The 2014/15 season is finally here! The first three regular season games tip off tonight, and the bulk of teams begin their seasons Wednesday. It brings to a close an active offseason full of trades and free agent signings that have reshuffled the power structure across the league. The Cavaliers added LeBron James and Kevin Love and are poised to jump from the lottery right into the title picture. The Pacers are in line to go in the opposite direction, minus Paul George, Lance Stephenson and with a host of short-term injuries to start the season. The Mavs might have passed the Rockets, but the Spurs stood pat atop the Texas triangle, and time will tell if they’ll remain atop the league.
The first Hoops Rumors poll of the 2014/15 regular season is a simple one that asks you to identify the team you think will win the championship this coming June. The list of choices here reflects the teams that most pundits believe have the best chances to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy, but perhaps you think a darkhorse will emerge. It wouldn’t be altogether surprising to see a team that isn’t on this list at least make Finals, if not win them, since there are only two Eastern Conference clubs listed here. In any case, if you support a write-in candidate for the title, let us know which team you have in mind in the comments section.
There’s been a little confusion lately about whether Klay Thompson is seeking the maximum salary in extension talks with the Warriors or an amount that would be a shade beneath it, but his father this week attempted to clear that up, insisting that his son is indeed going after the max. So, the Warriors face tough a decision between now and the October 31st extension deadline, since co-owner Joe Lacob apparently has reservations about paying Thompson any more than the roughly $15MM salaries that David Lee is set to make this season and next.
It’s not clear at this point just how much a maximum-salary extension would entail, since the maximums for 2015/16, when the extension would kick in, won’t be known until next July. A five-year maximum extension, one that would make Thompson the team’s Designated Player, would come in at around $85MM based on this year’s figures, while a four-year max would run about $66MM. Still, this year’s figures aren’t necessarily as indicative of next year’s as they normally would be. The salary cap is projected to jump to around $66.5MM for next season, a sizable uptick that doesn’t take into account the league’s new TV deal that’ll kick in come the summer of 2016. If the league decides to fold even a fraction of that money into the 2015/16 cap, the number will go higher still. Maximum salaries are tied to the salary cap, so a lot is unknown.
The luxury tax line is another X-factor that won’t be resolved until the league sets the salary cap, and it’s of particular concern to the Warriors. Golden State has about $56.1MM in commitments for 2015/16, not including a nearly $3.9MM team option on Harrison Barnes that the Warriors will almost assuredly pick up. That’s $60MM on the books without a new deal for Thompson or Draymond Green, whose contract is also set to expire at season’s end. This year’s tax line is $76.829MM. Lacob has spoken of a willingness to pay the tax in the right circumstances in the past, but he’ll surely attempt to avoid it if he can.
The owner has promised to strike a deal with Thompson, though he didn’t specify whether it would be an extension or a new contract in restricted free agency next summer. The Warriors took a hard line against including Thompson in Kevin Love trade proposals that otherwise met the demands of the Timberwolves, and it would surely sting the Bay Area if Thompson were to hit the open market and somehow get away.
I predicted in late July that Thompson and agent Bill Duffy would settle for a discount and laid out the reasons why when I examined the shooting guard’s extension candidacy the next month, but in hindsight, it doesn’t sound like they’ll be willing to do so. Absent a change of heart, the onus is on the Warriors to figure how to secure an asset they clearly value. Let us know how you think Golden State should proceed, and explain your choice in the comments.
The 2014/15 NBA regular season doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday October 28th, when the will Spurs raise another Championship banner to the rafters, and host the rival Mavericks. This is the time of year when most fans can still have hope, and every team is still undefeated. It’s also the time of year for predictions to start rolling in on how the upcoming season will play out. We’ve already gotten your input on the Atlantic and Southwest Divisions. Today we’ll be seeing who you folks think will win the Southeast Division. Let’s take a quick look at the possible contenders…
Note: All projected starters taken from the respective team pages at ESPN.com.
Orlando Magic
The Magic finished in the cellar of the Southeast Division last season, notching a record of 23-59. Orlando wasn’t expected to contend, and instead was focusing on rebuilding the franchise through the draft.
That focus continues into the 2014/15 campaign, when the team will break in its two first-round draft picks — Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon. Gordon has a higher upside than Payton, and with his off-the-charts athleticism, he’ll be a crowd-pleaser once he cracks the rotation. But it’s Payton who is more vital to any success the Magic hope to achieve this year.
If Payton can handle starting point guard duties, it would free up Victor Oladipo to return to his more natural shooting guard position. With Oladipo being able to focus more on his offense instead of being the primary distributor, it might help the second-year player take the next step toward stardom and keep him fresher by not making him chase around opposing teams’ point guards on defense.
Orlando is a franchise heading in the right direction, but it’s doubtful that this is the season they will break through in the Southeast Division. The Magic need Payton to be able to handle running the show, or else they will really feel the loss of Arron Afflalo, who was traded this summer in part for Evan Fournier. It will most likely be a few seasons before Orlando will be in the hunt for a division title. For now, player development is the main focus.
The Hawks should have a chance to improve on their 38-44 record of a season ago. Atlanta made the playoffs because it has the good fortune to play in the Eastern Conference, though a lottery pick would have been more helpful in the long run than their first round playoff exit was.
Working in Atlanta’s favor is the fact that it still plays in the east, though the conference will be tougher this year with the strides the Hornets, Wizards, and Cavs made this offseason. Even more important to the Hawks’ fortunes will be the return of Al Horford, who missed all but 29 games last year. With the return of the big man, along with the arrival of Thabo Sefolosha, the Hawks defense should be improved over last season.
It does looks like another middle-of-the-pack season is in the cards for Atlanta, with the future direction of the franchise a bit in doubt. Paul Millsap is in the final year of his team-friendly deal, and his pending free agency might make him a trade candidate. It wouldn’t improve the team’s chances of snagging a division crown if he is dealt. But if the trio of Millsap, Horford, and Jeff Teague remain intact and healthy, another playoff berth isn’t too far of a stretch.
The Wizards are on the brink of taking the next step forward in the East, and are one of the five most talented teams in the conference on paper. The backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal is one of the most talented in the conference, though Beal’s wrist injury that occurred last night bears watching. Wall seems poised to take the next step toward greatness this year, and if Beal remains healthy, he is an excellent complement whose outside prowess will open up the paint for his teammates.
It’s the arrival of Paul Pierce that has the biggest game-changing potential. While he’s no longer the dominant star of his Celtics’ days, Pierce is a leader who knows how to play the game, and more importantly, how to win. This will prove invaluable to his younger teammates as they attempt to take the division crown away from the Heat. If Pierce can provide stability and 14 to 17 points per game, the Wizards will be a dangerous team, and could wind up at the top of the division standings.
The Hornets are another up-and-coming team in the division. They surprised quite a few folks last year by snagging the seventh seed in the playoffs. Another trip to the postseason looks to be in the cards as the franchise made a number of notable upgrades this summer.
With the arrival of Lance Stephenson and Marvin Williams, Charlotte addressed its biggest weakness of a season ago — outside shooting. Williams replaces the departed Josh McRoberts, who migrated south to Miami this summer to join the Heat. Williams should match McRoberts’ production while adding some veteran leadership to the mix.
But this season will depend on how well Stephenson adjusts to his new surroundings, and how well head coach Steve Clifford is able to contain the guard’s eccentricities. One of the primary factors in Charlotte’s breakthrough season was the team’s superior locker room chemistry, something that Stephenson is quite capable of disrupting. It also remains to be seen how he will adjust to being a primary scoring option instead of a supporting player like he was with the Pacers.
The outlook is bright in Charlotte, though I predict the team takes a step back this season. The playoffs are a possibility, but the Hornets will have a more difficult time sneaking up on teams this year.
It’s a new era in Miami now that LeBron James‘ talents are back in Ohio. The cupboard is hardly bare, but the Heat aren’t likely to win 54 games again this season. The division will be tougher with the Wizards looking to break through, and the Hornets a possibility to overtake Miami in the standings as well.
Chris Bosh will now be the team’s primary scoring option. Bosh handled those duties during his years in Toronto, but now he’ll be dealing with higher expectations, a much larger contract to live up to, and struggling to make the Heat Nation forget about LeBron. Not an easy task, but Bosh has the talent to carry a team when he’s motivated.
The health and stamina of Dwyane Wade will also be a major storyline in South Beach this year. With LeBron around, Wade could take games off to rest for the postseason. But making the playoffs will not be a given this year, and the team will need a full season out of Wade. The hope is that with LeBron gone, Wade will no longer need to defer, and will re-emerge as an upper-tier scorer. That might not be so easy, given the mileage that Wade has on his body. He can still take over a game at times, but he will never be the player that he was earlier in his career.
Miami added enough talent this summer to stay in the playoff hunt, but it’s no longer the team to beat in its own division, much less in the Eastern Conference. Team president Pat Riley did the best he could in the wake of LeBron’s departure, and adding Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts to the mix will help defuse that loss. But teams seldom improve after losing the best player in the league.
The 2014/15 NBA regular season doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday October 28th, when the will Spurs raise another Championship banner to the rafters, and host the rival Mavericks. This is the time of year when most fans can still have hope, and every team is still undefeated. It’s also the time of year for predictions to start rolling in on how the upcoming season will play out. Today we’ll be seeing who you folks think will win the Southwest Division. Let’s take a quick look at the possible contenders…
Note: All projected starters taken from the respective team pages at ESPN.com.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets had as difficult an offseason as any team in the league. GM Daryl Morey attempted to add a third star to the roster but came up short in his overtures to Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony. But it’s not so much who they didn’t get that will make it difficult to equal last season’s 54-28 mark, but rather who the team lost.
In his attempt to clear cap room to sign Bosh, Morey dealt away Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik. While it can be argued that neither of those two were performing up to their contracts, both provided Houston with some needed depth, and if Howard has any injury woes this season, Asik will be especially missed.
The franchise also chose not to match the offer sheet that Chandler Parsonsinked with the rival Mavericks. AcquringTrevor Ariza will ease the sting of that loss somewhat, as both players’ statistical production was remarkably similar last year. Ariza did shoot three-pointers at a higher percentage than Parsons (40.7% for Ariza, 37% for Parsons), and he is also a better defender, and Houston has certainly had room for improvement on defense. But Parsons has a higher upside than Ariza, and also had his numbers impacted by being the third option behind Harden and Howard.
Some regression in the won-loss column is likely for the Rockets this season, especially competing in this difficult division. It also doesn’t help that the Mavs improved as much as they did, and the Pelicans will continue to grow along with Anthony Davis‘ game. With Harden and Howard, the Rockets are top-heavy with talent, but it’s their depth and supporting cast that may let the team down this season.
Though the Pelicans finished at the bottom of the division last season, this is definitely a franchise on the rise. If they played in the Eastern Conference they would have an excellent shot at snagging a playoff spot, but in the brutal Western Conference they look to be a year away from breaking through.
Losing Jrue Holiday for all but 34 games certainly put a dent in any chance that New Orleans had at competing for the division crown in 2013/14. Plus, Eric Gordon continued his injury woes, missing 18 contests, and he still hasn’t approached the production he had while with the Clippers. A full season of Holiday and Gordon would go a long way for New Orleans’ chances this coming year.
The brightest spot for Pelicans fans is the presence of Anthony Davis. Davis had an excellent season last year, averaging 20.8 PPG and 10 RPG. But those numbers appear to be just the beginning, and if he can stay healthy, Davis has a chance to climb into the best player in the league discussion. He also had a strong FIBA World Cup, and should carry that momentum into the season. Davis should also benefit from the defensive presence of Omer Asik, which will allow him to focus more energy on scoring. Bad news for stretch-fours tasked with trying to slow down the “Uni-brow.”
My take on the Pelicans is that they’ll show improvement, but not necessarily in the win column this year. The team will be better overall, but the west is just too stacked. New Orleans really should figure out a way to switch to the Eastern Conference. But watch out for them in 2015/16.
The defending champs return with their aging core still intact for another season. Is this the year that “Father Time” and injuries finally catch up with the Spurs? One would have to think they are due for a decline and/or a string of injuries, but the same could have been said for any of the last few seasons. San Antonio has managed to remain one of the best, if not the best, organizations in the league.
The rest of the teams in the division probably need to hope that San Antonio experiences some bad luck. Otherwise, there isn’t much reason to think that the Spurs won’t be at or near the top of the Southwest for another year. Their style of ball doesn’t rely on freakish athleticism, just basketball IQ, which this roster has plenty of.
The two primary factors for the Spurs this year will be the health of Manu Ginobili, who is still recovering from a leg injury he suffered during last year’s playoffs, and the continued development of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is the future of this franchise, but he also needs to show that his stellar playoff performances weren’t an aberration. He has a wealth of talent, and if Leonard can continue to progress, he may just keep the “old guard” around for a bit longer as San Antonio’s championship window will remain open.
No team in the division did more to improve themselves this summer than the Mavs. While I still believe that three years, $46.08MM was an overpay for Chandler Parsons, I can’t deny that he will help this team out quite a bit. With Dirk Nowitzki in his decline phase, Parsons has a chance to get a lot of touches, and he can shine in the Dallas offense. What remains to be seen is how much Parsons benefited from Houston’s offensive system, and if he will feel the pressure trying to justify that large of a contract.
Another major addition is Tyson Chandler making his return to the Lone Star state. Now, this isn’t the same Chandler who departed Dallas as a champion, but he’s still a major upgrade at center. Chandler seems revitalized by his return to Dallas, and this should translate into a strong season from the big man. If he can remain on the court, he’ll anchor the defense, which will need all the help it can get.
The Mavs won 49 games last season, which they will have a chance to improve upon thanks to their new performers. One concern is that despite adding Jameer Nelson, the team isn’t as strong as it needs to be at the point guard position. They will miss Jose Calderon more than they realize, but the Mavs will be a big factor in the divisional race just the same.
The two biggest questions facing the Grizzlies this year are whether Marc Gasol can stay healthy and if this team will be able to create enough offense to be contenders. Gasol missed 23 games last season, and he is the team’s most important player. He needs to remain on the court for the team to make any noise.
As for the offense, Memphis averaged 96.2 PPG, good for only 26th in the league last year. The addition of Vince Carter should help, but he’s more of a part-time contributor at this stage of his career and isn’t a game-changer.
There’s no reason to believe that Memphis won’t be in the playoff hunt this year. They play defense well and control the pace of the game to mask their offensive deficiencies. But with Dallas improved, and New Orleans improving, getting to 50 wins again might be a tough task in this division.
Michael Beasley‘s basketball odyssey took yet another unexpected turn Thursday, when he agreed to a deal to play for China’s Shanghai Sharks and the Grizzlies obliged, waiving his non-guaranteed contract. An undisclosed illness that kept him out of the team’s first preseason game might have helped contribute to the decision, since the 25-year-old had to make the most of his time this month if he were to have made the Grizzlies regular season roster, but his departure is nonetheless surprising. Memphis has guaranteed money on the books for 14 players, which left the Jared Karnes client a decent chance to stick for opening night, just as he did on a non-guaranteed deal with the Heat last season.
The former No. 2 overall pick didn’t see an abundance of playing time for the Finals-bound Heat, but he was effective when he did hit the floor, scoring 18.9 points per 36 minutes. He appeared in 55 regular season games but only four postseason contests, as it seemed by the spring that the Heat had already moved on. Team president Pat Riley was quick to dismisswhispers that his team continued to worry about Beasley’s maturity level, but the former Kansas State standout’s reputation is still in need of heavy scrubbing. It was little more than a year ago that the Suns took the unusual step of impugning Beasley’s “personal and professional conduct” when they waived him after agreeing to a buyout deal. That didn’t stop the Spurs, who tolerate no hijinks, from working him out this summer, and the Lakers auditioned him twice.
Beasley was one of the top scorers, rebounders and three-point shooters still on the market in August before he hooked on with the Grizzlies, so it’s clear that much of the talent that made him such an intriguing prospect when he came out of Kansas State in 2008 is still there. He’s only 25, so he still has time to forge a productive NBA career, if he gets that chance. That won’t happen until the end of the Chinese season, at the earliest. Let us know whether you think Beasley will make it back to the NBA, and elaborate on your choice in the comments.
Earlier today, Hoops Rumors’ Eddie Scarito looked back at the deal that sent the draft rights of Tyson Chandler to the Bulls as part of the package that sent Elton Brand to the Clippers.
As a rookie, Brand looked to be a staple of the Bulls for years to come. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG on his way to sharing Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis. During the first nine years in the league, Brand never averaged less than 17.6 PPG and 8.0 RPG. His career peaked in 2006 where he was in the MVP discussion, posting a career-high 24.7 PPG along with 10.0 RPG and was named to the All-NBA Second Team as well as the All-Star team for the second and last time in his career.
After his ninth season, he left the Clippers in free agency to sign with the 76ers. Brand struggled with injuries and had a hard time living up to his five-year, $82MM contract during his time in Philadelphia, which led to the team releasing him via the amnesty clause. Brand was claimed by the Mavericks, but he only started 18 games for Dallas as the team missed the playoffs. Brand spent the 2013/14 season on the Hawks as a role player and in September re-signed with Atlanta on a one-year deal for $2MM.
Chandler’s first few years in the league weren’t as remarkable as Brand’s. His career didn’t take off until the he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2006. Chandler broke out that year averaging 9.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG and 1.8 BPG. In 2009, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor. During the 2009/10 season, Chandler battled injuries but helped the Bobcats reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
In 2010, Chandler was traded to the Mavericks, along with Alexis Ajinca, for Matt Carroll. Erick Dampier and Eduardo Najera. The Mavericks won the NBA Championship in 2010/11 and Chandler was an integral part of the Mavericks title run that year.
After the season, Chandler was sent to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade. In his three seasons with New York, Chandler made an All-Star Team (2013), an All-NBA Third Team (2012), an All-Defensive Second Team (2012), and an All-Defense First-Team (2013). He was also named the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. In June of 2014, Chandler was traded back to the Mavericks, along with Raymond Felton for Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and two 2014 second round picks.
Elton Brand and Tyson Chandler have had different career paths, one player consistently statistically dominant with the other having reached higher team success. To date, which player has had the better career?
There’s no more optimistic period for NBA fans than the summer, when draft picks, free agency additions, trades, coaching hires, and other maneuvers boost expectations around the league. Of course, there are no shortage of teams that have deflated those expectations as previous seasons have unfolded. Just last season, the return of Derrick Rose to the Bulls was cut short just 10 games in, the Knicks and Cavs disappointed at the bottom of the standings, the Bucks fell from a postseason appearance to owning the league’s very worst record, and the Nets’ ballooning blockbuster roster started the season 10-21, although Brooklyn managed to mostly salvage the year with a second-round playoff run.
This poll isn’t so much about individual performance as it is team expectations that might go unmet. While teams like the Rockets, Pacers, and Heat appear vulnerable to severe dropoffs this year, their summers have been marked by offseason setbacks. I’ve rounded up some of the teams that are setting their sights higher for 2014/15 than they did last season thanks to offseason successes, with some factors that could potentially cause trouble for each.
Cleveland Cavaliers.LeBron James‘ arrival was the NBA’s biggest move since he jumped to Miami four years ago, but the arrival of Kevin Love via trade set expectations in Cleveland even higher. While James, Love, and Kyrie Irving should form a deadly offensive foundation, whether first-year NBA coach David Blatt can manage a newly stirred cocktail of superstar personalities and coax strong defense out of the bunch remains to be seen. Missing the Finals would be a disappointment, and anything short of an Eastern Conference Finals appearance would be considered a massive flop for the star-laden team in the weaker conference.
Chicago Bulls. They made a slew of additions in place of the amnestied Carlos Boozer, bringing in Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, and Doug McDermott, while a hopeful full season from Rose is a virtual star addition. Mirotic and McDermott are unproven, and some are concerned that Gasol’s production has begun tapering off for good. The team still lacks much offensive pop on the wing or backcourt rotation, continuing the team’s annual need to lean on coach Tom Thibodeau‘s elite defensive guidance to overcome its struggles on the other end of the court. If the team remains a middle-of-the-pack team in the East, fans will be let down to say the least.
Dallas Mavericks. The team won a lot of headlines this summer, acquiring Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler by outbidding the Rockets and trading with the Knicks, respectively. The team has also lost substantial talent, however, with Jose Calderon, Vince Carter, and Shawn Marion all signing elsewhere. Some think the Mavs could ascend to the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but if either Chandler fails to bring his full projected impact, the team could spend another season fighting for one of the final playoff spots.
Golden State Warriors. The team’s brass wasn’t satisfied with the job former coach Mark Jackson had done through 2013/14, which concluded with a 51-31 record and a first-round exit from the playoffs. The team pursued Stan Van Gundy before signing Steve Kerr to coach the team to reach the next level. The most notable move from the offseason is the one that Golden State didn’t make: declining to deal for Love so they could hang on to Klay Thompson. While Kerr is expected to bring a more sophisticated offense to the team, the team’s defense might dwindle without Jackson on the sideline. Whether Harrison Barnes makes a developmental leap, Andrew Bogut stays healthy, and new addition Shaun Livingston can fit in will be paramount to the team moving up in the standings, rather than slipping under loftier expectations.
What do you think? Which team’s bubble is most likely to burst as the season unfolds?
September 28th, 2014 at 9:10pm CST by Zachary Links
Earlier tonight, we learned that the Knicks have yet to reach out to Iman Shumpert about a contract extension as the Halloween deadline draws near. The news wasn’t terribly shocking for a couple of reasons. One, president Phil Jackson has his eye on bigger fish down the line and an extension for Shumpert would hinder their financial flexibility. Two, Shumpert’s name was all over the pages of Hoops Rumors last season. The old regime viewed him as a trade chip and, apparently, the new front office feels similarly.
The Knicks have reportedly been dangling Shumpert throughout this offseason as well and while the offers weren’t great, that could change very quickly with a strong start to the season. It’s not difficult to imagine things falling into place for the guard considering what he has been able to do when healthy and his eagerness to play in the triangle offense.
“There’s constant action going on,” Shumpert said of the Zen Master’s offense in August, according to Howie Kussoy of the New York Post. “I think I’ll be able to capitalize off that and I’ll be able to use my athleticism a lot more than standing in the corner.”
By the same token, one has to wonder if the Knicks might finally be ready to commit if Shumpert takes a significant step forward this season. Cap flexibility is important, but the Knicks might want to have the first right of refusal on Shump more than they realize right now. The Knicks might also come to the table with agent Happy Walters in the next four weeks and change to work out a deal after all, even though it appears to be something of a longshot at present.
How do you see things shaking out between the Knicks and the 24-year-old guard?
September 14th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Eddie Scarito
The 2014/15 NBA regular season doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday October 28th, when the Spurs raise their Championship banner, and host the rival Mavericks. This is the time of year when most fans can still bask in the warm glow of hope, and every team is still undefeated. It’s also the time of year for predictions to start rolling in on how the upcoming season will shake out. Today we’ll be seeing who you folks think will win the Atlantic Division. Let’s take a quick look at the possible contenders…
Note: All projected starters taken from the respective team pages at ESPN.com.
Boston Celtics
The most compelling storyline in Boston this season will be if and when Rajon Rondo is dealt, and what pieces GM Danny Ainge is able to get back for his star player. This seems like another year of draft position jockeying in Boston, but there are some nice young building blocks in place for the future. The franchise is still very much in rebuilding mode, and isn’t expected to compete for a playoff spot this season. Instead the focus will be on developing those building blocks, players such as Marcus Smart, James Young, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, and Kelly Olynyk.
The Celtics best outcome would be to deal Rondo after he establishes that he’s healthy, which would up the potential return, which in turn would hopefully include a lottery pick or two. The franchise is moving in the right direction, but this isn’t the year the team can compete for the top spot in the division. Better to spend another year near the bottom, score a better draft position, and aim for 2015/16 for bigger and better things.
It’s hard to predict what we’ll see out of Brooklyn this season. Health will be the make-or-break factor, and “if” will be the key word for the team. The team can be a factor in the Atlantic “if” Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson stay healthy. “If” Kevin Garnett still has anything left in the tank “if” he returns for another campaign. “If” new head coach Lionel Hollins can win over the locker room while implementing his hard-nosed defensive system. Quite a few question marks for a veteran team, and Brooklyn’s fans might not like how all the answers turn out.
Despite losing starting small forward Paul Pierce to the Wizards, there is still quite a bit of talent on the roster. If the team can get full seasons out of both Williams and Lopez, the Nets have a decent shot at taking the top spot in the Atlantic. A long playoff run is another story, and a deeper, more talented roster away from happening.
The Knicks are a franchise still transitioning from one regime to the next. There is a sense of hope in New York, thanks to the arrival of Phil Jackson as team president, and owner James Dolan’s promise to give Jackson the space he needs to shape the franchise in his image. It remains to be seen if Jackson can be successful as an executive, or if Dolan can keep his promise of being “hands-off.”
Also adding to the uncertainty of what to expect from the team is the arrival of rookie head coach Derek Fisher and the decision to implement the triangle offense. Fisher has plenty of experience as a championship player, but how quickly he can adjust to being a head coach who has to manage egos will be a big factor early in the season.
The roster has improved from last year’s campaign, Carmelo Anthony has re-signed, and Jackson made a number of interesting moves so far. The most important addition will be Jose Calderon at point guard. The Knicks suffered from some of the worst point guard play in the league last season, and though Calderon isn’t a strong defender, he is a solid distributor and his shooting efficiency should be enhanced by the triangle offense.
I expect a bit of a bounce-back year from the Knicks, but with all the new pieces on the roster, and the new system that is being taught, expect the team to start slow and improve toward the end of the season, similar to what we saw from the Nets last year.
The Sixers intend to compete for the top spot next season, only it isn’t the Atlantic Division that they hope to win, but rather the top spot in next year’s NBA Draft. Whether you refer to it as tanking, or rebuilding, Philadelphia is going all in on its plan. The Sixers have stripped away almost every veteran player of note, and they have a very real shot at breaking the franchise’s own league record for losses in a season.
The most compelling aspects of the 2014/15 season in Philadelphia will be the development of Nerlens Noel, the recovery of Joel Embiid, and just how low the team can sink. While I applaud the Sixers’ attempt to speed up the rebuilding process by hitting bottom instead of laboring in mediocrity, it might not bear fruit this season. Next year’s best prospects are primarily big men, and Philadelphia has already spent two high draft picks on interior players. If a dominant wing or guard doesn’t emerge as a potential top pick, it could create an interesting logjam on the Sixers depth chart.
Unless the franchise gets into a situation like the one portrayed in the film “Major League,” and finds some way to defy every sane preseason prediction of a last place finish, another year of living in the Atlantic Division’s basement is most definitely in the cards.
The Raptors were one of the league’s surprise teams last season, winning the Atlantic Division with a record of 48-34. They kept the core of the team intact and are in good shape to repeat as division champs. The Eastern Conference will be extremely competitive next season, and the Raptors could arguably be considered the third or fourth best team in the conference behind the Cavs, Bulls, and Wizards.
Health will be a big key, as Toronto isn’t an especially deep team at key positions. It will also be interesting to see if Kyle Lowry‘s big year was a fluke, the product of a contract-year push, or if he is indeed ready to be a franchise star. The continued development of Jonas Valanciunas will also determine just how far this franchise can go in the postseason. Toronto has enough talent to win the division and a playoff series, but more than that is probably wishful thinking.
Who do you think will take the Atlantic Division crown next season? Vote in the poll and feel free to expand on your choice in the comments section below.
With the Cavaliers going from owning the No. 1 pick of the draft this past June to being the number one pick to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy next June, it’s safe to say they’re the overwhelming choice as the team that enjoyed the NBA’s best offseason. But who finished second? Believe it or not, there were other transactions that occurred this offseason that didn’t involve LeBron James or Kevin Love. Here’s a rundown of which non-Cavs team fared the best this summer:
Bulls: Despite losing out on the big-ticket free agents, the Bulls signed Pau Gasol, brought Nikola Mirotic over from Europe and wound up with NBA-ready Doug McDermott in the NBA Draft. These are additions to a team already good enough to tally 48 wins last season. Their most positive offseason development, however, has been the health of Derrick Rose, who is currently participating in the Basketball World Cup.
Hornets: Charlotte built on their first playoff appearance in four years by signing ultra-talented Lance Stephenson along with Marvin Williams and Brian Roberts, all to deals that look reasonable compared to some of the monster numbers thrown around this summer. The Hornets also got what looks like great value in Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston in the draft.
Mavericks: Where to start? The Mavs stole Chandler Parsons from a division rival, signed veteran point guard Jameer Nelson and reunited with Tyson Chandler. And don’t forget, this was the team that gave eventual champ San Antonio their toughest test in the playoffs. Dallas also retained star Dirk Nowitzki on a very team-friendly deal.
Timberwolves: Bear with me here. If you consider the loss of Love a foregone conclusion going into the offseason, it can be argued that Minnesota did pretty well for itself, as Hoops Rumors readers displayed in a recent poll. If Andrew Wiggins is a star and Anthony Bennett progresses, the Wolves may have dodged a total rebuild. Adding Thaddeus Young in the Love deal and the high-ceiling of Zach LaVine in the draft certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Wizards: Adding Paul Pierce, Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair while subtracting Trevor Ariza and Trevor Booker may not seem like a giant net improvement on paper. However, considering the weakness of the East and the youth and potential on Washington’s roster, you can argue the Wiz positioned themselves as the best of the second tier teams in the conference. Retaining Marcin Gortat was also an important move for Washington.
Someone else: Feel free to offer your opinion in the comments section if none of these five squads would be atop your list as the winner of the offseason’s silver medal. Maybe you think it’s the Spurs for maintaining most of their championship roster, the Knicks for convincing Carmelo Anthony to stay or even the Sixers for trying something just crazy enough to work. Regardless, we want to hear it.