Are you interested in basketball but feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content to catch up on? Are you a casual fan looking to deepen their understanding around the league? Are you a longtime fan looking for a fun way to preview the new season? No matter who you are, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve broken each team down into bite-size chunks, allowing you to learn as much or as little as you want about all of them. Special thanks to my friend Ixaka Craviotto-Velasco for his help in writing this article. He wrote a few of the player profiles below, and I think he absolutely killed it.
Each segment will begin with a little “get to know them” card for every team. This card will have basic, self explanatory information like key additions and subtractions, their record last season, etc. There are also a few that might be new to a person just getting into basketball, so I’ll explain.
- Championship Odds is self explanatory, but the number is not. As Basketball Reference defines it as “preseason lines for the NBA championship”. They’re betting odds. The lower the number the better that team is expected to be. The Celtics and Nuggets both have the lowest odds to win right now, sitting at +450. This means if you bet $100 on the Celtics to win the championship, you’d get back $450 back. On the other end of the spectrum, a miracle run from the Washington Wizards would net you $50,000 for a $100 bet. In short; the lower the number, the better the team is expected to be.
- Tournament Group: In an effort to spice up the occasionally dull opening months of the season, the NBA is debuting a brand new In-Season Tournament. If you’ve ever watched World Cup soccer, you’ll be familiar with the format. Teams are divided into groups of 5 based on their conference (either Western or Eastern), and over the month of November these teams will play “seeding games” against each other to determine the winner of the group. The winner of each group plus a wildcard team (the team with the best record that didn’t win their group) will then play in a single elimination tournament to decide the winner. The winner gets a trophy and each player on the team gets a $500,000 bonus.
- X-Factors: After the team summary of each section, I’ll highlight an underrated player from each team. Some are well known within popular NBA discourse, others not so much. The goal of this section is to give you a deeper understanding of what a given team needs, and how this player could potentially fill that role.
Each team will also be given 1-5 stars in 3 categories: Star Power, Fun Factor, and Drama Level.
- Star Power: How many big names does the team have? Name recognition is a huge factor, but accolades such as All-Star appearances and All-NBA selections are taken into account as well.
- Fun Factor: How good is the all around vibe of the team? If you lose, how likely are you to start stressing out? Do they have great personalities in the locker room? If they’re fun to watch on the court it’s a plus too. This is admittedly a very subjective category, so take my opinions with a grain of salt.
- Drama Level: How many times is this team gonna be be involved in some off the court antics? Maybe a star player gets disgruntled, maybe the coach loses the locker room, or say a player makes some eyebrow raising post game comments. There are some teams and players that attract drama regardless, others that will be center stage for a variety of reasons, or maybe simply because of how great their expectations are. The Drama Level is not only the pressure this team has to perform, it’s the chance that it all blows up as well.
Teams are ordered alphabetically based on city, so keep that in mind if you want to search for any in particular. There’s a lot of information here, so I encourage you to bounce around the page and not feel pressured to read everything all at once. Now that we’ve got the boring stuff out of the way, let’s dive right in.
Atlanta was aggressively mediocre in 2022. A disappointing result for a team that traded 4 first round picks for All-Star Dejounte Murray in the offseason. That being said, there were signs of life. Pushing the #2 seeded Celtics to a competitive 6 game series when many thought they’d get swept isn’t something to scoff at. If you look closely, you start to see how all the pieces fit together.
Murray is a great player, a jack of all trades guard with the size and wingspan to disrupt offenses and scoring ability to command respect from defense, but the headliner for the Hawks is Trae Young. Young is one of the few NBA players built like a normal human, standing at only 6′ 1″ and 165 pounds. Unlike a normal human however, Ice Trae can average 26 points while giving out 10 assists a game like it’s nothing. He’s a one man offensive engine. Atlanta goes as he does. It’s a very heliocentric style that’s not without it’s critics.
Young is one of the most polarizing stars in the game. He’s a one-man offense yes, but that’s partly because he won’t do anything unless he has the ball in his hands. When asked to sacrifice touches and play off the ball to create looks for others, Young goes half-speed and bogs the whole play down. This carries over to defense, as Trae is possibly the worst guard defender in the league, his small frame made worse by his usual disengagement on that end. People around the league also dislike Young’s foul-baiting antics. He flops relentlessly and argues every single call. Young is a Rorschach test: is he a generational offensive superstar or is an entitled flopper who’s chased two coaches out already? You have to decide for yourself
Around him is a solid roster of smart role-players. Bogdan Bogdanović and Saddiq Bey are great as complimentary microwave scorers and offer much needed floor spacing to an overall poor 3 point shooting team. Clint Capela is still a rock-solid defensive presence and lob threat, Onyeka Okongwu and AJ Griffen keep getting better and better, De’Andre Hunter still has so much potential, and of course Dejounte Murray is still just a season removed from an All-Star season that season that saw him nearly average a triple double. Again, there’s pieces here. How they all fit together, however, remains to be seen.
Jalen Johnson is the kind of player archetype everyone in the league wants. He’s a big (6′ 9″, 220 pounds) wing and a powerful athlete. When he’s coming down the lane with a full head of steam it looks like a bull about to flip one of those poor tourists in Spain. This athleticism combines with remarkably quick feet and a solid basketball IQ to create a perfect defensive wing prospect.
What’s makes Jalen Johnson so exciting is his versatility. He guarded every single type of player last year, didn’t matter if they were quick guards up top or big men down low, Johnson took all comers and battled admirably. The real swing skill in his game is finding how he can help chip in on offense. Right now he’s a good target on backside cuts or whenever he can catch the ball moving toward the basket. That’s about all he can do right now, his shooting, handle, and passing vision are all very inconsistent at this point. All Johnson has to do find a way to force opposing defenses to respect him, and then he’ll be free to wreck havoc on every matchup he gets assigned.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Trae Young Is a Supervillain”
Boston is one of three teams on this list to get 5 stars in every category. What does this mean? Quite simply; this team is stupidly good, stupidly fun to watch, and has a stupid amount of pressure on them to win it all. For Boston, this just another chapter in it’s storied history. That being said, this amount of talent would make even Red Auerbach blush.
Boston already had an elite roster, headlined by their dominate 2-way wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is arguably a top 5 player in the league with hardly any holes in his game. Brown is a little more divisive, but his talent is undeniable. The Jays lead Boston to the Finals just two seasons ago, and they’ve brought Boston to 5 of the last 7 Conference Finals. The only thing they haven’t done is actually win the whole thing. So GM Brad Stevens decided it was time to take a huge swing.
Jrue Holiday had a rough postseason, but he’s still an elite defender and capable scorer, provided he doesn’t try to do too much. Kristaps Porzingis is a 7′ 3″ rim protecter who can hit threes and do pretty much anything the Celtics ask of him (except rebound he really isn’t good at that). Not to mentioned the ageless wonder that is Al Horford and swiss army knife Derrick White are still in town.
Outside of these 6 however, the Celtics’s roster is full of question marks. The price of obtaining Holiday and Porzingis is felt in the depth of this roster. Boston will need at least 2-3 of these guys to step up, at least in the regular season so that the core 6 aren’t exhausted come playoff time. Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser are all returning from last season, and are all white dudes who can hold their own. Rookie Jordan Walsh has a tremendous opportunity to earn minutes with his defense and hustle. Lamar Stevens and Oshae Brissett are both sneaky good players who might end up playing bigger roles than people think.
The Celtics have the best top 6 in the entire league. Tatum and Brown are now flanked by two All-Stars and two of the best role-players in the game. They are proven, they are talented, and they are terrifying. If they can manage enough bench production to keep them fresh and avoid injury, Boston should be considered one of the favorites to win the title.
I know what you’re thinking. How the hell is a guy on a two-way contract (a contract to play with both the minor league team and the main roster) going to help a team competing for a championship? Well, as some who’s watched more Neemias Queta film then probably 99% of population outside of Portugal, I feel I’m uniquely equipped to answer this question.
Boston’s recent flurry of trades has left their center depth extremely shallow. Porzingis is a great player but has battled injuries his entire career. Al Horford has been an iron man for the Celtics, but how much longer can you expect the now 37 year old to play heavy minutes? In all likelihood, one or both of them will miss time, and someone will have to step up. Queta was absolutely dominant in the G-League last season, even finishing 2nd in MVP voting. He averaged 17-9 with 2 blocks a game while shooting 68% from the field. At his best, the Portuguese Mountain offers a menacing interior presence on both sides of the court. Swatting shots on D then sprinting out and rolling hard to the basket as a lob threat. Of course, the G-League is a completely different game than the NBA. So far at the NBA level, Queta’s struggled with the increased athleticism of the game. His movements are awkward and he consistently finds himself struggling to impact the game when going against athletes at the same or even a higher level than he is. It feels like he’s always a step slow, and this leads to constant foul trouble. If he can decrease the wasted motion and become a more fluid athlete, Queta has the tools to be the exact kind of depth player Boston so desperately needs.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Celtics have a lot to process, but not a lot of time to do so”
The Nets have spent that past few seasons caught up in one drama cycle after another. They dominated headlines 24/7, so much so the basketball felt secondary to the soap opera that was unfolding off the court. That’s not a problem anymore. Kevin Durant’s gone, Kyrie Irving is gone, and James Harden is nothing but a distant memory. Now this team can go back to what it was before it tried to be a superteam: Fun, inspired basketball with a collection of guys who care more about winning then anything else.
There’s only one player on Brooklyn’s roster who’s made an All-Star team, Ben Simmons. Simmons has been one of, if not the most scrutinized player over the last 5 years. Him being on this roster alone added a star to the Drama Level. His debut season in Brooklyn was disappointing, cut short by injuries and wavering mental health. Now, Simmons is back. All of the word over the offseason has been overwhelmingly positive, he says he feels better than ever, all we can do now is wait to see if he can return to form.
Should Simmons have a resurgence (which this humble aspiring sportswriter believes will happen), he’ll be the key in Brooklyn going from plucky underdog to a legit top 4 seed in the East. Simmons may not even end up being the best player on the roster, as Mikal Bridges is poised for a massive breakout. The 27 year old wing was a revelation after arriving in the mid-season Kevin Durant trade. He jumped from 17.2 points per game in Phoenix all the way up to 26.1 post trade in Brooklyn. The most impressive part was that he did so without sacrificing any efficiency. Bridges is already one of the premier wing defenders in the league, if he adds this kind of scoring consistently… damn. Look out NBA.
Trading their stars allowed the Nets’s to reload with a stacked roster of complimentary veterans. Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson (Bridges’ buddy in the KD trade), the ever feisty Royce O’Neale, Spencer Dinwiddie, Lonnie Walker, these Nets are deep and battle-tested. Throw in a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Nic Claxton, some young guns with incredible potential (Cam Thomas, Noah Clowney), and you’ve got a team nobody wants to play in a 7 game series. They may not have the names the Bucks and Celtics have, but that doesn’t mean they’ll go quietly into the night.
Dennis Smith Jr. has had a roller coaster of a career. It started off great, he was a top 10 pick who won All-Rookie honors. Then he got traded in the middle of his second season to free up shots for the Mavericks’s new stud rookie (guy named Luka Doncic, you might’ve heard of him). He played ok at first in New York, but injuries, inconsistency, and an atrocious jumper led to him bouncing around the bottom-feeders of the league. That is, until he came back with a vengeance in Charlotte last season.
Smith Jr. has become one of the best backup point guards in the league, smothering lead guards and relentlessly attacking the rim on the other end. His energy and effort can single handily swing the momentum of a game. Sure, he only gets to the line twice a game and still shoots below 30% from 3, both figures you’d like to see increase as his career continues. But even if he never gets a jumper, Smith Jr. is a fantastic spark in any lineup, he plays great defense, pressures the rim and stresses opposing defense. Then he gets his guys involved on offense when teams focus on him. Even if this is the peak, he’s turned himself from a draft bust into a legit NBA player. It’s pretty great to see.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Nets begin first camp in post-Big 3 era with chip on shoulder: ‘Something to prove’”
On June 21st, 2022, Miles Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles for felony domestic violence and child abuse. Bridges (no relation to Mikal) was coming off a fantastic season in Charlotte, where he set career highs across the board and just missed out on winning the Most Improved Player award. In the coming weeks we would learn the details of what had happened. We learned that Bridges had struck the mother of his two children repeatedly in an argument. The woman was admitted to the hospital with a concussion, a fracture in her nose, bruising in her ribs, and a strained neck muscle consistent with that of someone who had been strangled. It also came out that Bridges did this in front of his children, undoubtedly giving them lifelong trauma. Eventually Bridges pled no contest. He got off with nothing but an expensive bail charge and a years worth of counseling appointments. When interviewed months later, Bridges said that he “might be back in March“. This was his first major public comment since the incident.
When the allegations first surfaced, the Hornets released this statement: “The Charlotte Hornets are aware of the situation involving Miles Bridges. We are in the process of gathering additional information. We will have no further comment at this time.” While they did cut Bridges and he remained unsigned for the entire 2022-23 season, the Hornets only carried 14 players instead of the league maximum 15. On a bad team that could use this spot to develop a young player, the message was clear: they would wait for the NBA’s internal investigation to conclude, after which they would re-sign Bridges. In April the NBA announced that Bridges would be suspended 30 games. Then they said that because he had missed the entirety of the last season, 20 games were “considered already served”. What does this mean? It means that hospitalizing his girlfriend in front of his children netted Miles Bridges a total official punishment of 10 games. He will still get paid for these games mind you. Bridges was re-signed just two months later.
It’s difficult to be a fan of a league that treats crimes against woman so flippantly. Bridges and GM Mitch Kupchak held a press conference where they read canned responses to softball questions and now we’re just supposed to move on like nothing happened. The Bridges situation is not an exception, it’s the rule. Kevin Porter Jr. of the Rockets beat his girlfriend while she was sleeping, and the Rockets didn’t even cut him. Instead they chose to “engage with multiple teams” about a trade. Josh Primo was cut by the Spurs after repeatedly exposing himself to women working for the team. He was suspended for 4 games and just signed with the Clippers. Time after time after time the league has failed to crack down hard on these offenders. Then people wonder why it keeps happening.
You can preach about “second chances” as much as you want. Why else do you think nothing’s changed. Because the players and more importantly the front offices know that no matter how atrocious these crimes may be, if a player is talented he will always get that second chance. When a second chance is not earned but rather is a given, it defeats the entire purpose. There’s no way to know that a person has truly changed for the better when every offender with even a little bit of talent gets another shot. What you get instead is a bunch of half-assed apologies, dodged questions, and false promises. At least until another news story breaks and the cycle starts all over again.
EDIT: There’s now arrest warrant out for Bridges after he violated the protective order requested by the victim. Read more here.
The Hornets roster is dysfunctional and talent deficient. The bulk of the money goes to washed up veterans like Gordon Hayward and mediocre journeymen who have nowhere else to go. The lone bright spot is Lamelo Ball, a flashy All-Star caliber player whose style has yet to contribute to winning. There are three non-Lamelo players who have legit potential: 2nd year center Mark Williams, 2nd overall pick Brandon Miller, and of course, PJ Washington.
Washington was one of only four players last season to average 2 made 3s and 1 block per game. This speaks to the multi-faceted beauty of his game. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the floor and getting a bucket or keeping the ball moving with a good pass. His quick hands and long arms allow him to hold his own against players that may be stronger or faster than he is. The only real knock is that he doesn’t truly excel at one thing, rather his best skill is simply that he has so many different ones. Washington is representative of how valued versatililty is in today’s NBA. I hope he has a chance to contribute to meaningful basketball soon.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “NBA Needs to Change Its Stance on Domestic Violence in Post-Ray Rice World” (This article was written in 2014. Nothing has changed since then.)
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Chicago started the 2021-22 season on fire. All of their gambles were paying off. DeMar DeRozan was playing like a a man possessed, dicing teams up from the midrange like prime Micheal Jordan and hitting some magical game winners. Zach Lavine was overqualified as a 2nd option, dicing teams up when they focused all their energy on DeRozan. Former 4th overall pick Patrick Williams was showing signs of growth as a 3 and D wing. Nikola Vuevic was looking like Nikola Jokic, dropping dimes and keeping the offense moving as a massive playmaking hub. Lonzo Ball had turned from draft bust into a do-it-all jumbo size point guard. Alex Caruso was one of the most versatile and most feared defenders in the league off the bench. It’s easy to forget now but Chicago was the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference in January, nearly 3 months into the season. It was working, it was fun… until Lonzo Ball’s knee exploded.
Nobody really knows exactly what happened, but on January 14th of 2022, Ball went down with with what was initially diagnosed as a torn MCL. Now, it’s been confirmed that Lonzo will miss his second straight season due to this injury. Most recently he went through a cartilage transplant surgery, which is now the third surgery he’s had on his left knee. Without Ball the Bulls collapsed. His point of attack defense and fast break playmaking was the glue holding the team together. Without him, the Bulls collapsed, finishing the season 46-36 after a 27-13 start. A quick 5 game dismantling at the hands of Giannis and the Bucks ended their season officially, but the Bulls as we knew them went down when Lonzo did.
Now it feels like everything’s gone wrong. Vuevic has regressed, Williams plateud, DeRozan has still been an All-Star, but he and Lavine are sieves on the defensive end, all while forcing tough shots due to inconsistent 3 point shooting. Alex Caruso continues to be a fantastic defender, but his poor offense is highlighted by the overall stagnation of Chicago’s offense. Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, even Andre Drummond and Dalen Terry have all shown flashes of being the depth Chicago so desperately needs, but still haven’t shown enough consistency to be relied on in big games. Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig are solid veterans, but they share the roster wide issue of inconsistent floor spacing. Barring a massive pivot toward a youth movement, Chicago looks to be right where they’ve been since Ball’s injury: a good, if underwhelming team that should win around 40 games and battle for a playoff spot from the Play-In.
If you ask 10 different for their opinion on Patrick Williams and you may get 10 different answers. I touched on it earlier, but Williams came into the league from Florida State a highly-touted wing prospect with sky-high potential. He made the All-Rookie team when he was just 19 years old, and going into year 4 he’s still very much a young prospect. Thing is, Chicago doesn’t need hypotheticals. They need results.
The Bulls won’t have the luxury of high draft selections if they decide to try and keep this core together, and due to all sorts of complicated league rules trading their future picks for a star is tricky. They don’t have the cap space for any big free agents because of massive contracts owed to their main core. Any major leap in talent will have to come from internal development. Williams has all of the tools; the shooting, the passing, the defense, the finishing, we still don’t know how high his ceiling may be. We also don’t know if he’s already hit it. A substantial step forward this season could go a long way in silencing some of these doubts.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Where Do the Bulls Go From Here?”
It’s one thing to lose your franchise player, it’s another when that player is Lebron James. Since 2018, the Cavs have been slowly building toward their first non-Lebron success in this century- and last season was finally when they broke out. An off-season trade for a top 15 player in Donovan Mitchell boosted Cleveland to their first 50 win season without Lebron since 1993. Now comes the hard part; how does this team go from good to great?
Cleveland has one of the more unique situations in the league. They have an explosive backcourt, with premier shotmaker Mitchell flanked by Darius Garland- one of the smoothest operators in the game. Garland went from being the worst player in the league (statistically) to not only an All-Star, but a potential All-NBA candidate as well. The biggest issue with the Mitchell-Garland duo is defense. Neither is known as a stout defender, an issue which is heightened by the pair’s lack of size (both are only 6’ 1”). Enter Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland grabbed Mobley with the #3 pick back in 2021. He’s already a Defensive Player of the Year candidate while also chipping in 16 points a game on the other end. Allen may not have the sky high potential that Mobley does, but he’s a premier glass cleaner and rim protector. He does all the dirty work to keep Cleveland running smoothly.So the Cavs have one of the best offensive backcourts in the league and one of the best defensive frontcourts in the league.
So what’s the problem? Why’d they get embarrassed by the Knicks in the playoffs? Sure, there needs to be improvements in the core. Mobley especially needs to put on weight so that he and Allen aren’t bullied in the paint like they were in the playoffs (Allen has no excuse and simply must be better, he said it himself), but for starters, they never found their 5th starter (get it?). The Cavaliers desperately need a do-it-all wing, a big player who can chip in on defense, keep the ball moving on offense while being able to create for himself, and hit enough threes to stop the paint from getting clogged. Ironically, they had this in Lauri Markkanen, who became the main asset used in the Donovan Mitchell trade. Until they find a player to connect these two extreme opposite duos in their starting lineup, Cleveland can’t be considered a contender.
The Cavs brought both Max Strus (coming off a white-hot Finals run with the Heat) and Georgies Niang over in free agency. Both players are vets with plenty of playoff experience, and should help Cleveland stabilize. This allows Caris LeVert and Issac Okoro (solid players overextended in starting roles) to contribute off the bench. Things are looking up. Life is good, but what if it was even better?
Emoni Bates has been many things. A slender scoring supernova draawing Kevin Durant comparisons. The #1 ranked recruit in the country. A Michigan State commit before decommitting and choosing Memphis. An injury-riddled and inconsistent disappointment. A transfer to Eastern Michigan where he led his team in points per game. Now Bates gets to be something simple: a 2nd rounder trying to find a way to help a team that needs a good break to leap into the realm of title contention. There’s no way to know whether or not Bates will end up contributing anything meaningful in Cleveland. I’ll tell you one thing though; it’d be foolish to count a talent like that out.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Darius Garland Is Pretty Damn Special”
Dallas made the decision to trade for controversial but unquestionably talented star Kyrie Irving. This decision paired Irving with their homegrown superstar Luka Doncic, who is one of if not the best offensive creators in the league. Taking two ball dominant and defensively limited players (not to mention two massive personalities) is playing with fire. Best case scenario: Luka and Kyrie do what they do best: destroy opposing defenses who can’t afford to focus on one star without getting fried by the other, while the supporting cast does just enough to keep the defense passable. Worst case: the offense gets stagnant and selfish, the defense never materializes, and the Mavericks implode before March. Just all the best gambles though, the Mavs have just enough for you to convince yourself it’s a good bet.
For starters, Dallas has already sorta done this. With Jalen Brunson, a talented but small point guard, they made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the eventual champion Warriors. This run was made possible thanks to an aggressive switch-heavy scheme that hid Brunson and Doncic and allowed defensive wings like Dorian Finney-Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr to shoulder the more problematic matchups. Hardaway Jr. is still here as an above-average 3rd option, Grant Williams was brought in to provide the same gritty 3 and D that helped Boston reach the Finals, and rookie Olivier-Maxene Prosper is a very intriguing swing guy who projects as a stud versatile defensive wing. Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are still here and still have their moments (Kleber more than Powell but I digress). Rookie center Derrick Lively II, Josh Green, and Jaden Hardy all have fascinating potential as well. Squint and you see a deep Mavericks playoff run. Take a step back and you see a thousand different ways this could all go wrong. This team is the NBA’s most fascinating gamble. But it’s still a gamble- and the house always wins.
Vlade Divac was an atrocious General Manager. He famously passed on Luka Doncic for Marvin Bagley, gave washed veterans huge contracts, and generally sucked at every level of the job. One of the few positive moves he made, however, was signing Richaun Holmes. In his time Sacramento, Holmes grew from a backup center to one of the best players on the team, one of very bright spots in a very dark time. His massive dunks and funky yet lethal push shot were beacons of hope. Not to mention he and his family’s overall positive energy. He was beloved by the team and the city. But good things never last forever.
After being pushed to a bench role when Sabonis arrived, Richaun struggled to find his footing. For as great as the Kings’s resurgent season one, Richaun never found a role that worked, and ultimately fell out of the rotation entirely. The Mavericks very wisely scooped him up on draft night, and I can’t think of a better fit for both sides. Holmes gives Irving and Doncic a hard screener and lob threat in the pick and roll, plus he’s always in position and ready to hit his push shot right in the soft spot of the defense. For what he lacks in size Holmes makes up for with relentless and infectious energy on the defensive end. I’ll never forget all the incredible memories he gave us in Sacramento, and I can’t wait to see him return to form in Dallas.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “What Was Kyrie Irving Thinking?”
Last season was a dream come true for Denver. After years of coming up just short, from David Thompson to Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets finally got over the hump and won it all. The most impressive isn’t just the fact that they won, but how they won it. GM Calvin Booth and coach Micheal Malone assembled a roster of tough, scrappy, high IQ players who beat teams with perfect harmony and execution rather then elite talent. Of course, this doesn’t happen without one man in particular.
Nikola Jokic is an anomaly. The Serbian superstar was drafted 41st overall, and was received with such little fanfare his name was announced during a Taco Bell commercial. Now he’s a two time MVP coming off a playoff run where he averaged 30-13.5-9.5 en route to a championship. Did I mention he’s only 27 years old? Jokic plays like a dad messing around with his children. He’s just too big and too strong to have the level of touch he has. Sometimes he’ll pull down a rebound, waddle up the court, then throw a perfect alley-oop from the 3point line, then just waddle back on defense like nothing happened. It’s unbelievable to watch.
The Nuggets have used the big fella’s unique talent to construct a perfectly balanced starting lineup. Jamal Murray is one the most confident and talented scorers in the league, the perfect flamethrower to pair with Jokic. Kentavious Caldwell Pope is a perfect 3-D gaurd, Micheal Porter Jr. is 6′ 10″ and shoots 41% from three. Aaron Gordon does all the dirty work, bullying teams inside, skying for lobs, and locking down the opposing team’s best player.
Denver lost pieces over the offseason, notably stud 6th man Bruce Brown and savvy veteran Jeff Green, who both got championship level contracts with new teams. That means rookie phenom Christian Braun and new extended Zeke Nnaji will have to step up if Denver wants to repeat, as well as the rest of the Nuggets’s bench. Winning back to back championships is hard, especially in this new era of salary hard caps and constant player movement. Bringing back a generational star and his pals who just dominated all of last season makes it easier. It’s easy to get distracted by all the shiny new superteams formed in the offseason. Don’t be. This team is young, this team is hungry, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Everyone has a type. You know, traits a person has that just naturally draws you to them. Maybe you like guys with curly hair. Maybe you’re a fan of women who swear a lot (a friend of mine actually told me that once). Or if you’re like me when I analyze basketball prospects, you like high energy defensive players with great tools and a limited offensive game.
Watson is 6′ 8″ with a 7″ wingspan who has guard skills and a high motor. In his extremely limited minutes last season he shot 42% from three while showcasing impressive fluidity and explosiveness on both sides of the ball. It’s hard to glean too much from what was mostly garbage time minutes, of course, but damn these highlights are so exciting. If the UCLA product can produce at this level in an expanded role… look out. It may be curtains for the rest of the league.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Inside the Denver Nuggets’ Plan to Build a Dynasty”
Tanking (verb): a process wherein the management of a sports team attempts to lose games in order to obtain a higher draft position. Once you get past the moral quandaries it poses, it’s a pretty logical team building strategy. It’s very challenging for teams that aren’t in any of the NBA’s premier markets (Boston, LA, New York, etc) to build contending teams.
Why? In the simplest terms, the NBA is now a player’s league. Big cities and teams with big names offer a lot in terms of brand opportunities, national attention, the whole deal. So when you’re a sought after free agent or a disgruntled star player asking for a trade, your first thought isn’t gonna be “hey I wonder what the weather’s like in Minnesota?” Therefore, the best option for a small market team to acquire talent is the draft. Rookies have cheap, team controlled deals that last up to 4 years. Then once the talent is there, the free agency pitch gets a lot easier. Trade in 10 years of mediocrity for 3 years of being horrible. The math makes sense.
Which brings us (finally) to the Pistons. Detroit has been tanking since 2019. Everyone’s tried of losing. That’s why they went out and gave Monty Williams a 6 year, $78 million contract to coach their team. That’s an insane contract for a coach, and a bet that they finally have the talent to succeed. The crown jewel of this talent is 2021 #1 pick Cade Cunningham. Cunningham had a terrific rookie season, then missed most of last year with a shin injury. When he’s been on the court, he’s been great, exactly the big playmaking point guard Detroit wanted when they picked him. There’s a reason why he’s a popular choice to win Most Improved player.
Cade’s ability to knock off the rust while simultaneously showing improvement in his scoring efficiency and on ball defense, Detroit’s ceiling becomes a lot higher. Watching him play with recently drafted basketball genius Ausar Thompson will be incredible regardless. Jaden Ivey is fun as hell to watch and should feast with Thompson and Cunningham getting him the ball. Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Harris are solid three point snipers to help keep the offense moving. Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes (yes, Killian Hayes) still have some potential. It should be a fun year in Detroit, it should be a year where all this young talent they’ve amassed takes a real step forward and shows that there’s light at the end of this tunnel. A year of clarity if you will. If they don’t however, and the Pistons fail to win 30 games for the 5th year in a row, things get tricky. The clock is ticking, the Pistons have to show they have something here, otherwise this tank’s gonna keep on rolling.
Jalen Duren is such a dope player. Big men usually struggle transitioning to the NBA. The increased speed and skill of the league is a lot for guys that have usually been the most physically dominant to get used too. Factoring in that Duren was 18 years old when he was drafted, nobody would’ve been upset if he had a shaky debut season. Nope. He averaged 9-9 with a block per game, even dropping 30 points and 17 boards on the Spurs at one point.
He didn’t do it subtlety either. Duren is the kind of player that immediately commands your attention when you watch. He’s such a powerful player, swatting shots and exploding to the rim like the ball said something about his family. Duren never quits on a play too, nearly half of his rebounds were on the offensive end. The Pistons have two former #2 overall picks (Marvin Bagley and James Wiseman) playing center, and neither of the two have come close to taking the starting spot from Duren. The dude is nice, straight up.
Obviously he’s still a very raw prospect at this point. The understanding of the little intricacies of the game will come to him as he gets more reps. As will the free throw shooting (hopefully). Duren is one of the most exciting prospects in the league, and he doesn’t turn 20 until November. Enjoy his youth while you can, because in a few years he could be dominating your favorite team.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Why the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons are still so important”
The Warriors are.. a lot. No, the 6 stars you see for Star Power and Drama Level are not typos. This team is either going to take the league by storm or implode in such a spectacular fashion that the Hindenberg would blush. If you love drama, this is your team. If you’re just a Warriors fan, then I wish you the best of luck and remind you to keep all hands and legs inside this roller coaster at all times.
Golden State, a team so greedy they couldn’t be named after a city so they claimed a whole state, has been arguably the greatest dynasty of the 21st century. Steph Curry and the Warriors style of play revolutionized the game of basketball. Klay Thompson is one of the greatest shooters of all time. Draymond Green is one of the most uniquely talented players of all time, and also one of the biggest personalities (aka: biggest dickheads) in sports. Kevon Looney is one of the best role-players of all time. Andrew Wiggins is just a season removed from an All-Star appearance. Jonathan Kuminga looks like he could be the next big thing. Plus, they swapped Jordan Poole and all the drama that comes with for Chris Paul, pairing up 2 of the 10 best point guards ever in the same backcourt. It’s very easy to trust that the Warriors will be good. 4 rings in the last 9 years earns you a bit of faith.
Here’s where things get fun. Chris Paul is also one of the biggest personalities (dickheads) in all of sports. Seeing that Draymond decked the hell out of the last outsized ego (personality) who challenged him, their relationship is already an interesting topic. Combine this with the fact the two already don’t really like each other, and you have the potential for some hilarious drama to unfold should the team start struggling. This isn’t the only problem Golden State has. The Warriors are an old team, and their depth is too thin to support more then one star missing time. The eternally solid Looney is the team’s only surefire bet to play night in and night out. There’s also the question of how an aging and undersized Paul fits on a team that’s already shown signs of defensive deterioration.
The question marks are there, but at the end of the day this is the Warriors. They still have their big 3. They still have crucial role-players from their 2022 ring. Now they’ve added a future Hall of Famer to their embarrassment of riches. This season is either ending with a championship or a TMZ video and I will be watching either way.
Moody Moses (that’s not his name it’s just fun to say) is a very interesting player. During his rookie year, he played great in limited minutes during the Warriors title run. However, he failed to break out last season when Golden State desperately needed solid wing play, putting his future in question.
Some of this has to do with Steve Kerr’s reluctance to play young players. Ask any Warriors fan about last season and they’ll you how frustrating it was to watch JayMychal Green chuck up bricks while Moody sat in his warmups. After another off-season of reshuffling, there looks to be another opportunity for Moody to step up and carve out a role. His job’s simple: hit your threes, get stops on D, and don’t get in the way of the stars. If he can do that, if he can just be steady, then Golden State becomes a much more dangerous team.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “The Complete Timeline of the Draymond Green–Jordan Poole Beef”
Much like Detroit, Houston has spent the past few seasons tanking. Also like Detroit, people are getting sick of losing. So both teams went out and signed coaches who’ve been to recent Finals (Houston hired former Celtics coach Ime Udoka) and both teams drafted a Thompson twin. Good decisions for teams trying to win. Eventually, their paths diverged. While the Pistons chose to ride with their young talent, Houston chose to go on a spending spree in free agency. For years the biggest critique (especially from yours truly) was the lack of adults in Houston’s locker room. You could say they might’ve overcorrected.
I’m not a general manager. I can’t fathom all of that goes into every decision these teams make. With that being said- I don’t think it was a great idea to draft a potentially generational point guard then pay someone $130 million to play the same position a week later. Fred VanVleet is a great player, he’s tough as hell and has been an All-Star. I also can’t say enough good things about Amen Thompson, he truly does have the size and skill to play wherever the Rockets choose to play him. That being said, what makes Thompson special is his ability to be that lead guard, and while I’m sure VanVleet will be a good mentor, he also has 130 million reasons to command the majority of the reps. Young players, especially young point guards, need reps with the ball in their hands to develop. I worry that Thompson won’t get that opportunity with VanVleet in tow.
Outside of VanVleet, I’m a fan of Houston’s aggressive approach to the offseason. Dillion Brooks’s outsized personality (you know what this means by now) is a perfect fit for a young team with a chip on it’s shoulder, not to mention his defensive chops. Jeff Green is a consummate pro who’s coming off a Final win and figure to be an invaluable locker room guy. Jock Landale is a rock solid back up center that should add stability to the second unit. This pairs well with their young talent, of which Houston has a lot. There’s uber talented scorer Jalen Green, playmaking big Alperen Şengün, high flying Cam Whitmore, and massive shot maker Jabari Smith Jr. Each of these players has sky-high potential, which will hopefully be developed with a better structure around them.
Houston will be a lot of fun, even if they struggle to find their footing in a stacked Western Conference. If nothing else, this should be a year of competent basketball, a much needed sight for fans after 3 years of being the worst team in the league.
Let’s check some boxes. Versatile and talented defender? Check. Constantly hustles and brings great energy? Check. Funny as hell? Check. This dude is everything a coach would want in a player. Not only does it make him easy to root for, but it makes him one of the best young prospects on a roster full of them.
Eason is low maintenance. You don’t have to draw up plays for him or worry about his touches. You don’t have to worry about him missing games. He just shows up day in and day out, playing within the flow of the game. Attacking the glass for second chance looks and hounding whoever his matchup is on defense. There’s so many ways he positively impacts the game that if he’s falling short in one aspect, it’s almost guaranteed that he’s doing something else well to make up for it. He’s one of my favorite players to watch, and I’m very excited to see where he goes from here.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Kevin Porter Jr. trade is a step back in sports confronting domestic violence”
If I could give new fans one Eastern Conference team to follow, it’d be the Pacers. After years of stress and mediocrity in the post Paul George era, they finally decided to embrace the youth movement. Most rebuilds take a long time. Last season Indy showed they were much further along than even the most optimistic supporters would have expected. Before Tyrese Haliburton missed 9 games with injury, the Pacers were 23-19 and battling for a playoff spot. With another year of development and some talented new acquisitions, this squad is positioned to take a massive leap in a top heavy conference.
Of course, everything starts with Haliburton. Every time he touches the ball he wants to get out in space and push the pace. He’s one of the best passers in the league, which allows him to make plays most players wouldn’t even dream of attempting. Indy just plays such a fun basketball, sprinting up and down the court with reckless abandon. Haliburton is the engine that keeps the whole thing going, dropping dimes, splashing threes, and grinning ear to ear the entire time.
Bruce Brown parlayed his fantastic playoff run into a 2 year- $45 million deal. This was a great signing for both parties; Brown gets his first big NBA contract and the chance to be a leader for a team on the rise, while Indiana gets one of the most versatile and highly touted role players in the league. Indy also lucked out in the draft when stud big man Jarace Walker fell to them at the 8th pick. Walker is a monster, the ideal modern forward with a high basketball IQ who combines size with speed and athleticism with skill. He should pair perfectly next to defensive ace Myles Turner.
The rest of this roster is built to compete. Buddy Hield’s lights out shooting and Andrew Nembhard’s fantastic play as a steadying backup point guard. Bennedict Mathurin’s irrational confidence and limitless scoring potential. Daniel Theis and TJ McConnell will keep the second unit steady, while young guns Aaron Nesmith and Jalen Smith keep improving. These Pacers are young, fun, and are only going to get better from here.
This guy is one of, if not the most explosive players in the league. The 2022 Dunk Contest Winner makes his money by simply going up and slamming over anybody in his way. I shouldn’t have to explain why pairing an exceptional lob threat with an exceptional lob thrower is a great idea. Personally, I’m more excited to see how Toppin accelerates Indy on the fast break. He’s a massive target with good hands and sneaky good speed. If he gets the ball with a head of steam he’s a pain to try and to slow down.
What makes Toppin so interesting though are his flashes of being more than just a great athlete. In his 42 point outburst at the end of last season, he showcased some impressive touch and shooting. If he can replicate that consistently, it could take him from a role-player to a legitimate offensive threat in his own right.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Jermaine O’Neal shares thoughts on his number and status with Indiana Pacers franchise”
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again then expecting a different result. Well, we’re on year 5 of the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George duo in LA, and the script this year is the exact same. IF by some miracle they stay healthy and IF their roster of allegedly good role players can stay healthy, the Clippers can be one of a few teams with a legit title shot.
There’s one key difference between this season and years past: Russell Westbrook. He’s not the MVP winner he used to be, but if you’re counting Russ out you don’t know enough about him. LA needs someone to bring the intensity and push the ball in transition. Both are areas Russ excels in. Will he have some awful misses and throw some passes that risk giving someone in the third row a concussion? Sure. He still brings a change of pace and fire to a squad that’s been lacking both.
James Harden has demanded a trade to the Clippers, but that has yet to materialize. I’ll hold off on commenting on something before it happens. As it stands now, the Clippers look to have a decent amount of depth. Ivica Zubac is one of the most solid centers in the league. The 5th starter will likely be Terence Mann, who currently is the sticking point with the hypothetical Harden trade. Mann is a hustle guy who does all the little things the stars don’t want to. He’s the perfect guy to round out the starting 5, and I understand why LA doesn’t want to part with him.
Behind those 5 are a wide variety of players ranging from trustworthy to hilarious. Robert Covington, Nic Batum, and Mason Plumlee are all good reserves who make the team better. Then there’s Marcus Morris who’s spent his offseason actively beefing with his own fans. Bones Hyland is an intriguing young microwave scorer, but his tendency to play with blinders on and general disinterest in defense is a little concerning. Norman Powell is a coward who relies on flopping his way to the line to score, so I can’t respect him. Should the Clips get healthy (and maybe swing a trade or two) this team has the top end talent to go on a run. They just have to stay healthy.
This dude was one of my favorite players on a Rockets team chock full of young talent. Just like his dad, Martin Jr. is a fantastic all around player who just makes his team better. His bounce is legit, he’s a fantastic lob threat either cutting or rolling. In an instant he can be up in the air and annihilating whichever poor soul chose tries to block him.
More then just a flashy spark off the bench to get the crowd going, Martin Jr. is a legit player. He’s solid positional defender who can use his verticality to help out on the glass and occasionally send a shot to the 3rd row as a weakside helper. Also, he’s capable of making a few reads and playmaking from the short roll. Tyronn Lue wants to experiment with running as a small ball center, and I wholeheartedly second that plan. If it can hold up on defense, the wide open offenses could be nuclear. The idea of Russ and Martin Jr. sprinting out a fastbreak is already enough to get me irrationally excited.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Is James Harden Worth the Squeeze for the Clippers?”
The Lakers will always be the center of attention. It’s just how the NBA is. Throw the most popular superstar of this generation into one of the largest fanbases in the league and this spotlight goes up even more. So it can be hard to tell if a Lakers team is legit or if you’re getting swept away by the hype. After a flurry of trades at last season’s trade deadline, LA turned what was a 27-32 record into a 43-39 finish, and carried this momentum all the way to the conference finals. Sure Jokic and Co. uncerimoniously swept them, but the fact that they were even there is a testament to the talent this new look roster has.
Lebron James, who’s now going on his 21st season of his NBA career, is obviously the headliner for this team. While the raw numbers have remained somewhat untouched, the consistency and shooting splits have been sneakily heading down since his 2020 title (he shot 26% from three in the playoffs last year!). This as well as his willingness to play defense when the game isn’t heading down to the wire are enough to justify some quiet concern. The counterpoint, of course, is that this is Lebron James and he’s so goddamn good none of that stuff might matter.
Anthony Davis could be a top-10 player if ever managed to stay on the court consistently. Even when he does miss time though, this supporting cast is good enough to tread water. D’Angelo Russell is recommitted to playing team ball, Rui Hacimura has flashes of being baby Kawhi, Gabe Vincent is coming off playing a major role in the Heat’s magical run last season, Austin Reaves is a little overrated by the media but still a good connecter and great option to take the pressure off the the stars. Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt are both one-dimensional (Wood’s all offense and Vanderbilt’s all defense), but they can still be threats if ultilized correctly (Wood’s size and plus rebounding makes him a good fit next to AD who can clean up his defensive lapses, and Vanderbilt can contribute as long as he’s surrounded by shooting on O). Finally, Tauren Prince is a do-it-all defensive wing that can just help the team in so many ways. The Lakers are deep and the Lakers are a threat. If Lebron doesn’t fall off a cliff and AD finally stays healthy, this team is should tough to deal with.
Hayes is stupidly good athlete who plays with a chip on his shoulder. When he comes in the game it feels like every player should have to put on a helmet. For a team like LA, that’s the kind of tone-setting big off the bench they haven’t has since Dwight Howard’s miraculous 2020 run. He has let to put it all together on a consistent basis, but when he’s on he is ON.
Sure, Hayes is undisciplined on defense and foul happy. He also can also display a frustrating lack of touch and awareness on offense. But that’s just the trade-off you make with an athletic specimen like this. You bet on his potential and trust your coaching staff to teach him how to do the little things right. Because if Hayes becomes a consistent threat, the Lakers go from a talented contender to an outright favorite to win it all.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “The Summer of Austin Reaves”
The Grizz have been close. They nearly beat the eventual champion Warriors in 2021, and hung tough despite injury against the Lakers last year. THis should be the season where they breakthrough as one of the top contedners in the West. Unfortunately, this breakthrough season might be cut short before it begins.
The loss of All-NBA stud Ja Morant for the first 25 games will suck. Morant is suspended for flashing a gun on Instagram Live after the earlier 8 game warning suspension didn’t quite to the trick (Ja was suspended for those 8 games for flashing guns on social medial. All he had to do was just not flash a gun. Guess what he did?). In a crowded Western Conference, losing your star is brutal. That said, the loss of Steven Adams for the season is what’ll really kill them. The massive Kiwi does so much work for them on the glass and in the paint. Without him, Memphis loses their safety blanket that they leaned on during tough moment. Throw in the loss of young stud Brandon Clarke to an Achilles injury and things start to look pretty rough for the Grizz.
New addition Marcus Smart will have to put up another DPOY caliber year, as well as keep the offense running without Ja. Desmond Bane needs to step up and fill the scoring punch that Ja usually does. Bane was nearly an All-Star last season thanks to his dominance from behind the arc. Memphis needs him to return to form. Jaren Jackson Jr. has to step up and STAY OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE. If he’s getting pulled early for fouls other teams will FEAST on them. The reigning DPOY also needs to stop rebounding like a shooting guard and get his big ass in the paint. No more Steven Adams means Jackson Jr. is gonna have a lot to prove. Xavier Tillman is will need to step up in Adams’s rile. Luke Kennard is a three point sniper so I don’t worry about him. Jake Laravia and Santi Aldama need to develop fast. We’ll see what 90-year-old Derrick Rose has left in the tank. The Grizz always win with depth, good coaching, and team ball. This is gonna put this to the ultimate test.
Say it with me: multi-positional wing with guard skills and versatile defensive potential. The Grizzlies need everybody else to step up and tread water until Ja comes back, and that includes Ziaire Williams. The young, lanky wing is entering his 3rd season, and hopefully he can take the fabled junior year leap.
They’ll need every ounce of his defensive length and disruption, while he keeps teams honest on the offensive end by hitting his 3s and attacking mismatches. If he can successfully move into the starting 5 as projected and take a step up, he’s gonna be another key piece of Memphis’ success. – Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Sorry Memphis Grizzlies fans – Ja Morant’s suspension will be season-long story”
Miami wanted Damian Lillard BAD. So badly that they hinged their entire offseason on acquiring him. So when they struck out and their arch-rivals in Milwaukee stole Dame instead, thing began to look Dire for the Heat. Honestly, I have a hard time seeing how they’ll be a real contender in the East. But that’s been the story every year. No matter how bad the roster looks or how sloppy they play all year, Miami will always turn it on in the playoffs.
The Heat are big on culture. It’s their whole gimmick. They’ve been to 3 Eastern Conference. Finals and 2 NBA Finals in the past 4 years, and have done so without a consenous top 10 player every single time. Jimmy Butler is one of the biggest playoff risers in NBA history, but it feels like every season Miami just turns some random player into exactly the piece they need. Pat Riley’s team in the front office just knows how to find diamonds in the rough, and trusts that Eric Spoelstra( who has a case to be one of the best coaches ever) will know how to use him. They grind the game down and force you into a rock fight with them. It isn’t pretty, but it sure as hell is effective.
Of course, having a switchable, DPOY caliber big that can playmake in Bam Adebayo helps a lot too. As does having professional bucket getter Tyler Herro. Sure, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love are getting old. Sure, Josh Richardson-Thomas Bryant are a disappointing free agency haul for a team that lost some big pieces. But this Miami. Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin are still here. Jaime Jaquez already looks be the exact kind of gritty multi-dimensional player that the Heat are known for producing. One or all of Justin Champengie, Nikola Jovic, RJ Hampton will turn into an elite role player and there’s nothing we can do about it. Miami’s like roaches. You’ll think they’re done, but they’ll just keep coming again and again. Until the clock hits double zeros on their final elimination game, this team will battle.
A sprained MCL derailed what was a promising preseason for Highsmith. Good news is he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, and shouldn’t miss major time. That’s great for Miami, because Highsmith is the exact kind of player they’re famous for relying on. Standing at 6′ 5″, Highsmith plays bigger then his body, poking his nose into every passing lane and generally being a pain in the ass on defense.
This archetype of an undersized forward who can be slotted into multiple position echoes Caleb Martin, who was a major spark during Miami’s improbable playoff run. He scored 18 points in Game 1 of the Finals, and in his final preseason game managed 15 points in the first half, most notably going 3-4 from behind the arc. If he can get healthy and keep scoring, then Heat Culture will have yet another development story to brag about.
Film Study:
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are on the same team. That still doesn’t feel real to type. For years Dame wallowed away in Portland as his front office failed to surround him the help he needed. Two weeks ago he was staring down the barrel of yet another tough season in Portland. Now he’s teammates with one of the best players in NBA history. Life can change pretty fast.
It’s one thing to pair two future Hall of Famers while they’re at or near the peaks of their power. It’s another when these players compliment each other as well as they do. Giannis is probably the greatest non-Shaq athlete in league history, a physical force so imposing he literally gets made fun of just running and dunking over everyone. Dame has a case as one of the greatest shooters of all time, with limitless range that makes 30 footers look effortless. It’s cliche at this point, but how do you really guard a Dame-Giannis pick and roll? You either give up an open three to a historic shooter or give up paint help against a historic finisher. It’s a problem teams will try to solve all season, and one I don’t know if there’s an answer to.
The onus will be on the rest of the roster to step up. Milwaukee’s season hinges on how much more an injured Khris Middleton and an old Brook Lopez have to give. If they’re back in form, all the Bucks have to worry about is who the 5th starter will be. They have plenty options: Pat Connaughton is battle tested and has been there the longest, so he has good chemistry with the team. Second year player MarJon Beauchamp has the highest ceiling but is still young and might need more reps to acclimate to the intensity of playoff basketball. Jae Crowder is perfect player to fill this 3 and D void, he’s done it for years. However, he’s not getting any younger and is coming off a bad year. With quality guys like Bobby Portis and Cam Payne coming off the bench, all the Bucks have to do is find that 5th starter. From there the rest of the pieces should come together. Anything short of the Finals for this team isn’t good enough. They have all the pieces.
If training camp and preseason are any indication, Malik Beasely should be the starter on opening night. It makes sense on paper. Beasely is aa microwave scorer that can heat up at any moment. All he needs is a shot to go down and he’s liable to go off. His high volume three point shooting is a perfect fit playing off all the defensive attention Giannis and Dame are sure to receive. He’ll never get better looks in his life, and both stars excel at finding the open man when defenses overcommit.
While he’s only known as a scorer, Beasely can be a very well rounded player. He’s shown he can be a tough positional defender that makes up for lack of talent by working his ass off on D. He’ll need to prove he can keep the ball moving and cut down on forcing shots as well. If he can remain consistent with these parts of his game, he’ll be a perfect fit with the starters and could be the piece that puts Milwaukee over the edge as a contender.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard pairing gives Bucks one of NBA’s best duos”
After signing Jaden McDaniels to a 4 year, $136 million extension, the T-Wolves has firmly locked themselves in as a team operating way above the luxury. Luxury tax is complicated, but under the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement- aka the rules and regulations agreed upon by the players, league offices, and owners) it means Minnesota will have to pay extra every year they operate at this threashold, as well as lose picks and other roster flexibility options. This is a massive commitment to their core, and one they’ll have to pray doesn’t backfire.
Honestly, it’s easy to see how Minny talked themselves into this. Last season was up and down, but once Mike Conley was brought in to run the show things stabilized a little bit. If they had a normal regular season finale instead of a chaotic mess, who knows how the fare in the playoffs. McDaniels has legit DPOY potential and you can make a strong case for him being the best wing defender in a league where everybody needs one. Anthony Edwards has legit MVP potential. Say what you will about Karl-Anthony Towns, but he’s an elite shooter who’s 7 feet tall and is capable of doing nearly everything on the court. Rudy Gobert is another polarizing player. Defensively he’s not the 3-time DPOY he was, but he sure as hell isn’t a slouch. Also: Karl-Anthony threw Gobert the most lobs out of anywhere all of last year. Just a neat little wrinkle in the T-Wolves offense to keep in mind.
Naz Reid is a center with the fluidity of a guard. His mixtape is one of the coldest in the league. There’s a legit case for 6MOTY if he takes a step forward this year. Throw in Kyle “Slo-Mo” Anderson, interesting flashes from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shake Milton who’s an instant scoring punch off the bench, and 5′ 11″ Jordan McGloughlan who battles like he’s twice his size, and you’ve got a bench unit that will win you games. Chris Finch has all the tools to mix and match playstyles and lineups.
If everything goes right the pieces are here for the Wolves be one of the best teams in a stacked West. Kat and Ant score like crazy, (Kat-Gobert lobs an interesting wrinkle), McDaniels Gobert clean everything up on D, Conley keeps everything moving in line. Big commitment, but I think this team is worth committing to. Theoretically Minnesota has answers to every challenge an opponent could throw at them. Now we’ll see if they can put it into practice.
Miller was projected to be a lottery-pick, yet on draft night he fell all the way to the second round, where Minnesota happily scooped him up with pick 33. Until a growth spurt shot him up to his 6′ 10″ frame, Miller was a legit guard prospect. This is what makes him so unique as a player. He reads the floor extremely well and can pass like a player half his size. Defensively, he makes money as a versatile forward. His 7′ 2″ wingspan and quick feet make him extremely hard to shake. This is where his feel for the game helps him out as well. He knows exactly what the opposing guard wants to do and how to stop him from doing it.
The shooting is an issue. Mechanically, he’s just all over the place. His feet don’t face the basket and if he shoots 10 times his form can look 10 different ways. While the off dribble shot creation has shown up against lower levels, the NBA is a different beast. He’ll need to become way more mechanically sound if he wants to be able to get his shot off in the big leagues.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “A key Timberwolves X-factor: The leadership of Mike Conley”
Much like the Clippers, the Pelicans are team that seems snakebitten by injury. It starts with star Zion Williamson missing major time in all 4 seasons he’s played thus far, but the entire roster has some kind of injury bug. If they’re healthy then they’re phenomenal. But they’ve never been healthy.
When he plays, Zion Williamson is like a modern version of Charles Barkely. For those who don’t know, before he was a funny fat dude on TV, Chuck was one of the most dominant interior forces ever. At only 6′ 5″, he was one of the greatest inside out players to ever play the game. Zion has that kind of potential. Sometimes he’ll move so fast and jump so quickly you’ll think you accidentally fast forwarded the game. He just needs to stay on the court.
Brandon Ingram and Cj McCollum are talented players whose scoring ability becomes so much more threatening when they get to play off the human battering ram that is Zion. Trey Murphy is quickly becoming an elite shooter who who tripled his scoring output from year 1 to year 2. He’s also injured for the beginning of the season with a knee problem. This poor team man. Jose Alverado is scrappy guard that I love watching. Herb Jones is an elite wing defender. Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. are do it all role players. Jonas Valanciunas is still a force in the paint. In a competitive West, the Pelicans just aren’t consistent enough for me to bet on. Underestimate them at your own risk, however. If this team can actually stay healthy, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
This year’s draft class was chock-full of shooters who can catch and shoot or create their own looks. Jordan Hawkins, who was the 14th overall pick, fits that mold. After a successful sophomore year at Uconn, which included him leading them to the national championship, I expect him to slot in perfectly next to Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and co. He can shoot coming off pindowns, off curl screens, and can create his own shots with ease. He seems to fly around the court looking for small gaps to snap a quick 3 off, and his dribble drive game has improved, which led to him hitting almost 90% of his free throws at Uconn.
If Zion is healthy, I expect their 2 man game and playstyles to blend perfectly. Leave Hawkins to help on Zion’s drives, and he’ll snipe away happily, but stay home on the shooter and Zion will make grown men look like toddlers. Hopefully head coach Willie Green begins running pick and rolls with either Zion or Hawkins as the ball handler, and the league might have a lite version of the Dame/Giannis pairing. -Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Zion Williamson’s Pelicans’ teammate reveals he is in a much better space this season”
IN NEW YORKKKKKKK!!! CONCRETE JUNGLES WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!! I’ve always wanted to start a piece like that. Thank you for indulging me. You can’t blame me for the excitement though, the Knicks are finally good again! Basketball is better when the Knicks are good and The Garden’s rocking. Plus, the fans are lunatics, which is just so much fun.
Arguably the most important piece in this turn around has been Jalen Brunson. The signing was widely seen as an overpay, then just as he’s done his entire career, Brunson proved the doubters wrong. He increased his scoring from 16 to 24 points per game, and did so without sacrificing any efficiency. Dude was absolutely robbed of an All-Star appearance last season. He’s just such a smooth player. Burying his defender with a barrage of head and ball fakes before either turning around of a nasty fadeaway or a perfect pass to an open teammate. It’s cliche, but he plays the game the right way. Brunson never gets sped up, never falters when the moment is too big, and makes everyone around him better.
Julius Randle was an All-NBA guy last season. At his best, he’s a matchup nightmare that commands a massive amount of defensensive attention. At his worst he’s a innefficient shot chucker that bogs the entire offense down. Josh Hart is my favorite role-player in the league, he just does everything at such a high level. There’s a nice yin and yang with the center rotation; Mitchell Robinson is a gnarly shot blocker and Isaiah Hartenstein offers a nice playmaking wrinkle on offense. Immanuel Quickley is an absolute bucket off the bench. When Quentin Grimes starts, the Knicks have won 71% of their games. That number will go down, even so it’s a testament to Grimes’s defense and hustle. The big question mark is RJ Barrett. Does the former #3 overall pick have another leap in him? If he does, then the Knicks ceiling becomes a whole lot higher. Either way, the Knicks are gonna be a tough out. They play hard, attack the boards with a vengeance, and win ugly. Perfect Knicks basketball.
Gritty. Tough. Gym rat. The Big Ragu is a great piece to have on any team. As a guard that loves to crash the paint and help out on the glass, he provides value even when his shot isn’t falling. He’s got a sneaky good vertical that allows him fly in from the perimeter when teams forget to box him out. Dude’s also a tough defender. Not a lockdown guy, but he works his ass off and fits perfectly within Tom Thibodeau’s unrelenting style of defense.
DiVincenzo is also a solid shooter who keeps the ball moving on offense. If he hits a few he’s liable to chuck up an atrocious heat check, which is hilarious. He also struggles to finish around the rim, which really limits his impact. That being said, he does so many other things well you can live his shortcomings.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “B/R Exclusive: Jalen Brunson Dishes on Dallas Exit, Defying Critics”
Things are looking up in Oklahoma City. The post-Westbrook era has been up and down, becoming the poster child for tanking and acquiring assets. Say what you will about he did it, but Sam Presti has turned this franchise into one that could be very dangerous in the coming years. The Thunder have been the “it” team of the pre-season. Everyone is expecting them to take a massive leap. I absolutely agree.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a legitimate all-NBA player. His game so compelling to watch. His offbeat movements and nasty crossovers are poetry in motion. Sometimes it’ll look like he’s just going through drills around cones in his driveway, the game can just be too easy for him. When it comes to getting to the rim he’s damn near peerless. He averaged 31 points last season and it still feels like he can improve. Last season he shot a solid 34% from 3. if that number jumps to 38% then the league is screwed.
It’s not just Shai, they have an embarassment of riches in terms of young talent. Lu Dort is one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the league, his broad frame making him look more like a linebacker then basketball player. Josh Giddey is a jumbo-size playmaker that’s been steadily improving his defense and shotmaking year by year. Chet Holmgren is a unicorn with the potential to represent what the future of basketball may look like. Jalyin Williams hustles and Kenrich Williams and Bertans are nice to have. Tre Mann and Ousmane Dieng are big upside guys that might surprise people. Isaiah Joe is a three point sniper as well as smart and hard cutter. Putting him in just makes the offense run better. Throw rookie Cason Wallace into the mix and it’s easy to see how this team can take the next step. All they lack is a true bruising center. Williams hustles but is ultimately outmatched is big minutes, so OKC will have to hope that Chet’s lanky frame can hang in against stronger opponents.
The Thunder may be one of those teams that begin to challenge the heavyweight teams during the long NBA season, and very well may surprise a few people when the postseason starts. This team should be fantastic, but all the hype in the world doesn’t mean anything until you prove it.
The second-year wing out of Santa Clara will be looking to build on an impressive second half of his rookie campaign, and his shooting splits hint at someone who could be a great offensive player (52.1/35.6/81.2). I say it again and again, but every team in the league needs reliable 2-way wings who can guard multiple positions, stretch the floor, and keep defenses honest, and J-Dub is a perfect example.
Add some underrated athleticism and budding playmaking chops, and Jalen Williams could push OKC out of the play-in-picture and into the playoff contenders in the west. – Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “I’m trying to follow in those footsteps” – Chet Holmgren on working out with Kevin Durant”
The Magic have a very simple team building philosophy: get players that are 6′ 7″ + with guard skills and overwhelm teams with length. It’s a fascinating approach, and one still very much in the works. That being said, this team is not to be taken lightly. Go into Orlando expecting an easy win, and you’ll be sent home with nothing but regret and some Mickey Mouse ears from Disney World.
It all starts with last year’s #1 overall pick: Paolo Banchero. The Duke product looked like he was a seasoned vet, not a 21 year old rookie. His shotmaking and fluidity at his size is such a unique skill. You’d love to see the efficiency go up (he had a ghastly 52.9 true shooting percentage. True shooting factors 2 point attempts, 3 point attempts, and free throws together for a catch-all metric. Paolo was about 6% below the league average). Even so, 20-7-4 are fantastic numbers for any player, much less a rookie. Orlando can rest easy knowing they have a future star in the building.
The Magic’s Achilles Heel is their lack of spacing. That’s why they brought in Joe Ingles and drafted Jett Howard (both are 6′ 8″ so don’t worry). #6 overall pick Anthony Black doesn’t help shooting problems but brings a level of perimeter defense and playmaking Orlando lacked last year. Franz Wagner fantastic finisher and great all around player. If he played for a better team an argument could be made for an All-Star appearance. His older brother Mo is mostly a tone setting aggravator, but he’s a decent player in his own. Johnathan Isaac is a talented defender when healthy and a QANON fucknut off the court. Wendall Carter Jr. is a fantastic playmaking big AND plays with goggles, so naturally he’s one of my favorite players. The Point Guard room is crowded, with Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony all battling for minutes. Look for one of them to be traded. Suggs is big and a good defender, Fultz revived his career and has become an all-around stud (even shooting better!), and Anthony can score like hell. They aren’t there yet, but this team is fun and you can see the potential all over. Check back here in 2-3 years, I think you’ll find something special.
Jett Howard may have been drafted high, and he may have been drafted as a shooter before the best 2 shooters in the class (Why would they not take Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins I do not know), but he still may provide interesting tools to this young, feisty Magic team. He’s the son of Juwann Howard, and like most second generation NBA players, he has a high IQ and understands the game well.
He’s 6’7 with a large frame, and he is a talented scorer who will probably be used off the ball to catch and shoot and space the floor, which will create lanes for the million guards the Magic have to attack. If he can build on a successful campaign at Michigan, and get some on-ball reps, he’ll be a fit on any team. – Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Markelle Fultz Is Going Off Without a Hitch”
Philadelphia is a team in limbo. After watching their two biggest threats level up with huge moves (Boston getting Porzingis and Holiday, Milwaukee bringing in Dame), the Sixers needed something to believe in. Instead they have to deal with former MVP James Harden saying that he will “Never play for Daryl Morey [The Sixers GM] again”. Harden’s diva antics aren’t surprising, but are they are killer to a team that’s has to prove they aren’t falling off in a conference that seems to be leaving them behind.
Joel Embiid is the reigning MVP, and for good reason. Say what you will about his style of play (i.e foul baiting to get to the line and forcing defense to be scared to touch him), at the end of the day it works. It doesn’t take away from the unique talent that is Embiid. 7 foot, 280 pound centers with the footwork of a ballerina don’t come around often. He’s one of the premier players in the league. He’s also never made it past the 2nd round of the playoffs.
This is why Philly needs to win now. They popularized the concept of tanking in the modern NBA by drafting Embiid, now they just can’t seem to get over the hump. Obviously, the uncertainty around the Harden situation makes this a tough team to preview. Here’s what I know: head coach Nick Nurse is one of the best in the business who demands effort on defense. He’s able to put together schemes that make life hell on opposing stars. With Embiid anchoring his defense, he just needs to get the team to buy in. That’s gonna be the key for Philly. D’Anthony Melton is solid, Tyrese Maxey may take a next step, Kelly Oubre is a good talent if he’s engaged, and of course the ever solid Danny Green and PJ Tucker are still here, as old and washed as they may be. Paul Reed has some potential and Tobias Harris is Tobias Harris.
If I’m Nurse, I’m rallying this team together around the fact the one of our superstars doesn’t want to play for us. Screw this guy, we’ll win with the guys that want to play for us. If Philly plays together, plays hard, and plays with a chip on their shoulder, they’ve still got the league MVP and a fighting chance in any series they play.
Beverley is a lunatic. He’s a loudmouthed trash talker who somehow manages to start beefs wherever he goes. Dude brings a level of intensity that perfectly matches Nurse’s system. Philly will love him.
Obviously the defense is there. He’s undersized and maybe lost a step, but he’s got a certain “who gives a shit I’m better” energy that you need on the court. Beverley is gonna play hard no matter what, and that’s infectious. The offense is bad. He’s been one of the least efficient shooters over the past few years. So long he’s held in check and doesn’t take dumbass shots, he’s good enough to stay on the court. That’s a pretty big if though.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Promises, sacrifices and betrayal: Inside the feud between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers”
In an interview, Devin Booker said that he doesn’t know how teams will guard Phoenix’s big 3 of him, Durant, and Beal. I’m inclined to agree. My current best guess is prayer. All that’s left from the team that went to the Finals just 3 years ago is gone. The entire roster has been overhauled in one of the most boom-or-bust gambles in recent memory.
Obviously, the offense will be amazing. Booker Durant and Beal all excel at creating their own shots. What’s under appreciated, though, is their ability to create open looks within the offense itself. All of them are such smart basketball players, able to pick apart coverages simply because they’ve seen everything teams can do. These are all first option level scorers. That means one of them will be guarded by a team’s 3rd best defender. That means there’s theoretically a mismatch every game. I have no concerns about how well the trio will mesh on the court. The issue is how will they all stay on the court? All three have dealt injuries over the last few years, none more so then 35 year old Kevin Durant. If they can stay healthy, the Phoenix can worry about their next biggest issue: defense.
With 3 stars not knwo for their defense and the inconsistent Jusuf Nurkic down low, stops are going to be hard to come by. Josh Okogie is still a terrific on ball defender, he just needs to hit his shots to justify staying the court. Eric Gordon is a good veteran, but after a disappointing stint with the Clippers the 34 year old will have to prove he still has gass in the tank. The Suns overhauled their entire roster with role-players on prove it deals, signing cheap deals to capitalize on the open playing time next to stars. Greyson Allen, Nassir Little, Jordan Goodwin, Chimezie Metu, Keita Bates-Diop, Bol Bol … Phoenix just needs a few of these guys to step up and support their stars. The regular season will be survival; just drag yourself to the finish line with the Big 3 alive and not too beat up. Do that, and you’re the team to beat in the West.
During his time in Brooklyn, Durant grew quite fond of Watanabe’s style of play. So when free agency rolled and Yuta needed a team, he was one of the first players Phoenix reached out to. It’s easy to see why Durant loves with him. Yuta’s the kind of player that makes the game easy for everyone. He hustles hard, plays fundamentally sound ball, and absolute laces it from three (44.4% last season).
Coming off a strong World Cup showing for Japan, Yuta will have all the opportunity in the world to carve out a spot in the rotation. The 6′ 8″ wing isn’t a great defender on the ball. That being said, his length and IQ make up for this when he plays in help. All he has to do is keep it simple: hit your threes, play within the offense, don’t get cooked on defense. If he does this, Phoenix will look like geniuses for snagging him on a league minimum.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Everything Devin Booker Wants ‘Is On the Other Side of Hard’”
Earlier this year I wrote about the unenviable situation Portland found themselves in. They’ve managed to work their way out of it, and did so in a better fashion then I thought possible. They got Dame to a team that could give him the best chance to win a title. They drafted my favorite non-Wembamyama prospect in the draft. They even got good value for Dame by flipping Holiday in a 3-way deal that brought in some great players to either keep or trade later. A very commendable offseason from Mr. Joe Cronin.
Let’s talk about that draft pick, because now Portland is Scoot Henderson’s team now. Scoot is the best guard prospect in years. He’s the complete package: he gets to the cup whenever he wants and can finish with power or finesse, he can pull up from mid-range, and he’s great finding teammates he opens up with his relentless pressure. Throw in an improving 3 point stroke, and you have a blossoming guard of the future. Oh, and if the name “Scoot” wasn’t enough proof, he’s an affiable dude with a big smile. He’s more then ready to become the face of the franchise.
First year in the post-Dame era is gonna be all about clarity. Does Ayton take off after being giving a new situation and being empowered to be a team leader? How will Brogdon, Williams II, and Jerami Grant fit into the future plans as expensive veterans looking to win? How do Scoot and the other talented young shot makers (Anfernee Simons and Shadeon Sharpe) fill the Damian Lillard void? Ish Wrainwright was a terrific pickup for them, as was Rayan Rupert and Toumani Camera in the draft. Pheonix has the reps to give. Now’s the time to take some big swings and see what pans out. Ironically, without Dame, Portland now has all the time in the world.
The first thing to know about Kris Murray is that he is not his brother. Keegan Murray is Kris’s identical twin. Keegan set the rookie record for 3 pointers made. If you think Kris is gonna challenge that, you’re wrong. See, the Murray twins may be identical, but their playstyles are anything but.
Kris excels as a multi-positional defender and connective piece. Unlike his brother, Kris’s jumper is a slower and a little clunkier. It’s hard for him to create the same looks from three. He’s not going to blow you away with any one individual skill, but he just doesn’t really make mistakes. On nearly every play you can count on him being in the right place at the right time. That may not be the flashiest skill set, but it helps his team win games and should keep him in the league for years.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “The Trail Blazers embark on a fresh start without Damian Lillard”
They may not have the biggest stars (yet), they may not be best team in the league (yet), but these Kings are just so much fun. Sacramento took the league by storm last year thanks to a beautiful, free-flowing offense that scored at a historic clip.
De’Aaron Fox is the fastest player in the league, puts an incredible amount of pressure on defenses whenever he touches the ball, and won the first ever Clutch Player of the Year award. Blink for a second and he’s in the lane hitting a floater. He’s so goddamn good. His lightning pairs perfectly with the thunder that is Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian Lasagna dominates on the glass and drops dimes, throwing 7.4 assists per game and pulling down 12.3 boards a game. He’s also one of the best screeners in the game, with a perfect understanding of how to use his massive frame to create open lanes for his teammates.
Surrounding these two All-NBA talents are a deep roster of good to great players. Kevin Huerter and Chris Duarte are knockdown shooters. Malik Monk is a human highlight reel and is liable to make the Golden 1 Center explode when he gets hot. Rapidly-ascending young stud Keegan Murray looks better and better every time he touches the floor. He already broke the record for three pointers made by a rookie, now he’s expanding his game to become a complete three level scorer. With savvy vet Harrison Barnes leading the locker room and Trey Lyles setting the edge, the Kings have built an offense that can only be described as basketball Nirvana. They play fast, score in bunches, and overwhelm teams through sheer firepower.
Outside of defensive ace Davion Mitchell, the Kings lack of ability to get stops is their greatest flaw. I love Javale McGee, but he’s not the defensive anchor he once was. Looking at the glass half-full, this is part of what makes them so fun to watch. Look no further then their double overtime thriller last season against the Clippers that ended 176-175, the second-highest scoring game in league history. This team will live and die by their defense or lack thereof. I’m not asking for perfection. Just give me league average and we can go get this ring. No matter what happens, the Kings potent offense is good enough to keep them in any game. They’re must-see TV; win or lose Sacramento will always on put on a show.
The Kings chose to forego a big swing in the offseason and instead opted for continuity, re-signing and extending major players from last year while banking on internal growth. That’s not to say there wasn’t any roster reshuffling, but the star acquisition of Sacramento’s offseason was Sasha Vezenkov.
Fresh off winning the EuroLeague MVP and leading all of Europe in scoring, Vezenkov gives the Kings yet another offensive weapon. With his 6′ 7″ frame and stupidly quick trigger, Sasha can get his shot up over anybody and get it off before the defense can contest. Vezenkov is elite at moving off the ball and never stops, which pairs brilliantly with the gifted passing of Sabonis. How the defense translates remains to be seen, but regardless, Vezenkov looks to be the perfect guy to take Sacramento’s offense to even greater heights. The Kings got extremely lucky with injuries and won a lot of close games last season. They got better in the offseason, but so did the entire Western Conference. If they want to avoid regression, Vezenkov will have to live up to the hype.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Monte McNair explained the process behind the Kings offseason”
The Spurs’ hopes and dreams rest on the very broad shoulders of one Victor Wembanyama. With zero hyperbole, Wemby is the best prospect the game has seen since Lebron James. He’s 7′ 4″ with an 8 foot wingspan and can handle the ball like a guard. Nobody can block his shot. Take into account the fact that he looks like a perennial DPOY candidate with natural instincts and tools that can only be defined as generational, and you’ve got one hell of a basketball player.
Obviously, everything he does will be a story. If all goes right, he should be the face of the league for the next generation. Naturally, you can’t be this good without people hating. It’s going to be a nightmare dealing with the nightly Wembanyama hot takes. His first bad game will be the storyline for a week, his first great game the story for a month. He’s either going to be the next GOAT or the biggest bust of all time. All I’ll say is this: despite all the hype, Wemby is still a prospect. Don’t let the hype get in the way of a nuanced analysis of him as such. He’ll do some things well and some not, either way this is the first season of his career. The story of Victor Wembanyama will not be defined by 1 year of NBA basketball. So let’s all do our best to stay calm and oh my god he’s calling lobs from behind the three point line this is the best player I’ve ever seen.
This may be news to you, but there are actually players on the Spurs roster that aren’t 7 feet tall and French. Devin Vassell just inked a 5 year, $146 million extension. The only thing crazier then that number is the fact that he deserves every penny. Keldon Johnson averaged 22 points per game last season! Tre Jones is a super-solid point guard, and Malaki Branham’s offball scoring should be fantastic playing off of Wemby. Zach Collins is here to take the brunt of the physical punishment and serve as Wemby’s personal bodyguard (as well be a very underrated big man). Dougie McBuckets and Cedi Osman are here as solid vets to help the young guns stay afloat. This team is more then just Wemby, but he’ll bring the spotlight that gives them the opportunity to show the world what they can do.
Dyed hair. Wears #10 for San Antonio. Is it Dennis Rodman?! Unfortunately no. But Jeremy Sochan is a trailblazer in his own right. The sophomore from Baylor is a jumbo guard/forward who has a great modern skillset. He has good burst on drives, plays physically in the paint, and is a defensive STUD.
He is still very raw, can’t shoot the 3 (24% on 2.5 3’s per game), but the good thing is the Spurs are a few years away from being in title contention, giving Sochan time to develop. His upside is massive, and he’s only gonna get better as he gains more experience in the league. – Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “The Dawn of the Victor Wembanyama Era Is Here”
Toronto finds themselves in a bit of limbo heading into the season. Since their title win in 2019, the Raptors have attempted to build a rotation entirely made of guys between 6′ 7″ and 6′ 10″ (outside of 6′ 2″ starting point guard Fred VanVleet). The rationale was easy enough to get behind: they would be the ultimate positionless team, able to swarm teams with length on defense, take the opposing team’s star out, and make them win with their secondary options. Sometimes though, great ideas are better off as ideas. This versatility worked great against some teams, but struggled mightily against monster centers that could bat the swarms off like flies. Offensively the units struggled to put together a cohesive system. Too many overlapping skillsets resulting in stagnation and guys dribbling the air out of the ball only to force up a tough look. Clearly, it wasn’t working.
So they adapted! Toronto went out and traded for Jakob Poeltl, a traditional shotblocking center. Poeltl is just a very solid safety blanket to have down low. He allows the Raptors to play the jumbo size wing lineups they love so much without getting demolished by the Joel Embiids of the world. Ironically, returning to something more tradition actually lets Toronto get more creative with their rotations. Right now Scottie Barnes, a 6′ 9″ positionless forward, is projected to be the main ball handler. Barnes is going to be the key for Toronto moving forward. Theoretically he can do everything on the court. He’s the physical embodiment of everything Toronto wants in a player, there isn’t a better organizational-player fit in the league. He’ll have all the reps he could ever want to maximize his insane upside.
The supporting cast around Barnes is still very reminiscent of that title team. Pascal Siakam is a two time All-Star and still underrated. OG Anounoby has case as the best defender in the league and also has a blossoming offensive game. Gary Trent Jr. can go get a bucket at any time and at 6′ 5″ he adds defensive value just on size alone. I’m a huge fan of this big starting 5. Throw in the ever solid Otto Porter Jr., rookie sniper Gradey Dick, upside swing Jalen McDaniels (older brother to Jaden), as well the uber-athletic Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher, and you’ve got a bench unit that will keep the pressure on teams for all 48 minutes. In an Eastern Conference full of heavyweights, Toronto has been very easy to overlook. Don’t surprised if they end up shocking the world next year.
The FIBA World Cup featured some of the best players in the game all battling it out for their nations. The likes Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Anthony Edwards (USA), and Lauri Markkanen (Finland) all stepped up with some huge performances. So naturally the tournament MVP was career journeyman Dennis Schroder. He averaged 19-2-6 across all games, and dropped 28 points in the final to clinch the trophy for Germany.
What was the most impressive about Shroder’s tournament was the fact that he simply played very clean basketball. He posted a 3:1 assist to the turnover differential, didn’t force shots, and just looked to be in command of the game at all times. For Toronto, where so much is hypothetical and experimental, this level of poise will be a godsend.
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “5AM in Toronto With Masai Ujiri”
After trading their two centerpieces in Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, nearly everyone thought the Jazz would be awful last season. Their preseason over/under win total projection was 23.5. Instead, the Jazz were a lot of fun and shockingly competitive! Are they a great team? No. But they have some awesome young talent and battle for every single win like it’s the Finals. Much like Orlando, taking this team lightly will only end poorly.
A big reason why this team surprised so many is the big guy, Lauri Markkanen. The Fantastic Finn (workshopping nicknames give me a break.) had always had potential, but once he was sent to Utah he finally had the opportunity to put it all together. He took 6 more shots a game and actually shot with with better efficiency then before. His 3PT% jumped to 39%, and his scoring and rebounding jumped from 15-6 to 26-9. The Finnisher (there it is) was a revelation, and should be the focal point for Utah going forward.
Even outside of Markkanen the Jazz have some depth. New acquired John Collins is a talented but disgruntled player looking to have the same turnaround that Lauri had. Walker Kessler is already a premier rim protecter and he’s only in his 2nd season. Former 6MOTY Jordan Clarkson is still an absolute joy to watch score the ball. Add in the development of young guns like Ochai Agbaji, Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh, and Simone Fontecchio with reclamation projects Kris Dunn, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Collin Sexton, and there’s just too many reasons to watch the Jazz play. They won’t get the national spotlight, but you’ll never regret turning a game on and watching these young dudes compete.
In every sense of the word, Keyonte George is a flat-out bucket. He’s one of the most polished scorers in the class, one of those Cam Thomas/Bradley Beal type of guys who can get it done from all 3 levels. His shooting splits weren’t great at Baylor, but some of that can be attributed to him taking tough shots and a high volume of shots. I think he will be ready to get NBA minutes straight off the bat, and the fit in Utah is perfect for him as he can operate off the ball attacking closeouts and punishing sagging defenses and will definitely get some reps as a ball handler coming off screens and looking to get downhill.
If he can replicate what he did in this year’s summer league (18.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 boards on 45.7/38.6 splits), he’s gonna be a great addition to the young Jazz squad. His defense isn’t world-class, but he has broad shoulders and a good frame for the pro level, and he’s active defensively and very pesky. Add him to the list of guys in Salt Lake who can put the ball in the hoop with ease. (Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Talen Horton-Tucker, Brice Sensabaugh) -Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “What will it take for the Jazz to get to the postseason? 4 things to watch”
It’s fitting that the Wizards are the last team here. I had a pretty scathing critique for them at last years trade deadline, “The Wizards are the worst kind of NBA team: Too scared to make a big swing to compete, too proud to read the room and tank. Hopefully they come to their senses soon, because that fanbase deserves better.” Thank God they came to their senses. After years of bouncing around from 1st round exits and 11 seeds, Washington finally picked a direction. It’s not gonna be pretty, but it’s the right thing to do.
The first year of a tank is always rough. You just don’t have enough NBA talent ready to compete on a night-to-night basis. There’s gonna be some ugly losses. Wins will be few and far between. That being said, as long as you don’t look at the record, tanking can be kinda fun! When you have no expectations, you can never be disappointed. All the Wizards and their fans care about this year is seeing how their talent develops. So just grit it out, lose enough games for a chance at the #1 pick, and enjoy the good moments when they come.
Somehow, the best return Washington got for trading all their best players was Jordan Poole. Poole is in one of the best situations a player could ask for. He’s getting paid $32 million a year, already has a ring, and will be given the ultimate green light to shoot whatever he wants. I wouldn’t be surprised if he averaged 23+ points per game. Around Poole are some players that’ll benefit greatly from the influx of reps. I can’t wait to see how Tyus Jones develops, given that he’s already one of the best backup guards in the league. Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija are going into prove-it years, they’ll have to prove that they belong in this team’s future plans or are good enough to warrant a decent return on the trade market. Johnny Davis had a disastrous rookie campaign, but now he’ll all the minutes in the world to imrpove! Kyle Kuzma, Delon Wright, Daniel Gafford, and Mike Muscala are all solid veterans to help ease the young guns along and keep them steady. The wins for Washington won’t go on the final tally. Instead, it’ll be in the little ways this team shows what it can be in the future. Losing sucks, but least this team finally has a plan.
Bilal Coulibaly moves like butter. Oh my god he might be the most fluid player I’ve ever seen. The 19 year old 6’8 wing was drafted 7th overall by Washington, and he combines a FREAKISH 7’2 wingspan with good footwork and hands and will be an impactful defender in the NBA from Day 1. The rookie clearly takes pride in defensive, constantly giving multiple efforts and fighting over screens. If you wanna see some of what makes him special, just look what he did to Bryce McGowens.
And just to match his crazy length, he’s also a phenomenal athlete. He’s a springy and bouncy with good open court speed and can play above the rim.. Offensively, he’s still growing as a shooter but provides insane upside by being a savvy cutter and an instinctive scorer. He combines his crazy vertical pop and athleticism to convert looks at the rim and rise up over smaller defenders for push shots and jumpers. The Wizards FINALLY have a direction, and Bilal Coulibaly is gonna be a huge part of it. (Also, he’s friends with Wemby :0! They played together for Mets 92 in France.) – Shak
Film Study:
Go Deeper: “Jordan Poole Is Going His Own Way”
Ben Talks Ball 
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