20) Detroit Pistons
The Pistons enter the year with questions to be answered like ; Will Andre Drummond consistently come into his own or is he just a big man with a lot of potential but no consistency. Will Reggie Jackson be unselfish as the lead guard or will NBA journeyman Ish Smith prove to run the team offense more adequately and efficiently. Who will be the others to compliment these players. The only certainty with this team on the court is that Avery Bradley is unequvolically their best end to end player.
19) Orlando Magic
For years Magic fans have been hoping for their teams’ nucleus to turn into a formidable lineup that produced wins and not just on court entertainment. This team as built this year has a chance to win some games if Aaron Gordon’s perimeter shooting isn’t just a preseason fluke but translates to the regular season. With Evan Fournier, Aron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton has guys he can facilitate for; The biggest problem for him however will be his improved perimeter shooting or lack thereof. If Payton doesn’t show positive signs with his shooting, the Magics long term patience will be tested because in today’s NBA a guard who can’t shoot is usually some guy who used to be in the NBA.
18) Utah Jazz
The Jazz have two constants that will be a staple if they look to find themselves in the Top 8 in the west come mid April, Defense and Rudy Gobert. Hobert’s undoubtedly the anchor of this team defensively but looks to have a bigger offensive role now that Gordan Hayward went east. The addition of Ricky Rubio will be a positive if his jump shot continues to improve as he has shown he’s an exceptional NBA passer despite his inability for years to not make shots from the perimeter. The uncertainty arrives when asked which Rodney Hood will we see this season. One who has shown ability to be a streaky outside shooter who once scored 30 points in a half, albeit against the last year Lakers of the Kobe Bryant era; Or will it be the Hood who gets nagging injuries and is just another guy in the league. If hood fails to produce a young man by the name of Donovan Mitchell will be one to watch for. He’s an exceptional prospect and a name you should familiarize yourself with as his career elapses.
17) Memphis Grizzlies
You can take Tony Allen and Zach Randolph out of Memphis, but you can’t take the grit and grind out of the Grizzlies. Led by Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr, Memphis on paper doesn’t look like a playoff team, but with Coach David Fitzdale and the cast of characters the Grizzlies has assembled you can’t count out this team out. Should one of those two key players miss more than half the year this team would continue to play hard, but there is no substitute for either of their production.
16) Milwaukee Bucks
If there was a planet called the Milwaukee Bucks, the galaxy it resides around would be called the Giannias Galaxy. This team revolves around Antetekoumpo in every way, offense he’s a ball handling seven footer that’s a versatile matchup nightmare as well as defensively his length can play a factor anywhere on the floor. On ball shot contestion, weak side help blocking shots or getting in the passing lane leading to an eventual fast break dunk. Giannis can do it all except shoot from the perimeter like say a Kevin Durant. If that narrative changes this season, you’re looking at a lock for top 5 and maybe top 3 in MVP voting. This team without him isn’t even a playoff team in the eastern conference.
15) Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers will be one of the most entertaining teams to watch all year as trusting the process has given them numerous amounts of talented players. Now will come the time if it all pieces together. You can’t talk about the Sixers and not mention Joel Embiid and his health. Barring any nagging injury or the team being precautions this guy is as good as it gets for his position in terms of size skill athleticism. He isn’t just a tall dude who basketball chose because of his size but he has worked at his game to become just as skilled. Team that with a precoucious neophyte in Ben Simmons as a six foot ten power forward who actually is a point guard and this team as constructed looks to be a nightly matchup nightmare. Not to mention they traded up to draft Markelle Fultz first overall, he will serve as more of a scoring guard than a point guard (when on the floor with Simmons) and J.J. Redick signing in the offseason to give some much needed shooting to balance the lineup and not compromise the spacing to operate for the Sixers looking to attack the basket.
14) Miami Heat
Miami started last year 11-30 and finished 30-11, which team we will see is a huge question mark but in favor of momentum the Heat look good going into this season with Goran Dragic unshackled running the offense. Hassan Whiteside has become one of the best Centers in the game but even as good as he is, guards make a bigger impact as the season goes along because big men can’t pass to themselves (unless you’re a tall guy who can handle the ball and facilitate like a guard). The depth of the bench is solid but filled with quality role players which makes it that much more important for the 1-2 duo of Dragic and Whiteside to shoulder the load.
13) Denver Nuggets
This Nuggets team is one of the most exciting teams in the league in terms of talent on the roster. If this team finished in the top 4 in the west it would be a small surprise, but the amount of depth can’t be ignored. Nikola Jokic looks to build off a phonemenal out of nowhere season, whether his teammate Jamal Murray can follow suit will determine how ready or not this Nuggets team is. Look for Gary Harris to be in contention for leagues most improved player (not because he’s drastically improved but his role will be increased with the loss of Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers).
12) New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are one of the most intriguing teams in the game today not because they’re one of the best but because of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins being teammates for the first full season. Injuries sustained or avoided will determine if the Pelicans are a darkhorse team or if Alvin Gentry gets fired (unfortunately, he’s a very nice man). If Jrue Holiday has a bounce back healthy season combined with some complimentary perimeter shooting and a healthy un disruptive Rajon Rondo come March this team will be in the playoff picture. Should it all not turn out this way, it’s an unfortunate dumpster fire with one of the best players in the game wasting another great season for a team of mediocity.
11) Portland Trailblazers
Led by Damian “damedolla” Lilard and C.J. McCollum the Blazers have the best shooting backcourt not named Curry, Thompson. With a healthy Jusuf Nurkic, Portland can make an indent in the West during the regular season, but this team isn’t made for playoff success unless they add a substantial player to the existing core.
10) Washington Wizards
Led by John Wall this team will go as their Point Guard goes. If Wall has an MVP caliber regular season, the Wizards will be a top 3 team in the east, whether that happens all comes down to the improvement of his jumpshot because no one will question his vision and play making ability. Bradley Beal must have an all star caliber year and Otto Porter, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat all have to play exceptional roles for the Wizards to max out this regular season.
Talking Hoop 