NBA PREVIEW

WELCOME BACK NBA!!!!!!

I couldn’t be more excited for an NBA season. Storylines on top of storylines. This has been an offseason that has seen several All Star’s change teams, and shake up the entire league. Golden State is still the favorite but a couple of new contenders have emerged. This offseason has seen the Western Conference get much stronger, and seen the Eastern Conference get even weaker, if that’s possible.

Western Conference Breakdown

The Favorite

Golden State - The Warriors are still the favorite in the West but now, they’ll at least have some competition. They kept their entire core from last season, and also acquired Nick “SwaggyP” Young. Steph Curry just got a new big deal and I expect him to be GREAT this year. Kevin Durant may be the best player in the world after the performance he has in last years finals. And everybody else is back. Draymond Green is already talking noise, so you know he’s fired up! But as I said before, there are some contenders out West now starting with Kevin Durant’s old team.

The Contenders

Oklahoma City  - Kevin Durant’s former teammate Russell Westbrook now has some help in Oklahoma City as not only did they acquire Paul George, but they also managed to get Carmelo Anthony. How’s that for a new BIG 3? They got PG and Melo for basically Victor Oladipo and Enes Kanter. Talk about winning a trade. This team will be able to score with anyone, and Billy Donovan has a lot to work with, as well as Westbrook who now doesn’t have to do everything on his own. They may need to acquire a shooter but they are definitely a team to be reckoned with.

Houston - Speaking of getting help, the Rockets went out this offseason and traded almost their whole team in return for the rights to still one of the best pure point guards in the league in Chris Paul. They had watched James Harden wear down from carrying his team all season in game 6 against the Spurs last year and knew he needed help. Paul would be that guy. Harden had a historic year last year and maybe the 2 of them together can help them both finally get to where they want to be.

San Antonio - The Spurs are the Spurs and as long as Greg Popovich is on the sidelines, they will always be a contender. Kawhi Leonard expects to again be in the MVP conversation this season and the Spurs also signed Rudy Gay in the offseason. He is eager to prove he still has major value in this league. I’m not sure why but they also resigned LaMarcus Aldridge to a huge deal in hopes he can return to his former form. Dejounte Murray should be better in the backcourt this year as well.

Minnesota - Maybe it’s because it happened earlier in the offseason, but I haven’t heard alot of people talking about the T-Wolves. They have put together a really nice team and have a solid big 3 of their own in Karl Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. They also signed Jeff Teague at point guard who should be a really good fit here, as well as a 6th man in Jamal Crawford. These guys are unselfish, young, and talented and all want to win. Think Oklahoma City lite. They should be a really good defensive team however.

New Orleans - Now, I know that noone thinks the Pelicans can contend because apparently it’s not a big man’s league anymore and your best players need to be on the wings for you to win a championship. I would normally agree with that, but it may be different when you have the 2 best big men in the world on one team. Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis have had a full offseason to gain some chemistry and make a run this season. No team in the league will be able to stop those two. They did add a a floor general in Rajon Rondo, but one more big move before the trade deadline could definitely help them reach their goals.

Eastern Conference Breakdown

The Favorite

Cleveland - It’s a new look team in Cleveland and I do mean new. The only remaining starters from last years Eastern Conference Champions are Lebron James and Kevin Love. When Kyrie Irving shocked the world and requested a trade, he changed what this team would look like this season, and the end also changed their main competition in the East. The Cavs traded Kyrie to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Aziz, and a 1st and 2nd round pick. Thomas is still injured and hopes to be back in January. Until then Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, and Crowder will fill out the starting lineup. The Cavs also acquired Jeff Green who like Rudy Gay in San Antonio wants to still show he has some value.

The Contenders

Boston - As mentioned before, the Celtics team took a new shape when Kyrie requested a trade. They only return 4 players from last years 53 win team. Kyrie will lead this team as he finally has a chance to be the guy. Uninformed people may try and compare this to his first 3 years in the league, but there is truly no comparison. Kyrie should be an MVP candidate and lead this team. Boston also added All Star Gordon Hayward who is reunited with his college coach in Brad Stevens. Al Horford returns and the Celtics also drafted a big time player from Duke in Jayson Tatum. He will be a day 1 starter and combine with last years top 3 pick Jalen Brown to add to this young athletic frontcourt. Boston has depth and I truly believe they can go back to the finals this season. But it all starts tonight.

Washington - John Wall and Brad Beal return to try to make another run at the Eastern Conference Finals after coming up short last year. The Wizards saw Otto Porter improve a great deal last year and if he can take another step, this team may really make some noise. They didn’t make any major moves this offseason and I think they still need some things to really contend. However, if John Wall can keep improving his jump shot, anything is possible.

Toronto - They return the core of Kyle Lowry, Demar Derozan, and Jonas Valaciunas. The Raptors should be solid in the regular season as they are every year. There problem is always the postseason and that will likely be their downfall again. CJ Miles should add some depth to their backcourt but when it counts, that just won’t be enough.

Miami - Maybe the best kept secret of last year is that after the 1st half of the season is that the Miami Heat were one of the best teams in the league. They closed 30-11 to end the year and if they had of made the playoffs, they would have definitely gave several teams a good run. They are doing their best to not dig a hole for themselves this year. They resigned Dion Waiters who was a major part of that close last year as well as having Hassan Whiteside back to show his dominance. Justise Winslow also returns from an almost season absence after an injury last year. He will surely be looking to build off of a solid rookie year.

So there you have it! 7 All Stars changed teams this offseason and while football is great, the NBA has been the best entertainment in the past year. It will likely continue as we get started tonight with Kyrie going back to Cleveland! Will OKC dethrone the Warriors by season’s end? Will Lebron go to his 8th straight final? We have 82 games to get a better idea. Enjoy!

End of Season Predictions

Western Conference Champions - Oklahoma City Thunder

Eastern Conference Champions - Boston Celtics

MVP  - Kyrie Irving

Defensive Player of the Year - Paul George

Rookie of the Year - Ben Simmons

Most Improved Player - Brandon Ingram

Coach of the Year - Brad Stevens