As Golden era rolls on, Bulls dig for silver lining
K.C. Johnson’s 2018-19 preview,
In an interview at the Warriors’ practice facility in Oakland, Calif., last season, coach Steve Kerr — as usual — shot straight.
“We know how this league works,” he said then, reclining in a chair. “We’re in a sweet spot right now where we have a chance. It’s our time.
“At some point in the next few years — we’ll see how long — our window is going to close as far as this current iteration of the team. We have to take advantage.”
Talent-laden team or not, it’s hard to win an NBA championship. Kerr has done so five times as a player — including three with the Bulls — and three times as a coach. As well as anyone, he knows talent isn’t the only ingredient. Teams need health, unselfish play and some luck.
Assuming the first element for the Warriors, don’t look for the championship window to close in 2018-19. That answers the first of the five biggest questions heading into this season, which tips off Tuesday with a 76ers-Celtics and Thunder-Warriors doubleheader.
Let the games begin.
Can the Warriors pull off a three-peat?
This is about the only challenge left for one of the league’s most memorable dynasties. Another title also would be the Warriors’ fourth in five seasons and a fifth straight trip to the NBA Finals. That’s a grind, but they employ perhaps the perfect coach to navigate it. Kerr lived the experience as a player and, in playing for Phil Jackson, understands how to pace and motivate a decorated and veteran-heavy team. Adding DeMarcus Cousins to the mix only adds to the intrigue. But expect the Warriors to win again. They’re that good.
Will the Lakers make the playoffs?
LeBron James’ seismic free-agency decision to switch conferences and put down Hollywood roots signifies the league’s best player — still — is in it for the long haul. And the Lakers are young, unproven with the addition of seemingly mismatched veterans and coming off a 35-47 season in the rugged Western Conference. But this is the same James who dragged a couple of won’t-scare-many Cavaliers rosters to the NBA Finals. Chasing greatness motivates James, and the Lakers will take the first step by finishing in the conference’s top eight.
What’s up with the Timberwolves?
Most times, ending a 13-season playoff drought would lead to excitement and optimism coursing through a franchise. Instead, Jimmy Butler wants out — after one season — and Tom Thibodeau isn’t on the best terms with ownership or the business side of the organization. Yes, the franchise appears ready to take a massive step backward after one step forward, even if it still employs Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Both have signed maximum contract extensions,but neither has proved the ability to be the lead player on a championship-contending team. It only gets worse from here.
Who will face the Warriors in the NBA Finals?
There’s a reason the Celtics are drawing so much preseason love. They return the injured Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward to a team that took James and the Cavaliers to seven games in last season’s East finals. And they feature perhaps the best in-game coach in the league in Brad Stevens. Add young stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, if healthy, will be fierce for seasons to come. Their offensive unselfishness and defensive prowess certainly will test the Warriors in the NBA Finals. But ultimately it’s not their time — yet.
Can the Raptors convince Kawhi to re-sign?
Following the Thunder’s model in trading for Paul George, who had been linked to signing with the Lakers in free agency, the Raptors traded the face of the franchise in DeMar DeRozan for one of the game’s more mercurial stars. And while the stoic Kawhi Leonard is comfortable in smaller markets from his Spurs days, him joining forces with James on the Lakers makes too much sense no matter what noise the Raptors make this season. Leonard, the 2014 Finals most valuable player, also moves from perhaps the best coach in the game in Gregg Popovich to Nick Nurse, who is in his first season as an NBA head coach and replaced the popular Dwane Casey. Ultimately, there’s just too much uncertainty for Leonard to stay, even if the Raptors can offer a more lucrative deal.