It
was an explosive off-season in the NBA. Eight of the last nine regular season
Kia Most Valuable Players (MVP) will be on teams with another former MVP. Four
teams made blockbuster trades this off-season, with one team acquiring two
All-Star players for the equivalent of a pack of bubble gum, and another deal
between last season’s Eastern Conference Finals opponents. A load of expected
franchise changing rookies make up the 2017 Rookie class. So, this begs two questions as we enter the
2017-18 NBA campaign. Who are you? That
are the question is what will be tackled in the 2017-18 NBA Off-Season in
Review, and Season Preview.
Abbreviation
Key, which represents statistics from this season: 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, and T-tied.
Eastern
Conference
Atlanta
Hawks:
43-39 (2nd Southeast Division; No. 5 Seed East) 23-18 at home, 21-20
on the road. Lost to the No. 4 Seeded Washington Wizards 4-2 in East
Quarterfinals.
-103.2
ppg-22nd; opp. ppg: 104.0-10th; 44.3 rpg-9th
Only
the San Antonio Spurs have more consecutive playoff appearances with 20, than
the 10 straight by the Atlanta Hawks. While the Spurs have won five titles in
that stretch, the Hawks only have a 60-win season to speak of in 2014-15, which
they had four All-Stars, and the Coach of the Year in Mike Budenholzer, and an
Eastern Conference Finals berth. All
that remains is Budenholzer, and the organization under new General Manager
Travis Schlenk, and owner since 2015 Tony Ressler decided to revamp the roster
with a young cast, and in a cost-effective manner, as well as the front office.
Schlenk,
who came over from the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors front
office, and Ressler, who paid over $800 million for the Hawks in 2015 let
All-Star forward Paul Millsap, guards Thabo Sefolosha, and Jose Calderon walk
in free agency. They did not match the boat inflated four-year, $71 million offer
sheet by the New York Knicks for restricted free agent guard Tim Hardaway, Jr.
Dealt All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets, along with the
No. 31 overall pick in June’s draft, for center Miles Plumlee, guard Marco Bellinelli
(10.5 ppg), and the No. 41 overall pick in the draft, which they used to select
guard Tyler Dorsey out of the University of Oregon.
Schlenk
then stripped Coach Budenholzer of the title of team president, and demoted
prior GM Wes Wilcox. Those moves came about because the Hawks got no
compensation for All-Stars in Millsap, Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, and Al
Horford, and solid forward DeMarre Carroll each departed via free agency, or
were traded the prior two seasons. The Howard experiment was a complete failure
in one season.
To
keep their cap space manageable going forward, the Hawks signed in free agency
former Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (5.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 62.2 FG%) to a two-year,
$14 million deal; forward Luke Babbit to a one-year, $2.1 million deal;
re-signed forward Ersan Ilyasova (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg 35.3 3-Pt.%) w/Thunder,
76ers, & Hawks) to a one-year, $6 million deal, and forward/center Mike
Muscala (6.2 ppg, 50.4 FG%, 41.8 3-Pt.%) to a two-year, $10 million deal.
Schlenk,
who spent 12 years with the Warriors, and the last seven as an assistant to GM
Bob Meyers played a major role in them drafting the likes of two-time MVP
Stephen Curry, All-Star Klay Thompson, now Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison
Barnes, and All-Star forward Draymond Green, and wanted to bring that same kind
of smart decision making to the Hawks.
“You
can feel the passion they have for the organization, and not just the
organization, but the community of Atlanta, Schlenk said to NBATV’s Vince
Cellini, Mike Fratello, and Sam Mitchell about when he met with Ressler, and
the rest of the minority ownership group of the Hawks. “Having ownership that’s
invested not only in the organization, but the community. That’s the base to
building a great franchise, and we have that here, and I felt that during the
interview process.”
At
No. 19, the Hawks selected high energy forward John Collins, who played two
seasons at Wake Forest University.
The
19-year-old showed some flashes of brilliance in the 2017 Las Vegas Summer
League, with averages of 15.4 points, and 9.2 boards, on 59.3 percent shooting
his solid footwork; the ability to get after it in the paint, where he tried to
dunk on anyone that was between him, and the basket.
While
he may be raw in some areas, the foundation for him to be a solid NBA player is
there, and with little to no expectations for the Hawks this upcoming season,
Collins will be allowed to play through his errors, and try to build some
chemistry with second-year forwards Taurean Prince (5.7 ppg), and DeAndre’
Bembry, who will be on the shelf for 6-8 weeks because of an injured tricep;
and second-year guard Malcolm Delaney (5.4 ppg).
“I
think it’s just really about being a sponge. Soaking up as much information as
possible,” Collins said about how he’s approaching his rookie season. “Once you
solidify yourself as a real solid pro, and consummate professional that
something you get a lot of respect from not only players, but front offices
around the league.”
There
was a guy who also went to Wake Forest that had some of the same ability, and
humility that Collins has, minus the athleticism. If he comes to anything close
to Hall of Famer, and five-time NBA champion Tim Duncan, the Hawks will be over
the moon, especially Budenholzer, who was with the Spurs when they won four of
their five titles.
Prince
said to NBATV’s Rick Kamla over the off-season that he views himself as a
future All-Star. He’ll have a chance to show that this season, and he will
better his chances if he can improve his shooting from the 40 percent averaged
he had during the regular season in 2016-17, to the level he had in the 2017
postseason, where he averaged 11.2 points, and 5.3 rebounds on 55.8 from the
field, in the six-game setback in the opening round to the Wizards.
The
two key players for the Hawks going forward are, starting lead guard Dennis
Schroder (17.9 ppg, 6.3 apg, 45.1 FG%) and forward Kent Bazemore (11.0 ppg) whose
mindsets need to go from the backups they were on that previously mentioned
60-win Hawks team, to the front runners.
Shooting
just 40.9 percent from the floor, and 34.6 percent from three-point a season
ago will not cut for Bazemore, who signed a four-year $70 million deal he got
last summer.
The
24-year-old Schroder, who averaged a team-leading 24.7 points, and 7.7 assists
in the 2017 postseason at times a season ago looked like one of the best floor
generals in the NBA, especially at the basket, where he led the NBA in 2016-17
with 3.4 field goals made off drives a season ago. That was more than 3.3 of
All-Stars Isaiah Thomas, now with the Cavs; the 3.1 of All-Star DeMar DeRozan
of the Toronto Raptors; and the 3.0 of All-Star lead guard Damian Lillard of
the Portland Trail Blazers and now guard of the Cavs Derrick Rose.
There
were also times where Schroder looked for his own offense and did not make
plays for his teammates. While his 512 layups a season ago is great, he had the
second most layup attempts blocked with 113, and averaged just 3.3 assists for
every turnover.
The
Hawks as a result went from second in the NBA in assists; No. 6 in
three-pointer made per contest, and No. 7 in attempts two years ago to 10th
in assists per game at 23.6; 20th in three-pointers made, and 16th
in attempts from behind the arc.
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Hawks lack of ball movement resulted in the
league’s third biggest increase in turnover rate.
“I
think he’s just going to continue to grow as a leader,” Budenholzer, who is
189-139 in his first four seasons as Hawks head coach said about the growth of
his lead guard. “I think understand how he can impact his teammates. How he can
impact a practice.”
Above
all, the Hawks need Schroder German to be more mature off the court and not be
in situations like the one where he was charged with misdemeanor battery in the
early morning hours in late September at a hookah bar in Brookhaven, GA where
he lives.
“We
are aware of an incident involving Dennis Schroder earlier this week. We are
still gathering information as it pertains to the situation, and out of respect
for the legal process, we will have no further comment at this time,” the
Hawks’ organization said in a statement.
Building
for the future is the best way to describe the Atlanta Hawks as we enter the
2017-18 NBA campaign. Schlenk along with building a team that wants to come to
the gym every day to get better, he said to Cellini, Fratello, and Mitchell
that he wants to create an environment that is player friendly, like it was in
Golden State. Where the family of the players feel like an extended part of the
organization.
While
it is likely that the Hawks string of 10 straight postseason appearances will
conclude this April, the reconstruction of hopefully a new string of playoff
appearances, and the hopes of winning the team’s first title since 1958, when
they were the St. Louis Hawks is underway. The one good thing that the Hawks
have in their favor during this reconstruction is the right coach in
Budenholzer, who will be on his team to play the right way every night from
moving the basketball offensively, and being connected as one defensively.
“I
think we’re excited about where we are,” Budenholzer, who is 189-139 as Hawks
head coach said about the prospects for this season. “They all have been
working, and improving. We feel like they give us something to be excited about
going forward.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Hawks win close to 35 games. Schroder is a better floor general, and even
better person off the floor. Collins, Prince, Delaney, and Bembry show that
they are major parts of the future.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Hawks fall completely flat in year one of their reconstruction, and the highs,
and lows of Schroder continue.
Grade: D
Boston
Celtics: 53-29
(1st Atlantic Division; No. 1 Seed East) 30-11 at home, 23-18 on the road. Defeated
the No. 8 Seeded Chicago Bulls 4-2 in East Quarterfinals. Defeated the No. 4
Seeded Washington Wizards 4-3 in East Semifinals. Lost to the No. 2 Cleveland
Cavaliers 4-1 in Eastern Conference Finals.
-108.0
ppg-7th; opp. ppg: 105.4-15th; 42.0 rpg-27th
The
Celtics magical carpet ride of 2017-18 ended at the hand of LeBron James, and
the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games of the Conference Finals. So, GM Danny
Ainge took a blowtorch to his roster, and drafted one of the best scorers in
college basketball this past season; filled that superstar void with the addition
of a former Butler Bulldog; acquiring a top-level lead guard, and filling out
the roster with some solid role players.
The
first big move by the C’s was trading the No. 1 overall pick to the
Philadelphia 76ers for their 2017 First-Round pick, No. 3 overall, and a
conditional First-Round pick in 2018, or 2019.
The
Celtics used that No. 3 pick to select forward Jayson Tatum in June, who brings
an all-around offensive game where he can score inside as well as outside, and
he demonstrated that all during the Utah, and Las Vegas Summer League, where he
averaged 18.7 and 17.7 points, and 9.7, and 8.0 rebounds respectably.
“You
earn respect by just showing that you have what it takes to be in this league,”
the 19-year-old, who will be a big part of the C’s present, and future said
about how he will become a great player in the NBA. “Just focus on basketball,
and what got you here, and not worry about outside distractions, and just keep
doing what you’re doing.”
They
also drafted forward Semi Ojeleye at No. 37 overall out of Southern Methodist
University; guard Kadeem Allen at No. 53 out of Arizona; and guard Jabari Bird
at No. 56 overall out of California.
In
the early part of July, the Celtics traded starting shooting guard Avery
Bradley to the Detroit Pistons for forward Marcus Morris (14.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg
w/Pistons), and a 2019 Second-Round pick, who the Celtics hope brings that same
toughness, grit, and versatility on both ends.
That
move created enough salary cap space to finally sign an All-Star to the roster,
which the Celtics did on July 14 inking forward Gordon Hayward (21.9
ppg-career-high, 5.4 rpg-career-high, 3.5 apg, 47.1 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.% w/Jazz),
to a four-year $128 million deal, and reuniting him with his college head coach
at Butler University in Brad Stevens.
In
late August, C’s swung a deal with the defending Eastern Conference champion
Cavs dealing All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante
Zicic, and the 2018 unprotected First-Round pick from the Nets trade a few
years ago, for All-Star guard Kyrie Irving (25.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, 47.3 FG%, 40.1
3-Pt.% w/Cavs).
The
deal hit a snag though when it was revealed via a physical that Thomas’ hip
that he played through until after Game 2 of the Conference Finals will keep
him on the shelf until January. The Celtics threw in a 2020 Second-Round pick
to close the deal.
Not
only do the C’s get a player who went to The Finals the last three seasons in a
row, and hit the shot that won the Cavs their 2016 title in Game 7 of The
Finals at the then defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, but they get a
dynamic scorer, ball handler, and playmaker, whose 25-year-old, and eager to
prove he is more than just a supportive “Robin” to James’ “Batman.”
When
asked by NBATV/NBA on TNT’s David Aldridge during Media Day in St. Canton, MA
on Sept. 25 about whether he cares about explaining why he left the Cavs, he
said, “Honestly I don’t even care.”
“I
feel like it was at a time where no one expected it, that’s when it came at a
big surprise, and then everyone wanted answers… I’m not here to answer all
those questions because it’s literally coming from a place that has zilch to do
with two hoops, and a basketball.”
What
Irving will also bring is the ability for Hayward, and last season’s prize free
agent signing Al Horford (14.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.0 apg, 47.3 FG%) to be
comfortable in their roles. Horford, who is the team’s lone starter from last
season, is someone who plays to his strengths, and does not try to do any more
than what is asked of him.
The
most important thing that Irving, who has two years left on a five-year $94
million deal he signed back in 2014, must do is balance being a real lead
guard, as well as a scorer.
The
4.4 isolation field goal attempts he averaged a season ago with the Cavs will
not fly in a system where Coach Stevens believes in ball movement, and player
movement. The Celtics averaged 25.2 assists per game in 2016-17.
“The
biggest challenge is understanding how much of a difference it is between a
good, and a great team,” the four-time All-Star elaborated to Aldridge about
what it will take for this team to have a chance to win it all.
With
the trade of Bradley, it will be up to guard Marcus Smart (10.6 ppg, 4.6 apg,
3.9 rpg, 1.6 spg-Led Team), and second-year forward Jaylen Brown (6.6 ppg, 45.5
FG%), whose just 20-years-old to cover up for Irving, who too has had his
struggles in guarding his man one-on-one in his six-year career.
For
the past three seasons under Stevens, the Celtics have been a team of scrappy,
relentless, get after it, group of players that a lot of people gave up on for
some reason.
They
especially showed that attitude in the pressure cooker winning 25 games (25-29
mark) in 2016-17 after trailing going into the fourth quarter, according to
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, which is more than any of the other 29 teams in the
last nine seasons combined. It helped that they had Thomas, who had the second-best
scoring average in the fourth quarter of 9.8 a season ago.
A
lot of those players are gone now to make room for Irving, and Hayward to join
the team, Stevens will need them, Smart, Morris, Tatum, Brown, and guard Terry
Rozier, the other new additions in center Aron Baynes, who signed a one-year,
$4.3 million deal; guard Shane Larkin, who signed a one-year $1.5 million deal;
forward Daniel Theis, who signed a one-year, $2.19 million deal to perform at
the level on both ends that Thomas, Crowder, Bradley, forward/center Kelly
Olynyk, forward/center Amir Johnson, forward Jonas Jerebko, and center Tyler
Zeller night in, and night out.
“There’s
definitely going to be high expectations for us. I think that’s new for me as a
player. I’m excited about that,” Hayward said to Aldridge back in late
September. “For us, we’ll talk about that a lot probably today, and then after
that, it will just be how can we get better each day, and everything will take
care of itself.”
They
specifically need to rebound the ball a lot better than they did a year ago. It
will take all the Celtics, including last season’s prize signing Al Horford
than the 27th ranked team they were a season ago.
Being
ranked 27th in rebound differential at -2.5 is a major reason they
lost the way they did in the Conference Finals a season ago to the Cavs who
dominated them on the glass.
The
Boston Celtics come into the 2017-18 NBA season with expectations, thanks to
winning 53 games, capturing the Atlantic Division title away from the Toronto
Raptors, and making it to the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago. The third
youngest team in “The Association,” is geared up with two stars in Irving, and
Hayward. Young talents in Tatum, Brown, Smart, and Rozier, who are between 19,
and 23 years of age. A dynamic, and smart head coach in Brad Stevens, and a
shrewd GM in Ainge, who still has a war chest of assets in draft picks, and
players to work with, the Celtics are primed to take the East by storm over the
next few years. The question for them is do they have enough this year to take
down the back-to-back-to-back Conference Champion Cavaliers, and LeBron James
this season?
We
might get some indication of where they stack when last season’s Finalists of
the East meet up on opening night, on Oct 17 at 8 p.m. in Cleveland on TNT.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Celtics are the No. 1 or No. 2 Seed in the East. They beat the Cavs in the
Eastern Conference Finals, but fall to the Warriors in The Finals.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They do not make it back to the Conference Finals
Grade: A+
Brooklyn
Nets:
20-62 (5th Atlantic Division; missed the playoffs) 13-28 at home, 7-34
on the road.
-105.8
ppg-12th; opp. ppg: 112,5-25th; 43.9 rpg-10th
Four
summers back, the Brooklyn Nets took a major gamble in acquiring All-Star
forwards Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Celtics, and sent their
Atlantic Division rivals three No. 1 draft picks in 2014, 2016 and 2018. They
have been paying for it ever since, and have had to use every trick in the book
to bring in young talent, and draft picks to get them out of the East cellar.
Nets’
General Manager Sean Marks two days before the 2017 draft on June 22nd traded
All-Star center, Brook Lopez, and the No. 27 pick in June’s draft to the Los
Angeles Lakers for No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft D’Angelo Russell (15.6 ppg, 4.8
apg, 35.2 3-Pt.% w/Lakers), center Timofey Mozgov (7.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 51.5 FG%),
and the remaining three years of a head scratching four-year $64 million deal.
That No. 27 pick was forward Kyle Kuzma out of Utah, who has shown in the
preseason that he’s a keeper for the Lakers.
“It’s
been amazing. Team’s been great for me. Open arms since day one. That’s all I
can ask for,” Russell, said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg.
While
the addition of Russell is the centerpiece of this trade, Mozgov will be of
importance in the early part of this upcoming season, along with Tyler Zeller,
who signed a two-year in September, because center Jarrett Allen, who the Nets
chose at No. 22 out of the University of Texas back is nowhere close to being
ready to be the team’s starting center.
While
the former Texas Longhorn, who did not play in Summer League because of a hip
injury, he bring an athleticism, ability to block shots, and to run the floor,
he is still a project that needs time, and instruction to be groomed into a
solid center, which the Nets have plenty of time to give him.
While
that is taking place, Mozgov will be slotted into the pivot for head coach Kenny
Atkinson, and he is an asset the Nets can use at the February trade deadline to
acquire another draft pick.
In
another off-season trade with a division rival during, the Nets acquired
veteran forward DeMarre Carroll (8.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 34.1 3-Pt.% w/Raptors) from
the Toronto Raptors, who injuries, inconsistent play on both ends, and the
emergence of a much younger Norman Powell made him, and the final three years
on a four-year, $120 deal. They also got a 2018 First-Round pick.
In
both the prior, and this summer, the Nets signed offer sheets to restricted
free agents Crabbe, Tyler Johnson, Donatas Motiejunas, and Otto Porter, Jr. for
$270 combined million. The Nets were only able to get Crabbe (10.7 ppg, 46.8
FG% w/Trail Blazers), who brings the remaining three years on a four-year $75
million deal from the Portland Trail Blazers, for forward Andrew Nicholson.
The
25-year-old from Lakers’ country showed last season that he can get hot from
the outside, ranking second in the league in three-point percentage at 44.4
percent a season ago.
His
stellar marksmanship from distance should improve the Nets’ No. 25 rank in
three-point percentage at 34.0 percent, despite being ranked No. 4 in attempts
at 31.6. The question for Crabbe is can that stroke become consistent if he is
given starters minutes?
The
Nets also hope Carroll provides great perimeter play as a shooter, and wing defender,
and serves as a role model, along with veterans in forwards Quincy Acy, and
Trevor Booker; and guard Jeremy Lin (14.5 ppg, 5.1 apg), who hopes to put an
injury riddled season in the rearview mirror, and click with his newest
backcourt mate in Russell.
“I
feel like we’re attacking guards. So, going in every night, playing off each
other is what we trying to do,” Russell said to Greenberg about the dynamic he,
and Lin bring.
The
Nets hope that Russell, who has all the talent a young player can ever ask is
ready to come in, and work his tail off in becoming their point guard of the
future.
His
first two seasons in Hollywood were below average to say the least, mainly due
to a lack of maturity, and inability to lead.
He
showed some signs in March with averages of 18.6 points, and close to five assists,
but it was not enough to save his bacon, as new Lakers’ President Earvin
“Magic” Johnson sent him backing in the previous mentioned trade for Lopez, and
threw some parting shots as well to him on his way out the door.
The
Hall of Famer said about Russell in the Lonzo Ball introductory press
conference saying of the addition of the No. 2 pick in June’s draft, and the
departure of Russell that he needed a, “leader.”
“I
needed somebody also that can make the other players better, and also that
players want to play with.”
As
he enters this next chapter of his career, Russell can be bitter about those
parting shots by the Hall of Famer, and one of the best lead guards to ever
play, or be humbled by those words, and use it as a career-changing moment that
will make him a great pro, that is efficient as a shooter, then the 40.8 percent
from the field, and 35.2 percent from three-point range he shot a season in the
league.
The
one area that will tell right away if the Nets have a star in the making if they
take care of the basketball, where last season they were outscored by 4.4
points per game off turnovers, the worst differential of the last five years,
according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann.
Lin
missing 46 games due to injury did not help matters, inexperience playmakers
like rookie Isaiah Whitehead took centerstage, and had the league’s biggest
increase in turnover rate in a campaign where that statistic league wide was at
an all-time low. Whitehead had the league’s highest turnover rate among guards
who played at least 1,000 minutes.
As
a team, the Nets led the NBA in live ball miscues, and the opposition took 55
percentage of their shots, the highest rate in the NBA in the first 12 seconds
of the 24-second shot clock.
The
Nets will use this season to see if are assets to keep, and build with or pawn
off to accumulate draft picks.
The
Brooklyn Nets enter the 2017-18 NBA campaign as a team trying to develop. To
develop a talented group of new additions of Crabbe Russell, and Allen, along
with the likes of swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who the team says will be
their starting power forward this season; guards Spencer Dinwiddie, Sean
Kilpatrick, Caris LeVert, and Isaiah Whitehead into a team that can play well together
from practice to game time, and eventually into one that can win enough games
to be in competition to make it back to the postseason.
What
the Nets have in their favor is a head coach in Atkinson, who has cut his teeth
in his coaching career in player development, which is the route the five-time
NBA champion San Antonio Spurs under head coach Gregg Popovich, and his former
boss Mike Budenholzer with the Hawks, who’s a former Spurs’ assistant used to
develop players. This task of developing the Nets’ young players will be
assistants, and player development coaches Jacque Vaughn, Chris Fleming, Bret
Biermaier, Adam Harrington, Jordan Ott, Mat Batiste, and Travon Bryant.
“I’m
tired of trying to put standards, and stuff like that on situations,” Russell
said to Greenberg about the Nets goals for the 2017-18 season. “I’m really just
looking forward to going out there, and playing, and competing every night.
Surprising people, or whatever we may do. But, really just taking care of our
business, and whatever happens, when it comes that time, it can either be ‘I
told you so, or we can our game speak.’”
Best
Case Scenario: Russell
develops into the Nets’ lead guard of the future. The likes of Crabbe,
Hollis-Jefferson, LeVert and Allen become core pieces going forward. The young
players respect, and adhere to the lessons of the veterans, and Coach Atkinson.
Worst
Case Scenario:
There is no improvement, and a lot of losing streaks dominate the Nets
season.
Grade: D-
Charlotte
Hornets:
36-46 (4th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 22-19 at home, 14-27
on the road.
-104.9
ppg-16th; opp. ppg: 104.7-13th; 43.6 rpg-16th
While
the Hornets’ lead guard became an All-Star for the first time in his career
last season, the rest of the team around him, especially two key wing players
that were paid the prior off-season struggled, and that resulted in the Hornets
missing the playoffs. The hope is the selection of a sharp shooter in June’s
draft, and the acquisition of a player that thrived under the Hornets now head
coach will earn them a return trip to the postseason.
Last
season, Kemba Walker (23.2 ppg-Led team, 5.5 apg, 39.9 3-pt.%), break out
season garnered him his first All-Star appearance of his career making the East
All-Star team. He said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg that he wanted to improve his
consistency this season, which is very important to him.
“I’m
the point guard, and I’m the team leader,” he said. “Guys look to me. Each, and
every day, not only on game days, but practice days, off days, whatever. I want
my team to know that I want to win, and I want them to follow.”
Swingman
Nicolas Batum (15.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.9 apg-Leads team), and Marvin Williams
(11.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) who earned big pay days the prior summer of a five-year,
and four-year deals, worth $120 and 54.5 million deals respectably, shot an
abysmal 40.3 percent from the field overall, and 33.3 percent from three-point
range. Williams, whose had his most productive season since 2008-09 shot just
42.2 percent from the field, and just 35.0 percent from three-point range.
Their struggles really highlighted the losses of guards Courtney Lee, and Jeremy
Lin in free agency.
The
Hornets especially felt those losses a season ago when they had a league-high
22 setbacks after leading in the fourth quarter, according to NBA.com’s John
Schuhmann, and one of two teams with a positive point differential, but a
losing record. The Hornets also were just 13-26 in games decided by seven points, or less.
The
hope is that their 12th lottery pick in the last 14 years, in the
No. 11 overall pick sharp shooting guard Malik Monk out of the University of
Kentucky is the answer to their shooting woes.
The
6-foot-3 Monk comes from a program that has been known for producing prospect
that at least being a solid player in the NBA, and the Hornets hope he can have
a better impact than that of another former Wildcat in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
(9.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 47.7 FG%), who beyond the intangibles that do not show up in
the box score, has been injury prone, and has an unrefined offensive repertoire
unexpected from a No. 2 overall pick, which he was back in 2012.
Monk
had an ability to attempt shots from anywhere on the court, with a 39.7
percentage from three-point range and the Hornets hope he can bring that same
explosiveness he had on offense for Wildcat head coach John Calipari, and give
the opposition something to think about.
The
Hornets will especially need that to start the season as Batum will be out 6-8
weeks due to a torn ligament in his left elbow, that fortunately won’t require
surgery.
It
also brings into question what to do with guard Jeremy Lamb (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg,
46.0 FG%)? Since signing his four-year, $21 million deal back in Nov. 2015,
Lamb has not yet solidified himself as an important cornerstone of the team,
but if he can ever play consistently, he, Monk, Batum, Walker, and second-year
stretch forward/center Frank Kaminsky (11.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg), who hopefully raises
the percentages of 39.9 from the floor, and 32.8 from three-point range that he
shot in his second season last year, the Hornets will be back to the offensive
team that they were two years ago.
The
day before the draft in June, the Hornets acquired eight-time All-Star center
Dwight Howard (13.3 ppg, 12.7 rpg-5th NBA, 66.3 FG%-4th
NBA), from the Hawks, in exchange for center Miles Plumlee, guard Marco
Bellinelli, and the No. 41 pick in June’s draft.
“I
think he can contribute in all three areas,” Hornets head coach Clifford, whose
has a record of 160-168 said about what Howard can contribute to the team.
“He’s a terrific defender. Rim protector. Shot blocker, defensive rebounder.
He’s very bright offensively. I think he does a lot of things that help other
people play well at that end of the floor.”
That
coming from Coach Clifford, who spent parts of six seasons as an assistant
coach with the former Defensive Player of the Year with the Orlando Magic, and
a cup of coffee with the Lakers, lasted just one season playing in his hometown
with two years left on a three-year, $70.5 million deal has made more headlines
for what he wanted to do, instead of what he needs to do in his recent stints
with the Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Hawks. His relationship with the Hawks
really was turned on its head after he made a fuss about sitting on the
sideline in the fourth quarters with head coach Mike Budenholzer in their six-game
playoff loss to the Wizards.
In
a time where big men being the No. 1 option at the offensive end has passed, Howard
is still a great rebounder, can still be an intimidator at the basket, and is
one of the best divers to the hold off the pick-and-roll.
The
reason Howard is on the spot with his new team that the owner in the great
Michael Jordan, and head coach Steve Clifford, who was an assistant on then
head coach Stan Van Gundy’s staff have put their faith, and trust in him to get
back to be that dominant rim protector, finisher at the basket, and relentless
rebounder that made him an All-Star during time with the Magic.
Walker
particularly could care less about what happened to Howard in the past, and he
is over the moon to have him as a teammate, and that he will make sure he gets
the basketball.
“Everybody’s
talking about Dwight, and I’m not really hearing too many good things about
him, but getting a chance to be around him thus far, he’s a great dude,” Walker
said about his interaction with Howard so far. “He works extremely hard, and
I’m looking forward to having a great year with him, and he’s going to help
this team so much, and I’m excited.”
It
will also give them some serious depth in the pivot, and allow last season’s
starting center Cody Zeller (10.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 57.1 FG%) in certain situations
to play on the floor together with him at power forward.
Last season, Zeller when he played, the Hornets were 33-29 when he played, and just 3-17 when he was out with injury.
The
other deal of significance by the Hornets over the summer was signing a new
understudy to Walker in guard Michael Carter-Williams, who since winning Rookie
of the Year in 2013 with the Philadelphia 76ers, MCW’s career, has fizzled out
in his last two stops with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Chicago Bulls, thanks to
his in ability to shoot from the perimeter ball has held him back.
The
Charlotte Hornets enter the 2017-18 season with a chip on their shoulder. This
team was just one win away from the Semis two years ago. The losses of Al
Jefferson, Lin, and Lee really had an impact that the Hornets did not overcome.
They hope the additions of Howard, Monk, Carter-Williams alongside Walker,
Batum, and Williams can return the Hornets to the postseason. Other than the
defending three-time East champion Cavs; last season’s No. 1 Seeded Celtics;
the Toronto Raptors, and division rival Washington Wizards, the other four
playoff spots are up for grabs.
“I
think we have some great players, and I think we belong in the playoffs,”
Walker said to Greenberg about the roster, and their chances of making it back
to the postseason. “Last year was a little bit disappointing, not getting in
the playoffs, and being at home watching the playoffs. It kind of drives me,
and my teammates as well. So, we just want to everything we can in our power to
get back.”
Best Case Scenario: The Hornets make it back to the
playoffs in the bottom of the East. Walker is an All-Star again. The new
additions have a serious impact.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Hornets miss the playoffs for a second straight season, and they entertain
moving Howard.
Grade: C
Chicago
Bulls: 41-41
(4th Central Division; No. 8 Seed East) 25-16 at home, 16-25 on the
road. Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-2 in East Quarterfinals.
-102.9
ppg-23rd; opp. ppg: 102.4-6th; 46.3 rpg-3rd
The
Chicago Bulls all the optimism possible when they signed future Hall of Famer,
and three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, and All-Star lead guard, and champion
Rajon Rondo to join forces with All-Star Jimmy Butler in “Chi-town” one summer
ago. The chemistry was off right from the start, and even though they made the
playoffs, they lost the last four games of their opening round to the Celtics.
A major trade on draft night back in June, and the buyouts of Wade, and Rondo
signaled that the Bulls were in rebuild mode.
On
draft night, the Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with
the rights to the No. 16 overall pick in center Justin Patton out of the
University of Creighton, for guards Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the rights to
the No. 7 overall pick in forward Lauri Markkanen out of the University of
Arizona.
That
was followed by a headshaking move sending the rights to the No. 38 overall
pick in forward Jordan Bell out of Oregon to the Warriors for $3.5 million in
cash considerations.
Eight
days after the draft, they paid Rondo $3 million dollars, and waived him, and
before the start of training camp in late September, the Bulls bought out
Wade’s contract, and he signed with the Cavs, more on that later.
Another
big move the team made on Sept. 19 naming former Bulls’ head coach, and
longtime television analyst for NBC, TNT, and ESPN in Doug Collins Senior
Advisor to the team president John Paxson.
The
next person who might be on his way out at the February trading deadline is
veteran center Robin Lopez (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 49.3 FG%), whose ability to
defend, and rebound will be something that a lot of teams, will covet at the
trade deadline.
The
Bulls in there rebuild wanted to add quantity in rebuilding their roster. So,
they re-signed unproven center Cristian Felicio a new four-year, $32 million
deal; signed former New York Knick Justin Holiday to a two-year $9 million deal;
acquired off-injured swingman Quincy Pondexter from the New Orleans Pelicans;
and claimed off waivers guard David Nwaba, and center Diamond Stone.
The
one person with the potential to be the Bulls next supposed star is LaVine, who
along with Dunn come to their new team with something to prove. Unfortunately,
Dunn will be on the shelf 2-4 weeks due to a dislocated left index finger.
Dunn,
the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 draft was expected to supplant then starting
lead guard Ricky Rubio as the new floor general of the future. The former
Providence star was a disappointment, shooting an abysmal 37.7 percent shooting
from the field, and 28.8 percent from three-point range.
Unlike
most lottery picks, Dunn is a mature 23-year-old, who spent four years at
Providence, and can still have a productive career, starting this season.
LaVine,
who season ended after 47 games a torn ACL, rehabilitation has had no setbacks,
and is expected to be back on the floor by November.
“Feel
good every time I get done working out,” LaVine said about his rehab. “It’s
just a process going through it every time. Trying to get back. Trying to do
stuff. Trying to come back better than what you were before. Work on things
that you’re already good at, and then also, you have time now to work on things
that you weren’t as good at.
If
LaVine, can show he has regained that athleticism that won him two Slam Dunk
Contest at All-Star Weekend, and he continues to show marked improvement on his
jump shot, he can become a 20-plus per game scorer that Bulls fans will fall in
love with.
“He
can score with the best of them. That’s his job on the team is to put the ball
in the hoop, and I think he can do that at a high level,” Dunn said about
LaVine. “When a guy loves the game, it makes you want to work even harder. As a
person, he’s a good dude. He’s always smiling. He means well. That’s the kind
of guy everybody wants to be around.”
The
Bulls’ No. 1 pick in Markkanen is a seven-foot jump shooting big man who has
been projected as the “Next Dirk,” in reference to future Hall of Famer of the
Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki. He was solid in his only season at Arizona, and
while he averaged 14.0 points in the Las Vegas Summer League, and nine boards,
he shot just 29.3 percent from the field.
He
did make some serious strides playing for overseas in the FIBA Eurobasket
championship, he was remarkable with averages of 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds in
six games, on 53.3 percent shooting.
If
there is one thing that this off-season did for the Bulls is now it gives head
coach Fred Hoiberg, who GM Gar Foreman chose to succeed then head coach Tom
Thibodeau, now with the Timberwolves to run the pace-and-space offense he
wanted to install when he arrived in the “Windy City,” two years ago.
He
will have this season, and the next two, on a five-year, $25 million deal he
signed, to see if he can mold this offensive style around new additions in
Dunn, LaVine, Holiday, and Markkanen, along with the likes of forward Paul
Zipser, second-year swingman Denzel Valentine, forward Bobby Portis, forward
Nikola Mirotic, and guards Jerian Grant, and Cameron Payne.
One
person who should be looking forward to all of this should be Mirotic, who put
in a lot of work this summer in reshaping his body, and reflecting on the fact
he did not generate any interest from other teams as a restricted free agent.
That
humble pie the 26-year-old from Montenegro, is what reportedly got him in the
weight room, where he added on 25 pounds of muscle so he can become a better
inside scorer on the post, and in the paint overall. While he did get a new two-year deal, worth $27 million, this experience will hopefully will make him
realize that being a great player with tremendous upside means that in order to become great takes work, and commitment. A player of his caliber should be able to shoot at the mark of 39 percent from three-point range he did two seasons
back, and not the 34 percent he shot a season ago.
The
best way to describe the 2017-18 Bulls is a team in a search; to identify six
players who can become the core of the team they can build around; a style of
play that will bring the best out of the team, and learning how to become a
professional in an unforgiving league.
The
players showed during a workout together for a workout at a local track out in
Chicago during the off-season is that they are willing to put in the work, to
build the kind of chemistry they will need to get through this upcoming season.
“In
order for us to be good, we have to push each other,” Dunn said. “Once we push
each other, and build that chemistry, and that comradery, I think we’ll have
the positivity. The mentality to compete with other teams, and all the other
great players.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Bulls find a way to be competitive every night they take the floor. LaVine
does comeback, and show signs he can be a major part of the Bulls future, along
with Dunn, and Markkanen.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Bulls losing takes a toll on their work habits, and willingness to get
better.
Grade: D-
Cleveland
Cavaliers:
51-31 (1st Central Division; No. 2 Seed East) 31-10 at home, 20-21
on the road. Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Indiana Pacers 4-0 in East
Quarterfinals. Defeated the No. 3 Seeded Toronto Raptors 4-0 in East
Semifinals. Defeated the No. 1 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-1 East Finals. Lost to
the No. 1 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-1 in NBA Finals.
-110.3
ppg-4th; opp. ppg: 107.2-20th; 43.8 rpg-12th
After
winning it all in 2016, the Warriors made quick work of the then defending NBA
champions defeating them in five games. Coming into this off-season, it was
quite clear that some changes had to be made, but no one expected what transpired
over the past two months.
Their
off-season began with Owner Dan Gilbert firing then GM David Griffin, and
eventually chose 34-year-old Koby Altman to take his place.
That
move, along with re-signing sharp-shooting guard Kyle Korver (10.7 ppg, 48.7
FG%, 48.5 3-Pt%-2nd NBA) to a new three-year, $22 million deal; 2011
MVP guard Derrick Rose (18.0 ppg, 47.1 FG%, 4.4 apg w/Knicks), to a one-year,
$2.1 million; veteran guard Jose Calderon, to a one-year $2.3 million deal;
forward Jeff Green (9.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg w/Magic), to a one-year, $2.1 million
deal, and forward Cedi Osman to a three-year, $8.3 million deal put the Cavs
not in the best position to win it all.
That
all changed at the end of August, when Altman pulled a major rabbit out of the
hat in acquiring two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas (28.9 ppg-3rd
NBA, 5.9 apg, 46.3 FG%, 37.9 3-Pt.%) w/Celtics), along with forward Jae Crowder
(13.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 46.3 FG%), center Ante Zicic, a protected 2018 First-Round,
and a 2020 Second-Round pick from the Celtics.
The
catch though, the Cavs sent All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to “Beantown,” meaning
that the organization traded the guy who hit the game-clinching three-pointer
in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals to win the city’s first title in 52 years.
Four-time
league MVP, and three-time Finals MVP LeBron James (26.4 ppg-8th
NBA, 8.6 rpg, 8.7 apg, 54.8 FG%) said at Media Day on Sept. 25 that he
experienced a ton of emotions when he heard that the guy he developed a serious
bond with in Irving wanted to be dealt.
“I
was wondering if something I could’ve did better to make him not want to be
traded,” James said on Media Day in late September. “Is it the way the season
finished? Was it me coming back in the first place? Was it the coaching
changes? Or the GM change?”
James
also said from the moment he came back to home to the Cavs in 2014, he did
everything in his power to make him Irving to the best player he could be. To
be a better vocal leader, better scorer, better floor general, better defender,
and better passer.
The
only thing that upset James was that Irving will take that blueprint James
showed him, and use it turn the Celtics into a champion.
“Other
than that, I wish the kid great health,” James said of Irving, who helped lead
the Cavs to The Finals the past three years.
The
trade did give the Cavs another three-point threat, and that much needed wing
defender in Crowder, which will take some pressure off James. They have a
dynamic scorer in Thomas, who will be shelved at least until January as he
rehabs a hip injury that he played throughout this past postseason with.
It
is that uncertainty is why the Cavs insisted on getting that unprotected 2018
pick from the C’s, which they got from the Nets as part of the Kevin
Garnett-Paul Pierce deal.
The
signing of Rose is now a major move by the Cavs, because they now have a
starting lead guard that can run the show until “I.T.” returns, and Rose said
he is eager to get back into the playoffs, having not been there the past
couple of seasons.
“I’m
back in a winning environment,” he said. “Every day, you have to bring it, and
that’s something I’m used to. These last two years, I haven’t been in the
playoffs. That’s cool, but just being in a winning environment, and just
bringing that intensity not only to the games, but to practice every day.”
While
he will start this season on the shelf, Thomas said to NBATV studio host, and
“NBA: Inside Stuff,” host Kristen Ledlow that he is excited about playing with
the best basketball player on planet Earth in James, and learning from him what
it takes to win a title.
“He’s
arguably the best player to ever play,” the former No. 60 and final pick in the
2010 draft said. “Anybody whosever been on his team, he’s made better, and he’s
made play at a level that they hadn’t played at their previous years, and I’m
excited for that opportunity. I’m excited to be able bring something to the
table that they haven’t had in previous years…I think I can help them reach a
level that they’ve reached before, and they can help me reach a level that I haven’t
been at, and the opportunity is just amazing.”
The
Cavs in the late stages of September added even more depth with the signing of
Dwyane Wade (18.3 ppg, 3.8 apg, 4.5 rpg), who was bought out of his contract
with the Bulls, and signed a one-year, $2.3 million deal.
“Cleveland
believes in my talents, and what I can bring to a championship contender both
as a player, and leader,” the 12-time All-Star, who cleared waivers on
Wednesday said. “I look forward to reuniting, and playing alongside my brother LeBron.
We’ve already won two championships together, and I hope we win a third.”
James,
who played with Wade, and perennial All-Star Chris Bosh from 2010 to 2014 with
the Miami Heat, making four straight Finals appearances, and winning two
straight titles, was overjoyed at being reunited with his good friend, and
knows his value he will bring to Northeast Ohio.
“I
think he brings another championship DNA. Championship pedigree,” James said.
“Brings another playmaker to the team, who can get guys involved. That can make
plays, and also, just has a great basketball mind.”
The
Cavs over the weekend traded veteran forward Richard Jefferson, guard Kay
Felder, two Second-Round picks, and cash considerations of $3 million to the
Atlanta Hawks for the draft rights to forward Dimitrios Agravanis, and guard
Sergey Gladyr.
The
trade created two trade exceptions, of $2.6, and $1.4 million respectably, that
the Cavs have one year to use them, and the removal of those salaries also will
save $12.8 million in luxury tax.
The
new additions, along with the remaining cast of All-Star forward Kevin Love
(19.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 37.3 3-Pt.%), guard J.R. Smith (8.6 ppg, 35.1 3-Pt.%),
forward/center Channing Frye (9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45.8 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%), guard
Iman Shumpert (7.5 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%), and Tristan Thompson (8.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg,
60.0 FG%) give the Cavaliers a much deeper, and versatile roster than they have
had since James returned three seasons back.
"We got a lot of new guys. A lot of new pieces. But, our main focus to is going to be defensively I think to start the season," Cavs' head coach Tyronn Lue, said to Ledlow. "I think we have a team now that's built for that. I think having a lot of players that are very versatile."
To
put this into clearer context, in 2008-09 the Cavs made a franchise record 656
three-pointers in that season. It has gone up in the three seasons James has
been back, with 826 triples in 2014-15. That number increased to 880 the next
season, and they became the third team in league history to make 1,000
three-pointers in a season with 1,067 connections from distance.
Of
those 1,067 makes from long range, 353 of them, out of 850 tries were from the
corners that is the most by any team in the 21-year history of the tally of
shot location data, according to NBA.com writer John Schuhmann. That is a
percentage of 41.5.
James
assisted on almost half of his team’s corner three-point makes a season ago,
and his 162 assists tally from long range were 31 more than any other player
has registered.
The
Cavs made 15 triples or more 27 times during the 2016-17 regular season; ranked
2nd in the league in three-point percentage at 38.4 percent a season
ago. Their bench was No. 2 in the league in three-point percentage at 39.5
percent.
A full commitment to the defensive end will certainly improve the Cavs chances, who last season had a 46-5 record when tied, or leading going into the fourth quarter, but were just 5-26 when they trailed after three quarters.
The
Akron, OH native understands that fate of the Cavs this season and their future
rest in the hands and a big part of his motivation during the off-season was
watching his 12-year-old and 10-year-old sons play AAU basketball, and their
teammates inspired him to get in the gym and work on his craft, which is a
scary thing for the East, and the rest of the NBA.
“We’re
trying to win a championship. I have time to give advice to other guys,” James
said of his, and the team’s only focus this season. “Either you with us, or
against us.”
If the Cavs make it to The Finals for a fourth year in a row, it will be the eighth straight appearance for James, which would tie him with Celtic Legends K.C. Jones, and Frank Ramsey. The only two players, according to the Elias Sports Bureau with more appearances than the first non-Celtic are current Celtics' color analyst Tom Heinsohn, and fellow legend Sam Jones with nine, and the legendary Bill Russell with 10.
The
best way to describe the Cleveland Cavaliers as we enter the 2017-18 NBA
campaign is versatile, deep, and motivated. They now can put a big lineup on
the hardwood, or a small lineup. They have a to be a team that can shoot from
distance, attack the basket, and they have playmakers galore to where they
should be able to be one of the top assists teams in the NBA, and no longer be
a team that relies on slow down isolations with James facing up on the
perimeter or posting up in the half court.
How
this season ends will determine a lot of what happens going forward in
Northeast Ohio. The Cavs win the championship; bring James back, and try to
entice Thomas, who is a free agent at the end of this season as well to stay
and try to win more titles. They could lose in The Finals to supposedly the
Warriors again, or perhaps not make it at all, and then it is up in the air if
James stays or goes, which makes that unprotected pick the Cavs got in the
Irving trade even more valuable.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Cavs are in the Top 2 in the East Standings, winning north of 55-plus games.
They defeat the Warriors in The Finals for their second title in four years.
Re-sign James, Thomas and try to win more titles.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Cavs lose in The Finals again to the Warriors. James leaves, and the Cavs
break the team down, and begin a new.
Grade: A+
Detroit
Pistons: 37-45
(5th Central Division; missed the playoffs) 24-17 at home, 13-28 on
the road.
-101.3
ppg-26th; opp. ppg: 102.5-7th; 45.7 rpg-4th Two
years ago, the Detroit Pistons put their salary cap chips on the table to
re-sign center Andre Drummond, and starting lead guard Reggie Jackson. Both had
off seasons a year ago; the Pistons missed the playoffs for the seventh time in
the last eight seasons; could not make an offer to their starting shooting
guard, who was a restricted free agent; said goodbye to their starting power
forward, and a backup center. As they enter a new era moving back to downtown
Detroit, MI, the Pistons behind their two highest paid players; a sharp
shooting rookie; and the acquisition one of the best defensive guards in the
NBA hope to return to the playoff mix this spring.
Last
season, Jackson (14.5 ppg, 5.2 apg, 36.6 3-Pt.%), missed the first 21 games of
the season having platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat tendinosis and
to nurse an Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) in his right thumb. The Pistons
were 11-10 without him, and he never got his game on track, shooting just 42.0
percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three-point range.
It
got to the point where the team wanted his understudy Ish Smith (9.4 ppg, 5.2
apg), to be the starting lead guard because he brought a cohesion, and better
offensive flow when he was the starting floor general.
Center
Andre Drummond (13.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg-2nd, NBA, 1.5 spg-Leads team,
53.0 FG%), who signed a new five-year $120 million deal as a restricted free
agent the prior summer had a solid season by numbers, ranking No. 9 in 49
double-doubles, but the impact not had the kind of impact on the game like he
did the season prior, when he averaged 16.2 points, and an NBA-leading 14.8
boards and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
His
struggles from the charity stripe have been well documented, hitting just 38.1
percent for his career, but his attempts went from 7.2 free throws two seasons
back, to just 4.4 a season ago. The Pistons as a team went from 24.3 tries at
the foul line in 2015-16, to just 19.3 last season.
Their
salaries of Jackson, and Drummond are a big reason they could not re-sign
starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and backup center Aron
Baynes, who signed with the Lakers, and Celtics respectably in free agency.
When
Jackson, and Drummond were on the floor together, according NBA.com’s John
Schuhmann, the Pistons were a -170, and their net rating was -8.3 points per
100 possessions in their 1,135 minutes. When they both were on the sidelines
for 1,260 minutes, the Pistons were +8.1 points per 100 possessions, a mark
better than every other team other than the Warriors.
That
is not good for the Pistons, who have most of their salary committed to going
forward, that they cannot get things when they share the floor.
Jackson
was one of seven players in the league last season, that shot less than 50
percent on at least 150 field goal attempts in the restricted area.
Since
taking on being both Head Coach, and President of Basketball Operations back in
2014 has made a variety of moves, only to fall short of finding that star to
get the Pistons back among the NBA elite. They have had a bunch of pretty good
players, but none have emerged to lift the team that calls the “Motor City”
home to elite status.
“Our
players expected to just sort of go from 44 wins, and move on from there, and
as much as we talked about, ‘You got to start over from ground zero,’ I’m not
sure mentally we ever did that,” Van Gundy said about his team’s focus a season
ago. “We just weren’t ready for how hard it was going to be. I don’t think we
were quite as hungry as we were in the 15-16 season. Our approach was never
fully right.”
His
latest addition was guard Avery Bradley (16.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 46.3
FG%-career-high, 39.0 3-Pt% w/Celtics) from the Celtics, who was acquired for
starting power forward Marcus Morris, and a 2019 Second-Round pick back in July
7.
Bradley
will bring a very consistent shooting stroke, and a great value as an on-ball
defender to the starting two-guard spot, where he has made the All-Defensive
team twice and it would be three had he not missed 27 games in 2016-17 because
of injury. Only Houston Rockets All-Star guard Chris Paul, with nine; New
Orleans Pelicans swingman Tony Allen with six, and the newest addition Minnesota
Timberwolves in Jimmy Butler with three have more All-Defensive team selections
among active guards than Bradley.
“I
think Avery’s first of all one of the elite perimeter defenders in the league,”
Van Gundy said. “The most important thing he brings is he does those things on
a nightly basis. He’s a very consistent guy. You get it day, after day.
Game-after-game. I think that will be contagious.”
The
fact that Bradley is in the last year of his contract is a good thing because
he will be at his best all season long, and bad in the fact that he could be
one-and-done in Detroit because he will want to get paid.
“I
feel like I’m a guy that you can rely on, on the defensive end, and a guy that
understands his game on the offensive end,” Bradley said about being a defender
first, and an offensive player second. “I definitely feel like I understand my
identity, and what I bring to each team, and I feel like I’m going to help us
on both ends of the floor, and this is going to be a special year for the Detroit
Pistons.”
The
Pistons with that in mind signed veteran guard Langston Galloway (7.9 ppg, 39.0
3-Pt.% w/Pelicans & Kings) to a three-year, $21 million deal, and drafted
guard Luke Kennard at No. 12 overall out of Duke University in June’s draft.
While
he did not enter the league with the same kind of hype that J.J. Redick did 11
years ago, Kennard over the course of his sophomore season developed into a 44
percent of his triples for the Blue Devils, which led him to be a First-Round
pick. He backed that up with solid play in Orlando Summer League, where he
averaged 17.2 points, shot 46.5 from the floor, and 47.8 percent from
three-point range. That marksmanship from long distance should earn him a lot
of minutes from Van Gundy, who has a history of not playing rookies a great
deal in his time with the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and with the Pistons.
“Growing
up, that was kind of one of my strengths,” Kennard said about his ability to
make shots from distance. “I think for me, just continuing to improve my shot,
it’ll translate to the NBA game, because three-point shooting is a key in the
NBA today. I look forward to transitioning that into the league.”
Kennard
also said that he loved watching fellow three-point marksman, and two-time NBA
champion Ray Allen, and back at Duke he watched a lot of Warriors All-Star
long-range sniper Klay Thompson. If he ever becomes as prolific as they have
been, or are from three-point range, Kennard will play for a long time the
Pistons.
He,
Bradley, and Galloway should help the Pistons become a better three-point
shooting team across the board in 2016-17, where they were ranked 27th
in makes at 7.7; 26th in attempts at 23.4; 28th in
percentage at 33.0; and 27th in percentage of shot that were
three-point attempts at 26.3. When the Pistons made 11, or more triples last
season, their record was 9-3.
The
addition of Bradley at the starting two-guard, and sliding in Tobias Harris
(16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 48.1 FG%, 34.7 3-Pt.%) into Morris former spot at power
forward will give the Pistons on paper at least one of the best starting
quintets in the NBA. The question for them will be like two years ago, do they
have enough off the bench to spell the starters so they do not wear down during
the season?
Galloway,
and Kennard, along with forward Jon Leuer (10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 48.0 FG%), the
previously mentioned Smith, the return of Anthony Tolliver (7.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg,
39.1 3-Pt.% w/Kings), for his second stint with the Pistons on a one-year, $2.3
million deal seem like solid understudies, but will the likes of forwards
Stanley Johnson, and the re-signed Reggie Bullock, on a two-year, $5 million
deal; centers Boban Marjanovic; forward Eric Moreland, who signed a three-year,
$5.4 million deal or second-year forward Henry Ellenson develop into a major
rotation player.
The
21-year-old Johnson fell into the doghouse with Coach Van Gundy because he came
into his second season out of shape, and when he did play, he showed on
consistency. He will have a chance to redeem himself in 2016-17. In his rookie
season, he showed that he has the boldness to be a solid wing defender, and he
will have to display that kind of focus against the likes of 2017 Finals MVP
Kevin Durant, 2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs, and 2012, and 2013
Finals MVP LeBron James.
The
Detroit Pistons come into the 2017-18 as a team seeking redemption. Moving into
their new home Little Caesars Arena, playing in downtown for the first time in
nearly four decades. They should draw well because of the honeymoon period that
accompanies the grand opening of a new arena.
That
said, the team enters the upcoming season with a roster where there is no flat
out All-Star, and a head coach/president in Van Gundy who in three seasons with
the Pistons has won 32, 44, and 37 games in his first three seasons.
In
the prior three-year regimes in team history dating back to the 1987-88 season,
the Pistons with Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas at the lead guard spot were 176-70,
winning titles in 1989, and 1990. The early stages of the Grant Hill era, the
Pistons went 137-109, but no appearances in the Semifinals from 1995-98. Under
the guidance of then lead guard, now ESPN basketball analyst Chauncey Billups,
the Pistons went 172-74, making it to the Conference Finals in 2003, 2004,
2005, and 2006, winning the third title in franchise history in 2004 beating
the Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant led Lakers in The Finals 4-1. The Pistons
under Van Gundy have gone just 113-133, with just one playoff appearance, where
the Cavs swept them 4-0.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Pistons win north of 40 games, and inch into the playoffs. Drummond, and
Jackson have bounce back seasons. The create a home court advantage at the
Little Caesars Arena. The bench is productive.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pistons miss the playoffs for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.
Grade: C-
Indiana
Pacers:
42-40 (3rd Central Division; No. 7 Seed in East) 29-12 at home, 13-28
on the road. Lost to the No. 2 Seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in East
Quarterfinals.
-105.1
ppg-15th; opp. ppg: 105.3-14tht; 42.0 rpg-26th
From
the second half of this past season, the major question for the Pacers was,
will they going to trade Paul George before he becomes an unrestricted free
agent in 2018? With little chance of competing for a title as presently
constructed, the Pacers made that tough choice with their face of the franchise
the last five seasons makes when they are backed into a corner by their face of
the franchise.
On
July 6, the Pacers traded the four-time All-Star to the Oklahoma City Thunder,
for former Indiana Hoosier guard Victor Oladipo (15.9 ppg, 44.2 FG%-career-high,
36.1 3-Pt.%-career-high w/Thunder), and forward Domantas Sabonis (5.9 ppg, 3.6
rpg, w/Thunder).
“It
feels good to be back home,” Oladipo said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg. “I went
here obviously for college, and to come back here, and see familiar faces. And
to come back here, and see familiar places is a great experience, and it’s a
great feeling to, and I’m looking to forward to representing this state well.”
The
other collateral damage of the deal was then team president Larry Bird
resigning from his position, and being replaced by Kevin Pritchard, who called
George’s trade request a “gut punch.”
There
was no guarantee however, that George, who flirted the idea he was going to
sign with the Lakers next summer, and those chances were even more bleak when
he did not make the First, Second, or Third All-NBA teams.
When
the Pacers traded George, they decided to let lead guard Jeff Teague walk in
free agency; bought out the contract of shooting guard Monta Ellis, the same
day they traded George; and traded sharp shooting swingman C.J. Miles to the
Raptors, for backup guard Cory Joseph (9.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 45.2 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%
w/Raptors).
The
spotlight now is one the very skilled third-year center Myles Turner (14.5 ppg,
7.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg-3rd NBA, 51.1 FG%, 34.8 3-Pt.%), the potential new
face of the franchise.
“He
has seen the things that it takes to be a good player in this league, and all
of a sudden, this has become a big part of his team,” McMillan said about the
2015-16 All-Rookie Team selection to NBATV’s Rick Kamla. “He has taken on that
leadership role. He wants to take that next step as far as leading the Indiana
Pacers in the future.”
Alongside
Turner, Oladipo, and Sabonis will be veterans Al Jefferson (8.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg,
49.9 FG%), Lance Stephenson (6.8 ppg, 3.3 apg, 45.0 FG%), who averaged 16.0
points, and 5.3 rebounds, on 50.9 percent from the floor against the Cavs in
the six-game setback, and Thaddeus Young (11.0 ppg, 6.21 rpg, 1.5 spg, 52.7
FG%, 38.1 3-Pt.%), who will be counted on to provide leadership, grit, and
toughness to help Coach McMillan steady the ship through some expected tough
waters in 2017-18.
In
Oladipo, who signed a four-year $84 million contract extension 11 months back,
the Pacers have a guy who will become a crowd favorite with his high-flying
athleticism, and his embraceable personality.
He
made great progress with his outside shot, going from 0.9 triples, and shot
32.7 percent from three-point range back in his rookie season of 2013-14, to a
career-high of 1.9 makes from distance, hitting a career-high 36.1 percent of
them. The next part of his evolution is to be even more efficient from the
outside; become a better defensive player, and bring a level of focus, purpose,
and determination to the court in practice, and in games. He said as much to
Greenberg.
“I
feel like my past couple of years, I was concerned about so much that kind of
consumed by talent. Concerned about what people may think about me. What others
are saying. Worrying about stuff that I can’t control. I’m just done,” Oladipo
said. “I’m just focused on going out there, and dominating, and doing whatever
it takes for my team to win.”
Sabonis,
the son of former Portland Trail Blazers’ center Arvydas Sabonis, was very
inconsistent in his first NBA season with the Thunder, largely in part of the
log jam in the front court positions of power forward, and center. He, like
Oladipo will have plenty of opportunities for playing time, and it will be up
to the Pacers’ coaching staff, led by head coach Nate McMillan to find out how
he, and Turner can forge some chemistry on the floor.
Along
with getting Joseph, the Pacers signed guard Darren Collison, to a two-year,
$20 million deal, for his second stint with the Pacers, giving the team two
excellent options for the starting point guard spot.
The
Pacers also signed sharp shooting forward Bogan Bogdanovic (13.7 ppg, 44.5 FG%,
36.7 3-Pt.% w/Nets & Wizards) to a two-year, $21 million deal, and drafted
with the No. 18 pick in June’s draft stretch big man T.J. Leaf out of UCLA, and
guard Glenn Robinson III (6.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.7 FG%, 39.2 3-Pt.%), who will be
sidelined until mid-December following surgery to repair his injured left ankle.
The Pacers also drafted his collegiate teammate with the No. 47 pick, and
acquired the draft rights to the No. 52 overall pick guard Edmund Sumner out of
Xavier University from the New Orleans Pelicans for cash considerations.
The
new additions should provide the Pacers better efficiency from long distance as
according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Pacers in 2016-17 were the only team
I the NBA a season ago that ranked in the Top Five in three-point percentage,
ranking No. 4 at 37.6 percent, and in the Bottom Five in the percentage of
shots that were three-pointers, ranking No. 26 at 27.2.
The
Pacers were also one of only five teams that played at a slower pace, and took
a lower percentage of their shots from the restricted area, and three-point
range last season, than the prior season.
The
Indiana Pacers come into the 2017-18 season as an altered franchise. With the
loss of the best player they had since Reggie Miller in George, the hope is
that Turner, and Oladipo can elevate from being complimentary players, into the
Pacers’ best players. They hope that their front court talent like Sabonis, and
Leaf can develop as solid compliments to Turner in the front court.
“It
is a huge transition for us, but we’re excited about it,” McMillan said to
Kamla. “We feel that we have some young guys that are hungry, and have some
things to prove. We’re excited about this new roster. The young guys we have.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Pacers win 35-plus games, and are in the hunt for the No. 8, and final
playoff spot. Turner, and Oladipo become the Pacers’ 1-2 punch of the future.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pacers struggle to win games, and Turner, and Oladipo have some rough
moments in their maturation as leaders of the Pacers.
Grade: C-
Miami
Heat: 41-41
(3rd Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 23-18 at home, 18-23
on the road.
-103.2
ppg-21st; opp. ppg: 102.1-5th; 43.6 rpg-15th
After
an 11-30 start, the Miami Heat final finished last season 30-11 record,
becoming the first team in NBA history to finish at .500 after that 11-30
beginning. They just missed making the playoffs, because the No. 8 Seeded Bulls
won the head-to-head regular season series. When the attempt to sign Gordon
Hayward came up short, the Heat decided that to bring back the two players who
revived their careers in South Beach; selected perhaps the sleeper of this
June’s draft, and signed a key role player that was a major part of the Celtics
postseason run a season ago.
They
re-signed Dion Waiters (15.8 ppg-career-high, 4.3 apg, 39.5 3-Pt%), and James
Johnson (12.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 47.9 FG%, 34.0 3-Pt.%) who turned career
years into a combined $107 million in new contracts this off-season, and the
addition of former Celtic Kelly Olynyk, who became a casualty of the addition
of Hayward brought that total shelled out by the Heat to $152 million. Not bad
for three players that made a combined $10 million a season ago.
“Dion Waiters proved to us last season that we
have found one of the best two-way guards in the NBA, and we are happy today to
be able to sign Dion to a long-term contract,” Heat President Pat Riley said
back in July of Waiters, who declined a $3 million player option, and signed a
new four-year, $52 million deal.
“We
love his game, and his competitiveness. He is an attacker, and an excellent
three-point shooter, as well as a defender. He is a player that has no fear in
taking the last shot, regardless of the outcome. We believe that continuity has
shown to be one of the important things that we do by keeping a team together.
Having Dion back in the fold is a big factor in keeping that chemistry
together.
When
he was in the lineup, the Heat were won more than they lost. In 20 games
Waiters was out from Nov. 28, 2016 to Jan. 3 with a groin injury the Heat were
just 5-15.
When
Waiters returned to the lineup, he played some of the best basketball of his
four-year career, with averages of 16.6 points and 19.3 points per game in
January and February respectably.
He
really showed out on Jan. 21 when he tied a career-high with 33 points on 12
for 18 shooting, including 4 for 8 from distance as the Heat won versus the
Milwaukee Bucks 109-97. Waiters tied that his career-high of 33 points, going
13 for 20 from the floor, which included 6 for 8 from three-point range, with
the last being the game-winner as the Heat won versus the defending champion
Warriors 105-102.
Johnson
earned a reportedly new four-year $60 million deal thanks to leading the Heat
in scoring off the bench 27 times; in assists 43 times; in block shots 38
times; in rebounds a team-high 31 times; and in steals 28 times. He also posted
nine games of 20-plus points off the pine, which was the fourth most in team
history.
He,
and his teammate Tyler Johnson (13.7ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 37.2 3-Pt%) became
the only set of teammates in the league to record at least 600 points, grab 250
rebounds, and dish out 200 assists off the bench in 2016-17.
“James
Johnson epitomized everything that the Miami Heat is about,” Riley, said of
Johnson, who dropped 40 pounds the prior summer, and resulted in his breakout
season. “He came in, made a promise to us, and then fulfilled that promise by
becoming a world class athlete, thus leading to the best season he has had in
the NBA. Today, he is being rewarded for the fulfillment of that promise. We
will continue to push him to get him to an even higher level. His signing
today, for me personally, and the coaching staff is one of our happiest signings.
We are happy for James, and his family as we look for him to have an even
greater year next season.”
When
Olynyk’s (9.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.2 FG%, 35.4 3-Pt.%) spot on the Celtics’ roster
was sacrificed to make room to sign Hayward, the Heat pounced and signed him to
a reported signed a four-year deal, worth $50 million.
In
late July, they re-signed forward, and Florida native Udonis Haslem to a
one-year deal, meaning one of the most popular and respected players in Heat
history will finish his career where it began.
The
Heat traded the off-injured forward Josh McRoberts to the Mavericks for center
A.J. Hammonds, and a 2023 Second-Round pick.
One
area that Waiters, Johnson, and the Heat really used their hot streak at the
start of the new year was their ability to shot from three-point range, and
defending the long ball.
They
ranked second in the NBA in three-point percentage in wins at 41.0. The Heat
were fifth in opponent’s three-point percentage in the fourth quarter; No. 8 in
catch, and shoot three-point makes at 8.1, and No. 7 in three-pointers made in
victories at 11.4.
In
the Heat’s first 41 games, they were ranked No. 26 in three-point percentage,
according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann. They turned that around to reaching the
No. 2 mark in the league over the final 41 games of last season.
While
Waiters, and Johnson had break out seasons, so did starting center Hassan
Whiteside (17.0 ppg, 14.1 rpg-Led NBA, 2.1 bpg-4th NBA, 55.7 FG%-8th
NBA), who was in the same position as they were three years ago. He got his
chance with the Heat, got paid two summers ago, and has continued to make
himself into one of the best centers left in the NBA, and was in the running
for Defensive Player of the Year as season ago.
In
2016-17, Whiteside had a Heat franchise record of five games where he scored 20
points, and grabbed 20 rebounds. He also set the team record with seven 20
rebound games, and tallied 58 double-doubles, which was tied for fourth in NBA
a season ago.
The
biggest area that made him into a primetime center in the NBA last season was
his ability to get the ball in the low post, and score. Then on the defensive
end, continued his growth as a shot blocker, and intimidator in the paint. The
next step for him is to improve his ability to hit free throws, where he shot
just 63 percent a year ago.
In
the draft, the Heat might have found the forward to play alongside Whiteside in
selecting forward/center Bam Adebayo. The No. 14 overall pick out of Kentucky
had some a lot of solid moments over the summer.
In
the 2017 Orlando Summer League, Adebayo averaged 17.5 points, and 8.3 rebounds.
In the Las Vegas Summer League, he averaged 15.7 points, and 8.7 rebounds.
While
his offensive game needs some work, Adebayo brings a high motor, and a
willingness to learn that should give him a chance to be a major part rotation,
especially when the Heat decide to go small with him, and Olynyk on the court
together. They will bring an attitude, and a physicality to the second unit.
Two
players rejoining the Heat this season are third-year guard Josh Richardson
(10.2 ppg), and forward Justise Winslow (10.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.7 apg), who were
limited to just 53, and 18 games respectably because of injury. The hope is
both can return to form, especially Richardson, who they re-signed to a new
deal, reportedly is for four years at $42 million.
Along
with that, the Heat need their starting lead guard Goran Dragic (20.3 ppg-Led
team, 5.8 apg-Led team, 47.5 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%) to play at the level he did this
summer in leading Slovenia to a Gold Medal at the European Basketball
Championships.
“I
think the only way to give it proper perspective is it would be similar to the
lowest level of Division I program winning the NCAA Tournament,” is how
Spoelstra described to Greenberg what his starting point guard did in leading
Slovenia to the title over Serbia.
“Goran
put that national team jersey on, and he stepped up to a tremendous level. Put
the country on his back. They beat Serbia, which is fitting for a Hollywood
movie in The Final. He’s half Serbian, and to take home the MVP Trophy, I think
is tremendous. I think he’s ready for an All-Star year. Last year, he had an
All-Star season. Nobody noticed because of our record. But I think he can play
at an even higher level to earn that this year, and his teammates want that for
him this year.”
The
Miami Heat enter the 2017-18 season with perspective. While they finished last
season strong, their rough start put them behind the eight ball with poor play,
and injuries to key people.
The
two best things about the Miami Heat organization that has made them one of the
best over the last two-plus decades under former head coach, and now front
office man Pat Riley is the fact that they preach defense, and a culture of
improving players on and off the court. They also have an incredible leader in
Coach Spoelstra, who stands 14 wins of tying Riley for the most wins by a head
coach in Heat history that understands that this is a whole new season on the
horizon, and it will bring a different set of challenges that the Heat will
need to meet if they want to make the postseason in the spring.
“We
like the opportunity that we’ll have in front of us. There are still some very
good teams in the East,” Spoelstra said to Greenberg. “We probably would’ve
made the playoffs last year if we were able to beat some of those teams going
down the stretch. There’s been so much narrative of everybody going West.
There’s still some very good teams in the East, and we hope to be one of them.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Heat make the playoffs as a No. 7 or No. 8 Seed. Whiteside, and Dragic are
in consideration for the All-Star team. Winslow, Adebayo, and Richardson become
key cogs in the Heat rotation.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Heat miss the playoffs again.
Grade: B-
Milwaukee
Bucks:
42-40 (2nd Central Division; No. 6 Seed in East) 23-18 at home, 19-22
on the road. Lost to the No. 3 Seeded Toronto Raptors 4-2 in East
Quarterfinals.
-103.6
ppg-20th; opp. ppg: 103.8-9th; 40.4 rpg-29th
While
some teams made bold off-season moves via free agency, trades, or the draft,
others like the Milwaukee Bucks, who had their first winning season since
2009-10 stood pat, expecting improvement from within. They enter this season
with a budding superstar; last season’s rookie of the year; their backup center
in the last year of his contract; and hopefully a return of a forward who was
really coming on before another knee injury cut his season short again.
The
Bucks hired 34-year-old Jon Horst as their new GM, replacing John Hammond, who
moved on to the same position with the Orlando Magic. They re-signed veteran
swingman Tony Snell to a four-year, $44 million deal, and Jason Terry; drafting
forward D.J. Wilson at No. 17 overall out of Michigan, who fits in with the
team’s long athletic big man style; acquired the draft rights guard Sterling
Brown at No 46 out of Southern Methodist University, and traded the draft
rights to guard Sindarius Thornwell to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash
considerations.
The
Bucks continued progression from perennial playoff participant to actual
contender will rise, or fall with the remarkable, and eyepopping upside of
All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was named to the first of hopefully
many All-Star selections last February.
“The
Great Freak,” was is the only player in the NBA as season ago, to lead his team
in points (22.9), rebounds (8.8), assists (5.4), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.9-6th
NBA) per game, joining Hall of Famers Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, and future
Hall of Famers in Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James.
Along
with averaging career-highs in posts, field goal percentage (52.1), rebounds,
assists, steals, and blocks, the 22-year-old Greece native ranked in the Top 20
in total points, boards, assists, steals, and blocks. He had 33 double-doubles
in his first three seasons, and compiled 32 in 2016-17. Antetokounmpo had two
career 30-plus point performances entering last season, and produced 18 games
scoring 30 or more a season ago.
“I
want to be the MVP, of this team,” Antetokounmpo said of the challenge 2007
league MVP, and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant issued him for his fifth NBA
season. “I got to be the MVP of this team, before I be the MVP of this league.
I got to do whatever it takes for my team to win. Because without winning, you
can’t be MVP. Without doing whatever it takes for your team to be successful,
you can’t win that trophy.”
The
other reason that the Bucks stayed intact this off-season is because of their
second, and third best player Khris Middleton, and Jabari Parker, who will
basically be new additions because injuries had them on the shelf for most of
2016-17.
Middleton,
whose torn hamstring in Sept. 2016 shelved him for the first 51 games of last
season, showed flashes of the player that garnered him a huge contract
extension the summer before, averaged 14.7 points, and 3.4 assists on 43.3.
percent from three-point range in just 29 games played last season.
Only
Mike Dunleavy, Jr., and Dale Ellis shot higher percentages from three-point
range in team history at 41.6, and 41.3 percent respectably than the 40.8 percent
from distance Middleton has shot in his Bucks’ career.
The
hope is that a full off-season of training, and being a full-go for training
camp will get 25-year-old fully back to the guy that was the Bucks best player
two years prior to the emergence of Antetokounmpo. Without Middleton, the Bucks
were just 23-30, and 19-10 with him in the lineup.
The
Bucks hope the same for their other cornerstone in Parker, who was having a
break out season alongside Antetokounmpo, with a 20.1 scoring average, and 6.2
rebounds, hitting 49.0 percent of his shoot, and 36.5 percent of his
three-point attempts in 51 games, before going down with his second knee
surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered in the Bucks 106-88 loss versus the
Heat on Feb. 8. Ironically it was the same game where Middleton returned to the
lineup.
What
is in Parker’s favor is that he is just 22 years of age, but the team has a
financial decision to make on him, as he will be a restricted free agent the
following summer, where he will be eligible for a contract extension.
Kidd
said to Greenberg that Parker’s rehabilitation is going well, and he knows what
he needs to do to get back on the court, and that he will be even stronger
because of this.
Until
Parker’s expected return near the 2018 All-Star break, the Bucks will count
Middleton; second-year forward Thon Maker, who really came on at the end of
last season, and in the postseason against the Raptors; 2017 Kia Rookie of the
Year in Malcolm Brogdon, and his understudy Matthew Dellavedova.
“I
don’t think we we’re surprised,” Kidd said about how Brogdon, whose nickname is
“The President,” performed a season ago. “Just the way he carried himself on
the floor, and off the court. He’s very confident. He understands how to play
the game the right way, and I thought he fit our system perfectly on the
offensive end, and the defensive end. He’s not afraid. He wants to be good. He
works extremely hard on his craft, and he’s just starting his journey of
understanding what it takes to be one of the top point guards in this league.
The
wild cards for them is center Greg Monroe, who is in the final year of his
three-year, $50 million deal, and his understudy John Henson. Monroe, who was
been linked in most trade rumors kept soldiering on, giving the Bucks low-post
scoring, efficient rebounding, and an uncanny ability to find the open man off
the bench. His days might be numbered though, even if he performs well this
season, because the Bucks may want to use that money to go out, and get a
bonified player to be at the point guard spot, and the fact that they will have
to address Parker’s future with them.
Henson
for much of his five-year career with the Bucks has flashed moments of being a
difference maker on both ends with his ability to rebound, and shot blocking.
However, it has come in flashes, and not consistently. He will have to put it
all together eventually, especially if they decide to trade Monroe in season.
For
the Bucks, along with being a better rebounding team, finishing better at the
basket, their biggest evolution must be their perimeter shooting.
While
they were ranked 10th in three-point percentage at 37.0 percent, and
shot 38.5 percent on catch, and shoot threes, and were ranked No. 9 at 41.1
percent on right corner triples a season ago, the Bucks were just 24th
in the NBA in three-pointers attempted at 23.7, and just 22nd in
makes at 8.8.
While
Snell, Brogdon, Middleton, Mirza Teletovic Terry, Maker, Rashad Vaughn, and
Parker had their moments a season ago, the Bucks must become a more prolific
from long distance, where they keep the opposition honest, while at the same
time continue their effectiveness in the paint, where they were 27-15 last
season when they scored 50-plus points in the paint, and 15-25 when they scored
less than that, according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann.
While
Antetokounmpo, ranked No. 2 in the NBA in points in the paint, was one of the
worst perimeter shooters in “The Association,” shooting just 27 percent on his three-pointers
a season ago.
The
Bucks enter the 2017-18 season as a team with a sense of urgency. After
slipping to 33 wins the prior season, they made the 2017 postseason, and had a
great showing in the six-game loss in the opening round to the Raptors.
“When
we did make it to the playoffs that first year, we took away the vets, and we
wanted the younger guys to grow, and we took a step back, but it was a good
step back in the sense of putting guys in different situations.,” Kidd said to
Greenberg about the team’s growth back into a playoff team last season.
“To
go through that experience, and I thought that helped us last year when things
were going bad, we stayed together as a team, and we found a way to win some games.
I thought we played well in that Toronto series, to say we could’ve won it if a
shot went in here, or there. But, I thought we gave a great fight, and we
learned in that series what it takes to win.”
Best
Case Scenario: The
Bucks shoot for home court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Antetokounmpo is in the MVP conversation. The Bucks become a more efficient
offensive team. Parker returns to have an impact.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Bucks are fighting to make the postseason, and their offensive highs, and lows
continue.
Grade: B
New
York Knicks: 31-51
(3rd Atlantic Division; missed the playoffs) 19-22 at home, 12-29 on
the road.
-104.3
ppg-T-18th; opp. ppg: 108.0-23rd; 45.2 rpg-5th
The
worst thing for any sports franchise to be is dysfunctional, which is what the
New York Knicks have been the last three seasons under team president Phil
Jackson, whose could not waive that same magical wand in the front office that
made him the legendary head coach that won 11 titles with the Bulls and Lakers.
After their fourth straight season not making the playoffs, there was a
complete upheaval from the front office on down, where the franchise is now in
the hands of a player referred to as, “The Unicorn.”
The
Knicks and Jackson parted ways on June 28, but before he was relieved of his
duties by owner James Dolan, he and the team brass drafted with the No. 8
overall pick a teenage prospect out of France in guard Frank Ntilikina, who was
voted MVP of the FIBA Under-18 championship.
Jackson’s
three-year tenure, where the Knicks were an abysmal 90-171 concluded this summer was his constant disrespect to All-Star
forward Carmelo Anthony, and even the player he drafted two off-seasons back in
forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (18.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.0 bpg-Led team, 45.0
FG%, 35.7 3-Pt.%), who skipped out on his season-ending meeting with Jackson,
and went home to Latvia in the press.
At
Media Day though, the Knicks’ new star face said to NBATV’s Rebecca Haarlow that he gave thanks to the man who drafted him three summers ago.
“I’m
thankful for what Phil did to me, and he’s the one who drafted me, and gave me
the opportunity to play here in New York, which was a dream of mine,” the No. 4
overall pick said.
It
also did not help Jackson’s cause that he could not let go to the triangle
offense that he insisted that each coach the Knicks have had these past three
seasons run that offense or they would be shown the door.
On
top of that, some of the moves he made like adding former Bulls in center
Joakim Noah (5.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg-Led team, 49.0 FG%), and Derrick Rose were
complete busts. Noah, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal last summer will
be out of the lineup the first 12 games of this season as he will continue the
20-game suspension handed down by the league for using a banned substance.
After
Jackson was sent packing, long-time front office man Steve Mills became the
team’s new president, and they hired former front office executive with the
Sacramento Kings, and Orlando Magic Scott Perry was hired.
The
organization also hired as their Vice President of Player Development former
Oregon State University Men’s Basketball Coach (2008-14), and the
brother-in-law of the 44th President of the U.S. Barack Obama, Craig
Robinson, whose sister is the former First Lady Michelle Obama. Promoted scout
Gerald Madkins to Assistant GM; Former Orlando Magic Scout Harold Ellis as
Director of Player Personnel; Michael Arcieri, as Director of Basketball
Strategy, and former Knick Fred Cofield as scout.
Now,
head coach Jeff Hornacek can go into his second season can run the offensive,
and defensive system he wants to run.
The
last piece of business of the off-season for the Knicks was trading Anthony, and the weekend right before the
start of training camp, the Knicks finally traded the 10-time All-Star to the
Oklahoma City Thunder, for forward/center Enes Kanter (14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 54.5
FG% w/Thunder), forward Doug McDermott (9.0 ppg, 44.7 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.%), and a
2018 Second-Round pick, thanks to him waiving his no-trade clause, which was
perhaps the fatal mistake by Jackson, when Anthony signed his five-year $124
million deal back in summer of 2014.
While
Perry may be in charge now, he is entering a team that made a couple of
questionable moves in the final days of Jackson’s time as team president.
Besides
drafting Ntilikina, who is very young and raw, Mills gave a four-year $71
million deal to guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. (14.5 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 35.7 3-Pt.%
w/Hawks) to return to the franchise that drafted him four seasons back. What
made a lot of eyebrows be raised about this deal is that it was made before a
new GM was signed. The deal also includes a 15 percent.
"Bringing back Tim to his original NBA home is an exciting time for him, and this franchise," Mills said about the No. 24 overall pick out of the University of Michigan in 2013.
"As a versatile wing whose game continues to improve, he will fit right into the core players that make up a roster emphasizing athleticism, accountability, and unselfishness."
While
Hardaway, Jr. showed stellar improvement with the Hawks last season, his
trajectory going forward gives the suggestion he will be a solid role reserve
who can come off the bench at times, and be a solid scorer. His signing also
signals is that they are not happy with Courtney Lee, who the team signed for a
lot of money the prior off-season.
With
Anthony no longer in the picture for the Knicks, this is Porzingis’s show, and
in the hot seat with him is Kanter, McDermott, Willy Hernangomez (8.2 ppg, 7.0
rpg, 52.9 FG%), Ron Baker Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ntilikina, Lance Thomas, and
Kyle O’Quinn (6.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 52.1 FG%).
The
Knicks also brought in some veterans to show the young players the way in new
additions Michael Beasley (9.4 ppg, 53.2 FG%, 41.9 3-Pt.%), Ramon Sessions, and
Jarrett Jack.
The
2017-18 Knicks can be described as one that will be different. Porzingis is now
the face of the franchise moving forward. The team hopes that some of the young
players emerge as building blocks for the future; that the drama that has been
around the past few seasons is gone, and that they only make headlines for what
takes place on the hardwood.
“I
believe I’m ready,” the 22-year-old Porzingis, who played overseas during the
summer said to Haarlow. “I worked really hard this summer. I’m excited about the
season, but as I said before. It’s not one guy on the team. There’s going to be
15 guys on the team, and everybody’s going to contribute, and help the team
win. I’m going to enjoy the role of being the No. 1 option, and try to be the
leader of the team.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Knicks are competitive night in, and night out. Porzingis establishes
himself as an elite up-and-coming player. They find their lead guard of the
future.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Knicks have many nights where they get blown out, and Porzingis does not
improve his game.
Grade: F
Orlando
Magic: 29-53
(5th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 16-25 at home, 13-28
on the road.
-101.1
ppg-27th; opp. ppg: 107.6-22nd; 43.2 rpg-20th
Not
to sound like a broken record, the Orlando Magic are still in recovery mode
from the nightmarish departure of All-Star center Dwight Howard. Four head
coaches, including their current one Frank Vogel, and an uncertainty if that
franchise torch carrier is even on the roster. With a new front office in place;
the selection of a raw, but skilled big man; and the recommitment to develop
the young talent, gives a sense of hope for the team that calls Disneyworld home.
The
Magic ousted GM Rob Hennigan, and assistant GM Scott Perry, who is now with the
Knicks, and replaced them with John Hammond, who the organization hopes can
bring that Midas touch from the Midwest that helped him build an intriguing up,
and coming playoff roster in Milwaukee around budding superstar Giannis
Antetokounmpo, and head coach Jason Kidd.
Taking
over as President of Basketball Operations is Jeff Weltman, who was the
right-hand man with the Raptors, and their GM Masai Ujiri. They turned the
Raptors into the top dogs in the Atlantic Division, winning for four straight
seasons, until the Celtics overtook them a season ago.
The
team also brought back one of its own, hiring recent Hall of Famer Tracy
McGrady, who played four of his 15 seasons in the league with the Magic as
special assistant to CEO Alex Martins.
Their
biggest will be to remake the roster as much as possible, with a small amount
of assets available to them. That is front office speak that this will be a
long three to four-year slog of more lottery picks, and plenty of player
movement at the midseason trade deadline, and over the next couple of
off-seasons.
The
first big move draft wise for the new regime was the selection of forward/center
Jonathan Isaac, who went from a known, to the No. 6 overall pick in a very deep
draft in June draft out of nearby Florida State.
While
he has very raw, the former Florida State forward brings a versatility to play
multiple positions on the front line, which will give him a chance to be a
menace in the paint on both ends with his freakish length. There is even a
belief amongst the Magic front office that the 19-year-old is still growing,
and could reach seven feet in time.
Isaac
really showed well during Summer League, but the fact that he needs to add
muscle to his skinny frame, and the fact that the Magic front court is very crowded,
he’ll will not be thrown into the fire right away, and how much he is feed,
must be handled properly so when he is counted on to be a cornerstone, he will
take that opportunity and run with it.
The
Magic also used June’s draft to gain assets for the future in acquiring a
conditional 2019 Second-Round pick in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for
the rights to the No. 35 pick in forward Ivan Rabb out of University of
California. They received a conditional 2020 First-Round pick, and a 2020
Second-Round pick from the 76ers for the rights to the No. 25 overall pick in
center Anzejs Pasecniks out of Spain.
That
previously mentioned loaded front court consists center Bismack Biyombo (6.0
ppg, 7.0 rpg, 52.8 FG%), who came to the Magic on a four-year, $72 million
deal, who showed last season that he’s still a defensive guy with no offensive
game to speak of.
Biyombo’s
inconsistency, as well as then forward/center Serge Ibaka at the defensive end
was a tough pill to swallow for Coach Vogel, whose when he was with the Pacers
from 2010-2016 never finished outside the top 10 in defensive ranking. On top
of that, they lost a league-high eight games a season ago by 30 points or more.
Fourth-year
forward Aaron Gordon (12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 45.3 FG%), who was drafted No. 4
overall in the 2014 draft came with a lot of talent. While he made some strides
late last season, with averages of 16.7 points, and 6.2 rebounds on 50.0
percent from the field in March, and April combined, the former Arizona Wildcat
has not taken that massive step to becoming a core player on this team.
In
a contract season, where an extension may not come before the Oct. 16 deadline
is where the answer will come if Gordon is a major piece of the team going
forward, or just a piece.
“He’s
got to just continue to grow,” Vogel said to Greenberg about Gordon, can
improve. “He’s got great defensive versatility. He’s worked diligently on his
three-point shooting, to add that as a piece of his offensive attack, and the
shot selection that goes along with that. He has a chance to be a dynamic
player, and we need him to make that step.”
When
he came to the Magic a few years ago in the Howard deal, center Nikola Vucevic developed
into a double-double machine that the Magic planned to build around. Over the
past two seasons, especially in Vogel’s first season, he really struggled, and
has been involved trade rumors.
Vogel
said to Greenberg, that while there will be times that Vucevic, and Biyombo
will play on the floor together, it is not an ideal look for the new style they
are trying to implement.
“I
firmly believe that you need 48 minutes of solid center play, and both of those
guys are going to be major, major contributors for our team this year,” Vogel
said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg.
Two
other lottery picks that have been inconsistent have been starting lead guard
Elfrid Payton (12.7 ppg, 6.5 apg, 47.1 FG%), and supposed sharp shooting guard
Mario Hezonja, who was drafted No. 5 overall in 2015.
The
22-year-old Croatian Hezonja came in with a lot of hype, but has been nothing
but a disappointment in his first two seasons, and his development going
forward will tell a lot about if the new regime is working. If he can improve,
he and fellow sharp shooter Evan Fournier (17.2 ppg, 35.6 3-Pt.%), who shot
just 43.9 percent overall from the floor a season ago, can make life a lot
easier for the Magic with their ability to make perimeter shots, and make plays
for others.
Payton,
who like Gordon is in the final year of his rookie contract has had the worst
luck any young player can ever have to start his career, with consistent
turnover of the coaching staff, and indecision by the front office of what kind
of player they want him to be.
Last
season he showed major improvement with averages of 14.6 points, 8.4 assists,
and seven boards on 50.8 percent from the field after the All-Star break, with
five triple-doubles mixed in. The biggest thing that Payton needs this season,
and going forward is for Vogel to give him the proverbial keys to the car, and
let him lead the Magic. It would also help if he can become a better
three-point shooter. While he did improve his percentage from distance from
26.8 before the All-Star break, to 31.8 after that, he needs to become the kind
of shooter that can keep the defense honest.
Even
with not a lot of salary cap flexibility, the Magic make some solid signings
the likes swingman Jonathon Simmons, who came at a very nice price of three
years, $18 million on July 14. He an athletic wing player, who improved a great
deal for the Spurs a season ago, and was very impressive during their playoff
run, particularly against the now defending champion Warriors when their star
player Kawhi Leonard was lost to an ankle injury.
“It
means a lot. Just hearing people talk about the Spurs. Just fans of the game,
it means a lot,” Simmons, who signed his multi-year contract on July 14 said to
NBATV’s Matt Winer about the respect players, and front office people have for
the Spurs, and their winning culture. “Definitely a high volume of value there,
and expectations probably from me that I have to live up to coming from there
going to Orlando.”
They
also added veteran guards Arron Afflalo, who signed a one-year $2.3 million
deal for his second stint with the Magic; Shelvin Mack, to a two-year, $12
million deal; and forward Marreese Speights, a Florida native to a one-year,
$2.1 million deal.
These
additions, to go along with guards Terrence Ross, and D.J. Augustin will
hopefully infuse the roster with perimeter shooting, depth in the frontcourt,
and backcourt, and some much-needed veteran wisdom for still a young locker
room.
“All
three of those guys are going to have great opportunities to help us win this
year,” Vogel said about his lead guard in Payton, and his understudies in Mack,
and Augustin. “I think the days of only playing one point guard are far behind
us. There’s a lot of situations within the game, or within the season where two
point guards are playing together on the floor at the same time in today’s
small ball era. All those are going to have opportunities to help us.”
The
Orlando Magic enter the 2017-18 season with a better direction. With new
leadership in the front office with Hammond, and Weltman, the hope is that the
Magic have the kind of captains that will continue to reshape this roster into
one that Vogel can work with. Until then, has to shape this current roster into
one that has a system that displays the best of their talents.
“I
really think we have to have a one-game at a time mind set,” Vogel said to
Greenberg. “We got to build something that our guys feel good about, and we
made some progress towards the second-half of the season last year. Those
changes are going to pay dividends this year. We planted the seeds for it last
year. We had some success with it, and I see it carrying over into this year.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Magic are competing for that No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East.
Gordon, and Payton have break out years. Isaac, and Hezonja emerge as key
contributors.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The losing gets the team to a point they tune out Vogel.
Grade: D-
Philadelphia
76ers:
28-54 (4th Atlantic Division; missed the playoffs) 17-24 at home, 11-30
on the road.
-102.4
ppg-25th; opp. ppg: 108.1-24th; 42.8 rpg-23rd
After
a rebuilding plan that many in the pro sports world considered extreme, the
Philadelphia 76ers are on the precipice of going from what they dubbed “The
Process,” to just seeing if they can make progress with young talented players
that are finally healthy, and ready to get the organization back to consistent
winning.
Before
the NBA Draft on June 22, the Sixers, and GM Brian Colangelo made his first
bold move of his tenure by swinging a deal garnering the No. 1 overall pick
from the Celtics, sending the No. 3 overall pick, and future First-Round pick
to “Beantown.”
They
selected guard Markelle Fultz out of University of Washington, and he will team
up with last year’s No. 1 overall pick in swingman Ben Simmons, who missed his
rookie season a year ago because of surgery to repair an acute Jones fracture
of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, that was sustained before training
camp.
The
Sixers were so cautious with the former LSU star, that he did not even play in
Summer League this off-season. He did say to NBATV’s Rick Kamla recently that
he feels great, and is ready for his inaugural season in the NBA.
“I
feel great. Ready to go. I’m excited to be on the floor and playing,” Simmons,
who had six points, seven boards, and nine assists in 22 mins in his preseason
debut said to Kamla.
So,
as we begin this new NBA campaign, the Sixers really do not know what they have
in Simmons, the 2016 NCAA Freshmen of the Year.
Fultz,
who can play either point guard, or shooting guards, brings a versatility, and
a upside, which he showed in the Utah Summer League putting up averages of 20.0
points on 46.9 percent from the floor.
Fultz
will share the ball handling responsibilities with Simmons, which will compensate
for his inconsistency of shooting from the perimeter.
“Wherever
you put me on the court, I’m able to play,” Simmons said to Kamla about being
this team’s floor general when called upon. “It’s not much of a change for me.
Just better competition.”
The
Sixers appear to be set at the center position with the No. 3 overall pick in
the 2014 draft Joel Embiid (20.2 ppg-Led team, 7.8 rpg-Led team, 2.5 bpg-Led
team, 46.6 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt.%).
Fultz,
Simmons, and Embiid will also have a talented group of role players to take
this journey with in second-year forward Dario Saric (12.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg,);
sharp shooting forward Robert Covington (12.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 spg); forward
Richaun Holmes (9.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 55.8 FG%); guards Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
(6.4 ppg), Justin Anderson (7.1 ppg), and T.J. McConnell (6.9 ppg, 6.6 apg,
46.1 FG%), and center Anzejs Pasecniks, the No. 25 overall pick out of Spain,
whose rights were acquired from the Magic for a conditional 2020 First-Round
Pick.
Good
health has been an issue for two of the Sixers “Big Three,” as Embiid, who
missed the first two seasons of his career because of injury, played in just 31
games in 2016-17, and was shelved in the final 37 games due to meniscus
surgery. The Sixers were just 11-26 without their starting center
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, when Embiid was on the floor a season ago, the
Sixers outscored their opponents by 3.2 points per 100 possessions, which would
have ranked No. 2 in the East over a full season.
Despite
being outscored by 467 points a season ago, but they were a +67 with Embiid on
the floor, then the -534 without him.
“He’s
a beast on the court, but off the court he’s so much fun to be around,” Simmons
said about Embiid. “He’s a great person, and he’s a hard worker. That’s
definitely one of the guys you want to have leading the team.”
The
organization, and head coach Brett Brown hopes that he can remain healthy this
season, and beyond, as they signed him to a five-year $148 million supermax
contract extension last week, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
One
Sixer whose future is right now in limbo is forward/center Jahlil Okafor. The
former No. 3 overall pick of the Sixers two years ago is no longer among the
Top four options for the team as this new season approaches.
He
plays the same position as Embiid, and the weaknesses he entered the NBA with
still linger in terms of his ability to defend, and that he is not athletic as
Embiid is. On top of that, the Sixers signed veteran forward/center Amir
Johnson, to a one-year $11 million deal to add depth to the front court.
The
Sixers tried to trade Okafor over the summer, but the team could not find any
takers, as the league is moving away from having a low-post presence as part of
their offensive attack.
The
other quandary for the Sixers coming into this season is that Fultz, Simmons,
and Embiid have had a taste of what it means to win. In Fultz’s lone season
with the Huskies, they had a losing record, and failed to make the NCAA Tournament.
Simmons lone season in Tigers’ country in 2015-16, they to failed to reach the
equivalent of the NCAA’s postseason. Embiid, even though he had a talented
teammate in now Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins, he did not lead
the storied Kansas Jayhawks program to a National title, but to be fair, he was
dealing with injuries.
That
was then however, and for the Sixers as a team, it is about the future, and
turning this squad of young talented players into a team that learns how to win
consistently.
“Our
goal is to win,” Simmons said to Kamla. “We set our individual goals to the
side, and put the team first. I believe that is how you win. As long as we do
that, I think we’ll be fine.”
That
is why along with the signing of Johnson, the team in free agency signed sharp
shooting veteran guard J.J. Redick (15.0 ppg, 44.5 FG%, 42.9 3-Pt.%), to a
one-year $23 million deal.
While
the Sixers ranked 10th in “The Association” in three-pointers made a
season ago, they were just 25th in percentage at 34 percent, and
have ranked 30th, 29th, and 24th the past
three seasons dating back to the 2013-14 campaign at 31.2, 32.0, and 33.9
respectably.
The
team supposedly thought they had their consistent sniper from distance in
former lottery pick Nik Staukas, who has been a bust since being acquired from
the Sacramento Kings last year.
Redick’s
addition will not only make the Sixers a better three-point shooting team, he
will be a shining example to the young players on the kind of work ethic, and
focus it takes to become a true pro.
What
will really help the Sixers become a better three-point shooting team is when
they decide whether Simmons will operate the offensive from the low post, where
he can draw double teams, and kick out to the open man, or been in the open
floor, where he can draw attention when he drives to the basket, and he can
find the open shooter?
After
years of hoping, and wishing for progress, the word to describe the
Philadelphia 76ers as the 2017-18 season nears is enthusiastic.
While
setting a high goal of making the playoffs may be too bold dream, as plenty of
young teams like the Sixers figure out, having that positive of an outlook
after what they have been through these past four seasons is a great thing.
“Our goal is the playoffs. Definitely, and
that’s everyone’s goal in the locker room from coaches, to the water boys, to
everybody with the Sixers” Simmons said to Kamla. “That’s our goal, and we’ll
try to get there.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Sixers make the playoffs as the No. 8 Seed in East. Simmons, and Embiid are
healthy. Fultz, and Simmons are in the hunt for Rookie of the Year.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Simmons, and Embiid have more injury issues, and the Sixers miss the playoffs
for the sixth year in a row.
Grade: A-
Toronto
Raptors:
51-31 (2nd Atlantic Division; No. 3 Seed East) 28-13 at home, 23-18
on the road. Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Milwaukee 4-2 in East Quarterfinals.
Lost to the No. 2 Seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in East Semifinals.
-106.9
ppg-10th; opp. ppg: 102.6-8th; 43.3 rpg-18th
Last
season, the Toronto Raptors on 51 games, marking the first time they had
back-to-back seasons of 50-plus wins in franchise history. Unfortunately, their
dream of competing for a championship was ended at the hands of the reigning
back-to-back-to-back East champion Cavaliers in six games in the Semis. After
going all in last season to beat the Cavs, the Raptors resigned their starting
lead guard, and their starting power forward in another attempt at to reach The
Finals.
At
first, the team that goes by the mantra “We the North” was reluctant to re-sign
starting All-Star lead guard Kyle Lowry (22.4-career-high, 7.0 apg-Led team,
4.8 rpg, 1.5 spg-Led team, 46.4 FG%) to a five-year, considering that it would
keep him there until age 36, which also scared off other teams.
To
reach a happy medium, Raptors’ Team President Masai Ujiri, and Lowry agreed to
a three-year, $100 million deal, to keep one of the best starting backcourts of
him, and All-Star DeMar DeRozan (27.3 ppg-5th NBA, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg,
46.7 FG%) intact, it gives Lowry, native of Philadelphia, PA a contract with a
great value of dollars while having another crack at free agency at age 34.
“Chemistry.
The comradery. Everything that plays a part of being a good team” DeRozan,
All-NBA Third-Team selection for 2016-17 said NBATV ‘s Sekou Smith earlier in
Training Camp. “That was something that was big for us to try keep intact, and
we did. Now it on us to try, and take advantage of that.”
The
Raptors also re-signed forward/center Serge Ibaka (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg,
48.0 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%), who they acquired at the February trade deadline from the
Magic to a three-year $65 million deal. Ibaka averaged 14.2 ppg, 6.8 boards in
23 games with the Raptors after the trade in the regular season, on 45.9
percent from the floor, and 39.8 from three-point range.
While
he has become a much better three-point shooter as his career has gone on, his
shot blocks have gone from a career-best of 3.7 in 2011-12, to 1.4, his lowest
since his rookie season. For the Raptors to have a fighting chance at winning
the East, they need the Ibaka from his time with the Thunder where he was a
relentless shot blocker, and rebounder.
Recently,
they also signed guard Norman Powell, who averaged 11.7 points, hitting 44.1
percent from three-point range in the 2017 playoffs (8.4 ppg, 44.9 FG%) to a
four-year, $42 million contract extension.
That
pretty much signaled the end of forward DeMarre Carroll, whose inability to
stay healthy; to provide secondary scoring, and perimeter defense made him
expendable. So, Carroll, along with the final two years left on his contract,
at $30 million were dealt to the Nets for center Justin Hamilton, who the
Raptors waived, and a 2018 lottery-protected First-Round, and Second-Round
pick.
In
June’s draft, the Raptors with the No. 23 overall pick chose forward OG Anunoby
out of Indiana University.
The
new contracts to Lowry, Ibaka and Powell put a burden on the Raptors salary cap,
and as a result, they said goodbye in free agency to the likes of Patrick
Patterson and P.J. Tucker, who they also acquired at the trade deadline.
Ujiri
had to get creative, and he did trading Lowry’s understudy, and Canadian native
Cory Joseph, to the Pacers, for sharp shooting forward C.J. Miles (10.7 ppg,
41.3 3-Pt.%), who also agreed to a new three-year, $25 million deal, which will
include a player option on the third year. He declined a $4.8 million with the
Pacers for the upcoming season in May, which signaled his days with the Pacers
were numbered.
Even
with all the Raptors have done in the off-season, for them to be a serious
contender for a title, they need the likes of second-year backup center Jakob Poeltl;
Lowry’s understudies in Delon Wright, and Fred VanFleet to develop into major
parts of the team’s rotation.
“We
definitely want to get my minutes down,” Lowry, who missed the final two games
of the Semis against the Cavs because of a sprained ankle sustained in Game 2.
“I have to learn to sit back, and relax a little bit. We got to trust our
backups to go out there, and do their job, because there’s no way for them to
get the experience without them being on the floor. There going mean a lot to
us, and were going to need them.
More
than anything, they need starting center Jonas Valanciunas (12.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg,
55.7 FG%) to finally step up, and be a valuable scoring option down low, a
consistent nine-plus per game rebounder, like he was a season ago, and a shot
blocking presence alongside Ibaka.
The
Raptors as a team need to adapt their style of play to one where ball movement,
player movement, and three-point shooting are a major part of their offensive
approach.
Last
season, the Raptors were dead last in assists per game at 18.5, and according
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, they assisted on just 47.0 percent of their field
goals a season ago, the lowest assist rate of any NBA team in the last 27
years. Only the 1978-79 San Diego Clippers at 41.4, and the 1989-90 New York
Knicks had a lower assist rate in the last 40 seasons than the 47.2 assist to
field goal rate of the 2016-17 Raptors.
While
the Raptors ranked 13th in three-point percentage at 36.3 percent,
they were 22nd in attempts from distance at 24.3, and tied for 21st
in makes at 8.8.
DeRozan,
who for his career has shot 44.6 percent from the floor, has made just 236
triples, on 28.1 percent in his career, and last season took the fewest
three-point attempts among the Top 30 scorers in the NBA at 1.7 per contest.
It’s
great that he wants to improve his three-point shot, but the three-time
All-Star had a career year because he stayed true to who he is. Taking
mid-range jumpers, where he took 160 more pull up two-point jumpers than any
other player in “The Association,” a season ago, according to Schuhmann.
DeRozan’s break out season was in large part in getting to the free throw line,
which he was fifth in attempts a season ago at 8.7, and made 84.2 percent of
those chances.
He
also led all NBA wing players in drives per game in 2016-17 at 10.5. That is
more than the 9.5 of LeBron James; the 9.4 of Minnesota Timberwolves newest
addition Jimmy Butler; the 8.7 of the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo; and the 7.1
of the T’Wolves Andrew Wiggins.
“I’ve
always prided myself on trying to always comeback better,” DeRozan said to Smith
about improving as a three-point shooter. “That’s the next part for me going
into my ninth year. Being able to do that, because at the end of the day, I’m
not getting no faster. I’m not jumping no higher. It’s other things that I want
to add to my game that I can rely on.”
The
three-point shooting to be left to Lowry, who according to Schuhmann was the
NBA’s highest volume shooter on pull-up threes, Miles, who made a career-high
41.3 percent as a Pacer in 2016-17, and Ibaka, on occasion.
If
he can improve as a passer out of double teams, and get his teammates open
looks, that will take him to an even higher level, and make the Raptors an even
better team.
Resetting
their expectations is the best way to describe the Toronto Raptors entering the
2017-18 NBA campaign. On the front end of their four straight postseason
appearances, they were knocked out in the opening round losing to the Nets, and
Wizards in four, and seven games respectably. They have gotten out of the
First-Round in the past two years, but were taken down by the Cavs in six games
in the Conference Finals in the 2017 playoffs, and were swept 4-0 by them in
the Semis.
It’s
easy to be content of winning 50-plus games and hoping to make a run in the
postseason. Competitors do not think like that, and neither do the Raptors.
They have high expectations, which is why they paid Lowry, Ibaka, and Powell
this off-season, and DeRozan the prior one. The rest of the supporting cast has
to seriously develop though if the Raptors want to have a chance to compete for
a championship.
“We
need a cultural reset here,” Ujiri said back on May 9. “Yeah, there’s been some
success, but at the end of the day, we’re trying to win a championship here. To
me making the playoffs is nothing…Now, we have to figure out how we can win in
the playoffs. That’s the goal.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The are a Top 4 team in the East. They reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but
fall to the Cavs again.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They fall in the Semifinals.
Grade: B+
Washington
Wizards:
49-33 (1st Southeast Division; No. 4 Seed East) 30-11 at home, 19-22
on the road. Defeated the No. 5 Seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in East Quarterfinals.
Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-3 in East Semifinals.
-109.2
ppg-5th; opp. ppg: 107.4-21st; 42.9 rpg-22nd
After
a 6-12 start under new head coach Scott Brooks, the Washington Wizards had
their best season in nearly 40 years, and came within one game of being in the
Eastern Conference Finals. The hope is that by keeping the team intact,
especially re-signing their great starting small forward that they will make it
one step closer to competing for a championship.
The
shift began with All-Star guard John Wall (23.1 ppg-career-high, 10.7 apg-2nd
NBA, 2.0 spg-2nd NBA, 45.1 FG%) who had double knee surgery the
season prior, made himself into not just an elite guard, but into a top tier
player in “The Association” a season ago, and he was rewarded with a four-year,
$170 million player veteran exception extension that begins in 2019, and will
keep Wall in D.C. through at least 2022.
Along
with the growth of his game, his leadership, and command he had of the team
grew tenfold in 2016-17, and so did his relationship with his backcourt mate
Bradley Beal (23.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 48.2 FG%, 40.4 3-Pt.%).
“I’m
happy here, and I’m happy to see all you amazing people here still supporting
me for the next six years, and this is the team I want to be with the rest of
my career,” Wall said over the summer.
“So,
hopefully we can get that done, and I’m not going to stop until I get a jersey
retired here, and a banner here for a championship.”
After
getting a new five-year, $128 million contract last offseason, Beal’s game grew a season ago to where he became a
better ball handler, playmaker, and defender. It also helped he stayed healthy
for the first time in his career, playing a career-high 77 games in 2016-17.
“We
all know what our team goal is to play defense first. Get out in transition.
Space the floor, and knock down shots,” Wall said. “We’re our biggest critics.
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves individually than what the outside world
does. We want to be great. We want to be the best backcourt in the league. We
want to win a championship here in D.C.,” Beal said. “This is my sixth year.
This is his [Wall] eighth. We’ve been together a long time, and our legacy is
constantly getting better.”
What
impressed Coach Brooks in being around them in his first season was the fact
that Wall, and Beal work extremely hard at their craft, and take great pride in
it.
“You
have to be able to lead the group that you have, and I think they did a good
job last year, and I think they’re going to improve in that area,” Brooks said
to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg about the leadership growth of his starting
backcourt. “Brad is one of the best two-way guards in the league, and he really
showed that in the playoffs. He can guard, and he can score, and that’s a great
asset to have on your team. He also makes his teammates better.”
The
breakout season from restricted free agent Otto Porter, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg,
1.5 spg, 51.6 FG%, 43.4 3-Pt.%-5th NBA) earned the No. 3 overall
pick in the 2013 Draft a new four-year, $106 million deal, that the Nets’ first
offered, and the Wizards matched.
To
put Porter’s new deal into context, his $26.6 million salary this season will
make him the third highest paid small forward in the league, according to
Sportrac.com. Second to him is the newest Celtics’ small forward Gordon Hayward
at $32 million, and the highest is LeBron James at $33.3 million.
While
James, and the fourth highest paid small forward in 2017 Finals MVP Kevin
Durant have established themselves in the NBA, Porter Jr., game is still
growing and he has grown his game from year one to last season.
Think
of him as former Phoenix Suns’, Los Angeles Lakers’ small forward Cedric Ceballos,
who can defend, and has a jump shot, especially from three-point range.
“Otto
has developed into a vital part of our young core, which is why we made it
clear that our priority was to keep him here to maintain continuity, and build
on the success of this group heading into next season, and beyond,” Wizards’
President Ernie Grunfeld said in July.
“His
versatility, basketball I.Q., and three-point shooting combine to make him a
great fit for us on the floor, while his character, and work in the community
show why we’re so pleased to have him as a cornerstone of our franchise.”
Speaking
of making triples, the Wizards a season ago were No. 8 in “The Association” in
three-point accuracy a season ago at 37.2 percent. However, they were just 20th
in attempts at 24.8, and 16th in makes at 9.2.
Last
season, Beal led the team in three-pointers made at 223, and connected on 40.4
percent of his attempts. Porter made 148 triples a season ago. After those two
however, the next best marksman from distance was Wall with 89 connections,
followed by the 71 of Morris, and the 54 from Oubre, Jr. While Morris made 36.2
percent of his three-point attempts, Wall, and Oubre, Jr. made just 32.7, and
28.7 respectably.
One
way they can become a better three-point shooting team is getting in the open
court with Wall at the controls finding open shooters on the break. In the half
court, the team as has to make a commitment at moving the ball better.
Every
team wishes they had three players the caliber of Wall, Beal, and Porter, who
are still young, talented, and want to get better. Those players though cost a
lot of money to keep, and while they earned those shiny new deals over the last
two summers, that left very little room for the Grunfeld, and Owner Ted Leonsis
to work with.
That
resulted in them losing sharp shooting forward Bojan Bogdanovic, who the team
acquired at the trade deadline, and was a solid fit coming off the bench for
the Wizards in the second half of last season. The Wizards also did could not
bring back Wall’s understudy the second half of last season in Brandon
Jennings.
That
perimeter shooting, and scoring punch that Bogdanovic brought of the Wizards’
pine will now be the responsibility of guard Jodie Meeks (9.1 ppg, 40.9
3-Pt.%), who the team signed in free agency to a two-year $6.7 million deal,
and forward Mike Scott, to a one-year, $1.7 million deal. They also acquired
guard Tim Frazier (7.2 ppg, 5.2 apg) from the New Orleans Pelicans for their
2017 Second-Round pick, to be the understudy to Wall.
Wall,
Beal, Porter, starting center Marcin Gortat (10.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg-Led team, 57.9
FG%-5th NBA), and the other starting forward Markieff Morris (14.0
ppg, 6.5 rpg, 45.7 FG%, 36.2 3-Pt%) comprised one of the best starting quintets
in the NBA a season ago, compiling 1,347 minutes. That is 467 more minutes than
any other lineup in the league, according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann.
The
starters missed just 17 games total last season, and neither Wall, Beal,
Porter, Gortat, or Morris missed more than six. This was the ninth best of the
46 league wide lineups that played at least 200 minutes together.
That
really caught up to them at the close of the Semis against the Celtics in the
Semis a season ago and that is why they lost in seven games.
If
the Wizards plan competing with the likes of the Cavaliers, the Celtics, and
Raptors in the East, their starting five must get consistent complimentary play
from Meeks, Scott, Frazier, Jason Smith (5.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 52.9 FG%, 47.4
3-Pt.%), and center Ian Mahinmi (5.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 58.6 FG%). They also need
one of their young players like forward Kelly Oubre, Jr. (6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg),
guard Thomas Satoransky, or forward Chris McCullough to really develop and
become a part of Brooks’ rotation.
They
will be very important to start the 2017-18 campaign as Morris will be on the
shelf for six-to-eight weeks after undergoing successful surgery to repair a
sports hernia.
The
best word to describe the Washington Wizards as the 2017-18 NBA campaign begins
is confident. It has been a long time since you can say contender, and Wizards
in the same breath. That is the case now with the dynamic backcourt of Beal,
and Wall. A solid compliment in Porter, Jr., whose game is growing, and great
compliments in Gortat, and Morris, when he comes back. If their second unit can
find its way, consistent ball movement becomes a part of their offensive
philosophy, play better defense, and win on the road, they can make some noise
in the East.
Best
Case Scenario:
Wizards win the Southeast Division, and 50 games for the first time since
1978-79. They reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Wizards fall again in the Semis.
Grade: B-
Western
Conference
Dallas
Mavericks: 33-49
(5th Southwest Division; missed the playoffs) 21-20 at home, 12-29
on the road.
-97.9
ppg-30th; opp. ppg: 100.8-4th; 38.6 rpg-30th
Despite
making the postseason in four of the last six years, and in 15 of the last 17
under the direction of Owner Mark Cuban they have been on the brink of having
to make the decision of either go into full rebuild mode, or put together a
team good enough to make the playoffs and fall in the opening round. They have
begun to start the process of rebuilding, with a dynamic new lead guard, and a
future Hall of Famer who helped them become a winning organization for nearly
two decades.
With
their first lotter selection in the Cuban era, the Mavs selected freshmen lead
guard Dennis Smith, Jr. at No. 9 overall out of North Carolina State.
In
the few games that Cuban watched the fifth lead guard of this June’s draft,
Smith, Jr. dazzled at the Las Vegas Summer League, displaying the kind of
poise, command of a team, and production of 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2
assists on 45.7 from the floor by the 19-year-old Smith, Jr. in those six
summer league games that is rare for a rookie at the most important position on
a basketball team.
The
production of, should give head coach Rick Carlisle the green light to start
him right from the jump.
Unlike
a lot of rookies, who enter a situation with the cupboard barely full of real
pros, let alone talented players, Smith, Jr. is entering his first season with
great owner in the previously mentioned Cuban; a great head coach in Rick
Carlisle and a future Hall of Famer in Dirk Nowitzki, who was in the same shoes
as Smith, Jr. is entering.
Nowitzki
(14.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg-Led team, 37.8 3-Pt.%), who many argue is the greatest
Maverick to ever play who help turned the Mavericks from one of the worst teams
in the league in the 1990s, into a playoff perennial with 15 appearances in
Nowitzki’s first 19 seasons, which includes an NBA champions six seasons back
over the Heat. Along the way, he made himself into an MVP winner in 2006-07; a
13-time All-Star; 12-time All-NBA selection; and Finals MVP in 2011.
On
Mar. 7 versus the Lakers, he became just the sixth player in NBA history to
reach 30,000 points, and is 1,160 points shy of passing the late Wilt
Chamberlin to become the No. 5 on the all-time scoring list.
When
this season tips off in the middle of October, Nowitzki will tie future Hall of
Famer Kobe Bryant of the Lakers for most career seasons with one single team in
NBA history with 20.
“Honestly,
I’m fortunate. Blessed to represent the Mavericks for this long,” Nowitzki said
in an interview with NBATV’s Jaren Greenberg about his amazing career. “It’s
means I was lucky to stay injury for the most part, and I was fortunate with
people around me here. With the owner, whose been a great supporter, and fan
with Mark. It’s been a pleasure. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it…Here at end,
I’m trying to enjoy myself, and still try to help the guys win. Show them a
little bit of leadership. Space the floor for them, and hopefully we can have a
good year.”
Smith,
Jr. will also have a supporting cast that the Mavericks hope will be their
nucleus in the years to come in Harrison Barnes (19.2 ppg-Led team, 5.0 rpg,
46.8 FG%, 35.1 3-Pt.%), who went from being the No. 4 or No. 5 option in the
Warriors offensive attack, to the top offensive option in “Big-D” and showed
that he was more than excelled in that role a season ago.
Guard
Seth Curry (12.8 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 42.5 3-Pt.%-8th NBA) who had fought
tooth, and nail to prove he was more than just the brother of two-time MVP
Stephen Curry of the Warriors, proved that he can play this game from a
shooting and playmaking standpoint. Unfortunately, he will be out indefinitely
due to a stress reaction in the left tibia of his leg.
Undrafted
rookie guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (10.0 ppg, 3.7 apg, 38.6 3-Pt.%) in a small
sample size showed that he can score and play make for others. Just ask the
Portland Trail Blazers, who he lit up for He earned that opportunity by having
performances like the one he had on Feb. 3 with a career-high of 32 points,
hitting 11 for 17 from the field, including 9 for 11 from three-point range to
go along with five assists in helping the Mavericks to a 108-104 victory in a
late night national television tilt on ESPN.
Other
players that the Mavericks hope develop in a major way to be a part of their
future are second-year forwards Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell (6.7ppg, 4.0
rpg, 51.5 FG%), and forward/center Nerlens Noel (8.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 59.5 FG%
w/76ers & Mavericks), who the team acquired from the Sixers at the trade
deadline in February.
The
No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft showed flashes that he could be a great
player, but not enough to require GM Donnie Nelson to break the bank to re-sign
the restricted free agent, and he got very little attraction from anyone else.
Which is why on Aug. 28 he re-signed with the team on a one-year, $4.1 million
deal, and will become a free agent next summer.
Another
undrafted player on the roster that Smith can learn a great deal from about
making it in the NBA is sharp shooter and perimeter defensive ace Wesley
Matthews (13.5 ppg, 36.3 3-Pt.%), who showed he is regaining some of that
toughness and shooting stroke that he had before a serious Achilles injury he
had two seasons ago with the Portland Trail Blazers.
While
the rest of the supporting cast may be average at best, veterans like J.J.
Barea (10.9 ppg, 5.5 apg, 35.8 3-Pt.%), and Devin Harris (6.7 ppg,), forward
Josh McRoberts, who the team acquired from the Heat bring a professionalism and
focus to the floor that has made valuable with the Mavs.
For
that promise of making it back to the postseason to come to fruition, the
Mavericks must become a better offensive team than what they were a season ago.
While they were ranked in the middle of the pack in three-point percentage at
35.5 percent, they ranked 27th in assist per game at 20.8, and 29th
in field goal percentage at 44.0 percent.
In
a league that has emphasized the three-point more, the Mavericks have kept up
in that area, tied for fifth in three-pointers made at 10.7 last season, and
sixth in attempts at 30.2.
The
most efficient ways to score are at the rim or getting to the foul line. Last
season, according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Mavericks scored 467 fewer
points combined in the restricted area and at the free throw line than any
other team. Their 35.8 percentage on shot attempts in the painted area was the
lowest in the last 20 seasons, and they were dead last in free throw attempts
in the league at 18.5 a season ago.
The
lack of free throw attempts by Nowitzki, who has become more a jump shooter
late in his career, and Barnes, the Mavericks ranked 29th in free throw
rate a season ago. That inefficiency of shots and lack of free throws is why
the Mavericks had their worst offensive season in the 19 seasons Nowitzki has
been in “Big D.”
Coming
into this season, the Mavericks are a team of hope for the future. They hope
Smith, Jr., Powell, Barnes, Curry, and Noel become the foundation of that turns
the Mavericks into a playoff perennial that is solid both offensively and
defensively. The big plus for them is they will have veterans like Nowitzki,
Harris, Barea, and Matthews to lean on to show them the way.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Mavericks are competing for the No. 8 and final playoff spot. Smith, Jr. is
the Rookie of the Year. Nowitzki is healthy and has a strong end to his career.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The team struggles again, and Smith has more downs than ups in his rookie
season.
Grade: C+
Denver
Nuggets:
40-42 (4th Northwest Division; missed the playoffs) 22-19 at home,
18-23 on the road.
-111.7
ppg-3rd; opp. ppg: 111.2-27th; 46.4 rpg-2nd
The
2016-17 Denver Nuggets really showed that they were ready to get back into the
playoffs, thanks to the emergence of their Serbian big man, who was the head of
their great offensive attack. they hope that they can take that final step in
making the playoffs, after a four-year absence.
While
they failed to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season, the Denver
Nuggets were right in the thick of being in the postseason before losing out on
that No. 8 and final playoff spot to the Trail Blazers.
A
big reason for them being in the thick of the playoff scene in the tough West was
the stellar improvement from year one to year two of center Nikola Jokic (16.7
ppg, 9.8 rpg-Led team, 4.9 apg, 57.8 FG%), who went from 16 double-doubles the
year before, to 39 a season ago. He went from zero triple-doubles the season
prior, to six in 2016-17, all coming in the second half of the season, where he
averaged 17.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, on 57.5 percent from the
field. That includes the last 30 games of 2016-17, where Jokic averaged 18.7
points, 12.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 30.8 minutes, garnering five of his
six triple-doubles in that stretch.
Since
he became the team’s full-time starter at center on Dec. 15, 2016, they ranked
second in assists (27.0); third in points per game at 114.4, and fourth in
rebounds per contest at 45.1.
“It
speaks to his skill set. His unselfishness. His style of play,” Malone said to NBATV’s
Jared Greenberg on Media Day on Sept. 26 about the impact of Jokic’s
improvement. “Once I think we a lineup change Jared on Dec. 15, putting Nikola
in the lineup as a center. From that point on, we had the best offense in the
NBA, and Nikola was a big part of that. He’s unselfish. He can score, and he
makes everyone around him better, which I think is a true mark of a great
player.
In
an era where teams have made three-point shooting a major part of their
offensive attack, the Nuggets are no different, ranking fourth in catch, and
shoot three-point percentage at 39.4 percent a season ago; fifth in catch, and
shoot triples made at 8.3; and No. 10 in three-point percentage in their
victories at 40.3. Their 870 connections from distance in 2016-17 were No. 7 in
the NBA.
The
Nuggets, and head coach Michael Malone hope those numbers are even better this
upcoming season alongside the Nuggets prize addition in four-time All-Star
forward Paul Millsap (18.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 44.2 FG%), who signed a
three-year, $90 million deal in the off-season.
They added another veteran in forward Richard Jefferson, who was traded from the Cavs to the Hawks, and was waived.
A
team full of talented, but young players, the Nuggets signed an interchangeable
forward who has a solid enough perimeter game to play at small forward, and a
rugged enough game to post-up, and athletic enough to take his defender to the
bucket to play power forward.
To
put Millsap’s productive career in recent years into context, for the exception
of one season, he has never averaged less than 16.6 points per game, and seven
boards.
Along
with that, if you look up the definition of consistency, you will see a picture
of Millsap’s face. He brings a toughness, and leadership where everyone around
him from where he started with the Utah Jazz (12.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 51.6 FG%, 27.4
mpg) his first seven seasons in the NBA, to the last four with the Hawks (17.4
ppg, 8.3 rpg 46.3 FG, 33.2 mpg) he was someone his new Nuggets teammates will
respect, appreciate, and trust both on ends. He too has also improved his
ability to shoot from the three-point line, going from 27.4 percent with the
Jazz, to 33.5 percent with the Hawks.
Just
his presence alone will help a Nuggets team that a season had a league leading
31 different starting lineups a season ago, and missed the playoffs by just one
game.
“We
all know that they made the playoffs 10 years in a row. Now we’ve missed the
playoffs for four,” coach Malone said to Greenberg about the Nuggets playoff
drought.
“We
came very close. We came within a game of making it last season, and we hope to
take that momentum from last year into this season, and I think adding a guy
like Paul Millsap can help us get over the hump.”
The
addition of Millsap meant that the days of the very popular forward, and last
season’s leading scorer Danilo Gallinari were number, and he dealt to the Los
Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team deal, where he also signed a new
three-year, $65 million contract. The Nuggets received a 2019 Second-Round pick
from the Hawks, via the Washington Wizards.
While
Jokic, a.k.a. “The Joker” came into his own a season ago, the Nuggets need some
of their other young players to really grow if they want to make the playoffs
this upcoming season.
The
player specifically under the microscope is third year guard Emmanuel Mudiay,
who had a solid rookie season, where in 68 games averaged 12.6 points, and 5.5
assists in 30.4 minutes. A back injury shelved him in February, and limited him
to just 55 games, where his numbers dipped to just 12.0 points, and 4.8
assists, in 25.6 minutes.
Mudiay’s
inability to consistently make jumpers, as evidenced by his shooting averages
of 36.9 from the field, and 31.7 average from three-point range in 2016-17, is
why 34-year-old veteran guard Jameer Nelson started a great deal at lead guard
a season ago. It is also why you kept hearing the Nuggets linked to the
Cavaliers about acquiring All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. They had a solid mix of
quality veterans, and promising young players to put a potential package
together, but nothing materialized.
That
is why coming into training camp, Mudiay is competing with second-year guard
Jamal Murray (9.9 ppg) for the starting lead guard spot, with Nelson still in
toe. Murray though also has to improve his overall shooting, as he shot just
40.4 percent overall from the floor, and 33.4 percent from the three-point
line.
Mudiay
is also competing for playing time with improving third-year guard Gary Harris
(14.9 ppg, 50.2 FG%, 42.0 3-Pt.%), and Sixth Man of the Year candidate guard
Will Barton.
The
team tried this summer to give the former Michigan State guard a contract
extension, but nothing materialized, until October, when the team signed Harris
to a four-year, $84 million contract extension, a league source told ESPN’s
Adrian Wojnarowski.
In
June, the team traded their No. 1 pick to the Utah Jazz for ‘6’10” forward Trey
Lyles, and with the No. 24 overall pick in the draft, the Nuggets selected
forward Tyler Lydon out of Syracuse will add depth to the Nuggets front court,
which consists of veteran forwards Darrell Arthur, newest addition Josh
Childress, and Kenneth Faried; swingman Wilson Chandler; Sixth Man of the Year
candidate Will Barton(13.7 ppg, 37.0 3-Pt.%); center Mason Plumlee, who the
team acquired in February from the Trail Blazers for center Jusuf Nurkic, and
re-signed the restricted free agent to a new three-year, $41 million deal, and
second-year forward Juan Hernangomez, the brother of Knicks’ second-year center Willy.
One
way that coach Malone said to Greenberg about how he will know that the Nuggets
have made that jump to becoming a serious playoff contender is if they make the
commitment to playing defense each night they take the hardwood.
While
the Nuggets ranked No. 2 in rebound differential at +5.6 in 2016-17, they were
next to last, No. 29 in opponent’s field goal percentage at 47.7 percent; No.
28 in three-point percentage allowed at 37.5 percent; tied for 27th
in blocks shots per game at 3.9; No. 28 in steals, and tied for 29th
in forced turnovers at 11.5.
“That’s
only going to happen if every, and every player fully commits. Buys in, and
holds each other accountable,” Malone said to Greenberg about the Nuggets
chances of making the playoffs in 2017-18. “I’ll know if were a playoff team,
or a competitive team by how well we defend every single night.”
The
Denver Nuggets enter the 2017-18 season as an intriguing unit. They have a
potent offensive, led by A budding star in Jokic, and a cast of young players
that seemingly developing nicely. They added a veteran in Millsap who is
productive, and brings a leadership presence that will make the Nuggets’
players understand how to go about their business throughout this season. If
they plan to make the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference, they must
make playing defense a priority.
“My
main objective is to make sure we are improving,” Malone said to Greenberg.
“You’re even getting better or getting worse. You never stay the same. We went
from 33 wins, to 40 wins, and hopefully we can get up to the mid-40s this
year.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Nuggets defense improves. Jokic is in the running to be an All-Star. Mudiay
really improves, and the Nuggets make the playoffs as a No. 8 Seed.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Nuggets defense struggles again, and they miss the playoffs.
Grade: B
Golden
State Warriors:
67-15 (1st Pacific Division; No. 1 Seed West) 36-5 at home, 31-10 on
the road. Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 in West Quarterfinals.
Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-0 in West Semifinals. Defeated the San Antonio Spurs
4-0 in West Finals. Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in NBA Finals.
-115.9
ppg-1st; opp. ppg: 104.3-11th; 44.4 rpg-7th
After
the epic collapse in the 2016 Finals where they fell in seven games, the Golden
State Warriors in the off-season snag the prize of that free agency in 2014
MVP, and perennial All-Star Kevin Durant. While they had some adversity to
overcome last season, they managed to win the Pacific Division, and the Top
Seed in the West for the third year in succession. Swept the first three rounds
of the West Playoffs, and made short work of the Cavaliers in The Finals. The off-season
was about re-signing all their key personnel, while adding a couple of new
pieces.
They
re-signed then reigning back-to-back Kia MVP Stephen Curry (25.3 ppg-10th
NBA, 6.6 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 spg-T-7th NBA, 46.8 FG%, 41.1 3-Pt.%) to
a long overdue super max deal of five years, at $201 million dollars.
“We
know what the bar is when it comes to being a championship winning team, but
there are going to be totally different challenges when it comes to the
competition,” Curry, whose entering his ninth season in the NBA said to NBATV’s
Ros Gold-Onwude at Media Day on Sept. 25. “You got to stay in the moment
because nothing in this league is guaranteed, and you can’t take it for
granted.”
Durant,
the 2016 Finals MVP (25.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.6 bpg-9th NBA,
53.7 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%) who had career-highs in field goal percentage, rebounds,
and blocks per contest, took less money so that the gang could be all brought
back together, signing a two-year deal worth $51.3 million.
That
move allowed General Manager Bob Meyers, owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber to
re-sign swingman Andre Igoudala (7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 52.8 FG%, 36.2 3-Pt%) to a
three-year, $48 million deal; backup guard Shaun Livingston to a three-year $24
million deal; starting center ZaZa Pachulia (6.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 53.4 FG%) to a
one-year $3.5 million deal; center JaVale McGee to a one-year, $2.3 million
deal, and veteran forward David West to a one-year $2.3 million deal.
It
is that act of selflessness why the Warriors will be a tough team to beat
again, and Durant plans to bring a focus, and ability to fit in and grow with
the team.
“I
just got to continue to approach the game the way I’ve always approached the
game. Willing to learn, and be a great teammate,” Durant said to Gold-Onwude.
“I may talk a little bit more, cause I’m a little bit more familiar with what
we’re doing here. Other than that, I’m still be the same. Approach the game the
same way I always did.”
There
was enough left in the coffers to sign two more impact players in guard Nick
Young (13.2 ppg, 40.4 3-Pt.%) to a one-year, $5.2 million deal; forward Omri
Casspi to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
They
even traded back into this June’s draft to acquire the rights to the No. 38
overall pick in junior forward Jordan Bell out of Oregon, who was drafted by
the Bulls, and dealt for cash considerations.
While
on the surface the Warriors seemed to have things go their way in 2016-17
finish, which concluded with a 16-1 finish in the postseason, a 94.1 winning
percentage, the best in NBA playoff history, they did have to overcome some
adversity on their way to their second title in the last three seasons.
In
the team’s 112-108 loss at the Wizards on Feb. 28, Durant suffered a knee
injury that would shelve him for 19 games. His initial absence would shake the
Warriors, who lost three nights later at the Bulls 94-87, which ended their
league-record regular season streak of two straight defeats at 146 contests.
Even
with consecutive victories at the Knicks, and Hawks in their next two games,
three straight losses versus the Celtics, at the Minnesota Timberwolves, and at
the San Antonio Spurs, the team had sustained three losses in their last five
outings, which is something they were unfamiliar with the past three seasons.
A
hard fought 106-104 win versus the Sixers on Mar. 14 began 13 game
winning-streak that got them back on track, and they finished the season
winning, 14 of their last 16 games. They also got Durant back in the second to
last game of the regular season.
During
the winning streak, the sports nation, and NBA fans were reintroduced to the
greatness of Curry, his fellow All-Star “Splash Brother” in Klay Thompson (22.3
ppg, 46.8 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%), the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year in All-Star
forward Draymond Green (10.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.0 apg-Led team, 2.0 spg-Led NBA),
as well as Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia, West, and then rookie Patrick McCaw.
While
they made short work of the No. 8 Seeded Trail Blazers in the opening round of
the postseason, they lost head coach Steve Kerr earlier in the series after he
was overcome by symptoms from a May 5 procedure at Duke University a spinal
fluid leak that was from back surgery he had the summer of 2015.
After
sweeping the Jazz in the Semis, the took on the mighty five-time champion Spurs
in the Conference Finals and had them on the ropes for much of the opening half
in Game 1. The game and the series changed when Pachulia closed hard on a
corner three-point attempt by MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, and he landed on the
Pachulia’s foot, and sprained his ankle.
The
Warriors came back to win Game 1 113-111, and Leonard would not play another
game in the series, and the Spurs would be swept out of the series 4-0.
Coach
Kerr returned to the sidelines in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which the Warriors
won 132-113 on June 4, and would clinch as mentioned their second title in the
last three seasons on their home floor eight days later.
To
achieve what the Warriors have the past three years, it comes down to having an
identity, and believing in it.
Their
identity is set around being able to share the ball offensively; to play
consistent, and focused defense, and that they play for one another. That is how
they led the NBA in assists per game a season ago at 30.4; in field goal percentage
at 49.5 percent; and were No. 3 in three-point percentage at 38.3 percent.
Speaking
of their marksmanship from long range, the Warriors 15 or more triples in 17
games last season, and achieved a record of 16-1 in those contests.
To
put this into better perspective, Curry, and Thompson have made 200-plus
three-pointers in the last five consecutive seasons, which is first all-time.
Before that, future Hall of Famer Ray Allen had three straight seasons of
making 200 triples or more from 2000-03. He was tied with last season’s
runner-up for league MVP in James Harden of the Rockets, who made 200-plus
threes from 2014-17.
Curry
in four of the last five seasons has set new bench marks for threes made in a
single-season with 402 threes in 2015-16; 324 in 2016-17; 286 in 2014-15; and
272 in 2012-13. In fourth place is Thompson, who connected on 276 threes in
2015-16.
That
is why they had a 70.5 percent of field goals made that were assisted on, the
second highest of all-time, according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann. Only the
2002-03 Utah Jazz had a higher mark of 72.7 percent, and the Warriors 68.0
percent mark they achieved the third highest mark the season prior, where they
won an NBA record 73 regular season games.
Durant,
who as mentioned had one of the most efficient seasons of his 10-year career,
going from 36 percent of his jump shots off the catch to 46 percent. He went
from a team in the Thunder that ranked last in passes per possession, to the 10th
best in the Warriors, despite having the shortest possessions on average.
Defensively,
the reigning NBA champions led “The Association” in field goal percentage
against, surrendering just 43.5 percent to the opposition. Their rebound
differential was ranked ninth in the league. They were No. 1 in block shots per
game at 6.8; in steals at 9.6, and tied with the Wizards in forced turnovers
per game at 14.8.
The
word to describe the Golden State Warriors as the 2017-18 NBA campaign
approaches is focused.
That
is how they have compiled the most regular wins in a three-year span in NBA
history with 207. That is for more than the Hall of Fame tandem Michael Jordan,
Scottie Pippen led the Bulls to from 1995-98, and is 15 more than the Hall of
Fame Trio of Larry Bird, NBATV/NBA on TNT analyst Kevin McHale, and Robert
Parrish led the Celtics from 1983-86.
To
a man, they know that this season will not be the same as the previous one, but
if they can summon anything close to the laser focus they had a season ago,
their chances are great at repeating.
Green
said that this season is about being as closed to focus as they were a season
ago. Thompson
said it about the Warriors not getting complacent, staying hungry, and healthy. Coach
Kerr put it best though when he said to Gold-Onwude that he is confident that
his team will keep that edge they had last season, but that will be a major
challenge for a team that has made three straight trips to The Finals.
“Part
of the challenge is keeping the edge. Keeping the focus, and preparing, and
almost pacing ourselves at the same time. It’s an interesting balance.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Warriors make it back to The Finals for a fourth consecutive year, and
defeat the Cavaliers again to capture that third championship in four seasons.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They lose in The Finals.
Grade: A+
Houston
Rockets:
55-27 (2nd Southwest Division; No. 3 West) 30-11 at home, 25-16 on
the road. Defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in West Quarterfinals. Lost to
the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in West Semifinals
-115.3
ppg-2nd; opp. ppg: 109.6-24th; 44.4 rpg-8th
The
addition of new head coach Mike D’Antoni, and his offensive system turned the
Rockets into one of the best offensive in the league, and James Harden went
from not making any of the three All-NBA teams, to the runner up for league MVP
for the second time in the last three seasons. Unfortunately, the Rockets fell
to the more experienced Spurs in the Semis in five games, which prompted GM
Daryl Morey to overhaul the roster of young players, to bring in a perennial
All-NBA floor general, along with players with defensive grit, and toughness.
On
June 28 when the Rockets acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers nine-time
All-Star Chris Paul (18.1 ppg, 9.2 apg-4th NBA, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 spg-3rd
NBA, 47.6 FG% w/Clippers), for guards Patrick Beverly, and Lou Williams,
forward Sam Dekker, forward/center Montrezl Harrell, G-Darrun Hilliard, forward
Kyle Wiltjer, a 2018 First-Round pick, and cash considerations.
“He’s
obviously such a great talent. A great leader. A veteran,” Sharp shooting
forward Ryan Anderson said about what Paul brings to the team to NBATV’s Steve
Smith on Media in late September.
Paul,
who had the choice to opt out of his deal and become a free agent this
off-season, said to his former employer, after a conversation with someone Paul
knew well on the Rockets, he wanted to be traded to “Clutch City.”
“It
was time. It was time for a change. Not only for me, but maybe for that
organization,” Paul, a seven-time All-Defensive First-Team selection said to
Smith about leaving L.A, and coming to Houston. “After talking to this guy
[Harden], and looking at what they had here. Long conversation with Trevor
Ariza, this is the place I wanted to be.”
Harden
(29.1 ppg-2nd NBA, 11.2 apg-Led NBA, 8.1 rpg-Led team, 1.5 spg, 44.0
FG%, 34.7 3-Pt.%), whose game exploded across the board with career-highs in nearly
every category a season after being moved to the point guard spot, said that
this new dynamic with Paul will work because of the time they spent this summer
playing pickup ball, and through a lot of conversations with each other. They
also understand that it is all about winning and doing the little things now to
win, and not worrying about the individual accolades.
“You
put two high-IQ guys that are willing to pass, and willing to sacrifice to do
whatever it takes, and quite frankly you got the same goal in mind, and that’s
to win a championship, it’s definitely going to work,” Harden, a three-time
All-NBA First-Team selection said to Smith.
The
beneficiaries of those passes from Paul, and Harden will be the sharp shooting
forward combination of Anderson (13.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 40.3 3-Pt.%), and the
previously mentioned Ariza (11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 spg-6th NBA, 34.4
3-Pt.%), who should be getting wide open triple attempt, after wide open triple
attempt, with the ability of their backcourt to draw the defense on drives to
the basket, or off pick-and-rolls.
Last
season’s Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon (16.2 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%), who was
healthy for the first time in years, should also have an even more productive
season playing with Paul, and Harden.
“I
think he’s one of the best play makers of all-time, and he’s very creative. So,
he’s going to make it easier for all of us during crucial moments in the game,”
Gordon said about Paul’s playmaking ability to Smith.
Starting
center Clint Capela (12.6 ppg-career-high, 8.1 rpg), should have the same sky-high
field goal percentage he had a season ago at 64.3 percent third in the league
with Paul giving him one lob attempt after another; receiving as pass off a rim
run in the open court.
To
improve their defense, the Rockets in free agency signed guard P.J. Tucker (6.7
ppg, 5.8 rpg, 35,7 3-Pt.% w/Suns & Raptors), to a four-year $32 million
deal, and forward Luc Mbah a Moute (6.1 ppg, 50.5 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.% w/Clippers),
on a one-year $2.1 million deal; and center Tarik Black to a one-year, $3.3
million.
The
Rockets also re-signed center Nene (9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 61,6 FG%), and guard Troy
Williamson (9.7 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%), to new three-year, $11 million, and $4.69
million deals respectably.
While
the Rockets were tied for third in three-point percentage allowed at 34.3;
fifth in steals per game at 8.2, and seventh in forced turnovers per contest at
14.4 a season ago, they only ranked 14th in rebound differential at
+0.3, and 23rd in opponent’s field goal percentage, surrendering
46.3 percent. That why Harden mentioned to Smith that the signing of Tucker and
Mbah a Moute were as big as the acquisition of Paul, who made the All-Defensive
Team nine times in his career.
“It
gives us a lot more versatility. Maybe if we want to switch, or just a little
bit more dog at the defensive end, and I think that’s going to help us out as
well,” Harden said to Smith.
“What
I like about the group that we have this season is we do have so much more
veteran leadership, and guys that are going to be more vocal,” Anderson also
said to Smith about how the team’s communication in just the early workouts in
training camp, which have been led by Paul.
Even
though most of the NBA teams play at a high-octane level at the offensive end,
turning the ball over 14.5 times per game like the Rockets did last season,
which was tied for 25th a season ago must improve, and having Paul
should do just that.
The
Rockets hoped to bring in another star player in Carmelo Anthony, who was
traded to the Thunder prior to Media Day. Unfortunately, the teams could not
make the deal happen, but said that he’s excited more for “Melo” to have a
chance to go to a team with chance to win.
“I
don’t think disappointment is the word at all, because we have a great team,”
Paul said to Smith. “To see him happy, that was the ultimate thing. For him to
be going to OKC, it is what it is. We’ll see him when we see him. The biggest
thing at the end of the day is that he’s in a better place.”
The
other thing that the Rockets need to establish coming into this season is will
they continue the style of shooting three-pointers early and often this season,
while also getting to the rim, and the foul line, or will they have to tweak
their offense to where on occasion, they take some 15 to 17-foot jump shots?
Over
the last five seasons, all but the 2015-16 campaign have the boys from “Clutch
City” ranked No. 1 in three-point attempts in the NBA, which includes an NBA
record 40.3 launches from distance in 2016-17.
They
made an NBA record 1,181 triples a season ago; set a new NBA records with 73
games where they hit 10 threes or more, and 10 games where they made 20
three-pointers made. Harden, Gordon, Anderson, and Ariza ranked in the Top 14
for threes made in 2016-17.
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, after the All-Star break last season, Paul
attempted 149 shots from mid-range. The Rockets as a team attempted 147. Paul
over the past three seasons has been the league’s second best mid-range
shooter, connecting on 48 percent of his shots between the painted area, and
the three-point line. In that time also, Paul has taken 42 percent of his shots
from mid-range, while the Rockets have reduced their percentage of mid-range
shots to eight percent a season ago. In the last five seasons, the Rockets
ranked 30th, dead last in shot attempts from mid-range.
In
late August, the Rockets put up a for sale sign, and on Sept. 5 had a new owner
in Tilman Fertitta. Fertitta, who owns Landry’s Inc., and whose estimated net
worth, according to Forbes is $3.1 billion, bought the team from Leslie
Alexander for an NBA record $2.2 billion.
“We've had a wonderful life, and a wonderful family, and lots of good things have happened to me, and I got to a point where I said, 'Gosh. If I laid my head down on the pillow for the last time, the one thing that I've never gotten to accomplish was owning a team in my hometown," Fertitta said on Oct. 10.
"I've looked at other teams in the last few years, but it's just not the same. You just can't own a team, not in your hometown as far as I'm concerned."
The
best way to describe the 2017-18 Rockets is confident. After their collapse
against the Spurs in the Semis, where Harden had a rough finish in Game 5 and
was invisible in Game 6, to the tune of 10 points on 2 for 11 from the floor.
The addition of Paul should free up Harden to do other things, and he will keep
Harden engaged, even when things are not going well. They also now have a owner, who said to ESPN's "NBA: The Jump" Rachel Nichols who is all in with his GM Morey, and Coach D'Antoni on winning a title.
They want to take down the Warriors and
whoever is in front of them to win the franchise’s third title. You do not
acquire Paul, who has never appeared in the Conference Finals, and will be a
free agent at season’s end, or give Harden, scored, or assisted on 4,538 of the Rockets points a season ago one-point shy of Hall of Famer Nate "Tiny" Archibald's record in the 1972-73 season, and signed a record four-year $228 million
extension through the 2022-23 season if you are not trying to unseat the
Warriors.
“Since
his arrival in Houston, James exhibited the incredible work ethic, desire to
win, and passion to be the best that has made him one of the most unique, and
talented superstars in the history of the game,” Rockets former owner Leslie
Alexander said about Harden’s extension on July 8.
“Additionally,
the commitment he has shown tour organization, the city of Houston, and the
Rockets fans all over the world makes him a perfect leader in our pursuit of
another championship.”
Best
Case Scenario:
Rockets reach the Conference Finals and take the Warriors to seven games.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Rockets fall in the Semifinals again.
Grade: A-
Los
Angeles Clippers:
51-31 (2nd Pacific Division; No. 4 Seed West) 29-12 at home, 22-19
on the road. Lost to the Utah Jazz 4-3 in West Quarterfinals.
-108.7
ppg-6th; opp. ppg: 104.4-12th; 43.0 rpg-21st
The
past six seasons have been the best for L.A.’ other pro basketball team with
six straight trips to the playoffs, with five of those consisting of 50-plus
victories in the regular season. Those six seasons have ended in heart break
with injuries to All-Stars Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin, and never reaching
the Conference Finals. Last season’s seven-game loss to the Utah Jazz was tough
one to stomach, and Clippers made two big decisions on their roster, as well as
rearranged the front office personnel.
On
June 28, the Clippers traded Paul, a nine-time All-Star, and four-time All-NBA
selection to the Rockets for guards Patrick Beverly (9.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.2 apg,
38.2 3-Pt.% w/Rockets), and Lou Williams (17.5 ppg, 36.5 3-Pt.% w/Lakers &
Rockets); forward Sam Dekker (6.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 47.3 FG% w/Rockets); center
Montrezl Harrell (9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 65.2 FG% w/Rockets), a 2018 First-Round pick,
and cash considerations.
The
team also revamped their front office, with head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers
surrendered his as President of Basketball Operations after a conversation with energetic owner Steve
Ballmer, and replaced him with Mike Winger, who worked under Sam Presti with
the Oklahoma City Thunder. They also added Trent Redden, formerly of the Cavs
front office, and Mark Hughes, formerly with the Knicks. In addition, former
assistant coach Lawrence Frank moves into the role as President of Basketball
Operations, and Hall of Famer Jerry West, “The Logo,” was added as a consultant
on June 14.
"I've owned the team for three years now, and I really better understand what an owner's responsibility is, and it turns out that running a franchise, and coaching are two enormous, and different jobs. The notion that one person can fairly focus one them, and give them all the attention they need isn't the case," Ballmer said on why he stripped Rivers of his front office duties.
To
add depth to the lead guard spot, the Clippers signed European guard Milos
Teodosic to a three-year, $20 million deal. The six-time All-EuroLeague
selection averaged 16.3 points, and 6.5 assists with CSKA Moscow in 2016-17.
While
Griffin (21.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg,49.3 FG%) opted out of the last year of his
deal to become a restricted free agent, and had a meeting with the Phoenix Suns,
the Clippers gave the five-time All-Star five years, and $173 million reasons
to return where he has played his entire career.
“We’ll
lean on our guys that have already been here, and know our system to really
help our guys that haven’t, and I think that will help move us along a little
faster as well” Griffin, who has missed 83 games the past three regular
seasons, and six playoff games the past two seasons because of various
injuries.
When
healthy, he is one of great all-around talents in the NBA, as only the late
Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin, and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell have
averaged more assist per game in their careers, than the 4.1 of Griffin.
The
Clippers signed in free agency center Willie Reed, to a one-year $1.5 million.
He and Harrell will be called upon to provide rebounding; presence on the
defensive, and offensive glass, and hopefully added rim protection, which
should be a big help to starting center DeAndre Jordan (12.7 ppg, 13.8 rpg-3rd
NBA, 1.7 bpg-Led team; 71.4 FG%-Led NBA).
The
only issue with Jordan, and Harrell, who the Rockets did want to include in the
Paul deal are not good foul shooters, at 39.0 percent for Jordan, and 62.8
percent for Harrell respectably a season ago. That could be a major problem for
the Clippers, especially if either or both are on the floor in the closing
moments of games.
The
Clippers also added that much needed small forward, by acquiring forward Danilo
Gallinari (18.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 44.7 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt% w/Nuggets) in a three-team
deal that involved the Nuggets, and Hawks, sending center Diamond Stone,
three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, and a 2018 protected
First-Round pick to the Hawks. Gallinari before the trade, signed a new
three-year $65 million deal.
The
Clippers hoped that the injury history of Gallinari was behind him, but the
28-year-old sustained an injured right thumb when he slugged the Netherlands’
Jito Kok in a European exhibition game while playing for the Italian national
team over the summer. It did not keep him out of training camp.
In
June’s draft, the Clippers acquired the draft rights of guard Sindarius
Thornwell, the No. 48 overall pick out of South Carolina from the Bucks for
cash considerations.
“I
think we’re deeper. I think we have more talent than we did last year overall,”
Glenn “Doc” Rivers, whose entering his fifth season as the team’s head coach
said about his team entering training camp. “But, we’ll see how it fits, and
how it works.”
While
replacing Paul, who 9.8 assists per contest has led the NBA since he was traded
to L.A. prior to the 2011-12 campaign will be a difficult task to say the
least, Beverly, Teodosic, and Austin Rivers (12.0 ppg, 37.1 3-Pt.%), head coach
Glenn “Doc” Rivers’ son each bring a major skill to the table that will be
beneficial to the Clippers.
Beverly,
a 2016-17 All-NBA First-Team selection brings a defensive minded, get after
you, agitate, and disruptive attitude to the floor each night. Tedosoic, a
three-time All-Euroleague First-Team selection, and led Serbia to the Silver
medal in the Rio Olympics last year, brings an uncanny ability to pass the
basketball, and can shoot the ball very accurately. Rivers brings an ability to
defend, and shoot from the perimeter, as well as play make for others.
“Our
goal is to come out of camp, coming out of preseason with our chemistry made
up,” Austin said. “Chemistry right now with us is already setting in place. So,
I can’t for it to start to work on the floor.”
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, no NBA team had a bigger drop off from its
starting five to its reserves than the Clippers, with the starters having a
plus-9.6 net rating, and the bench a -3.8. That is a 13.4 difference.
The
Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2017-18 season as an organization with a new
outlook, and motivation.
“Everybody
is going to have to pick up the load a little bit more, especially the guys
that are returning. Myself, and D.J., “Griffin said to NBATV’s Sekou Smith.
“We’re both going to be asked to take on a bigger leadership role. That’s
something we’re both very excited about. Having a chance to put your imprint on
the team is very exciting, and I think that’s something we’re looking forward
to.”
They
had six wonderful years of Chris Paul as their floor general. They had great
success in the regular season, but could not cash in during the postseason.
Whether the changes in the front office, a deeper roster and the hopefully rise
in leadership from Griffin, and Jordan leads to more fruitfulness in the
playoffs for the Clippers is a major question, especially with a deep Western
Conference.
Best
Case Scenario:
The Clippers are in the playoffs as a middle-seeded team in the West. Griffin
remains healthy. The bench is productive, and they reach the Second-Round.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Clippers miss the playoffs; Griffin has injury problems again, and they
consider trading Jordan.
Grade: B-
Los
Angeles Lakers: 26-56
(4th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 17-24 at home, 9-32 on
the road.
-104.6
ppg-17th; opp. ppg: 111.5-28th; 4
In
the first 65 seasons of the storied history of the 16-time NBA champion Los
Angeles Lakers, dating back to their 12 seasons in Minneapolis, MN, they had a
.618 winning percentage, with just three 50-plus loss seasons, and missing the
playoffs a total of five times. The last four seasons though have been a real
stinker with four consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs appearances,
losing 50-plus games, and garnering a win percentage of just .277 during that time.
Changes in the front office, a solid draft, which included the selection of a
once-in-a-lifetime play making Southern California teen with superstar
potential has given a sense of hope of better days ahead in Southern
California.
Lakers’
Governor Jeanie Buss on Feb. 21 hired Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson and
his famed 90-watt smile as President of Basketball Operations, and then on Mar.
7 hired longtime agent Rob Pelinka as the new GM.
Their
first was trading the head scratching contract of center Timofey Mozgov to the
Nets, along with former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 guard D’Angelo Russell for
former All-Star center, Brook Lopez (20.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 47.4 FG%, 34.6
3-Pt.% w/Nets), and the Nets’ No. 1 pick, which the Lakers used to draft
forward Kyle Kuzma out of University of Utah at No. 27 overall in June.
While
a certain new lead guard stole the show at the Las Vegas, more on that in a
moment, Kuzma introduced himself to the Lakers very well. He displayed his
athleticism, and showed a decent stroke from three-point range.
That
move not only free up money the Lakers can use to possibly sign a A-List free
agent or two next summer.
With
the No. 2 overall pick, the Lakers selected Southern California native, guard
Lonzo Ball out of UCLA.
The
19-year-old Ball brings an ability to see the floor, and find open teammates
that breeds confidence into the team. That is the kind of playmaking that will
make his new teammates in second-year forwards Larry Nance, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 5.9
rpg, 52.6 FG%), and Brandon Ingram (9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), who did not receive a
First, Second, or Third place vote for Rookie of the Year; Jordan Clarkson
(14.7 ppg, 44.5 FG%), Ivica Zubac (7.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52.9 FG%), and Julius
Randle (13.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 48.7 FG%) even better.
“That’s
the point guard’s job,” Ball said to NBATV’s Sekou Smith, and Dennis Scott
during Real Training Camp. “Know everybody, and know all the plays. Basically,
a coach on the floor. To get everybody to click, and work together. Best unit
is going to play together, and try to get as many wins as we can.”
To
put into perspective how he has taken the league and the country by storm, people
flocked to the Las Vegas Summer League to watch him in action.
Those
fans got their money’s worth, as Ball averaged 9.3 assists per game in the 2017
Las Vegas Summer League, in helping the Lakers win the championship.
If
Ball can display that this upcoming season to become just the fourth player in
league history to be 6’6” and taller to average nine-plus assists for a single
season, which includes his new boss “Magic” Johnson, who did it 10 times.
Former All-Star guard, and Turner Sports sideline reporter Reggie Theus did for
the Sacramento Kings in the 1985-86 season, and the most recent to do it was
then New Orleans Hornet Greivis Vasquez in the 2012-13 campaign.
While
his perimeter shot needs work, and he displayed that in Summer League, Ball has
an ability to attack the rim, and unbelievable court vision that will make the
Lakers’ wing players, and big men run harder in the open court; make crisper,
harder cuts to the basket, and set better, and harder screens to get people
open to get shot attempts on the perimeter, and at the rim in the half court.
Ball
will more than anything will add an entertainment value that bring the fan base
out to the Staples Center.
“We
know it’s going to be a challenge, especially playing in the West,” Ball said
to Scott, and Smith. “We just trying to focus on ourselves right now. Playing a
lot of defense right now, and running. That’s what we want our identity to be,
So, that’s what we’re working on.”
Along
with selecting Ball, the Lakers also acquired the draft rights to the No. 30
overall pick in guard Josh Hart out of Villanova, and the No. 42 overall
selection in center Thomas Bryant out of the University of Indiana from the
Jazz for center Tony Bradley out of North Carolina.
While
the trade of Russell, and Mozgov provided the Lakers with a solid veteran
presence in Lopez, the fourth best scoring center in “The Association,” in
2016-17, he will give head coach Luke Walton a low post threat in the half
court. He will also provide another perimeter threat, as Lopez led all centers
with 134 triples made in 387 attempts in 2016-17, very different from the 3 for
31 he shot in his first eight seasons combined. On top of that, he only has one
year left on his contract, which helps the Lakers maintain salary cap
flexibility.
That
is the reason the Lakers signed free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13.8
ppg, 3.3 rpg, 35.0 3-Pt.%) to just a one-year deal at $17 million; retained
guard Tyler Ennis on a two-year, $3.1 million deal; and center Andrew Bogut on
the veteran minimum of one-year at $2.3 million.
The
one contract that the Lakers would love to get off the books is the three years
at $17 million per left on veteran forward Luol Deng’s (7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
Both
Caldwell-Pope, and Bogut, like Lopez will bring a veteran presence to the locker
room that the young core should feed off. KCP will also provide perimeter
defense, and a streaky three-point shooter, whose game might rise playing
alongside Ball. Bogut, and Lopez should provide the Lakers deterrents in the
paint, as well as for their leadership, particularly at the defensive end.
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Lakers allowed 19.6 points per game in
transition 2016-17, the highest mark in the NBA. Over the last two seasons, the
Lakers have allowed 841 fast break points in the first quarter, almost 100 more
than any other NBA team. The Lakers were 30th in opponent’s field
goal percentage, and 27th in block shots at 3.9.
Building
for the future is the perfect way to describe the 2017-18 Los Angeles Lakers.
They want to save as much cap space as possible to lure an A-List player in
free agency next off-season, like Paul George, who was traded to the Thunder
earlier this summer, and will be a free agent at season’s end, or four-time
league MVP of the Cavaliers LeBron James, who will also be a free agent at
season’s end.
“Well
it’s a new time. We got to build around a lot of young, exciting players,”
Johnson said to Scott, and Smith about the state of the Lakers currently. “What
we had to do is strip is just strip it all down, to build it all up.”
While
there will be some growing pains along this journey, if Ball can come anywhere
close to living up to the hype he has garnered from his play in the Las Vegas
Summer League, where the Lakers won the championship, that along with the money
will attract free agents, and eventually get the Lakers back into becoming a
playoff perennial, and hopefully competing for more titles.
“The
dream is here now. No more dreaming now. You got to go get it, and get after
it,” Ball said to Scott, and Smith. “Just in here trying to work every day. As
long as I put in the work I feel is right, and use the tools that I have around
here, I think I should be okay.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Lakers win over 30 games. Ball is Rookie of the Year, and the likes of
Ingram, Randle, Kuzma, Hart, Nance, Jr., and Clarkson develop into the core of
the future.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Lakers show no progress, or improvement, and they have a couple of
double-digit losing streaks.
Grade: B
Memphis
Grizzlies:
43-39 (3rd Southwest Division; No. 7 Seed West) 24-17 at home, 19-22
on the road. Defeated by No. 2 San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.
-100.5
ppg-29th; opp. ppg: 100.0-3rd; 42.8 rpg-24th
While
some teams know what their identity will be this season, some teams like the
Memphis Grizzlies, who made some changes to their roster this off-season will
have to figure that out.
For
the past seven seasons, the team’s moto has been “Girt-N-Grind.” With exits in
the opening round for two straight postseasons, the question for them is can
they still live by that mantra, that has carried them to seven consecutive
playoff appearances with some new players in the fold?
Last
summer, the team made Mike Conley the highest-paid player in NBA history when
he re-signed a new five-year, $153 million deal, and signed then free agent
forward Chandler Parsons to mega contract of four years at $94 million. The
total between those two was $244 million.
While
Conley (20.5 ppg-Led team, 6.3 apg, 3.5 rpg, 46.0 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.%) put up
career-highs across the board for first-year head coach David Fizdale, and back
it up with averages of 24.7 points, seven assists, and 1.7 steals, on 48.5, and
44.7 from the field, and three-point range respectably in their six-game
setback to the Spurs in the postseason, the 28-year-old Parsons spent more time
in Los Angeles rehabbing another knee injury, than making an impact on the
hardwood a season ago.
Since
playing 76, and 74 games in 2012-13, and 2013-14 respectably with the Rockets,
Injuries in his time with the Mavericks, and last season with the Grizzlies
have limited him to just 66, to 61, to just 34 games.
He
was supposed to be the necessary medicine for the Grizzlies, who throughout the
“Grind House” years lacked consistent scoring at the forward, and guard
position. Instead, Parsons, who shot career-lows of 33.8 percent from the
field, and just 26.9 percent from three-point range a season ago.
Last
season, it was center Marc Gasol (19.5 ppg-career-high, 6.3 rpg, 4.6
apg-career-high, 45.9 FG%), and Conley that provided most of the three-point
attempts for the Grizzlies, with 419 attempts from distance for Conley, and 268
for Gasol, earned a new five-year $100 million contract in the summer of 2015.
The prior three seasons, Gasol only attempted 31 triples, and attempted 268 in
2016-17. Of those 31 attempts, he made just 10, but made 104 threes last
season, and shot 38.8 percent. Conley shot 419 three-point attempts a season
ago, a new career-high, after 215, 277, and 291 his first three seasons.
Gasol,
and Conley, who earned every cent of those massive contracts, but were a big
reason the team could not re-sign forward Zach Randolph and the ageless
swingman Vince Carter, who left in free agency to sign with the Sacramento
Kings, or perimeter defensive ace Tony Allen, who signed with the New Orleans
Pelicans. That is over 3,000 games of experience that left Memphis, TN.
The
also said goodbye to guard Troy Daniels, who was dealt to the Phoenix Suns
right before training camp in late September, along with a 2018 Second-Round
pick, in exchange for a their 2018 Second-Round pick.
Randolph,
and Allen in particularly were the heart and soul of the Grizzlies mantra the
“Grind House,” which was the nickname for their home court FedEx Forum, that
made those seven straight postseason appearances under then head coach Lionel
Hollins, Dave Joerger, head coach of the Kings, and now Fizdale.
“It’s
unbelievable,” Conley said about the all the changes the Grizzlies went through
this off-season. “We’ve been here a long
time, and we knew at some point, transition was going to have to happen we’re
going to be in, and out. We can’t keep everybody forever. For guys like me, and
Marc, we’re just going to have to be ready to face the challenge.”
Randolph,
whose nickname throughout his career is “Z-Bo” personified the hard work,
lunch pail personification of the Grizzlies the last five seasons, where they
way they played was not always pretty to see, but kept the elite squads in the
West on their toes.
He
really showed that a season ago, where he was asked to come off the bench, and
let forward JaMychal Green (8.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 50.1 FG%) start at power forward.
Randolph did so without making a peep, and he had a solid season in that new
role.
That
earned the restricted free agent a new two-year deal, worth over $17 million in
late September. Not bad for a guy that went undrafted out of University of
Alabama, and played two seasons in the G-League before signing a three-year
deal with the Grizzlies in 2015.
The
small amount of cap space the Grizzlies had available, the signed in free agency
guards Ben McLemore (8.1 ppg, 38.2 3-Pt% w/Kings), and 2010 Rookie of the Year
Tyreke Evans (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.1 rpg w/Pelicans & Grizzlies) to two and
one-year deals, worth $10, and $3.2 million respectably. They also signed for
his second tour of duty former Heat guard Mario Chalmers, to a one-year, $2.1
million deal.
McLemore
was among the best prospects when he was drafted No. 7 overall by the Kings
four years ago, but never found his footing with them, and they simply gave up
on him. He hoped to have a fresh start with the Grizzlies, but a broken foot
sustained during a summer workout in L.A. will shelve McLemore for up to 12
weeks.
Evans,
who had such a promising start to his career, which also started in the capital
of California. But injuries to the 2010 Rookie of the Year, that averaged 20.1
points per game, and played his collegiate years at the University of Memphis
has played in just 65 games the past three seasons, including just 40 a season
ago with the New Orleans Pelicans, and only got one offer for just one season. Shooting
just 40.5 percent from the field in 2016-17 did not help his cause either.
Chalmers,
who played a major role when the Heat made it to The Finals four straight
seasons, from 2010-14, will bring oodles of playoff experience, but he is on the
back nine of his career, and he too has an injury history, as he missed all last
season with an Achilles issue.
In
the draft, they acquired from the Magic, the rights to the No. 35 overall pick
forward Ivan Rabb out of California, and the right to the No. 45 overall pick
forward Dillon Brooks out of Oregon.
These
new additions, along with second-year guard Wade Baldwin IV; second-year center
Deyonta Davis; forward James Ennis III (6.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 45.5 FG%, 37.2
3-Pt.%); guard Andrew Harrison (5.9 ppg); forward Jarell Martin, and Wade
Selden need to make serious jumps in their games, and become important parts of
the Grizzlies rotation this season and for the future.
One
area the Grizzlies need to be better at is being able to defend without putting
their opposition near, or in the bonus early in quarters.
Last
season, the Grizzlies were No. 2 in the NBA in fouls per game a season ago,
drawing the whistle from the referees on an average of 22.4 times, according to
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann. While the Grizzles had a Top 10 Defense for the sixth
time in the last seven years, but allowed 2.4 more points per game at the free
throw line than the league average.
If
there is one thing that Fizdale brought with him from being a longtime
assistant with the Heat is a competitive, stand up, take no prisoners mentality
of no retreat, no surrender, and he will expect that from his team in his
second season on the bench. All they need to do is look at the tape of the
presser of their head coach after the Grizzlies Game 2 loss in the First-Round
at the Spurs in the 2017 Playoffs.
“We
don’t get the respect that these guys deserve, cause Mike Conley doesn’t go
crazy. He has class, and he just plays the game. But I’m not going to let them
treat us that way. I know “Pop” [Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich] got
pedigree, and I’m a young rookie, but the they’re not going to rook us like.
That’s unacceptable. That was unprofessional. My guys dug in that game, and
earned the right to be in that game, and they did not even give us a chance.
Take that for data.” Grizzlies get off to a rocky start this season, and it
looks like their run of consecutive postseason appearances looks like it will
not continue, they might consider trading Gasol.
The
2017-18 Memphis Grizzlies enter the season as a team in transition. They
thankfully have Gasol, and Conley, who coach Fizdale will lean on to guide the
Grizzlies to an eighth straight postseason appearance. They will need Parsons
to play at the level of the money he is being paid, providing three-point
shooting, and to create offense for others.
With
Randolph, Allen, and Randolph gone, the likes of Ennis III, Davis, Green,
rookies Rabb or Brooks must emerge as important rotation players, while playing
their game, not trying to be Randolph, or Allen.
“What
we cannot do is expect any of the new guys, or other guys to be those two
guys,” Gasol said of the other Grizzlies players to be Randolph, or Allen. “The
things they brought to the table. Who they were to the team, and the community.
Those shoes cannot be filled by any of those guys.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Grizzlies make the playoffs as a lower seed. Parsons has a bounce back
season. They put up a fight in the opening round.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Grizzlies consecutive postseason streak ends at seven. The supporting cast
struggles again. They consider trading Gasol.
Grade: C-
Minnesota
Timberwolves: 31-51
(5th Northwest Division; missed the playoffs) 20-21 at home, 11-30
on the road.
-105.6
ppg-13th; opp. ppg: 106.7-T-18th; 42.4 rpg-25th
It
has been 13 years since the Minnesota Timberwolves were in the postseason. When
Tom Thibodeau was hired as head coach/ President of Basketball Operations last
off-season, there was hope that dubious drought would conclude last season. It
did not, so Thibs added some veterans, with a couple being former players of
his from his time as Bulls’ head coach.
The
first former Bull to come to the “Twin Cities” was three-time All-Star swingman
Jimmy Butler (23.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.5 apg, 45.5 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt. w/Bulls), who
they acquired back on the night of the NBA Draft back in June, along with draft
rights to the No. 16 overall pick in center Justin Patton out of Creighton from
the Bulls, for guards Kris Dunn, and Zach LaVine, who were dealt to the Bulls,
along with the rights to the No. 7 overall pick in forward Lauri Markkanen out
of the University of Arizona.
“We
pursued it, and we felt we were very fortunate to be able to get him,” Thibs
said about the addition of Butler. “The fact that Jimmy is a two-way player. He
obviously came into the league being great defensively, and he’s become great
offensively, but the fact that he’s also a very unselfish player. A playmaker,
and a great closer. We felt those were things that we needed.”
Besides
providing a great offensive skill set, Butler brings instant credibility, and a
get after it attitude at the defensive end, which he honed under Thibs’ leadership
with the Bulls. He also brings a work ethic that will toughen up the
Timberwolves players instantly, and an ability to work with start players,
which Butler did in the early part of his career with now Cavs’ guard Derrick
Rose when he was MVP six seasons back, and with Dwyane Wade a season ago.
That
will allow him to mesh with the prior No. 1 overall picks, and the 2015 and
2016 Rookies of the Year in guard Andrew Wiggins (23.6 ppg, 45.2 FG%, 35.6
3-Pt.%), who finally signed his contract extension of five years at 146.5
million, and superstar center in waiting Karl-Anthony Towns (25.1 ppg-Led team,
12.3 rpg-6th NBA, 54.2 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt.%).
From
the time that the extension was offered to Wiggins back in August, Wiggins had
fired his agent, and had a face-to-face meeting with Owner Glen Taylor before
saying yes to the new-deal.
“It’s
a relief. It’s a relief,” the 22-year-old Canadian said. “That’s some money
that most people don’t see in a lifetime. So, I’m just thankful for it. My
family is going to be forever in a good position. So, it’s a blessing.”
Along
with adding Butler, the T’Wolves another former Bulls in forward Taj Gibson
(10.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 51.5 FG% w/Bulls & Thunder), who signed a two-year, $28
million deal in the off-season.
They
also signed veteran guard Jeff Teague (15.3 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.0 rpg, 35.7 3-Pt.%
w/Pacers), who will take the place of former lead guard Ricky Rubio, who was
dealt on June 30 to the Jazz for a protected future First-Round pick from the
Thunder, to a three-year $57 million deal; and three-time Sixth Man of the Year
recipient Jamal Crawford (12.3 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.% w/Clippers), to a two-year $8.8
million deal. The team also added veteran guard Aaron Brooks, and guard Marcus
Georges-Hunt.
"I know the West is going to be tough, but I think we're building a team right now where we can really compete," Teague said about the T'Wolves prospects for this season. "Being in the playoffs every year of my career, I expect nothing less."
Gibson,
brings an ability to impact the game on both ends, whether he starts, or comes
off the bench. Teague, who will replace former lead guard Ricky Rubio, brings a
steadiness, where he can score at the rim, from three-point range, can make
plays for others, and does not turn the ball over.
The
biggest thing that Butler, and Gibson bring is an ability to translate the
message that Coach Thibs is trying to relay to his team through the bells, and
whistles that he screams out in practice, and especially in games.
“I
think the most important thing is guys have to understand your going to hear
Thibs’ voice. All the time,” Butler said to Aschburner. “But, I may be able to
put it into context a different way what he is trying to get across. Yeah, he’s
yelling at you right now, but it’s because he really, really, really, really
wants you to do this, this way. And, so now I can come in, and say, ‘Hey. This
is what he’s saying, it’s just like a 1,000 percent right now. But this is what
he means.’”
Butler,
the 30th, and final overall pick in the 2011 draft, and Gibson, No.
26 overall pick in the 2009 draft also bring an understanding of what it takes
to make it in the NBA. They were not high draft choices, and they flat out
worked their tales off to gain the confidence of coach Thibodeau was they flat
out worked, especially at the defensive end.
As
“NBA: The Jump” host Rachel Nichols put it on Sept. 28th edition on
ESPN about Butler, and Gibson, “They like work. Thibs likes work, and their
mission is to spread that to the team.”
"His shell is so hard, but once you finally break into his shell, he's an awesome guy," Gibson said of Thibs' style of coaching.
That
is what they are especially going to have to sprinkle over the two pillars of
the T’Wolves in 21-year-old Towns, and 23-year-old Wiggins, who according to
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann scored 46 percent of the Timberwolves points in
2016-17, the biggest percentage of a team’s points any tandem in the league
score
Even
with the new additions, along with the remaining supporting cast of center Cole
Aldrich, forward Nemanja Bjelica (6.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) center Gorgui Gieng (10.0
ppg, 7.9 rpg, 50.2 FG%), and the recently re-signed restricted free agent
swingman Shabazz Muhammad (9.9 ppg, 48,2 FG%), the success of this team will
rest on the shoulders of Towns, and Wiggins.
While
individually they have put up great numbers, Wiggins, and Towns have not taken
that next step in their maturation in turning the T’Wolves into a perennial
playoff participant.
The
hope is that Butler, Gibson, Teague, Crawford, and Brooks bring some stability,
and pose to a club that on 25 occasions a season ago had a lead in the fourth
quarter and lost. In games in which they were within five points with five minutes remaining, the Timberwolves were just 15-19.
“I
think that we have a team that has great veteran ship,” Towns said to
Aschburner. “This is a team that really has the experience needed, and knows
what it needs to do to be in the playoffs. Not only to be in the playoffs, but
make it deep in the playoffs as well.”
The
addition of Butler will relieve Wiggins of those late game pressure moments.
He, Teague, and Crawford will bring some needed perimeter shooting to a team
that ranked 20th in three-point percentage; 30th in
three-pointers made per game at 7.3, and dead last in three-point attempts with
just 21 per game a season ago.
Even
with that, the T’Wolves, must become a better defensive team. In Thibodeau’s
five seasons with the Bulls from 2010-14, the Bulls were ranked twice No. 1,
No. 5, No. 2, and No. 11 in Defensive Rating. The T’Wolves were ranked 26th
a season ago, the worst rating of a Thibodeau coached team.
The
word to describe the 2017-18 Minnesota Timberwolves is accountability. As
mentioned earlier, it has been 13 years since they made the playoffs. This
blogger was in his second year at Howard University when that happened, where
they lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“You
have to set standards for yourself,” Towns said to Aschburner about not just
making the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. “A standard is not just
to make it. You want to go in there, and we want to fight. When you’re in the
playoffs, anything can happen.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Timberwolves end their 13-year playoff drought by clinching the No. 8, and
final playoff spot. Towns, and Wiggins are in the mix to become All-Stars. They
become a Top 10 Defense, and a better three-point shooting team.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The defense does not improve. Towns, and Wiggins do not make their teammates
better, and they miss the playoffs for the 14th year in a row.
Grade: A
New
Orleans Pelicans:
34-48 (4th Southwest Division; missed the playoffs) 21-20 at home,
13-28 on the road.
-104.3
ppg-18th; opp. ppg: 106.4-17th; 43.7 rpg-13th
Last
season, New Orleans, LA was the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. That w0as
the lone highlight for the New Orleans Pelicans in a season that consisted of a
blockbuster deal that netted them a talented big man, to alongside their other
All-NBA First-Team star, and fellow Kentucky Wildcat. The hope for this season
is that the re-signing of their All-Star lead guard, and a former NBA champion
guard will get them back into the playoffs this season.
Back
in February, the Pelicans swung a deal with the Sacramento Kings to acquire
All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins (27.0 ppg-T-6th NBA, 11.0 rpg-9th
NBA, 4.6 apg-career-high, 45.2 FG%, 36.1 3-Pt.% w/Kings & Pelicans), and
then forward Omir Casspi for guards Tyreke Evans, Langston Walker, and Buddy
Hield, a First-Round, and Second-Round pick in this past June’s draft.
On
paper, Cousins, and superstar Anthony Davis (28.0 ppg-4th NBA, 11.8
rpg-7th NBA, 2.2 bpg-2nd NBA, 50.5 FG%). While they did
put up great numbers on the court, the team went just 11-14 after the trade,
and hope their workouts together over the summer can turn that tide in the win
column.
“Last
year DeMarcus came in, it was tough for us,” Davis said to NBATV’s Jared
Greenberg on Media Day Sept. 26. “Both of us can shoot. So, we were both
picking, and popping, or playing when somebody was supposed to dive. The
chemistry was not there.”
Cousins
said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg on Media Day on Sept. 26 that he really
dedicated himself into being in the best shape possible entering this season.
Specifically, he wanted to be quicker a foot so he can play better on both ends
of the court, where he said guard all five positions.
That
is job No. 1 for head coach Alvin Gentry, who’s gotten a lot of criticism from
the fan base in the “Big Easy.”
While
the Pelicans have not played well under Gentry’s guidance, it has not helped
them that a total of 353 total games were lost by Pelicans’ players due to injury
two seasons back, which led the NBA, and 177 a season ago, which was No. 4 in
the league. Prior to last season where he played a career-high 75 games, Davis
had a history of missing games because of injury playing in just 67, 68, and 61
games the three seasons prior.
Davis
is one of the best big men in the game at cutting to the basket, but he must
become a player when he has a smaller guy guarding to take him to the basket
and scoring when he has that mismatch. Also, he must get to the free throw line more consistently, as well as become
this team undisputed leader, where when something needs to be said, it must
come from him first, and then maybe Cousins, followed by the team’s newest
floor general. More on that in a moment.
While his game has evolved to where he can take, and make the three-point shot, Cousins attempting the average of five per game a season ago is too much. He must make being in the low post his bread, and butter, and leave the consistent jump shooting to the perimeter guys.
Those
adjustments by the All-Star tandem should make the Pelicans a team that ranks
in the Top 5 the league at points in the paint, and not the 13th rank
one they were as season ago.
The
most important thing on the Pelicans to-do list over the summer was to re-sign
All-Star Jrue Holiday (15.4 ppg, 7.3 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 spg, 45.4 FG%, 35.6
3-Pt.%). They accomplish that, but it was a hefty price tag of a five-year $126
million deal. While Holiday has been solid, but has been only an All-Star once.
Besides
the loss of their First-Round pick in the Cousins deal, the Pelicans were
unable to improve their team via the draft back in June, and they are still
saddled with the contracts with players from past off-seasons that have not
made them a playoff perennial in the rugged West.
The
supporting cast of centers Omer Asik, and Alexis Ajinca; forward/guard Solomon
Hill, and guard E’Twaun Moore have been serviceable in their time in “The Big
Easy,” the contracts they signed signaled they were supposed to make major
contributions. They have only contributed to the team being $19 million over
the salary cap.
The
result, no cap flexibility to go after free agency, and they will have to wait
for the summer of 2018, or 2019 before they have cap relief, more on that in a
moment.
What
makes this news even tougher is that Hill will be out of the lineup about six
months because of a left hamstring tear he sustained over the summer during
workouts. A team that was lacking in consistent perimeter shooting to start
with at the swingman position just got worse.
They
were able though to make a couple of moves in signing veteran guard Rajon Rondo
(7.8 ppg, 6.7 apg, 5.1 rpg) to a one-year $3.3 million deal; guard Ian Clark
from the World Champion Warriors to a one-year deal, and forward Darius Miller
to a two-year, $4.3 million deal.
The
hope is that Rondo, who has been an average jumper shooter at best, Jordan
Crawford (14.1 ppg, 48.2 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.% in 19 games w/Pelicans) and Clark.
The
addition of Rondo does come with some risk because he has had a history of
clashes with his teammates, and head coach in each from the team that drafted
him in the Celtics, to his time with the Mavericks, Kings, and last season with
the Bulls, where he openly questioned the leadership of then teammates Dwyane
Wade, who is now with the Cavs, and Butler, who was dealt to the T’Wolves.
That
said, Rondo turned in a vintage performance in the first two games of their
opening round series against his former team. When he was lost after Game 2
with a broken thumb, the Celtics lost the next four games, then the series.
Unfortunately,
Rondo will be on the shelf for 4-6 weeks following sports hernia surgery on
Oct. 10 according to a report from ESPN.
The
hope that when Rondo does return, the great bond he developed with Cousins in
their lone season together with the Kings two years ago, and head coach Alvin
Gentry hope that the bond is more strengthen by the fact that the two, and
Davis starred at the University of Kentucky.
“We
are different, but I think we’re special in our own way,” Davis said to
Greenberg about being able to play with a traditional lineup of two big men.
“You got of the best bigs in the NBA, and just because a team is going small,
we’re going to go small. We’re going to punish them on the inside.”
Rondo’s
addition also means that Holiday can play off the ball, and that will give the
Pelicans a dynamic backcourt that can make plays for others with their uncanny
ability to find open people, and be disruptive at the defensive end with their
ability to get steals that should leave to fast breaks opportunities.
Speaking
of perimeter defense, the Pelicans bolstered that with the signing of veteran
swingman Tony Allen (9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 46.0 FG%) back on Sept. 15.
Davis
said to Greenberg that Rondo in the early practices has his new Pelicans
teammates doing all kinds of defensive drills. He even challenged both bigs to
be on the All-Defensive First-Team this upcoming season, and for one of them to
challenge for Defensive Player of the Year.
Last
season according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Pelicans ranked in the Bottom
10 in defensive efficiency in the first four seasons of Davis’ career. They
took a huge step on that end of the floor a season ago with a minus 2.3
differential going from a 107.3 average in points allowed per 100 possessions
to 104.9. They played better defense down low, on the perimeter, and fouled
less often.
While
the Pelicans were tied for No. 4 in “The Association” in block shots at 5.5 per
game as season ago, and ranked 11th in opponent’s field goal
percentage giving up 45.0 percent, they were 29th in rebound
differential at a -4.6, even with Davis, and Cousins.
“We’re
taking on that challenge, and we’re going out here to try to do whatever we can
on the defensive side knowing that offensively we’ll be okay,” Davis said to
Greenberg.
The
major hope is that they can make enough perimeter shots to keep the defense
honest. Cousins, and Davis will draw double teams, and it will be up to those
two, and the rest of the perimeter players to knock down shots.
“We
have enough shooters where we can knock down shots,” Davis said to Greenberg.
“We added Ian Clark. Darius Miller. Guys who can shoot the ball. If they do
double team, then we’re able to kick it out to our shooters who we know can
make shots.”
In
the draft, the Pelicans acquired the draft rights to the No. 31 overall pick in
guard Frank Jackson out of Duke, sending the rights to the No. 40 overall pick
guard Dwayne Bacon of Florida State, and cash consideration to the Hornets. The
Pelicans also received cash considerations when they dealt the No. 52 overall pick
guard Edmund Sumner out of Xavier to the Pacers.
The
description for the 2017-18 New Orleans Pelicans is hopeful. Hopeful that the
tandem of Davis, and Cousins meshes together better than it did a season ago.
That Rondo makes coach Gentry’s job easier, and he, and Holiday provide
stability on the perimeter on both ends. Hope that the supporting cast is good
enough to compliment Davis, and Cousins.
While
Davis has three years left on his deal, and is not in danger of being another
superstar player want to go elsewhere. Also, Davis has done nothing but speak
highly of the Pelicans’ front office, as well as the city of New Orleans
itself. We’ve heard that same thing from the likes of Paul George, and they did
an about-face and want out a year prior to free agency.
If
Cousins leaves in free agency at the end of this season, Davis might sound that
alarm sooner than the Pelicans think if they miss the playoffs again. Joining
him might be GM Dell Demps, who might have saved his bacon by acquiring Cousins
a season ago. Coach Gentry.
“Guys
are working their tails off,” Cousins, who has yet to be in the postseason in
his career said to Greenberg about the Pelicans approach to the 2017-18 NBA
campaign. “Guys have comeback in great condition. Guys have taken their game to
the next level. The mindset, and the focus of guys this year is on a whole
other level… We believe it could be a special season. It’s just about going out
there and putting it all together.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Pelicans make the playoffs as the No. 7 or No. 8 Seed in the West, and have
a good showing against the Warriors. Davis, and Cousins mesh well, and prove
two big men can play well together.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The Pelicans miss the playoffs again. Cousins leaves in free agency, and Davis
ask to be out as well, but does it quietly.
Grade: C-
Oklahoma
City Thunder: 47-35
(2nd Northwest Division; No. 6 Seed West) 28-13 at home, 19-22 on
the road. Lost to the Houston Rockets 4-1 in West Quarterfinals
-106.6
ppg-11th; opp. ppg: 105.8-16th; 46.6 rpg-3
With
the loss of Kevin Durant in free agency the summer prior, the Oklahoma City
Thunder became perennial All-Star Russell Westbrooks team, and all he did was
set a new single-season record for triple-doubles with 42, passing Hall of
Famer Oscar Robertson’s 41 in the 1961-62 season, in leading his team back into
the playoffs, and winning league MVP for the first time in his career. It was
not enough to take down a more complete Rockets in the opening round of the
playoffs a season ago. This off-season, Sam Presti worked his magic and
acquired two perennial All-Stars for basically a wrench, and a screw driver,
not to mention some complimentary players as well to help Westbrook.
On
July 6 the Thunder acquired four-time All-Star forward Paul George (23.7 ppg,
6.6 rpg, 1.6 spg, 46.1 FG% w/Pacers) from the Pacers for guard Victor Oladipo,
and forward Domantas Sabonis.
If
that was not enough, they pulled an even bigger blockbuster deal on Sept. 25,
acquiring from the Knicks 10-time All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony (22.4 ppg,
5.9 rpg, 35.9 3-Pt.% w/Knicks) for forward/center Enes Kanter, forward Doug
McDermott, and a 2018 Second-Round pick.
“I’ve
stayed with teams in situations because of contractual reasons, and money, and
not wanting to leave money on the table,” Anthony said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott
about being traded on Media Day on Sept. 26. “It came to a point where, ‘Okay.
Now I really need to get serious about my career.’ I’m not getting younger, and
the only thing I’m missing is winning, and kind of just getting that joy back.
Getting that feel back, and kind of feeling refreshed, and I feel like that
now.”
In
the middle of these two blockbuster deals, the Thunder signed forward Patrick
Patterson (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 37.2 3-Pt.% w/Raptors) to a three-year, $16.4
million deal, and guard Raymond Felton (6.7 ppg, w/Clippers) to a one-year,
$2.3 million deal. They re-signed perimeter defensive ace in guard Andre
Roberson (6.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 46.4 FG%) to a new three-year $30 million deal, and
re-signed forward Nick Collison to a new one-year, $2.3 million deal.
For
Westbrook, who joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players to
average a triple-double for a season in NBA history, with averages of 31.6
points (Led NBA), 10.7 boards (10th NBA), and 10.4 assists (3rd
NBA) will have the opportunity to garner more triple-doubles a lot easier with
the new additions, to go along with the remaining cast of starting center
Steven Adams (11.3 ppg-career-high, 7.7 rpg, 57.1 FG%), Jerami Grant (5.4 ppg,
46.9 FG%), and Kyle Singler.
Westbrook,
who had two streaks of seven straight triple-doubles, and set a new
single-season record with eight 40-plus triple-double performances, both NBA
records made it very clear that he wants to win a title in Oklahoma City, signing
a super max extension of five years at $205 million dollars on Sept. 29.
“Just
an unbelievable blessing from the man upstairs, and I’m just truly honored, and
blessed to be here,” Westbrook said to Fox Sports Southwest Antonio Daniels,
and numbers of Thunder fans on that Friday before the team’s Blue, and White
scrimmage.
“You
guys took me in. I came here when I was 18 years old. Been here for 10 years.
Obviously, I’m going to be here for a lot longer as well, and I’m just happy to
be here…We have the best fans in all sports, and I’m truly happy to play in
front of you guys.”
One
thing Westbrook, Anthony, and George understand right from the jump is the need
to sacrifice some of their individual games, so the team can have a chance of
success.
One
area the Thunder should be better is making three-pointers, where they were No.
30, making just 32.7 percent of their shots from distance; tied for 26th
in three-pointers made per game at 8.4, and 26th in total triples
made in 2016-17 with 692. George, by himself finished 152h in the
league with 195 threes made and Anthony connected on 151 triples last season,
where both shot 39.3, and 35.9 percent from the three-point line respectably.
“Anytime
you’re taking a guy like Russell, and Paul George, and Carmelo, and putting the
three of them together, there’s going to be a process that we’re all going to
have to go through to complement one another. To make each other better, and
also allow in certain situations for all those guys to be at their best.” head
coach Billy Donovan, who is 106-62 entering his third season said to Scott.
“But,
I think Russell being the point guard, he’s always been in my opinion very,
very responsible in trying to find ways to make the group better.”
According
to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, in the 194 minutes that Westbrook was on the floor
in the opening round against the Rockets, the Thunder were a +15 (442-427) with
their floor general on the floor. In the 46 minutes the league MVP was on the
sideline, the Thunder were a -58 (137-79).
The
other reason this new marriage with Westbrook, Anthony, and George will work is
they understand is their willingness to take the challenge to becoming a
consistent defensive team night in, and night out. George said to Scott that
defense will be the Thunder’s biggest strength.
“Russ
is a matchup problem on the defensive end. Roberson is one of the best
defenders. Myself. Melo is savvy with it on the defensive end, and what I think
the most underrated big men on the defensive end is Steven” he said. “The game
should come easier for us if we can turn defense into offense, and we should
have fun with that.”
Two
years ago, the Thunder fell one game shy of making their first appearance in
The Finals since 2012, where they lost to the Heat in five games. It seemed
hard to fathom that after Durant leaving they would ever compete for a title
again. Well Thunder GM Sam Presti, who will be a candidate for Executive of the
Year gave his team that chance with the additions of Anthony, and George, who
will be, or in the case of Anthony have the chance to be a free agent this
summer, if he opts out of the last year of his contract.
The
best way to describe the 2017-18 Oklahoma City Thunder enter this season is
intriguing. Westbrook
has not had this kind of help around since Durant, and Harden in the beginning
part of his career. When this season concludes, Anthony, and George should walk
away having to think about their decision to stay in OKC. If Westbrook puts his
best foot forwards, and raises the level of the Thunder becoming an even more
willing passer, there is a good chance Anthony, and George stay.
“We
shouldn’t let the outside on contracts, or free agency come close to breaking
what our goal is and that’s to win,” George said to Scott. “If we just have the
mindset of that we going to get the best shot, and the best look, regardless of
whose shooting it. Just let the game dictate whose gets the shots.”
Best
Case Scenario:
Thunder win the Northwest Division. Finish with over 50 wins, and are a Top 4
Seed in West. They reach the Semifinals. Anthony, and George stay in OKC.
Worst
Case Scenario:
The “Big Three,” are inconsistent. The Thunder fall in the opening round of the
playoffs.
Grade: A+
Phoenix
Suns:
24-58 (5th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 15-26 at home,
9-32 on the road.
-107.7
ppg-9th; opp. ppg: 113.3-30th; 45.0 rpg-6th
The
Phoenix Suns have a team full of young talented players. The question for them,
and their front office brass of Owner Robert Sarver, and GM Ryan McDonough, can
they along with head coach Earl Watson turn this talented group into one that
can eventually win?
The
one proven cornerstone they have is sharp shooter Devin Booker (22.1 ppg-Led
team, 36.3 3-Pt.%), who became just the sixth player in NBA history to reach 70
points, going 21 for 40 from the floor, 4 for 11 from three-point range, and 24
for 26 from the free throw line in the Suns 130-120 setback at the Boston
Celtics on Mar. 24. It also was the most points scored against the Celtics
ever.
Booker
became the youngest player ever, according to the Elias Sports Bureau to score
60-plus points in NBA history, topping legends, and Hall of Famers Jerry West,
who scored 63 points at the age of 23 on Jan. 1, 1962; David Thompson, who
dropped 73 points at the age of 23 on Apr. 9, 1978; and the great Michael
Jordan, who at 24-years-old scored 61 points twice on Mar. 4, 1987, and Apr.
16, 1987.
Booker
growth in his first two seasons has gotten the attention of three of the best
to ever play on the hardwood.
“I
love Devin Booker man… You better watch out for that boy because he is nice. He
next-I’m telling you,” is how 2017 Finals MVP Finals MVP Kevin Durant of the
Warriors described the sharp shooter.
Four-time
league MVP of the Cavs LeBron James said, ‘If it’s someone who is under the
radar right now that I believe is going to be really, really, really good,
All-Star player in the league-It’s Devin Booker.”
Future
Hall of Famer, and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant said of the sharp
shooter, “I think he’s fantastic…I think he has the right attitude. He has the
right competitive spirit.”
“Devin,
his game is just untapped, and he’s getting better, and better,” Suns’ guard
Eric Bledsoe said to NBATV’s Kristen Ledlow about Booker, who averaged 24.6
points, 4.2 boards, and 4.1 assists in the 22 games after the All-Star break.
The
player the Suns are leaning on to get them out of the West cellar was on hand
during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League showing support to some of future Suns
teammates.
He
just didn’t show up to sit in the audience, he was fully engaged, and cheering
his future teammates on. That is the
kind of commitment one makes to making the team around him better. That is also
the kind of a commitment a player, who joined James, Celtics new All-Star guard
Kyrie Irving, Durant, and current NBA on TNT studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal as
the only players in NBA history to average 22 points in a season before the age
of 21.
Aside
from the No. 13 overall pick in 2015 out of the University of Kentucky, the
rest of the roster still is a question mark.
Bledsoe
(21.1 ppg-career-high, 6.3 apg, 4.8 rpg), whose scoring and assists averages
have improved in all four of his seasons in the “Valley of the Sun,” has not
risen the Suns out of the West basement.
“That
is how second-year guard Tyler Ulis (7.3 ppg, 3.7 apg) got a chance to play
late in the year, and was productive with averages of 11.9 points, and 7.9
assists in March, and 20.7 points, and 6.8 assists in April.
The
team even entertained the thought of acquiring All-Star guard Kyrie Irving from
the defending three-time East champion Cavs over the summer for Bledsoe.
“I
just got to be a better leader,” Bledsoe, who will turn 28-years-old later this
season said to Ledlow. “It’s definitely time for me to win. In order for me to
win, I got to lead this team. We got a bunch of young players, but it’s still
basketball. It’s something we love to do, and we just got to be confident, and
don’t back down to nobody.”
The
Suns did not bite, because the Cavs wanted dynamic forward Josh Jackson, who
the Suns drafted at No. 10 overall out of the University of Kansas in June.
Jackson
show his out of this world athleticism on both ends, as well as his high-IQ
that was different from past young athletic wings during the Las Vegas Summer
League, where he made chase down blocks, and assaults on the rim a routine
during those games, while also displaying graceful movement with, and without
the basketball.
“Josh
surprised me. I didn’t know he could play make as well as he can,” Bledsoe said
to Ledlow about Jackson, who averaged 14.0 points in Summer League.
That
covered up the 41.7 percent from the floor that the third Jayhawk to be
selected in the draft in the Top Three since 2014, joining No. 1 overall pick
in Andrew Wiggins in 2014 by the Timberwolves, and the No. 3 overall pick in
that same draft Joel Embiid shot from the field. Hopefully he will put major work throughout
this season to fine-tune the form on his perimeter shot, because being a player
who gets his points in the open court, and around the rim in today’s game will
not cut it.
“This
game means everything to me,” Jackson said. “The best way to earn respect is
just to come in, and show the guys that you are serious. You want to work hard,
and you’re a team player.”
The
biggest difference with Jackson entering his rookie season, he stood out during
Summer League, unlike last year rookie class of front court players Marquese
Chriss (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Dragen Bender, who played just 43 games a season
ago because of injury.
Chriss
though really came on after the All-Star break with averages of 12.7 points,
7.3 rebounds. Bender, who played well in Summer League, must stay ready when
his number is called, and when it is, he must perform.
The
only consistent front court player for the Suns a season ago was forward T.J.
Warren, with averages of 14.4 points, and 5.1 boards on 49.5 percent from the
field that earned the No. 14 pick in the 2014 draft out of North Carolina State
University a four-year, $50 million contract extension over the summer.
One
player who really improved as last season went on was second-year
forward/center Alan Williams (7.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 51.7 FG%), who went undrafted
out of UC Santa Barbara. The Phoenix native really came on to close last season
with averages 11.4 points, and 9.1 rebounds, on 51.4 percent shooting, earning a
three-year, $17 million extension.
“Alan
embodies what it means to be a Phoenix Sun on and off the court,” McDonough
said of the 2016-17 Dan Majerle Hustle Award recipient. “We’ve enjoyed watching
him become a very valuable part of our team over the past few years. We’re
excited that we were able to reach a deal to keep a native Phoenician home,
where we know ‘Sauce’ will continue to make a significant impact, both on the
court, and in the community.”
Unfortunately,
Williams had right knee surgery last month, and is out indefinitely with no
timetable to return.
One
player the Suns hoped would become a major part of their team is center Alex
Len (8.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 49.7 FG%), whose only competition during this time has
been veteran center Tyson Chandler, who has played more minutes, as well as
averaged twice as many rebounds as the No. 5 overall pick in 2013 out of
Maryland.
This
was a guy that was taken ahead of Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, and
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, and both have become established starters
for their respective teams, which is how they have gotten hefty contract
extensions, and why the Suns’ center, who is a restricted free agent was
offered just a one-year $1.4 million offer from the Suns. The fact that nothing
has happened since then from another team making him an offer, or that he has
not signed the deal is a bad look for him, and the organization.
It
also no help that guard Brandon Knight (11.0 ppg), who the team was hoping to
use in a trade to acquire more assets will be on the shelf for the entire
upcoming season after tearing his ACL in his left knee while playing basketball
near his South Florida home, earlier in the off-season.
Two
players that the Suns can use to acquire players on healthy contracts, along
with draft picks besides Bledsoe are the previously mentioned Chandler (8.4
ppg, 11.5 rpg-Led team, 67.1 FG%), and Jared Dudley (6.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 45.4
FG%, 37.9 3-Pt.%).
These
are two pros in every sense of the word, who could be a major help to any team
on the cusp of a title. If that is not in the cards, they will continue to be a
help to the young Suns, who have a lot of room to grow both on, and off the court.
If
there is one bright spot for the Suns is they were one of the best offensive
teams in the NBA a season ago, ranking second in fast break points. However,
according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Suns were the least effective jump
shooting team in the NBA a season ago with an effective field goal percentage
of 43.9 from outside the paint. Reason for that is they were one of seven teams
that took more mid-range shots than three-pointers, and they ranked in the
bottom in passer per possession, were one of two teams to recorded assists on
less than half of their field goals.
Another
season of player development is how to describe the Phoenix Suns, entering the
2017-18 NBA campaign.
When
Sarver bought the Suns from Jerry Colangelo 13 years ago, for then an NBA
record $401 million, the Suns led by future Hall of Famer Steve Nash made two
trips to the Western Conference Finals. Since then they have fallen to the
basement of the West.
He
has acknowledged recently that the team, which has missed the playoffs for
seven consecutive seasons is in its current position due to his inability of
being impatient during this rebuilding process under McDonough’s first four
seasons as GM.
Hopefully
this season the young players will show signs improvement, and that there are
better days ahead, where they can their high-octane offensive, with a serious
commitment to playing defense.
Grade: D
Portland
Trail Blazers: 41-41
(3rd Northwest Division; No. 8 Seed West) 25-16 at home, 16-25 on
the road. Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-0 in West
Quarterfinals.
-107.9
ppg-8th; opp. ppg: 108.5-25th; 43.7 rpg-14th
The
prior summer, the Portland Trail Blazers, and their billionaire owner Paul Allen
opened his check book to re-sign, and sign a few players who they thought could
help them move up in the rugged West. The team entered the summer of 2017
projected to pay $40 million in luxury taxes, which was a steep price to pay
after a 24-35 start a season ago. A major deal with the Nuggets brought them a
big man, whose emergence saved their season, but got them into the playoffs,
that resulted in a four-game sweep in the opening round against the eventual
champion Warriors. This off-season, the Trail Blazers went on a budget, adding
two big men they drafted, and dealt away a very price, but productive backup
guard.
The
Trail Blazers biggest off-season move was dealing guard Allen Crabbe, who
signed a four-year $75 million deal two summers back to the Nets, who
ironically signed him to that same offer sheet when he was a restricted free
agent the prior summer.
By
the Trail Blazers matching that offer, they had to wait one full year, under
league rules to include the former California Bear into a deal with the Nets,
which they did, and acquired forward Andrew Nicholson, who they waived, along
with the rest of the three years, and $20 million left on his contract. The
team also through a stretch provision eased the luxury tax hit, and generated a
$12.9 million trade exception in the deal as well, which will expire next
off-season.
The
other reason they let Crabbe go is that the Trail Blazers were paying $56
million dollars combined to him, and their starting backcourt of All-Star
Damian Lillard (27.0 ppg-T-6th NBA, 5.9 apg, 37.0 3-Pt.%), and CJ
McCollum (23.0 ppg-career-high, 48.0 FG%, 42.1 3-Pt.%), who while explosive
offensively, are the exact opposite on defense.
To
put into perspective the kind of career that Lillard, who rap nickname is “Dame
Dolla,” his is the first Trail Blazer to make 1,000 three-pointers in his
career. He is the 10th player in NBA history to score 8,000-plus
points, and dish out 2,000-plus assists in his first five seasons. He and Hall
of Famer Clyde Drexler are the only Trail Blazers to average 25-plus points in
multiple seasons, and Lillard has scored in double-digits in all 31 career
playoff games.
McCollum
last season joined the two-time MVP Stephen Curry of the Warriors in 2014-15,
and future Hall of Famer and 2006-07 league MVP Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks
as the only players to average 23-plus points, shoot 48-plus percent from the
field, 42-plus percent from three-point land, and 91-plus percent from the free
throw line in a single-season.
“CJ
plays a very efficient offensive game,” Lillard said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg
on Media Day in late September about the other part of the second-best scoring
duo in the NBA in 2016-17. “I’m still
looking to improve my efficiency as an offensive player, especially with so
much responsibility, but not only we will give ourselves opportunity to improve
in that area, maybe not having to waist so much energy on offense trying to
score, or trying to get into the paint, and make a play. To where we might be
able to be better defenders. We might be a better defensive team if we’re able
to do that.”
Last
season, the dynamic backcourt averaged 38 shots per game combined, but just 10
assists. It
would help a great deal if Lillard, and McCollum’s understudy’s in Evan Turner
(9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), who struggled shooting at 42.6 percent a season ago from
the floor, and maybe Shabbaz Napier, or Pat Connaughton can emerge, and take
some of the pressure off them offensively.
The
other reason for dealing Crabbe was to have enough cash in the coffers to pay
center Jusuf Nurkic (10.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 50.7 FG%, w/Nuggets & Trail
Blazers), who averaged 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his 20
appearances with the Trail Blazers after being acquired from the Nuggets for
forward/center Mason Plumlee is eligible for an extension before next season.
To
bring into context how efficient he was, only 54 of 534 shots Nurkic took were
outside of 10 feet a season ago. They hope he can expand that range a little
bit, while still being a dominant force on the block, that helped the Trail
Blazers close last season with a 17-6 mark.
The
trade also saved the skin of GM Neil Olshey, whose team was 27-35 before the
acquisition of Nurkic. The team’s finish also earned him a contract extension
this summer through the 2020-21 NBA campaign.
“Last
year was a tale of two seasons,” head coach Terry Stotts, whose 223-187 as
Trail Blazers head coach said about their down, and up 2016-17. “We had a very
disappointing first half of the season. Obviously after the trade, and getting
Nurk, we got healthy, and we had a lot of guys playing well, and we made a
great run to get into the playoffs.”
Another
great season from Nurkic, will command the kind of contract equal to the
extensions that Lillard, and McCollum, the second highest scoring tandem in the
league a season got, in the range of $100 million.
“He
really complimented myself, and CJ, but it’s a completely different season,”
Lillard, a two-time All-Star said on Media Day in late September to NBATV’s
Jared Greenberg on Nurkic’s continued development from last season.
“He
has to still come in, and he has to back it up. A lot of us in the league can
play good over stretches, and in spurts. But, to be able to sustain it, that’s
what we’re looking forward to, and that’s going to take more than just saying,
‘We did it last year.’ We got to come out, and put up. We got to show it, and I
think that’s one of the things I’m most excited about.”
If
the Trail Blazers could have a do-over, they would not have broken the bank for
Crabbe, forward Mo Harkless (10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 50.3 FG%, 35.1 3-Pt.%), Turner,
and center Meyers Leonard. They all got paid, but their play did not match the
hefty contracts they signed two summers back, at least not to the point where
they could shift their team to the point that they rely heavily on the
Lillard-McCollum combination, and now Nurkic.
It
did not help that their best wing defender Al-Farouq Aminu (8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg),
who shot just 39.2 percent from the field, and just 32.9 from three-point range
missed time early in the season because of a calf injury.
Lillard,
who is entering his sixth season in the NBA said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg on
Media Day in late September, that the next step for him, and McCollum in their
growth as a backcourt is to get their teammates more involved in the game
offensively, and making the game simpler for them.
“The
more we can allow them to impact the game, and affect the game, then teams will
maybe soften up on us, and maybe we can make the game easier for ourselves,”
Lillard said to Greenberg.
The
Trail Blazers got into this pickle because of their upset in the opening round
of the 2016 postseason, defeating the Clippers, who lost their All-Star duo of
Blake Griffin, and Chris Paul to injury.
To
improve their team, the Trail Blazers turned to the draft, and to improve their
front court, traded the No. 15, and No. 20 overall picks in forward Justin
Jackson out of the University of North Carolina, and center Harry Giles out of
Duke University to the Sacramento Kings to move up to the No. 10 spot, and
chose center Zach Collins out of Gonzaga.
While
he had his struggles in summer league, the team is upbeat about the potential
of the 19-year-old seven-footer, who is a shot blocker, and can make perimeter
shots.
The
Trail Blazers are very high on their selection at No. 26 overall in forward
Caleb Swanigan out of Purdue. He played very well over the summer, and his
great showing could either get him minutes in the rotation over Leonard, Noah
Vonleh, and Ed Davis, or provide option for the team to use in a possible
trade.
In
a moment of desperation, or an attempt at a joke or possibly a combination of
the two, the McCollum tried to convince then Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony to
waive his no-trade clause to be dealt to the Pacific Northwest.
McCollum
used social media to try and recruit the 10-time All-Star citing the charm of
“Rip City,” and that he would be a huge addition to their team.
The
attempt failed as Anthony did not reply, and he was dealt to the Thunder before
the start of Training Camp in early September.
The
Portland Trail Blazers enter the 2017-18 NBA season as a one hoping for growth
from within.
The
silver-lining for the team is the roster is the second youngest entering this
season. Their starting backcourt of Lilliard, and McCollum are one of the best
in “The Association.” Nurkic looks poised to pick up where he left off a season
ago. Above all, they have continuity in Coach Stotts. The problem for them is
the Pelicans, are better this season, and so is the team they beat out for the
No. 8, and final playoff spot in the West in the Nuggets.
“I
think the takeaway from last year will be the last 25 games where he had a nice
stretch, and we’re feeling very good about ourselves,” Stotts said. “Obviously
losing to the eventual NBA champions is you don’t want to lose. But, my
takeaway is we have to build on what we did the last 25 games, because the West
is going to be tough.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Trail Blazers fight to make the No. 7 or No. 8 spot in the loaded West.
Lillard, and McCollum continue to be a dominant scoring duo. Nurkic continues
to be a presence on both ends. The supporting cast is consistently productive.
Worst
Case Scenario: The
Trail Blazers miss the playoffs, and the supporting cast performs below
expectations again.
Grade: C
Sacramento
Kings: 32-50
(3rd Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 17-24 at home, 15-26 on
the road.
-102.8
ppg-24th; opp. ppg: 106.7-18th; 41.1 rpg-28th
Only
the Timberwolves with 13, have the longest playoffs drought than the 11
straight seasons by the Kings, which includes this past season. From an
excellent draft in June, to the signing of veterans in free agents, it seems
like the Kings finally got things together, and have some kind of direction.
The
reconstruction of the Kings began at the trade deadline when they sent the
talented, but at times difficult All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to the
Pelicans to create a more positive vibe in the capital city of California.
In
return, the Kings got now second-year guard Buddy Hield (10.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg,
39.1 3-Pt.%), who showed flashes that he could be a core player for the Kings
going forward, with a 15.1-point average in 25 games with the Kings, on 48.0
percent from the field, and 42.8 from three-point range.
In
this past June’s draft, the Kings selected who they hope will be the face of
the franchise in guard De’Aaron Fox with the No. 5 overall pick out of the
University of Kentucky. The Kings then acquired the draft rights to the No. 15
overall pick in forward Justin Jackson out of the University of North Carolina,
and the No. 20 overall pick in forward Harry Giles out of Duke University. At
No. 34, the Kings selected guard Frank Mason III out of the University of
Kansas.
This
draft class not only consist of some of the best incoming talent the Kings have
had in quite a while, but all three came from strong collegiate programs that
were in the National title conversation, and they played big roles in that
journey.
Fox
brings a level of speed and quickness to the lead guard spot that is uncanny.
He has jump shot that must be honored; he can get to the basket with the best
of them; can rebound at his position; find the open man with ease; and has a
competitive spirit, and love for basketball that is second to none. He showed
that in the Sweet 16 in March when he lit up the No. 2 overall pick by the
Lakers Lonzo Ball for 39 points in their victory over UCLA.
That
competitive spirit will come in handy when he goes up against the elite floor
generals in the game like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Damian
Lillard to name a few.
Jackson
is crafty forward, with size that allows him to score in the paint; is deadly
in the pick-and-roll; to play make for others; and has an excellent mid-range
jump shot.
Giles,
has freakish athleticism, a high motor, and is an excellent shot blocker. The
issue with him was staying as he had torn both his knees going back to high school
and his one year at Duke. The Kings decided recently to shelve him until
January so he can get his knees as healthy as possible.
These
new additions, complimented with Hield, center Willie Cauley-Stein (8.1 ppg,
4.5 rpg, 53.0 FG%), centers Kosta Koufos (6.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 55.1 FG%), and
Georgios Papagiannis (5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 54.9 FG%) and forward Skal Labissiere
(8.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 53.7 FG%), give the Kings a young core of players for head
coach Dave Joerger to build a winning team.
In
free agency, the Kings and embattled GM Vlade Divac wrote a check for $72
million to sign in free agency veteran guard George Hill (16.9 ppg, 47.7 FG%,
40.3 3-Pt.% w/Jazz), who signed for three years at $57 million; forward Zach
Randolph, at two years, for $24 million, and the ageless forward/guard Vince
Carter (8.0 ppg, 37.8 3-Pt.% w/Grizzlies) to a one-year, $8 million deal.
These
are the kind of veterans, who combine bring 181 games of combine playoff
experience not only will allow Kings to compete night in, and night out, but
they will serve as excellent examples for the young players under head coach
Dave Joerger, who is reunited with Randolph, and Carter of the kind of work you
must put in from practice, to shootaround, to the hardwood on game day.
“We
have a lot of high character people, that come from great places. Great
families, and great programs that we’ve added into our Kings team,” Joerger,
whose entering his second season as Kings head coach said to NBATV’s Jared
Greenberg on Media Day. “So, you know you want to come to work with people that
you want to work with every day, and that’s a joy to be around, and that have
great energy, and a smile on their face.”
Hill
will bring a steadiness to not just the court, but the locker room, and he will
be an excellent mentor to Fox, and allow the organization to not have to press
him into the starting lineup right from the jump. Joerger can also play the two
together at times because Hill is an excellent player with, or without the ball
in his hands.
Carter,
and Randolph, along with Hill, and guard Garrett Temple (7.8 ppg, 37.3 3-Pt.%)
not only have plenty of gas left in the tank, but they will bring a plethora of
experience, and cautionary tales for the likes of centers Willie Cauley-Stein
(8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 53.0 FG%) and Georgios Papagiannis, Hield, forward Skal
Labissiere (8.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 53.7 FG%), center Kosta Koufos (6.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg,
55.1 FG%), and guard Malachi Richardson.
That
would include one where Randolph was arrested on Aug. 9 at a Los Angeles
housing project on the suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to sell.
Randolph,
who spent eight seasons with the Grizzlies, was charged with misdemeanor drug
possession, and resisting arrest, and ultimately was sentenced to 150 hours of
community service in early September.
Joerger
said to Greenberg that he has known Randolph in the time he has coached him in
Memphis to be a big-hearted guy who has given millions of dollars back to the
Memphis community. That he is someone who will give you the shirt off his back,
and that the incident that happened in Vegas over the summer is what it is.
He
also said that Randolph was a guy the young players on the Grizzlies when he
first came aboard gravitated towards, and he became like their big brother. On
court, he could get you a bucket down low, especially in the closing moments of
a game, as well get rebounds in traffic without even jumping off the ground.
“Zach
is that way on the court, and Zach is that way off the court, and the young
guys love that,” Joerger said.
The
Kings also signed the 2017 Turkish League MVP Bogdan Bogdanovic to a
three-year, $26.8 million deal, who averaged 14.6 points per game in the
Euroleague, who a rival scout called the best shooter in Europe a season ago.
The
Kings enter the 2017-18 NBA campaign as a team that reset itself once again.
They have made major moves in past years, only to have most of them fall flat,
and set the franchise back.
Sacramento
performed another cosmetic procedure to their roster that would make the best
plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, CA green with envy. Only 32 percent of their
roster from a season ago, equating to just seven players will be returning to
the team this season, which is 30th in NBA.
This
season though will be about how the young players develop. Early on, the likes
of Hill, Carter, Randolph, and Temple might play a great deal but as the season
progresses, and they are out of playoff contention, Fox, Jackson, Labissiere,
Hield and the rest of the young players will be given a chance by coach
Joerger, and it will be up to them to show that the Kings can become a
perennial playoff participant in the years to come.
“We
might take some losses, but we’re going to go out, and we’re going to compete”
Joerger said to Greenberg. “We’re going to learn how to compete together. We’re
going to learn how to work together, and hopefully when you come into a
practice in January, you won’t know if we’re 20-20, 10-30, or 30-10. There’s
just that vibe in there that when you come to work, we’re going to get out work
in, and we’re going to have a good time doing it.”
Best
Case Scenario:
The Kings win around 34 games. Fox is in the running for Rookie of the Year.
The veterans have a positive impact on the rookies, and young players. The team
make the Golden 1 Center a tough place to play.
Worst
Case Scenario:
Less than 34 wins. Fox struggles to adjust to the NBA, and the veterans do a
lot of the heavy lifting in terms of minutes.
Grade: B-
San
Antonio Spurs:
61-21 (1st Southwest Division; No. 2 Seed West) 31-10 at home, 30-11
on the road. Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in West
Quarterfinals. Defeated the No. 3 Seeded Houston Rockets 4-2 in West
Semifinals. Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-0 in West Finals.
-105.3
ppg-14th; opp. ppg: 98.1-2nd; 43.9 rpg-11th
Some
of the best teams that are in the conversation for winning championships know
who they are, and when they add to their puzzle, they add people that will live
up to that standard. That describes the five-time NBA champion San Antonio
Spurs, who put a scare into the current NBA champions in the Conference Finals.
In
the team’s first season without future First-Ballot Hall of Famer Tim Duncan,
they won over 60 games for the seventh time in franchise history, behind
All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard (25.5 ppg-9th NBA, 5.8 rpg, 3.5 apg,
1.8 spg-T-7th NBA, 48.5 FG%, 38.0 3-Pt.%), whose third-place
finisher in the MVP balloting in 2016-17 was at the top of his game in the
postseason with averages of 27.7 points, 7.8 boards, 4.6 assists, and 1.7
steals in 12 games, on 52.5 percent from the field, 45.5 from three-point
range, and 93 percent from the charity stripe.
He,
and the Spurs were on the verge of taken homecourt advantage away from the
favored Warriors in the first game of the Western Conference Finals back in
May. Then Leonard sprained his ankle in the third quarter, and that was all she
wrote, as the Warriors swept the Spurs, on route to their second title in the
last three seasons.
Along
with not having their offensive anchor on the floor the rest of the West Finals
in Leonard, the disappearance of their supposed second-best player in five-time
All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg 47.7 FG%) who averaged just 15.5
points in the Conference Finals, and shot a horrific 41.3 percent from the
field.
The
biggest question with Aldridge is has he reached the ceiling of what he can be
at the offensive end?
Aldridge,
and Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich had a heart-to-heart conversation over the
summer about the Texas’ native being unhappy with his role.
“I
feel like I wasn’t really fitting into the system as best I could,” Aldridge
said to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. “I kind of just spilled my heart about how I
felt about how things were, and how things had been going. I think he was kind
of caught off guard.”
Apparently, that conversation must have gone well, because the Spurs and Aldridge have agreed on a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension at the start of this week, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Spurs will need Aldridge to return
to the form that made him an All-Star, because guards Tony Parker (10.1 ppg, 4.5
apg, 46.6 FG%), and Manu Ginobili, who re-signed for season No. 16 are not the
same players they once were, although they have proven to still be very
effective.
At
the start of camp, the Spurs got some very good news as Parker, who season
ended in the Game 2 of the Semis versus the Rockets when he sustained a
quadriceps injury that required surgery. The team originally thought he would
be shelved until after the All-Star break in February, but he said on Media Day
that he could be back as soon as late November.
However, Leonard, who has missed all the preseason because of a quad injury, will not be available for the Spurs' opening game versus the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Popovich said that Leonard is still rehabbing, and added, "When he's ready, he'll be ready."
Even
if they were without Parker for the first half of this season, the Spurs were
solidified at the lead guard spot with Patty Mills (9.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 41.4
3-Pt.%), who was re-signed to a four-year, $50 million deal, and second-year
guard Dejounte Murray, who gives the Spurs an athletic guard who can make
things happen in the open floor and can attack the basket in the half court.
The
big thing for Murray though is developing into a player that head coach Gregg
Popovich can trust to take care of things, especially against tougher
competition.
Murray
does not have to look no further than Danny Green (7.3 ppg, 37.9 3-Pt%),
Parker, Ginobili, Leonard, Kyle Anderson, the recently departed Jonathon
Simmons, and second-year forward Davis Bertans, who all developed into players
that head coach Gregg Popovich trust, know their roles, and perform their roles
on both ends of the court effectively, and consistently.
The
Spurs did make a few moves, beginning with selecting at No. 29 overall in the
draft guard Derrick White out of Colorado. Signed forward Rudy Gay (18.7 ppg,
6.3 rpg, 1.5 spg, 45.5 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.% w/Kings) to a two-year, $17.2 million
deal, providing another wing player who can score, and defend on the perimeter,
even though he is coming off an Achilles injury that ended his 2016-17 season
early. They also signed forward/center Joffrey Lauvergne (5.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), to
a two-year, $3.1 million deal, and guard Brandon Paul, to a two-year, $2.1
million.
They
tried to acquire All-Star Chris Paul, which is why they did not re-sign
All-Star and future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol (12.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 50.2 FG%, 53.8
3-Pt.%-Led NBA) or Ginobili at first. When Paul was dealt to the interstate
rival Rockets, they did re-sign Gasol to a three-year, $48.8 million deal, as
well as Ginobili.
Nowhere
do they measure how good of a team that they are then their bench brigade,
which according to NBA.com writer John Schuhmann has been the best in the NBA
in three of the past four seasons. In three of the last five seasons, the Spurs
had the best bench net rating, which was a +8.9 a season ago. They had a +9.1
rating in 2013-14, which was a big reason they captured title No. 5.
The
Spurs had to remake that second unit with the departures of Simmons, forward
David Lee, and center Dewayne Dedmon, but the return of Ginobili, and Mills,
and the additions of Gay should give the Spurs a lethal group of reserve players
once again.
The
word to describe the Spurs heading into the 2017-18 campaign is consistent.
That consistency has equated to the longest active postseason streak in the NBA
with 20 straight appearances; an NBA record 18 straight seasons of 50 wins or more; six
60-plus win seasons, and the icing on the cake five NBA titles.
That
consistent comes starts with head coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford, who
have had drafted the right players who respect, and bare the foundation of the
organization from Hall Famer David Robinson, to Tim Duncan, to Ginobili, Parker
and now Leonard. A supporting cast of players that player hard, together, and
consistent on both ends. They have always added the right mixture of players
around their star or stars.
The
Warriors are the defending champions, and deservedly so. The Spurs hope to get
another crack at the defending champions, and produce a different result.
Best
Case Scenario:
Spurs are in the Top three in the West again with 55 wins or more. Win their 23rd
Southwest Division title in franchise history. Make it to the Conference Finals
against the Warriors.
Worst
Case Scenario:
They finally drop off in the West standings, and have an early exit in the
postseason.
Grade: B+
Utah
Jazz:
51-31 (1st Northwest Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 29-12 at home,
22-19 on the road. Defeated the No. 4 Seeded Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 in West
Quarterfinals. Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-0 in West
Semifinals.
-100.7
ppg-28th; opp. ppg: 96.8-1st; 43.2 rpg-10th
They
won their first Northwest Division title since 2008. Made it back to the
playoffs for the first time since 2012, and won their first playoff series
since 2010. Things were looking promising for the Utah Jazz. Even with their new
additions, which includes one of the elite passers in the game today, their
main objective this off-season was to resign their leading scorer, and face of
their franchise. Unfortunately, the pull of rejoining his college head coach in
the Northeast was too big of an opportunity to pass up.
July
14, 2017 will be a tough one for the fans in Salt Lake City, UT as first time
All-Star a season ago Gordon Hayward signed with the Boston Celtics.
The
Jazz lost their leading scorer, their top playmaker, a more than willing
rebounder at the small forward spot, and a guy who really grew as a leader of
the team.
They
acquired guard Ricky Rubio (11.1 ppg, 9.1 apg-5th NBA, 1.7 spg-9th
NBA w/Timberwolves) from the Timberwolves, for a Top 14 protected 2018
First-Round pick, who will be the Jazz’s starting lead guard, replacing last
season’s starter George Hill, who departed for a bigger paycheck with the
Kings.
“We
think Ricky Rubio is going to be a 2017 facsimile of Jason Kidd, and I could
see him leading the league in assists,” Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey said in July.
“We have a point guard with something to prove.”
They
retained backup guard Joe Ingles (7.1 ppg, 45.2 FG%, 44.1 3-Pt.%-4th
NBA), who re-signed a new four-year, $52 million deal. His ability to make a
high percentage of three-point shots, along with Johnson’s 41.1 percent, and
the 37.1 of Rodney Hood are why the Jazz were No. 9 at 37.2 percent from
distance.
In
Rubio, the Jazz have the purest pass first lead guard since Hall of Famer John
Stockton was running the show. His presence should instantly create scoring
chances for his new teammates in the half court, and his ability to get out in
the open floor, should ignite many fast breaks, which has been lacking in Utah.
His jump shot still is the biggest weakness in his game, and if he can provide
the kind of scoring he did in the second half of last season with averages of
16.0 points, 10.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and hit 35.3 percent of his
three-pointers, that will make the Jazz offense that much better.
To
put into perspective the improvement the Jazz could make offensively, while
they averaged 1.22 points per possession in transition, that led the NBA a
season ago. However, nine percent of the Jazz’s possession were in transition,
according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, which 29th in the NBA in
2016-17. In each of Coach Snyder’s first three seasons with the Jazz, they have
ranked last in pace, but either first, or second in passes per possession.
The
addition of Rubio should get the Jazz out in transition more, where league wide
effective field goal percentage in 2016-17 was highest in the first six seconds
of the 24-second clock, and the lowest in the last six seconds. The Jazz a
season ago ranked last in percentage of shots that came early in the shot clock,
and first in percentage of shots that came late in the clock.
In
free agency, they signed forward Jonas Jerebko, to a two-year deal, worth $8.2
million, who will provide smart play, toughness, and perimeter shooting. The
addition of forward/guard Thabo Sefolosha, at $11 million for two years will
bring another veteran who can still guard some of the most lethal perimeter
scorers in the NBA. Forward Ekpe Udoh, at two-years for $6.5 million, and
swingman Royce O’Neal, at $3.8 million for two years will give this team depth
in front court.
With
the loss of Hayward, the Jazz will now be looking for some of their young core
players to emerge, like guard Dante Exum but he sustained a separated left
shoulder, as well as ligament damage from a fall on a drive to the hoop in
Friday’s 112-102 preseason loss versus the Suns on Oct. 6, and could have his
season end before the regular season for the second time in the last three
seasons. He missed the 2015-16 campaign after tearing his ACL playing for the
Australian national team that summer.
His
loss means that the understudy to Rubio will be either be second-year guard
Raul Neto, or the No. 13 pick back in June Donovan Mitchell out of Louisville,
whose rights were dealt from the Nuggets for the rights to the No. 24 pick in
forward Tyler Lydon, and third-year forward Trey Lyles.
Mitchell
really showed his stuff in the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League, and with Exum
likely down for the upcoming season, will get minutes right from the jump for
head coach Quin Snyder.
“I’m
truly excited to go out here, and just be a part of this organization,”
Mitchell said in an interview over the summer. “It’s definitely a blessing, and
honor to go out there, and just being able to be who I am in front of all of
these people, and let them accept me for who I am, and it’s great, because you
go out there, and play your game, and let the rest take care of itself.”
The
Jazz will also need center Rudy Gobert (14.0 ppg-career-high, 12.8 rpg-4th
NBA, 2.6 bpg-Led NBA, 66.1 FG%-2nd NBA), who was runner-up for
Defensive Player of the Year a season ago, and proved he was worth every bit of
the $100 million extension he got two Halloweens back.
They
will need even more rim protection, board work, and more scoring from the
All-NBA Second Team selection in 2016-17 this season if the Jazz want to even
sniff a chance of making the playoffs.
His
sidekick forward Derrick Favors (9.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 48.7 FG%) has emerged as a
tough big man, who can score in the low-post, developed a mid-range jumper, and
can block shots since being acquired six seasons back for then lead guard Deron
Williams. He has had injury problems in his time with the Jazz, and knees
issues limited him to 50 games a season ago. His contract is up at the end of
the season, and if an extension cannot be reached, he could be dealt before the
end of the season. If he remains, his health will be crucial to the Jazz’s
success, or lack their off in 2017-18. If he is traded, the Jazz have the No.
28 overall pick in center Tony Bryant, whose rights were acquired in June’s
draft from the Lakers for the No. 30 overall pick in guard Josh Hart out of
Villanova, and the No. 42 overall pick center Thomas Bryant out of the
University of Indiana waiting in the wings.
Two
other players, who have their share of injuries problems themselves in Hood
(12.7 ppg, 37.1 3-Pt.%), and Alec Burks (6.7 ppg), who has been limited to 100 games the past three seasons due to knee, ankle, and left leg issues will be counted on to
provide perimeter scoring, and playmaking alongside Rubio.
“This
summer’s been big for me,” Hood, who wants to the Most Improved Player this
season said about the work he put in during the off-season to one day be an
All-Star. “I got a lot better. Just stepping up, and trying to be the guy,
offensively. Trying to lead the team. I believe I can do it. Obviously, I don’t
think I’m going to get it right away, but I think I can grow into it, and it’s
going to be a transition period, but I think I’ll get the hang of it.”
The
Jazz will also need veteran Joe Johnson (9.2 ppg, 43.6 FG%, 41.1 3-Pt.%) to
work the kind of magic he did early, especially early in the season when he
signed on a season ago.
The
two things that the Jazz have in their favor entering this season without
Hayward is Snyder, who is entering his fourth season on the Jazz sideline is
his ability to develop his player, and develop a system that will put the
team’s best face forward.
Hayward,
when he was drafted in 2010, at No. 9 overall went from a known into a first
time All-Star a season ago. Gobert, whose nickname is “The Stifle Tower,” in
reference to being French was No. 27 overall pick in 2013, went from a backup
into one of the elite pivot men in the game on both ends.
To
put the rise of “The Stifle Tower” into context, in Gobert’s second and third
seasons in the league, had 25 and 20 double-doubles respectably. He has 41 so far,
this season, ranked fourth in “The Association.”
Along
with the emergence of the core Jazz players last season, a big reason they won
51 games, despite a lot of injuries was their ability to defend. Teams shot
just 44.3 percent against them a season ago, which was No. 2 in the entire
league. They were fourth in rebound differential at +3.0, and tied for ninth in
block shots per contest at 5.0, thanks to Gobert.
The
best way to describe the Utah Jazz heading into 2017-18 is a team trying to
survive. Losing Hayward in free agency was a punch to gut that the Jazz are
still feeling now, and have the look of a team that will be on the outside of
the playoff picture at season’s end.
The
core players of Gobert, Favors, Hood, Burks, must stay injury free, and play at
career-high levels this season. It will be a major bonus if Rubio’s jump shot
making is average at best, and the rookie Mitchell can play anywhere near
solid.
With
Snyder on the sidelines, one thing is for sure, the Jazz will bring the effort.
Will it be enough though to carry them to the playoff finish line?
Grade: D+
Information,
quotations, and statistics are courtesy of 6/22/17 7 p.m. NBA Draft, presented
by State Farm on ESPN, with Rece Davis, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, Jay Bilas,
Allison Williams, Jeff Goodman, Tom Penn, and Jay Williams; www.nba.com/draft/2017/teams#/; www.nba.com/morning-tip-da-2017-offseason-rankings-top-middle-bottom-10-teams#/;www.nba.com/30teams-30-days-2017#/www.espn.com/nba/teams; www.nba.com/2017-18-season-preview-team-index?cid=EMA_NBA_daily&uniquell; 6/30/17 ESPN Bottom Line news
crawl; 7/6/17 ESPN 2 Bottom Line news crawl; 7/6/17 news from ww.nba.com; 7/8/17
ESPN Bottom Line news crawl; 7/6/17 www.nba.com article “Proving Himself Nothing New
For Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey,” by Scott Howard-Cooper; 7/8/17 www.nba.com
article, “Houston Rockets Sign James Harden to Reported Record Contract
Extension,” by Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press; 7/9/17 7 a.m. edition of "Sportsnite," on SNY, hosted by Taylor Rooks; 7/10/17 news from NBA.com; 7/26/17 news from
www.nba.com 9/6/17 10 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Jared Greenberg,
and Rick Fox; 9/25/17 NBA Media Day on NBATV from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with Matt
Winer, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, Kristen Ledlow, David Aldridge, Steve Smith,
Dennis Scott, Rebecca Haarlow, and Jamie Maggio; 8/8/17 news from www.nba.com; 8/21/17-9/19/179/22/17 11 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Matt Winer, Steve Smith,
and Dennis Scott; 9/26/17 1-5 p.m. 2017 NBA Media Day coverage on NBATV, with
Matt Winer, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, Kristen Ledlow, Steve Smith, Dennis
Scott, David Aldridge, Jamie Maggio, and Rebecca Haarlow; 9/27/17-10/13/17 6
& 6:30 p.m. NBATV’s “Team Preview,” of all 30 teams with Casey Stern, Rick
Kamla, Matt Winer, Kristen Ledlow, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, Steve Smith,
Brent Barry, Dennis Scott, Stu Jackson, Sam Mitchell, Rick Fox, Mike Fratello, David
Aldridge, Sekou Smith, Ros Gold-Onwude and Rebecca Haarlow; 9/28/17 3 p.m.
edition of “NBA: The Jump,” on ESPN, with Rachel Nichols, Israel Gutierrez, and
Stephen Jackson; 10/3/17-10/13/17 NBATV’s “The Starters: 2017-18 Season
Preview: 82 Burning Questions,” with Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis, and
Trey Kerby; 9/30/17 1:30 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Kristen Ledlow,
and Chiney Ogwumike; 10/4/17 7 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Matt
Winer, and Mike Fratello; 10/7/17 ESPN Bottom Line news crawl; 10/16/17 3 p.m. edition of "NBA: The Jump," on ESPN 2 with Rachel Nichols, Ramona Shelburne, and Kevin Arnovitz; 10/16/17 ESPN Bottom Line news crawl; and www.google.com .
