Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The NBA offseason has ended and the season is about to start up, signaling the beginning of the best time of the year: basketball time. As the league adjusts to its new reality, it's time to take a look at the contenders, the pretenders, and the hopefuls for the 2018-19 season.




The 76ers are coming off their second straight year of playoff basketball, this time being upset in the 1^st round against the Wizards in four games (their second loss to the Wizards in as many years). The offseason was a long one for the young 76ers, who lost Zach Randolph from their team but replaced him with Gorgui Dieng – a trade made during the offseason, the second one between the two teams since the last trade deadline.



Both Dieng and Rubio are free agents next summer and neither is a lock to return – especially Rubio who has Jalen Brunson eying the starting gig. Success for the 76ers this season won't merely be measured by making the playoffs, but rather by getting past the 2^nd round and into the conference finals; a dream few 76ers fans dared to entertain only three years ago.



The key to that dream will be Jahill Okafor. Averaging 19.4 PPG. 12.0 RPG, and 3.7 APG, Okafor has been the engine that drives the 76ers and his continued excellence will be the deciding factor of any 76ers conference finals berth. Look out for Richaun Holmes, the 2^nd round pick form 2015. Holmes' is a slated to be the starter at the four and a potential double-double machine. Dieng and Holmes will be likely trade the starting spot from time to time as the year goes on, but the 76ers are stacked and should easily win over 50 games in the East. Anything less than a conference finals berth will be considered a disappointment

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee


The Bucks made one of the boldest moves of the summer in trading for veteran big man Marc Gasol. Gasol was mercifully let go by the Grizzlies during the summer in a trade that saw them get Harry Giles. Though the Bucks had to sacrifice their 2017 1^st round pick, Marc Gasol should age just as gracefully as his brother Pau (who's now 38 and still kicking) and will give the Bucks a passing, defense-oriented big that they've lacked since Andrew Bogut was traded.



After the tough injury luck last year with the Greek Freak (who only played in 35 games last season and missed the playoffs altogether), the Bucks are betting that a healthy Greek Freak, combined with the savvy and play of Marc Gasol (along with the improvement of virtually all their young players) will help Milwaukee surpass last year's surprising playoff berth and net them another winning season.



The biggest X-factor will be new starting SG Rashad Vaughn, who's had a few years to marinate as a bench player. Vaughn steps into the role Wesley Matthews filled last year and his defense isn't close to the level of Matthews; but his shooting might be exactly what the perimeter-starved Bucks need in order to unlock the full potential of their offense. Expect their to be growing pains for Vaughn but if the coaching staff sticks with him the Bucks could nab another playoff appearance – and maybe sneak up on an unsuspecting opponent.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee





The Bulls barely made the playoffs last year with Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard playing second banana to Jimmy Butler; they were promptly dispatched in the ECF by the Cavs in five games despite their talent. Even with that happening, both Howard and Wade left Chicago for other teams, leaving the Bulls scrambling to find long-term answers to support Jimmy Butler.



In free agency, Chicago nabbed another former Buck – this time Greg Monroe – and signed Jeremy Lamb to back up Dante Exum (who flourished last year taking the banged up Wade's starting spot). With Butler, Exum, Monroe, and Bobby Portis (as well as the loaded bench of Larry Sanders and Jackson), the Bulls have managed to stay competitive while preserving a large amount of cap space – nearly 14M.



This season is a crucial one for Chicago. Butler has the ability to opt-out of his contract next summer (a near certainty) and Chicago needs to show him that they can be a legitimate threat in the East during the regular season and playoffs. Getting to the ECF as banged up as they did last season was a big help in convincing Butler the Bulls are the right fit for him, but there are no guarantees at this point. Success for the Bulls this season will entail getting back to the ECF and doing better.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Cavaliers were granted an easier path to the Finals last season then they had any right to. After a tense and ugly five game series with the Pistons, the Cavs went and avenged their loss to the Wizards in the 2017 playoffs with a 4-0 sweep, then took care of Chicago in the ECF in five games. But, once more, the Cavs found themselves facing the Seattle SuperSonics for all the marbles. It took six games, a few overtimes, and some truly stellar play from Russell Westbrook (Finals MVP), but the Sonics put Cleveland away on the Cavs home floor once again.



LeBron's fourth Finals loss in five years stuck in the man's craw all offseason and King James has been itching to hit the court. His team largely resembles what it has been the last two years: the only notable signings the Cavs made were that of Javale McGee and Jerian Grant, both players with less than stellar numbers over the last few years.



Success for Cleveland is measured in only one way: winning a title. LeBron and the Cavs have come up short three times in four years, but Cleveland can't afford to rest on its laurels this season; they likely won't see the 1^st seed in the East knocked out of the playoffs in the 1^st round next season and the East, as a whole, has gotten tougher and deeper all round. If the Cavs are struggling by the ASB (All-Star Break), then expect GM LeBron to try to move on from Iman Shumpert. Both King James and Kyrie can opt-out next summer (likely for both) and that could be the end of their relationship as one – or, to the horror of Cleveland's faithful, both could leave in free agency. It's title or bust for Cleveland this year.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Celtics are without the services of Boogie Cousins, who left in free agency amid a hail of insults and furor from Boston faithful. The Celtics knew this day could come, but they certainly didn't expect to come away with the free agents they did. Both Dwight Howard and Monta Ellis signed in Boston, along with Luol Deng and Ian Mahinmi.



Adding D12 and Ellis to the Celtics already eclectic roster is a bold, “all-in” move from GM Danny Ainge, who's feeling pressured by ownership to get his team back to the playoffs. With Isiah Thomas having departed for greener pastures, the starting job goes to sophomore DeArron Fox, who's like a combo of prime Rondo and Isiah Thomas, but lacking a consistent shooting stroke.



Gordon Hayward now assumes leadership of the team and he becomes the primary option on offense. This mix of talent might result in a playoff team or an unmitigated disaster, but Ainge and Brad Stevens no longer have the time to be tentative. With both of their contracts expiring at the end of the year, if the Celtics don't make the playoffs it could spell the end of their tenures with the team.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee





The Clippers are locked into a salary cap hell of their own making, but they could have compounded the problem last season if they had retained Chris Paul. As it stands, last year's playoff appearance and subsequent loss in the 1^st round has to be seen as a victory for Danny Ferry and the Clippers organization, especially considering how their main players barely had a chance to play together as injuries derailed any chemistry they had all season long.



LA managed to clear a little cap and grab a young big man in trading away Troy Williams for Chicago's Caleb Swanigan. Swanigan will instantly slide into the bench rotation and be the primary big man for the Clippers. LA also went out and signed Terrence Ross, who's instant offense makes him an instant starter for the Clippers as they move Kyle Korver to the bench.



The Clippers are a thin team in terms of depth and injuries will, once again, be the biggest factor in their season. If they remain relatively healthy, expect this team to win around 50 games and secure a top-4 seed in the West. If they suffer the same injury luck as last year, the Clippers could be looking at a losing season – the West simply is better and the league's long suffering bottom-dwellers out there (the Jazz, Nuggets, T'Wolves) all look to be in position to strike at any of the West's weaker teams.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Thunder are now 10 years old as a franchise and have celebrated the achievement with brand new uniforms, which many in the league are praising as improvements over the lackluster “expansion team” look the Thunder have been rocking since 2008. But just because the team looks new on the outside doesn't mean they're that much different on the inside – OKC largely is bringing back the same squad that was upset in the 2^nd round by the Suns in seven games last year.



The biggest difference for OKC this year is the development of their younger players – namely, Cameron Payne and Victor Oladipo. Both players now have a full year under their belt as starters and Payne's numbers (13.6 PPG, 8.0 APG on 40% from the filed and 38% from deep) are a noticeable improvement from his 2016-17 season when he was just the sixth man. Both Payne and Oladipo are going to have to improve their efficiency, however, as neither had a FG% above 42%.



Success for this team is predicated on one thing: reaching and winning the NBA Finals. OKC only went out and added James Johnson at SF and their cap sheet is going to be tight in the next few seasons, especially since Durant is a free agent next summer and he's expected to ask for major money after taking a discount during his last contract negotiation. There's a fear that Durant could leave, but sources indicate he's very happy in OKC and doesn't wish to go. The Thunder should be more worried about Enes Kanter, who is a free agent this summer as well and could look for a bigger contract than the Thunder are willing to offer. How OKC does in the playoffs (assuming they make it) will determine this franchise's future moving forward.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Hawks made a big trade for Derrick Rose this offseason and proceeded to let Paul Millsap walk. After two years straight of missing the playoffs, Coach Bud and the front office of the Hawks are pushing, hard, for an appearance and some measure of success. ATL isn't lacking in talent – with a starting five of Rose, Mayo, Chandler, Horford, and Gobert, along with a deep bench featuring Derryck Thornton, Patrick Connaughton, Bismack Biyombo and veteran Shaun Livingston, the Hawks are prepping for a deep playoff run.



That's IF they can remain uninjured. Wilson Chandler has proven to stay healthy the last two years as a sixth man and Derrick Rose, as we all know, continues to prove his doubters wrong with superb play the last three years. Despite those recent track records, both players have injury histories and if an injury strikes either one, expect the team's record to reflect that.



Success for the Hawks this season is predicated on two things: making the playoffs and winning at least one series. If ATL does that, expect the current regime to keep their jobs. If they fail to win a series, the coaching staff could be shown the door. If they miss the playoffs, it could be upheaval across the front office, coaching staff, and possibly the roster (both Horford and Rose will have one year left on their deals next summer and could be potential trade bait if the Hawks decide to blow it up).

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Miami Heat, as a franchise, is at a crossroads. After missing the playoffs last season thanks to injuries to multiple players across the board, the Heat need their younger guns to step up and out of the shadow of the Miami greats. Justice Winslow needs to score more (only doing 10.5 PPG with 6.8 RPG and 2.6 APG last year on a super-efficient 45% from the field and 40% from deep) and the Heat's new free agent acquisitions need to gel quickly.



Miami, after missing out on Boogie Cousins, went out and grabbed Derrick Favors and Otto Porter, two players the Heat have had their eye on in recent years. Porter previously played with the Wizards and then the Celtics, and chose to sign with Miami because they offered him a starting gig – the Heat hope moving Winslow to SG will help the young player score more. Favors comes in as a player who needs a rehab in his image as, around the league, he's considered “underwhelming” after his last three seasons with the Pacers. Favors will get a chance to prove everyone wrong as he takes over as C for the Heat.



Look out for possible drama between Collison and Dragic as the latter moves back to PG and Collison moves to the bench. Collison signed in Miami to be a starter, but his numbers were less-than-solid last season (10.7 PPG with 5.2 APG, down a bit from his time as a bench player the previous year). With Dragic now back in the driver's seat and the Heat healed up from last year's injury-plagued season, Miami needs to make the playoffs – else, they could be looking at Chris Bosh leaving (his contract expires at the end of the season) and a potential looming dark age if Winslow doesn't become the primary option the Heat wish him to be.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Hornets suffered the infamous fate of winning over 50-games last season, being the 1^st seed, and being knocked out of the playoffs in the 1^st round in five games by the 8^th seeded (and slightly dysfunctional as usual) Knicks. New York then proceeded to lose to the Bulls in five games in the 2^nd round, but the Hornets loss added them to the sparsely populated club of 1^st seeds upset by 8^th seeds, joining the 93-94 Sonics, 98-99 Heat, 06-07 Mavericks, 10-11 Spurs, and the 15-16 Rockets as 1^st seeds to lose to 8^th seeds.



The loss has stuck in the craw of the entire Hornets organization, especially Kevin Love who was the only Hornets player to perform up to his regular-season levels in that series. Love reportedly was “very disappointed” in the way the rest of his teammates performed and that disappointment has carried over to this upcoming season. Love (and MKG and Kemba Walker) can leave this summer if he chooses to, but sources around the league believe he will opt in to his deal, as the money would be too much to leave on the table.



The Hornets went about the offseason trying to improve the roster on the margins, not altering anything substantial with their starting unit. They convinced Tony Allen to play one more season, signed reliable backup Norris Cole to a three year deal (with a TO in year three), and added in Miles Plumlee and Glenn Robinson III. This year represents a big one for Charlotte – can they get back to the playoffs and win a series, something they haven't done since the previous iteration of the Charlotte Hornets? Will Love, Walker, and MKG stay with the team next season? Charlotte might be the most intriguing and drama-filled team of the season.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee



The Jazz made one of the boldest and dangerous trades of the offseason in getting Draymond Green, formerly of the Warriors and then, for half of last season, the Mavericks. Green wore out his welcome in Oakland and after the Warriors traded him, Golden State nearly made the playoffs with a 41-41 record, shocking the league after they were left for dead. Green's reputation, as a result, has suffered considerably as many in the NBA consider him a detriment now.



The Jazz didn't mind rolling the dice, especially after finishing in the lottery yet again. Green instantly becomes the veteran leader on this young team who now feature a starting five of Dennis Smith Jr., rookie Troy Brown, Green, Trey Lyles, and Skal Labissiere – a starting five stocked mostly with former high-1st round picks. The bench for the Jazz is similarly stocked with former 1^st rounders.



Utah is aiming for the playoffs this year after many years of finishing outside it and with veterans Mo Speights (also formerly of the Warriors) and DJ Augustin, they expect to be in contention for a playoff spot this season. Whether that's possible with Green is another question entirely – is he the answer to the Jazz's problems or is Green only going to hamper, possibly harm, the development of the Jazz's younger players?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee






The Kings are coming off a 42-40 season where they just snuck into the playoffs and were promptly dispatched by the Sonics in three games. Despite that, optimism reigns for the first time in a decade in Sacramento as the Kings have stockpiled a roster of young talent mixed with some veteran savvy. The biggest addition this offseason for them was Dwayne Wade, who signed a two year deal with them. Wade, after his unhappy experience in Chicago, has headed out to the sunny shores of California.



Wade's addition to the starting lineup is a possible boom or bust – Sacramento had a chance to land him and they took it. Wade's not likely to lose his starting position to any of the Kings younger players, but how will he fit on a team that has so much youth waiting in the wings? The Kings also have to ask what, if anything, they can do about Cauley-Stein, who hasn't flourished as a starter and continues to rack up the fouls. WCS only averages about 27 MPG, with 4.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and a dreadful 4.3 fouls per-game.



If the Kings are going to take the next step – winning a playoff series – they'll need WCS to stay on the floor longer than he has been. If Sacramento starts out poorly, expect the Kings to entertain trade offers for Wade and WCS, two players that will likely receive the bulk of the blame if the Kings fail to return to the playoffs. This franchise has been in the dark so long, they'll do virtually anything to guarantee a return to the postseason – that's something Kings fans should be very wary of going forward as that kind of short-sightedness is what let the Kings to their playoff drought in the first place.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee






The Knicks didn't have the year many in New York were expecting last season, finishing only 40-42 and barely snagging the 8^th seed. Their upset of the Hornets in the 1^st round, however (along with Carmelo's legendary performance in the final three games), has cemented this bizarre version of a team as a fan-favorite. All that said, Phil Jackson and Knicks front office fully expect this season to be better than the last, mostly because their three biggest stars will all be healthy and playing together more than last year – they hope.



Chris Paul, Melo, and Porzingis are the three big players that this team is built around and all three should have bounce-back years after a tough first season together. With Melo only playing in 44 games last year, the three players should be able to find a groove in Coach Snyder's offense. The Knicks bench is well-stocked, better than it has been in years, with Elfrid Payton, Covington, RJ Hunter and Illyasova.



This season is a key one for the Knicks, who have to pay Porzingis big money and could potentially watch Melo leave them this summer. Sources indicate that Melo has every intention of re-signing with the team, but will the Knicks and he be able to agree on a contract all parties can live with? New York's front office is keeping an eye on Melo's health and, if he misses significant time again this year, Melo might be allowed to walk away or he could be traded at the deadline. New York's situation is very much in flux but they have to stay competitive; remember, to acquire Payton and Covington, the Knicks traded away their 2018 and 2020 1^st rounders. They have every intention of making the playoffs, but with Porzingis now 23, the urgency to build a consistent competitor around him is increasing.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee






Flush with cap room and fresh off their first playoff appearance in five years, the Lakers are sticking with the core that got them there in the first place. LA re-signed Julius Randle in the offseason and added veterans Corey Brewer and Isiah Canaan to their roster as the Lakers look to get past the 1^st round and advance in the playoffs again.



LA continues to trust in D'Angelo Russel (who averaged 23.5 PPG, with 5.6 RPG, and 7.0 APG on 50% shooting and 40% from deep) and their young core of Jaylen Brown, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle. The Lakers declined to offer Boogie Cousins, a shocking move to many but one sources report was dictated by Jeannie Buss from high above – overriding the wishes of her brother, Jim.



The Lakers instead went after and got Canaan, the backup point guard who helped the Suns beat them in five tense games in the 1^st round, stealing a key reserve from their division rival. Money will not be so easy to come across next season as the Lakers will have to pay Russell a mega-amount in any contract extension, but this year they're only worried about one thing: reaching the top of the division and advancing in the playoffs, two goals that are very achievable.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2018-19 Preview

October 20th, 2018

By Vonny Lee






The Orlando Magic made a huge splash in free agency in signing Paul George, who locked the Magic slightly overpaid to lock him into a four-year deal. George instantly solved the Magic's SF problem and allowed Orlando to trade away Gallinari to the Mavericks for Tony Wroten, providing Orlando with a good reserve off the bench. The Magic's starting five features Ntilikina, Hezonga, George, Gordon, and Vucevic, with Mykhailiuk, Wroten, Leonard, and Lopex as the second unit.



Orlando's signing of George signifies a major boost in the organization's perception to players around the NBA and George is likely to recapture the (pardon the pun) magic that made him such an electric player with the Pacers. After being let go by Indiana, expect Paul George to be in a bad mood all season as he tries to prove to Larry Bird that his best years are ahead.



For the Magic as a team, this season is about a return to the playoffs and advancing past the 1^st round, a feat they haven't accomplished since D12 left them. A return to the postseason would increase their odds of retaining starting center Nikola Vucevic, the Magic's offensive center-piece since he arrived in Orlando in the 2012 Dwight Howard trade. Vucenvic leaving now would be a blow to the franchise, but Orlando is prepared to move on without him, drafting two centers in the 1^st round of this last draft. If Vucevic does leave, the market for bigs next year might not be kind and it could set the Magic's plans back.