Round The Game

Even though this will be a shortened season, there are still some interesting storylines and players to be on the look for. I’ve been a fan of the NBA since 2005, and this might be the most intriguing upcoming season I’ll have been able to see. The players, the rivalries, the team dynamics, and of course the off-court drama. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

5. Will LaMelo Ball be the Next Ben Simmons, or the next Michael Carter-Williams?

Listen…I get it. This might sound like a BIG over reaction, but I think this is a valid question. I’ve been able to watch both of the preseason games for the Hornets, and I’m just not sold yet. I am a HUGE Lonzo fan, so you would think that I would have the biggest hopes for his younger brother, but here I am left with doubts. I don’t want to be like this, but I am. So what are the pros and cons?

Pros: 6’8”, amazing court vision, fast, athletic, willing passer, good rebounder for position.

Cons: awful shooting mechanics, looks lost on most defensive possessions, has not shown ability to score at NBA level.

I want the best for the Ball brothers (LiAngelo especially,) but it will be interesting to see if LaMelo will be able to show me more this upcoming season. I’m not expecting him to be All-NBA, or even to win Rookie of the Year, but if he’s able to demonstrate leadership, and the ability to score at this level, he SHOULD be around for a long time in this league.

4. How Much Better Do the Suns Get with Chris Paul?

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A FAN OF CHRIS PAUL. LIKE. AT ALL.

So, I’m not as sold on the “Bright Future Suns” as Kevin O’Conner at The Ringer is, and I’m perfectly willing to be wrong with the acquisition of Chris Paul. Do I think he makes his teammates better? I guess? Sometimes? I do think he will be able to aid and progress the games of Devin Booker, Cam Johnson, and Jevon Carter (WVU shoutout,) but will his “leadership” style help or harm Deandre Ayton? How often will Chris Paul and Jae Crowder go at each other?

I don’t think that the Suns are going to the Finals because of this move. I’m not even sure they’d get home court advantage. But I do think this will be a good move for (some of) the young players on the team. I’m sure they’ll make the 7th or 8th seed, maybe as high as 6th. The young core will get some needed playoff experience, and mature overall. But I guess we’ll see.

3. Underdog Warriors?

This team is very interesting to me. I’m very upset about Klay Thompson missing this year with the Achilles injury, but this team might make some noise.

I am NOT a delusional NBA fan. I want so badly for Steph to come back after such a long time without being MVP Steph and light the league on fire again, but this isn’t 2015. Yes, Steph has looked very good in the preseason. He might even be able to use all this time removed from his MVP to lull players into bad defense because Hassan Whiteside OBVIOUSLY forgot how to guard the greatest shooter of all time. He looks good so far, but I don’t think his game alone will make for any top four seed in the West. I like the Kelly Oubre pick up, I think James Wiseman fell into the PERFECT position in Golden State, and maybe Wiggins can finally get rid of the “Bust” title he has so far into his career. Maybe.

We all know about Warriors culture. Steve Kerr might be the best coach this decade, the ownership group is willing to spend money to win, and Draymond Green will always be the glue for this team to succeed, but I think this team will struggle, especially defensively without Klay Thompson leading the way. If the Warriors can make it into the bottom half of the West standings, I think they might be able to steal a series in the playoffs. Fingers crossed.

2. Luka Youngest MVP of All Time?

This shouldn’t surprise ANYONE who watched a Mavericks game last year. At all. At 21 years old, Luka was fourth in the league for MVP voting, only behind future Hall of Famers Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, and LeBron James. Again, being BARELY old enough to drink legally, he averaged essentially 29 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds a game. There is literally no reason at all to think that he can’t do it again. Maybe he’ll be the third person to ever average a triple-double for a season. Just for some context, when Derrick Rose won the MVP to become the youngest winner of all time, he was averaging 25 points and 7.7 assists a game.

Luka is obviously a special talent, and he just continues to get better every year. He’s quickly on pace to be the greatest European talent to ever come to the league, and without getting too far ahead of myself, he MIGHT be the greatest of all time before it is all said and done.

1. 1. Exactly HOW Much Better are the Lakers Going to be This Year?

Okay. As a Celtics fan, I really hate the fact that I have to say this, but the Lakers are BY FAR, the favorite to win it all this season. Throughout recent NBA history, it is extremely difficult to be able to sustain success at the top. Teams generally have a three to five year window where they can be at the top of their game. When the Lakers won the championship a couple months ago, I kind of figured that they would have to change their roster up a bit to stay competitive. How did they do that exactly? Well, they let Rajon Rondo walk to Atlanta, Dwight Howard went to Philly, and they made some trades for cap reasons. AND THEN THEY WENT AND GOT THE TWO BEST 6TH MEN IN THE LEAGUE. Not to mention they got Marc Gasol and Wes Matthews for veteran leadership and to stretch the floor for LeBron and Anthony Davis. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team get THIS MUCH better after winning a title.

I think the West is locked up this year, and after the extensions of LeBron and AD, they might have this thing wrapped up for another three years or so.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

I’m excited for the season to get started, because I have been CRAVING some NBA basketball ever since the season ended. I’ll be here through the whole season, so be sure to come back and let’s have a chat.