A compelling season ahead
With a new Super Team and King James’ quest to be best, we make some predictions
The NBA is less intense with Kevin Garnett gone, off into the Malibu sunset. It’s less single-minded with Kobe Bryant getting up hundreds of shots on his own somewhere. It’s less steady now that the metronomic Tim Duncan is no longer The Big Fundamental.
But it’s not like it’s going to miss a step, not with Kevin Durant forming the latest Super Team with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State, not with LeBron James still chasing Michael Jordan’s legacy with the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, not with a handful of other compelling teams and storylines to be watched and told.
The long regular season kicks off Tuesday night. Here’s a look at the divisions, in predicted order of finish:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division Toronto, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn Need to know: The Celtics made a big move in adding Al Horford to a team of excellent parts but few stars, he’ll take some pressure off tiny guard Isaiah Thomas . . . The Knicks fancy themselves playoff contenders but so much relies on the health of new acquisitions Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah . . . The Sixers are young and have some promising big men — Joel Embiid has been revelatory at times in the pre-season — but they need to learn how to win . . . Brooklyn is the franchise equivalent of Bruno Caboclo: two years away from being two years away. Central Division Cleveland, Indiana, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee Need to know: As long as the Cavs have LeBron James, how could they not be conference favourites? But they need to keep Kyrie Irving healthy . . . Jeff Teague should allow Indy to play faster to appease Larry Bird, but does fast work in the postseason? . . . Detroit will miss guard Reggie Jackson early and that could mean a steady stream of fouls on Andre Drummond . . . Tons of pressure on Jimmy Butler in Chicago and the Bulls sorely need to find some shooting . . . Milwaukee’s on a hunt to replace Khris Middleton’s scoring and shooting or it’s another year of the oddity of 6-11 Giannis Antetokounmpo trying to become a decision-making point guard. Southeast Division Atlanta, Washington, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami Need to know: Dwight Howard should help the Hawks but can Dennis Schroder handle full-time point guard duties? . . . Are Washington’s John Wall and Brad Beal a powerful combo or an injury-plagued duo that can’t co-exist? . . . Lots of continuity with the 48-win Hornets who have to hope Roy Hibbert can at least give them what the departed Al Jefferson did . . . Frank Vogel should coach some defence into the Magic but the backcourt might be too problematic to overcome . . . Miami? No Wade, no Chris Bosh, no LeBron James. A lot of Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Division Utah, Oklahoma City, Portland, Minnesota, Denver Need to know: The Jazz will be a huge surprise, vets Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw will help a solid young group . . . Russell Westbrook might take all the shots in OKC and many will be just fine with that . . . Portland’s addition of Evan Turner flies under the radar, he can complement Damian Lillard on a team that’s going to hoist up hundreds of threepointers . . . Minnesota’s young, fun and have to get used to taskmaster Tom Thibodeau as they learn to defend . . . Denver’s big, a bit slow and a bit away from contention without being pushovers. Southwest Division San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis Need to know: Pau Gasol has all the selflessness and skills to fit seamlessly into the always-dangerous Spurs, who still have Kawhi Leonard . . . Houston’s moved on from Dwight Howard and Mike D’Antoni will create an offence James Harden will thrive in . . . As long as Dallas has Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle, counting the Mavs out is silly, they will contend for the playoffs . . . If they lift the injury curse in New Orleans, the Pelicans should be all right . . . The Grizzlies will grind as always but they aren’t any younger and the grind gets more difficult. Pacific Division Golden State, L.A. Clippers, Sacramento, Phoenix, L.A. Lakers Need to know: Every WarriorsClippers game should be required viewing for any sports fan who values bitter, harsh rivalries . . . Golden State won’t win 73 games again but they are more interesting than last year . . . Blake Griffin may have more to prove than any player this year . . . Sacramento has a new arena and host of old issues to deal with. Best of luck . . . Phoenix remains a ‘tweener’ team not quite ready . . . Lakers move on from Kobe but it’s a long, hard slog back to respectability.