Memphis Grizzlies

2017-2018 record: 22-60

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 23

Everything that could go wrong for the Grizzlies last season went wrong. They battled an absurd amount of injuries and ended up having to sign players to fill roster spots. This season, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley will return to strengthen the team and rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. brings young, star-caliber play to the table. The Grizzlies are not far off from their old ways of grit and grind basketball.

Everyone Is Finally Healthy

The best thing that could have happened to the Grizzlies is the return of their team health. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are two of the bests at their respective positions and will look to lead this team back into the playoffs. Their addition of Kyle Anderson and Garrett Temple prove that the front office wants to compete. These two signings supplied them with adequate depth and the classic Grizzly brand of grind it out basketball. Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the more promising rookies and exploded onto the scene in the Summer League. The Grizzlies will be better, but health is most important for this team.

But… How Long Will It Last

They always seem to get healthy and then go right back to the team doctor. Conley, Gasol and Chandler Parsons have been hurt too many times the last several seasons for the Grizzlies to compete. The key question for the Grizzlies is how long can they go without a big injury. If they get the injury bug early on it will put too much on the shoulders of Jackson Jr. If this becomes the case, they need to consider tanking to add talent from the draft next to him. With a smaller market, homegrown talent is vital to their success. The circumstances are fragile in Memphis and they will have to get lucky to have a good year.

Dallas Mavericks

2017-2018 record: 24-58

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 19

They were the headline at draft night and they did not even have the first pick. They traded the third pick and next season’s pick to acquire phenom, Luka Doncic. Doncic will be special in the league and will be paired next to promising guard Dennis Smith Jr. The Mavericks hope they have found their next franchise player and will look to use this year to develop around him. Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki will be having his farewell tour this season. So long to another NBA great.

Another Dynamic Guard Duo Is Coming

There are quite a few great guard duos in the league. Doncic and Smith Jr. are next in line to join the list. Doncic dominated in the Euro League from the age of 14 and will look to do the same, at the age of 18, in the NBA. The offseason addition of center DeAndre Jordan will give the Mavs a greater presence in the paint. Jordan’s defense and rebounding is game changing and the Mavs will quickly appreciate their investment. The return of Harrison Barnes’ health will be a big boost to the offense,  that has lacked enough shooting the last few seasons. The Mavs will be competitive with the big additions to the roster and their returning health. They should not be taken lightly this season.

How Long Will It Take For Doncic To Adjust?

One big concern about Doncic will be if he can adjust quick enough for the Mavs to be competitive right now. The NBA is an entirely different monster than the Euro League. Not many players have made the transition well. He will need to be able to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA. However, he is one of the more promising players to come from overseas in quite some time. If he can adjust and become a star quickly, then the Mavs have picked up quite the prize.

New Orleans Pelicans

2017-2018 record: 48-34

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 12

The Pelicans finally got back to the playoffs last season with strong performances from Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. Cousins is now gone, but Davis gets better every season. Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic are very underrated players and will hope to help Davis this season. The Pelicans will need some more players to step up, but they look poised to have another successful season.

The Brow Is Fiercer Than Ever

Anthony Davis, or The Brow, is one of the five best players in the NBA right now. His blend of size and athletic ability is a rare combination. He is a LeBron James type of player for the New Orleans Pelicans. Mirotic was a very surprising contributor last season, after Cousins went down with his injury. Now, he will be starting next to Davis and will need to have clutch performances. Jrue Holiday is another promising candidate to play well this season. He has had bad injury history, but is finally healthy this season. His defense and playmaking ability will be a huge help for Davis. If the Pelicans can have someone else step up, such as Julius Randle or E’twaun Moore, then they will return to the playoffs this season.

Logjam In The Frontcourt and No Depth In The Backcourt

The Pelicans have a small roster imbalance that could provide problems. They have Davis, Mirotic and Randle, who all play at the big man positions and are their best players. Pair this with their depth issue at the guard and wing spots, then it could become a problem. After Jrue Holiday, they have no one to consistently contribute at the guard spots. Moore or Tim Frazier would have to take huge leaps this season, if Holiday had to miss time. Their gap at the small forward position is also a huge disadvantage. They have thought about putting Mirotic there, to keep Randle and Davis on the floor. But many people believe Mirotic will be too slow to keep up with good small forwards. If players like Moore and Frazier can step up this season, then it would ease their depth issues.

Houston Rockets

2017-2018 record: 65-17

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 4

Last season, the best regular season team almost pulled off a huge upset in the Western Conference Finals. Chris Paul’s injury in Game Five will go down as one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history. They dominated the Warriors with Paul on the floor. James Harden will look to have another MVP year and not disappear in the playoffs again. Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker will be leading a talented supporting cast alongside these two. Carmelo Anthony has even joined the fray, to provide scoring off of the bench. The Rockets are picking up where they left off.

It Is All About The Beard

James Harden was at another level last season, en route to his first MVP trophy. He put in a lot of work this offseason and says he got better. If Harden gets better, then the rest of the NBA better worry. Chris Paul is the underappreciated captain of this team and will look to lead, while Harden does a lot of the damage. Capela, Gordon and Tucker were tremendous role players last season and will hope to stay healthy. The value they provided in the playoffs was important for their deep run. The addition of Carmelo Anthony could provide huge dividends, if he is content with coming off of the bench. What Anthony brings to the scoreboard is what makes him one of the better players of this generation. If the Rockets can deal with his ego, he will make this team even better.

Too Many Changes

The Rockets lost a good number of pieces from last season’s team. Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Luc Mbah a Moute provided the Rockets with a lot of depth. Each player played great defense and hit threes at a consistent rate. Those two things are at a premium in the NBA right now. Letting them all go could be a huge change for the Rockets. The players that played behind them are now having to start, which leaves them with less depth. Clearing all that room for Anthony could prove catastrophic, if he does not fit on the team. The Rockets should have followed the old saying, “If it is not broke, do not fix it”. On the other hand, if Paul stayed healthy in the playoffs, they most likely would not have changed anything. They would have a big ring to show for it. The room for error is so small in the NBA.

San Antonio Spurs

2017-2018 record: 47-35

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 15

The Spurs dynasty is coming to an end. They released Tony Parker, retired Manu Ginóbili and traded Kawhi Leonard. This team is unrecognizable and coach Gregg Popovich has his hands full. DeMar Derozan is a great player, so the Leonard trade was not terrible. Hopefully, Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge will be enough to get them into the playoffs. They did it without Leonard last season, but Ginóbili’s effort last season was legendary.

New Era In San Antonio

With disgruntled star Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto, the Spurs are looking at the end of an era. Leonard was supposed to be their next franchise great, but a change of heart stopped that dream. DeMar Derozan was supposed to be Toronto’s greatest player, but their GM jumped at the opportunity to grab Leonard. The Spurs will be competitive with Derozan’s offensive ability. Him and Aldridge should form an elite pick and roll duo right off the bat. Patty Mills will finally secure the starting point guard spot and will look to prove he deserves it. A second team led by Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol and Dejounte Murray could be worse. Popovich is still their coach and is one of the greatest to ever do it. Under him, the Spurs will compete.

Popovich’s Toughest Test In Awhile

This season will arguably be Popovich’s greatest test. He will have to figure out how to calm the storm after that trade and deal with a new roster. He has not had to deal with this much change in quite some time. Spurs fans will hope that Derozan’s heartbreak of being traded will not affect his game. Popovich will have to figure out how to get him and Aldridge going in the offense, since each player is very ball dominant. Derozan has not been known to spread the ball around in his career, so Pop will have to find this team’s Kyle Lowry. Hopefully, the passing of his wife and the stress of the team’s new circumstances will not make him want to retire. We still need more interviews.

Division Winner: Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets were so dominate last season, that I think they will repeat. The Mavericks and Grizzlies are not deep enough to compete in the West all season and the Spurs will most likely regress. The Pelicans are an interesting team, due to Anthony Davis’ dominance and the possible great supporting cast he will have. However, Harden and Paul will post MVP numbers this season. Pairing them with their posse of defending three point shooters will be too much for teams to handle. Hopefully, we will get a Warriors-Rockets rematch somewhere in the playoffs. Chris Paul. Please stay healthy.

Reference links: 

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-west

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams

View my previous blog posts!

Atlantic Division: click here

Central Division: click here

Southeast Division: click here

Northwest Division: click here

Pacific Division: click here

Los Angeles Clippers

2017-2018 record: 42-40

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 21

The Clippers have one of the most experienced teams in the league. Their top seven players are capable veterans who know how to contribute. Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari, Marcin Gortat and Lou Williams have all been great role players their entire careers. While most experts believe a team needs a star, the Clippers have more than enough solid veterans to win games. They will need everyone to work cohesively and hope that old age does not bring about injuries.

Veteran Presence

The Clippers have formed a small army of above average veteran players. Teaming them up could be a solid strategy, since they will have not have a problem with dominant ball handlers. Williams, Gallinari and Harris are very good offensive players, that can score at ease. Gortat, Bradley and Beverley are very good defensive players. If their young guys, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Montrezl Harrell, can contribute, then the Clippers will have a very solid team. Health willing, their veteran craftiness will surprise a lot of teams.

Can The Vets Stay Healthy?

Veterans and injuries go hand in hand. We all know, the older we are the more prone we are to injuries. The whole roster has had trouble with late-career injuries, which could lead to a big pile up on the trainers’ table. Gallinari, Beverley and Bradley need to kick their injury tendencies aside, to help them win ball games. Williams will need help on offense. Last season he carried the Clippers and that will most likely not happen again. Harris will be called upon to help shoulder the load, in his first full season with the Clippers. They need to maintain their health, if they want to have a shot at the playoffs.

Sacramento Kings

2017-2018 record: 27-55

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 30

The Kings have put together a group of very young, talented players. While they may be talented, many of them have only begun to scratch the surface of the NBA. De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield and Willie Cauley-Stein will be called upon a lot this season, since the veterans moved on from Sacramento. The Kings seem to be heading in the right direction with their player development. They just need time for everyone to grow.

Princes To Kings?

These young players have the talent, but will need to mature to contend in the West. Fox and Bagley are the two most hyped players on the team. They have been the Kings’ top draft picks the last two seasons and have shown glimpses of star ability. Harry Giles was a draft and stash player, due to his injury, but has yet to be seen on the court. He was a hyped prospect coming out of college, but had too much injury risk. If he comes somewhat close to what scouts see in him, then it will be a steal for the Kings. Hield, Cauley-Stein and Bogdan Bogdanović are the most experienced players on the roster. They will be important for the Kings to become successful and they need to take the next step this season. The Kings’ youth will make them exciting, but they will need to learn how to play in the NBA to become successful.

Young and Inexperienced 

Being young is exciting for the future of a franchise. Fox and Bagley appear as if they will be special players, but youth comes with inexperience. They lost their veteran presence to trades and free agent signings this past offseason. The young guys will need to learn how to mature in this league in order to become successful. They will make too many mistakes as they try to learn, which will equal another rebuilding year. The Kings are on the cusp of becoming contenders and will have to hope this team can mature. The playoff drought is almost over in Sacramento.

Los Angeles Lakers

2017-2018 record: 35-47

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 8

The Lakers went from rebuilding to possibly being Western Conference Champions. The LeBron James effect will have that kind of factor on a team. His signing was the highlight of the offseason and will improve the Lakers dramatically. Promising youngsters Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram will look to develop under James this season. The process will start out slow, but having James on the team will pay off during his contract period. The Lakers will be champions very soon.

All Hail The King

Signing the best player in the game is no doubt a slam dunk by the front office. Surrounding their young core of Ball, Kuzma and Ingram with James’ knowledge will help them develop. These three players are the future in LA and will become important pieces alongside James. Signing veterans Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Javale McGee and Michael Beasley brings playmaking ability and depth to the roster. Everyone will have to get used to playing with a demanding star, like James, but his basketball abilities are unquestioned. His leadership paired with the young Lakers’ talent will become a force in the league. James has been one of the all-time greats and will look to write the next chapter of his Hollywood script.

What Just Flew Into LA?

While the four veteran offseason signings were beneficial, many people question what their role is in LA. Last season in Cleveland, James struggled to find help at the perimeter and these signings do not improve that. They have great playmaking and defensive ability, but their shooting is the weakest link. Surrounding James with shooters seems to be the best formula to win. If they cannot find shooting from some of the younger players, then the offense will stagger. Their inability to stretch the floor will show just how necessary shooting is to win a championship. They cannot win all season by watching James put up 50 points a game. He most likely will not survive that much physical tear on his body. If the Lakers can find shooters, then they will flourish.

Phoenix Suns

2017-2018 record: 21-61

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 28

Much like the Kings, the Suns are very young and inexperienced. Two differences are that they have a star in Devin Booker and a first overall beast in DeAndre Ayton. These two players are going to wreck the league for many years, but the Suns need to get talent elsewhere to compete. Their batch of young players will show off this season, but it will lead to another rebuilding effort.

Number One Pick and Devin Booker

Booker really kicked down the door to stardom when he dropped 70 points against the Celtics last season. He will look to improve even more this season, to look at making the Suns competitive again. Ayton was the first overall pick this past draft and will carry a lot of expectations with him. He is a legit 20 point double-double threat every night. If free agent Trevor Ariza can step up it will give Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges time to develop and get better. Once again, a young shining team is forming out West. They just need to hope everything falls into place and they can develop their young stars.

No Point Guard and Inexperience

The Suns’ biggest problems on the court last season were ball movement and inexperience. Their point guard position is abysmal this season and does not appear to be fixable within the rotation. The signing or drafting of a playmaking point guard will go a long way for this offense. They need a point guard to orchestrate the offense and spread the ball. Lastly, young teams will often struggle due to their inexperience and growing pains. Josh Jackson has taken longer than expected to develop and they have drafted a few busts, such as Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. The inexperience will fix itself, but they need to continue to draft great players like Booker and Ayton. The Suns have to hope they can make the right decisions moving forward.

Golden State Warriors

2017-2018 record: 58-24

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 1

The league’s best team got even better this past offseason. They signed Demarcus Cousins to a one year deal and will be returning their four All-Stars. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green were already enough for the league to handle. They will look to run away with the league again and capture their third straight title.

They Really Just Did That

Just when everyone thought the league was becoming somewhat interesting with all the big offseason action. The Warriors went and did the unthinkable. They signed All-Star big man Demarcus Cousins. There was no way the Warriors could become better, but they went and showed everyone wrong. Curry, Thompson and Durant are unstoppable on offense and can make the score unreachable in minutes. Green leads a solid defense, but they really do not need much defense. Two MVPs will make things extremely easy. If they can stay healthy, the Warriors will run away with the league. I still cannot believe they signed Cousins.

Can They Survive Until The Playoffs?

Their starting lineup usually covers any problems they have in a season. They have few problems, but a couple things could happen to make them sweat it out. The season is long and the starters need to remain healthy for them to be successful. If Curry’s ankle and Durant’s back have problems at the same time, then they will become very exposed. Behind Andre Iguodala, they have a cast of nobodies on the bench. However, their terrible depth is often overlooked when the starters are healthy. They will just need to hope they can last until the playoffs, because every win will be important in the West playoff race. If their health does not stand and they lose too many early games, then they could be in trouble. No one will be able to stay with them in a seven game series, which is why they cannot wait for April.

Division Winner: Golden State Warriors

Big surprise, the Warriors will win the Pacific Division. The rest of the division is very weak, outside of the Lakers and Warriors. The only reason the Lakers are considered is because of the presence LeBron James has on any team. However, they are not good enough yet and have too many question marks. They will get off to a slow start, while the Warriors will do what they normally do. Adding Demarcus Cousins to the roster was an insane move and will no doubt make them unstoppable. The Warriors look very likely to repeat as champs this season.

Reference links: 

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-west

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams

Check out my previous blog posts below!

Atlantic Division: click here

Central Division: click here

Southeast Division: click here

Northwest Division: click here

 

Utah Jazz

2017-2018 record: 48-34

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 5

The Jazz came out of nowhere last season, when we were expecting them to be struggling without Gordon Hayward. Insert Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell’s rise to stardom was one of the best headlines of last season. In his rookie year, he led the Jazz to just one win away from a date with the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. We will all be eager to see what he does this season and hope that he can avoid a sophomore slump.

Mitchell Leads A Underrated Jazz Squad

Mitchell is now considered to be a star in the league and will have many high expectations attached to him. He will be the focus of many teams’ defensive game plans this season, which is why the rest of the team will need to step up. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, will anchor a very strong defensive team. The Jazz were at the top of the league in defensive efficiency last season, which was a huge part of their success. Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors took a step up in their progression last season and will need to replicate that again. However, the biggest X-factor on the Jazz this season is Joe Ingles. Ingles needs to improve the weakest position on the team. However, he has put in a lot of work this summer and is claiming to be the best shooter in the world. If he can deliver clutch performances, alongside Mitchell, then the Jazz could easily reach 50 wins.

Sophomore Slump And Down Goes The Stifle Tower

There are two things that could hurt the Jazz this season. If Mitchell has a sophomore slump, then they will not have the offensive star they desperately needed after Hayward’s departure. They do not have a electric scorer after Mitchell, which will prevent them from spreading the floor as effectively. Mitchell creates shots for his team every game, due to the attention he draws from opponents. Second, if Gobert goes down then so does the Jazz. His nickname, Stifle Tower, was given to him because of his French origin and long wingspan. He has used this long wingspan to become one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He seems to be the catalyst for the Jazz, because if he is healthy then they are successful. If one of these two things happen, then it could put a damper on the Jazz’s hopes at a long playoff run.

Denver Nuggets

2017-2018 record: 46-36

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 10

The Nuggets are a very mysterious team this season. They have two of the more exciting young stars, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Paul Millsap provides a great all around presence on the court. Gary Harris, Will Barton, Mason Plumlee and Juan Hernangómez highlight the team’s solid role options. Despite having a sound team on paper, they still cannot crack the playoffs. They added offensive wizard Isaiah Thomas this offseason, but the key concern is improving their bad defense.

Young Nuggets

Murray and Jokic are the two most exciting players on this team and are still very young. Jokic has been otherworldly on offense and might possibly lead the league in assists as a center. Do I think he will lead the league in assists? No, but he is a very polished offensive big man. Murray can shoot with the best of them and has an underrated ability to score inside. Barton, Harris, Hernangómez, Plumlee and the whole bench are talented offensive players. Signing Thomas to come off of the bench will make this team even better on offense. Noticing a trend? The Nuggets have a high octane offense that will put up a lot of points. However, the defense needs to show up this year. They cannot keep relying on offense to win ball games. A full season of Millsap will help out admirably, but Jokic needs to be better. If Jokic can be better defensively, he alone could provide the Nuggets with a few additional wins.

Bad Defense

As mentioned above, the Nuggets’ biggest weakness is defense. They have been consistently ranked in the bottom part of the league the last several seasons in defensive efficiency. Signing Thomas, who is the face of bad defense, will not help their struggles. Jokic and Murray have been criticized for getting pushed around and that needs to change this season. These two need to get better on defense, if the Nuggets want to become contenders. This team is so close to piecing it all together because of their success in the draft. At the least, average defense could give any team a few extra wins. In the Western Conference, one win is the difference between playoffs and the start of the offseason. The Timberwolves were the No. 8 seed last season and were one win above the Nuggets. Hang tight Nuggets fans, the light is near. Defense wins championships.

Oklahoma City Thunder

2017-2018 record: 48-34

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 7

The Thunder raised some eyebrows with their extension of Paul George in the offseason. Bringing him back maintained their overall focus as a team. They have two of the most talented players in the league, George and Russell Westbrook. Andre Roberson will be returning from injury to contribute with his All-NBA defense. Steven Adams gets better every year and is still very underrated. They got rid of Carmelo Anthony’s bad ego and added two solid players, Dennis Schroder and Nerlens Noel. To briefly summarize, the Thunder are sitting pretty. They are one of the few teams that experts believe can hang with the Warriors.

#ThunderUp

The Thunder are ready to do business this season with a healthy roster and two key additions. Westbrook and George will continue to suffocate opposing teams with their MVP caliber play. Hopefully, we will get to see Westbrook rise in the ranks of career triple-doubles over the course of the season. Roberson, Noel and Adams will look to bully teams defensively this season, as the Thunder are viewed as one of the most complete teams in the NBA. Their two key additions this offseason were Noel and Schroder. These two will provide important depth, in order to keep the team healthy all year long. Schroder will be a big boost in the backcourt, since there was not a solid option behind Westbrook. The Thunder will have high expectations this season. Hopefully, we will see a lot of Westbrook and Kevin Durant matchups in April to add icing on the cake.

Westbrook and Roberson’s health

Even though this team does not have a lot of question marks, a few things might happen that could cost them a playoff spot in a loaded West Conference. Westbrook has had trouble in the offseason with his knee and his production is irreplaceable. Even with Schroder in the lineup, without Westbrook, there will be less depth on this team. Depth is very valuable in the NBA, in order to maintain health and success. Roberson’s health is also important, since he brings great defense to the lineup. His health could bring a similar depth issue in the backcourt. Not having Roberson might not seem like a key weakness, but the Thunder will only be content with a championship this season. They will need all hands on deck to surpass the Warriors in a seven game series. Westbrook’s health could cost them a few losses, which is a lot to lose out West.

Minnesota Timberwolves

2017-2018 record: 47-35

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 18

Drama continues to circulate one of the most gifted teams in the league. Jimmy Butler has come out and said that he is discontent with his team. In order for the Timberwolves to come back to the playoffs, they need Butler to somehow make amends with his teammates and provide the team certainty about his future. The Timberwolves have a extremely talented team, but they have to fix their philosophies.

Young and Gifted

Towns has established himself as a star. He and Wiggins have been deemed as two of the more talented players in the NBA. Butler’s leadership and work ethic have brought him very far in the league. He needs to tap into this team’s talent to lead them to a playoff run. Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, Gorgui Dieng and Taj Gibson will provide strong support for the three stars to capture wins. Coach Tom Thibodeau needs to help foster the relationship between the players and clean up the bad blood. If the Timberwolves can get past their recent disputes and Butler has a MVP caliber season, then they will make the playoffs.

The Team Is A Big Mess

The headline in Minnesota is the team’s most recent dispute between Butler, Towns and Wiggins. Butler called them lazy and a joke on the court. Towns and Wiggins shard that they think Butler is crazy. Butler then made these comments public to a ESPN reporter, which will not sit well with the rest of the team. As the leader of the team, he needs to patch things up to prevent a implosion in the locker room. This dilemma is causing chaos in the front office as well. Thibodeau’s job security is barely hanging on and the general manager is frantically trying to find a trade for Butler. The most likely scenario will involve them trading Butler, since Towns is going nowhere. Without Butler’s leadership, the Wolves will most likely slip out of playoff contention. It has come to soap opera status in Minneapolis.

Portland Trail Blazers

2017-2018 record: 49-33

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 11

It is crazy to think that last season’s No. 3 seed in the playoffs need a lot of things to go right, in order for them to make it back. Portland will be led by the talented guard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. However, the team lost three of their top four role players this offseason and have many depth questions. Zach Collins needs to have a big year to replace the production of Ed Davis. He has shown signs of being a great offensive player during his rookie season, but needs to improve overall. Seth Curry’s return will also provide much needed help. If they can overcome their depth issues, then they will compete for a top seed again.

Dame and CJ

The Trail Blazers have been in contention for several season, thanks to the production from Lillard and McCollum. They are both electric stars and have good chemistry together. Jusuf Nurkic, Evan Turner and Al-Farouq Aminu have been solid role players behind them. Aminu and Nurkic bring great defense to the court and Turner provides playmaking ability for the second team. Seth Curry will be healthy this season, after sitting out all of last season due to injury. He will provide a much needed shooting presence off of the bench. Most crucial for the Trail Blazers this season will be the development of Zach Collins. Collins is a good offensive player, but needs to improve overall to fill a hole in the lineup.

Key Departures and Zach Collins

The Trail Blazers lost three of their top four role players this offseason. This left them with a very important depth issue. They have a lot of inexperienced players to replace them, but they have potential. Zach Collins is the most important piece of the puzzle. He needs to be a starting lineup caliber player this season, in order to provide enough help for Lillard and McCollum. Additionally, Lillard, McCollum and the rest of the starters need to stay healthy in order for them to have a shot at the playoffs. They do not have the depth to replace a injured starter and still be successful. Just like everyone else, they have little room for regression.

Division winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have one of the most complete teams this season. The return of Roberson and Westbrook to full health will be huge for their team performance. Key additions, Noel and Schroder, will give them much improved depth. This division is very competitive and they were all separated by three wins last season. The Nuggets finished ninth and the Trail Blazers finished third, which shows how important one win can be. All five teams from this division could make the playoffs, but only one will win the division. The Thunder have the advantage over the rest because of their complete package of depth, offense and defense. They will be looking to dethrone the Warriors from their peak.

Reference links:

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-west

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams

View my previous blog posts!

Atlantic Division: click here

Central Division: click here

Southeast Division: click here

Atlanta Hawks

2017-2018 record: 24-58

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 29

The Hawks made one of the biggest moves this past season on draft night. Swapping highly touted guard Luka Doncic for Trae Young and a future first round pick was a bold move by the front office. Sadly, the Doncic-Young comparisons might be the only thing people talk about this year when they talk about the Hawks. They are expected to have another abysmal season no matter who they drafted. Hawks fans will hope Young is the real deal and that Doncic will not haunt them for the next decade.

All Eyes on Young

This season, all eyes will be on rookie Trae Young’s performance. Young was one of the most gifted offensive prospects coming out of college. He will become the face of a very young franchise, as they look to find their place in a weak Southeast division. The emergence of John Collins last season should pair nicely with Young’s playmaking ability. They will be expected to form a nice pick-and-roll duo for the next several years. Taurean Prince and Kent Bazemore will look to develop more defensively, in hopes of providing much needed defense at the wing positions. If Young is the offensive superstar the Hawks hope him to be, then maybe the Doncic trade was not so crazy after all. They have the ability to add great talent next to him with the extra pick they acquired.

2019: A Year To Look Forward To

The Hawks have been dreadful ever since they decided to move on from Al Horford and Paul Millsap. They worried a lot of fans when they traded the better overall player, Luka Doncic, to the Mavericks this past draft. The front office hopes they can hit gold in the next draft, with the extra pick attached to Young. Young will come into his own with his offensive ability, but his small size is widely seen as a defensive liability. John Collins is a monster in the paint, but he will need to develop a outside shot to pair with Young’s perimeter playmaking abilities. The Hawks will most likely finish in the bottom portion of the Eastern Conference as expected. However, they have a lot to look forward to with two first round picks in a loaded 2019 Draft class. Hawks fans. We will pray for you. Look forward to 2019.

Miami Heat

2017-2018 record: 44-38

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 13

Dwayne Wade’s last dance. That is the topic of discussion in South Beach before the start of this season. They will be looking to send off the face of their franchise on a good note. A long playoff run for Wade is what every basketball fan should be rooting for. They have experience and a roster with good chemistry, which should put them in the playoff picture at the end of the year. At the least, I’m sure we will see Wade turn back the clock this season and put up some big performances. Get your popcorn and tissues ready.

Wade’s Last Hurrah

Obviously everyone will be talking about Wade’s last season and if he can lead the Heat to a long playoff run. He has the team around him to do it. The Heat are returning every player on the roster from last season, which will help their early season chemistry. Defensive anchors Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson will lead a gritty style of basketball, similar to the way the Grizzlies played several years ago. The Heat lack style, but have players who grind it out on the court, such as Kelly Olynyk, Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo. If the Heat can play the elite level defense they played last season, with the emergence of a playmaker on offense, then they will compete for a top four seed in the East.

No Star Power

The biggest weakness for the Heat is their lack of star power. Not having a star to ignite their offense will leave their defense unsupported. They will remain a above average NBA team, similar to the way they have been since LeBron James left South Beach. One potential fix is for them to go after disgruntled Timberwolves guard, Jimmy Butler. Butler will bolster their defense even more, with the addition of his offensive star power. He will provide the playmaking ability to help stretch the floor for the Heat. Without a trade, the Heat will have to hope for a huge season from someone like Whiteside or Richardson. Someone on this team needs to step up offensively, if the Heat want to compete with the big three of the East.

Charlotte Hornets

2017-2018 record: 36-46

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 20

Kemba Walker has been the only bright spot over the last several seasons for this franchise. They will have a legit shot at the playoffs this season, if someone can get Walker some help. Injuries and slow development have hurt this team the last several seasons. If the Hornets want to become a contender, they need someone to step up next to Walker or trade him to begin a long, painful rebuild.

Cardiac Kemba

Walker earned this nickname back in college because of his ankle breaking dribble moves. He still lives up to his name and is the underrated star of this Hornets team. This season, Walker will need to play like a MVP and get help from Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and rookie Miles Bridges. Bridges had a impressive campaign in the Summer League and could contribute nicely this season. Batum has been a good second to Walker the last several seasons, when healthy. Kidd-Gilchrist and Bridges are the ones that need to develop more, if they want to be good this season. The bench was bolstered by newly acquired veteran Tony Parker, who will help lead when Walker is resting. Parker’s playmaking and experience are valuable things that any team could benefit from. These things need to go right for the Hornets to win this division.

Anyone Besides Kemba

If the Hornets traded Walker today, then they would be lock to pick in the top three. He is a great player, but they need someone else to help carry the load. Batum and Kidd-Gilchrist have had plenty of injuries the last several years, which leaves Walker with very little help. Their most recent draft picks, Malik Monk and Frank Kaminsky, have been disappointing thus far in their careers. The front office is hoping that Bridges will be their first good draft pick, since Walker was drafted in 2011. This team can not rely on Walker’s efforts alone all season long. They need to stay healthy and hope a draft pick will develop to give them a chance to contend this season. If they have another bad year then this might be the last we see of the Walker era in Charlotte.

Orlando Magic

2017-2018 record: 25-57

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 26

Since 2012, the only magic present in Orlando has been Walt Disney World. Post-Dwight Howard era, the Magic have finished in the bottom five in the Eastern Conference. Their most consistent player has been Nikola Vucevic, but he has been among trade talk rumors for awhile now. Most recent draft picks Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba give slight hope for the future, but the Magic literally need some magic to happen to make the playoffs this year. The signing of new coach Steve Clifford will help them overall, but their need for a starting caliber point guard is becoming dire at this point.

Physically Gifted Roster

They just drafted one of the biggest players in NBA Draft history, Mo Bamba. His wingspan broke a record and he will join a already physically imposing roster. Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Nikola Vucevic are all big enough to play center and give the Magic one of the biggest lineups in the league. Vucevic has been a solid All-Star caliber center and will look to lead them with his impressive offensive ability. Clifford has been a great defensive coach and should be able to get a lineup this big to put together a defensive clinic. The Magic have the ability to physically dominate opposing teams with their team size. If their four athletic big men can play to their potential, then they could surprise a lot of teams this season.

No Magic At The Point

While they have a lot of potential good wings and big men, the Magic lack talent at the guard positions. The addition of a starting caliber point guard would help this team tremendously. Many experts believe the Magic should trade Vucevic for a good point guard, since he is close to being 30 years old. If they start out slow this season, they should entertain the idea of trading for a point guard. Not having good backcourt talent limits their ability to stretch the floor on offense. I believe if the Magic could get a good point guard to run the offense, then they could become a good team. They have such great talent at the three, four and five positions. Just one more piece could make this team into a contender. Good thing the draft and free agent class is loaded with talent this offseason.

Washington Wizards

2017-2018 record: 43-39

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 16

John Wall and Bradley Beal will look to continue business as usual, by terrorizing opposing defenses. The dynamic duo have kept the Wizards in the playoff race for years and they do not look to stop now. The addition of Dwight Howard should be both exciting and nerve racking for this fan base. After the chemistry issues from last season, having Howard on the team could be counterproductive. However, they are poised to get another playoff berth yet again behind the efforts of Wall and Beal.

Wall and Beal Back At It

Wall and Beal are two of the most talented guards in the league and could be considered as one of the best backcourt duos. Their three returning role players, Otto Porter Jr., Markieff Morris and Kelly Oubre Jr. will play a important role in the offense behind them. The addition of a All-Star center, with great defense, will definitely help their team. Dwight Howard could be the big man the Wizards have been missing to support Wall and Beal. When Howard is healthy he is a force to be reckoned with. If Porter and Oubre can take the next leap in their development, the Wizards could be a 50 win team this year. This season looks bright in D.C.

Chemistry Issues

One of the main issues the Wizards have been dealing with the last several seasons has been team chemistry. Marcin Gortat was pegged as the chemistry issue last season. His constant head butting with Wall was causing problems in the clubhouse and on the court. Gortat is no longer on the team, but the Wizards replaced him with Dwight Howard. Howard has had his problems with chemistry issues in the past several seasons. The Wizards are hoping he can stay healthy and free from team issues. When Howard is not causing any dilemmas, he is a great player to have on the team. The only thing stopping Washington from taking the division this year is their ability to have good chemistry.

Division Winner: Charlotte Hornets

Bet you did not expect this. I think the Charlotte Hornets will win this division and this is why. The Heat will not stay healthy enough to compete. The Wizards will have chemistry issues from trade talks and Dwight Howard will not stay healthy to contribute. This leaves the Hornets, since no one believes in the Hawks and Magic anyways. I believe Kemba Walker will bring his usual All-Star level performances this year, but the Hornets will be better due to the development from the rest of their team. Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will stay healthy enough to provide enough support for Walker. Miles Bridges is going to develop into a great starting wing player and provide a key missing piece the Hornets have needed for a while. Malik Monk, newly acquired vet Tony Parker and the rest of the bench will surprise people this year. I think the Hornets have what it takes to win the Southeast division this year. Keep your popcorn ready for Cardiac Kemba.

Reference links

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-east

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams

View my previous posts below!

Atlantic Division: click here

Central Division: click here

 

 

 

 

Milwaukee Bucks

2017-2018 record: 44-38

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 9

Can Giannis Antetoukounmpo finally take the top spot that has been dominated by Lebron James the last four years? He certainly seems ready and will look to dominate the Eastern Conference this season. The Bucks will look to improve under newly signed coach Mike Budenholzer, who is known for his defensive schemes.  All eyes will be on the Bucks, who under Budenholzer and Antetoukounmpo, have the potential to win the East.

The Greek Army

We all know Greek born player Giannis Antetoukounmpo by now. The 6’11 superstar who moves like a guard, but is as big as a center. He will continue to dominant opposing teams, but will his new surrounding cast put them on top of the East? They acquired shooting big men, Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova, which will help them stretch the floor. Khris Middleton will look to continue to be one of the best underrated players in the league and is finally healthy enough to contribute more this year. Budenholzer is known to be a great defensive coach, so his presence will most definitely benefit this team. They have finished in the lower half of the league in defensive efficiency the last several years.

Antetokounmpo’s Shot, Spotty Team Health

Some of the questions that surround the Bucks are can Antetokounmpo take the final step and develop his shot? Then, can the roster with spotty injury history stay healthy enough to be competitive over the year? Antetokounmpo has been criticized by many for his lack of an outside shot. He has been working hard on it this offseason and will look to improve that this year. If he can develop a shot it will shoot the Bucks up to the top of favorites to win the East. Finally, the roster needs to stay healthy and develop this season to keep the Bucks competitive. Middleton and the two newly acquired big men have plenty of injury history. They will be key in Budenholzer’s plans this season and need to stay healthy to keep the Bucks on top. The young group of Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon, D.J. Wilson and rookie Donte DiVincenzo will need to improve this year to make the Bucks into the team to beat.

Chicago Bulls

2017-2018 record: 27-55

2018 ESPN Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 25

The post Jimmy Butler/Derrick Rose era has been miserable for the Chicago Bulls. They have a few bright spots on a very young team, but will most likely have another rebuilding year this year. The last several seasons, they rank almost dead last in every statistical category. Key addition Jabari Parker will look to join Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen on a young Bulls team trying to figure out a identity. Hopefully, Bulls fans will have more to talk about than Michael Jordan’s legacy this year.

Young Core is Finally Healthy

Zach Lavine and Jabari Parker are fully healed from their ACL tears. The Bulls were a lot better last season when Lavine was on the floor. With the addition of Parker this year, it gives the Bulls another strong offensive weapon. Surprise 2017 draft pick Lauri Markkanen will look to keep developing, after a strong rookie campaign. If Markkanen can develop more defensively, he would surely become a star. Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine and rookie Wendell Carter Jr. will look to provide a key supporting cast for these three players. If Lavine can become the offensive star we all hope he will be, the Bulls might actually surprise us a bit this year.

Post-ACL Injury Questions

Lavine, Markkanen, Parker and Dunn all have tremendous talent, but have yet to even play a full month worth of games together. Injuries have not given the Bulls the best chance to compete, but this year everyone is healthy and ready to go. They just need their young core to get playing experience this year, but the sky is the limit for this team. Coach Fred Hoiberg will look to keep the team healthy all year, so the players can develop together. The Bulls have a long road ahead of them, if they want to get back to a contending level.

Cleveland Cavaliers

2017-2018 record: 50-32

2018 ESPN Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 22

Well, he left again. The biggest topic in the NBA this past offseason was LeBron James’ decision part two. As the Cavs see their superstar leave town once again, the season does not look too bright. They are in better shape this time around with Kevin Love on the team, but losing a player like James cannot be replaced. The Cavs drafted highly touted guard Collin Sexton and will look to remain competitive this year. Everyone will surely be keeping their eyes on Cleveland, to see if they can withstand another LeBron departure.

Love, Sexton Enough To Be Competitive?

The Cavs extended Love’s contract and drafted prize rookie Sexton. Everyone from last year’s team, minus James, will return this season. Love will get a chance to replicate his All-Star Minnesota days as the primary scoring threat. Sexton has been compared to the likes of Russell Westbrook and will look to terrorize opponents offensively. Cedi Osman, JR Smith, Kyle Korver and Tristan Thompson will look to provide a solid supporting cast for these two players. If the Cavs can play better defense and get solid production from their top two players, they can easily return to the playoffs.

Team Health, James is Gone

Just like many other teams, team health will be important for this Cavs team as they are looking to prove they do not need LeBron. The last several years, Love’s health has been inconsistent. This season he will be heavily relied on, so his health will be important for this team to have success. The rest of the team is filled with veterans, which usually go hand in hand with injuries. Finally, the team will have to deal with the constant debate on if they can win without James. They finished second to last in defensive efficiency last season. Without the offensive punch of James this team will have to play better defensively, if they want to win.

Indiana Pacers

2017-2018 record: 48-34

2018 ESPN Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 14

Last season was supposed to be the year they no longer had Paul George. They went over expectations with a breakout year from Victor Oladipo. All of their players played above expectations, which lead to a very successful year. This season they will look to improve upon last year, with help from a deeper bench. Oladipo will improve his play, but they will look to improve the offense when Oladipo is not on the floor. If the Bucks disappoint this year, the Pacers should win this division easily.

Oladipo & Co.

Last season’s breakout star has had a whole offseason to get better. Oladipo will undoubtedly come out better this year. To think he could get better is a scary thought for opposing teams, but can the rest of the team get better too? The Pacers lost key bench player Lance Stephenson to the Lakers, but gained two key pieces in Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott. Evans will look to use his offensive finesse to lead a second team when Oladipo sits. McDermott adds knockdown shooting to a rotation that heavily lacked it last year. Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis will look to improve and provide the team with two dominant big men. If Turner can return to 2016 form and Sabonis can improve upon a breakout 2017 year, then this team will be hard to beat. No one will want to play a improved Oladipo & Co. when April rolls around.

Development Concerns, Bench Needs To Step Up

Two key things that need to improve. If the Pacers want to win the East this year, their bench and any player not named Oladipo need to be better. The biggest hole for this team last year was their bench. When Oladipo was not on the floor they could not hold leads, because no one could score. The Pacers will hope that their offseason acquisitions can fix this issue. Finally, the Pacers need their young big men to develop. This will take the pressure off of the guards and provide a huge presence in the paint. Turner and Sabonis will have a lot of eyes on them this season, because they need to take the next step for the Pacers to take the next step. If Turner, Sabonis, or newly acquired Kyle O’Quinn cannot take the pressure off of Oladipo, then the Pacers will most likely see another early exit in the playoffs.

Detroit Pistons

2017-2018 record: 39-43

2018 ESPN Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 17

The Pistons were mediocre again last season, but improved when they acquired Blake Griffin in January. They got rid of Stan Van Gundy and signed 2018 Coach of the Year Dwane Casey. The year looks promising for Detroit with hopes of a full year of Griffin and Casey’s schemes. If Griffin can develop a partnership with Andre Drummond and Casey can replicate his Toronto formula, then the Pistons will look to surprise a lot of people around the league.

Full Season Of Griffin And Drummond, Casey’s Coach Of The Year Presence

The Pistons will get a chance to have Griffin for a full year. Him and Drummond will be called upon to carry the load for this team and both have tremendous defensive abilities to provide a nice combo. Dwane Casey will look to continue his success with the Pistons. The Raptors moved on from him last season in a effort to get a change of leadership. Detroit quickly signed him to a five year deal and expect him to replicate his previous success. He will look to make the Pistons into a three point shooting team, just like what he turned the Raptors into. If role players Reggie Jackson, Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard can play around the big two, then the Pistons will challenge the Pacers and Bucks for the division title.

Griffin’s Health, Can Casey Implement His System?

Two concerns for the Pistons are Griffin’s health and will this team fit Casey’s system? Griffin has not played a full year since 2015, due to numerous lower body injuries. The Pistons need their star player to remain healthy in order to be competitive and develop a chemistry with the other star, Andre Drummond. Finally, Casey’s formula involves a lot of three point shooting and experts wonder if this team has the tools to do it. Casey will have to figure out how to stretch the floor with both Griffin and Drummond on the floor at the same time. Griffin is a mediocre three point shooter and Drummond has no deep shot whatsoever. Bullock, Jackson, Johnson and Kennard need to come into their own this season, in order for Casey’s formula to work. The Pistons need shooters to spread the floor when Griffin and Drummond get the ball.

Division Winner: Milwaukee Bucks

I believe that Antetokounmpo will dominate a division without LeBron James. The Bucks’ addition of Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova will help spread the floor for Antetokounmpo to make plays. Khris Middleton will be a huge contributor this season and remain healthy all year. The young guns Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon, Donte DiVincenzo and D.J. Wilson will take the next step this year. This will provide Antetokounmpo with a great supporting cast. Antetokounmpo will terrorize opposing teams with triple-double performances, enroute to his first MVP trophy of his career. Now we will just have to see if the Bucks can knock off the favored Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Reference links:

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-east?collection=powerrankings

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams

View my previous Division Preview posts below!

Atlantic Division: click here

Philadelphia 76ers

2017-2018 record: 52-30

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 6

Trust the Process. Over the last five years the Philadelphia faithful have had to believe in The Process. In 2017, it finally started to come around. Last season was a coming out party for this young team. Top draft picks Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz top the list of players to watch this season. While these players are their biggest strength, they are also their biggest questions heading into the season.

Embiid, Simmons And Fultz Highlight A Young Revamped Roster

Embiid and Simmons are undoubtedly among the best in the game and are both 24 and 22 years old respectively. Embiid is coming off his best season, while earning an All-Star nod. Simmons is the reigning Rookie of the Year winner and has already taken over games. He has the highest ceiling of anyone in the game and has comparisons to a young LeBron James. The other number one pick, Fultz, has been putting hours upon hours of work this offseason into his jump shot. If he can find his outside shot it will only strengthen an already talented team. The front office strengthen the bench this offseason beyond JJ Reddick. Free agent signings Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala replaced key departures, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Many believe these signings are an upgrade and hope to cure last year’s bench woes.

Can Simmons Or Fultz Develop A Shot?

The top question of the offseason. Can Simmons, Fultz or both develop a jump shot? The Sixers need more players to spread the floor, in order to keep up with the Celtics in a seven game series. Simmons is already establishing himself as a top player, the only thing missing in his skill set is an outside shot. If he develops an outside shot, it would propel him into the ranks of unstoppable players in the game. On the other side, Fultz is trying to prove he isn’t a first pick bust. This upcoming year will be his first attempt at a full season and many have criticized his ability to shoot. This offseason he has tirelessly worked on an outside shot in the hopes of becoming another star for this talented team. In order for the Sixers to take the next step into becoming dominant, Simmons and Fultz need to polish their skills.

Boston Celtics

2017-2018 record: 55-27

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 2

Is this the year they finally win the East? With LeBron James in the Western Conference, the East is finally open for the taking. The Celtics have put together one of the most talented and deep teams in the league. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are back from injury. Jayson Tatum is looking to build upon his historic rookie season. Lets not forget how brilliant Brad Stevens’ coaching and Al Horford’s defense has been for this team. The mission this year is to bring another title to Titletown. The only question surrounding the Celtics: Can the stars stay healthy?

Beasts Of The East

The talent is plentiful among this lineup with a potential All-Star at each position and starter-caliber talent on the bench. With Irving and Hayward returning from injury, this lineup returned to super team status. Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier return to bench roles, which provide talented depth for the team. Brad Stevens has the talent at his disposal, along with the brains. This team should be fun to watch throughout the season and have a great shot at the top seed in the Eastern Conference. This is a team built to take the Warriors on in the Finals. They will look to make a statement this season.

Can The Stars Stay Healthy Enough?

Hayward’s beginning to the 2017 season was one of wildest moments in recent memory. 2018 marks a new beginning for him and he will look to bounce back to show us he didn’t lose a step. Irving’s season ending knee trouble was certainly missed in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, when the Cavaliers came back to beat them in seven games. The question surrounding the team this year is can the stars stay healthy? Hayward and Irving’s MVP level of play undoubtedly put this team near the top of the league. Their contributions are crucial if the Celtics are looking to knock off the Warriors.

New York Knicks

2017-2018 record: 29-53

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 27

Not much has been going right for the Knicks for quite some time. Their lone superstar is on the shelf with an ACL tear and is most likely to miss over half the season. This young team will surely miss Kristaps Porzingis and his elite production. Lottery pick Kevin Knox and the development of point guard, Frank Ntilikina, will keep these fans excited, while they await the return of Porzingis. Hopefully, these two players will keep Knicks fans somewhat interested, in what is most likely going to be another bad season. The signing of coach David Fizdale and the huge cap space for next year’s free agency, should keep the fans excited for the future.

Knox, Ntilikina Headline A Young Team With Potential And Cap Room

2017 draft pick Frank Ntilikina is still a young, raw player. His athleticism, size and potential to grow is why many people in this organization are excited about him. However, he will have to take major strides offensively. His field goal percentage in his rookie season was the worst among all other rookies. Kevin Knox is their newest draft pick and he opened eyes during the NBA Summer League. He has elite scoring potential and alongside a healthy Porzingis could be a dynamic duo for years to come. This season will most likely be another bad one in Manhattan. They could land a top draft pick for this year’s draft, in a loaded draft class. Combine that with the cap space to sign a superstar next offseason and the Knicks woes could finally end.

Youth And Inexperience Will Make For A Long Season

One of the youngest teams in the league will show their weaknesses all throughout the season. David Fizdale will have his hands full as the Knicks look to use this year for player development. His top priority will be having to figure out how to get this team to play defense. The Knicks have finished in the bottom portion of the league in defensive efficiency the last several seasons. While Porzingis is gone with injury, this team will need to figure out how to score if they want to have a decent season. Most likely, the organization and fans will be looking forward to the offseason. The development of their young core, the potential to draft in the top five, and the ability to sign a superstar in free agency is about all they have to look forward to this season.

Brooklyn Nets

2017-2018 record: 28-54

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 24

The other struggling New York team. The Knicks and Nets share a similar outcome this season: Fixing the team in the offseason. The Nets have a lone bright spot in D’Angelo Russell, but aren’t sure what they want to do with him long-term. They have other potential on this team with players Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen. However, they let go of a lot of their veteran presence from last season. It will be interesting to see who takes on the leader role for this team. Finally, they have their own draft pick for the first time since 2013! Their front office has been a mess, but they are finally turning things around.

D’Angelo Russell And The Young Core Have Lots Of Potential

D’Angelo Russell has been surrounded by drama his whole career, but there is no doubt the ability is there. He will look to take his game to the next level this year and lead this young Nets team. The core of Allen, Hollis-Jefferson, LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie will look to take major strides this year as well. They all have the potential to be solid players in the league. Surprisingly, the Nets have been in the middle of the league when it comes to defensive and offensive consistency. The reason they’ve had such a bad record is because they don’t have anyone to score when Russell is sitting/injured. If these players take strides this season they will push for a playoff spot in a weak Eastern Conference, beyond the obvious top three teams.

Who Will Step Up This Year? Is Russell The Future?

The problem the Nets have had is that they don’t have a true leader on the court. No one to take over games late. Russell has been mostly brilliant, but makes you scratch your head occasionally. The Nets aren’t sure what they want to do with him, since his  rookie deal is up after this season. His play this year will help them judge if they should extend him or not. When it all comes down to it, the Nets will most likely have another disappointing year. They just don’t have the depth or veteran presence needed to make a run. Many fans will be looking forward to their first draft pick in five years and a loaded free agency class this summer.

Toronto Raptors

2017-2018 record: 59-23

ESPN.com Pre-Season Power ranking: No. 3

The top three teams in the East are all in the same division. It’s gonna be wild. The Raptors finished atop the conference last season, but exited in the second round of the playoffs to LeBron James. Again. With the blockbuster trade of the summer, DeMar Derozan for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors will look to repeat and hopefully make it to the Finals. The swap for Kawhi, along with one of the deepest benches in the league, could finally propel this team to the top. The big questions are can they replicate without Coach of the Year Dwane Casey and is Kawhi going to be like the old Kawhi?

Same Deep Team With A New Star

The Raptors are one of the deepest teams in the league with their great wing play from the bench. OG Anunoby, CJ Miles, Fred Van Vleet, Delon Wright and newly acquired Danny Green are great role players. Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas will all look to continue their past success. The big story of the offseason surrounds the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. They traded fan favorite and hometown player DeMar Derozan, which caused many fans to be upset at first. Kawhi can produce just like Derozan offensively, but brings All-NBA defense to a team who needs it. The deal was a good one for the Raptors in the end, if Kawhi produces like he has in the past. The East is there for the taking this season and the Raptors have no LeBron to worry about this year.

Will Nick Nurse Fill Casey’s Void and Can Kawhi Return To Form?

The biggest question of the Raptors rollercoaster offseason will be, was firing Coach of the Year Dwane Casey the right move? Nick Nurse was often credited with the offensive schemes, but Dwane Casey knew how to handle the players well. Time will tell if Nurse is the real deal and Casey was just benefitting from a talented roster or coaching staff. Kawhi’s recent injury history and year out of basketball, has a lot of people questioning if he will be able to return to MVP form. The trade has risen the potential of this team. However, if Kawhi isn’t the same and then leaves via free agency, there will be many questions for the front office. DeMar Derozan was the all-time leading scorer in team history and planned on staying long-term. It all could turn out to bite the owners in the back.

 

Division winner: Boston Celtics

While many favor the new look Raptors to repeat as division winners. I believe the Celtics will come out as winners this season. The return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward will bolster this already loaded lineup and push the other talent back to the bench. The bench becomes deeper and the lineup has two MVP caliber players back in the fold. Combine that with genius coach Brad Stevens and Horford’s ability to ignite the defense, it equals NBA Finals appearance. They have the ability to knock off the Warriors this season and will look to start their quest October 16th, against the rival Philadelphia 76ers.

Reference links:

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2018-19-summer-east

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24813839/projecting-best-worst-cases-toughest-stretches-all-30-teams