ppg: 101.2-T-21st; 43.8 rpg-13th
Coming
into last season, the Boston Celtics were in year two of their rebuilding
program and the burning question as the season began is what would happen to
then starting point guard Rajon Rondo, the true last link to the C’s 2008 title
team and the starting lead guard on their 2010 East championship team?
On
Dec. 16, 2014, the All-Star guard was traded to the Mavericks along with
forward Dwight Powell for forward Jae Crowder, veteran lead guard Jameer Nelson,
center Brandan Wright and a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick.
Last
January, the team’s other top notch player in forward Jeff Green was dealt to
the Memphis Grizzlies for a protected future first-round draft pick and newly
acquired Wright was sent to the Phoenix Suns.
At
the trade deadline last February, the C’s acquired guard Isaiah Thomas (16.4
ppg, 4.2 apg. 37.3 3-Pt.%). They also acquired forwards Jonas Jerebko and Luigi
Datome from the Detroit Pistons for forward Tayshaun Prince.
This
has left starting shooting guard Avery Bradley (13.4 ppg) as the only player
left from the 2012 Celtics playoff roster as well as the one player from the
aforementioned 2008 title unit
The
team’s future under the guidance head coach Brad Stevens, whose entering his
third season and not just the new acquisitions, but some very talented, but
young players like forward Jared Sullinger (13.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg-led team), who
was shelved for 24 games as season ago because of a stress reaction in his left
foot; center Tyler Zeller (10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 54.9 FG%); swingman Evan Turner
(9.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.5 apg) and the Celtics two high draft choices from the
2014 draft in guards Marcus Smart (7.8 ppg, 3.1 apg), the No. 6 overall pick
out of Oklahoma State and guard James Young, the No. 17 overall pick out of
Kentucky from the 2014 draft.
This
young core though did the unthinkable a season ago going 21-11 after the
All-Star break to make the playoffs and even though they were swept by the Cavs
4-0, they played the eventual Eastern Conference champs very tough.
There
were times that Thomas, who lead the Celtics with a 17.5 points and 7.3 assists
per game averages looked like the best player on the floor.
Along
with the players the team acquired, general manager and two-time champion with
the Celtics in the 1980s Danny Ainge acquired a high number of first round
draft picks, with many of them protected.
This
upcoming June the Celtics will have their own 2015 1st round pick as
well as the one they received from the Los Angeles Clippers and three second
round picks.
In
the 2016 draft, the Celtics will have their own first round pick and the
Brooklyn Nets, Cavs and Mavericks, along with five second round picks.
In
the next five drafts overall, the Celtics will have as many as 12 first-round
picks and up to 26 overall picks.
Despite
having all of those assets to work with, the Celtics were unable to find that
transcending superstar player in the draft or in acquiring one via trade.
They
did bring in some much needed veterans into the fold by acquiring forward David
Lee (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) from the World Champion Golden State Warriors and signing
former Raptors’ forward/center Amir Johnson (9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 57.4 FG%) to a
two-year $24 million, who will add needed depth to the front court.
They
also re-signed forwards Jae Crowder (9.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg) to a new five-year $35 million
deal and Jerebko to a new two-year deal.
In
the draft this past June, the Celtics selected guards Terry Rozier, with the 16th
overall pick out of Louisville; sharp shooter R.J. Hunter with the 28th
overall pick out of Georgia State and forward Jordan Mickey, with the 33rd
overall pick out of LSU.
It
is one thing to be a nice story like the Celtics were a season ago. It is
another thing to be a consistent playoff contender. That is where the Celtics
find themselves entering this season.
Yes
this roster loaded with talented players, who should benefit greatly after
getting some great experience in the playoffs a season ago.
With
that being said, is this team ready for the challenge of not flying under the
radar any longer?
Can
Thomas have the same impact with the opposition giving him serious attention in
their scouting reports?
Are
the likes of Turner, Sullinger, Zeller, Smart and Young ready perform at a
consistent high level night in and night out?
Can
Stevens instill belief in this team that they are good enough to not only make
the playoffs again, but that they can contend?
What
will benefit the Celtics entering this season is that they were 8-6 in games
decided by three points or less in 2014-15. They led the NBA in field goal
attempts last season and they had 39 games of 25 assists or more.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Celtics make the playoffs again as a low seed. The young core of players
continue to mature and grow.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They miss the playoffs.
Grade:
B
Brooklyn
Nets:
38-44 (3rd Atlantic Division; No. 8 Seed East) 19-22 at home, 19-22
on the road. Lost to Atlanta Hawks 4-2 East Quarterfinals.
-98.0
ppg-21st; opp. ppg: 100.9-18th; 42.4 rpg-22nd
Just
two years ago, the Brooklyn Nets and their new owner Mikhail Prokhorov put all
their chips on the table in pursuit of a championship by acquired Kevin Garnett
and Paul Pierce to go alongside Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez.
On
top of that, they signed Jason Kidd as their new head coach, one year after he
finished his playing career, which will land him in the Hall of Fame.
They
withstood the Atlantic Division champion and No. 3 seeded Toronto Raptors in
seven games of the First Round in 2014, but fell in five games in the Semis to
the eventual Conference champion Miami Heat.
Since
then, Pierce left last off-season to join the Washington Wizards and is now
with the Los Angeles Clippers. Garnett was dealt at the trade deadline this
past February to his old team the Minnesota Timberwolves for forward Thaddeus
Young (13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 49.5 FG%) and this off-season, Williams, whose
numbers have declined in the nearly four years with the Nets was bought out the
final two seasons of his contract and signed with the Dallas Mavericks over the
summer.
As
for Kidd, he essentially was shipped out to the Milwaukee Bucks last off-season
because he wanted more influence in the front office and the Nets said no.
The
Nets hired former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins and his team was
as in inconsistent as the stock market.
After
winning six out of seven games from Dec. 21, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015 to get back
to the .500 mark at 16-16, the Nets lost 15 out of their next 20 games.
Key
players like Johnson (14.4 ppg-lowest since 2002-03 season, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg),
who recently turned 34 years old and Lopez (17.2 ppg-Led team, 7.4 rpg-Led
team, 1.8 bpg-Led team) and Williams did not perform at a consistent level
their talent and their huge salaries would suggest a season ago.
Lopez
has had moments where he plays like a dominant center averaging 19.7 points,
nine boards and 1.8 blocks after the All-Star break, where he also registered
six 30-plus point games after recording just one prior. He was especially great
against the Hawks in the Quarterfinals last spring, where he averaged 19.8
points, nine boards and two blocks.
There
were times though he disappeared when the Nets needed him most like in their
embarrassing 111-87 loss in Game 6, Lopez had 19 points, but garnered just
seven boards as the Hawks finished the Nets 4-2.
To
bring the Nets inconsistent play to a crescendo in 2014-15 , there were times
that back-up guard Jarrett Jack (12.0 ppg, 4.7 apg), who started 27 times last
season and averaged 15.9 points and 6.6 assists on 45.8 percent shooting played
like the he’s the best player on the floor for the Nets.
This
off-season for the Nets was about retooling the team in a more economical
matter unlike the past. This was especially important to do since they did not
have their own outright first round pick until 2019.
In
this past June’s draft, they acquired the rights of the 23rd overall
pick in collegiate defensive ace in swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from the
Portland Trail Blazers for forward Mason Plumlee.
They
re-signed Lopez to a three-year $60 million deal and Young to a four-year $50
million deal.
In
free agency the Nets signed players that essentially were looking for a fresh
start like former No. 1 overall pick center Andrea Bargnani (14.4 ppg), who
signed a two-year $2.9 million; guard Shane Larkin signed a two-year $3 million
deal; forward Thomas Robinson (5.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) signed a two-year $2.2 million
deal; guard Wayne Ellington (10.0 ppg, 37.0 3-Pt.%) Wayne Ellington signed a
one-year $1.5 million deal and guard Donald Sloan (7.4 ppg, 3.6 apg).
It
is very hard to find any optimism for a team that wanted to take a shortcut to
reaching the NBA mountain top.
The
good news if anything for the Nets is that at the end of this season, the Nets
will no longer have the $24 million price tag of Johnson. That will result in
the Nets having $44 million in cap space for next summer.
Unfortunately,
they have no draft picks to use as assets to get better. Besides Lopez, they
really have no serious talent that is going to attract the eye of any A-listers
on the free agent market this summer like Kevin Durant of the Thunder.
The
Nets are in a very tough place. They are trying to rebuild their team without
completely bottoming out. They have the talent to be a playoff contender this
season and they are in the East.
Best
Case Scenario:
Nets contend for a lower seeded playoff spot. Lopez plays consistently in the
paint and on the boards. The new acquisitions have resurrecting seasons.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Nets miss the playoffs.
Grade:
D+
Charlotte
Hornets:
33-49 (4th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 19-22 at home,
14-27 on the road.
-94.2
ppg-28th; opp. ppg: 97.3-5th; 44.1 rpg-10th
Two
years ago, the then Charlotte Bobcats went from a bottom feeder in the East to
a playoff team, falling to the eventual East champion Miami Heat.
They
felt they took a serious step in emerging as a perennial playoff team when they
signed in free agency guards Lance Stephenson and Brian Roberts (6.7 ppg),
forward Marvin Williams (7.4 ppg) and in the 2014 draft selecting forward Noah
Vonleh with the No. 9 overall pick out of Indiana and with the 26th
pick, sharp shooter P.J. Hairston (5.6 ppg) out of University North Carolina.
Those
glittering acquisitions were nothing but fool’s gold when they got on the court
in 2014-15.
Stephenson
shot just 37.6 percent from the field a season ago and just 17.1 percent from
three-point range. It had gotten so bad that Stephenson was on the bench in
fourth quarters because the team lost confidence in him.
Williams
shot just 42.4 percent from the floor last season. Vonleh, who was injured most
of last season barely got on the floor when he was healthy and Hairston played
in just 45 games a season ago.
It
did not help that their three top players in guard Kemba Walker (17.3 ppg-Led
team, 5.1 apg-Led team), center Al Jefferson (16.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 48.1 FG%) and
forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (10.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 46.5 FG%) missed a total of
64 games because of injuries a season ago.
This
off-season, the Hornets decided to bring in players that are a better fit
alongside the likes of Walker and Jefferson.
Back
on June 15, the Hornets shipped Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers in
exchange for center Spencer Hawes (5.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Hawes is looking to
bounce back from a tough season where he was not even able to get on the court
in the postseason for the Clippers.
Nine
days later, they sent guard Gerald Henderson and Vonleh to the Trail Blazers in
exchange for forward Nicolas Batum (9.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 5.9 apg), who is looking
to bounce back from a poor season where he shot just 40 percent from the field
and just 32.4 percent from three-point range.
The
Hornets acquired guard Jeremy Lamb and conditional 2016 second-round pick from
the Thunder for guard Luke Ridnour back on June 25.
Back
on July 9, the Hornets signed guard Jeremy Lin (11.2 ppg, 4.6 apg, 36.9 3-Pt.%)
to back-up Walker. His addition will allow Walker to be more of a scoring guard
this season and this will hopefully be a spot where Lin can rebuild himself
into a solid back-up. He has not been the same since his moment in the
spotlight, a.k.a. “Linsanity” when he was with the New York Knicks three years
ago.
Thirteen
days later, the Hornets signed forward Tyler Hansbrough, who is hoping a return
to where his star shined brightest as a collegiate with the North Carolina Tar
Heels in leading them to a National title will revive his pro career, which has
been a bust to this point.
The
one burning question coming into this season for the Hornets is how will they
use forward/center Frank Kaminsky III, who they selected ninth overall out of
University of Wisconsin this past June.
From
the outside looking in, selecting a player who was the 2015 College Basketball
Player of the Year and led the Badgers to the Final Four two straight seasons
sounds like a no brainer. The issue is that he is close to the same player that
third-year forward Cody Zeller (7.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg). A front court player who can
face-up and knock down jumpers and can put the ball on the floor.
Does
this mean that Hornets have lost faith in the No. 4 overall pick in 2013 or
will they let the two handle it in practice and during the pre-season?
One
player who will not be on the court anytime soon is Kidd-Gilchrist, who
sustained a torn labrum in his right shoulder in an Oct. 3 victory in the
preseason over the Orlando Magic. Kidd-Gilchrist, who signed a four-year $52
million contract extension over the summer underwent successful surgery on that
shoulder earlier this month and the defensive ace is expected to be out
approximately six month, if not the entire upcoming season.
Last
season when Kidd-Gilchrist played, the Hornets were a respectable 28-29 and
were victorious just five times in 25 chances when he was out because of injury.
When MKG was in the lineup, the Hornets allowed just 92.5 points per contest
and gave up just 34.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Teams averaged 98.7
points per contest on 36.2 percent from three-point range when MKG was out of
the lineup.
This
is especially going to hurt the Hornets at the defensive end, where the Hornets
were tied for seventh in opponent’s field goal percentage at 44.0 percent and
tied for sixth in block shots per game at 5.5 a season ago.
Last
off-season, the Hornets made a splash in free agency last off-season and things
did not work out. This off-season, they went with more substance and found
players who seem to not only fit better, but each of the new additions have
something to prove.
The
team has something to prove at the offensive end as they were next to last in
field goal percentage at 42.0 percent; last in three-point percentage at 31.8
and ranked 28th in assists per contest at 20.2.
To
put the offensive struggles of the Hornets into a broader perspective since the
2008-09 season the Hornets have only averaged 93.6 (30th), 95.3 (28th),
93.3 (29th), 87.0 (30th), 93.4 (26th), 96.9
(23rd) and aforementioned 94.2 (28th) points per contest.
With
the new additions and good health, the Hornets offense should match what they
have produced on defense. It will be difficult without Kidd-Gilchrist, though,
but head coach Steve Clifford, owner Michael Jordan and the fans should be
optimistic about the prospect of a return to the playoffs this season,
especially the fact that they are in the East.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Hornets are in the fight for a lower seed in the playoffs. Walker and
Jefferson stay healthy and have solid seasons. The supporting cast plays at a
high level.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They miss the playoffs again.
Grade:
B-
Chicago
Bulls:
50-32 (2nd Central Division; No. 3 Seed East) 27-14 at home, 23-18
on the road. Defeated Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 in East Quarterfinals. Lost to
Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in East Semifinals.
-100.8
ppg-15th; opp. ppg: 97.8-9th; 45.7 rpg-3rd
In
five seasons under the direction of head coach Tom Thibodaux, the Chicago Bulls
made the playoffs in each time, winning 50 games or more in three of those five
seasons.
In
year one, the Bulls won 62 games and made it to the Conference Finals only to
fall to the eventual East champion Heat 4-1.
In
the years that followed, the Bulls have had their season twice end in the
opening round and twice in the Semis.
Last
season’s setback in the Semis to the Cavs in the Semis was especially tough
because of the great seasons turned in by 2015 Most Improved Player and first
time All-Star Jimmy Butler (20.0 ppg-Led team, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 spg-Led team, 46.2
FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%), who signed a five-year $92.3 million contract this
off-season and fellow All-Star Pau Gasol (18.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg-4th NBA-career-high,
1.9 bpg-Led team), who lead the league with 54 double-doubles a season ago.
On
June 2, Thibodeau was replaced by former Iowa State head coach and former NBA
guard Fred Hoiberg and the hope is that he will get the team to take that
elusive last step to the championship.
Hoiberg
comes into a very solid situation though. He has a team that has a philosophy
of playing great at the defensive end. They play hard for 48 minutes and they
have a star player who is all about team in All-Star lead guard Derrick Rose
(17.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg-Led team). The only problem is that the former No. 1 overall
pick in 2008 draft has had a difficult time staying on the court.
Since
becoming the youngest player to win the Most Valuable Player Award back in
2011, Rose has played including the playoffs a total of just 212 of 275 games
the past four seasons. He has appeared in just 100 regular season games
combined the last three seasons, sustaining sustained a torn ACL in his left
knee and a torn meniscus in his right knee twice.
The
injury bug has hit Rose again as just four days into the start of this training
camp he sustained a fracture to his left orbital but will be ready to go to
start the season when the Bulls host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If
there has been any silver lining in this is that it has forced the rest of the
team to raise their games individually and collectively to another level.
As
mentioned earlier, Butler had a break out season, earning him a big-time
contract this off-season. Gasol gave the Bulls a low-post scorer who can score
and pass the basketball and was a solid compliment in the starting front court
with forward/center Joakim Noah (7.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.7 apg), who is looking to
bounce back from a subpar season where he was hampered by a knee that never got
right a season ago.
New
comers from a season ago in guard Aaron Brooks (11.6 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt.%), who
re-signed on a one-year deal worth $2.3 million; rookie forward Nikola Mirotic
(10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) joined forward Taj Gibson (10.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 50.2 FG%),
swingman Mike Dunleavy (9.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 40.7 3-Pt.%), who re-signed on a
three-year $14.4 million contract to and guard Kirk Hinrich (5.7 ppg), who
re-signed a two-year $5.8 million stepped up and became big time scoring
threats whether they started or came off the bench.
Mirotic
played extremely well at the close of last season with averages 16.0 points and
five rebounds post All-Star break and averaged 20.8 points and 7.6 boards last
March.
Along
with bringing in a new head coach, the Bulls in this past June’s draft selected
with the 22nd overall pick forward Bobby Portis out of Arkansas to
add depth to the front court.
Over
these past five seasons, the Bulls have been a team in position to make that
step and win it all. What has stood in their way has been injuries and an
inability to score at a consistent rate.
Along
with the continued maturation of the aforementioned supporting cast at the
offensive end, the likes of second-year forward Doug McDermott, who was shelved
most of last season because of a leg injury and third-year forward Tony Snell
(6.0 ppg) have to develop into players who can come into the game any instantly
strike a match offensively.
The
hope is that Hoiberg can come in and take this talented group that plays hard
and make them into a respectable offensive team. He has been on the Bulls radar
to be their head coach and now that time is here.
More
than anything, they need Rose to become more of a facilitator and not the one
man show that he was in the early part of his career.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Bulls win over 50 games and are a Top Three Seed in East Rose and the core
players stay healthy. They reach the Conference Finals and finally get over the
hurdle of LeBron James.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Bulls fall early in the playoffs again to James and the Cavs.
Grade:
B+
Cleveland
Cavaliers:
53-29 (1st Central Division; No. 2 Seed East) 31-10 at home, 22-19
on the road. Defeated Boston Celtics 4-0 East Quarterfinals. Defeated Chicago
Bulls 4-2 in East Semifinals. Defeated Atlanta Hawks 4-0 in East Finals. Lost
to Golden State Warriors 4-2 in NBA Finals.
-103.1
ppg-8th; opp. ppg: 98.7-13th; 43.0 rpg-18th
Last
off-season was about rebuilding for the Cavaliers when they hired long time
overseas head coach David Blatt as their new head coach.
That
all changed in a major way when the proud son of Akron, OH, four-time MVP and
two-time NBA champion with the Heat LeBron James (25.3 ppg-3rd NBA,
6.0 rpg, 7.4 apg-Led team, 1.6 spg-Led team) came back to where his future Hall
of Fame career began and this past off-season re-signed with the team on a new
two-year $47 million deal this off-season.
On
top of signing James, they acquired All-Star forward Kevin Love (16.4 ppg, 9.7
rpg-Led team, 36.7 3-Pt.%), who re-signed this off-season to a five-year $110
million contract, to team up with former Rookie of the Year and All-Star guard
Kyrie Irving (21.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 46.8 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%),
forward/center Tristan Thompson (8.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), who finally was re-signed
to a five-year $82 million deal earlier this month and center Anderson Varejao
(9.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg).
The
team did not gel right away winning just 19 of their first 39 games. In that
stretch, the Cavs lost 10 of 12 games in the middle of January and they were
without James for eight games recuperating from a nagging knee and sore back.
James
returned on Jan. 15 at the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cavs began a 12-game
winning streak and they never looked back finishing the season 34-9 and
claiming their first Central Division title since 2009-2010 season.
Along
with the improved health of James, the Cavs acquired center Timofey Mozgov (9.7
ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg) from the Denver Nuggets to bolster their front court,
which lost Varejao in late December with a torn Achilles.
Back
in January, the Cavs acquired guards Iman Shumpert (8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), who
re-signed for four years at $40 million, J.R. Smith (12.1 ppg, 38.3 3-Pt.% with
Cavs), who also re-signed with the team, from the Knicks and they added
perimeter shooting and better perimeter defense for the Cavs.
In
the playoffs, the Cavs went 12-2 in defeating the Celtics, Bulls and Hawks. In
the opening round series however, the Cavs lost Love to a separated shoulder,
which required surgery and he missed the remainder of the playoffs.
The
Cavs marched on and reached the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise
history. The injury bug hit the team again as Irving sustained a fractured left
kneecap in Game 1 at the Warriors that required surgery.
While
he has made progress in his rehabilitation, there is no set timetable for his
return to the court.
The
Cavs will also be without the services of Shumpert to start the season as he
will be sidelined for 12-14 weeks following surgery on his right wrist earlier
this month.
That
makes the new additions of Mo Williams for two years at $4.3 million (14.2 ppg,
6.2 apg), who is in his second stint with the team; forward Richard Jefferson
(5.8 ppg) and the re-signing of forward James Jones (one-year, $1.4 million)
and guard Matthew Dellavedova (one-year, $1.2 million) really important.
The
lingering elephant in the room though is when would Thompson be re-signed?
That
issue was taken care of six days ago when he signed a new deal for five years
at $82 million.
To
put his importance to the Cavs into perspective, only Enes Kanter (277) of the
Thunder, Tyson Chandler (294), now with the Phoenix Suns; DeAndre Jordan (397)
of the Los Angeles Clippers and Andre Drummond (437) of the Detroit Pistons had
more total offensive boards in the regular season than Thompson, who had 274 in
2014-15.
His
10.8 rebounds per contest average in the playoffs was second only to James, who
averaged 11.3.
In
the 4-0 sweep in the Conference Finals against the Hawks, Thompson had three
double-doubles in the series and averaged 11.8 points and 11.0 rebounds in the
series.
With
the re-signing of Thompson, the new additions and the re-signing of James,
Shumpert, Smith and Love the Cavaliers are poised to win the city Cleveland its
first professional sports title in 51 years. Counting the seasons of the Cavs,
Indians, Browns Columbus Jackets, the city has gone 144 seasons with a pro
sports championships.
They
have the team to win it all, but they must get healthy and stay that way.
We
saw in The Finals against the Warriors, James who averaged 35.8 points, 13.0
boards and 8.8 assists in The Finals last season and the Warriors won in six games
because they had the depth and the Cavs did not.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Cavs are a Top 3 Seed in the East and they win the championship.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Cavs fall short in The Finals or do not even get there.
Grade:
A+
Detroit
Pistons:
32-50 (5th Central Division; missed playoffs) 18-23 at home, 14-27
on the road.
-98.5
ppg-18th; opp. ppg: 99.5-14th; 44.9 rpg-4th
When
he became the head coach and team president two seasons back, Stan Van Gundy
new that it was going to take a lot of work in turning the Pistons back into a
consistent playoff participant.
His
first season in the “Motor City” did not get off to a great start as the team
was 5-23 three days before Christmas in 2014 and they said goodbye to a prize
free agent from the prior off-season in forward Josh Smith, who the team bought
out of his very hefty contract.
Things
began to pick up after that as the team went 16-10 in one stretch and were in
striking distance of the No. 8 and final playoff spot.
The
two big reasons for that was the great play of center Andre Drummond (13.8 ppg,
13.5 rpg-2nd NBA, 1.9 bpg-Led team) and starting lead guard Brandon
Jennings (15.4 ppg, 6.6 apg-Led team) who was playing the best stretch of basketball
of his career, averaging 19.8 points, 7.0 assists on 39.4 percent from
three-point range.
In
the Pistons 128-118 victory versus the Orlando Magic back on Jan. 21, Jennings
24 points, 21 assists and just two turnovers, going 10 for 21 from the field.
Drummond had a strong performance as well with a team-high 26 points, 17
rebounds, four steals and three block shots.
The
good fortune of the Pistons took a serious turn three nights later at the Milwaukee
Bucks, when Jennings sustained a serious foot injury late in the third quarter,
which turned out to be a ruptured left Achilles tendon, bring an end to his
season. He did have surgery to repair the Achilles. He is expected to be back
sometime in December.
The
Pistons lost their next four games in a row and saw their playoff hopes go up
in smoke.
This
off-season, Van Gundy wanted to construct the Pistons into his image. A team
that plays great defensively, shoots the three-point shot consistently and
plays hard night in and night out.
They
said goodbye to Greg Monroe, who is now with the division rival Milwaukee
Bucks, leaving the paint responsibilities to Drummond who has shown he is more
than capable of handling it.
Van
Gundy also signed a very capable back-up to Drummond in former San Antonio Spur
Aron Baynes to a three-year $19.5 million deal.
They
acquired from the Phoenix Suns guard Reggie Bullock, and forwards Danny Granger,
who was released by the team this week and Marcus Morris (10.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg,
35.8 3-Pt.%). They also acquired from the Nets back-up guard Steve Blake and
forward Ersan Ilyasova (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 47.2 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%) from the
Bucks, who will be playing for his seventh coach in his eight-year career.
In
the draft, the Pistons selected with the eighth overall pick forward Stanley
Johnson out of University of Arizona.
The
Pistons also re-signed center Joel Anthony to a two-year $5 million deal.
The
big get this off-season for the team was re-signing guard Reggie Jackson (14.5
ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.2 rpg), who was acquired at the trade deadline last February
from the Thunder and averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 27
games and turned it into a new 5-year $80 million deal.
Jackson
showed last season in a small sampling that he is more of a fit next to
starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (12.7 ppg, 34.5 3-Pt.%), who
had a breakout second-year in 2014-15.
Caldwell-Pope’s
improved shooting ability to along with the likes of Jodie Meeks (11.1 ppg,
34.5 3-Pt.%), Blake’s, Granger’s, Ilyasova’s, Jackson’s Morris’s and Anthony
Tolliver’s (7.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) ability to space the floor, will
allow Drummond to thrive in the paint.
Even
with the improved roster though, the Pistons seemed to be a few steps away from
being a real playoff threat.
For
them to get a little closer, they must play better at the defensive end though.
Ranking 21st in opponent’s field goal percentage at 45.6 percent and
three-point percentage at 35.5 percent will not get it done.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Pistons are contending for the No. 8 spot. Drummond is a borderline
All-Star. The Pistons are ranked in the middle of the NBA pact defensively.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pistons miss the playoffs for a seventh straight season.
Grade:
B-
Indiana
Pacers:
38-44 (4th Central Division; missed playoffs) 23-18 at home, 15-26
on the road.
-97.3
ppg-24th; opp. ppg: 97.0 4th; 44.9 rpg-5th
For
three consecutive postseasons, the Pacers had their championship dreams end at
the hands of the Miami Heat and LeBron James, with the last two happening in the
Eastern Conference Finals respectably.
Swingman
Paul George (8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg) went from an unknown to an All-Star and one of
the best two-way players in the league.
The
team also used a tough brand of defense and ability to score in the paint with
center Roy Hibbert and David West to win games under the direction of head
coach Frank Vogel.
The
fortunes of the Pacers in 2014-15 changed last off-season when starting
shooting guard Lance Stephenson bolted in free agency for the Hornets and
George suffered a broken leg during USA Basketball tryouts.
Things
went from bad to worse when West and starting lead guard George Hill (16.1 ppg,
5.1 apg-Led team, 47.7 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%) and his back-up C.J. Watson began the
season on the shelf with injuries.
After
a rough start where the Pacers stood at 17-32 after 99-94 loss versus the Kings
on Jan. 31, they went 21-12 to close the season, but that 12th loss
on Apr. 15 at the Memphis Grizzlies coupled with a Nets victory denied the
Pacers a ticket to the 2015 NBA playoffs.
This
off-season, team president and Hall of Famer Larry Bird, an Indiana native
decided that it was time to overall the Pacers roster and make it into a team
that can play in the new NBA.
The
Pacers in the off-season traded Hibbert to the Lakers. Let forward Luis Scola
go in free agency and traded Damjan Rudez to the Minnesota Timberwolves in
exchange for forward Chase Budinger (6.8 ppg, 36.4 3-Pt.%). West opted out of
the final $12 million dollars of his deal to sign with the Spurs.
In
free agency, the Pacers signed guard Monta Ellis (18.9 ppg, 4.1 apg, 4.5 FG%)
to a four-year, $44 million deal; forward/center Jordan Hill (12.0 ppg, 7.9
rpg) to a one-year $4 million deal and forward Glenn Robinson III, who the
Pacers signed to a three-year deal.
They
re-signed forward/center Lavoy Allen; forward/center Shayne Whittington and
guard Rodney Stuckey (12.6 ppg, 39.0 3-Pt.%), who had a solid season for the
Pacers and earned himself a new three-year $21 million contract.
In
this June’s draft, they selected with the No. 11 overall pick forward/center Myles
Turner out of Texas, who is expected to be the starter in place of the departed
Hibbert.
He
showed in the 2015 Orlando Summer League that he is ready for the opportunity
as he averaged 18.7 points, 8.3 boards and 4.3 blocks. He is trying to be the 6th
lottery selection out of the University of Texas to have an impact on the
league, joining forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the 9th pick of the in
2006 by Portland Trail Blazers; forward Kevin Durant, the No. 2 overall pick in
2007 draft by Oklahoma City Thunder; guard D.J. Augustin, the No. 9 overall
pick in 2008 draft by the then Charlotte Bobcats and Tristan Thompson, the No.
4 overall pick in 2011 draft by the Cavaliers.
With
the 43rd overall pick, the Pacers selected the 2015 Pac-12 Player of
the Year in guard Joseph Young out of Oregon, who averaged 22.5 points per game
in the 2015 Orlando Summer League and acquired the draft rights to forward
Rakeem Christmas out of Syracuse University.
The
retooled roster that Bird and the Pacers brass had put together is expected to
play at a faster pace, no pun intended.
The
new starting back court of Ellis and Hill could become one of the most
underrated back courts if they can mesh well together.
George
who is looking to bounce back after playing in just eight games a season ago is
expected to see minutes at the power forward to create mismatches on the
perimeter.
Despite
not having their franchise player in George, the Pacers as mentioned earlier
were within a hair of making the playoffs. With George back and a different
offensive philosophy, the Pacers are optimistic that they can make it back to
the postseason after a one-year absence.
The
key for them is to maintain that tough minded defensive attitude that made them
title contenders. For that to happen, Turner has to have an immediate impact on
that end of the court.
Best
Case Scenario:
Pacers are in the middle of the playoff pact. George returns to All-Star form.
The Pacers are better offensively while still sticking to their defensive
principles.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pacers are on the outside of the playoffs looking in and they struggle to
score.
Grade:
C+
Miami
Heat:
37-45 (3rd Southeast Division; missed playoffs) 20-21 at home, 17-24
on the road.
-94.7
ppg-27th; opp. ppg: 97.3 3rd; 39.1 rpg-30th
When
LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Heat and decided to return to
the Cavaliers, it was expected that the Heat would take a step back as a title
contender in the East.
Unfortunately
injuries and inconsistency play had them on the outside of the playoffs for the
first time since 2007-08.
They
were 22-30 at the All-Star break and averaged just 92.8 points per contest.
Perennial
All-Star forward Chris Bosh (21.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 46.0 FG%) missed the final 38
games of 2014-15 because of a blood clot found back in February that required
surgery.
The
team went 15-15 after the All-Star break and returned to form offensively
averaging 98.0 points per contest. They also improved their rebounding per
contest averaging 47.3 boards in those final 30 games.
Two
big reasons why the Heat stayed in playoff contention was because of the
acquisition of guard Goran Dragic (16.3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 50.1 FG%, 34.7 3-Pt.%) at
the February trade deadline and he averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 assists on 50.2
percent from the floor in 26 games with the Heat. Dragic turned that solid
performance earned him a new five-year $90 million contract.
The
other reason, the emergence of a new comer they signed earlier in the season in
eventual starting center Hassan Whiteside (11.0 ppg, 62.8 FG%-Led team, 10.0
rpg-Led team, 2.6 bpg-Led team).
Prior
to the All-Star break, the 2010 second pick out of Marshall averaged 10.0
points, 8.6 rebounds in 19.5 minutes and started 10 games. After the break,
Whiteside averaged in 28.4 minutes 13.7 points and 11.7 rebounds and started 22
times.
His
introduced himself to the national audience in a game back on Jan. 25 at the
Bulls where in 25 minutes had 14 points,
13 boards and 12 block shots and he never looked back.
This
will be a big season for him as he is an unrestricted free agent and a huge
season could net him a big contract. For that to happen though along with his
growth in his game, he also must have a mature temperament that at times was
not there a season ago.
Along
with re-signing Dragic, the Heat were able to hold onto their other All-Star in
guard Dwyane Wade (21.5 ppg-Led team, 4.8 apg-Led team, 47.0 FG%) who signed a
one-year deal for $20 million.
Last
season’s prized free agent forward Luol Deng (14.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 46.9 FG%, 35.5
3-Pt.%) opted-in to stay with the Heat.
In
free agency, the Heat looked to bettering its bench and signed swingman Gerald
Green (11.9 ppg, 35.4 3-Pt.%) and forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire (11.5 ppg,
5.6 rpg) to one-year deals worth $947,000.
They
were also able to get a gift in the draft when forward/guard Justise Winslow
from the National Champion Duke University Blue Devils fell to them at the No.
10 spot in the draft.
The
highly talented Winslow comes to a team that is loaded with players that have
amazing work habits and know how to win year in and year out. On top of that,
he gets to learn from one of the best wing players in “The Association” in
Wade.
With
the All-Star duo of Wade and Bosh back; the additions via the draft and free
agency and the remaining supporting cast of guards Mario Chalmers (10.2 ppg, 1.5
spg-Led team) and Tyler Johnson, center Chris Andersen, forwards James Ennis,
Udonis Haslem and Josh McRoberts, who was limited to 17 games a season ago
because of a bad knee, the Heat not only will make it back into the playoffs,
but have the chance to make some serious noise.
There
have a solid starting five in Wade, Bosh, Whiteside, Deng and Dragic. A very
good bench and a head coach in Erik Spoelstra and one of the best motivators to
ever be in the NBA in former champion head coach and Team President Pat Riley.
They
must stay healthy if they expect to make any kind of noise in the East.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Heat are fighting for home court advantage and make a serious run in the
playoffs.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They are fighting to just get into the playoffs and their key players miss time
because of injury.
Grade:
A-
Milwaukee
Bucks:
41-41 (3rd Central Division; No. 6 Seed East) 23-18 at home, 18-23
on the road. Lost to the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in East Quarterfinals.
-97.8
ppg-22nd; opp. ppg: 97.4-8th; 42.1 rpg-24th
Despite
a few moments of success that were not sustained, the Bucks for the last decade
have been stuck in the mud. Two years ago, they hit rock bottom finishing with
the worst record at 15-67.
The
fusion of new ownership in Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry, a new head coach in
Jason Kidd and some solid draft selections, the Bucks made a 26-game
improvement from a season ago and gave the division rival Bulls a run for their
money in the opening round of the playoffs last spring.
That
good fortune continued this off-season when they were able to sign
forward/center Greg Monroe (15.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 49.6 FG%) to a three-year $50
million contract. The 25-year-old’s addition gives the Bucks a player who can
score on the post and has an incredible ability to find the open man.
The
team did not conclude their as the Bucks were able to re-sign swingman Khris
Middleton (13.4 ppg, 1.5 spg, 46.7 FG%, 40.7 3-Pt.%), who turned his breakout
season into a new five-year $70 million contract. He was especially great in
the playoffs as he lead the Bucks in scoring at 15.8.
Along
with the signing of Monroe, the Bucks added another perimeter threat in forward
Chris Copeland and acquired from the Raptors guard Greivis Vazquez (9.5 ppg,
3.7 apg, 37.9 3-Pt.%), gritty, tough guard who has played well off the bench in
his career.
With
the No. 17 pick in this past June’s draft, the Bucks selected Rashad Vaughn,
who will add solid shooting to a team that was lacking in that area a season
ago.
The
new additions alongside the core players of Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.7 ppg,
6.7 rpg, 49.1 FG%), Michael Carter-Williams (14.1 ppg-Led team, 5.6 apg, 2.0
spg-Led team), who the Bucks acquired at the trade deadline from the
Philadelphia 76ers back in February, John Henson (7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 bpg),
who signed a four-year $44 million contract extension back on Oct. 1, O.J. Mayo
(11.4 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%), Jerryd Bayless (7.8 ppg), Miles Plumlee and the No. 2
overall pick in 2014 Draft in Jabari Parker (12.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 49.0 FG%), who
missed 57 games last season because of a torn left ACL he sustained back in
Dec. 2014 have given the Bucks a real athletic, interchangeable team that is
long and deep.
What
has to happen now for this young team is they have to play at a high level when
they are not sneaking up on people like they did a season ago.
While
they added depth to the team, they are lacking in veteran leadership that is
very necessary for a team that is very talented, but raw in terms of the ABC’s
of the NBA.
They
said goodbye to that when they let the likes of Caron Butler, Jared Dudley and
ZaZa Pachulia go via trade or free agency.
With
that being said, the Bucks do have assets to acquire such a player if
necessary. If anything else they have their head coach and future Hall of Famer
in Kidd to lean on.
The
Bucks also have something else to look forward to. A new arena that was
approved thanks to Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald
(R-Juneau). The arena deal was passed thanks to a provision which will impose a
ticket surcharge on ticket buyers which will help both state and local
facilities who are helping to fund the $500 million arena to pay off their
respective debts at a fast pace.
Last
season, they were a team with no direction. The Bucks enter the 2015-16 season,
with a clear direction and optimism to get back to the playoffs and eventually
contend for a title. They also will be wearing new uniforms this season and
they are very good.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Bucks are fighting for home court advantage in the opening round of the
playoffs. They continue to play great defensively and become a better offensive
team.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They are a lower seeded playoff team and fall in the opening round in a sweep.
Grade:
B+
New
York Knicks: 17-65
(5th Atlantic Division; missed playoffs) 10-31 at home, 7-34 on the
road.
-91.9
ppg-30th; opp. ppg: 101.2-T-21st; 40.4 rpg-29th
Other
than New York City hosting the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend back in February,
there was nothing positive about the professional basketball in “The Big Apple”
a season ago.
ESPN
First-Take host Stephen A. Smith said back in the middle of April on the
network’s flagship show “Sportscenter” to host Linsay Czarniak about the worst
season in New York Knickerbockers history that they were “an atrocity of the
highest order.”
How
awful were they, well they lost 16 games in succession from Dec. 14, 2014 to
Jan. 15, 2015, the longest losing streak in franchise history. Prior to that,
they went through a seven game losing streak from Nov. 4, 2014 to Nov. 14, 2014
and then a 10-game losing from Nov. 24, 2014 to Dec. 10, 2014.
To
top it all off, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony (24.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) had
surgery on his knee after playing in the NBA halfway classic, ending his season
after playing just 40 games, the lowest of his career.
It
had gotten so bad that they bought out the contract of Stoudemire and he then
joined the Dallas Mavericks, who made the playoffs last season.
It
was a season of the absurd for a historic franchise that is entering its 70th
season; has retired the jersey of seven players; worth approximately $2.5
billion according to Forbes; won eight Eastern Conference crowns and two NBA
titles.
This
off-season, the Knicks and team president Phil Jackson, the owner of 13
championship rings, 11 of them as head coach of the Bulls and Lakers went right
to the business at hand of putting the worst season in franchise behind them.
In
free agency, they signed guard Arron Afflalo (13.3 ppg, 35.4 3-Pt.%) at two
years and $16 million, who should provide scoring and tough defense on the
perimeter; center Robin Lopez (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 53.5 FG%) at four years and
$54 million, who will bring a presence in the paint on both ends; center Kevin
Seraphin (6.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg) at one-year $2.8 million and forward/center Kyle
O’Quinn (5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg) will be a solid back-ups at center to Lopez and
Quinn can also play the power forward spot; forward Derrick Williams (8.3 ppg)
at two-years and $9 million gives the Knicks a player who can play both forward
positions and who has the ability to score on the perimeter and in the paint,
if he can stay focused and guard Sasha Vujacic at one-year veteran minimum
gives the Knicks a veteran familiar with the triangle offense and a veteran who
won titles back-to-back titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
The
team raised more than a few eyebrows when in this past June’s draft they
selected with the No. 4 overall pick forward Kristaps Porzingis and at the No.
19 spot, they selected guard Jerian Grant out of Notre Dame.
In
Porzingis, they Knicks have a forward who can shoot the ball and who can put
the ball on the ground and attack the rim.
The
problem with his selection, when the likes of Jahlil Okafor was still out there
is that Porzingis is a wait and see, maybe he will be better down the road type
of player and the Knicks are in a situation where they need to win now.
Jackson
said earlier this summer to Charley Rosen of ESPN.com about Porzingis that,
“Like Shawn Bradley, who was nevertheless a pretty good player, KP might almost
be too tall for the game. What I mean is that his core strength might never be
good enough, and that he might not be able to get low enough to get himself
into prime defensive position to body power rebounders or drivers.”
The
one good thing with the selection of Grant is that he comes from a solid blood
line with his father being former swingman Harvey Grant, who played 11 seasons
in the league with the then Washington Bullets and eventual Wizards, Portland
Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers and averaging 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds
in those seasons. His uncle is Horace Grant, who played 17 seasons with the
Bulls, Orlando Magic, the then Seattle Supersonics and Los Angeles Lakers,
winning four titles with the Bulls and Lakers. He averaged 11.2 points and
eight boards in those seasons.
The
only positive of the Knicks season in 2014-15 was that NBA D-League call up
Langston Galloway (11.8 ppg, 35.2 3-Pt.%), who started 41 out of 45 games a
season ago showed that he belonged and he really finished strong in the month
of April averaging 14.3 points in eight contest connecting on 41.2 percent of
his three-pointers.
His
impressive showing should allow him minutes as the team’s understudy behind
starter Jose Calderon (9.1 ppg, 4.7 apg-Led team, 41.5 3-Pt.%).
As
a player, second-year head coach Derrick Fisher had a career resume of winning
five titles with the Lakers alongside future Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal
and Kobe Bryant; playing 18 seasons with the Lakers, Golden State Warriors,
Utah Jazz and Thunder; playing in 259 playoff games, the most in NBA history
and being President of the National Basketball Players Association from
2006-13.
As
a head coach so far, the result have been painful and it looks like things are
not going to get better anytime soon.
With
that being said, the roster looks a lot better than it did a season ago and
Anthony is back healthy and very motivated to turn things around. Also they are
in the East. If they can get off to a good start, then there is a possibility
that they can make the playoffs.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Knicks are fighting for either the No. 7 or No. 8 Seed in the East. Anthony
returns to All-Star form and the team understands the triangle offense a lot
better.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Knicks miss the playoffs again and Anthony becomes frustrated.
Grade:
C+
Orlando
Magic:
25-57 (5th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 13-28 at home,
12-29 on the road.
-95.7
ppg-25th; opp. ppg: 101.4-23rd; 41.8 rpg-25th
Coming
into year four in their rebuilding process, the Orlando Magic have been able to
via the draft and trades been able to bring in young talented players that have
shown moments in glimpses that they belong in the league.
Like
with all young talented teams, they struggle to win games and that is no
different for the team that is from a city built on fantasy. The Magic counting
last season have won just 68 games over the past three years.
That
was one of main reasons why they fired head coach Jacque Vaughn back on Feb. 5,
after going just 58-158 in 2 ½ seasons. His replacement James Borrego who
finished out the season is now an assistant head coach for the Spurs.
At
a crossroads, team manager Rob Hennigan and president Alex Martins turned to a
former player from their past to turn their back into a winner. Enter gritty
and hard noise competitor as a player for 11 NBA season (1986-97) and as a head
coach in Scott Skiles, who the team hired on May 29 as the 12th head
coach in franchise history.
In
his five seasons with the Magic, where he averaged from 1989-94, he was part of
a team that went from the NBA basement to an eventual playoff team playing
alongside and up and coming Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Nick
Anderson and Dennis Scott, currently an analyst for NBATV.
Back
on Dec 30, 1990, Skiles recorded an NBA record 30 assists, breaking the old
mark of 29 by former Washington Bullet, New Jersey Net, Detroit Piston guard
Kevin Porter as the Magic registered a 155-116 victory versus the Denver
Nuggets.
Skiles
was no different in his first 13 seasons as a head coach, where he amassed a
record of 443-433 with the Phoenix Suns, Bulls and Bucks from 1999-2013.
The
one great advantage that Skiles has coming into his new head coaching spot is
that the he has as mentioned a talented group of young players.
He
has one of the best kept secrets in the league in starting center Nikola
Vucevic (19.3 ppg-Led team, 10.9 rpg-6th NBA, 52.3 FG%), who ranked
fourth in the league in double-doubles a season ago with 45. Since the 2012-13
season, only Sacramento Kings’ center DeMarcus Cousins (135) and Memphis
Grizzlies’ forward Zach Randolph (130) have more double-doubles than Vucevic,
who has garnered 127.
A
very young, but talented backcourt in second-year lead guard Elfrid Payton (8.9
ppg, 6.5 apg-Led team, 1.7 spg-Led team) and his running mate Victor Oladipo
(17.9 ppg, 4.1 apg).
One
of the team’s biggest priorities besides finding a new head coach this past
summer was keeping emerging forward Tobias Harris (17.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 46.6 FG%),
who was with the Bucks when Skiles was the head coach. The Magic were able to
retain Harris, who signed a new four-year $64 million contract.
While
the supporting cast consist of very talented players like swing man Evan
Fournier (12.0 ppg, 37.8 3-Pt.%), forward/center Channing Frye (7.3 ppg, 39.3
3-Pt.%), forward Andrew Nicholson and second-year forward Aaron Gordon, some
upgrades were very necessary.
In
free agency, the Magic signed guard C.J. Watson for three-years at $15 million;
center Jason Smith (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) at one-year for $4.3 million and acquired
second-year guard Shabazz Napier from the Heat.
In
this past June’s draft, the Magic selected with the No. 5 overall pick forward
Mario Hezonja from Croatia, who bring an offensive ability where he can score on
the perimeter who never met a shot he did not like and bring an aggressive
style to the game that will make him a crowd favorite at the Amway Center.
While
all of these players may have outstanding ability at the offensive side of the
court, the only way they are going to show that ability under Skiles is to
bring a non-wavering focus to the defensive end of the court.
The
Magic ranked 28th in opponent’s field goal percentage giving up 46.6
percent shooting. They were next to last in three-point percentage allowed
giving up 36.8 percent shooting and in block shots per game at 3.6. They did
however force their opposition into 14.3 turnovers per game, ranking 12th
in the league and they were also that same ranking in steals per contest
averaging 7.9.
At
some point this team has to turn the corner and eventually get into the
playoffs. Whether it is this year remains to be seen.
They
have assembled talented players who are getting better and better each year.
They have a head coach with experience and who while demanding as in his three
previous stops has gotten results. It is now up to the team to turn the corner
and play meaningful games in the months of March and April.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Magic are competing for the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Another season of less than 30 wins.
Grade:
B-
Philadelphia
76ers:
18-64 (4th Atlantic Division; missed playoffs) 12-29 at home, 6-35
on the road.
-92.0
ppg-29th; opp. ppg: 101.0-20th; 42.9 rpg-19th
If
there is one thing about professional sports fans in certain cities is that
they want to be able to root for a winner and when that opportunity is not
there, they have no problem expressing their displeasure via calling to a
sports radio station that covers the team, through social media today or
through conversations in places like sports bar or with family and friends.
That
has certainly been the case in the city of “Brotherly Love” where the hometown
Philadelphia 76ers, whose rebuilding process has yet to yield any kind of
optimism of better days ahead with the team winning just 19 and 18 games the
past two seasons.
To
capsule the Sixers terrible 2014-15 season, they lead the league with 41
different starting lineups and 25 different players played for the Sixers a
season ago.
Over
the last three seasons, only the Magic has suffered more losses at 178 than the
Sixers, who have sustained 175 defeats.
To
top it all off, they traded away their lead guard and last year’s Rookie of the
Year in Michael Carter-Williams to the conference rival Bucks at the trade
deadline.
The
No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft center Joel Embiid has yet to suit up for
the Sixers and will not anytime soon after a second surgery on his foot.
According
to reports, Embiid has been uncooperative in his rehabilitation, which is not a
good sign.
On
top of that, forward Dario Saric, who the Sixers selected with the 12th
overall pick in two summers back, is still playing basketball in Europe and is
not coming over anytime soon.
In
this year’s draft, the Sixers had their eyes on Ohio State guard D’Angelo
Russell, but he was taken one spot before him at No. 2 by the Lakers.
They
did end up with a great pick by selecting center Jahlil Okafor at No. 3 from
the National Champion Duke Blue Devils.
In
Okafor, the Sixers have a low-post threat who has amazing foot work and in the
eyes of many NBA scouts, has the ability to be a player to average 20 points
and 10 rebounds for the next several years if everything falls into place.
He
should be an excellent complement to third-year forward Nerlens Noel (9.9 ppg,
8.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg-Led team), who put it all together in the month of March of
his first full season playing after sitting out his rookie season recovering
from knee surgery. He averaged 14.3 points, 11.2 boards, 2.1 blocks and 2.4
steals in the next to last month of the season last year.
The
addition of Okafor will allow Noel to be more of a weak side defender blocking
shots and at the offensive end clean up the boards of his teammates misses.
Along
with adding talent via the draft, the Sixers made some solid additions via a
trade with the Sacramento Kings acquiring center Jason Thompson, who is now
with the Golden State Warriors; Nik Stauskas, the sharp shooting guard second-year;
forward Carl Landry (7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), who will provide veteran leadership for
a young team in serious need of it and a protected future No. 1 pick as well as
the right to swap first-round picks with the Kings in 2016 and 2017.
Stauskas,
who could not crack the Kings lineup playing behind guard Ben McLemore, will
have ample opportunity to get playing time and develop.
The new additions along with some of the
returning players from a season ago like guard Tony Wroten (16.9 ppg-Led team,
5.2 apg), whose season was cut short because of injury, forwards Robert
Covington (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg 37.4 3-Pt.%), Jerami Grant (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg),
guards JaKarr Sampson, Hollis Thompson (8.8 ppg, 40.1 3-Pt.%) and Isaiah Canaan
(9.2 ppg, 37.0 3-Pt.%) will get a chance to get on the court for third-year
head coach Brett Brown, who has gone 37-127 so far as Sixers head coach.
The
question is how long before take for President of Basketball Operations Sam
Hinke and O’Neil to bring playoff basketball back to Philly? Time and the fan
base is not on their side. So they better turn this current roster and the
number of draft picks they have gotten in a number of these trades into players
that the team can build with for this so-called bright future. It better happen
soon or they will be run out of town.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Sixers win at least 25 games. Okafor is in contention for Rookie of the
Year and he and Noel mesh well together on the court. Some of the new additions
emerge as key players for the Sixers going forward.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Sixers show no improvement and have five-plus long losing streaks during
the season.
Grade:
D+
Toronto
Raptors:
49-33 (1st Atlantic Division; No. 4 Seed in East) 27-14 at home,
22-19 on the road. Lost to Washington Wizards 4-0 in East Quarterfinals.
-104.0
ppg-4th; opp. ppg: 100.9-19th; 41.5 rpg-26th
For
two straight seasons, the Toronto Raptors have captured the Atlantic Division
crown garnering 48 and 49 wins respectably and have open the Quarterfinals with
home court advantage.
In
both seasons however, they ended in the opening round of the playoffs and the
last season’s conclusion was extremely painful as they were swept by the
Wizards, who they had their way with in the 2014-15 regular season.
The
Wizards in the four-game sweep averaged 110.3 points per game; shot 44.3
percent from three-point range; out-rebounded the Raptors by 9.8 per game and
averaged 26.5 assists compared to the Raptors 19.5.
The
other major factor was the play of the starting backcourts. The Wizards
backcourt of Bradley Beal (20.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.0 apg in the series) and John
Wall (17.3 ppg, 10.0 apg in the series), who shot just 38.0 and 38.9 percent
respectably outplayed the starting tandem of first time All-Star guard Kyle
Lowry (17.8 ppg, 6.8 apg-Led team, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 spg-Led team) and former
All-Star DeMar DeRozan (20.1 ppg-Led team, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 apg), who respectably
averaged 12.8 and 20.3 points per contest, but shot just 40.0 and 31.6 percent
respectably from the field. Lowry just an abysmal 21.7 percent from three-point
range after shooting a respectable 33.8 percent from behind the arc in 2014-15.
The
Raptors, who were a solid defensive team two years ago were a far cry from that
a season ago.
The
opposition shot 45.9 percent against them last year, ranking 26th in
the league. The Raptors were 21st in rebound differential at -1.0
and ranked just 23rd in block shots per contest at 4.4.
While
the Raptors were a solid offensive team, they were at the bottom in assists per
game ranking just 22nd overall at 20.7 per contest
This
off-season, the Raptors additions were mainly to address the defensive problems
and to inability to move the basketball.
The
big catch for them was signing their new starting small forward DeMarre Carroll
(12.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 48.7 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%), who turned his career year in
2014-15 into a four-year $60 million pay day back on July 9. He brings to the
hardwood an ability to stretch the floor with his great three-point shooting as
well as the ability to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
While
he may not be a gladiator inside offensively, the addition of Bismack Biyombo
(4.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg) for two years at $5.8 million gives the Raptors a
capable starter at the power forward position, who can protect the rim on
defense and who does not need the ball offensively to be productive.
In
the draft this past June, the Raptors selected guard Delon Wright at No. 20
overall out of the University of Utah, who was a defensive terror as a
collegian. He also as solid blood lines as he is the brother of veteran sharp
shooter Dorell Wright, who is still out there as a free agent.
To
address their offensive continuity issues, the Raptors signed fellow Canadian
and NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph (6.8 ppg 50.4
FG%, 36.4 3-Pt.%) and veteran forward Luis Scola (9.4 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 6.5 rpg).
Both players bring not just their veteran savvy, but they are guys who come
from systems whether in the league or playing for their countries national
team’s the willingness to move the ball and find the open man.
Even
with the new additions to go alongside the role players like James Johnson (7.9
ppg, 3.7 rpg), Patrick Patterson (8.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 37.1 3-Pt.%), if they
cannot get more consistent play from center Jonas Valanciunas (12.0 ppg, 8.7
rpg-Led team, 57.2 FG%) and Terrence Ross (9.8 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%), the Raptors
will continue to have flame outs in the postseason.
Valanciunas
has serious incentive to rise to the moment this season as General Manager Masa
Ujiri gave him a four-year $64 million contract extension. With forward Amir
Johnson now with the division rival Celtics, the need Valanciunas to be a force
on both ends, especially on the boards.
Ross
has underperformed the last two postseasons and perhaps being the team’s sixth
man may help him become a better player.
One
big reason the Raptors should feel optimistic about the 2014-15 season is that
Lowry came into camp in the best shape of his life according to reports. That
is great news for the Raptors and bad news for the rest of the league.
Before
the All-Star break last season, Lowry was averaging 18.6 points, 7.2 assists
and 4.8 boards. Following the NBA mid-season classic, Lowry averaged just 15.4
points, 5.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds and his shooting went from 42.3 percent to
an atrocious 37.3.
Also
DeRozan, who missed 22 games because of injury last season is healthy and will
be on his game this season as he will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s
end.
The
Raptors enter this season with new uniforms. A goal of finally winning 50 games
or more for the first time in franchise history. A mindset to be more cohesive
offensively and more focused on getting stops defensively and to finally get
passed the opening round for just the second time in franchise history.
Best
Case Scenario:
Finally winning 50 games or more in a season for the first time in franchise
history. Lowry and DeRozan both make the All-Star team. Raptors advance to
Semifinals and maybe beyond.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Another first round exit in postseason.
Grade:
B+
Washington
Wizards:
46-36 (2nd Southeast Division; No. 5 Seed East) 29-12 at home, 17-24
on the road. Defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-0 in East Quarterfinals. Lost to
the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in East Semifinals.
-98.5
ppg-17th; opp. ppg: 97.8-10th; 44.7 rpg-8th
In
the early 2000s, the Washington Wizards were making some serious headway as a
perennial playoff participant in the East and seemed on the verge of turning
into a title contender.
Since
2005 playoffs where they lost in the Semifinals to the East runner-up Heat,
they had three consecutive first-round setbacks to LeBron James and the Cavs
losing in six games two of those three times.
In
the years that followed, the Wizards missed the playoffs five straight seasons.
Last
year they made the playoffs for the second straight seasons and garnered their
most wins since the 1978-79 seasons, where they won 54 games and made it to The
Finals falling to the then Seattle Supersonics in five games.
Two
big reasons why the Wizards made the playoffs and advanced to the Semis for the
second straight season was the emergence of their starting backcourt of John
Wall (17.6 ppg-Led team, 10.0 apg-2nd NBA, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 spg-Led
team), who shot a career-high 44.5 percent from the field and lead all NBA
guards and was second overall in the league with 40 double-doubles and Bradley
Beal (15.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 40.9 3-Pt.%), who really stepped up in the
postseason leading the Wizards with 23.4 points per contest, grabbing 5.5
boards, dishing out 4.6 assists and getting 1.6 steals.
To
put the growth of Wall, who has averaged 17.6 points 8.7 assists and 4.4 boards
to this point in his career into perspective, the two-time All-Star is only the
third player in NBA history to average 17-plus points, eight-plus assists and
four-plus rebounds through the first 345 games of their NBA career. The other
three to accomplish this feet are Hall of Famers and NBA champions Oscar
Robertson (30.2 ppg, 10.5 apg, 10.6 rpg) and Earvin “Magic” Johnson (18.1 ppg,
9.8 apg, 8.4 rpg) and current Clippers All-Star lead guard Chris Paul (19.3
ppg, 9.9 apg, 4.7 rpg).
The
big X-factor for the Wizards in their playoff run a season ago was veteran
swingman Paul Pierce, who in the postseason averaged 14.6 points on 48.5
percent from the field and 52.4 percent from three-point range.
The
heroics of Pierce and the emergence of Beal were especially big in the Semis
because Wall out in the middle of the serious due to a hand injury. Pierce in
particular lived up to his shot making greatness at the end of games and his
game-winning three-pointer off the glass at the buzzer of Game 3 versus the
Hawks gave the Wizards a 103-101 win and a 2-1 series lead.
He
nearly did it again in Game 6, but his game-tying shot was called off up
further review by the official and the Wizards fell 94-91 in Game 6 back on May
15.
It
was also the last game for Pierce in a Wizards uniform as he signed with the
Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent this summer.
With
that veteran leadership no longer in the picture, the Wizards looked to this
off-season to replacing the future Hall of Famer by committee and without
breaking the bank for it. More on that later.
In
free agency, they signed swingman Alan Anderson (7.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 34.8 3-Pt.%)
to a one-year $4 million deal for his ability to defend perimeter players as
well as his ability to shoot the ball consistently; guard Gary Neal (10.1 ppg),
who when with the Spurs in his career was a solid three-point shooter; forward
Jared Dudley (7.2 ppg. 46.8 FG%, 38.5 3-Pt.%), who can both forward positions,
can stretch the floor and is a solid presence in the locker room and they
drafted with the 15th overall pick in this past June’s draft Kelly
Oubre, Jr. from University of Kansas Jayhawks.
These
new additions will be solid fits alongside the likes of sharp shooter Martell
Webster, guards Garrett Temple and Ramon Sessions (7.4 ppg, 3.1 apg, 40.6
3-Pt.%) and center DeJuan Blair.
One
person that must step to the forefront with Pierce gone is forward Otto Porter,
Jr. (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg).
While
the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft had a rough rookie season, he did show
some flashes in his sophomore season and really came of age in the postseason
averaging 10.0 points, shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 37.5 from behind
the three-point arc and finishing second on the Wizards in rebounds per contest
with eight in 33.1 minutes off the bench.
Entering
his third season, it is now or never for the former Georgetown Hoya because
they have a talent player in Oubre waiting in the wings.
Along
with their great starting backcourt and the new editions on the perimeter, the
Wizards have the luxury of having one of the most productive centers in the
league in Marcin Gortat (12.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 56.6 FG%) and alongside him is
veteran forward Kris Humphries (8.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Nene (11.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and
Drew Gooden, who the Wizards re-signed to a two-year deal at $6.8 million.
In
trying to take that next step in going beyond the second round this season, the
Wizards and head coach Randy Wittman, entering his fourth season want to play
at a higher tempo.
They
still want to maintain their defensive mindset though, where they ranked second
only to the World champion Golden State Warriors in opponent’s field goal
percentage surrendering just 43.3 percent shooting and they were tied for 4th
in the league with the Sacramento Kings in rebound differential at a +3 per
game.
While
the Wizards finished with the most wins in 25 years, they were 15-21 after Jan.
27.
With
the East improving, inconsistency like that is something the Wizards cannot
afford if they want to reach the Conference Finals this season.
They
also must stay healthy, unlike last season where Beal, Nene, Humphries, Webster
and Blair missed a total of 102 games because of injuries.
The
other reason for them getting to the next step is that in the summer of 2016,
they might have a serious chance in signing All-Star and 2014 MVP Kevin Durant
as he is scheduled to become a free agent.
On
top of that, Beal is set to be a free agent at season’s end as well. He told
NBATV’s Vince Cellini at the start of training camp back in October that he
will not let that be a distraction.
Best
Case Scenario:
Wizards win over 50 games for the first time since 1978-79 season. Contend for
the Southeast Division and reach the Conference Finals for first time since
aforementioned 1978-79.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They are a lower seed in the postseason and they have another exit in the
Semis.
Grade:
B
Western
Conference
Dallas
Mavericks:
50-32 (4th Southwest Division; No. 7 Seed West) 27-14 at home, 23-18
on the road. Lost Houston Rockets 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.
-105.2
ppg-3rd; opp. ppg: 102.3-25th; 42.3 rpg-23rd
In
a little over 15 seasons since current owner and billionaire tech entrepreneur
Mark Cuban strolled into “Big D,” the Dallas Mavericks have won 50 games or
more in 12 of the last 15 years. Two Southwest Division titles and they won the
NBA title in 2010-11 defeating the Miami Heat in six games.
Since
winning it all however, the Mavs have tried to keep their salary cap down to
attract a big name player to help them win another title.
After
not being able to snag the likes of Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and LeBron James
to name a few, they felt they finally hit the jackpot in signing DeAndre Jordan
away from the Clippers by selling him on the idea that he would become a major
piece of their offense and the anchor of their defense.
In
the 11th hour before free agent could sign to their new team in the
early part of July, Jordan decided to stay with the Clippers and the Mavs were
once again the brides made in free agency.
By
putting all their eggs into one basket in trying to sign Jordan, the Mavericks
said goodbye to some key members of their team as season ago and the last two
seasons in forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Richard Jefferson; center Tyson
Chandler; guard Monta Ellis and forward/center Amar’e.
This
is especially considering what is ahead for them this season in the unforgiving
Western Conference and how the 2014-15 season concluded for them.
Prior
to their acquisition of All-Star guard Rajon Rondo from the Celtics on Dec. 18,
2014, the Mavericks were 19-8, averaging 110.1 points per game on 48.1 percent
shooting from the field. In the 55 games with Rondo in the line-up during the
regular season, the Mavs went just 31-24, scoring 102.8 points and shooting
just an average 45.4 percent from the floor.
Things
really came to ahead for Rondo after Mavs lost Game 2 of the Quarterfinals at
the Rockets 111-99 back on Apr. 21. Rondo, who scored just four points and had
just one assists and was plagued by foul trouble the entire contest, walked
around nearly 30 reporters in the locker room after the game.
Mavs’
head coach Rick Carlisle in his postgame presser was in no mood to talk about
Rondo and showed his displeasure when asked about the effort he displayed in
the game.
“You
can ask him that question,” Carlisle said after the loss. “All I know… is that
we need everybody at their competitive best. This isn’t about one guy who did
or didn’t play.”
That
essentially was the end of Rondo’s time with the Mavericks and he is now with
the Kings.
There
average offense really exposed their deficiencies at the defensive end, where
the Mavericks were tied for 15th in field goal percentage allowed at
45.0 percent. Teams shot 36.4 percent from three-point range against the
Mavericks, ranking 26th in the league. They were 23rd in
rebound differential at a -3.8.
The
one area they were good defensively is getting steals were they were tied with
the Minnesota Timberwolves for 9th in the league at 8.1 and they
were tied for 3rd with the Warriors and Houston Rockets for turnovers
forced at 15.5 per game.
When
Jordan got away from the Mavs, they went into scramble mode to rebuild this
roster and still maintain their cap space.
They
were able to re-sign guard J.J. Barea (7.5 ppg, 3.4 apg) to a new four-year %16
million deal and forward Charlie Villanueva one-year veteran minimum of
$947,000. Reserve guard Raymond Felton opted in on his contract this
off-season, giving the Mavs that three-headed monster at the lead guard spot
with Barea and Devin Harris (8.8 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%)
In
free agency they signed center Samuel Dalembert to a one-year $1.4 million
deal; forward Jeremy Evans to a two-year $3.3 million deal; swingman John
Jenkins (5.6 ppg, 49.5 FG%, 40. 3-Pt.%); centers ZaZa Pachulia (8.3 ppg, 6.8
rpg) to a one-year $5.2 million deal and JaVale McGee.
The
Mavs two big gets in free agency were sharp shooting and perimeter defensive
ace Wesley Matthews to a four-year $70 million deal, (15.9 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 38.9
3-Pt.%), but is questionable to start this season on time as he is still
recovering from a torn Achilles that cost him the final 22 games of the last
season when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers and guard Deron Williams for
two years at $11 million (13.0 ppg, 6.6 apg, 36.7 3-Pt.%), who when a free
agent a couple of seasons back was on Dallas’ radar and is trying to re start
his career after being bought out by the Nets earlier this summer.
Just
four seasons ago, Williams was one of the top lead guards in “The Association”
averaging 21.0 points, 8.7 assists and getting to the free throw line 5.5 times.
In
the years that have followed, Williams has averaged 18.9, 14.3 and 13.0 points
and has gotten to the foul line an average of 4.7, 3.4 and 3.5 per contest
respectably in those seasons.
Injuries
have been a big reason for his low production and he has been on the mend for
much of this pre-season because of a calf injury
Two
big questions with the Mavericks coming into this season is will last season’s
prized free agent in forward Chandler Parsons (15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.2 FG%,
38.0 3-Pt.%) who was shelved most of the playoffs a season ago because of a
mysterious knee problem be ready when their season begins and how much does All-Star forward and future Hall of
Famer Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 45.9 FG%, 38.0 3-Pt.%), have left in
the tank?
To
put the amazing career of 2007 MVP into perspective, he is the 7th
leading scorer in the history of the NBA entering this season having put in
28,119 points and stand just 477 points from moving past future Hall of Famer
and current NBA on TNT studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal into 6th
place trailing the late great Wilt Chamberlin (31,419); six-time champion and
Hornets owner Michael Jordan (32,292); Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant (32,482) and
six-time MVP, multiple NBA champion and UCLA Bruin legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
(38,387).
Nowitzki
is one of four players to score 27,000 points or more with one team, joining
the aforementioned Jordan, Malone and Bryant.
Also,
Nowitzki has 15 seasons where he has scored over 1,000 points, which ranks 5th
in NBA history.
With
one more victory this upcoming season, Carlisle will tie former Mavs’ head
coach Don Nelson for the most wins in team history with 339 and with another
victory he will pass him.
One
thing that the NBA will teach you is that staying a contender is very hard to
do. Not a lot of teams and the great players or the coaches and owners that
lead them can say they have a chance to close their career with a legitimate
chance at a title.
On
paper, the Mavericks have a look of a team that can win 45 games or more and
get into the playoffs. They also have the look of a team that could miss the
postseason entirely for the first time since the 2012-13 season, when they won
41 games.
Nowitzki,
Cuban and Carlisle together have taken the Mavs to amazing heights. It is a
shame that they will not have that chance to win another title with the ways
things are now.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Mavs win 45 games or more and are a lower seed in the West playoff picture.
Some of the new additions revive their careers and are key cogs in the Mavs
success.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Mavs miss the playoffs for just the third time since the 1999-00 season.
Grade:
D-
Denver
Nuggets:
30-52 (4th Northwest Division; missed playoffs) 19-22 at home, 11-30
on the road.
-101.5
ppg-12th; opp. ppg: 105.0-27th; 44.7 rpg-7th
In
what has become the rugged West, being able to make the playoffs for 10
straight seasons is a wonderful accomplishment. That is what the Denver Nuggets
did from the 2003-04 seasons to the 2012-13 season.
The
2012-13 was the franchise’s best record in NBA team history as they went 57-25
under the guidance of George Karl. They were the No. 3 Seed in the West, but
were eliminated in the first round by the up and coming Warriors, who two
seasons later captured the NBA title.
Despite
winning Coach of the Year and leading the Nuggets to their ninth straight
postseason appearance on his watch, Karl, now with the Kings was let go. They
also said goodbye to their general manager Masai Ujiri, who is now with the
Raptors as their GM.
The
Nuggets hired long-time assistant and former Kings’ head coach Mike Malone back
on June 15, making him their third head coach in as many seasons.
In
this past June’s draft, the Nuggets selected the top lead guard of the 2015
class Emmanuel Mudiay at the No. 7 spot.
The
selection of Mudiay made it clear that the days of starting lead guard Ty
Lawson, who had a great season last year, but his second off-the-court arrest
on July 14 on the suspicion of driving under the influence in the last six
months made him expendable.
One
week later, Lawson was traded to the Houston Rockets, who received in return
forward/center Joey Dorsey, guard Nick Johnson and forward Kostas Papanikolau.
For
most teams that are rebuilding, getting veterans to either join up or stay if
they were a part of the team prior is very difficult. They would rather go
elsewhere and be a part of a more stable situation.
The
Nuggets were able to keep some of their key vets in re-signing forward Darrell
Arthur (6.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg); guards Will Barton (11.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Jameer
Nelson (9.6 ppg, 3.7 apg, 45.0 FG%, 35.4 3-Pt.%) at three years at $10.5
million and $13.5 million respectably and forwards Danilo Gallinari (12.4 ppg,
3.7 rpg, 35.5 3-Pt.%) for three years at $45 million and Wilson Chandler (13.9
ppg, 6.1 rpg, 34.2 3-Pt.%) for four years at $46 million.
Getting
a new contract is especially gratifying for Gallinari, who sustained a very
serious ACL injury late in the 2012-13 season and it has been a long road back
for him. On Mar. 22, he scored a career-high 40 points going 12 for 21 from the
field, including 6 for 13 from three-point range and 10 for 11 from the foul
line in leading the Nuggets to a 119-100 victory at the Magic. Gallinari also
had seven boards, four assists three steals and two blocks.
He
scored a new career-high 47 points on Apr. 10 with nine boards going 15 for 23
from the floor, including 7 for 12 from three-point land and 10 for 10 from the
foul line in the Nuggets 144-143 double-overtime loss versus the
Mavericks.
Still
in the fold for the Nuggets is forward J.J. Hickson (7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and
veteran guard Randy Foye (8.7 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%).
The
Nuggets also signed this off-season veteran sharp shooter and NBA champion Mike
Miller.
Two
other players the Nuggets are expecting big things from this season are
second-year guards Erick Green and Gary Harris. Second-year center Jusuf Nurkic
(6.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg), who showed flashes of being a real presence on both ends a
season ago.
One
Nugget that has to get back on track this season is forward Kenneth Faried
(12.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg).
In
his first three seasons, the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 draft
used his ability to run the court and make plays out of sheer hustle and want
to and that earned him a spot on the 2014 FIBA World Cup Basketball Team and he
helped them capture Gold and was named to the All-Tournament team.
Back
on Dec. 26, 2014, Faried scored 26 points and grabbed a career-high 25 boards
in helping the Nuggets to a 106-102 win versus the Timberwolves.
If
Faried wants to become a top notch NBA players, he has to develop a post-up
game, develop a 10 to 15 foot perimeter shot and shoot better from the charity
stripe than he has for his career at 65.4 percent.
There
are talented players in place for the Nuggets to be optimistic about their
future. For this season they will experience some growing pains with a rookie
at the steering wheel of the offense in Mudiay. A head coach implementing a new
system that is predicated on playing better defense and getting in the open
court.
Speaking
of that swish cheese defense, the Nuggets were just 25th in
opponent’s field goal percentage giving up 45.8 percent shooting. Despite
garnering a lot of boards per contest a season ago, the Nuggets were just 18th
in rebound differential at -0.4 and just 21st in block shots per
contest at 4.5.
For
this team to get back to its roots of becoming a high up-tempo team that gets
up and down, their defense must get better and that will take time.
Best
Case Scenario: The
Nuggets win more than 30 games and Mudiay is in the running for Rookie of the
Year. They get better defensively and become a solid home team.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They do not get better defensively and Mudiay becomes turnover prone.
Grade:
C+
Golden
State Warriors:
67-15 (1st Pacific Division; No. 1 Seed in West) 39-2 at home, 28-13
on the road. Defeated New Orleans Pelicans 4-0 in West Quarterfinals. Defeated
the Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in West Semifinals. Defeated the Houston Rockets 4-1
in West Finals. Defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in NBA Finals.
-110.0
ppg-1st; opp. ppg: 99.9-15th; 44.7 rpg-6th
It
is one thing to have optimism about a team as a fan or as an analyst. It is
another thing to have optimism about your team’s chances of competing for a
title as an organization, especially as management.
After
a tough finish in the 2014 playoffs where they lost to their hated division
rival the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games, the Golden State Warriors and
General Manager Bob Myers, the 2015 NBA Executive of the Year, owners Joe Lacob
and Peter Guber decided back on May 6, 2014 to fire then head coach Mark
Jackson, who compiled a 121-109 record in resurrecting the team as a perennial
loser and turning them into yearly playoff participant and borderline title
contender.
In
a bold move, the Warriors hired five-time champion with the Bulls and Spurs and
former president and general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2007-2010 Steve
Kerr.
For
many in the circles of the NBA, this was a huge gamble for a team that was on
the rise.
Well
the gamble worked as the Warriors garnered not just the best record in the NBA,
but they reach a new franchise record for wins and captured their first
division title in 39 years. Combined with their 16 victories in the 2015
postseason, the 83 Warriors wins a season ago was the third highest single
season total in the history of the NBA.
Starting
lead guard Stephen Curry (23.8 ppg-6th NBA, 7.7 apg-Led team, 2.0
spg-4th NBA, 48.7 FG%, 44.3 3-Pt.%) not only made the his second
straight All-Star team, he became the first Warrior player to be named Most
Valuable Player of the league since Wilt Chamberlin did it back in the 1959-60
NBA season). He really showed he was the MVP with his play in the playoffs
averaging 28.3 points, 6.4 assists and 1.9 steals 21 postseason games on 45.6
percent from the floor and 42.2 percent from three-point range.
His
fellow backcourt mate and the other have of “The Splash Brothers,” Klay
Thompson (21.7 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 43.9 3-Pt.%) made his first All-Star game back in
February, who too had a great playoff run with averages of 18.6 points on 44.6
percent from the floor and 39.0 percent from three-point territory.
The
Warriors greatest season ever was the result the emergence of their stellar
backcourt and of several players.
Former
2012 second-round pick, 35th overall out of Michigan State in
forward Draymond Green (11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg-Led team, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg) had a
break out season and in the playoffs, which he also finished second in voting
for Defensive Player of the Year. He really took it up a notch in the playoffs
with averages of 13.7 points, 10.1 boards, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals. His
energy and grit were on full display game in and game out and earned him a new
five-year $82 million contract this summer.
Two
other key cogs in the Warriors machine were forward Harrison Barnes (10.1 ppg,
5.5 rpg, 48.2 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%), who had a bounce third season after a rough
sophomore season and Marreese Speights (10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 49.2 FG%), who
provided inside scoring off the bench all season long.
While
by the numbers they might not have provided much, the contributions of forward
David Lee, guards Shaun Livingston (5.9 ppg, 3.3 apg), Leandro Barbosa (7.1
ppg, 38.4 3-Pt.%), swingman Andre Iguodala (7.8 ppg), who won MVP of The
Finals, centers Festus Ezeli and Andrew Bogut (6.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg-Led
team), they were very important to the Warriors success on both ends.
The
Warriors despite being primarily a team that scores from the perimeter led the
NBA in assists per game at 27.4; field goal percentage and three-point
percentage at 47.8 percent at 39.8 percent. They finished second in makes from
distance at 10.8 and fourth in attempts at 27.0.
They
were a chore for opponents to be effective against offensively leading “The
Association” in opponent’s field goal percentage giving up just 42.8 percent.
Finishing 5th in opponent’s three-point percentage surrendering just
33.7 percent shooting. Only the New Orleans Pelicans averaged more block shots
per contest than the Warriors a season ago with 6.0 swats. The Warriors
averaged 9.3 steals per game, finishing 4th in the league and they
were tied for third with the Rockets and Mavericks in forced turnovers per
contest at 15.5.
By
their 16-5 record in the playoffs last season capturing the franchise’s fourth
title in franchise history and its first since 1975, you would think their
journey to the top of the NBA was easy. It was far from it.
In
Game 3 of the opening round at the Pelicans back on Apr. 23, the Warriors
overcame a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 123-119 in overtime.
Curry
lead the way with 40 points, hitting seven three-pointers, including one in the
closing second of regulation to send the game into the extra frame. Thompson
had 28 points, hitting six trifectas. Green had 12 points, 17 boards, five
assists and three steals. Barnes had 11 points and seven boards.
After
beating the Grizzlies rather handily in Game 1 of the Semis back on May 3, the
Warriors lost Game 2 and Game 3 in Memphis to fall behind in the series 2-1. In
both contest, the Warriors managed just 90 and 89 points and shot just 41.9 and
43.2 percent respectably.
There
were a lot of questions about the Warriors resolve, especially because they
rarely lost two straight games during the regular season. They responded in a
major way capturing Games 4, 5 and 6 to close out the series winning in their
two visits to the FedEx Forum. The Warriors scored 101, 98 and 108 points in
the final three games of the series and held the Grizzlies to 37.5 39.8 and
37.4 percent shooting respectably.
After
capturing Game 1 of The Finals versus the Cavs 108-100 in overtime back on June
4, the Warriors dropped Game 2 and Game 3 in Cleveland to fall behind 2-1.
They
responded again taking the final three games scoring 103, 104 and 105
respectably and they held the depleted Cavaliers to an average of 90 points in
those final three games.
One
big adjustment that the Warriors made in those final three games is starting
Iguodala playing alongside Barnes, Green, Curry and Thompson in the starting
quintet. Going to that smaller lineup and having Iguodala guarding James worked
to perfection and Iguodala earned aforementioned MVP honors of The Finals
averaging, 16.3 points, 5.8 boards, four assists on 52.1 percent from the field
and 40.0 percent from three-point range. In the final three games of the series,
Iguodala scored 22, 14 and 25 points respectably.
While
much of the team that hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy this past June is back
to try and defend the title, the Warriors said goodbye to Lee this off-season
trading him to the Celtics and swingman Justin Holiday signed with the Hawks.
They
acquired forward/center Jason Thompson (6.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg) from the Sixers to
replace Lee. They re-signed Barbosa and Speights to one-year deals and guard
Brandon Rush opted in on his contract. In the draft this past June, the
Warriors selected forward Kevin Looney with the No. 30 overall pick.
The
Warriors in their quest to repeat as champions will do it without coach Kerr,
who is out indefinitely after complications from back surgery. Leading the way
on an interim basis will be assistant coach Luke Walton, the son of Hall of
Famer and longtime NBA analyst Bill Walton.
Yes
they might have won the title in an unconventional way by shooting jump shots,
especially three-pointers, they still did the other key things to capture the
title in 2014-15.
While
their counterparts in the league, especially in the West have gotten better,
the Warriors are still the champs until someone takes their crown and that will
not come easy.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Warriors win at least 55 games again. Are in the Top 3 in the West and they
make it back to The Finals and win it.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They lose early in the playoffs.
Grade:
A
Houston
Rockets:
56-26 (1st Southwest Division; No. 2 Seed in West) 30-11 at home,
26-15 on the road. Defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.
Defeated the Los Angeles Clipper 4-3 in West Semifinals. Lost to Golden State
Warriors 4-1 West Finals.
-103.9
ppg-6th; opp. ppg: 100.5-17th; 43.7 rpg-14th
Last
season marked the 20-year Anniversary of the Rockets back-to-back titles, with
the back end of it coming as the No. 6 Seed, the lowest for a title team. They
also on the back end of it became the first team in NBA history to defeat four
teams (Utah Jazz: 60 wins; Phoenix Suns: 59; Spurs: 62; Magic: 57) that won 50
games or more in the regular season.
The
2014-15 version of the Rockets won their first division title since the 1993-94
season where they captured the then Midwest Division for the second straight
season. Their 56 wins were the third best in franchise history and their most
since 2007-08, where they won 55 games.
This
achievement is incredible considering the fact that starting center Dwight
Howard (15.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg), forwards Donatas Motiejunas (12.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg,
50.4 FG%, 36.8 3-Pt.%) and Terrence Jones (11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg-Led team)
and starting lead guard Patrick Beverly (10.1 ppg, 35.6 3-Pt.%) missed a total
101 games because of injury.
One
huge reason for the Rockets won as many games as they did was All-Star guard
James Harden (27.4 ppg-2nd NBA, 5.7 rpg, 7.0 apg-Led team, 1.9
spg-Led team, 37.5 3-Pt.%), turning from
a great player into an MVP candidate.
He
recorded four of his six career triple-doubles in 2014-15, all in Rocket
victories. He registered 33 30-point games a season ago. Nine 40-point games
and two 50-point games, which made him the Rocket to do so in the same season.
His second 50-plus point performance came back on Apr. 1 when he scored a
career-high 51 points, going 16 for 25 from the field, including hitting 8 for
9 from three-point land and going 11 for 13 from the free throw line in leading
the Rockets to a 115-11 win versus the Sacramento Kings. Harden also had eight
rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Along
with the great play of Harden, who finished second in MVP race to Stephen Curry
of the Warriors and became the first Rocket to reach the All-Star Game three
straight seasons in succession since center Yao Ming (2003-09), the Rockets
received major contributions from forwards Trevor Ariza (12.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.9
spg, 35.0 3-Pt.%), Josh Smith and swingman Corey Brewer (11.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg).
They
Rockets besides the great play from Harden and the supporting cast, the Rockets
had a style of play of shooting a tone of three-pointers, getting to the foul
line consistently, scoring on fast breaks and force a lot of turnovers.
While
they ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of three-point percentage at
34.8 percent, ranking 14th in the league, they led “The Association”
in makes at 11.4 and in attempts at 32.7.
Only
the Kings attempted more foul shots per contest a season ago than the Rockets,
who attempted 26.0, however they were 27th in percentage at 71.5
percent.
Harden
lead the NBA in foul shot attempts in 2014-15 at 10.2 per contest and makes per
game at 8.8 and shot 86.8 percent.
Last
season, the Rockets finished 2nd in the league in fast break points
with 18.7 per contest.
Entering
the 2015 playoffs, the Rockets were trying to erase the memory of being ousted
by the Portland Trail Blazers a season ago where in Game 6, lead guard Damian
Lillard hit a three-pointer at the horn that ended the Rockets season in six
games.
The
Rockets entered the 2015 postseason without Beverly and Motiejunas because of
season-ending injuries.
They
made short work of their in-state and division rivals from Dallas as they took
care of the Mavs in five games.
In
the Semis, they played like they were overmatched as the Clippers took three of
the first four games and the Clippers scored over 100 points in each one and
won Game 4 128-95 back on May 10.
The
Rockets kept their season alive 48 hours later as they defeated the Clippers in
Game 5 124-103 behind the first career playoff triple-double by Harden, who had
26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to cut the series lead 3-2.
In
Game 6 however, it seemed like the Rockets magical carpet ride of 2014-15 was
about to come to a crashing halt as they trailed at one point in the second
half by 19.
Thanks
to 29 combined fourth quarter points by Smith and Brewer, the Rockets exploded
in the final period outscoring the Clippers 40-15 and garnering a 119-107 win
to tie the series 3-3.
Brewer,
who finished with 19 points, 15 of them coming in the final stanza also had 10
rebounds. Harden, who was on the bench much of the final period led the way
with 23 points and Howard had 20 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks.
The
Rockets became the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit
to win a series when they defeated the Clippers in Game 7 113-100 back at the
Toyota Center in Houston, TX.
Harden
led the Rockets with 31 points to go along with eight assists, seven rebounds
and three steals. Ariza had 22 points, hitting 6 for 12 from three-point range
and grabbing seven boards. Howard had 16 points and 15 rebounds. Smith and
Brewer, who were big in Game 6 had 15 and 11 points respectably.
The
Rockets great playoff ride ended one round later as the eventual NBA champion
Warriors beat them in five games in the Conference Finals.
In
the Rockets loan victory 128-115 over the Warriors in Game 4 on May 25, Harden,
who had an awful Game 3 had a playoff career-high of 45 points going 13 for 22
from the floor, including 7 for 11 from three-point territory and 12 for 13
from the charity stripe. He also had nine rebounds, five assists, two steals
and two blocks in cutting the series deficit to 3-1.
Harden
went through the lowest of the lows 48 hours later as he had just 14 points,
connecting on just 2 for 11 from the field and committing an NBA-playoff record
13 turnovers as the Rockets fell in Game 5 104-90.
While
the Rockets took a major step in trying to win another title “Clutch-City,” it
was clear that they needed to make a couple of key additions to their roster,
especially at point guard.
Their
search for a new lead guard led them to the Rocky Mountains as they acquired Ty
Lawson (15.2 ppg, 9.6 apg-3rd NBA, 34.1 3-Pt.%) from the Nuggets for
forward/center Joey Dorsey, guard Nick Johnson and Pablo Prigioni, who is now
with the Clippers and forward Kostas Papanikolau.
The
addition of Lawson gives the Rockets one of the more solid lead guards in the
business and he will take much needed pressure off of Harden to be the
facilitator at the offensive end for the Rockets.
The
big thing for Lawson is that he must maintain his composer and make better
decisions away from the court.
Hopefully
his rehab stint for his issues with alcohol has made him see the light and that
he capitalizes on the he has in front of him to be with a winning organization
that is competing for a championship.
The
Rockets re-signed Beverly to a four-year $25 million deal. They also re-signed
Brewer to a three-year $24 million deal and forward K.J. McDaniels, who they
acquired at the trade deadline back on Feb. 19 from the Sixers for three years
at $10 million.
In
free agency, the Rockets signed veteran guard Marcus Thornton (7.9 ppg, 37.8
3-Pt.%), who will give them another shooter, who can come into the game off the
bench and provide instant offense.
In
this past June’s draft, they selected forward Sam Dekker with the No. 18 pick
out of Wisconsin and with the No. 32 overall pick selected forward Montrezl
Harrell out of Louisville.
Dekker
gives the Rockets another athletic forward who can score in the open court, but
he must improve his perimeter shot if he expects to get on the floor. Harrell,
who was a rugged front court player in his collegiate career for head coach
Rick Pitino.
Head
coach Kevin McHale in his time with the Rockets rarely has relied on rookie in
his rotation, so an improvement from the Rockets will most likely come from the
returning aforementioned rotation players, which also includes forward/center
Clint Capela, who in the month of March last season averaged eight points, nine
rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes.
In
year three of the Howard-Harden combination, it is now or never for them to
lead the Rockets to a title. They now have a true starting lead guard; a solid
supporting cast and the experience. It is now or never for this team to make a
push at winning a title.
Best
Case Scenario:
Rockets win over 50 games again. Are a Top 3 Seed in the West and make it back
to the Conference Finals.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They finish in the middle of the pack in the West or are a lower playoff seed.
Fall in the Semifinals.
Grade:
A
Los
Angeles Clippers:
56-26 (2nd Pacific Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 30-11 at home, 26-15
on the road. Defeated San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in West Quarterfinals. Lost Houston
Rockets 4-3 in West Semifinals
-106.7
ppg-2nd; opp. ppg: 100.1-16th; 42.6 rpg-20th
The
last three regular seasons have been stellar for the other basketball team in
the “City of Angels.” Three straight playoff appearances unfortunately have
ended short of expectations and last season’s conclusion was a tough one to
swallow.
The
Rockets as mentioned earlier became the ninth team to win a series after
trailing 3-1 as they won the final three games of the Semis to overtake the
Clippers 4-3.
It
almost went from bad to worse as starting center DeAndre Jordan was on the
verge of leaving the team in free agency to sign with the Mavericks after
agreeing to a new deal during the moratorium period of free agency in early
July.
The
Clippers thankfully got back into the mix lead by head coach and GM Glenn “Doc”
Rivers, All-Star duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and owner Steve Balmer and
they were able to re-sign Jordan (11.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg-Led NBA, 2.2 bpg-4th
NBA, 71.0 FG%-Led NBA) to a new four-year $87.6 million deal.
They
re-signing of Jordan not only saved their off-season, correcting the grade of
“F” given by starting shooting guard J.J. Redick, it kept their window of
winning title open.
The
Clippers two other main priorities this off-season was to rebuild their bench,
which only got consistency from Sixth Man extraordinaire Jamal Crawford (15.8
ppg) and bring in a small forward to compliment the starting five of Griffin
(21.9 ppg-Led team, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg), Paul (19.1 ppg, 10.2 apg-Led NBA, 1.9
spg-5th NBA), Redick (16.4 ppg, 47.7 FG%, 43.7 3-Pt.%).
They
traded center Spencer Hawes, who was a major disappointment last season to the
Hornets and acquired guard Lance Stephenson (8.2 ppg, 3.9 apg, 4.5 rpg), who is
looking to put a nightmare of a season behind him.
The
only issue that Stephenson had in his career with the Pacers was his antics on
the court. For much of last season, he was on his best behavior, but his play
on the court was abysmal as he tied a career-low of 37.6 percent from the
field, 17.1 percent from three-point range and 62.7 percent from the free throw
line.
The
Clippers were also able to sign future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce (11.9 ppg,
44.7 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%) to a three-year $10 million deal. Pierce is not only
coming home not too far from where he grew up, but he reunites with a head
coach that thinks the same way as he does and that helped bring a title back to
the Celtics eight seasons ago. They hope to bring the Clippers franchise their
first title in franchise history.
With
the addition of Pierce, the Clips not only have their likely starting small
forward, they have a shot maker that will take the pressure off of Paul and
Griffin at the end of close games. Just look at this past year’s playoffs and
what Pierce did for the Wizards. Whenever a big shot was needed, Pierce took
them and made them.
The
addition of Josh Smith (12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), to a one-year $1.5 million
contract, gives the Clippers an athletic forward who can score, be a player
maker for other and block shots as a weak side defender. The key for him is to
stay within the system and not shot too many three-pointers
Rounding
out the bench for the Clippers are new additions in forward Wesley Johnson (9.9
ppg, 4.2 rpg, 35.1 3-Pt.%) and center Cole Aldrich (5.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), who each
signed for two years at $2.3 million; for two years at $2.3 million; guard
Pablo Prigioni for one-year at $947,000 and guard Austin Rivers (7.1 ppg), who
re-signed for two years at $6.4 million.
The
Clippers fell short in their drive for a title because of a lack of a
legitimate threat from the perimeter and a second unit that can spell the
starters. The Clippers addressed all those issues this off-season and while it
seemed like Jordan was about to slip from their grasp, they were able to re-sign
him and in the process he and Paul seemed to have put any rift they had between
themselves to rest.
Yes
the West has gotten even tougher, but the Clippers have as good a chance to win
not just the Conference, but the title. It is up to them. If not now, when?
Best
Case Scenario:
The Clippers are a Top 3 team in the West and finally reach the Conference Finals
and then the NBA Finals. The supporting cast puts the team’s needs first
instead of their own.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Another playoff collapse that might break up the core of the Clippers.
Grade:
A+
Los
Angeles Lakers:
21-61 (5th Pacific Division; missed playoffs) 12-29 at home, 9-32 on
the road.
-98.5
ppg-19th; opp. ppg: 105.3-29th; 43.9 rpg-12th
In
a perfect world, the Lakers would be entering this season as one where the
Lakers would be talked about as a serious contender for the NBA title and
future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant would be working on catching the great Michael
Jordan for ring number six.
Unfortunately,
legendary careers like Bryant (22.3 ppg-Led team, 5.6 apg-Led team, 5.7 rpg) do
not always have the greatest of endings like Spurs Hall of Famer David
Robinson, who walked off into the sunset in 2003 with his second title.
Coming
into the 2015-16 NBA campaign, the Lakers season will most likely be a fair
well salute to Bryant, who had his season conclude because of an injury again,
missing last 47 games because of a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder that
required surgery.
Also,
the Lakers were unable to make any minor additions this past off-season,
instead of a big time championship contending addition. The moves they made are
ones that hopefully will pay dividends down the road, but do nothing in getting
Bryant, who is in the final year of a two-year $48 million deal, another crack
at winning a championship.
With
the No. 2 overall pick in this past June’s draft, the Lakers selected guard
D’Angelo Russell out of Ohio State. They hope that the talented and confident
Russell, who has shown amazing maturity and great court vision in the early
part of his career, is worth the pick, especially when they passed on center
Jahlil Okafor of the National Champion Duke Blue Devils and also the
opportunity to trade down to collect multiple aspects.
Russell
at times this season will share the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson (11.9 ppg,
3.5 apg, 44.8 FG%), who was big time surprise a season ago. His play was the
only shining light on a season where there was very little to cheer about if
you were a Laker fan.
They
also in the draft back selected with the No. 27 overall pick forward Larry
Nance, Jr. out of Wyoming, who is the father of former Phoenix Sun and
Cleveland Cavalier forward Larry Nance, Sr.
In
free agency, the Lakers were able to sign last year’s Sixth Man of the Year in
guard Lou Williams (15.5 ppg) for three-years at $21 million and he will
provide insurance in the case the team decides to either trade Nick Young (13.4
ppg, 36.9 3-Pt.%) before this season concludes or they let him walk next summer
as a free agent. They also added another solid player in forward Brandon Bass
(10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 50.4 FG%) for two-years at $6.1 million. The addition of
Metta World Peace will provide another veteran voice in the locker room and if
anything will be someone that will stand up to Bryant when things go south this
season will be a voice that will keep him from exploding on the young players
While
Julius Randle is not a newcomer, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft had
his season conclude in the first game of the season with a broken leg back on
Oct. 28 versus the Rockets.
This
season is very important for the Lakers in a lot of ways. For starters, they
need to see if Russell, Randle, Clarkson are the pillars of a nucleus that will
lead the Lakers back to their winning ways. They also need to find out if the
likes of center Tarik Black (7.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), forwards Ryan Kelly (6.4 ppg)
and Nance Jr., Williams and Bass can be the supporting cast that can complement
the young players.
Competing
for a playoff spot, even in the tough and rugged West is a lot to ask. If this
is the last hurrah for Bryant, not competing to get into the postseason is not
how he would want to go out as a Laker, if this is it for him.
Best
Case Scenario:
Lakers win over 30 games. Play much better defense. The young players play
consistent and show flashes of greatness and Bryant stays healthy all season.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Another rough season that includes a high number of losing streaks. The young
players have more low points than high ones and Bryant is shelved early again
because of injury and like ends his career.
Grade:
D+
Memphis
Grizzlies:
55-27 (2nd Southwest Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 31-10 at home,
24-17 on the road. Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 in West
Quarterfinals. Lost to Golden State Warriors 4-2 in West Semifinals.
-98.3
ppg-20th; opp. ppg: 95.1-2nd; 42.6 rpg-21st
Since
the 2010-11 season, only the Spurs (.726), the Oklahoma City Thunder (.675),
Miami Heat (.662) and Bulls (.647) have had a better winning percentage than
the Grizzlies.
The
great difference in the Grizzlies from the other four squadrons is that the
Spurs and the Heat have won championships in this span. The Thunder have made
it to The NBA Finals and have appeared in another Conference Finals twice. The
Grizzlies and the Bulls have only made it as far as the Conference Finals.
Last
season, the Grizzlies led the eventual NBA champion Warriors 2-1 in the Semis,
but a scoring output of 86 points the final three games doomed them and they
lost the series 4-2.
This
off-season, the Grizzlies had one main priority, re-sign All-Star center Marc
Gasol (17.4 ppg-Led team, 7.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.6 bpg-Led team) which they did to
the tune of five years at $110 million. He earned every bit of that money,
especially with his stellar season in 2014-15 where he scored 20 points or more
27 times. He had scored 20 points just 17 times in the previous 436 games
entering last season. In the playoffs, Gasol was sensational leading the
Grizzlies at 19.7 points, 10.3 boards and 1.7 blocks, while also dishing out
4.5 assists.
He
rejoins his front court mate Zach Randolph (16.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg-Led team 48.7
FG%), who finished 11th in the league a season ago in double-doubles
with 38.
Keeping
the dynamic frontcourt duo together, the Grizzlies also chose to stick to their
“Grit and Grind” identity that puts an emphasis of posting up Gasol and
Randolph at the offensive end and deny penetration and be pest on the perimeter
at the defensive end.
In
an era of pace, space and small ball, the Grizzlies are the type of team that
the likes of the Warriors fear because they give you nothing easy and force you
to play their game.
The
Grizzlies biggest issue is scoring, especially on the perimeter, where they
were tied for 22nd in three-point percentage at 33.9 percent and
were next to last in three-point connections a season ago at 5.2.
Those
issue on the perimeter limited the efficiency of Gasol and Randolph in the
playoffs as they shot just 39 and 42 percent respectably from the field.
The
team tried to address this last season with the additions of Vince Carter (5.8 ppg),
who is not the same player as he was in the early stages of his career and shot
just 29.7 percent from long range and 33.3 percent overall a season ago.
Guard
Courtney Lee (10.1 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%) did his part, but not by much
and forward Jeff Green (15.0 ppg), who was acquired last season from the
Celtics and who opted in on his contract this summer had his moments, but was
very inconsistent, especially in the postseason where he averaged just 8.9
points on 43.9 percent shooting and just 34.2 percent from three-point land.
It
all came ahead in the aforementioned Semis when the Warriors elected to give
swingman Tony Allen (8.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 spg-3rd NBA), the
Grizzlies’ best perimeter defender was left open to shoot jump shots and more
often than not he did not connect and that ended the Grizzlies title hopes.
The
Grizzlies tried again to address their perimeter shooting problems by acquiring
forward Matt Barnes (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 36.2 3-Pt.%) from the Hornets.
While
they get another intimidator and enforcer on their squad, the Grizzlies need
Barnes to be a consistent shoot maker, especially from three-point range.
With
the exits of center Kosta Koufos in free agency and forward Jon Leuer via a
trade to the Phoenix Suns, the Grizzlies needed more front court depth.
They
signed Brandan Wright (7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) for three years at $18 million
dollars. He brings athleticism to the front court and will be a solid back-up
to Gasol and Randolph and he lives in the paint, where he shot 64.2 percent a
season ago.
As
an insurance policy, the Grizzlies also signed veteran center Ryan
Hollins.
In
this June’s draft, the Grizzlies selected at No. 25 forward Jarell Martin and
acquired the draft rights to guard Andrew Harrison from the Suns.
Those
are nice additions to alongside young players like guards Jordan Adams and Russ
Smith, forward JaMychal Green. Unfortunately, all of these players need time to
learn the game and minutes on the court to develop, which is hard on a team
that is in a win now mode.
One
major reason the Grizzlies only made minor tweaks to their team this summer is
that their trying to stay under the cap to pay their starting lead guard Mike
Conley (15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg-Led team, 44.6 FG%, 38.6 3-Pt.%) next summer.
To
put how the No. 4 overall pick in the 2007 draft has progressed in his career
with the Grizzlies, he is the franchise leader in games played at 581; assists
at 3,236; steals at 896 and is second in four other categories.
While
they may have some chinks in their armor at the offensive end, the Memphis
Grizzlies have a style of play that has served them well these past few
seasons, especially in the tough Southwest Division. Just two years ago, they
were in the Conference Finals, but lost to the Spurs 4-0. Most of that team is
still there. If they can ever fix their offensive problems on the perimeter,
they have as good a chance of winning the West and even raising the Larry O’Brien
trophy.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Grizzlies win over 50 games again and are a Top 4 Seed in West. Make it
back to the Conference Finals.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Grizzlies continue to struggle to score on the perimeter and they flame out
in the Semis.
Grade:
B
Minnesota
Timberwolves:
16-66 (5th Northwest Division; missed playoffs) 9-32 at home, 7-34
on the road.
-97.8
ppg-23rd; opp. ppg: 106.5-30th; 40.9 rpg-27th
The
only successful period in the history of the Minnesota Timberwolves was from
1996-2004 where they made the playoffs for eight straight seasons. The team’s
breakthrough came in the 2003-04 season where perennial All-Star forward Kevin
Garnett was named league MVP and the team won a franchise record 54 games. They
made it all the way to the Conference Finals, where they lost to the Lakers in
six games.
Since
that season, the T’Wolves have not made it back to the playoffs and have gone
from a title contender to a lottery team. In the early years and in the years
since 2003-04, the T’Wolves have not had much luck in finding that franchise
changing player.
That
type of fortune changed the past two drafts with the acquisition of the draft
rights to the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 in swingman Andrew Wiggins (16.9 ppg,
4.6 rpg), who won the 2015 Rookie of the Year thanks of solid play over the
final four months of the season where he averaged 19.8, 16.8, 17.9 and 23.3
points per contest.
In
this past June’s, the T’Wolves with the No. 1 overall pick selected nimble big
man in forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns out of the University of Kentucky.
In
Towns, the T’Wolves have a building block who can score in the post and brings
a maturity and high-character that goes beyond 19-years of age.
The
great thing about Towns starting his career is that he does not have to be the
best player of this draft out of the gate. Unlike certain situations where he
would be coming in as someone the team would be looking to carry the offensive
load, he will be coming to a team that has building blocks around him.
Those
building blocks consists of the aforementioned Wiggins, second-year guard Zach
LaVine (10.1 ppg, 3.6 apg, 34.1 3-Pt.%), second-year forwards Shabazz Muhammed
(13.5 ppg, 39.2 3-Pt.%) and Adreian Payne (6.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), third-year center
Gorgui Gieng (9.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg), rookie forward Nemanja Bjelica—the
Euroleague MVP, who the team signed for three years at $11.7 million and starting
lead guard Ricky Rubio (10.3 ppg, 8.8 apg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 spg).
The
team also in this past June’s draft acquired the rights to guard Tyus Jones
from the Cavaliers, the of the Duke University’s national title team as well a
native of the “Twin Cities.”
They
acquired from the Pacers forward Damjan Rudez from the Pacers for forward Chase
Budinger.
Even
with all of the talent that the Timberwolves have and they are expected to be
great individually someday, they were able to either keep or bring in some
veterans who have proven to be some of the best that have played on the
hardwood.
The
T’Wolves re-signed their greatest player in franchise history in the
aforementioned Garnett (6.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg) for two years at $16.5 million. To
put the great career of KG, who help lead the Celtics to the title in 2008 into
perspective, he is currently tied for 5th in “The Association”
all-time with Hawks’ great Kevin Willis with 1,424 and is fifth all-time in
minutes played with 49,862.
They
also signed another former champion this summer in forward Tayshaun Prince.
While he may not be flashy, he is steady and can play on both ends and is a
great locker room presence.
The
T’Wolves also signed veteran guard Andre Miller, who is still taking care of
business at age 39. In Miller, the T’Wolves have one of the best floor general
to ever play and if Rubio misses time again because of injury and Jones is not
going well, the team has a lead guard to turn to that can get the job done.
The
T’Wolves also have two players who are not as young, but still have tread on
their tires are guard Kevin Martin (20.0 ppg, 39.3 3-Pt.%) and center Nikola
Pekovic (12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg).
The
influx of the young players has made Martin and Pekovic expendable and valuable
assets to trade for the right price. The thing about the often injured Pekovic
is that his contract of five years at $60 million that he signed on Aug. 14,
2013 is something that a lot of teams will not touch.
The
T’Wolves will not be entering this season intact as this past Sunday, head
coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders passed away from
cancer he was 60 years old.
Saunders
had announced this past August he was taking an indefinite leave of absence to
be treated for Hodgkin lymphoma. Doctors had said that it was “very treatable
and curable,” and Saunders said he was not going to step down from both his
post with the team.
Earlier
this past weekend though, Saunders was hospitalized following a setback in his
treatment back in September and it was announced on Friday that Saunders would
miss the entire season.
Leading
the T’Wolves on the sideline will be former player and former head coach with
the Raptors Sam Mitchell and handling the personnel duties will be GM Milt
Newton.
Best
Case Scenario:
T’Wolves win over 35 games and the young players develop at a solid pace. Towns
is in the running for Rookie of the Year. Team plays at a high level in honor
of Saunders.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The team struggles and the young cornerstones do not get together.
Grade:
B
New
Orleans Pelicans:
45-37 (5th Southwest Division; No. 8 Seed in West) 28-13 at home,
17-24 on the road. Lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-0 in West Quarterfinals.
-99.4
ppg-16th; opp. ppg: 98.6-T-11th; 43.5 rpg-16th
There
are very few franchises that can say they have a great player that is a once in
a lifetime, game changing, franchise changing player. When you have a player of
that caliber, it becomes easier to build a can contend.
The
Pelicans have that player in former No. 1 overall pick in 2012 draft in
two-time All-Star forward/center Anthony Davis (24.4 ppg-4th NBA,
10.2 rpg-Led team, 2.9 bpg-Led NBA), who helped lead his team to the playoffs
for the first time in four years.
They
got in on the final night of the regular season when they defeated the Spurs
108-103 on Apr. 15. Davis led the way with 31 points, 13 boards and three
blocks.
In
their match up with the eventual NBA champion Warriors, Davis had an incredible
series scoring 31.5 points, grabbing 11.0 rebounds and blocking three shots.
The young Pelicans were no match for the Warriors, who swept them 4-0.
In
the off-season, they gave their star player a well-deserved five-year $145
million contract extension back on July 1, keeping him from enter restricted
free agency next summer.
In
the off-season, the team decided that they needed a new system in order to
compete for a higher playoff spot in the rugged West.
Out
was head coach Monty Williams and in was assistant coach of the World champion
Warriors Alvin Gentry and his famed Seven Seconds or Less offensive style from
his days with the Phoenix Suns in the early part of the decade.
Everything
that you saw with the Warriors a season ago, the pace that they played with,
the ball movement and three-point shot after three-point shot attempted will be
on display at the Smoothie King Center hopefully for many seasons.
The
question is are the players in place? Yes the Pelicans have the centerpiece in
Davis, but what about his supporting cast.
While
the team has the perimeter shooting in forward Ryan Anderson (13.7 ppg, 4.8
rpg, 34.0 3-Pt.%), guard Eric Gordon (13.4 ppg, 44.8 3-Pt.%) and Quincy
Pondexter (9.0 ppg, 43.3 3-Pt.%), can lead guard Jrue Holiday (14.8 ppg, 6.9
apg-Led team, 1.6 spg-Led team) and swingman Tyreke Evans (16.6 ppg, 6.6 apg,
5.3 rpg) be the kind of facilitators that can make plays for others while being
able to create offenses chances for themselves?
The
other issue, that the Pelicans have to figure out is how do centers Alexis
Ajinca (6.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Omer Asik (7.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and Kendrick Perkins
and forward/center Dante Cunningham (5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) fit in to all of this?
In
any other system, these players would fit in wonderfully. This system is based
on pace really does not fit well for players that are non-scorers. With that
being said, if the Pelicans do not defend, they cannot get out and run and each
of these players can defend the basket and Perkins can play the pick-in-roll
real well.
On
top of that, the team committed a lot of money to Asik, Ajinca and Cunningham
this summer. Asik re-signed for five years at $60 million; Ajinca re-signed for
four years at $16 million; Cunningham re-signed for three more seasons and
Perkins signed for just one-year at the minimum of $947,000.
The
team also re-signed forward Luke Babbitt and signed forward Alonzo Gee for two
years at $2.7 million.
This
is a talented team that stills has a ways to go before than can be in the conversation
a perennial playoff team. They squeaked into the playoffs last season and the
quicker they can grasp Gentry’s system as well as improve their defense the
better their chances will be in making the playoffs for a second straight
season.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Pelicans get into the playoffs as a lower seed. They become a tough out and
Davis becomes a part of the MVP conversation.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pelicans take a step back and miss the playoffs.
Grade:
B-
Oklahoma
City Thunder:
45-37 (2nd Northwest Division; missed playoffs) 29-12 at home, 16-25
on the road.
-104.0
ppg-5th; opp. ppg: 101.8-24th; 47.5 rpg-1st
All
of the optimism the Thunder had last season of making a championship run took a
major hit last season as All-Star forward Kevin Durant (25.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.1
apg, 51.0 FG%, 40.3 3-Pt.%) because of three separate surgeries on his right
foot.
His
All-Star running mate Russell Westbrook missed 15 games early in the season
because of a broken hand and shot blocking ace Serge Ibaka (14.3 ppg, 7.8
rpg-Led team, 2.4 bpg-2nd NBA) also missed 18 games because of
injury.
The
reason the Thunder stayed in striking distance of the playoffs, ultimately to
be left on the outside looking in was because of the historic play of Westbrook
(28.1 ppg-Led NBA, 8.6 apg-4th NBA, 2.1 spg-2nd NBA).
He
led the NBA last season with 11 triple-doubles and became the first scoring
champion since Hall of Famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald in 1972-73 to average
8.5-plus assists. He joined LeBron James (2010-11) and Hall of Famers Michael
Jordan (1988-89) and Oscar Robertson (six times) to average 28-plus points,
seven-plus boards and eight-plus assists in a season.
In
the month of February Westbrook averaged 31.2 points, 10.3 assists, 9.1
rebounds and 1.6 steals. He followed that in March with averages of 30.9
points, 10.2 assists, 8.5 boards and 2.5 steals in March and 32.5 points, 8.1
assists, eight rebounds and 1.6 steals in April.
What
also helped the Thunder stay in the playoff race until the end was what they
did at the trade deadline, they acquired from the Utah Jazz Enes Kanter (15.5
ppg, 8.9 rpg, 51.9 FG%), who averaged 18.7 points, 11 boards on 56.6 percent
shooting in 26 games with the Thunder.
Kanter
gave the Thunder a dimension at the offensive end they have not had in Durant
and Westbrook era, an offensive presence in the low-post. That is one of the
reason they overpaid to keep him matching the five-year $70 million deal that
he got from the Portland Trail Blazers this summer.
The
Thunder also acquired from the Jazz sharp shooter Steve Novak at the trade
deadline back in February.
They
turned disgruntled back-up guard Reggie Jackson into forward Kyle Singler, who
the team re-signed for five years at $25 million and guard D.J. Augustin (7.3
ppg, 3.1 apg, 35.4 3-Pt.%).
There
was a time that the Thunder supporting cast could be described as subpar at
best. Coming into this season, the Thunder supporting is the best they have
ever had.
Those
aforementioned players the team acquired a season ago will be joining a
supporting cast consisting of center Steven Adams (7.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg); guard
Dion Waiters (11.8 ppg), who the Thunder acquired early last season and he
averaged 12.7 points in 47 appearances; guards Anthony Morrow (10.7 ppg, 46.3
FG%, 43.4 3-Pt.%) and Andre Roberson; forward/center Nick Collison and forward
Mitch McGary (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg).
In
this past June’s draft, the Thunder selected at No. 14 overall guard Cameron
Payne out of Murray State, who can play both the lead guard and the shooting
guard spots.
The
real big move came on the Thunder’s bench as they said goodbye to Scott Brooks
over the summer and hired back on Apr. 30 two-time national champion head coach
with the Florida Gators Billy Donovan.
Besides
winning back-to-back titles, he was tutored under one of the best basketball
minds in current Louisville head coach Rick Pitino and has been an assistant
head coach in the NBA. Two current NBA All-Stars who helped lynchpins of those
two titles to Florida are Al Horford of the Hawks and Joakim Noah of the Bulls.
The
biggest elephant in the room of the Thunder is will Durant stay in OKC as he is
set to become a free agent this upcoming summer. A lot of what happens this
season will dictate how that will be answered.
The
one good thing the Thunder have in their favor is that they put together a team
that can contend for the title right now. They can go big or small with their
lineups and can score with anybody and they enter this season healthy.
The
key for this team is can their defense be on par with their offense?
Best
Case Scenario:
The Thunder are a Top 3 Seed in the West and make it to The Finals.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Their defense does not improve and they have an early playoff exit.
Grade:
A
Phoenix
Suns:
39-43 (3rd Pacific Division; missed playoffs) 22-19 at home, 17-24
on the road.
-102.4
ppg-11th; opp. ppg: 103.3-26th; 43.2 rpg-17th
In
sports one team can look internally and say they made some solid moves during
their off-season and those on the outside that report on that particular sport
for a living and see what you did during the off-season and they scratch their
head at what they just looked at. That is the case for the Phoenix Suns, who
missed the postseason for the fifth straight season in 2014-15.
The
Suns in free agency signed veteran center Tyson Chandler (10.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg,
66.6 FG%) to a four-year $52 million deal. They also signed guard Ronnie Price
(5.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.6 spg) for two years and they signed sharp shooting
forward Mirza Teletovic (8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) to a one-year $5.5 million deal.
In
this past June’s draft, they selected at No. 13 sharp shooting guard Devin
Booker out of the University of Kentucky, who was the 2015 South Eastern
Conference Sixth Man of the Year.
They
re-signed guard Brandon Knight (13.4 ppg, 4.5 apg), who the Suns acquired from
the Bucks at the trade deadline back in February to a new five-year $70 million
deal and they acquired forward Jon Leuer from the Grizzlies.
On
paper, these look like solid moves, especially the signing of Chandler because
last season the Suns were ranked 28th in points allowed in the paint
surrendering 45.3 per game and 29th in second chance points allowed
at 14.4.
In
each of Chandler’s first seasons with the teams he played on, the defense has
improved tremendously. The then Charlotte Bobcats in 2009-10 went from 7th
in defensive ranking to No. 1. The Mavericks went from being ranked 12th
to 7th and won the championship. The Knicks defense went from 21st
in 2010-11 to 5th and in Chandler’s return to the Mavs last season
they went from 22nd in defense to 18th.
The
Suns thought that by signing Chandler, they could entice then free agent
forward LaMarcus Aldridge to sign with them this off-season, but he decided to
sign with the Spurs.
The
other issue is where does leave Alex Len (6.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg-Led team, 1.5
bpg-Led team)? Chandler can serve as a mentor to Len, but in order for the
former lottery pick in 2013 to really develop he needs minutes.
The
re-signing of Knight means that the Suns have over $40 million tied into
Chandler, Knight and lead guard Eric Bledsoe (17.0 ppg, 6.1 apg-Led team, 5.2
rpg, 1.6 spg-Led team) over the next four seasons. The only real potential star
out of this trio is Bledsoe, who the Suns paid the prior summer. These three
realistically are complimentary players, not cornerstones of a championship
team.
Aside
from that, if the Suns realistically are going to compete for a playoff spot in
the rugged West, they will need rapid growth from the aforementioned Len and
Booker, forward T.J. Warren (6.1 ppg) and guard Archie Goodwin (5.6 ppg).
They
also have to make a decision on forward Markieff Morris (15.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg,
46.5 FG%), who was very disgruntled over this summer when the Suns traded his
twin brother Marcus, guard Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger to the Pistons for
a second round draft pick in 2020.
The
Suns felt a need to do this because of a couple of situations that took place
off-the-court, which included and alleged assault. Also Keef took some shots at
the Suns fans questioning their loyalty to the team.
This
has been a difficult situation for a player who has improved each year since he
has been in the pros going from 7.4 points in 2011-12 to 8.4 and 4.8 boards in
2012-13 to 13.8 points and 6.0 rebounds the prior season. The 6-foot-9 forward
even earned a contract extension.
Since
future Hall of Famer Steve Nash was dealt away after the 2011-12 season, the
Suns have missed the playoffs three straight seasons. They have won just 45.5
percent of their games. Not had an All-Star and have been in the Draft Lottery
in those aforementioned seasons.
While
the moves the team made over the summer suggest they are not going backwards,
it is hard to see how the moves the Suns made make them and head coach Jeff
Hornacek, who is entering the final year of his contract a playoff contender
this season and in the years to come.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Suns are competing for the No. 8 and final playoff spot. They are ranked in
the middle of the pact defensively.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Suns miss the playoffs again.
Grade:
F
Portland
Trail Blazers:
51-31 (1st Northwest Division; No. 4 Seed in West) 32-9 at home,
19-22 on the road. Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.
-102.8
ppg-9th; opp. ppg: 98.6-T-11th; 45.9 rpg-2nd
With
back-to-back 50 wins seasons, the Trail Blazers were a team on the rise in the
West. They were coming off their first postseason series win over the Rockets
in the 2014 playoffs before falling to the Spurs in the Semis 4-1.
Those
dreams came crashing down very fast, especially with what happened to their
team in the postseason and this past summer.
It
began with a five-game setback in the first-round against the Grizzlies.
That
was followed by All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge leaving in free agency to
sign with the Spurs.
Starting
small forward Nicolas Batum was traded to the Hornets. Starting shooting guard
Wesley Matthews, who missed the final 22 games because of a torn Achilles
signed with the Mavericks and starting center Robin Lopez signed with the
Knicks along with guard Arron Afflalo.
The
team also said goodbye to forwards Dorell Wright and Alonzo Gee, guard Steve
Blake and forward/center Joel Freeland.
The
only member of the starting quintet the last two seasons was lead guard Damian
Lillard (21.0 ppg, 6.2 apg, 34.3 3-Pt.%), who the Blazers signed to a five-year
$120 million extension over the summer.
The
Blazers started the process of building their team for the future around their
two-time All-Star guard by getting in return for Batum guard Gerald Henderson
(12.1 ppg) from the Hornets as well as second-year forward Noah Vonleh.
In
a trade with the Magic, the Trail Blazers acquired forward Maurice Harkless and
on the night of the draft this past June acquired the draft rights to forward
Pat Connaughton, the 41st overall pick out of Notre Dame and
third-year forward Mason Plumlee (8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) from the Nets.
In
free agency, the Trail Blazers signed forwards Ed Davis (8.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) who
signed for three years at $20 million and Al-Farouq Aminu (5.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
for four years at $40 million.
These
new additions will join the remaining cast from last season’s playoff team,
which consist of guard C.J. McCollum (6.8 ppg, 39.6 3-Pt.%), who really showed
well in the final three games of the team’s first round loss to the Grizzlies
where he scored 26, 18 and 33 points in Games 3,4 and 5; center Meyers Leonard
(5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 42.0 3-Pt.%), who averaged 7.8 points and 6.6 boards off the
bench in the playoffs last spring; veteran center Chris Kaman (8.6 ppg, 6.5
rpg) and third-year forward Allen Crabbe.
The
Trail Blazers unlike the Sixers at least have plan in place and an established
star in Lillard, who is 25 years-old to build around. He also has a backcourt
mate in McCollum, who is just 23 years-old who with time can only get better.
The
rest of the cast will have plenty of opportunities to show that they can be a
serious part of the future in “Rip City.”
The
spotlight is now on GM Neil Olshey and head coach Terry Stotts, who has gone
138-108 in his first three seasons as Trail Blazers head coach.
The
Blazers have been in this position before. After making the playoffs from
2009-2011, they went through two rough seasons of winning just 28 games in the
shortened season of 2011-12 and just 33 wins in 2012-13. Because they drafted
Lillard and Aldridge developed into a star and other solid moves were made in
free agency and in the draft, the Trail Blazers produced an aforementioned
back-to-back 50-plus win seasons and last season won their first division title
since 1998-99, when they were in the Pacific.
If
the right moves are made, the Trail Blazers in three years from now could be
back in the playoff mix in the West.
Best
Case Scenario:
Trail Blazers win 33 games. The Lillard, McCollum backcourt establishes solid
cohesion and they find a diamond in the rough in the front court.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Several long losing streaks and Lillard does not establish offensive chemistry
with the rest of his teammates.
Grade:
D
Sacramento
Kings:
29-53 (4th Pacific Division; missed playoffs) 18-23 at home, 11-30
on the road.
-101.3
ppg-14th; opp. ppg: 105.0-28th; 44.2 rpg-9th
Only
the Timberwolves at 11 straight seasons have been on the outside of the
playoffs looking in than the Kings, who have not made the playoffs in nine
straight years.
Besides
having dysfunctional management, all summer long there a reported discord
between head coach George Karl, who went 11-19 on an interim basis a season ago
and All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins (24.1 ppg-5th NBA, 12.7 rpg-3rd
NBA, 1.7 bpg-Led team), who has an NBA leading 135 double-doubles since start
of 2012-13 season made NBA headlines.
This
soap-opera started in the early part of the summer when Cousins accused Karl of
convincing the Kings to trade him, which Karl denied ever doing. This left
former Kings’ center and new general manager Vlade Divac to play peacemaker
between the two.
By
the middle of August, the two sides seemed to mend fences and got back to the
business at hand of turning a team back into the playoff team that they were
back in the early 2000s.
With
the No. 6 overall pick in this June’s draft, the Kings selected defensive maven
in forward/center Willie Cauley-Stein out of the University of Kentucky.
While
he is lacking any consistent game at the offensive end, his game at the
defensive end in college was one of the best. He is a willing rebounder and can
make an impact at the defensive end immediately.
In
free agency, the Kings also added center Kosta Koufos (5.2 ppg, 5.3 ppg), who
signed for four years at $33 million. Koufos played for Karl when he was the
head coach of the Nuggets in the early part of the decade and had his best
seasons of his career.
The
Kings now have a solid three-man rotation at the center position and all are 26
years of age or younger.
The
Kings also signed forward Quincy Acy (5.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg) for two years at $2
million.
In
a major gamble, the Kings signed former All-Star and NBA champion in guard
Rajon Rondo (8.9 ppg, 7.9 apg, 5.5 rpg) to a one-year $9.5 million deal back on
July 13.
He
was supposed to be the missing piece to the championship puzzle for the Mavs
when they acquired him back in December, but a serious falling out during the
team’s first-round clash with the Rockets essentially ended his time in Big-D
and plummeted his value on the free agent market.
If
Rondo can return to the player that was considered among the elite three years
ago, he could be in for a big pay day from the Kings or another team in free
agency next summer.
The
other issue about Rondo’s signing is what does this mean for last season’s
starting lead guard Darren Collison (16.1 ppg, 5.6 apg, 1.5 spg), who played in
just 45 games a season ago because of injury.
Will
Collison be Rondo’s understudy this season or will the Kings look to trade a
guy that they just signed the prior off-season?
The
Kings bolstered their bench with notable perimeter shooters this summer in
guards Marco Bellinelli (9.2 ppg, 37.4 3-Pt.%), who signed for three-years at
$19 million; Seth Curry, the brother of 2015 MVP Stephen Curry for two years at
$1.9 million; James Anderson for two years at $2.3 million and veteran forward
and NBA champion Caron Butler (5.9 ppg, 37.9 3-Pt.%).
The
Kings also retained forward Omri Casspi (8.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg 40.2 3-Pt.%) for two
years at $6 million.
The
Kings hope the additions of Curry, who will finally get a real chance to show that
he belongs in the league, Bellinelli and guard Ben McLemore (12.1 ppg, 35.8
3-Pt.%) pan out a lot better than sharp shooting rookie Nik Stauskas, who
weirdly was traded along with a protected No. 1 draft pick to the Sixers this
summer.
If
they can consistently strike a match from the perimeter, that will leave plenty
of room for Cousins and forward Rudy Gay (21.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 45.5 FG%, 35.9
3-Pt.%) to operate at the offensive end.
The
addition of Butler is big in the sense that they have a necessary veteran
presence in the locker room, especially on a team that consists of quirky
personalities.
The
Kings made some history with a major addition to their coaching staff in hiring
Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, who will be the second full-time female
assistant coach in the NBA after Becky Hammon, who the Spurs hired a season
ago.
This
season can go in one of two directions for the Kings. They can push for a
playoff spot in the brutal West or this turn into a dysfunctional, ugly would
not want to be there fiasco.
Either
way it will be something to watch all season long.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Kings are fighting for the No. 8 playoff spot in the West. Cousins becomes
an All-Star again and really matures into a team leader.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Kings lose over 50 games again and miss the playoffs for a 10th
straight season. Cousins and Karl continue to clash and the team has to be
retooled in a major way once again.
Grade:
C+
San
Antonio Spurs:
55-27 (3rd Southwest Division; No. 6 Seed West) 33-8 at home, 22-19
on the road. Lost to Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 in West Quarterfinals.
-103.2
ppg-7th; opp. ppg: 97.0-3rd; 43.6 rpg-15th
They
have made the playoffs for 18 consecutive seasons, all in the era of Tim
Duncan, who they drafted No. 1 overall back in June 1997. Won five
championships. Garnered seven division titles and going back to the first
season of Hall of Fame center and 1990 Rookie of the Year David Robinson, the
Spurs have won 50-plus games in a season 22 times.
What
has made the Spurs consistent level of greatness so remarkable is that they
have been a team that has not made a habit of being in the draft lottery except
on two occasions and they have not signed an A-list free agent.
That
all changed in the summer when they signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge (23.4 ppg,
10.2 rpg, 46.6 FG%) for four years at $84 million.
While
he may not be the best player in the league nor one of the top 10 in “The
Association.” But he is a proven scorer in the prime of his career and decided
of all places he could have gone, he chose a team that more than capable of
dethroning the defending World Champion Warriors.
Besides
nice payday he received, he is close to his hometown of Austin, TX, where he
makes his home in the off-season. He in a place where he does not have to pay
state taxes. His coach is one of the very best in the history of the game in
Gregg Popovich and he will teaming up with the one of the greatest trio’s in
NBA history in Duncan (13.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg-Led team, 2.0 bpg-7th NBA),
who re-signed for two-years at $10.9 million; Manu Ginobili (10.5 ppg, 4.2 apg,
34.5 3-Pt.%), who re-signed for two years at $5.8 million and Tony Parker (14.4
ppg, 4.9 apg-Led team, 48.6 FG%).
Along
with signing Aldridge, the Spurs got a gift from the heavens when veteran
forward David West (11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) left $12 million on the table with the
Pacers as he opted out of the final year of his contract and signed with the
Spurs for two years at $3.1 million to win a championship.
They
also were able to re-sign 2014 Finals MVP and the 2015 Defensive Player of the
Year in forward Kawhi Leonard (16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 spg-Led NBA, 47.9 FG%,
34.9 3-Pt.%) to a new five-year $94 million contract.
To
make room to get Aldridge though and to re-sign Leonard, the Spurs had to say
goodbye to key members of the supporting cast and who were a part of their
title team in 2014 in centers Aron Baynes and Tiago Splitter and guards Cory
Joseph and Marco Bellinelli.
They
did make sure to re-sign the likes of sharp shooters in guard Danny Green (11.7
ppg, 41.8 3-Pt.%) for four years at $40 million and forward Matt Bonner for
one-year at $947,000. They still have in the fold forward/center Boris Diaw
(8.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg); guard Patty Mills (6.9 ppg, 34.1 3-Pt.%) and forward Kyle
Anderson, who really performed well in Summer League this off-season.
The
new additions that will be counted on to replace what the Spurs lost this
summer will be guard Ray McCallum (7.4 ppg), who was acquired from the Kings; veteran
forward Rasual Butler (7.7 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt.%); center Boban Marjanovic, who
signed for one-year at $1.2 million and swingman Jonathon Simmons, who signed
for two years at $1.4 million.
When
Clippers guard Chris Paul made an off balance shot in the closing moments of
Game 7 in the opening round last spring, it ended the Spurs season for just the
fourth time in the Duncan era.
When
they made the additions they did this summer, they not only secured a run at
the title this year, they also put themselves in a position for life after the
retirement of Duncan, whenever that takes place.
With
good health, especially from Parker, who was not himself after hurting his
hamstring early in the season and consistent play on both ends, the Spurs once
again will serve as one of the favorites to hold the Larry O’Brien trophy in
June 2016.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Spurs win 50-plus games again and make it to The Finals and win their Sixth
title in franchise history.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Spurs lose in the Conference Finals.
Grade:
A+
Utah
Jazz:
38-44 (3rd Northwest Division; missed playoffs) 21-20 at home, 17-24
on the road.
-95.1
ppg-26th; opp. ppg: 94.9-1st; 44.0 rpg-11th
Get
who finished with the 6th best winning percentage after the All-Star
break a season ago. It was the young up and coming Utah Jazz, who went 19-10
after the NBA’s mid-season classic.
One
of the big reasons for equaling the total number of wins they had at the
unofficial midway point of 2014-15 was their play at the defensive end, where
they lead the league in points allowed at 89.0 points per contest and were
second in opponent’s field goal percentage at 42.2.
At
the center, no pun intended, of that great defense was Rudy Gobert (8.2 ppg,
9.5 rpg-Led team, 2.3 bpg-3rd NBA), who was put in the starting
lineup when the team traded Enes Kanter at the trade deadline to the Thunder.
In
the final two months of the season, Gobert really came on averaging 10.9
points, 14.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks this past March and 12.3 points, 12.0
boards and 2.3 blocks in April.
The
prime candidate for Defensive Player of the Year will be part of a young core When
you are a young team and you are trying to become one that contends for the
playoffs year in and year out, it takes having the core players putting in the
work to make getting better a standard.
For
the Jazz, those core players include swingman Gordon Hayward (19.7 ppg-leads
team, 5.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 46.0 FG%, 39.2 3-Pt.%), forward Derrick Favors (15.9
ppg, 8.1 rpg-leads team, 1.7 bpg), guards Trey Burke (12.6 ppg, 4.7 apg), guard
Alec Burks (13.9 ppg, 38.2 3-Pt.%), whose season ended after 27 games because
of left shoulder surgery in December 2014 and second-year guard Rodney Hood
(8.7 ppg, 36.5 3-Pt.%).
An
important member of that core in second-year guard Dante Exum (4.8 ppg), who
replaced Burke as the starting lead guard for the Jazz in the second half of
last season is likely out for the season after tearing his ACL playing for the
Australian National Team over the summer.
This
will mean that Burke, who is in the final year will take the reins back as the
main floor general and he will need to play better unlike last season where he
shot just 36.8 percent from the field and just 31.8 percent from three-point
range.
Serving
as the understudy to Burke this season will be Raul Neto, who was signed by the
Jazz this summer to a three-year $2.9 million deal. The 23-year-old played last
season in the ACB League in Spain for UCAM Murica.
The
Jazz also signed center Tibor Pliess to a three-year $10 million deal and
re-signed forward Joe Ingles to a two-year $4.5 million deal.
In
this past June’s draft, the Jazz selected forward Trey Lyles with the No. 12
overall pick out of the University of Kentucky.
He
will be joining a supporting cast that consist of center Jeff Withey, who the
Jazz also signed this summer; guard Elijah Millsap, forward Chris Johnson and
veteran forward Trevor Booker (7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
The
Jazz made major strides under head coach, Quin Snyder, who is entering his
second season on the sideline for the Jazz.
The
question now is, how ready are they to compete for a playoff spot in the
unforgiving West?
They
have a borderline All-Star in Hayward, who the Jazz retained two summers back
when they matched the four-year $63 million contract he received from the then
Charlotte Bobcats. Burks received a contract extension last summer.
For
years, the Jazz have had to look to the draft and making trades to turn their
team into a contender. That is how they got Hall of Famers John Stockton and
Karl Malone many years ago. That is how they found the aforementioned Hayward,
Burke, Burks, Exum, Favors and Gobert.
If
they can continue to play the stellar defense they did a season ago and get up
to speed at the offensive end, making the playoffs is a real possibility.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Jazz are fighting for that final playoff spot. Hayward makes the All-Star team.
Burke has a breakout third season.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Jazz miss the playoffs. Burke offensive struggles continue and the
defensive intensity slides.
Grade:
D-
Information, quotes and statistics are courtesy
of www.espn.go.com/nba/standings/statistics
from 2014-15; NBATV/TNT Insider
David Aldridge’s Off-Season Rankings: Top 10 Middle 10 and Bottom 10 from Oct.
13, 2015 from www.nba.com/2015/news/features/david_aldridge/morning-tip; www.nba.com/news/30-teams-30-days-2015 by Shaun Powell from Sept. 1-Sept. 30, 2015;
en.m.wikipedia.org; www.nba.com/standings/2014/team_record_comparison; 10/8/15-10/2/15 NBATV “Team Preview” of all 30
NBA teams hosted by Jared Greenberg, Vince Cellini, Rick Kamla, Kristen Ledlow,
Mike D’Antoni, Greg Anthony, Brent Barry, Brian Shaw, Vinny Del Negro, Isiah
Thomas, Stu Jackson, Steve Smith and Richard Hamilton; 10/13/15-10/22/15
NBATV’s “The Starters-2015-16 Season Preview,” with J.E. Skeets Tas Melas,
Leigh Ellis and Trey Kerby and 10/15/15 7 p.m. ESPN: The Magazine 2015-16 NBA
Season Preview Special with Cassidy Hubbarth, Brad Daugherty and Chris
Broussard.
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