NBA SEASON 2019/2020 DIVISIONAL PREVIEW
The NBA is back for another exciting 82 game season full of drama and entertainment. Typically, with loads of comings and goings during the offseason, many teams have a very different look to them with new contenders emerging to challenge Toronto Raptors in hope to make history for their franchise.
Below is my division by division preview. I have placed teams in the order of where I think they will finish in the division, with their 2018/19 regular season stats in brackets.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (51-31)
BOSTON CELTICS (49-33)
BROOKLYN NETS (42-40)
TORONTO RAPTORS (58-24)
NEW YORK KNICKS (17-65)
The 76ers are my favourites and have made some interesting moves in the offseason by acquiring Al Holford who will make an impressive pairing with Joel Embiid at both ends of the court. This, added to Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and new recruit Josh Richardson, added to some depth in the squad and you can see Philadelphia being a real threat in the East.
Acquiring Kemba Walker keeps Boston in contention for the divisional title. They also signed Enes Kanter which is very promising. Although some may have reservations of their defensive qualities, the core of Gordon Hayward, Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown matches up with any team and will still make them a very strong prospect.
Brooklyn signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan which has thrust this team right into the limelight but with that comes pressure. Unfortunately, Durant will miss much of the season, so it will interesting to see how the dynamics in the team work, if they get it right, and get support from the likes of Caris Lavert, Spencer Dinwiddle and Taurean Price, the nets could surprise a few.
The reigning champions come into the season with less optimism. Toronto lost their MVP so the likes of Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and the most improved Pascal Siakam will really have to step up. No doubt it will be a very different season but it they get good support from Serge Ibake and Jeremy Lin then a play off spot should be expected.
New York will continue to struggle and will be hurting at missing out on some real top talent. However, they do seem to be moving in the right direction and new signing Julius Randle will provide support to a decent core of players which includes Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Marcus Morris and Mitchell Rosinson but don’t expect miracles.
CENTRAL DIVISION
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (60-22)
INDIANA PACERS (48-34)
DETROIT PISTONS (41-41)
CHICAGO BULLS (22-60)
CLEVELAND CAVELIERS (19-63)
I have no doubt Milwaukee will take this division and will have bigger fish to fry. Led by the mercurial Giannis Antetokounmpo, they will hope his abilities will get them a step closer than last year and into the NBA finals. To do that, he will need support from Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe and new signing Wesley Matthews. Providing they do not suffer injuries, it’s promising to be another exciting season.
Victor Oladipo’s injury has seriously hindered Indiana’s chances. However, improving on a first round play off defeat will be touch and go but could still be possible with new signings Malcolm Brogdon, TJ Warren and Jeremy Lamb in the ranks. This is added to the likes of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis who could all hold the fort adequately until Oladipo’s return to mount a play off assault.
I like the look of Detroit but I am nervous for their ability to stay healthy. There is no doubt Andre Drummond will continue to put up strong numbers. The point is, will he have enough numbers and minutes from the likes of Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, Reggie Jackson and Tony Snell? If yes, then the division better be on notice. They also have an exciting looking rookie Sekou Doumbouya who could make a real impact.
Chicago have an exciting young core of players who will benefit from the experience of playing together. Led by Zach LaVine & Ottis Porter, they will be the “go to guys” but will hope to be supported by Wendell Carter Jr and Lauri Markkanen along with the likes of new signings Tomas Satoransky, veteran Thaddeus Young and Coby White in a real exciting looking Bulls team who will give anyone a game on their day.
The Cavaliers are in the midst of some serious transition and rebuilding. Kevin Love will try to lead the team, although it’s not sure how long he will be there. He will be supported by Brandon Knight & Colin Sexton along with some new exciting young prospects in Darius Garland, Dylan Windler and Kevin Porter Jr in a season where they will just hope to be competitive.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
MIAMI HEAT (39-43)
ORLANDO MAGIC (42-40)
ATLANTA HAWKS (29-53)
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (32-50)
CHARLOTTE HORNETS (39-43)
It was touch and go predicting who will top the division. But I opted for Miami. A big factor is the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, who looks a good fit for the Heat. He will have key support in Goran Dragic, provided he stays fit, the ever improving Bam Adebayo, Dion Waiters and Justise Winslow along with some very good depth in a team who are going in the right direction but maybe a season too soon for anything more than the divisional title.
The Magic will be looking to win back to back divisional titles. Last season they won it with the worst regular season record in the divisions history. The team will be led again by Evan Fournier & Aaron Gordon with Nikola Vucevic providing key numbers along with DJ Augustin. Al-Farouq Aminu is a shrewd acquisition to plug defensive gaps. Orlando are an improving team, how much they have improved will be interesting to see.
After a terrible last season they had encouraging off season and the Hawks can really be encouraged by a young core of players moving forward. Atlanta look exciting without looking threatening with Tre Young, John Collins, and De’Andre Hunter, along with Jabari Parker with more experience in the league and Alan Crabbe. The Hawks will have some good days and some bad days but will be moving in the right direction.
John Wall’s injury has more or less put paid to Washington’s chances in this division. He really is that good and that important. In his absence, they will desperately need Bradley Beal to step up and show his quality, then hope he can get the best out the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Ish Smith, CJ Miles and Troy Brown. Either way, it’s looking like it could be a long season ahead for The Wizards.
Speaking of a long season, Charlotte will be dreading what’s to come. They are at the beginning of rebuilding and are starting out with some young, unproven talent, such as Miles Bridges and new signing Terry Rozier. They will be desperately looking up to the likes of Cody Zeller, Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in hope they can perform and make the games competitive, but I wont be holding my breath.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
NORTHWEST DIVISION
UTAH JAZZ (50-32)
DENVER NUGGETS (54-28)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (53-29)
MINNISOTA TIMBERWOLVES (36-46)
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (49-33)
This is historically the most hotly contested division in the league with the most shared winners across the teams. Utah could be the favourites due to the signing of Mike Conley who looks huge for their prospects. When you think he will be added to another new signing Bojan Bogdanovic, along with Rudy Gobert, Donavan Mitchell and Joe Ingles and even Jeff Green. Then it’s hard to bet against the Jazz this year.
By retaining the services of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray the Nuggets will start with the same five that started last season. That means consistency and continuity. However, what makes them strong is they have one of the deepest rosters around and the likes of Gary Harris, Paul Milsap, Will Barton, Mason Plumlee & rookie Michael Porter Jr will all be eager to impress and entertain in a promising looking season for Denver.
I really like the look of Portland. They surprised by getting to the Conference finals and I feel that could give them a boost. That included with the acquisition of Hassan Whiteside who if stays fit, will fill a much needed gap. The most underrated duo of Damian Lillard & C.J. McCollum will continue to be hard to handle. But time will tell If support from Kent Bazemore & Pau Gasol can fill the absence of Jusuf Nurkic.
Last season Minnesota’s only silver linen was having the best record of the all the bottom teams. That had a lot to do with star man Karl-Anthony Towns. Unfortunately, he alone is not enough to get them into the play offs and I am not sure he will get enough help from the likes of Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Covington and rookie Jarrett Culver to challenge for a play off spot. However, I do expect them to improve.
It really hurts my heart to see what Oklahoma has been reduced to. On a steady slide in the past few years, this season may well be rock bottom. Sadly, Chris Paul will really have his work cut out for him and there is even rumours of him being traded. In support, the likes of Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have their work cut out to stop the Thunder propping up the division.
PACIFIC DIVISION
LOS ANGELAS LAKERS (37-45)
LOS ANGELAS CLIPPERS (48-34)
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (57-25)
SACREMENTO KINGS (39-43)
PHOENIX SUNS (19-63)
In the division that’s produced half of the NBA champions in the past decade. The Lakers look like they are finally back. I am predicting them to finish first, naturally due to LeBron James, who will be desperate to get back to the finals. But also due to the new signing Anthony Davis who will form a real formidable duo. If that’s not enough, they also have Dwight Howard, resigned Rajon Rondo and will get key support from DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green and Avery Bradley in a very strong team.
The Clippers look equally formidable and could easily be winning this division and will be NBA title contenders. This is because they have signed MVP Kawhi Leonard and the MVP calibre Paul George. This is adding to a signing of Pat Beverly and JaMychal Green. If you add contributions from the likes of Lou Williams and Ivica Zubac, it looks as though the battle for Los Angelas is going to be a monumental one.
It is weird to say but it looks as though the Warriors will play third fiddle to the Los Angelas teams. Losing key players is a huge factor but Steph Curry will continue leading the team and putting up competitive numbers. Klay Thompson will be out for half the year so Golden State will need key contributions from new signing D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green and Willie Cauley-Green to keep the team in contention.
Sacremento will probably look at this as a season to provide key experience for their young athletic looking squad. However, they will hope veteran Trever Ariza can provide presence on the court to help bring along the promising looking players of Harrison Barnes, Bobby Hield, Marvin Bagley, De’Aaron Fox and Dewayne Dedmon in a very decent looking team to keep an eye on for the future.
The Suns were the joint second worst team in the league last season and it doesn’t look like they will be improving anytime soon. However, they do have positives in young players Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. They will hope new signing Dario Saric will do better than people are expecting him to. That also goes for Ricky Rubio. That said, Kelly Oubre Jr could provide positives in a season where Pheonix will be desperate for some.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
HOUSTON ROCKETS (53-29)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (48-34)
DALLAS MAVERICKS (33-49
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (33-49)
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (33-49)
Houston promised so much in the last few years but failed to deliver. I am expecting them to take the division for a third year but with other teams strengthening, they could have missed their chance for an NBA title. However, I am liking the formidable looking duo of James Harden and new signing Russell Westbrook who I feel will be a great fit. They’ve retained the services of the roster from last season, so they will hope the on court familiarity of Eric Gordon, Clint Capela & PJ Tucker will work in their favour.
The landscape has changed for San Antonio and the talk is they are on the slide. However, I feel they still have a solid team with the duo of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge although not getting any younger and Rudy Gay in support. They will get good defensive contributions from Dejounte Murray along with other support from DeMarre Carroll and Marco Belinelli in a make or break season for the Spurs.
I think a lot of Dallas’ season will depend on how well Kristaps Porzingis has recovered from injury and whether he can reproduce his superstar from. He will have superb support from the exciting rookie of the year Luka Doncic and will hope to get key contributions from a solid looking squad that contains the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr, Seth Curry, J.J. Berea and Dwight Powell in could be an improved Mavericks season.
I am looking forward to seeing New Orleans this season after all their off season activity. Losing an MVP will hurt but they hope to soften the blow with new signings Lonzo Ball and Branden Ingram. It will also be interesting to see 19 year old 1st round draft pick Zion Williams. They will hope to get key support from Jrue Haliday, J.J. Redick and Derrick Favours in an inexperienced but exciting new look Pelicans team.
Although Memphis had a very good draft and brought in a whole host of young, exciting looking players, the season will be a long one and they will use it as rebuilding for the future. That said, they will need the experienced heads of Andre Iguodala, Jonas Valanciunas & Joakim Noah to help in the development of Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr, Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson and hope to keep the games competitive.
