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Helen Yee Gives Her NBA Pre Season Basketball Predictions 2015
2015-2016 NBA Predictions
It’s October! For some people, that marks the beginning of the holiday season: hot cocoa, costumes, snowboarding, family time, presents, etc. But for NBA fans, it’s the greatest gift of all, the start of the season!
With the NBA season just around the corner, along with some major changes this summer and key players returning, lets take a look at the top 5 teams in the West.
**These are solely my own predictions for the upcoming season.
Coming in at….
#5. Oklahoma City Thunder: Season Opener vs San Antonio, Oct 28
Why?
-Kevin Durant is back!
-Lets not forget how strong OKC is with a healthy Durant and Westbrook, (the dynamic duo) along with Serge Ibaka. (triple threat?)
-Russell Westbrook carried the team last season after Durant was out. He scored 11-triple doubles, was named All-Star game MVP, and 4th in league MVP voting.
-First full season with new coach, Billy Donovan (remember when he was going to be Magic’s coach in June 2007 then changed his mind and they hired Stan Van Gundy?)
-Billy Donovan comes from an extensive background as coach of University of Florida for 19 seasons, where Gators won NCAA Men’s Div 1 Championships 2x(2006, 2007), Elite Eight appearances 3x (2011-2013), Final Four appearance in 2014, and has coached former Gators: Bradley Beal, Matt Bonner, Corey Brewer, Udonis Haslem, Al Horford, David Lee, Joakim Noah, Chandler Parsons, to name a few! ha.
-Donovan’s spread pick-and-roll offense system
-Enes Kanter’s back (almost left for Blazers) averages 15pts, 9 rebounds since traded to OKC from Jazz in Feb
Why not?
-However, team lacks depth
-Kevin Durant needs to stay healthy(last season: Jones fracture in right foot, then ankle, then sprained left big toe)
-How will they adjust to new coach?
Starting Line-up and Depth (first preseason game Wednesday):
PF Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, Steve Novak
C Enes Kanter, Steven Adams, Mitch McGary
SF Kevin Durant, Andre Roberson, Kyle Singler
SG Dion Waiters, Anthony Morrow
PG Russell Westbrook, D.J. Augustin
Last years ranking: 9th (No Durant)Games won last year/standing: 45 (9th)
#4. Los Angeles Clippers : Season Opener at Sacramento, Oct 28
Why?
-DeAndre Jordan is back! (It was a close one, though!)
-Now he joins Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, and Josh Smith.
-Pierce reunites with Coach Doc Rivers and assistant coach Sam Cassell.(Remember Boston’s big 3 with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen? Oh and Rondo?)
-Have qualified for NBA playoffs four years in a row(longest streak in franchise history)
-Yes, Matt Barnes is gone(to Hornets), but they still have four of five key players of the starting lineup that led the league in offensive rating (117.8) by 3.4 points per 100 possessions last season. (per NBA.com)
-However, Stephenson, Pierce (and his spot-up shooting) are both steals compared to Barnes on the offensive end.
-Strong second unit!
Why not?
Starting Line-up and Depth (Fri, Oct 2 def Nuggets 103-96, Sun, Oct 4 Toronto def Clippers 93-73):
PF Blake Griffin, Josh Smith
C DeAndre Jordan, Cole Aldrich
SF Paul Pierce, Wesley Johnson, Lance Stephenson
SG J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox
PG Chris Paul, Austin Rivers, Pablo Prigioni
Last years ranking: Made it to semifinals before losing to Rockets 4-3Games won last year/standing: 56 (3rd)#3. Houston Rockets: Season Opener vs Denver, Oct 28
Why?
-James Harden had an unbelievable MVP-worthy season last year.
-Now with Ty Lawson and the signing of Sam Dekker(18th. Wisconsin) and Montrezl Harrell (Louisville), Rockets are contenders once again.
-Ty Lawson and Coach Kevin McHale impressed with Harrell.
-Ty Lawson can get to the basket and score. Adds dynamic to the team. Really good off the pick-and-rolls.
-7 years since Dwight Howard made Finals appearance with Magic at 23 years old.(experienced now)
-Speaking of Dwight, lets not forget how decorated Howard is. He’s been the NBA Defensive Player of the Year 3x, led the league in rebounding 5x and blocks 2x, All-Star team 8x, All-NBA first team 5x and All-Defensive 4x.
-With James Harden’s leadership and more depth to their team, along with success last year defeating Clippers(4-3), they are on the run again.
Why not?
-Donatas Motiejunas still recovering from back surgery(D-Mo)
-Terrance Jones out with bruised ribs
-During Game 5 in Finals, Harden had 13 turnovers!! Count them, 13!!! That was an all-time playoff record.
Starting Line-up and Depth (first preseason game Tuesday):
Last years ranking: Finished 2nd in Western Conference Finals. Lost to Warriors.(4-1)Games won last year/standing: 56 (2nd)
#2. Golden State Warriors: Season Opener vs New Orleans
Why?
-Yes, though they’re the current champions, I feel their lineup is 2nd best in the west.
-With the “Splash brothers” back, including Draymond Green
-Still young team
-Such a talented team
-2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala
Why not?
-Team must stay healthy
-Harrison Barnes needs to be more smooth off the dribble
-Team needs to improve on sharper rotations on defense
-Back-to-back champions are tough
Starting Line-up and Depth (first preseason game Monday):
PF Draymond Green, Jason Thompson, Marreese Speights
C Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli
SF Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala
SG Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Ben Gordon
PG Stephen Curry, Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa
Last years ranking: #1 NBA Champions!Games won last year/standing: 67 (1st)
#1. San Antonio Spurs (My pick last year): Season Opener at Oklahoma City, Oct 28
Why?
-Best coach in NBA, Gregg Popovich
-Assistant coach Becky Hammon coached them to win NBA summer league
-With LaMarcus Aldridge signing to join the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and of course, Tim Duncan to give team more depth.
-Leonard is a rising star.
-Still hungry and motivated.
-Aldridge gives them front-court star power and with a deep bench too, can anyone stop them this year?
-All excellent players (depth)
-Aldridge, Duncan, West is great frontcourt in league
-Re-signed Danny Green
Why not?
-Team needs to stay healthy
Starting Line-up and Depth (first preseason game Thursday):
PF Tim Duncan, David West
C Boris Diaw
SF Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Anderson
SG Danny Green, Manu Ginobili
PG Tony Parker, Patty Mills
Last years ranking: defeated in 1st round of Western Conference by Clippers (4-3)Games won last year/standing: 55 (6th)Honorable mentions:New Orleans Pelicans: young team led by MVP Anthony DavisMemphis Grizzlies
My top 5 teams of the East.
#5. Toronto Raptors: Season Opener vs Indiana Pacers, Oct 28Why?
-Acquired Luis Scola, who is a great defender and very experienced. Gold(2004) and Bronze(2008) in Olympics for Argentina
-#1 pick Anthony Bennett is back home
-Rookies Delon Wright and Norman Powell
-Under Coach Dwane Casey, can be a more defensive team with Carroll, Joseph, Biyombo
Why not?
-Not sure who will make the cut yet.
-Lost NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams
Starting Line-up and Depth (Sun, Oct 4 def Clippers 93-73):***TBD
PF Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola, Anthony Bennett, DeMarre Carroll
C Jonas Valanciunas, Bismack Biyombo(PF)
SF DeMarre Carroll, Terrance Ross, Bruno Caboclo, Michale Kyser
SG DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell
PG Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Delon Wright
Last years ranking: swept in 1st round of Playoffs by Washington WizardsGames won last year/standing: 49 (4th)
#4. Washington Wizards: Season Opener at Orlando Magic, Oct 28
Why?
-Gary Neal
-Rising, young team in East
-Well-rounded team
-Made it to semifinals last year
-Swept Raptors in 1st round playoffs last year
Starting Line-up and Depth (preseason vs 76ers, Tuesday):
PF Nene, Jared Dudley, Drew Gooden
C Marcin Gortat, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair
SF Otto Porter Jr., Martell Webster, Kelly Oubre Jr
SG Bradley Beal, Alan Anderson, Gary Neal
PG John Wall, Ramon Sessions, Garrett Temple
Last years ranking: Lost to Hawks in semifinals (4-2)Games won last year/standing: 46 (5th)
#3. Atlanta Hawks: Season Opener vs Detroit, Oct 27
Why?
-Their strong key players return.
-In regular season, finished first in the East last year.
-Only lost to LeBron James
Why not?
-Mike Scott faces drug charges (up to 25 years) for 35.2grams of marijuana and 10.9 grams of Molly
-Always in the top of the East, but always faces trouble against LeBron
Starting Line-up and Depth (preseason at Cavaliers, Wed):***TBD
PF Paul Millsap, Dimitrios Agravanis
C Al Horford, Tiago Splitter, Walter Tavares
SF Kyle Korver, Justin Holiday, Thabo Sefolosha
SG Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr.
PG Dennis Schroder, Jeff Teague, Edgar Sosa
Last years ranking: Swept by Cavs in Eastern Conference Finals (4-0)Games won last year/standing: 60 (1st)
#2. Chicago Bulls: Season Opener vs Cleveland, Oct 27
Why?
-Healthy Rose is critical(just fractured left orbital, but will be back Wednesday)!
-Team has depth
-A healthy Derrick Rose makes all the difference, along with Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah.
-Add Doug McDermott, Aaron Brooks, and their improved offense along with their tough defense is always a threat in the East.
-Always have been a threat to LeBron and company.
-Coach Fred Hoiberg’s offensive style: More freedom and more reads
-Coach Hoiberg from Iowa State(fastest coach in school to garner 100/148 wins
Why not?
-Did I mention Rose needs to stay healthy?
-First year with Coach Hoiberg
Starting Line-up and Depth (preseason vs Milwaukee Tuesday):***TBD
PF Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis
C Joakim Noah, Cameron Bairstow
SF Tony Snell, Mike Dunleavy Jr.
SG Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich
PG Derrick Rose, Aaron Brooks
Last years ranking: Defeated by Cavaliers in semifinals (4-2)Games won last year/standing: 50 (3rd)
#1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Season Opener at Chicago, Oct 27
Why?
-Simple. King James.
-More motivated after the Finals loss last year
-Better communication now in season 2 with Coach David Blatt
-Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson signing
-LeBron James joined Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving
-If Dellavedova plays as well as he did in Finals, will do better
Why not?
-Without LeBron, team is not a contender
-Need a healthy Kevin Love
-Even though James is Superstar, he still needs help.
-Injury-prone team and still recovering. Kevin Love(shoulder), Timofey Mozgov(knee), Anderson Varejao(Achilles tear)
-Tristan Thompson?
Starting Line-up and Depth (preseason vs Atlanta Wednesday):
PF Kevin Love, Michael Dunigan
C Anderson Varejao, Timofey Mozgov, Tristan Thompson?
SF LeBron James, D.J. Stephens, James Jones, Richard Jefferson
SG Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Harris
PG Kyrie Irving, Mo Williams
Last years ranking: NBA Finals (4-2)Games won last year/standing: 53(2nd)
Honorable mentions:
-Miami Heat: Add Amar’e Stoudemire, Gerald Green along with drafting Justice Winslow, Dwayne Wade has help once again.
