20. Brooklyn Nets
Intrigue: AT - They Are Who We Thought They Were - If anyone can recall the Lionel Hollins era in Memphis, albeit successful, they'll remember that it wasn't very fun to watch (unless you enjoy "Grit-n-grind"). The same can and will be said about this Nets team this year. They have a solid roster but it consists of players we already know what to expect from them. The motive is to add toughness to the team, but quite frankly what they really need is some youth and good health. The youth aspect can be thrown out the window thanks to Billy King being their GM so they're stuck with what they have and need to stay healthy. Brook Lopez if healthy can be one of the best centers in the league (even though he is one of the worst rebounders at 7 feet) and maybe Deron Williams' ankles heal and he finds his game again (eh...) to be a top-5 point guard he once was. That would be the largest upside of the team to go along with JJ continually getting buckets and Mason Plumlee taking over KG's duties. As it stands though, they're relatively boring and average and it most likely won't change as the season progresses.
JL - The Hollins Effect - The Nets lost a few pieces from last season. Most notably Paul Pierce and Shaun Livingston. Even though they lost a few players, they gained a few as well. I like the way Teletovic looked. Not sure that's saying much if that's one of the few things that actually impressed me. Brooklyn's another year older and that means their veterans have another year's mileage on them. But that also means that this Nets team is supposed to be very disciplined. I really like Lionel Hollins as a coach. He's not a player coach but he knows how to utilize his players, and I think the veterans on this team understand that it's for the betterment of the team. Remember, Lionel Hollins coached the Grizzlies to a Western Conference Finals appearance in a playoffs as recent as 2013! I like the hiring and I think the fit is a lot better with Hollins than with Kidd. Despite losing key rotation players from last season, I think the Nets should be okay with Hollins leading the way.
Player to Watch: AT (+ Personal Take) - Kevin Garnett - There's a lot I want to say about the guy, but I think I will maybe save it for a future post. Just know this may be his last season, and even though he has been declining greatly in the last few years, I feel like he can still contribute. If the Nets aren't competing in February I hope they can work a buy out and give him a final chance to win a title and help a contender out. Maybe with Doc one last time...The Clippers could use another backup big.
JL - Deron Williams - Since Williams' departure from Utah, he's largely been a shell of himself. In fact, during the playoffs last season, Nets fans posted "Missing" ads around the city looking for "Deron Williams' talent." I watched him play the other night against Boston, and while their team didn't look that good, Williams did. I think the biggest thing for him is his confidence. He apparently said he's feeling confident in himself and that's not to be understated or overlooked. There was one play I saw in the Boston game where Williams was on an island with Sullinger and just rocked him to sleep with his signature crossover. After creating a LARGE amount of space, he hit a wide open jumper. A few years ago, Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul was a real debate. Now, it's irrelevant. I don't think Williams is going to be as good as he was circa '07, but he's going to have a good season and the Nets are going to go as far as he's willing to take them.
Personal Take: JL - I really don't have too much to say about this Nets team. I don't think they're too interesting as far as most teams go. They're stuck in NBA purgatory and that's not a good place to be. NBA purgatory is when your team makes the playoffs, isn't good enough to win a championship, and really has no room for improvement or a young enough core to make leaps. Yeah, I don't know. Also, who the heck is Bogdanovic? Never heard of the guy but apparently, he was the first pick in the second round of the 2011 draft. He played for Serbia. He's 6'8" and he started the game for opening night. Still a mystery to me. Oh well.
Where Will They Be Come June?: AT - Just missing the playoffs but pretty much stuck with what they have next season. Even with KG off the books, they'll have no cap room and will still be paying the luxury tax. They also are stuck in draft pick hell until 2019 (teams either can swap their picks for the Nets' in 2015 and 2017 or...for Boston just have their picks in 2016 & 2018) Thanks for playing the GM game Billy King, and now I know why Prokhorov wants to sell the team.
JL - I think the Nets are going to make the playoffs and have an early first round exit to whatever team they play. This is also probably going to be Kevin Garnett's last season... I'd write more about that but I'll save that for another time.
19. New York Knicks
Intrigue: JL - Fresh Start - Last season the Knicks got Phil Jackson to be the head of their operations in New York. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks actually have someone competent running things and making moves. I'm not too sure how the Triangle is going to work for them considering they really need one person to work with to make it work. The only star the Knicks have is Carmelo and I'm not too sure how that's going to work. Shaq even said so himself that you need at least two stars to run the Triangle. Jordan had Pippen and Kobe had Shaq and Pau. Melo has... Shane Larkin? Regardless, it's the Knicks' first season under Phil and I trust he's going to make some sort of noise via trades or just by winning games.
AT - The Triangle Offense and The Phil Effect - As long as the Knicks have a cast of interesting players (Melo, JR Swish, Shump, etc.), on and especially off the court, they're worth keeping an eye on. On the court it will be very interesting to see how many of these guys with not the greatest basketball IQs will adapt to the complex Triangle Offense. It will take some time before it pans out, but I think they'll be ok. As for playing defense...that may never happen with these guys. Off the court, c'mon man! We're going to be bathing in wine with Amar'e while he throws down fashion game with his Givenchy man-purse, dropping bars with the waviest fade from Iman, sliding into every thirst traps' DMs with JR, and making hats with Melo and LaLa. Honestly, I love the Knicks just cause their players are awesome and it really has nothing to do with basketball. They might not even be that good, but they're great entertainment (Humblebrag: Be fortunate enough, go to MSG and watch a game live. It is amazing. The atmosphere and die-hard fans are top notch. It's beautiful and shootaround is the most unintentionally funny thing you will ever see.) Go Knicks! #FreeColeAldrich
Player to Watch: JL - Iman Shumpert - It's hard to tell exactly just who the second best player on this team is. It's pretty much Carmelo and crew. I think the Iman Shumpert is arguably the most important piece for this team. Shumpert had a bit of a slump last season and I think he's due for a good season this year. His numbers won't be eye popping or anything but the way he affects the game doesn't necessarily show up in the box scores. I'd say his game is similar to Avery Bradley. He's not as much of a hound on defense but I'd say his offensive game is a little more developed. Shumpert is pretty much going to have no nights off. Because he's the Knicks' best perimeter defender, he's going to have to try to shut down the other team's best guard in an era where point guards are thriving and plentiful. I think he's up for the challenge and he's going to bounce back from last season's slump.
AT - Iman Shumpert - Remember his rookie season? He showed so much promise as a do-everything guard that was great on defense and capable of running the point if necessary. I thought he was on his way to being a "next really good shooting guard in the league," a position slowly declining in talent and lacking of stars (I grew up with young Kobe, T-Mac, Vince, Iverson, young Ray Allen, young D-Wade, pre-balding Ginobili while today we have Harden, old Kobe, old D-Wade, Monta Ellis, Klay Thompson?). That progress was impeded however when he tore his acl during the playoffs his rookie year and since then he hasn't been the same player despite seemingly healthy again. I really hope his last two seasons were flukes and the knee is fully healed. I want to see the Shump with promise shown in his rookie season. If that Shump is back, the Knicks could be better than expected.
Personal Take: JL - I was aiming to talk about Rapaport's 30 for 30 on the Knicks in the 70's, but I haven't had a chance to watch yet. No YouTube videos or links that I could find, and I don't have a TV in my dorm. So, sorry about that. But everything's come full circle for Phil Jackson and the Knicks. He played a really small role in their championships (think of Luke Walton for the Lakers a few years ago) but now, he's at the head of the organization. I think it's going to be interesting to see what he's going to do. Also, I'm predicting that Melo's going to have at least three 50 point games this season.
AT - If you're a fan of the blog or want to support my finer tastes in fashion, please click on this website: ( http://www.redbubble.com/people/aflem/works/10281433-jr-smith-the-pipe?p=t-shirt ) and donate to the "Purchase Anson a You Trying to Get the Pipe JR Smith Shirt" fund! The shirt costs $25.52 and you can get one yourself! Slide into my DMs for information on how to donate. Thanks!
Where Will They Be Come June?: JL - I'm not sure if the Knicks are going to make the playoffs to be honest. I think it's going to be a toss up between them, the Nets and the Bucks. If I had to pick one of those teams though, I'd go with the Knicks. I have faith in Phil and Knicks fans should too.
AT - Although they're not the greatest team ever assembled, they're ok enough to compete for a final spot in the playoffs especially in the East. If any team will take the final spot in the East from my baby Bucks, it might have to be the Knicks. They'll have a ton of cap space (STAT and Bargs off the books) for the summer meaning Marc Gasol or Rajon Rondo? And if they only get one marquee free agent they'll have money left for 2016. Add in Phil Jackson's allure and playing in the mecca, the future of the Knicks is actually looking pretty bright.
16. Denver Nuggets
Intrigue: AT - Run N Gun Please - This team isn't made to play physical or work the post. They're really not meant to play great defense either. They're more fitting for George Karl's old style of running the opponent off the court and scoring at will. Well Karl isn't the coach anymore, and Brian Shaw who is the coach, doesn't necessarily coach by that philosophy. Therefore I hope Shaw can reach common ground with some of his philosophies while realizing his roster has a lot of guys meant to play basketball at a faster pace. If he wants physicality, let Faried crash the boards like a maniac, but don't make him post-up. If he wants to score in the paint, let Ty zoom past defenders for lay-ups. Galo will get his threes and Aflalo will provide the defensive edge. They also have a ton of depth to fill every role necessary. There are ways Shaw can get what he wants but it will just have to be done differently. This team has good talent they just need to play the right style to make it work.
Player to Watch: AT - Danilo Gallinari - He's back! I feel like a lot of people didn't even realize he missed all of last year, but in case you forgot...
Bellissimo! He's back.
Personal Take: AT - I tried...I really tried to make a trade with this team, but it's really difficult. JaVale McGee has the second largest contract on the team, and at this point I don't think anyone wants him. The rest of the roster are pieces that are enticing but it won't get them a truly significant player. I think they'll trade guys like Hickson and Foye...maybe even Alonzo Gee for future assets to make space for other guys to play. Poor Alonzo Gee traded once again.
Where Will They Be Come June?: AT - On the outskirts of the Western Conference playoffs looking in. The conference is too loaded and unfortunately I don't see them as one of the teams making it. They'll be close. By next season hopefully they'll finally have an identity in year three of Brian Shaw, and be ready for the playoffs again. I'm almost certain they're trading some of the guys on this team for either future assets or a key contributor now.
17. Miami Heat
Intrigue: AT - Picking Up the Pieces the King Left Behind - With Bron Bron taking his talents back home, the Heat are left in a very unflattering position of moving on and playing without the best basketball player on the planet. It's really difficult to look at an upside when Luol Deng is now the starting small forward, granted a very good small forward, but he's not LeBron. That being said the Heat have to move on and learn to play without LeBron, and we need to learn to acknowledge the team they actually have. They're an old squad, but they're not bad. Spoelstra is a good coach, a very underrated one in my opinion (of course everything is easier when you have Bron...but Mike Brown. Alright no more Bron mentions), and he'll have his team playing great defense as usual with good traps and solid rotations. The offense should be centered more around Bosh now and maybe we will witness the return of THE DINO RAPTOR. McBob, Granger, Birdzilla, Haslem, and their three-headed point guard rotation are decent players that will handle roles specifically fitting for them, and ENNIS. They may finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference ranks, but that would only be possible through certain circumstances (HEALTH) falling into place, and mostly dependent on the health and skill (or what remains of it) of my player to watch...
Player to Watch: AT - Dwyane Wade - The Heat need him to be a superstar again and that may be asking too much of him. He needs to be though or they may not even be in the playoffs this year (...or be a top seed in the East because the East is that bad). Look Bosh is great but as an alpha dog he only led the Raptors to two first round exits in his seven seasons in Toronto. Alpha dog Wade at his best and yes, 8 years younger, single-handedly won an NBA championship in 2006 playing with the last fumes of Shaq, 'Toine, The Glove, and White Chocolate...That's how good Wade was, but I'm not asking him to be D-Wade of eight years ago. Asking him to be 2008-2009 Super Dwyane Wade is even too much, but am I asking too much of 75%(22-5-4 and a healthy 70 games + playoffs) of that guy? In order for me to buy into the Heat being an elite Eastern Conference team, Wade needs to be that guy. I also need proof with some type of documentation from a German doctor that he fixed Wade's knees and any other health problems.
Hopefully marriage and a rested offseason brings back any semblance of the old Wade. Hopefully hearing all the talk of being washed up and done will ignite a fire in him to prove the doubters wrong. He looked good last night despite leaving the game for a bit with a "left calf contusion." He'll have to remain healthy all year and look great on many nights. Good doesn't cut it anymore especially when he's the man again.
Personal Take: AT - I dare you to watch it, but don't do it. Please don't do it!
I hope you didn't watch it. There might even be a Part 2. My brain might explode.
Where Will They Be Come June?: AT - Falling short of beating LeBron and the Cavs in the first round of the playoffs. D-Wade proves he's not done yet and has a couple good seasons left in him. Bosh's game continues to age well, and the Heat will look to acquire some younger assets somehow someway (no 1st round pick) heading into next season.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
Intrigue: AT - Putting the Team on his Brow - I feel like for most hardcore fans of the NBA, Anthony Davis is already a known commodity. As for the general public, this season will surely be his coming out party. He's been anointed the next big superstar in the league and in year three he will be asked to put the team on his
JL - The Blow Up - Anthony Davis is about to have himself a great season. He was arguably the best player for Team USA this summer and he's only going to continue to improve. There's a reason why everyone's predicting he's the next in line to take over the NBA after Lebron and KD. Opening night, he had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 BLOCKS. The dude is a freak and watching him is crazy. Before he ever got into the league, I was predicting that he was going to have a Duncan like career. Yes, I know Duncan is the best power forward of all time and that he's one of the best players in this era. But that's how confident I am in the Brow. Anthony Davis is going to set the world ablaze this season and you'd better be watching.
Player to Watch: AT - Jimmer Fredette - We may be on the last legs of potential JIMMER TIME folks...In his first three seasons in the league his potential of offensive explosions have been rather underwhelming as he's failed to earn significant minutes on the teams he previously played for. On this team, he will not only get a chance to play, but also a chance to earn a significant role on the team as a their backup point guard/deep threat they desperately need on the wings. He did not have a great start the previous night (0-6 from the field in 18 minutes) and he'll need to pick it up as he competes with a bench unit (Austin Rivers, Russ Smith, Darius Miller, Luke Babbit, etc.) that has many guys hungry to make an impression and ready to take his playing time. It's his time now to prove what he can do or risk veering into the career paths similar to the great Jason Kapono or Casey Jacobsen.
JL - Omer Asik - He was recently acquired by the Pels this summer and it's already been evident just how gargantuan of an effect he's had on the team. It's going to be near impossible for opposing teams to score inside on the Pels. The tandem of Davis and Asik grabbed a ridiculous amount of boards on opening night. It's an extremely small sample size but I trust they'll continue to coexist perfectly alongside one another. The addition of Asik also allows Monty Williams to have Ryan Anderson come off the bench and add some firepower to their second unit. All this depends on how happy Asik is and if he can stay healthy.
Personal Take: AT - A Simple Proposition of Befuddlement and Name Changes - This whole New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Bobcats becoming the Hornets again, but the Pelicans were previously the Hornets thing really confuses me at times. Looking up "the last time the Pelicans made the playoffs" I typed in "Hornets" instead only to remember the Hornets are now the previously known Bob Johnson Cats and actually not the previously known New Orleans Hornets because the previously known New Orleans Hornets are now the New Orleans Pelicans. Reading what I just typed probably just messed up your mind but it's not my fault team-naming is stupid. So I offer the name solution:
Charlotte Hornets - As it always should have been.
New Orleans Jazz - One of the birthplaces of Jazz music, the name fits perfectly. How does the word "Jazz" equate to rocky mountains and snow in the first place?
Utah Yetis - Look I like Jazz Bear, he's a pretty cool mascot, but a Yeti is scary and intimidating as fuck...or it can be cute as well. He also fits the snow theme and he has been previously associated with the NBA in the past (Do you see blurry Darius Miles getting banged on??). Mascot facials sound nice.
These are my name changes. I think it works great...That is until someone like myself decides to look up "last time the Jazz made the playoffs" only to get New Orleans Pelicans' team history failing to remember the Jazz are now the Pelicans, while the Pelicans were once the Hornets who are now in Charlotte, previously known as the Bobcats, and the Jazz are actually now the Yetis. Well shit...
JL - I don't know if you know but pelicans are some nasty animals. Here's some evidence of that: 1, 2, 3
Where Will They Be Come June?: AT - Falling just short of the playoffs, but being a considerable 4 or 5 seed in the East, which doesn't mean anything because they play in the West. Anthony Davis being one of the most marketable young stars of the game (also only behind 2 other guys I would want to have the most to build a franchise around) and not in the playoffs, although he should have been, causes Adam Silver to consider changing playoff seeding (conferences disregarded and only guaranteeing division winners a spot while the 10 best other teams will claim the remaining spots) because he wants his biggest stars to be showcased in the future when they deserve to be. The new playoff format will be deemed "The Unibrow Realignment."
JL - The Pelicans are going to come up just short of the playoffs but are going to make huge improvements from last season thanks to Davis and the addition of Asik. I'm think they're going to hover around .500.
We hope the season has been great for you all so far. Part 4 will be up next week. Stay posted and as always thanks for reading.
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