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Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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Old 07-16-2016, 05:57 PM   #897
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The Spurs watched LaMarcus Aldridge opt out of his deal, but LMA didn't even hit free agency as San Antonio locked him up for the next two seasons at least (with a TO in year three that will likely be decline, but both sides know that). Tony Parker was also re-signed to what's essentially a one-year deal (like LMA, he has a TO that will likely be declined) and the Spurs are preparing to offer a mega-contract to Kawhi Leonard, who'll likely decline his PO next summer to re-sign at market value.



San Antonio didn't sit on their laurels this offseason, though. After getting back both LMA and Parker, the Spurs went and signed JR Smith, the traveling gunner who played last year with OKC. Smith was signed to, essentially, a one-year deal and will have to prove to the Spurs that he can reliably hold down the starting position.



Other than that, the Spurs return largely the same team and expect to see their young PG Monte Morris excel as a sixth man off the bench. The Spurs are also looking to Domantas Sabonis to grow as well, as the 22-year-old will see major minutes for the first time in his career. If Morris and Sabonis are as good as the Spurs believe, both players will help San Antonio get back to the playoffs and resume the franchise's excellence after last year's poor finish.
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Old 07-16-2016, 05:58 PM   #898
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The Suns made a surprising run to the playoffs last season, despite Ivan Raab going down 50 games into the season with a major injury. Even with Raab out, the Suns rallied (thanks to the superb play of Tobias Harris as a stretch-four) and the Suns found themselves in the playoffs, surviving the Lakers in the 1st round and then upsetting the Thunder in the 2nd round after seven tough games. A loss to the Sonics in the WCF wasn't unexpected, but the Suns season was considered a success.



In the offseason, Phoenix went out and traded for Frank Kormaz, taking advantage of a desperate Hornets team looking for insurance against Kemba Walker leaving. Kormaz's addition to the roster is a coup for the Suns front office and with him aboard, only 22, the Suns expect his shooting off the bench to be electric.



Overall, the Suns return largely the same roster and they hope that Raab can resume the blistering pace he was setting before his injury – 19.6 PPG with 7.7 RPG on 48% shooting. If Raab can do that, expect the Suns to set the league on fire yet again. Success in Phoenix making the playoffs and getting to at least the 2nd round.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:00 PM   #899
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The three-time NBA champion Seattle SuperSonics are once more preparing for a tough season, but this one will likely be the toughest of them all. Seattle lost Lionel Hollins to retirement in the offseason, hiring Ime Udoka (formerly an assistant with the Spurs), and then watched as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was traded after his contract demands were made public by his agent. The offseason has been tumultuous to say the least and the regular season will likely be more so.



Coach Udoka has shifted Lance Stephenson to the bench, starting Malik Newman in favor of the veteran Stephenson – a move widely expected in most circles. What wasn't expected was the benching of Markieff Morris, who's been made the sixth man as Udoka starts sophomore Isiah Hartenstein over him. Morris has reportedly taken the demotion well-enough, as Udoka has made the cases to both he and Stephenson that they're needed on the second-unit to take advantage of opposing benches, but there are murmurs that Morris will likely leave in free agency next summer because of the move.



Seattle's got a new starting five that only returns two starters from last year – Westbrook and Noel – and the rest of the NBA seems to have caught up to them during the offseason. Until proven otherwise, Seattle is the NBA's defending champs and they'll get every team's best shot on any given night, but this year will likely be the toughest since their return to the NBA – and could result in an early postseason exit if things break badly for them. Success for Seattle is to be in contention for the NBA title, but based on the rest of the league, they may not get there this season.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:01 PM   #900
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The Timberwolves missed the playoffs last season, the third year in a row and the second year of Doc Rivers tenure. Despite the immense talent the Wolves possess, something seemed to be missing last season, which is why Ricky Rubio was moved. In his place, the Wolves are trusting Tyus Jones to lead the team.



In free agency, the Wolves went out and brought in veteran Al Jefferson – who last suited up for the Wolves in 2010. Jefferson, now 33, hopes to finish his career with the Wolves and Minnesota welcomed him with open arms. Jefferson will man the center position, moving the more athletic KAT to PF. Doc Rivers is hoping that with Jefferson aboard, the Wolves will be able to rely less on Wiggins/KAT and be able to spread the scoring around.



The Wolves must make the playoffs this season or else the offseason will be full of questions that no one in the organization can answer. If Minnesota misses the playoffs, expect the Wolves to move one of their core pieces – either Wiggins or Lavine – in a deal that brings back a PG with some experience, but young enough to grow with KAT. Doc Rivers job is completely safe for now.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:03 PM   #901
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The Trail Blazers let CJ McCollum walk and instead signed former Blazer Wesley Matthews. Matthews and the Blazers didn't end things on bad terms last time around and a reunion was logical for both sides, especially after Matthews wasted two years of his career on the non-playoff Mavericks. Matthews signing was big.



But the drafting of Micheal Porter might have been bigger. Porter lit up summer league, looking like the best player in the draft, and Portland is ecstatic over the possibilities he and Lillard will bring to the table. With the continued improvement of Noah Vonleh (who seems to have recovered from his late-season ACL tear) and Diamond Stone finally making an appearance in the Blazers' rotation, the team expects improvement across the board.



Success for the Blazers will be a postseason berth and advancement to at least the 2nd round, like they did in 2017 before being demolished by the last iteration of the Westbrook/Durant Thunder. Anything less will likely mean the exit of Terry Stotts and a hiring of a coach with serious playoff experience.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:04 PM   #902
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee







The Warriors missed the playoffs last season but made a miraculous comeback after the trade of Draymond Green, nearly sneaking into the playoffs and finishing the season at 41-41. Green seems to have been the problem for the Warriors and his removal freed the team from whatever issues they had.



In the offseason the Warriors re-signed Joel Embiid to a big four-year deal, then proceeded to sign Brandon Wright, Mo Williams, and Adrian Payne to one year deals. Their most interesting signing might have been Bruno Caboclo, the former Raptor 1st round pick from 2014. Caboclo could develop into a solid starter with the Warriors if given the chance.



Golden State needs this year to be a success, especially with the expiring contracts of Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Kyle Looney. All three could leave next summer, but Thompson is the biggest threat to go as multiple teams around the league will throw money at him to come be their biggest star. Thompson, having spent the last seven years being the second-banana to someone on the Warriors, might just leave to take on that challenge. A deep playoff run would make Thompson's decision almost moot, but with how stacked the West is, nothing is guaranteed.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:06 PM   #903
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

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October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee




The Pelicans found themselves once more on the wrong end of a playoff series, losing to the Rockets in five after being up 2-1. It was a massively disappointing result for NOLA and the Pelicans – particularly Anthony Davis – have faced some hard questions. Still, NOLA went out and got some help for their bench, signing Jerryd Bayless and Norman Powell.



Neither player will move the needle much for the fans, but Bayless will be a key swing player at the one and two for the Pelicans, who are desperate to get back into the playoffs and to advance past the 1st round. NOLA expects Jayson Tatum to continue to improve after a stellar rookie campaign (19.8 PPG, with 3.8 RPG and 3.9 APG).



The Pelicans are still suffering from the Omer Asik contract – he's making over 11M a year and he's not part of the rotation at all. The Pelicans will have money to spend next season, though, as Reddick, Noah, and Ajinca all come off the books. Success for the Pelicans begins and ends in the playoffs this season – they need to advance and need to do so sooner rather than later, as the summer of 2020 approaches and Anthony Davis' free agency looms.
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Old 07-16-2016, 06:08 PM   #904
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Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

WHEW. And those are the free agency wrap-ups. Ready to start the season.

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