2016-2017SeasonPreview

By: Thomas Salierno, PHD

TheHive

Theymayhavemadeastrongplayoffpushlastyear,butlosingthreerotationalstartersinLin,Lee,andJeffersonisgoingtohurt.AstartinglineupfeaturingKardiakKemba,NikBatum,MKG,MarvinWilliams,andRoyHibbertlooksgoodonpaperbuthealthwillbetheultimatefactorthatdecidesthefateofthistalentedsquad.BatumandMKGneedtostayonthefloorforatleastsixtygameseachforthisteamtomaketheplayoffsandwhiletheymayhaveJeremyLambandtheItalianStallioncomingoffthebench,neitherofthesetwoscoringguardshasprovedthattheycanhangwithleague’selitewings.ThisteammissedMKGintheplayoffsevenwhentheyhadLinandCourtneyLeetomakeupforanysurrenderedpointswiththeiroffensivecontributions.ThosetwoscoringguardsaregoneandnowitwillbeamakeitorbreakitseasonforMichaelKidd-Gilchresttoprovehecansustainmorethanfour-fifthsofthearduousNBAseason.Thisteamisclosetocomplete,butthey’restillmissingthatitfactorthatmostteamsneedtogetintothetop3intheirrespectiveconferences.CareerseasonslastyearfromKembaandMarvinWilliams(despitehisnowbrokenfinger)inspiresomesenseofpositivityfortheHornetsbuttheirquesttocrackthe8seedinacompetitiveEasternConferencewillbethetruetest.40-42

2016-2017SeasonPreview

TheUtahJazzMadeSomeMusic

Onemancanonlydosomuch.ForthepastfewyearswehaveseenGordonHaywardevolveasabasketballplayer,eachseasonaddinganewskilltohisbagoftricks.HeisnotthereasonUtahhasstruggledtowin.UtahsitsinaloadedWesternConferencedominatedbyguardplayandthisoffseasontheJazzfinallygotwhattheyhaveneeded,anupgrade.GeorgeHillisbetterthanthesumofthecardboardcutoutsUtahhasplantedattheoneoverthepastseasonsandIsoJoewillprovideaclutchfactorandtheoffensivescoringpowerthatUtahdesperatelyneeds.DerrickFavorsisoneofthemosttalented,yetslept-onbigmenintheNBAtodayandtheweaponshebringstothetableasacapablescoringanddefensivelyreadyfourareunder-appreciated.WhilehavingapresencesuchasRudyGobertdownlowisunique,missingHaywardforfourtosixweekswillhurttheJazz’swintotal.BorisDiawhasafewmoreyearsandexponentiallymoreespressostackedontohisbody,buthestillremainsadecentSwiss-army-knifewhowillstretchdefensesshouldhebeslottedatthethreeorthefourinareducedcapacity.ThereturnofDanteExumwillbemuchneededashedisplayedwhatheiscapableofintheOlympicsovertheSummerandtheJazztrulymissedhisplaymakingabilitylastseason.RodneyHoodisgoingtobeastudinthisleagueifhecontinuestoimproveandhisabilitytoscorefromalloverthefloorwillkeepdefendersclosetohimopeninguplanesforAlecBurkstocutandposterizeopposingbigs.IfBurkscanstayhealthy(he’splayedatotalof58gamesinthepasttwoseasons)thenhewillexponentiallyenhancehisvalueasaplayer.Canyoubelievehe’sonlyonthebooksfor3millionthisseason?TreyLyleswilldevelopintoasolidroleplayerandhe’llseehisthreepointattemptsincreaseaftershootinganimpressive38%onthelongballlastseason.ThisteamhasdepthandiftheyprovetheirdurabilityoverthepostAll-Starbreakmonths,Ireasonablyexpectatleast55wins.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

AColdFrontinMiami

Theturnaroundthisteamhasexperiencedoverthepastthreeyearsisunprecedented,andnotinafantasticway.TheHeatwentfromtheBigThreeeratolosingtheentiretyofthetrioinjustover36months.TheteamdidmanagetoholdontofranchisecornerstoneUdonisHaslem,theonlyplayerbesidesBoshwhoremainsfromthetitle-winningroster.WiththeirbestplayerinChrisBoshmorethanlikelymissingtheentireseasonthisteamwillstruggletomaketheplayoffsletalonewinmorethan35games.DionWaitersisnottheanswerandwhileIdoappreciatehisJRSmithimpersonation,itwillbeinterestingtoseehowhisnumberstrendwithmoreminutesandworseteammates.Icouldseeoneoftwothingshappenthisseason:AtradehappenssoonerratherthanlaterinvolvingDragic,rumorsarealreadyswirlingaboutadealinvolvinghimandRudyGay,butthistypeoftradewillnotbringthisteamanyclosertomakingtheplayoffs.ThesecondoptioninvolvesPatRileytradingsomeassets,againDragicwillbedangled,forfuturepicks.SigningTylerJohnsontoasizabledealputsalotofeggsinthebasketofsuchanuprovenplayer.Hehassneakyathleticismandagoodhandlebutpointguardisthemostloadedpositionintheleagueandhe’sgoingtohavetobringhisbesteverynighttovalidatethemoneyallottedtohim.ThroughoutthecourseofthisseasonitwouldbesillytoassumeHassanWhitesidewon’texperiencesomeDemarcusCousins’leveloffrustration,butthisorganizationisnottheKings.3titlesin10yearsisnothingtoturnyourbackon.33-49

2016-2017SeasonPreview

ThePost-Kobes

ThisLakersteamislikeapartiallymoldedpieceofclay.There’spotentialeveryehereyoulookbutitisgoingtotaketimeforittotakeshape.LukeWaltonisfarfrominexperienced.ItmayhavelookedeasyforhimtositbackandwatchhisteamofAll-StarswinanabsurdnumberofgamesduringKerr’sabsence,buthewillbeabletodrawfromallthathehaslearnedduringhistimewiththeDubs.AlineupofRussell,Clarkson,Brown,Randle,andMozgov(assumingDengiswillingtocomeoffthebench)isyoungandtalentedbutwillrequiretimetofigureouthowtoworktogether,spacethefloor,andbuildtrust.Surroundingyoungplayerswithmoreyoungplayersisanideabeingembracedleague-wideandthisteamhasbothLuolDengandThePanda’sFriend(formerlyMettaWorldPeace,formerlyRonArtest)whowillhelpguidethistalent-riddledshipasaccomplishedveterans.IwishIcouldwatchLarryNanceplaymore,he’sgotalltherighttoolstobeabigimpactplayerbuthejustneedstosharpenhisarsenal.LouWilliamshopefullywon’tstealtoomanyminutesfromtheless-experiencedyoungtalentsandat6’1and30yearsofagehissizeandwaningathleticismaregoingtoworkagainsthimastimemoveson.CanyoubelievethisteamstillhasSwaggyP?HisstatuswiththeLakerswillbeanarrativetofollowandonlytimewilltellifheremainsontherosterbythetrade-deadline.Youngisatalentedscorerbuthiseffortondefensewon’tgetbetterifhisteamisn’tcompetingtowardssomething.Withthenumberoftalentedteamsinthewest,Ican’tseethisteamanywhereclosetothe8seed.31-51

2016-2017SeasonPreview

SacramentoThings

Thisismyteam.IwillnevernotbeaKings’fanandIwasbeyondexcitedwhenVivekRanadivetookoverandevenmoreexcitedwhenMikeMalone(ALoyolaalum,shoutoutGreyhounds)gotthehead-coachingjob.Fastforward3yearsandtheKingshavebeenthroughapproximately48headcoachesandrecentlygambledonTyLawsonbeatinghisdemons.It’sunfortunatebecausethisteamhastalent.BenMclemorecanstillbeastud,WillieCauley-SteinisatallerRodman,andDemarcusCousinsmaybethemostcompletecenterintheNBAwhenhegivesadamnaboutdefense.Inspiringyourteamtocompeteandencouragingplayerstohonetheirskillsisadifficulttaskwhenyourorganizationhasbeenswimminginmediocrityforsuchanextendedperiodoftime.ThishasstuntedthedevelopmentofmultipleplayersincludingMclemore&recentlydepartedSauceCastillo;BennyMaxonlyhassomanymorechancestoprovewhyheshouldbeapermanentfixtureinthisleague.Asifdevelopingtalentandwinninggamesweren’tobstaclesenough,RudyGay,theteam’ssecondbestplayer,haspubliclyannouncedhewantstobetraded.Ifthiswasanyotherteamthatstorywouldmakeheadlines,buttheKingswilljustkeepingKinginguntilsomeonesaysenoughisenoughandcutstheheadoffthesnake.OmriCasspiisgoodenoughtostartandseemstofindawaytoscoreindoubledigitsjustabouteverygamebuthisdefenseneedstobebetterovertheentiretyoftheseason.DarrenCollisonprobablywon’tbeontherosterpastChristmasbutheisacapable,albeitsmall,pointguardwhospreadstheballaroundthefloorandcangettothebucketwhentimeisrunningout.Allthatbeingsaid,howmanymoreyearswillVivekbeabletoplaywithourheartsbyusingourtop10protectedpickstodraftcenteraftercenterbeforearookieopenlysayshedoesnotwanttoplayinCalifornia’scapitol?36-46

2016-2017SeasonPreview

MakingSomeMagic

ThisteamhasSIZE.SergeIbaka,AaronGordon,JeffGreenandBismackBiyomboarebigbodiesthatwillforcedefensesintotakingshotstheywouldotherwisepassup.GordonisaplayerwhotranscendspositionsandremindseveryoneofBlakeGriffin,abigmancapableofbothfacilitatingandjumpingoutofthegym.BlakemayhavejumpedoveraKiabutthisguyrightheretookflightoveradragon,puttheballthroughhislegs,andmademillionsofpeoplesay“got-damn”allatonce.ElfridPaytonwillearnhispaycheckcheckingtheopposingteam’sguardsandthrowingflashypasseswhileHezonjawilldevelopintoabouncyroleplayerwithlongballpotential,aslongasmoreminuteskeepcominghisway.EvanFournierwillhavetoprovehisworththisseasonaftersigningan$85Milliondollarcontractduringtheoffseason,whichwilleffectivelytiehimtotheMagicuntil2021.He’sshownflashesofbrillianceandbetweenhimandVucciMane,thescoringwillcomeinbunches,butthesetwoarebothvoidsondefensethatopposingplayerswillchallenge.ThisteamneedstimetogrowandiscomparabletotheBlazersandCeltics;teamsstockedwithyouththatwillonlygetbetteroverthecourseoftheseason.Makingtheplayoffsintheeastwillbeachallengebutifthisteamcanfinditsrhythm,especiallyfromthree-pointland,theywillbeaforcetobereckonedwithbothoffensivelyanddefensively.40-42.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

NewYorkKnickerbockers

This‘Superteam’looksexactlylikeKnicks’teamsofthepast.Agingveteranswhostillhavealittlebitofjuiceinthetanksurroundedbyinexperiencedyetskillfulyouth.DerrickRosewillneverbethesameplayerhewasduringhisMVPseason.Nostalgiaisrestoredwheneveryouseeaslickcutorasmoothstep-back,butinefficientjumpshootingandareluctancetopasshavelimitedRose’sefficiencyonthecourt.KristapsPorzingisisthisteam’sbestallaroundplayer.Hecollectssteals,blocksandbucketslikeitaintnothang.KidLatviahastheabilitytoscorefromanywhereonthecourtbuthewon’tgettheballasmuchashedidlastseasonandthatisaveryshamefulconcept.Carmeloshowedusthetypeofplayerhecanbelastseason,evenwhensub-partalentsurroundedhim.MeloshowedawillingnesstodeferandyoucouldtellhetrulyrealizedthegreatnessofStaps,somethingIhopetherestofthisrosterunderstands.ZingusisthefutureofthisteamandtheyWILLmaketheplayoffsthisyear.EveryoneforgetstheusefulnessofCourtneyLeeandJoakimNoah,bothroleplayerswhoarecapableofaddingvalueinmultiplewaysnomatterwhichteamtheyplayfor.Jowillprobablyendupmissing20orsogamesbutaslongasheisreadytogocomeplayofftime,hisenergywillinspiretherestofthissquad.Leeisaversatilescorerandcapableenoughonthedefensiveendtostayinfrontofopposingguards.He’salsoaplayerwhoknowshisroleandsomeonewhoiswillingtotakeastepbacktolethisteammatesgettheirs.ThisisateamIbelieveinanddespitealltheoff-courtdistractionsthatcomewithplayinginthegreatestcityintheworld,Iknowinmyheartthatthissquadisgoodforatleast52wins.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

TheOklahomaCityWestbrooks

We’reallreadyforthis.StevenAdamsisgoingtobeastud.Heshowedwhatheiscapableoflastyearintheplayoffs,playingthroughmultiplekickstothekiwisandshowingconsistentresolvebothoffensivelyanddefensively.ThishoweverwillbetheYearoftheWestbrook.Russellplayswithadoggedmadnessandthemetaphorsforhisdynamicplaystyleareendless.ThisyearRussellwillhavehisownteamandthebasketballcommunitycouldn’tbemoreexcited.HeaddsnewpassestohisrepertoireeveryoffseasonandwehaveseenglimpsesofthestrideshehasmadeasaStateFarmsmanthispreseason.Thisyearwewillwatchamandotheunthinkable,RussellwillchallengetheBigO’saveragingofatriple-doubleoverthecourseofanentireNBAseason.WehaveseenwhathecandowhenhewasthealphadogduringthosestretcheswhereKDwasoutofthelineup,hisperformanceduringthoseperiodsoftimewereawe-inspiring.Hedoeshaveateambehindhimthough,VictorOladipowillserveasanexplosiveguardcapableofstrongdefensiveplayanditwillbeinterestingtoseewhetherornotAndreRobersonwillembraceabiggerroleonthissquad.Somethingconcerninghoweveriswheretheirthreepointshootingwillcomefrom.RussellandDipohaveneverbeenknowntobeflamethrowersfrombehindthearcandAndreRobersonwillonlycontributesomuchfromthecorners.MitchMcgaryreceivedasilly15-gamesuspensionforviolatingtheNBA’sdrug-policy,whichisunfortunatebecauseyoungMitchellisafunplayertowatchandhecanbesneakygoodatthegameofhoopingwhenhegetshisminutes.Regardless,therestofthisteamwillcomeouttoplayeverynightandit’sashameCameronPaynewillmissaportionoftheseasonandhisthreepointshootingwillbesorelymissed.Paynetrulyaddsvaluetothistalentedsquad&hispregamedanceroutinewithRussisworththesubscriptiontoLeaguePass.48-34.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

TrusttheProcess

JoellEmbiidisBACK.Well,henevertrulywasanywhereinthefirstplace,butforthefirsttimesincehiscollegeseasonendedabruptlywiththeJayhawks,heisplayingcompetitivebasketballandheisSLAYING.Okay,maybethat’sanexaggeration,butheismakingthemostofhislimitedminutesandprovidingtruevaluetoateamthatdesperatelyneedsit.InthewakeofBenSimmons’heartbreaking‘acute’jones-fracture,thisteamneedsallthepositivityitcanget.MyguessistheSixersdonotrushhimbackonthefloorforthisseason,andtheirdecisiontodosowouldallowhimtogethisbodyright.Whyrushhimbackwhenyourteamisn’treadytoplayforsomethingworthwhile.DarioSaricwillfillthevoidwhileSimmonsworkshiswaybackontothecourtandoneofNerlensNoelandJahlilOkaforwillnolongerbeontherosterbythetrade-deadline.RobertCovingtonwillbesuccessfulinthisleague,buthestillneedsconsistentminutestogrowaroundthetalentedgroupofplayersthatthisorganizationisassembling.Phillyisstillatleast2orthreeyearsawayfromplayoffcontentionandiftheyshowthattheyarecapablethisseason,TheCityofBrotherlyLovemightbeabletodrawinterestfromkeyfreeagentswhowillvaultthemintotheupperechelon.25-57.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

MinnesotaTimberpups

ThiswillbeAndrewWigginsandZachLavine’sthirdyearintheleague,whichmakesmeasa22year-oldpersonfeelold.Whilethesetwoarestillconsidered‘young’theyhavethreeyearsofNBAexperienceundertheirbeltandwillcontinuetoimprovetheirgamesasmoreandmoregamesgoby.Itisunprecedentedthatdespitebothofthemhavinganextratwoseasonsonhim,ROYKarlAnthonyTownsisthemosttalentedplayeroutofallofthem.Hedoeseverythingwellandalthoughdefenseswillbemoreinclinedtocloseoutonhis18-footers(whichwerecashallseason)hewillstillfindwaystogethisandaverage21ppg,12rbs,&1.3blksagame.ItwillbefantastictowatchthisteamgrowtogetheroverthenextseasonandKrisDunnisafantasticadditionwhowillalmostcertainlytakeoverstartingpoint-guarddutyforRickyRubiomidwaythroughtheseason.ThischangingoftheguardwillhopefullyslideLavineovertothetwowherehistalentwillimmediatelytranslateasabouncy-slashingguard.WithThibsatthehelmofthismalleablerosterdefensiveprincipleswillbeinstilledthatwillhelpeachandeveryoneoftheseyoungtalentsgrowasaplayer.AwildcardonthisrosterisShabazzMuhammedwhoremindsmeofthebetterleftyversionofDionWaiters.ThiskidcanBALLandwhenhegetsminuteshemakesthemostofthemwithsoundcutsanddecentshooting,butoncetheballisinhishandshetendstoforgetthattherearefourotherplayersonthecourtwearingthesamejersey.TheWolves,despitealloftheirtalentsandexperiencedcoaching,stillsitoutsideoftheplayoffraceinacomplicatedWesternConferencewheretheywillgoheadtoheadwithsomeofthebestteamsintheleagueeverysinglenight.Allofthataside,Wiggs&Co.willmakestridesthisseasonandwinatleast35games.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

DevinBooker.

TheSunsareontheshortlistofteamsthatstillneedtofindanidentity.InDevinBookerthisteamhasastarinthemakingandifwecouldgobackintimeandreapplyLanceStephenson’s‘Born-Ready’nicknametoBookerIthinktheNBAlandscapewouldbeforeverchanged.Maybethat’sanoverstatementbutthiskidcanputballsthroughhoopslikea5-yearveteranonacontractyear.Heisstraightupfirepowerandisassuredlygoingtobeoneofthebestplayersintheleagueoverthenext15years.AlexLenwillprobablyalwaysbethelesserversionofJonasValanciunasandthat’sokaybecauseheprovidessturdydefensewhenheisonthefloorandhasenoughmobilityandathleticismleftinhisinjuryriddledtanktogetaround12-15pointswheneverhesubsin.TheITfactorforthisteamcomeswiththeplayofEricBledsoewhoseemstobethebestplayeronthefloorwhenhealthy,buthishyper-athleticstyleofplayisexactlywhatcauseshisbodytobreakdownyearafteryear.BrandonKnightisacapablescoringguardwhocantorchslowerwingswithsleightofhanddribblingskillsandaknackforthestep-back.TheevolutionofTJWarrenwillbeaninterestingstoryline,especiallyifhedevelopsathreepointshotandhisminuteswilldefinitelyincreasewiththestartingrolecoachEarlWatsonhasaffordedhim.DraganBenderismorethanjustadopename,hewillbringhisEuropeanstyleofplayalongwithhis7’1frameoffthebenchtoshowwhathecandoagainstNBA-levelsecondunits.TysonChandlerisnotthesameplayerheusedtobe,butheknowsexactlywhoheisandwilldefendthepaintfor20-23minutesagamewhilerunningthepick-and-rollwithwhicheverguardismanningthepoint.Unfortunatelythisteam’stalentwon’tbeenoughtobringthemclosetotheplayoffsandanotherkeyfreeagentortwoisneededtoallowthisteamtobecompetitiveenoughtobreakintotheplayoffs.29-53

2016-2017SeasonPreview

PG13,AdultSupervisionRequired

IsPaulGeorgeasuperstar?Mysayisyes,heisinfactpartofthatgame-changing,aweinspiring,highIQgroupofplayerswhosemerepresenceonthefloorcausesthelawsofgravitytoshiftandopposingcoachestomumblephrasessuchas‘shit-dickery’undertheirbreath.Heistheheroeveryteamwants,someonewhoturnsitupinthespotlightandgiveseveryounceofhiseffortonbothsidesofthefloor.MontaElliswillforeverbeoneofmyfavoriteplayers,butinorderforhimtobeacomplimentaryplayeronthisteamhe’sgoingtoneedtolearnhowtopass.HisJR-Smitheonplaystylemayhaveworkedinthepast(itneverreallydid)butheisnow30andenteringhis11thyearintheleague.HisstyleofplayandhisagearestartingtocatchuptohimandMontaBall-So-HardEllisisgoingtohavetoadapttohislimitsinordertobecomeanefficientmemberoftheIndianaPacers’Society.NewheadcoachNateMacmillanhascraftedanoffensiveidentityforthisteamwhilestillmaintainingthebestpartsoftheirdefense.JeffTeagueisverycapablepointguardandwillprovidesomesneakyathleticismattheone,buthisthree-pointshothasneverbeengreatandhewillserveinacomplimentarycapacitywhenstartingnexttoGeorgeandEllis.MylesTurnerwasoneofthebestrookiesintheleaguelastyearandthisseasonhewillimproveimmenselyashegetsmoreminutesandrevealstotheworldwhathehasworkedonintheoffseason.Iexpectbigthingsoutthisyoungbigandatjust20hewillbeabletotorturetheopposingteam’sfoursandfiveswhilecontaininganyathleticguardswhoforceaswitch.AlJeffersonisthisteam’sX-Factor,comingoffthebenchforthefirsttimeinhiscareer,hewillpostupopposingsecondunitsandgototowninlimitedminutes,effectivelyallowinghimtopreservehisbodyandenergyoverthecourseoftheseason.Thisteamhasenoughweaponstominglebetweenthefourthorsixthseeds,butaswithanysquadwhoexperiencedhugeturnoverintheoffseason,itwilltakeaminuteforthemtogetadjustedtoplayingwithoneanother.49-33

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Portlandia

WhatthePortlandTrailBlazersaccomplishedlastyearintheplayoffshasbeenoneofthemoreoverlookedoccurrencesofthe2015-2016season.DamianLillardandCJMccolum,down2-0,willedthisteamthroughfourstraightwinspasttheClippersandintothesecondround.There,theycommittedabsolutethieveryinstealingagamefromthe73-9Warriorsbyhitting17threepointersinacontestwherethecombinedeffortsofDemonDameandAlFarouqAminuaffordedtheblazersatotalof63points,15rebounds,and10assists.Allnineoftheplayerswhoreceivedmorethanaminuteofplayingtimescored;thisisnoordinaryteam.TheBlazersnabbedkeyadditionsinjump-shotprodigeeEvanTurner,alsoknownas“TheVillain”,andFestusEzeliwhomightnotseethecourtforawhile,butwhenhedoesgethealthy,EzEwillbringiteverynight..Thosearetwostartingcaliberplayerswhowillearnthecontractstheyhavebeengiven.EdDavisandMasonPlumleewillprovideeffortanddothedirtyworktocollecteveryextrareboundthatcomestheirwaywhileAllenCrabbe,whoisstillonly24,willcontinuetodevelopasascorchinghotthree-and-Dplayer.Littleknownfactthatdespitehislowscoringoutputduringtheregularseasonandtheplayoffs,thekidshot39and42percentontwosandthreesrespectivelyandthosenumbersareroundeddown.CrabbewillneedtoasserthimselfmoreoffensivelythisseasonsothatdefenseskeyonhimandprovideallofPortland’sguardswithopenlanestomovetheballanddrivetothecup.ShabazzNapierandNoahVonlehbothjoinedthissquadoverthesummerandIhopeTerryStottsgivesthemanopportunitytoseethefloorthisseasonbecauseneitherofthemhavebeengivenachancetoshowthattheytrulybelonginthisunforgivableleague.ThiswillbeanexcitingseasonforateamriddledwithunrealizedpotentialandaslongasDameDollakeepsspittingfirebars,thisteamcanwinatleast48games.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

MotorCity

Drummondneedstobecomewhateveryoneknowshecanbe.Freethrowsunfortunatelylimitthetotalnumberofminutesheplays,whichononehanddetractsfromhispointtotals,butontheotheraffordshimtheopportunitytopreservehisbodyoverthecourseofeachseason.ThiswillbeStanleyJohnson’syearasheflashedhispotentialdoinganexcellentjobagainsttheKingduringtheirplayoffseries.ThoseflasheswillbecomeacontinuanceandheisadarkhorsecandidatetowinMIPthatnooneseemstobetalkingabout.KentaviousCaldwell-Popewillbegoingintohisfourthyearasamoney-makinballerafterpostingcareerbestsineverystatisticalandpercentage-relatedcategoryexceptforthree-pointshooting.Hisfourgamesintheplayoffsallowedhimtoshowwhathecandoonanationalstageanditwasspectaculartoseehimplay40minuteseverynightwhileshooting44%fromboththefloorandtheareaknownasChef-Curry’sbreadandbutter.BBB(BigBehemothBoban)isasneakybrilliantadditiontothisrosterwhoat7’3,300pounds,andwithhandsthatcouldreasonablypalmthemoon,willprovidethePistonswithabackupbigcapableofhittinghisfreethrows.ReggieJacksonwillunfortunatelymissachunkofifnotallofthecomingseasonwithakneeinjury.JacksonisatalentedpointguardwhoblowsbyhisoppositionwithstartlingspeedandTNTexplosiveness;heisagenuinebucket-getter.WhileworkinghiswaybackontothecourtI’msurehewillworkonhisshootingmechanicsasawaytoimprovehisformandultimatelyhislackingthree-pointpercentage,howevernonumberofhoursinthegymcanreplicatethelevelofplaythatoccursonanNBAcourt.EvenwithoutJacksonthisshipwillnotsinkandIcaneasilyseeDetroitmakingtheirwayintotheplayoffsasa6seed.44-38.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

MajorMilwau(Key)

Despiteitalreadyfeelinglikeit’sgoingtobe“Whatif?”seasonforMilwaukeeI’moptimistic.KrisMiddletontorehishamstringandisexpectedoutforatleastsixmonths;withouthimthisteamlosesadangerousthreepointshootingthreatwithsomeoff-the-dribblegame.He’sadynamicplayerwhowillbemissedinhisabsence.TheGreekFreaktranscendspositionswithhisKevinDurant-esqueframe,hisshiftypointguardhandles,andhisincrediblelengththatallowshimtoexecuteswitcheswithease.Heistrulyanathleticspecimenandhiscoordinationatthatsizeisincredible.ThisteamwillbeabletomakefulluseofTonySnellandhe’llbeagoodfitprovidingthreepointersandlankydefensetoateamthathasalreadysetsize-relatedrecords.Asifthisdefensewasn’tenoughofastalwart,MathewDellavedovawillprovideahoney-badgerlevelofdefensethatwillinfuriateopposingguardsintoquestionabledecisionsandturnovers.JabariParkerisGrantHillreincarnated,butwith25extrapoundsofmassforhimtobullyopposingsmallforwardsoffthedribble&withhisbacktothebasket.GregMonroeiswatchingbeforehiseyesasthevalueforbigswithhisskillsetslowlydiminishesyearafteryear.Moose’svalueaside,he’sstillabigbodywhowillprovidedefenseandenoughlow-postoffensetokeephisminutesincheck.ThisBuckssquadisgoingtoscrapforeverylooseball,playbothsidesofthefloor,andgiveittheirallforheadcoachJasonKidd.Thisgroupoftalentplayershasslowlybuiltthecontinuitythatplayoffteamsalmostalwaysrequire.Sureyoucangettherebyassemblingacoupleofstars,butthisfranchisehasbuiltfromwithinandacquiredthenecessarypiecestohavea50winseason.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Pelican’tGetHealthy

Healthisoneofthemostlow-keyyethigh-as-the-skykeyelementsintheNBAthatdeterminesateam’ssuccess.Thisteamjusthasn’tbeenabletoharnessthecombinedplayofahealthysquadwhereallofitsstartersappearonthecourtatthesametime.ItseemsonlyoneortwoofTyreke,AD,andJrueHolidayareeveronthecourtatoncewhichsucksbecausetheirplaystylesallgoincrediblywelltogether.ItalsoseemslikeitwasagesagowhenTyreke’EvanswonROYhonors(andmyheart,goKings)andputupa20-5-5seasonwithSacramento.SixyearshavepassedandeventhougheveryoneknowsReke’canball,hewasonlyonthecourtfor25gameslastseason&hasonlyappearedinmorethan72gamesonceinhiscareer.LastyearwassupposedtobeAnthonyDavis’yearandbuthemissedaquarteroftheseasonandpostedacareerlowinfield-goalpercentage.Itwasbeyondclearthatsomethingwasnotrightwithhim.JrueHolidayhasn’tbeenknownas‘durable’sincehejoinedthePelicansandbelieveitornotlastyearheplayedhismostgamesinthethreeyearshe’sbeendowninNewOrleans.Thisguyshowshisall-starpotentialwhenhe’sonthecourt,butinjurieshavelimitedhisplayingtimeandpreventedhimfrombeingtheplayereveryonethoughthewouldbecome.BuddyHieldisanNBAreadypickupthatwilltryhardonbothsidesofthefloorandwillsurpriseuswithsomegreatscoringperformancesthisyear.AlonzoGeeisgoodforaTop100dunkortwoeveryseasonbutasidefromhisThomasRobinson-esqueathleticisminasmallerframe,he’saroleplayerwhowillhaveatoughtimefindinghisfitinaconsistentlineup.NorrisColeisagoodbackupguardwhoplayswithenergyandtheduoofLanceStephenson&TerrenceJonesaregoingtohavetoshoweveryonewhytheybelonginthisleague.Asidefromtheaforementioned,thisteamalsohasCheickDiallowholookspromisingasacomplimentarybigmanthatwillcomeoffthebenchandmaketherightplays.OmerAsikstillexistsandhisroleonthisteamwillprobablybetradebaitforpicksoranotherbackupguard.Thisteamifhealthyandaffordedtheopportunitytodevelopsomeformofchemistrytogethercouldmaketheeightseed.I’mputtingthemat53winsifAnthonyDavisandoneofReke’andJruefindawaytostayonthefloorforatleast70games.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

TheClips

Thisteamhasthetoolstogototheconferencefinalsyearafteryear,butsomethingalwaysseemstogowrongatexactlythewrongmomentforthisveteransquadofall-stars.CP,BlakeandDeandre,areconsistentlymentionedinthetop3ofeachoftheirrespectivepositions.TheClippershaveanincrediblytalentedrosterthathasestablishedcontinuityoverthepastthreeseasons,andmoreimportantly,theyhavecarvedoutanidentityforthemselves.Theyaregoingtoplayabrandofbasketballthatisgoingtopissyouoffeachandeverynight.JJRedickisthebestversionofKyleKorveryourteamcanhaveasaseriousscoringthreatthatdoesn’trequiretoballtobeeffective.PaulPierceisattheendofhismooncyclebuthe’sstillcapableofgettingatleast6or7pointsagameoffoftheoccasionalthreepointerandshootingfoulsdrawnoffofpumpfakes.Youcan’tfaultKidRiversforhiseffort.Don’tforgethebrokehisfaceforthisteamintheplayoffslastyear,finishedthegameandtrulydoesenoughonbothendsofthecourttomakehisspotonthisteamwarranted.Thatbeingsaid,11MillionperyearforAustinRiversisquestionableatbest.JamalCrawfordstillhasthejuiceandthehandlesfor12+pointsanightandwhilehetiedhiscareerlowof2.3assistspergamelastseason,thatnumberwillincreasewithahealthyBlakeGriffinonthefloor.ItwasadownyearforBlakeGriffintosaytheleast.Withtheoff-courtissue(thatseemedveryoutofcharacter)behindhimandhishealthinbalance,IcouldseeafiredupBlakebeadarkhorseMVPcandidate.WeknowwhoDeandreandChrisPaulare.DJisthemostathletic6’11versionofBenWallaceimaginableandChrisPaulisProfessorDoom.CP3hasasneakyquickhandleandconsistentlydisheshimselfintoadouble-doubleeverynight.Paulalwaysseemstocreatejustenoughspacetogetwhatevershothewantsandhasagamethatwillagebeautifully.MoBucketswillfitthisteamperfectlyasabigmanwithjumpshootingabilitythatwillkeepdefendersclosetohome.Thiscouldbeapotentialnarrative-changingyearfortheClipswithBlakeandCP’splayeroptionscomingintoeffectatitsconclusion.Regardless,thereistoomuchtalentonthisteamforthemnottoreach61winsandthey’reLA’sbestshotatachampionshipthisyear.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

OhhCahnadah

WatchingthisteammakeittotheconferencefinalslastyearandtakingtwogamesfromTheKingwasnothingshortofawesome.LowryandDerozanfinallyfoundtheirstrideaftershootingmiserably(andthat’sacompliment)intheprevioustwoseries.SomepeopleseemtothinkLowryisgoingtohaveafringeMVPseason,buttherearesimplytoomanyotherplayersinbettersituationswhohavemoreofachancetotakehomethehonor.PlayerslikeKawhi,Lebron,BlakeandStephallbringmoretothetable,whetherit’sbetterscoring,morewinsshares,orallaroundplay;Ijustdon’tthinkthatLowry’snamebelongsinthesameconversationastheaforementionedsuperstars.Thatbeingsaid,LowryandDerozanaffordtheDrakesarguablythemosttalentedbackcourtintheeastandwithahealthyJonasValanciunasmanningthepaintthisteamhaswhatitneedstogettotheconferencefinalsagain.LosingBismackwillhurtmorethananyoneseemstoexpectbuthisminuteswillbespreadoutamongsomeoftheRaptors’youngerguyslikeBrunoCabocloandLucasNogueirawhoarehungryforcourttime.ThosetwoplayersaredowngradesfromtheparticularskillsetthatBismackprovided,butwithconsistentminuteseitheroneofthisduoshouldbeabletogetintoarhythmoverthecourseoftheseason.NeitheroneoftheseBraziliansbigshasaveragedmorethan8minutesagameduringtheirshortstintsintheNBA;thisistheopportunitythey’vebeenwaitingfortoshowwhatthey’vebeenworkingon.CoryJosephisstillabetter-than-averagesixthmanthatwillprovideasparkplugpresenceoffthebenchandroleplayerslikeTRossandsophomoreNormalPowellwhoshot40%ontwothreesagamelastyearthisteamisdeeperthanpeoplerealize.PatrickPattersonisapoorman’sTrevorArizaandDemarreCarrollisthisteam’sitfactor;ifhecanpulltogetherahealthyseasonthatextendsintotheplayoffs,thisteamwillcreateproblems.56-26.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Cuban’sCrew

EveryonelovestohateHarrisonBarnes.Ifyou’reaDukefanyouhatehimforgoingtoUNC.Warriors’fansloathehimforbrickinghiswaythroughtheplayoffsandfinalsandmostweren’ttheleastbitupsettoseehimgo.Lastlyifyou’readie-hardbasketballfanyouhatetoseesuchanunprovenplayerwarrantsuchagiganticcontract.Hewillbepaid22,23,24,&25milliondollarsoverthenextfourseasons.WhentheMavsstruckoutonalltheotherfreeagentsthisoffseasonit’sliketheylookedatBarnesshruggedtheirshouldersandfeltcomfortablehandingtheirfranchiseovertothisguy.He’stalentedandhasatonofuntappedupsidebutwhynotjuststartarebuild.TheWarriorsaregoingtodominateforthenextfewseasonsandwhileIunderstandiftheyfeelliketheyoweittoDirktocompetenowjustisn’tthetimetotrytobecompetitive.WithanensembleofDirk,Barnes,DeronWilliams,WesMathews,andBoguttheballisgoingtomove,butanextrafourtofivesecondswillbetakenofftheshotclockjustforeveryonetogetdownthefloorinonepiece.JustinAndersonisanintriguingyoungtalentthatremindsmeofAaronGordonina6’6bodyandDwightPowellisabigmanwhoearnshiskeepwithsmartcutsandhighenergy.WiththeJazzalmostcertainlyenteringtheplayoffsthisyear,Dallasisgoingtofindithardtosqueezethemselvesintotheeightspot.Thatbeingsaid,Istillseethisteamwinningbetween38-42gamesifoneoftheircoreplayersdoesn’tgodownwithaninjury.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Champs,NoPictureRequired

Down3-1intheNBAFinalstheCavalierstookthedefinitionofimpossibleandsetitonfire.Lebronachievedhisfinalformandharnessedeveryounceofmassandenergybestoweduponhimbyahigherpowerandaveragedanunbelievablelineof30points,11rebounds,9assists,2.5stealsand2blocksin7games.Whywaittogivethismanastatue,thereisnooneintheleaguemoredeserving.Lebronisananomalyandweasfansaresoblessedandfortunatetobeablewatchahumanconquerhisbodyandutilizeitinawaythatleavesyouinawe.HisblocktosealGame7becameapartofhistorythemomentfingershitleatherandwassounexpectedatthetimethatnoonereallyknewwhathadjusthappened.EveryoneandtheirmotherthoughtIguodolahadabunny,thenLebrontakesfiveinhumanstridesfromhalfcourt,timeshisjumpperfectlyandwiththegameonthelineexecutedpossiblythegreatestblockinNBAhistory.Hisvalueasateammateandtothisleaguecannotbeoverstated,heisjustthatdamngood.AKinghoweverisnothingwithoutanarmybehindhim,andifKyrieishisRobin,thenKevinLovehastobetheBatmobile.KyriehaspossiblythegreatesthandlesthissideoftheClippersandhisabilitytomaintainhisdribbleatallcostsisunparalleled.He’satop-twopointguardintheEast(KyleLowrywillgivehimarunforhismoneythisseason)whohasapotentenoughoffensivegametomakeupforwhathelacksdefensively.KevinLoveisthesecond-bestthirdoptionintheleague,KlayThompsoncurrentlyholdsthattitle(whichiscrazy),butthelittlethingsLovedoesareunderappreciatedandincrediblyvaluable.Heisascoringthreatthatdemandstheattentionofopposingdefensesthatwouldotherwisebedispersedelsewhere.Sagoffhimafoottoofarandhe’llmakeyoupaywithacleanthree-pointstroke,staytoocloseandanopendrivingorpassinglanewillbeexposed.Ifyoudon’tgivethisguytheattentionhedeserves,theentireCavsrosterwillmakeyoupay,andthat’satestamenttoLebron’sabilitytoassembleateam.TristanThompsonhasdoneeverythinginhiscapacitytoearnthecontracthereceivedlastsummer,hadhewalkedthisteamwouldnothavewonthefinals.HebringsintangiblestothetablethateverycontenderwantsandplayswithinhisroletoaliteralT.We’vegotallofRJ,ChanningFrye,Shump,andJRSmithreturningtotheroster,eachofwhichknowstheroletheyplayonthisteam.Channingisgoingtohithisthrees,JRisgoingtomakesomeincredibleshots,Jeffersonisgoingtohaveadunkortwothatmakeyousaywow,andShumpisgoingtoplayferociousDeachandeverypossession.KayFielder’sobviouscomparisonistothegreatNateRobinson.Thekidtiedforsecondhighestverticalleapeverrecordedatthecombineandatjust5’9he’sgoingtoneedeverybitofhisathleticismtomakeanimpactonthischampionshiproster.Icouldseeatradeortwounfoldingoverthefirsthalfoftheseasoninwhichassetsareswappedforanupgradesomewherealongtheroster,butregardless,Iexpectatleast63winsandanotherfinalsappearanceforLebron&Co,there’ssimplynoonetostopthemintheEast.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

3-1

Imaginebeingupthreegamestooneintheplayoffsandlosing.Nowimaginethesamethingbutaftertheconfettihasfallenandthechampagnehasdriedyoupickyourselfup,announcethatyou’rejoiningtheteamthatbeatyou,andimmediatelybecometheNBA’snumberonevillain.KevinDuranthashadaweirdcareertosaytheleast.DraftedbytheSonics,relocatedtoOklahoma,reachedthefinalswithtwoofthebestguardsintheNBAonhisroster,wonMVP,triedeverythingtogetbacktothepromisedland,andthenjoinedtheoneteamthatwasguaranteedtoalterhiscareerandlifemostdrastically.Surejoiningthedubswillbringhimclosertothatcovetedchampionship,butisitreallyworthit?Lebron,WadeandBoshgotaTONofshitflungtheirwaywhentheyteamedupontheHeatin2010.KDjustjoinedateamthat’sfreshoffoftwoconsecutivefinalsappearances,theHeatwerenosuchteam.Basketballisabusiness.Playersmakedecisionsthattheybelievewillbettertheiroverallqualityoflifeandbasethosedecisionsupontheirfamily,theirpresent,andtheirpast.UnfortunatelyontheothersideofthosedecisionsaremediumslikeTwitter,pressconferencesandPlayer’sTribunearticlesthatgiveboththeplayerandthefanswaysofexpressingthemselves,andoftenthetwosideshaveoppositereactionstocertainevents.

Slain

Enoughsmalltalklet’sbreakthisteamdown,KD,Klay,Steph,DraymondandZazaisadecentstartingfive.ThreeofthemostlightsoutshootersintheNBA,pairedwithadetestabledoitallplayerlikeDraymondwhohastheskilltobackuphisbig-assmouthandapassingbigmaninZazaspellsdestructionfortheopposition.ThrowinoverqualifiedbenchplayerslikeShaunLivingstonandAndreIguodalaandyouhaveaformidableteam.Thishoweveriswherethingstailoffinabigway.BeyondthosesevenaboveaverageNBAplayers,thisteamisroundedoutwithsomeaveragetobelowaveragenames.DavidWestwasfarfromrelevantlastyearwiththeSpurs,JavaleMcgeehasnoformerglorytoreclaimandwillgiveushighlightafterlowlightonanightlybasis.IanClarkcouldbesneakykeyforthisteambutIhonestlythinklosingthethreesomeofFestusEzeli,AndrewBogut,andMoSpeightsisgoingtobeseriouslydetrimentaltothissquad.Allofthoseguysfilledkeyrolesthathaven’tbeenimmediatelysupplementedandthereisdefinitelygoingtobealearningcurvethroughthebeginningoftheseasonAllofthataside,thisteamisn’twinning70games;Iputtheirfloorat61andtheirceilingat66.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

SomeBigFundamentals

I’veheardtalkswheresomedon’tbelievethisteamhaswhatittakestobeforceintheleaguethisyear.TheSpurswillmaketheplayoffsandshouldn’tfinishlowerthanthefifthseedwithAll-StarsinKawhi,LMA,andPauatthehelmofthisship.IfKawhiplayslikehedidlastseasonIcouldreasonablyseehimfinishinginthetoptwoinMVPvoting.IfhesomehowmanagestoimprovewemightseehimjointhelikesofHakeemandJordanastheonlyplayerstowinDPOYandMVPinthesameseason.Thisguyisahawkondefenseandneverseemstomissabeatoneithersideofthefloor,heisoneofthefewirreplaceableplayersintheleagueandIcanseehimmakingthisteamHis.Pau’sheightandlengthallowhimtoshootoverthetopsofanyoneandwhilehedidmakeanAll-Starteamlastyear,IfeelthatwillbehislastappearanceastheWestissimplytoocrowdedwithtalentforhispotentialplaytowarrantaspot.Thatbeingsaid,hewillfitbeautifullyintothissystemwiththeabilitytospacethefloor,movetheballandserveusehisbigbodytocollectboards.Gasol’sdefensewillbeanissueandhewillbeattackedwheneverPopdecidestogiveputhimin,buthiscoachisoneof,ifnotthebestintheNBAandwillfindwaystomakehislineupswork.

LamarcusAldridgeisatop-threepowerforwardwhoseNowitzki-esquejumperisbutterfromanywhereinside18feet.He’salow-keygreatdefenderwho’saveragedablockpernightforhiscareerandprettydarndurableasonlyonceinhistenyearcareerhasheappearedinlessthan63games.JonathanSimmonsisoneofthebeststoriesinbasketballandheearnedhisspotonthisrosterwithoutstandingplaylastseason.Lastseasonheshot38%fromdowntownand50%fromthefieldinjust14minutespergameandcollectedafewhighlightreeldunksthathadpeoplewonderinghowhecouldhaveslippedthroughthecracks.Despitelastyearbeinghisfirstintheleaguehe’s27yearsoldcouldn’tbeinabetterpositiontoimprove.TonyParkerandManuGinobliareatthatpointintheircareerswheretheirlimitedathleticismisovershadowingtheircraftinessandbothshouldseetheirminutesreduced.PattyMillsshowedoffwhathecoulddowithAustraliaintheOlympicsthisyearputtingup21pointspergameon47%shootingoverthecourseof7games.DannyGreenshouldbebacktonormalafterundergoingLasikeyesurgerytoimprovehisvision,somethingwasclearlybotheringhimashisshotwasofffortheentiretyoftheseason.Thissquadhastalentandanincredibleheadcoachwhowon’tletthisteamlosemorethan40games.45-37.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

GunsintheLockerRoom

AreBradleyBealandJohnWallfriends?OrdotheyhavethatweirdKD-Russthinggoingon.AccordingtoJohnWallthey“haveatendencytodislikeeachother”whichisjustaboutoneoftheworstthingsacoacheverwantstohearcomingoutofoneoftheirstar’smouth.Bothoftheseguysarestudsonthecourtandthedifferenceintheircontractshasmoretodowiththembeingdraftedin2010and2012.Thattwo-yeardifferenceallowedBealtocomeoutofhisrookiecontractandintotheworldofbigmoney,hisdealbeingworth127Milover5yearscomparedtoWall’s84Millydealsignedin2014.Thesetwoguysneedtoputtheiregosasideandballout.Theirgamesareperfectcomplementstoeachother,onebeingashooterwithaquicktriggeron&offthedribbleandtheotherbeingaslashingguardwithexcellencecourtvision.Bothareall-starswhentheyplaymorethan70%ofaseasonandtheyneedtostartleadingthisteamratherthantearingitdownthemiddle.SurroundedbytwoaboveaveragebigmeninIanMahinmiandMarcinGortat,thisteamlooksgoodonpaperbutthedepthreallyisn’ttheretocompetecomeplayofftime.StickyourbestdefenderonBradleyBealandyou’veimmediatelytakenawayarguablythisoffense’sgreatestweapon.OutsideofBB,theshootingonthisteamstartstofallofacliff.OttoPorterhit37%ofhisthreeslastseasonbutoutsideofhim,therearenoproventhreatsfromdeep.ChiefKieffisabigbodywithsomedecentmid-rangegameandhewillgetgoodminutesoffthebenchorpotentiallyevenastartingrollastheseasonprogresses.TreyBurkeimprovedhisfieldgoalpercentagesdramaticallylastyearafterseeingbothhisminutesreducedandreceivingademotiontoapermanentbenchroll,buthestilldoesn’tbringthenecessarytoolstothetablebeincrediblyeffective.KellyOubreJr.didn’tgivetheWizardsmuchinhisfirstyearoutofKansas,butperhapsavoidbehindOttoPorteratthesmallforwardspotwillallowhimtogettheminutesheneedstobuildarhythm.Thisteam,miredinadiscretecivilwar,won’tmaketheplayoffsthiscomingseason.Theyneedanupgradeatthethreeandwiththeirrosterasitstandsthey’regoingtofinishwithaceilingof42wins.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Houston’sBlastingOff

JamesHardenisgreat.Peoplemayhatehimforhisfoul-drawing,euro-stepping,stepbackshootingstyleofplaybutthat’sonlybecausehe’snotontheirteam.Hardenplayedall82games,ledtheleagueinminutesandpostedcareerbestsinrebounds(6.1),assists(7.5)andpoints(29)andthehatersjustkeptonhating.Youcanbringuphisscreendoorlevelofdefense,hisfreethrowescapades,orhisbeardandyoustillwon’tconvincemethathedoesn’tdeservetowin.Heplayshisheartouteverynightandsingle-handedlyallowshisteamtooperateoffensively.GuysaregivenopenshotsbecausetheirdefenderhashiseyesonHardenanditisablessingthathewasgiventhekeystothisteamandthestartingpointguardrole.Thismanandhisbeardaretherealdealandwithadeepersquadbehindhimthisyear,he’sabouttomakesomemagichappen.ThisteamlostDwightHowardtotheHawksandeventhoughreplacinghimwithClintCapelaandNeneisnotfantastic,theyreceivedsomequalityupgradesatspotswheretheyneededthemmost.RyanAndersonwasasolidpickupandIexpecthimtodobetherealdealonthisroster,hefitstheirsystemperfectlyasabigmanwithathreateningthree-pointshot.TrevorArizawillbringhisthree&Dplay-stylebackforanotheryearatthesmallforwardspot.He’sasmartplayerwithchampionshipexperiencethatplayswithinhislimitsandprovidesunder-appreciatedvalueonbothsidesofthecourt.PatBeverleyisexactlywhoweknowheis:apassfirstpointguardwhodoesn’tshootwellfromanywhereandplaysabrutishstyleofdefense.DonatasMontejunasisabackupcenterandunfortunatelyhiscontractsituationremainsskeptical,asthelastnewsoutofcampwasthatthetwosidesremainedfarapartintheirnegotiations.Thisisveryunfortunatebecausetheyoungbigmanplayedincrediblywellinthe2014-2015wherehepostedcareerbestsineverystatisticalcategorybeforesufferingmultipleinjurieslastyearandappearinginjust37games.Iftheycansignhimbeforetheseasonstartshewillboostthisteamtoanevenhigherlevelofplayandpossiblyevenputthemintocontenderstatus.EricGordonandCoreyBreweraresolidoptionsattheshootingguardspotandifGordoncanrediscoverevenasmidgeonofhisAll-StarformthenhewillprovehisvaluetothisRocketsteam.SamDekkerplayedjustthreegameslastyearfortheRocketsduetoabackinjuryandassignmenttotheirD-LeagueaffiliateandasmuchasI’dliketoseehimsucceed,therejustmightnotbeenoughminutestogoaround.Thisisanotherdeepteamwithoneofthemosttalentedguardsintheleague,andwithhealthontheirside60winswon’tbeoutofthequestion.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

LiteralNuggets

Sixplayersonthisrosterare22yearsofageoryounger.Ofthosesix,threearepotentialstartersandtwoaredefinite.EmmanuelMudiaymayhavebeentheworstrookieintheleaguelastyearstartingallbuttwoofhisgamesandshooting36%fromthefloor.SomeofthathastodowiththetalentaroundhimandunfortunatelytheNugsdidn’treceiveanyrealupgradesovertheoffseason.TheytookJamalMurray,apointguard,andJuanHernangomez,apowerforward,withthe5thand17thpicksrespectively.JamalmayhavebeenaninsurancepolicyincaseMudiaydoesn’tworkoutandmayevenseesometimeatthetwo.Hedisplayedapotentthreepointshotincollegeshooting40%fromdistancebuthisassistnumberswerelowforapointguardatjust2pergameon35minutesanight.KennethFaried,formerlyTheManimal,isstilljust26buthasn’tshowedanysignsofimprovementsincehereceivedhis60milextensionin2014andhasbeenofficiallygivenabenchroletostarttheseason.NikolaJokicandJusefNurkicmightnotlooklikemuchbutJokic’spotentialisthroughtheroofandtheconfidenceofNurkicisunprecedented.NurkictauntedbothKobeandDemarcuscousinslastyear,bothofwhichareplayersthatmostothersintheleaguefear.IfMikeMalone(shoutoutGreyhoundsagain)decidestogiveJokicmoreminutes,whichhewill,Nikolawillshowtheleaguewhathe’smadeofandaverageadouble-doublealongwith4assists,1.5steals,andablockpernight.ThosearePorzingis-likenumbers,butthiskidisthatgood;hejustneedssomemoretimetoshowit.WilsonChandlerisanunder-appreciatedforwardwhocanscorefromeverywhereandgrabsixorsevenboardsanight,allwhilecheckingtheopposingteam’sbestforward.Galloisenteringthemeatofhisprimeanddespiteputtinguphisbestpointspergametotallastseason,heonlyappearedin53games.Onlytwiceoutofhiseightyearsintheleaguehasheplayedmorethan59gameswhichisshamebecauseheisashootingguardina6’10bodywhohastheabilitytoget18-22pointsanightwhenhealthy.GaryHarrisandWillBartonroundoutthecompetentportionofthisroster.BothplayanexcitingbrandofbasketballandlastyeareachofthemturneduptheirgameswithGaryimprovingineverycategoryandWillBartonreceivingenoughnationalattentioninthedunkcontesttoremainrelevantinthisleagueforyearstocome.Ex-RookieoftheYearMikeMillerwon’treceivecloseto8minutesofplayingtimepernighttheintangibleshebringsthisyoungrosterasaveteran,mentor,andchampionwillbegreatlyappreciated.Thisteam’spositioninthewestisgrimandwinningmorethan25gameswillbeachallenge.27-55.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Brooke-Lin™

It’salreadybeentrademarked,patented,andcopyrighter.Don’teventryit.JeremyLinandhishairareabouttosurpriseeveryoneandtheirGreatAuntSusan.TheNetsthrowing38milhiswayoverthreeyearswasabrilliantmovebybothparties;Lingetstoshowtheleagueandeveryonewhoappreciatesthegameofbasketballwhathecandowhengiventheopportunitytorunan(aseverelylimited)offense.Hiscareer-bestinpointswas14anightduringhistimewiththeKnicksandwiththeminutesandpossessionshe’llbegettinginBrooklyn,hisstatsandvaluewillshootup.He’sanunrestrictedfreeagentin2019atwhichtimehewillbe30;stillyoungenoughtonetonemorebigmoneycontractwithapotentialcontenderinneedofahighIQguard.TheNetsstartinglineupwillmostlikelyfeatureLin,GreivisVasquez,BojanBogdanovic,TrevorBookerandBrookeLopez.Thatisnotagreatstartinglineup.ThankfullyRandaeHollis-Jeffersonwillbecomingoffthebenchandhopefullyearnastartingforwardrole.Ifitwasn’tforamid-seasonankleinjuryhewouldhavebeenabletosharpenhistoolsoverthelattercourseoftheseasonwhenteamsoutsideoftheplayoffhuntstarttogivetheirdevelopingtalentsmoreminutes.BrookeLopezwillforeverbeanoffense-onlycenter;hedisappearsalmostasmuchasHardenondefense.Thankfullywhatheprovidesoffensivelyworksnomatterwhichplayerssurroundhimandhewilleasilyaverageadoubledoublewithfewotherbigmenontherostertocontendwithforrebounds.KennyAtkinson,arookieheadcoach,isaproductoftheSpursandtheHawksrespectivecoachingstaffsandwilltakewhathehaslearnedfromhistimeunderPopandCoachBudtomakesmartdecisionsonateamreadytostartanew.WillhegiveAnthonyBennett;aformer#1pickcurrentlyontheleague-minimumsalary,morethan8minutesanight?Itwon’tmatter,don’texpectmorethan23winsoutofthisLuisScolaentrenchedsquad.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

TheATLiens

BoydidtheHawksunderwhelmtheentireleaguelastyear.Freshoffofwinning60gamesin2014-2015,theHawksmanagedtoonlychalkup48winslastyear.That’sunfortunateforateamthatlittheleagueonfirejustaseasonagoandthisondoesn’tseemlikeit’sgoingtogetmuchbetter.LosingJeffTeagueandgivingthekeystoDennisSchrodermadesense,butwhetherornotitwillgivethisteammoreskillandvalueisquestionable.SwappingHorfordforDwightwon’tbringthisteamclosertothetopoftheEast.TheSchroder-Howardpickandrollwillbesurprisinglyeffectivetoanydoubterswhodon’tthinkDwightcanbeaforceinthisleagueanymore.He’soneofthemostathleticbigstoeverplaythegameandalthoughhisbodyisslowlydeteriorating,hecanstillusehisbruteforcetoget17/10agame.PaulMillsapisoneofthemostconsistentplayersintheleague.Hehasplayedinlessthan73gamesinjustoneofhistenseasonsintheNBAandeventhatyearheappearedin64contests.Hedoeseverythingyouwantyoursmallforwardtodo,andlastyearhepostedcareerhighsinrebounds,assists,stealsandblocksinthesamenumberofminutesastheseasonprior.Themostsurprisingstatisticalleapcameintheblockscategorywhereheposted1.7pernightasopposedtothepriorseason’s.9.KyleKorver’sthree-pointpercentageregressedbyalmosttenpercentfrom49.2to39.8percent.Nowshooting40%fromdowntownisstillrespectable,butsucharegressioncausesariseforconcern.Therewasnowayhecouldkeepuphisproductionfromtheseasonprior,itwillbeastorylinetofollowintermsofwhetherornothecanbringitbackupoverthisone.ThaboSefoloshawillgivethree&DminutesoffthebenchatthesmallforwardspotandKrisHumphrieswillfindawaytogethis6pointsand4reboundsanight.KentBazemoreroundsoutthisrosterwithanimprovedthree-pointstrokeandaninfectioussmilethatcouldshinelightonanyone’sdarkestday.Bazeisonly27inthebeginningofhisprimewithastartingspotontherosterandtheworldaheadofhim.He’llgivethissquadsomemanicdefenseatthetwoandenoughallaroundworktowarranthisbigoffseasoncontract.WhileIdon’tseetheHawkssurpassinglastyear’swintotal,Idon’tseethemregressingasmuchasonemightbeledtobelieve.They’llhaveaceilingof48winsandafloorof44.45-37

2016-2017SeasonPreview

FizNGrizzNGrind

NewCoachDavidFizdaleisgoingtobegreat.ThisGrizzliesteamhoweverisinaweirdplacerightnowwiththreeperennialAll-StarsinMikeConley,MarcGasol,andChandlerParsons.Thosethreecombinedshouldformapowerfulpunchthatwillbeabletomakeaclosegameoutofcontestswitheventhetoughestofopponents.Conleyisanambidextrousguardwithquickfloaters,anaboveaveragethree-pointgame,andahighbasketballIQwhoneverbacksdownfromachallengeandcanputinworkagainstanymatchup.He’sdeservingofthe152milliondollarcontracthereceivedoverthesummerandwillproveittoanyofthedoubtersthroughoutthecourseoftheseason.IfParsonsandGasolcanstayhealthyitwillonlyincreasehisstatsandasadurableguardwhorarelyturnstheballover,countonhimfinishingeverygamewithastatlinearound17/3.5/6.5.MarcGasolisatrue7-footerandaformerDPOYwhoplayedhurtforalmostalloflastyear,whichregressedmostofhisstatsfromtheyearpriordespiteplayinginmoreminutespergame.WithGasolandConleyoutduetoinjurieslastyear,theGrizzfinishedwiththe7seedanddespitebeingswept,woretheirheartsontheirsleevesforallfourgamesinthefirstroundagainstSanAntonio.Expectthattypeofplaytocontinuethroughouttheupcomingseasonastheveteransfromyearspastarestillinplace.SurroundingthiscoreofConley,Gasol,Randolph(who’scomingoffthebench)andCarterareplayerslikePJHairston,AndrewHarrison,andJamesEnniswhoarelookingtoprovewhytheybelongintheNBA.VinceCarterclaimshemayparticipateinthisyear’sdunkcontest,whichat39yearsofagewouldbeanincrediblefeat.Vincestillhashistrademarkupsandsomehowmanagestostayrelevantyearafteryearwithsolidcontributionsacrosstheboard.TroyDanielsputup3three-pointattemptspergameandmanagedtohit48%ofthemwhileonlybeingafforded11minutespernight.Whatdoesthiskidhavetodotogetsomemoreminutes???TwoyearsagohecameupfromtheD-LeaguefortheHoustonRocketsintheplayoffsandsinglehandedlysavedtheirseason.Inthefinalsixminutesofthegame,Danielshitthreeshotsfromdowntown,thelastofwhichputHoustonupbythreewith11secondslefttoplay.Thiskidisreadytogoatamomentsnoticeandhe’sstillonly25.JamychalGreenmissedjustfourgameslastyearandinjustabouteveryoneoftheremaining78heflashedhishighlightreelpotential,jumpingoutofthegymandposterizinganyonethathappenedtobeinhisway.ChandlerParsons’careerarcisanunfortunateonebutthisseasonhemightactuallyhavethechancetoplayhealthyforthefirsttimesincehisHoustondays.Sincethenhe’sseenhisminutesreducedeachseasonbecauseofinjuriesandhe’salreadyprojectedtobeoutfortheseasonopener.Regardlessoftheleveloftalentbehindthem,thisteam’scoreknowshowtoguidethemtotheplayoffs,astheyhaven’tmissedthebigdancesince2011.43-39.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

No,YouShootIt

Butactually,whoisgoingtoshoottheballontheBulls.WadehasbeenmyfavoriteplayersinceIwasbutalad,howeverthroughouthistenureasMiami’sgoldenboyhehasneveronceshotover30%fromdowntown.Italwaysseemslikehehitsthreeswhentheymattermostandthat’swhatthebestplayersarerememberedfor,showinguptoplaywhenthegameisontheline.DoesanyoneelserememberwhenWadedislocatedRondo’selbowingamethreeoftheirseriesin2011?It’sgreatthatthey’ve(hopefully)keptthepastinthepastandjoinedforcestocreateoneofthestrangestteamsintheleague.Rondoaveragedjustasmanyassists(11.7)ashedidpoints(11.9)withtheKingslastyear,it’ssafetosaythathe’llkeeptheballmovingandhim&Butlerwillformanicepickandrollcombo.SpeakingofJimmy,anotheroneoftheleague’smoreincrediblestories,he’sanAll-StarwhoremindsmemoreandmoreofPaulGeorgewitheachsuccessiveseason.He’safreakathletewhocanhandleswitchesondefenseandbeathismanwithanarrayofmovesonoffense.HimandWadearegoingtodrawdoubleteamsthatwillgivetherestofthisdeepcastthespacetogetshotsoffandcuttotherim.DenzelValentinewasagoodpickupandremindsmeofAndreIguodala,aswissarmyknifewhocanhandletheball,hastheabilitytoscorefromanywhere,andcangethisteammatesinvolvedbykeepingtheballmoving.TajGibsonhasspenthisentirecareerinChicagoanditfeelslikehemightneverleave,buthisvaluetothisteamisstillatthepointwherehecanconsistentlyget20-24minutesanightandcontributeonbothsidesofthefloor.DouglasMcBucketsimprovedineverystasticalcategorylastyearmostlyduetoahugeincreaseinminutesandcanputtheballinthenetfrombeyond22feetata42%clip.He’stallerthananyonerealizesandat6’8230canbodyupopposingwingsthattrytoputhiminthepost.MCWwasalateadditionandtakestheplaceofTonySnell,bringingacompletelydifferentskillsettothisBullsteamasa6’6pointguard.RobinLopezisastartingcalibercenterthathasenoughpostmovesandisbigenoughtoaverage10points&8boards.RoundingoutthissquadisNikolaMiroticwhojoinedDouggyinimprovingeveryoneofhisstatslastseasonandhasagamemuchlikefellowEuropeanDaniloGallinari.Hecanshootfromoutsideandputtheballonthefloorandasa6’10winghecanevenslothimselfatpowerforwardtospreadthefloorandtakeanopposingbigoutofthelane.ThisChicagosquadisdeeperthanpeoplerealizeandisgoingtosurprisealotoffolkswhothinkthatacoreofButler,Wade,andRondoisgoingtofallflat.52-30.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

Bawston

IsaiahThomasmakesmewondereverysingledayifIcouldhavemadeittotheNBA.At5’10onagoodday,Isaiah,anaverageheightedhumanbeing,excelsinaleaguepopulatedentirelybyindividualswithaboveheightsandwingspans.Isaiahhasonethingoverthemajorityoftheleaguethough:he’sagoddamnlefty.Okay,that’snotallhehasgoingforhim,butbeingleftyinanyprofessionalsportsleaguehasitsperksandthisgoesdoublefortheNBAwhereleaningjustasmidgeononewaycouldcostyouabucket.IsaiahdoeseverythingrightastheleaderofthisCelticsteamandhe’saquick,decisive,anddynamicscoringthreatwhostillfindsawaytomovetheball.Thisisadeepteamwithsteepdefensiveupsideboastingall-aroundplayerslikeAveryBradley,AmirJohnson,JonasJerebko,andJaeCrowder.EachoneoftheseplayersknowshowtostayinfronttheirmanondefenseandplayswithintheirlimitsonoffenseA.becausetheytrusttheircoachandB.becausetheytrusteachother.ThisteamknowswhateachotheriscapableofandinBradStevenstheyhaveacoachwhoisgoingtobeapartofthisleaguefordecades.He’smyveryearlypickforcoachoftheyearandifyoutakealookathisrosteryou’llseejusthowmalleablethisteamis.AlHorfordisthebigmaneveryteamwishestheyhadandtheHawksshouldhavethoughttwiceaboutsigningDwightbeforelettingsuchatalentedandcapablebigmanwalk.Alcanspreadthefloor,shootfromtheelbow&thecorner,andplaysgreatdefensewithoutcommittingtoomanyfouls.He’salsoacapablefree-throwshooterwhohit80%ofhisfreebieslastyearandpostsgreatfieldgoalpercentagesforanall-aroundbigman.OnDMarcusSmartcomesatyoulikeaspidermonkeyhypeduponMountainDew,butonoffensedefendersdon’tmindleavinghimopenasheshotjust34%fromthefloorand25%fromthefieldlastseason.JaylenBrownwasanamazingdraftpickatnumber7andlookedfearlessinhislonecollegeseasonwiththeGoldenBears.HisupsidecouldbeinlinewithaplayersuchasKawhiLeonardwhostruggledshootingtheballearlyonuntilheimprovedhisform.BrownhasalloftheathletictoolsheneedstobeanadeptwingandonthisCelticsteam,riddledwithelitedefenders,thelearningcurvewon’tbetoosteep.JamesYoungmightbegivenabiggerthanexpectedrolethisseason,buthe’sbehindagaggleofbetterplayersatthewingandhasn’thadenoughminutesinhiscareertoproveanythingjustyet.BradStevens’squadisatalentedoneandalthoughthey’reatradeortwoawayfromresemblingacontender,Ibelievethey’llfinishaseitherthethirdorfourthseedintheEast.52-30.

2016-2017SeasonPreview

ALLCONTENTISORIGINALINNATURE

Thefollowingsourceswereusedforstasticalreference:

http://www.basketball-reference.com

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/