The off-season was filled with a multitude of transactions and with a new NBA season on the cusp a reshuffling of Power Rankings is in order.
30) Indiana Pacers
The Pacers traded away their best player this offseason and very rarely does a team get better immediately in that instance. With Myles Turner and Vitor Oladipo leading the way for this franchise. The only guarantee is come lottery time for the 2018 NBA draft the Pacers will be participants in the draw (unless they foolishly trade their pick away).
29) Chicago Bulls
The Bulls like the Pacers traded way their best at the time player on NBA Draft night 2017. Fortunately they got more value in that transaction albeit not a treasure chest of assets in return but with the acquisition of Kris Dunn and the Finnish seven footer Lauri Markkanen (whose offensive game is nothing like a traditional 7- footer); The Bulls are destined to be one of the 5 worst teams in the league this season which means more opportunity for guys like Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio to show out to the Bulls front office as well as Bulls fans everywhere.
28) New York Knicks
With the great triangle enthusiast making management decisions and Carmelo out of the fold; Kristaps Porzingis will be looked upon to do more with less as this Knicks roster is hamstrung by poor management decisions in giving players like Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee substantial 4 year deals when they’re either injured or just a role player who could support a cast of on the floor stars. Tim Hardaway Jr could turn to be a quality acquisition but this season will reveal that. As for the Knicks first round pick Frank from France, he can grow into being a starter at the point guard position from day one but the Knicks will initially bring him along slowly unless he continues to show signs this preseason that Ramon Sessions is just veteran insurance incase Frank wasn’t ready to start away. Keep in mind he may only be 19 but was playing professionally overseas, which makes him an atypical neophyte to Walt Frazier and Knicks fans everywhere.
27) Brooklyn Nets
The only reason the Nets are ranked this high (unbelievable,right?) is due to their literal first week of scheduling (They play the Pacers, Hawks and Magic twice). The new cast they’ve accrued with D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carrol and Timothy Mozgov can only help the team improve because let’s face it; The Nets are victims of their previous front office regimes nativity and shortsightedness who didn’t even cover their behind incase their All-In moves with aging veteran previous All-NBA players failed. Which has left the Nets year after year of losing but unable to properly rebuild because they don’t possess their own high lottery first round draft picks. Which also makes it hard to sign players who can make a substantial positive difference seriously consider signing there.
26) Sacramento Kings
The Kings of Northern California (although not actually because of a team playing about two hours south of the state capital) had a great off-season in signing players like Zach Randolph and Vince Carter, if this was 2005. At this point in their careers they serve as mentors to youthful core of De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Skal Labissière, Trill Stein and Georgios Papagiannis. Fox would’ve been the starter at point from day one but signing a quality starter like George Hill can only help Fox and eventually if all works out Hill can be traded to a team seeking a quality point guard in the future (Milwaukee would be an ideal fit). If the Kings are fighting for a playoff spot as late as March this year, this team has already overachieved.
25) Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks open the season with 5 consecutive road games (The most of any NBA team in 17-18 to open and will be the last team to have their home opener this season), but this seasons tougher times remain for a team only two seasons removed from eclipsing the 60 win mark in the regular season. Atlanta lost their best player via free agency this off season and did so the same previously entrusting their own court future to point guard Dennis Schroeder. Unfortunately for Dennis unless some of his current and new teammates help the German guard out executing plays not having defensive lapses; The Hawks look to be in semi tank mode as they continue to build around Dennis. Rookie John Collins has a real opportunity to contribute with his elite athleticism developing into a difference making tool not just finishing in the paint but eventually defensively. Dwayne Dedmon has been an NBA journeyman but may have found himself in the perfect situation to be a benefactor on a depleted frontline that had a not so good anymore Dwight Howard; Due to Howard’s inability to physically fully recover adequately from multiple back surgeries as well as never evolving his offensive game to be an efficient source of points as well for the leagues trending style of NBA play toward small ball and shooting. Howard is an obsolete luxury who could prove valuable in certain situations surrounded by great players who has skills to compliment his lack of an offensive arsenal. Dedmon is quite the opposite, he’s currently athletic, plays hard, competes, has the ability to play actively on the defensive and offensive glass as well as protecting the rim and improved his game to the point he now can make occasional catch and shoot 3 pointers. He isn’t a future MVP candidate to my knowledge,but an opportunity for Most Improved should be in consideration if the consistent playing time is there.
24) Phoenix Suns
Opening the season against a tough Portland team which will be a theme for this teams schedule; The Suns have a ton of promising young talent who’s either broken out already like Devin Booker or waiting to make the next leap to be another cornerstone for the franchise, whether it’s Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson or Dragan Bender. Eric Bledsoe looks to bounce back from having his last NBA campaign cut short due to a serious knee injury and if he can return to pre injury form he will help the Suns stay competitive in games because in today’s NBA without great guard play on the floor you’re behind the 8- ball. If Bledsoe goes down or gets traded at any point in the season it will be a great opportunity for Tyler Ulis. A veteran like Tyson Chandler could be bought out if the team decides to cut their losses and use a valuable roster spot to develop for the future (If that were to happen look for teams like Houston, Dallas, Cleveland, Golden State and Oklahoma City to atleast gage some interest even in a bench role. Except for Dallas. While a roster spot may not be available at the present day time, if a caliber of veteran became available mid to late season a team would create a roster space to make the transaction).
23) LA Lakers
The 2017-18 NBA campaign for the Lakers and their fan base is filled with energetic optimism and for good reason considering the last few seasons were marred with losses after losses after losses. Unfortunately they still play in a western conference full of quality competition which will hinder their hopes of making the postseason unless luck plays a role including health of their own team and injuries to other teams. Not to crush Laker fans dreams this season of returning to their winning ways, but it’s all about getting minutes for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma to develop as well as figuring out if the Lakers want to keep Julius Randle past this season or maybe trade him before he becomes a restricted free agent. All in all this Laker season should strictly be judged on improvement, not wins and losses. if they manage to crack 30 plus wins this upcoming offseason will be one where Laker fans will be expecting a championship contending team in 18-19, but that’s unrealistic unless some guy born in Akron decides to stay outt next past his offseason.
Bold yet unbold predection: Lonzo Ball will definitely be top 10 in either assists per game or total and may even be as high as top 5 in the category; His unselfishness is contagious to his teamates and nomatter how lucrative his stat line looks at the end of a game, all Lonzo cares about is the win loss column.
22) Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are essentially in a rebuild while having quality players like Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews to go with an up and coming Seth Curry and the gracefully aging Dirk Nowitzki who is transitioning to playing center this year. All that said this season is all about Dennis Smith Jr. and how he adapts to the NBA game with his freakish explosive athleticism that makes a healthy before surgery Derrick Rose look less athletic or struggles to find success with his below average for a guard perimeter shooting. If he can manage to shoot between 33% to 40% from the land of beyond (3-point line) his ascendency as one of the best players from his draft class will shoot to the top.
21) Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets unfortunately suffered a big preseason injury to Nicolas Batum which will make the beginning of the year for Mr. Jordan’s team that much more difficult. If this team has any desires to make the playoffs Kemba Walker has to have an Allen Iverson type impact while Dwight Howard is healthy, effective and not whining about not getting the ball enough on offense while still being a defensive force he is always capable of when he puts his mind and heart into it. A player to watch and enjoy is Malik Monk who may posses the best offensive repotaire since a young Jamal Crawford step foot in the NBA. This season will reveal whether he is suited as a scorer off the bench or if his ability is so explosive that he needs to be starting playing 30 to 40 minutes a game.
Who will follow next?
Check out 20-10 and 9-1
Talking Hoop 