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So, with the Chargers looking terrible, hope springs eternal in hoops, as the NBA kicks off tonight!
Could/Should be another great season in the works.
In the East, can anyone unseat Cleveland and LeBron? The Bulls are the popular pick (new coach) to do it. I think the Heat will be a factor, if they can stay healthy (their starting 5 is really good), and both the Wizards and the Hawks are interesting... Milwaukee should continue to improve, and year 2 of SVG in Detroit should lead to more improvement there. The Pacers will be better will PG back. It will be interesting.
The West, is more loaded, than probably ever.
-The Warriors are the defending champs with the reigning MVP, and the core of the entire team back.
-The Clips got DAJ back, added Paul Pierce for depth, and should be a contender.
-The Rockets bring everyone back, and added Ty Lawson as Point Guard.
-The Spurs added LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.
-The Thunder get back healthy Kevin Durant and healthy Russel Westbrook. They added a new head coach in Billy Donovan, they will be vastly improved.
-The Pelicans also changed coaches, and return the best 2 way player in the nba in Anthony Davis who is only 22 years old. They will be an interesting team to watch...not sure how good Davis supporting cast is, but he is an absolute joy to watch. My favorite player in the NBA.
The Grizzlies will continue to drive everyone crazy by playing great defense, and pounding the ball inside to two legitimate post threats.
And my Lakers, will struggle (most likely) once again. Although they will be more competitive. I will break them down a bit, because they are "my" team.
They added a really good new point guard in D'Angelo Russel. (although he will struggle, especially in the West, playing against Chris Paul, Russel Westbrook, Tony Parker, Steph Curry, shoot even poor teams in the West like Portland run out Damian Lillard.) Russell is going to have to continue to grow and develop and not worry about being a superstar right away. (only played one year of college)
Shooting Guard, Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson had a very encouraging end to last season, his rookie year. But pump the brakes a bit. That was a depleted team, where he was pretty much given free reign. With Kobe, and Randle back, along with a rookie PG who was a high selection, Clarkson is going to have to be a defensive player, and get his points where he can.
Small Forward, Kobe Bryant. Who knows what to expect? He got hurt at the end of the season 3 years ago, and barely played the past 2 seasons. I do think the move to SF will help him defensively..won't have to chase quicker 2 guards around as much, and Coach Byron Scott said they are going to limit his minutes. Will he be good? Will he look old? I think he'll do both, depending on the night.
Power Forward, Julius Randle. All reports out of camp, is that Randle has looked great, and like the player they used a top 10 pick on a few years ago. He's developed his jump shot, and has great combination of size and speed. That being said, he'll basically be a rookie (injured in first regular season game last year), who played one year of college. He'll be exciting. Maybe the most exciting player on the team.
Center, Roy Hibbert. He's not exciting. But he's a good defender, and his presence alone will improve the lakers defense. (along with better team speed at PG, SG, and PF)
The team has a boatload of players at the backup big spots: Tarik Black, Brandon Bass, Larry Nance, Metta World Peace, Ryan Kelly and sadly, still Robert Sacre. I don't think any of them are great players... but Bass is a solid professional backup, and Larry Nance has alot of possible upside.
The backcourt backups include Huertas at PG, and the main wing players will be Lou Williams and Nick Young. Neither of them are great defenders, but they can both shoot the ball... Williams can handle the point or off guard, like Clarkson...
So a good team? No. An interesting team? Starting Russel, Randle, and Clarkson makes this a yes. I don't see them winning a ton of games, but if the players develop... get better, together... could be the start of new era.
The Sixers will continue to stink, and the Nets and Timberwolves will also be terrible.
Could/Should be another great season in the works.
In the East, can anyone unseat Cleveland and LeBron? The Bulls are the popular pick (new coach) to do it. I think the Heat will be a factor, if they can stay healthy (their starting 5 is really good), and both the Wizards and the Hawks are interesting... Milwaukee should continue to improve, and year 2 of SVG in Detroit should lead to more improvement there. The Pacers will be better will PG back. It will be interesting.
The West, is more loaded, than probably ever.
-The Warriors are the defending champs with the reigning MVP, and the core of the entire team back.
-The Clips got DAJ back, added Paul Pierce for depth, and should be a contender.
-The Rockets bring everyone back, and added Ty Lawson as Point Guard.
-The Spurs added LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.
-The Thunder get back healthy Kevin Durant and healthy Russel Westbrook. They added a new head coach in Billy Donovan, they will be vastly improved.
-The Pelicans also changed coaches, and return the best 2 way player in the nba in Anthony Davis who is only 22 years old. They will be an interesting team to watch...not sure how good Davis supporting cast is, but he is an absolute joy to watch. My favorite player in the NBA.
The Grizzlies will continue to drive everyone crazy by playing great defense, and pounding the ball inside to two legitimate post threats.
And my Lakers, will struggle (most likely) once again. Although they will be more competitive. I will break them down a bit, because they are "my" team.
They added a really good new point guard in D'Angelo Russel. (although he will struggle, especially in the West, playing against Chris Paul, Russel Westbrook, Tony Parker, Steph Curry, shoot even poor teams in the West like Portland run out Damian Lillard.) Russell is going to have to continue to grow and develop and not worry about being a superstar right away. (only played one year of college)
Shooting Guard, Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson had a very encouraging end to last season, his rookie year. But pump the brakes a bit. That was a depleted team, where he was pretty much given free reign. With Kobe, and Randle back, along with a rookie PG who was a high selection, Clarkson is going to have to be a defensive player, and get his points where he can.
Small Forward, Kobe Bryant. Who knows what to expect? He got hurt at the end of the season 3 years ago, and barely played the past 2 seasons. I do think the move to SF will help him defensively..won't have to chase quicker 2 guards around as much, and Coach Byron Scott said they are going to limit his minutes. Will he be good? Will he look old? I think he'll do both, depending on the night.
Power Forward, Julius Randle. All reports out of camp, is that Randle has looked great, and like the player they used a top 10 pick on a few years ago. He's developed his jump shot, and has great combination of size and speed. That being said, he'll basically be a rookie (injured in first regular season game last year), who played one year of college. He'll be exciting. Maybe the most exciting player on the team.
Center, Roy Hibbert. He's not exciting. But he's a good defender, and his presence alone will improve the lakers defense. (along with better team speed at PG, SG, and PF)
The team has a boatload of players at the backup big spots: Tarik Black, Brandon Bass, Larry Nance, Metta World Peace, Ryan Kelly and sadly, still Robert Sacre. I don't think any of them are great players... but Bass is a solid professional backup, and Larry Nance has alot of possible upside.
The backcourt backups include Huertas at PG, and the main wing players will be Lou Williams and Nick Young. Neither of them are great defenders, but they can both shoot the ball... Williams can handle the point or off guard, like Clarkson...
So a good team? No. An interesting team? Starting Russel, Randle, and Clarkson makes this a yes. I don't see them winning a ton of games, but if the players develop... get better, together... could be the start of new era.
The Sixers will continue to stink, and the Nets and Timberwolves will also be terrible.
I guess that signature pic answers the question "Did they pour you into that or paint it on?"
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