The NBA had a lot of excitement and hype during this past season. The free agency period was wild and crazy. The draft was exciting. Hopefully, the season will live up to the hype. Fingers crossed.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics opened the season as everyone's de facto Eastern Conference champs. They started off slowly and it continued towards the first half of the season. They destroyed Milwaukee in the first game of the semifinals, only to be destroyed in the next four games. As Kyrie Irving and Al Horford leave, enter Kemba Walker and one time WWE 24/7 Champion Enes Kanter. The Celtics still have a championship caliber roster, they just need to start fast.
BROOKLYN NETS
After years of bottom-feeding due to Billy King's sacrifice on future draft picks, the Nets finally made the playoffs. Despite their first round loss, Brooklyn had their plan to go into the off-season with some cap space to get marquee free agents and oh boy, they did that. Getting Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan on the first day of free agency. These moves may have pushed the Nets into title contention. (Side note: Durant will miss significant time due to recovering from an Achilles' injury).
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks, once again, were terrible. The worst team in the NBA terrible. So they decided to tan...they decided to wait till next season to bring big players to the Knicks. They traded Kristaps Porzingis during the season. They wanted the #1 pick. They got the third pick and R.J. Barrett, who is an excellent player. They wanted Kyrie and KD to come to NYC. They did....with the Nets in Brooklyn.
It could be another long season for them again. (#selltheteamdolan)
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Like the Celtics, experts deemed the Sixers as de facto Eastern Conference Champions. They made moves to go all in. Trading for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris give the Sixers a chance to become the favorite in the East. That ended on a Kawhi fall-away jumper in Game 7 of the semi-finals. They traded Butler to Miami for Josh Richardson and signed Al Horford. This team will be hungrier this season after that heartbreaking loss in the playoffs.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raps went all in during the off-season acquiring Kawhi Leonard, but subtracting DeMar DeRozan. We saw Pascal Siakam blossom before our vary eyes. A trade to receive Marc Gasol at the deadline as the Raptors went into the playoffs on a high note. Besting Orlando, taking a Kawhi jumper to end the Sixers, conquering the Bucks after falling behind 2-0 and defeating an injury-plagued Warriors in the Finals to win their first NBA title.....then Kawhi left to play at home. They are still a playoff team.
CENTRAL DIVISION
CHICAGO BULLS
Two words to describe the Bulls' season: soap opera. Firing coach Fred Hoiberg in the middle of the season and replacing him with assistant Jim Boylen. His practice "practices" almost led to a mutiny. The Bulls played a little bit better towards the end of the season and draft UNC guard Coby White. They have a good young core, but can they put it together?
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Welcome to luxury tax hell! We have snacks! Sorry. The Cavs were bad, post-LeBron, as expected. John Beilein is the new coach and he has a team with many questions. Due to the you know, luxury tax troubles. Darius Garland is in, at PG? Collin Sexton is also a PG, so.....I guess Beilein still thinks he's at Michigan. Who knows?
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons looked a little bit better last season with Blake Griffin going off. This team went to the playoffs and were completely swept by the Bucks. 14 straight losses in the playoffs. Can there be another salary cap spike like 2016 so this team can get depth? They did sign Derrick Rose and drafted Sekou Doumbouya, who is a project. That can help.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers have the look of darkhorse in the East. This team plays hard and has fans who like to troll the opposing team. I think they could have been a contender if Victor Oladipo didn't rupture a tendon in his knee. Indiana watched their point guard retire suddenly and they swooped up Malcolm Brogdon in a sign and trade. The Pacers will be a threat in the Eastern Conference. MARK. MY. WORDS.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks opened their new arena last season and coasted to the best record in the league. Mike Budenholzer winning the Coach of the Year, the Greek Freak taking the MVP and the team decimating Detroit, Boston and taking a 2-0 lead on Toronto.....until the Raps won four straight. They will be back with the same team minus Brogdon and they will have unfinished business to take care of....sounds about right.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
ATLANTA HAWKS
The Hawks were who we thought they were: really bad, but they have a future dynasty in the making. I'm not joking. Trae Young looks like the superstar Atlanta envisioned. Draft picks DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish gives Young weapons along with vet, but still young John Collins. The Hawks didn't splurge in free agency despite having cap space. They are staying the course. Hopefully, it works.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets were average last season, not bad, yet not good. Seems like a trend with this team. They let Kemba Walker leave and signed Terry Rozier for a lot of money. The rest of the team is 'meh' (light bulb turned on). Miles Bridges has shown talent and excitement, but I expect the same thing from this team this season. Not bad enough, yet still not good enough.
MIAMI HEAT
Last season was D-Wade's "Last Dance" as the Heat kind of took a back seat to that. They also said farewell to Hassan Whiteside in a trade to Portland. But they were able to get one of the top free agents available in a sign and trade, Jimmy Butler. Other than that, not much. They are discussing getting John Wall and Bradley Beal. We will wait and see about that.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic made huge strides last season in making the playoffs. Re-signing Nik Vucevic was a plus. Their young core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba can develop into a dangerous trio. It's obvious that the Hammond/Weltman combo is making progress in turn this team into a contender. Now if they can only develop a decent point guard.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Desperate, but serious. That is the Wizards to a tee. John Wall is out for the season and Bradley Beal is not sure about an extension. They finally pushed Ernie Grunfeld out the door and tried to pursue Masai Ujiri with big money, which he declined. Washington is a state of bewilderment right now. Signing Isaiah Thomas could help, yet it's still not enough sadly.
(For more content, check out our Facebook page and our website @www.realsportsaz.com)