Elite Sports NY presents to you an in-depth preview at the upcoming NBA season with both predictions and burning questions across the board.
By Chip Murphy
Game one was the debut of Fred Hoiberg in Chicago. The new scheme was apparent as more players were involved and the Bulls were faster. The Bulls were up against their most formidable rival, LeBron James. James played 36 minutes last night but had to make frequent sporadic departures due to his back injury. The Cavs played about as bad as they can play and still only lost by two, 97-95. It should be a very concerning result for Chicago. Game two saw last season’s MVP Stephen Curry score 24 points in the first quarter en route to a 40 point effort as his defending champion Golden State Warriors downed the New Orleans Pelicans at home, 111-95. Four playoff teams and two great games. There was a lot to look forward to last night, and even more for the rest of the season.
The offseason was fun and we won’t forget it for awhile. But I’ll get to that later. After wading through the trenches of training camp and the tedious preseason, the real games are here. All 30 teams have put the pieces together in hopes that they can make a move to the next level. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest questions in the upcoming 2015-16 NBA regular season. Then of course I’ll make some predictions about who’s going to win what.
Can The Warriors Repeat?
Repeating in sports is the hardest thing to do. The Warriors have as good a chance as any team in recent memory. Not only do they return their entire core from last season, but they are all in the prime of their careers. Stephen Curry, 27, Klay Thompson, 25, and Draymond Green, 25, are all signed long term. It is hard to find a single weakness with Golden State.
Last year’s championship team was historically great. They won 67 games last year, one of only ten teams in history to win 67, and were an outstanding 39-2 at home. Their offense was incredible. They outscored opponents by an average of 10.1 points per game, per HoopsHabit.com.
Steve Kerr missing time due to back surgery could become an issue. As of now it is not known when he will be back. Regardless of the head coaching issue, the defending champs are the favorites.
There’s no doubt about it.
How Good Can The Spurs Be?
The San Antonio Spurs acted completely out of character when they signed LaMarcus Aldridge. The all-knowing Gregg Popovich decided to bring an outsider into the Spurs family. He’s a great player of course. And far be it for any of us to question a move that King Pop makes.
There was concern about Aldridge adjusting to Spurs’ basketball. Anyone who has watched him play before knows how much he loves iso-ing on the elbow or on the block. The Spurs are known for their ball movement. It’s all been overblown, in my opinion Popovich is the best coach in the league. He will get LaMarcus Aldridge his touches where he needs them. Aldridge would not have signed in San Antonio unless he thought he would feel comfortable playing their brand of basketball. Pop wouldn’t have signed him unless he thought it would be a great fit. Unless he thought they would win.
And winning is what they will do. They should win 50 games, maybe even 55. Kawhi Leonard has become one of the best players in the league. Danny Green is an elite shooter, and Tim Duncan is Tim Duncan. Tony Parker is going to be able to take a lesser role, which is good for someone with his injury history.
This move changed the course of the franchise from aging dynasty to reestablished championship contender. It probably added a few more years onto Pop’s career as well. Lucky us.
Can Anyone Compete With the Cavs in the East?
Short Answer? No. The only team that has a chance are the Bulls, and that depends entirely on the health of Derrick Rose and what Joakim Noah’s role is going to be.
Boston will overachieve again, because that is what great coaches are able to get their teams to do. Toronto won’t change a bit. They will be right at the top of their lame division and disappoint in the playoffs. The only team that could surprise are the Miami Heat.
Again this depends so much on health. If Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade go down than they become a mediocre team.
The East definitely got better but it still goes through LeBron.
Will Carmelo Anthony Be Traded?
If any star player is on the move this season it will be Carmelo Anthony. We have heard him repeatedly say how much he wants to be a Knick, and that may very well be true. But if the Knicks get off to another dreadful start his outrageous contract may become problematic.
Knicks’ boss Phil Jackson may decide to cut bait and rebuild from scratch. Anthony proved he is not afraid to request a trade in Denver. Despite the injury and a down year Anthony is still one of the ten best players in the league and the best all around scorer. The Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat will both come calling.
Is This Kobe’s Last Hurrah?
Kobe Bryant is 37 years old, in the final year of his contract, and entering his 20th NBA season. It seems like this is it. Or is it? Can the most competitive player the league has ever seen really go out like this? With his beloved Lakers at the bottom of the barrel. It doesn’t feel right.
He deflects the question whenever he is asked about it of course. It could be because he doesn’t even know yet. A lot of it could depend on how he plays in 2015-16 and if the Lakers even want him back after his performance. He has only played 41 games combined in the past two seasons, and another year of wear and tear on his body shouldn’t give the organization and fans much hope.
He’s not going anywhere else. He has already made that clear, per Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report. He’s a Laker. For better or worse. I don’t see things getting better.
Who Does It Better: Hoiberg or Billy D?
Billy Donovan won two national championships while in college at Florida. Fred Hoiberg has long been rumored to be a candidate for an NBA gig. Specifically with the Bulls. Both coaches are ready for this opportunity, and they need to be. Because they are stepping into a unique situation for a rookie head coach. Both Donovan’s Oklahoma City Thunder and Hoiberg’s Chicago Bulls have championship aspirations.
Donovan has two of the ten best players in the league in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. His new wide open offense will give Westbrook plenty of options to create off the screen and roll. If the OKC big three stay healthy they are the second best team in the West.
Hoiberg has one of the biggest wild cards in the league in Derrick Rose. As always, his unfortunately fragile health will have a huge impact on their season. The Bulls never went all the way to the championship during the Tom Thibodeau years. Hoiberg was brought in because he didn’t get along with Chicago management and they wanted an offensive coach.
Both coaches have deep rosters. Hoiberg has the advantage of being in the Eastern Conference. But Donovan has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He will have the better team and do the better coaching job. He’s more prepared for it.
Why Doesn’t Anyone Respect The Rockets?
Maybe it’s GM Daryl Morey and his unique perspective on building a roster. Maybe no one wants to take Dwight Howard seriously or maybe it’s because James Harden’s style of play is typically associated with an albatross.
It doesn’t matter. They should be respected because they are right up there with the other contenders. The West is a free for all. Nothing is guaranteed. If a couple of things break the right way for them and the wrong way for some other teams, they could become the best team.
They really improved their depth at the point guard spot with the Ty Lawson trade. That was their biggest issue in the playoffs, without starter Patrick Beverly. Down the stretch James Harden would handle the ball. The experts are busy talking about the Clippers newfound depth, but the Rockets depth is hugely underrated. Anything can happen in the West.
Now let’s take a look at some predictions to finish things off for everyone.
MVP: Russell Westbrook (OKC) – The triple double machine will thrive in Billy Donovan’s new offensive scheme with Kevin Durant.
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert (Utah) – After the trade of defensive disaster Enes Kanter, Rudy Gobert as one of the best shot blocker/rim protectors in the league. With a full season to do damage, he could set league records.
Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan (OKC) – As I said earlier he has been waiting for this opportunity since he spurned the Magic in 2007. He wasn’t allowed to coach again in the league for five seasons as part of the release from his deal. There will be very little learning curve. He’s ready.
Most Improved Player: Otto Porter (Washington) – Porter looked great in the playoffs playing as a stretch four. Coach Randy Wittman has shown he is willing to play small ball and run more to embrace that new role in the league. Porter will benefit from that development.
Executive of the Year: Daryl Morey (Houston) – Morey got Ty Lawson for a first round pick and a bunch of guys who meant nothing to his Rockets. He’s the best GM in the business. He has inexplicably never won this award before. This will be the year.
Sixth Man of the Year: Isaiah Thomas (Boston) – I think everyone else has this pick. Thomas was unbelievable for the Celtics in his brief 25 game stint. In a full season, he will be even more effective for
Rookie of the Year: Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia)
Western Conference Champs: Houston – The Wild West is won by the Rockets. There is no way that the Warriors have the same type of luck two years in a row, and I think the Rockets are as deep as any other team in the West.
Eastern Conference Champs: Cleveland – LeBron will win the East again. He’s good at doing that.
NBA Champs: Houston – The Rockets will silence the critics when they not only defeat LeBron but win the championship.