![]() ![]() Utah improved its depth and brought in the best point guard never to make an All-Star team, Mike Conley. ![]() ![]() They are the same team as last year, except for Westbrook taking the place of Chris Paul. So they’re running into the chemistry issue again. James Harden always has the ball in his hands. But here is the problem: Westbrook needs the ball in his hands. The Rockets landed one of the premier talents in Russell Westbrook. They will shoot an unholy amount of 3-pointers again. Rajon Rondo is still around, but depth is shaky. Throw in Danny Green, an experienced element with rings from the Spurs and Raptors, and Kyle Kuzma, who was one of the few young Lakers not exiled to acquire Davis. That is especially true with the Lakers landing (hijacking?) Anthony Davis, an MVP sort. But the failure to make the playoffs, and an offseason free of games (but not controversy) should regenerate James. Last year did not go as planned, unless the plan was “Let’s fall on our faces.” LeBron James proved no one beats Father Time, and his groin injury doomed the Lakers’ hopes. He is simply a dominant player with a stunning inside presence. The Sixers are in the elite mix and Embiid is as big a reason as any. Yet none of it will matter if they can’t keep Joel Embiid on the floor. They extended Ben Simmons, re-signed Tobias Harris and moved up in the draft. They received Josh Richardson from the Heat in a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. They landed defensive stud Jerami Grant to make them two deep at every position.Īfter a disappointing regular-season defense, the 76ers lured big man Al Horford away from the Celtics. The first-five talent continues with Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. And they get back Michael Porter Jr., a potentially terrific player who dropped two drafts ago with back issues. The Nuggets have basically the same roster from a 54-win, No. Both Leonard and George are tough defenders and fit with defensive stud Patrick Beverley. Landry Shamet, along with offseason acquisitions Moe Harkless and Rodney McGruder, offer quality depth. Forward Montrezl Harrell could contend for Sixth Man, too. ![]() The Clips still have Lou Williams, who could win the Sixth Man Award for what seems like the 37th straight year. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard Getty Images (2) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images But it all revolves around Antetokounmpo. Sharpshooter Khris Middleton and center Brook Lopez both re-upped. With Eric Bledsoe nursing a rib injury early, vet George Hill should man the point. They have basically the same group back with a big exception: point guard Malcolm Brogdon, a sign-and-trade departure. They led the league in scoring, but little mattered after losing the Eastern Conference Finals (blowing a 2-0 lead) to Toronto. Why not? The Bucks were the league’s only 60-win team last season and reaped a boatload of awards, including MVP for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Here is one early attempt to assess what’s what, one through 30, with last season’s records: NBA POWER RANKINGS 2019-2020 “It will take a while to see what’s what.” “With all the movement, it’s hard to know or say what anyone has,” one veteran Eastern Conference scout said. Big names changed addresses like online addicts change passwords, so continuity could be a real strength. Leonard and George represent another theme for NBA 2019-20: massive relocation. Those are two legit superstars for a team that won 48 games in blue-collar style last season. “I think teams will need 2½ to three months to really understand who they are and what needs they have to address.”įrank has built one of the strongest contenders with the free-agency acquisition of Leonard and the trade acquisition of Paul George. “I can’t remember where you legitimately have nine teams in the league that are contenders,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations for the Clippers, said in a text. And that is one reason why teams across the NBA landscape are preparing a “Why Not Us?” mantra for the season, which officially starts Tuesday. You lose your very best player, Kawhi Leonard, to free agency and your chances take a Richter scale-like hit. So while the defending champion Toronto Raptors again will be talented and formidable, few see them as 2019-20 NBA favorites. Never underestimate the heart of a champion and all that. In the past, as new sports seasons approached, smart money said to bet the champs. Donovan Mitchell workout tweet turns into barb-fest with Grant WilliamsĬeltics star among NBAers trying to woo Damian LillardĬeltics deal veteran forward in three-team sign-and-tradeĬeltics told me I wasn't being traded before blockbuster deal: star guard ![]()
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