We're just a stone's throw away from NBA opening night, and after a rollercoaster ride of an offseason in which there was rarely a dull moment, a number of absorbing storylines are about to actualize on the court. These are the best team and player narratives to pay attention to this upcoming NBA season.
Can This New Cavaliers Squad Gel and Get It Done For 'The Land'?
With one familiar face in Kyrie Irving no longer wearing the wine and gold, there are many question marks surrounding this new Cavaliers outfit. Cavaliers GM Koby Altman (with LeBron pulling the strings behind the curtains, no doubt) has done an admirable job of revamping the squad around James to have another crack at the Larry O'Brien Trophy, however, and of note was the haul they managed from the Celtics for an outward bound Irving.
Jae Crowder gives them shooting, toughness and another body to throw on Kevin Durant in a likely Finals matchup. Though his health remains a concern, Isaiah Thomas proved he can get buckets with the best of them last season, and he figures to play a huge role if Cleveland can give Golden State a run for their money. Underrated was the 2018 Brooklyn Nets pick they also acquired, which I expect the Cavaliers to try and flip for another piece to help them on their title run. Their roster bolstering didn't stop there. Derrick Rose hopes to revitalize his career as an energizer bunny off the bench. And of course, Dwyane Wade finally reunites with his pal LeBron in Cleveland, about whom he described his relationship with as "like Peanut Butter and Jelly". I hope to see some more of those high flying alley oop connections this season, circa 2012.
While this is undeniably a deep team, I expect there to be growing pains. The floor spacing LeBron has become accustomed to will not be possible while he shares the floor with the likes of Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade. There has been talks of Kevin Love starting at center to alleviate spacing issues, and I expect coach Tyronne Lue to get creative with his lineups during the regular season to try and find something that sticks.
Isaiah Thomas' integration into the lineup late in the season will be a key element of their season. But, of course, the weight of The Land's title hopes rests squarely on the King's shoulders (who is currently the favourite for MVP).
A New Era in Beantown
A lot of new faces will be donning the Celtic green this season, most notably Uncle Drew (a.k.a Kyrie Irving) and All-Star wing/GQ model Gordon Hayward. There has been much turnaround for this Celtics squad in the 5 months since they dipped out of the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of LeBron James, and their chemistry on the court will be a key to watch as the season progresses.
A bright young coach in Brad Stevens finally has a cluster of elite talent to work with, and I expect Boston's offense to be extremely potent and hard to stop. Irving will fill a role similar to the one Thomas played last season, when the Celtics would work, through a series of screens and handoffs, to get IT driving lanes to the rim, where he was so dangerous. Kyrie is just as lethal in those situations, and I foresee this season being his most efficient yet.
Gordon Hayward has blossomed into a fantastic two-way player, able to score off the dribble, shoot the 3 and drive to the rim and finish. He proved himself as a legitimate scorer in the postseason, posting 24 points per game against great defensive squads in the Clippers and Warriors. He figures to be the perfect secondary scoring option next to Irving. Al Horford is a hand-in-glove fit next to these two All Stars, as his passing, shooting ability and rim protecting is invaluable.
The Celtics has accumulated a breadth of players who will each fill an important role for this team. Marcus Smart is one of the league's feistiest defenders, Marcus Morris brings grit and grind, Terry Rozier is a speed demon. Perhaps, though, the most important factor of this team's ultimate success will be the development of Boston's pair of No.3 overall picks, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Both have shown flashes of what they can become in Summer League and preseason, and with both being so young, there is still much room for them to grow. Tatum already has a knack for scoring 1-on-1, a la Paul Pierce, and Brown brings to the table remarkable athleticism and defensive versatility. If both can make significant strides as the season goes on, then the Celtics could find themselves with one of the league's best 7-man rotations.
OKC - Reloaded and Out For Revenge
Thunder GM Sam Presti has done a remarkable job of reloading this outfit, as now All-Stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony will rep Thunder colors on opening night. The Paul George trade was a highway robbery, and the Melo trade was not far off from being as lopsided. The Thunder were able to retain key pieces such as Steven Adams and Andre Roberson in both deals, both of whom are vital to the team's success defensively. Now that Russ once again has All-Star caliber teammates, it's going to be fascinating to watch if they are going to be able to gel with one another and feed off each other's games.
Russ will not have to carry the same load he did last season, when he was a menace on the court, averaging a triple double for the season and breaking the single season record for triple doubles. With Melo and PG beside him, he no longer will feel obliged to try and single-handedly win games for his team, as his new star wings are more than competent scorers.
The offense will still primarily flow through the Brodie, whose explosive first step makes him a devastating force headed to the rim. Those rim attacks were the basis of the Thunder's offense last year, and I do not expect that to change heading into this season. What has changed, however, is the caliber of the players he will kick the ball out to on those penetrating drives. Paul George is a knockdown shooter, as is Melo, and both are also able to make plays off the catch. Both figure to be devastating in these closeout situations; Melo has always played his best basketball in the Olympics, when he feasts on these sorts of opportunities.
The biggest question mark is depth; the Thunder wore their bench thin in both deals. They will need to see their younger players make significant strides if they want to remain competitive when all three stars are resting on the bench. Else, Sam Presti may have to look on the free agency or trade market for some able role players. The Thunder will be able to alleviate this issue somewhat, however, by always featuring one of the three star players on the floor throughout the game.
Many have the Thunder as contenders for a Top 4 seed in the West. That seems plausible if their three All Stars are able to co-exist fluently on the court. A second round matchup between them and the Warriors would be a blockbuster, as Russ aims to exact revenge on his former teammate, Kevin Durant.
Houston, Will Be a Problem
The uncertainty of CP3's impending free agency hung over the Clippers like a dark cloud this past season, and now the 'Point God' finds himself in the red of Houston, next to superstar guard James Harden, after requesting a trade to them days before the beginning of free agency.
While the Rockets were forced to gut themselves of a few key role players such as Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and Sam Dekker, the return was more than worth it. Chris Paul has been arguably the most efficient point guard of the 21st century. A taint on his career to this point, though, has been his lack of postseason success. He joins 'The Beard' in Houston, who has played in a Finals series and two Conference Finals series; feats of which CP3 has yet to accrue. With this dynamic pairing, however, the Rockets aim to get deep once again into the Western Conference playoffs, and this might be Paul's best opportunity to make a run for the Western Conference crown that has eluded him to this point.
While some have questioned how the on court dynamic of the duo will play out, I expect to see both players feed off each other on the floor. Both are lethal at breaking down the defense once they find themselves in the key, and both are more than capable three point shooters. Defenses have to respect James Harden as he saunters to the paint, which will open up driving/passing lanes for CP3; and vice versa. The gravity of these players sucks in the defense, which enables the other 4 players on the court to thrive; we saw how many open threes Harden was able to generate for his teammates last season.
Key to their postseason run will be their defense, and the consistency of the three point shooting around their star guards. Clint Capela promises to anchor the paint and be a devastating rim runner. Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon will be key components of the team's success offensively as knockdown shooters. And P.J Tucker was a great pickup for Rockets GM Daryl Morey, as he brings an element of toughness that is otherwise lacking, while being a capable shooter (much in the same vein as Jae Crowder for the Cavaliers).
If the Rockets wish to give the Warriors a serious run for their money, they will need to be staunch defensively. Chris Paul has many times been awarded First-Team All Defensive honors, and his defense will be key on Stephen Curry. James Harden has shown that he can be a capable defender when he wants to be. Ariza, Capela, Nene and Tucker all have defensive chops. Their three point shooting will come and go, but Rocket coach Mike D'Antoni must instill a defense that is solid if they have any chance of knocking the Dubs off their pedestal.
Part 2 Will Be Out Soon
I hope you enjoyed this blog entry! I will follow this piece up with part 2, which will detail some other points of interest such as the expected resurgence of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Process finally bearing fruit in Philly, and others.
Remember: ball is life!
Images Sources:
IT and LeBron, from CavsNation.com