Well the Draft and Free Agency have gone before us and the NBA season is fast approaching! A league that many people said is rigged in my opinion is getting very interested, lets see what these 15 teams have going for them?
Atlanta Hawks: I feel like the management crew in Atlanta is tired of being near the basement despite having one of the best young players in the league in Trae Young. Well now that they got out of Vince Carter’s bad contract they look like they could be a playoff contender but just a few years away from being a serious force. The Bogdan Bagdanovic signing looks like a HomeRun, they also gave a nice contract to Danilo Gallinari as well as bringing back Clint Capela. I will give them a few years.
Boston Celtics: A team that is so close from going to yet another NBA Finals is trying to lock up their core as well as trying to clear up bad contracts and going for big names. They got Jayson Tatum to sign a max contract this offseason as well as freeing Gordon Hayward. With the core of Kemba, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and now Tristan Thompson coming in to play the 5 Boston looks like one of the favorites in the East again but their main goals are in the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets: Well at least KD and Kyrie are back I guess. I know they are trying to get Harden now that Mike D’Antoni is now an assistant on their coaching staff but in my opinion their biggest concern is coaching. Look I like Steve Nash, I know he looks ready to be a head coach but in my opinion the Nets are in the same situation that they were in when they traded for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry. He is either going to be the Sean McVay or Freddie Kitchens of the NBA! CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY!
Charlotte Hornets: Michael Jordan is tired of being declared as a terrible owner. When he saw his accomplishments in the “Last Dance” documentary he said to himself “I need to focus on greatness not my ego!” That’s exactly what the Hornets have done this offseason. They got themselves a potential face of the franchise in Gordon Hayward and drafted a generational talent in LaMelo Ball. Well they freed Nic Batum and his bad contract as well as developing Malik Monk, and Miles Bridges but in my opinion I see a first round exit at best.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls finally got themselves a proven coach in Billy Donovan who in my honest thoughts is a good guy to lead a young team. Look at what he did in OKC when they traded Westbrook and Paul George. At least they have a young core led by Zach LaVine, Ryan Arcidiacono, Wendell Carter, and Otto Porter. Not to mention they got themselves a potential generational talent in Patrick Williams. I still think they need another few years before they can be good again.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs are at a crossroads. In my opinion this is a team that should be tanking RIGHT! Wrong! They are going for the mystery box in which they think they can make the playoffs with what they have. They brought back Andre Dummond, they signed JaVale McGee, and are trying to turn Colin Sexton into a franchise cornerstone. I would say BRING OUT THE TANKS AGAIN!
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons playoff window in the words of every NBA analyst is dead. Bad contracts as well as Dwane Casey reaching the part of his career where he is overmatched by everyone else. No wonder why everyone in that city is trash!
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers lets just say are trying to do what they usually do and add more depth around a roster with no true superstar. Well they still have the core of Victor Oladipo (who has opted to come back after threatening a trade), Miles Turner, Malcolm Brogdan, TJ Warren, and Domantas Sabonis. Yes I know that Nate McMillen is no longer the coach but I think that they will be a dark horse team in the middle of the playoff race as usual.
Miami Heat: The Heat are trying to do everything they can to become the next great dynasty in the NBA. After taking their old King to the limit in the Finals last year they look like they could make some serious noise in the next few years. They extended Bam Adebayo, kept Goran Dragic, and Andre Iguodala, as well as bringing in Avery Bradley for depth. With Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Kendrick Nunn back Miami looks like the favorites to go back to the finals or so they think.
Milwaukee Bucks: Last season was a kick in the teeth. Losing in the 2nd Round as the #1 seed with many people concerned about their future. This year the Bucks are doing everything they can to get past the Ghosts of Milt Mason. Bringing in a legit closer in Jrue Holiday to replace Eric Bledsoe not bad. Despite losing the Bogdanovic sweepstakes to the Hawks they got a consolation prize in Byrn Forbes who looks like a solid 2 way player entering his prime, and getting more depth like Bobby Portis, DJ Augustin, Torrey Craig, and Drafting Jordan Nwara. Not to mention they still have Khris Middleton, Donte Divenchenzo, and Pat Connaughton as well as you know who (Antetokounmpo). With Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Coach Bud as well as the GM Jon Horst in the last year of their contracts this year is simple. FINALS OR BUST! That was until the Greek Freak signed the 5 year max deal. A huge victory for the city of Milwaukee and the NBA. Anyways PLEASE JUST WIN IT ALL FOR MY SAKE!
New York Knicks: James Dolan once again convinced the Knicks front office to clear up cap space to try and get a big fish to come to Manhattan. So far they have yet to get the big name that New York has lacked since “Prime” Carmelo Anthony. Well at least they got a potential franchise face in Obi Toppin. I know he has always wanted to be the face of Knicks Basketball but I think they are trying to get as many Small or Power Forwards as possible since they didn’t get Anthony Davis or Zion last year.
Orlando Magic: This offseason Orlando was trying to get a big name player like AD, Brandon Ingram, Fred Van-Vleet, or Montez Harrel to come to the Magic Kingdom. What is the result? STRUCK OUT SWINGING! Well at least they have a potential Big 3 in Markelle Fultz, Nikola Vucevic, and Aaron Gordon. Not to mention that Jonathan Issac, Michael Carter Williams, and Mo Bamba will be back. At least they got themselves a nice prospect in Cole Anthony in the draft. Even if they didn’t get the players they wanted in free agency at least they are on the right track.
Philadelphia 76ers: I don’t understand what the Sixers are trying to do. They hired Doc Rivers, they brought in Daryl Morey into the executive office, and they still think they can win championships with this core. I know they have Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons, plus they brought in Danny Green, Dwight Howard, and Seth Curry but deep in my mind there is a possibility that they will try and get James Harden. Knowing Elton Brand’s recent decisions, who knows. By the way I don’t know why they want their own arena that is in New Jersey!
Toronto Raptors: The quest for another trip to the Finals has gotten even more difficult. Yes they brought back Van-Vleet, and signed Aaron Baynes to replace Marc Gasol. But the Raptors could be dealing with the dilemma of paying Kyle Lowry or Pascal Siakum next summer. I know they dealt with a cap crunch this offseason but I think they will still try and compete for a championship especially with Nick Nurse and that coaching staff. However I like the idea of playing in Tampa Bay until the Canadian Government says they can come back to Jurassic Park.
Washington Wizards: How cute the Wizards still think they can compete for championships with this core. They decided to prevent Bradley Beal from leaving the Nation’s Capital as well as adding Robin Lopez for some depth. But other than Beal who is going to be the unknown story on the roster. I will say though Scott Brooks had an excuse for the last 2 years since Wall Ball was hurt but if they miss the playoffs bring out the guillotine! BOOM! That is until they sent Wall to Houston for Westbrook. Now they think they can win it all but not in a loaded Eastern Conference.
The East looks like a complete bloodbath where anyone but a few teams have a chance. For my predictions let’s take a look shall we.
- Bucks
- Heat
- Celtics
- Raptors
- Nets
- Pacers
- 76ers
- Wizards
- Hornets
- Magic
- Hawks
- Bulls
- Pistons
- Cavaliers
- Knicks
Playoffs:
Round 1
#1 Bucks over #8 Wizards 4-0
#2 Heat over #7 76ers 4-2
#3 Celtics over #6 Pacers 4-1
#5 Nets over #4 Raptors 4-3
Round 2
#1 Bucks over #5 Nets 4-2
#3 Celtics over #2 Heat 4-2
Round 3
#1 Bucks over #3 Celtics 4-1
(Finals predictions in West Preview)
Bragging Rights Sports 