DOUBLE CLUTCH 2015-16 season guide #NBAintheUK
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DOUBLE CLUTCH
2015-16 season guide
#NBAintheUK
© 2015 | Double Clutch is not affiliated with the NBA and does not claim ownership over any NBA audio, video or images used. All rights are those of the NBA &
NBA UK. All content produced is purely for non commercial means. 2015-16 Season Guide designed and produced by Matthew Wellington.
welcome to our first ever season guide
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! After an On the website we’ve got Podcasts on every single
incredible summer which saw the San Antonio Spurs NBA Division and much more to come throughout the
obtain LaMarcus Aldridge, the National Basketball 2015-16 regular season.
Association is back and we cannot wait!
It’s been truly fantastic to see the support for the
We’ve done some work on the website this summer NBA this summer, and we’ve had a record number of
to give it a more modern and user friendly experience. download figures once again and as more and more
Every article now posted allows you to comment and of you get involved, the platform grows. The NBA
share via the various social networks, and the new grows.
theme is mobile and tablet friendly so you can keep
up with the NBA on the go. So all that’s left to say is a massive thank you to
everybody who has contributed their time and effort
Just like last season the main port of call for NBA this off-season, including Kristen Ledlow at NBA TV,
fans in the UK will be of course, Twitter, but more and 2K Sports who gave a select few of us a special
specifically hash tag NBAintheUK. treat this past summer.
It’s not only a great way of letting us know your It’s been an incredibe four seasons thus far, so let’s
thoughts and emotions, but also a fantastic way of make this one the best yet.
joining the growing NBA community on these small
islands, and trust us when we say this, you are not Enjoy the guide, the show and most importantly the
alone. new season!
Whether you’re rooting for the MVP Stephen Curry or We are not responsible for any lack of sleep, alarms
Marcus Smart, everyone is welcome here. missed or sick days pulled.
how the works Two Conferences. EAST WEST Six Divisions Atlantic Central Southeast Northwest Pacific Southwest Each team plays: 4 games against the other 4 division opponents, [4x4=16 games] 4 games against 6 (out-of-division) conference opponents, [4x6=24 games] 3 games against the remaining 4 conference teams, [3x4=12 games] 2 games against teams in the opposing conference. [2x15=30 games] There are 82 games overall, not including the Playoffs. The goal of the NBA schedule, as it is constructed, is to be efficient from a competitive standpoint with an indirect consideration of travel costs. A win is a win, a loss is a loss, there are no 3 pts for a win here. The top 8 teams from each conference make the Playoffs.
THE UK GUIDE TO ALL 30 FRANCHISES
If you’re new to the NBA, then you may be wondering who to follow. It’s a daunting task. It’s a foreign sport, and with no
knowledge or background on the Association, it’s difficult to find common ground.
You know... something to cheer about.
Well luckily for you we created a guide, a British guide to the NBA franchise. Featuring all 30 NBA franchises.
Ross Macleod and Matthew Wellington break down each team, its history and its memorable moments.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
WESTERN CONFERENCE
northwest division
denver nuggets oklahoma city thunder
• The franchise began in 1967 as the Denver Rockets • Originally known as the Seattle Supersonics, they
before joining the NBA in 1974. They were renamed entered the NBA in 1967 and played in Seattle until
as the Nuggets, due to Houston already having the 2008. The franchise was then sold and relocated to
Rockets nickname. Oklahoma, retaining the Sonics history but leaving
• To date, Denver has never won the Western behind the team name so if any future team in Seattle
Conference but has won 7 division titles, 3 in the last was established then the old name could be used.
8 years. • The team gets its name from the violent thunderstorms
• In 1993, the Nuggets shocked the NBA by eliminating in the area as it is situated in ‘Tornado Alley’, and
the top seeded Seattle Supersonics in the first round the links to the 45th Infantry Division, known as the
of the playoffs. This was the first time a number one ‘Thunderbirds’
seed had lost a series to an eighth placed team. • They have contested the three of the last four Western
• The Nuggets are owned by Stan Kronke, who will be Conference finals, losing to Dallas and San Antonio
familiar to EPL fans as Arsenals’ majority shareholder. respectively, but advanced to the Finals in 2012
before losing to the Miami Heat in five games.
• On December 13th 1983 the Nuggets and Pistons
combined to score 370 points. The Pistons eventually • Kevin Durant led the league in scoring in the 2013-14
won after overtimes, with the final score being 186- season, averaging 32 points per game and winning
184. This remains the highest scoring game in NBA the regular season MVP award. He has finished as
history. the league top scorer in four of the past five seasons,
and is also the youngest player to win a scoring title.
minnesota timberwolves
• The T-Wolves joined the NBA as an expansion team
portland trail blazers
in 1989, finishing with just 22 wins and 60 losses in • The ‘Blazers’ were founded in 1970, and have always
their debut season. played in the City of Portland, Oregon.
• They recorded their best season in 03-04 with 58 • To date they have won 1 NBA Championship, in 1977,
wins, and went to the Western Conference finals, and 3 Western Conference titles. The last NBA final
where they lost to the LA Lakers. they contested was in 1992, where they lost to a
Jordan inspired Chicago Bulls team.
• The most recognizable player in their history is Kevin
Garnett, who won MVP honors in 2004. He spent 12 • They took on the nickname ‘Rip City’ from their famous
seasons in Minnesota, before being traded to Boston announcer Bill Schonely. During a broadcast,Schonely
in the off-season of 2007, where he won the NBA exclaimed “Rip City! All right!” and the name became
Championship in his first year with the Celtics. popular with fans since.
• To date, the Timberwolves have not reached the • The franchise has also enjoyed a strong following;
Playoffs for ten consecutive seasons, the longest from 1977 through 1995, the team sold out 814
streak of any current NBA team. consecutive home games, the longest such streak in
American professional sports. That streak was broken
• The offseason of 2014 saw the trade of All Star
when they moved to their new arena, The Rose
forward Kevin Love to Cleveland. In return the Wolves
Garden, in late ’95.
received the number one picks of the ’13 and ’14 Draft
in Anthony Bennett and the hugely talented Andrew utah jazz
Wiggins on who the franchise plans to build its future • The Jazz were originally founded in New Orleans,
on. in 1974 before moving to Utah in ’79 and keeping
the Jazz name. (Even though Salt Lake City is not
particularly known for Jazz music….)
• Their best period of success came in the mid to late
90s, where they contested consecutive NBA Finals
against the Chicago Bulls, losing 4-2 in each series.
• The Jazz once boasted the All-Star tandem of point
guard John Stockton and power forward Karl Malone.
• They have the fifth best winning percentage amongst
active NBA teams, only the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs and
Suns have a better record.
• Game 6 of the 1998 finals, which saw the Bulls win
the series, had the highest TV audience of any NBA
game. The Bulls held on to win the game, after John
Stockton missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
atlantic division
new york knicks • They have possibly the fiercest rivalry in the NBA, with
regards to the Los Angeles Lakers. The teams have
• The Knicks currently have two NBA Championships,
both of which were attained in the 1970s under coach met 12 times in the Finals.
William ‘Red’ Holzman. toronto raptors
• In 1985 Patrick Ewing became a Knick and the ‘Ewing • Founded in 1995 and currently the only franchise
Era’ began. Ewing is perhaps most famous for leading based in Canada.
the Knicks to two Finals’ appearances in 1994 and
• Between 1999 and 2002 the Raptors had three
1999. He is also well known for his stellar performance
consecutive seasons of attendance records, helped
in Space Jam.
by impressive playoff berths.
• They play at Madison Square Garden, the most
• 1998 draft day acquisition Vince Carter was
famous arena in the world. MSG is so famous it was
instrumental in leading the team to a franchise-high 47
even destroyed by Godzilla in 1998.
wins and their first playoff series win in 2001, where
• From 2000-2008 the Knicks fell from grace, posting they advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
poor regular season records and consistently failing to
• The Raptors have three division titles to date, 2007,
reach the Playoffs.
2014 and 2015.
• Recently, acquiring Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo
• They originally played their home games at the
Anthony made the Knicks a legit contender (in some
SkyDome, before moving to the Air Canada Centre in
people’s eyes) once again, although given the current
1999.
state of their team no one expects them to win a
championship any time soon. philadelphia 76ers
• The Knicks are a huge media market and as such are • The Sixers are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA.
always a destination for the league’s top stars. Founded back in 1946 they played in Syracuse until
the team moved to Philadelphia in 1963.
brooklyn nets • The teams owes its name to 1776, the year the Dec-
• The Nets currently hold no NBA Championships, but laration of Independance was signed in Philadelphia.
if we look back to their ABA (American Basketball • Notable players to have played for Philly include Allen
Association) days, they won two in 1974 and 1976. Iversen, Charles Barkley, Julius Erving, Moses Malone
• The Nets have had multiple names; they started life and Wilt Chamberlain.
as the New Jersey Americans then spent almost two • To date they have won three NBA Championships and
decades as the New York Nets. In 1977 they became nine Eastern Conference titles.
the New Jersey Nets and it remained that way until
• In the 2012-13 season, the Sixers became the fifth
2012, when they became the Brooklyn Nets.
8th seed to cause upset and eliminate the 1st seed by
• From 2004-2008 the New Jersey Nets treated the beating the Chicago Bulls 4-2.
league to one of the best guard combos in history,
Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.
• The Nets are currently owned by Mikhail Prokhorov, a
Russian billionaire.
• In February 2011 the Nets made a blockbuster trade for
Utah Jazz star Deron Williams. Williams’ first game as
a Net was actually played in the O2 Arena in London.
They subsequently added the likes of Joe Johnson,
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the hope of winning a
title but failed miserably and now find themselves back
at square one.
boston celtics
• Boston currently holds 17 Championships, the most in
league history to date.
• Founded in June 1946, they have become one of the
most well known sports teams in the world.
• They have had a host of Hall of Fame players including
the likes of Larry Bird and Bill Russell.
• In recent history, the big three of Ray Allen, Kevin
Garnett and Paul Pierce helped the Celtics to a Finals’
victory over their fiercest rivals, the Los Angeles
Lakers, in 2008.
pacific division
Golden State Warriors
• The Warriors were originally founded in 1946, in
Philadelphia. The franchise moved to San Francisco
from ’62 till ’71, then moving to their current home in
Oakland, California. In 2018, the team is scheduled to
move back to the San Francisco area.
• Hall of Fame inductee Wilt Chamberlain once scored
100 points in a game against the Knicks in 1962,
which is still a league record. Wilt is the Warriors all
time leading scorer with 17,783 points.
• In the 2008 playoffs, the Warriors eliminated the top
seeded Dallas Mavericks in one of the shocks in
Playoff history.
• The home crowd at the Oracle Arena is known for
making huge noise and a great atmosphere at games.
So much so, ESPN installed a decibel meter by the in
screen score displays. phoenix suns
• Led by Steph Curry, the Warriors won the 2015 NBA
• Joining the league as an expansion team in 1968,
title.
the Suns boast the fourth all time winning percentage
los angeles clippers in NBA, making the Finals twice but losing on both
• Previously located in San Diego, the Clippers moved occasions.
to Los Angeles in 1984 but the franchise struggled • Traditionally known for a high tempo style of play, best
for several decades, making only a handful of playoff evidenced during the mid 00’s in the ‘Seven Seconds
appearances in the past 30 years. or Less’ era, Phoenix became known for the free
• Historically in the shadow of their more famous and scoring offense led by two time MVP and future hall of
successful neighbours, the Clippers have seen an famer Steve Nash.
upturn over the past 4 years installing themselves as • After a tough playoff exit in 1992, then assistant coach
the ‘Showtime’ team in Los Angeles, often referred to Lionel Hollins said to the team owner “We’ve got to
as ‘Lob City’ on account of their above the rim plays, get us a Charles Barkley.” That offseason they made
fast breaks and exciting style of basketball. a trade for the outspoken superstar, which propelled
• Last season saw the team win a thrilling playoff series them to the NBA finals and a matchup with Jordan’s’
against San Antonio, but blew a 3-1 series lead in the three-peat Bulls team. Barkley won regular season
semi final against Houston, and were eliminated. MVP honours, and his move became a turning point in
the history of the franchise.
• The franchise was sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve
Ballmer for an eye-watering $2billion in May 2014, • This off-season the Suns added defensive big man
after previous owner Donald Sterling was found to Tyson Chandler, but narrowly missed out on LaMarcus
have made racist remarks on an audio recording. Aldridge to San Antonio.
los angeles lakers sacramento kings
• The Lakers currently hold 16 Championships, the • The franchise originated in New York, as the Rochester
second most in the league to date. Seagrams in 1923. Between 1957 and 1985, the
franchise moved around from Cincinnati, Kansas
• They were originally founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis
(where they took the Kings name) before settling in
Lakers. They became the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960.
Sacramento where they currently play at The Sleep
• Along with Boston, they have a global appeal and have Train Arena,
become one of the most successful sports brands ever.
• The Kings have won one NBA Championship, way
• In the 1980s the Lakers created ‘Showtime’ basketball. back in 1951.
Led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the
• After moving to Sacramento they struggled to make
Lakers claimed five Championships and helped to
any impact until the turn of the millennium, where they
reinvigorate interest in the NBA.
had a lineup featuring Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic
• 2000-2010 has become known as the Lakers’ decade. and Mike Bibby. In the 01-02 season, they posted a
In recent history they are perhaps best known for franchise record 61 wins in the regular season, but
seasons 2000, 2001 and 2002 where they won three fell to the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals
Championships in a row. They also claimed back to in a controversial series. Many believed the officials
back Championships at the end of the decade in 2009 favoured the Lakers.
and 2010.
• The Kings have failed to make the playoffs in the past
9 seasons.
CENTRAL DIVISION
• Throughout the 90s, the team had a heated rivalry with
the Knicks. The most memorable game took place in
Madison Square Garden where Reggie Miller silenced
the hostile New York crowd scoring 25 points in the
4th quarter, leading the Pacers to victory. The Knicks,
however, won the next two games and advanced to the
1994 NBA Finals.
• The 2003-04 season saw the Pacers win a franchise
record 61 games, behind the play of Jermaine O’Neal,
a 38-year-old Reggie Miller, and Ron ‘Metta World
Peace’ Artest.
• Current star player Paul George will return for the
2015-16 season after missing most of 2014-15 due to
a horrific open fracture to his right leg, sustained on
Team USA duty.
chicago bulls
• The Bulls were formed in 1966 and have gone on to cleveland cavaliers
win six championships, all of which came in the 90’s • The Cavs were formed in 1970, and play their games
during Michael Jordans period of dominance. at the Quicken Loans arena.
• They are the only NBA franchise to have won 3 • In 1970, Cleveland’s newspaper, The Plain Dealer,
consecutive titles twice, which came in an eight year held a contest to name the city’s new basketball club.
period, and have never lost an NBA finals series they Contest winner Jerry Tomko wrote that the Cavaliers
have contested. “represent a group of daring, fearless men, whose life’s
• During their second ‘three-peat’ run in the mid-late pact was never surrender, no matter what the odds.”
90s, they set a new regular season record of 72 wins, • Cleveland has never won an NBA championship,
and only 10 losses. appearing in the Finals in 2007 and again in 2015.
• The franchise took its name from Chicago’s meat • In 2003, they drafted hometown hero Lebron James
packing traditions, denoting power and strength. with the number one pick. James left in the summer
• Star Point Guard Derrick Rose was the youngest of 2010 to join the Miami Heat, much to the anger of
player to win the MVP trophy, at the age of 22. He is the fans and team owner. Following his departure, the
also from the Chicago area. Cavs went from a league best 61 wins in the previous
year to only 19 wins in the ’10-’11 season, the biggest
detroit pistons drop in wins by any team in league history.
• The Pistons are one of the oldest franchises in the • The summer of 2014 saw Lebron opt out of his contract
NBA, founded originally in 1941 in Indiana before with Miami and rejoin the Cavs, much to the delight of
moving to Detroit in 1957 their fans. He carried the team to the 2015 NBA Finals,
• To date they have won three NBA championships, a contest they eventually lost to the Golden State
although their best period of success didn’t come until Warriors.
the 1980s, when they were known as the ‘Bad Boys’,
due by their physical style of play. milwaukee bucks
• They hit prominence again in the mid-90s when they • The Bucks joined the NBA in 1968 as an expansion
drafted Grant Hill in the 1994 Draft. He led them to a 54 franchise
win season in 1997. However, the following seasons • To date they have won one NBA championship, back
saw many changes in playing and coaching staff and in 1971 where they were led by the legendary Kareem
a decline in the franchise. Abdul Jabbar (known then as Lew Alcindor before
• The Pistons made the Finals in 2004, where they faced converting to Islam).
the heavily favoured L.A. Lakers, who they went on to • The Bucks drafted Alcindor as a result of winning a
defeat in five games to win their third championship. coin toss with the other expansion team in 1968, the
• The Pistons are currently in the process of rebuilding Phoenix Suns, and went on to record one of the most
the team around a core group of young players, led by impressive careers of any player in NBA history, mainly
head coach Stan Van Gundy. with the LA Lakers.
• Other notable players to have played for Milwaukee
indiana pacers are Oscar Robertson, Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen and
• Pacers began in the ABA before becoming NBA Sam Cassell.
members in 1976. They won three ABA championships • Forbes magazine ranks the Milwaukee Bucks as the
but so far have never won the NBA title. least valuable franchise in the league, at $405 million
• The team gets it’s name as a result of Indiana’s keen (sorry Bucks fans).
motor racing industry and heritage.
SOUTHwest division
memphis grizzlies for one more title during the Tim Duncan era.
• The Grizzlies joined the NBA as an expansion new orleans pelicans
franchise located in Vancouver, in 1995, alongside • The Pelicans began in the NBA as the New Orleans
their Canadian counterparts the Toronto Raptors. They Hornets in 2002, after the relocation of the Charlotte
moved to Memphis in 2001 and are the city’s only Hornets franchise. In 2013, it was announced that
major professional sports team. the franchise would be renamed the New Orleans
• Their home games are played at the Pyramid Arena Pelicans, as the Charlotte Bobcats were reclaiming
which, at 32 storey’s high, is the third tallest pyramid in the Hornets name, and history. (Got all that?)
the world. It seats up to 21,000 fans. • Owner Tom Benson said of the name change; “”The
• They have made the playoffs for the past four Pelican is a symbol for our city and region, and we’re
consecutive and a total of seven times in the past excited to start a new era in Louisiana basketball
decade. history. This offseason is going to be a special time for
• Both Gasol brothers (Pau & Marc) have appeared for the Pelicans.”
the Grizzlies, although not at the same time. Pau was • After the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the
traded to the Lakers for the rights to Marc, who has franchise played out of Oklahoma from 2005-07 before
been there since 2009. returning to the Smoothie King Centre for the 07-08
season.
houston rockets
• The 2007-08 campaign saw the Pelicans post their
• The Rockets were formed in San Diego, from ’67 to
best regular season record of 56 wins, qualify for the
’71, then moved to Houston where they have played to
playoffs as the number two seed in the playoffs and
the present day.
clinch the Southwest division title.
• They have won two NBA Championships, and four
• The 2014-15 season saw them return to the playoffs
conference titles.
by clinching the 8th seed in the West.
• During their first year in Houston, the Rockets used
a logo that showed a basketball player with a flaming dallas mavericks
rocket strapped to his back. • The Dallas Mavericks were founded in 1980 and have
• Hakeem Olajuwon is the most recognized player in remained in Dallas since, despite being under the
their history. As one of the game’s most dominant big shadow of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
men, he led them to back to back titles in 1994 and • From 1985-88 the Mavs became a true contender in the
in 1995, setting franchise records in blocks, rebounds NBA, posting multiple 50+ win seasons. Unfortunately
and points scored in his 17 seasons in Houston. for them they ran into the Los Angeles Lakers and lost
• Current Head Coach Kevin McHale has 3 NBA the chance for their first Finals’ appearance.
Championship rings; all from the early 80’s when he • To date they have 2 Conference Titles and 1 NBA
was a member of that legendary Boston Celtics team Championship, which was acquired recently in 2011,
when the Mavs knocked off the big three of the Miami
san antonio spurs Heat.
• To date they have won five NBA Championships, most
• They have played in two Finals against the Miami Heat
recently back in June when they defeated the Miami
and a rivalry has emegered from them, after losing to
Heat in six games. They also faced the Heat in the
a young Dwyane Wade in the 2005-06 season.
2013 finals, losing to them in an epic seven game
series. • The 2012-13 season saw the Mavericks fall out of the
Playoffs for the first time since 2000, but returned last
• They have been one of the most consistent franchises
season, eliminated in the first round by Houston.
in the modern game, winning their division 15 times in
the last 24 years, regularly competing deep into the
playoffs.
• David Robinson was the mainstay of the San Antonio
team throughout the 90s, then forming the Twin Towers
attack in the frontcourt with Tim Duncan when the
Spurs drafted him with the 1st pick of the 1997 Draft.
Since Duncan joined the Spurs, they have never failed
to make the playoffs.
• Small forward Kahwi Leonard was named the
2014 NBA Finals MVP following a series of superb
performances, overshadowing veteran teammates
Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Miami’s Lebron James.
• This summer they added forward LaMarcus Aldridge
to an already loaded roster in the hope of competing
southeast DIVISION
miami heat Howard to name but a few.
• Founded in 1988, the Miami Heat became the first • The team has been in rebuilding mode for the past
NBA franchise established in Florida. They made the few seasons since Howard’s departure. As a result,
Playoffs twice in their first eight seasons and were the emphasis has been on building through the draft
considered a mediocre team. process and acquiring young talent through trades, as
opposed to short-term fixes.
• In the past decade, the Miami Heat have established
themselves as one of the forces in modern basketball. • Since their inception in 1989, the number 6 jersey was
Their first Championship came in 2006 as a young retired in honour of the Magic fans, although it was
Dwyane Wade and veteran Shaquille O’neal became reactivated for the 2001/02 season for former Knicks
one of the most dominant partnerships in the NBA. legend Patrick Ewing to wear in his only season in
Orlando.
• The Lebron James Era of Miami basketball is sure to
remain long in the history books. Lebron led them to
4 straight Finals’ appearances. They lost the first to
Dallas in what was one of the shocks of the decade.
However they bounced back the following season,
beating the young and talented Oklahoma City
Thunder and Championship number 3 could not have
come under more difficult circumstances. The 2012-
13 Game 7 win vs the Spur will go down as one the
greatest Finals’ series in NBA history. In 2013-14 the
Heat lost to the Spurs in a rematch of the previous
year’s Finals.
• From February 3 to March 27, 2013, the Heat won 27
games in a row, which is currently the second-longest
streak in NBA history. They were stopped just 5 games washington wizards
short of the Lakers’ record by a rampant Chicago Bulls • The franchise started in Chicago in 1961, then
team. moved to Baltimore two years later, before settling in
Washington in ’73.
charlotte hornets
• The Wizards were formerly known as the Bullets,
• The Hornets joined the league in 1998 as an expansion
but changed name in 1997 as the owners deemed
team.
the name too violent, and wished to disassociate
• In 2002, the franchise was moved to New Orleans themselves from the tag.
with a new expansion team in Charlotte, called the
• During the 90s, the franchise boasted the league’s
Bobcats, formed in 2004. 2014 sees the Charlotte
tallest player, seven foot seven Gheorghe Muresan.
organisation reclaim the Hornets name and the history
of the original franchise. • Michael Jordan played his final two NBA seasons in
Washington, from 2001 until 2003.
• Their best period of success was in the early-to-mid-
90s when they boasted a core of young talent including • The Wizards emphatically completed the first sweep
Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Kendall Gill. of a seven-game seriesa in club history last season,
They stunned the Boston Celtics in the 1993 Playoffs, beating the Toronto Raptors 125-94 in Game 4 of the
their first time in post season action, when Mournings’ NBA Playoffs.
game winner from twenty feet out sealed the first round
series win. They were then eliminated by the vastly
atlanta hawks
experienced New York Knicks in the second round. • The Hawks were founded in 1946. They were originally
called the Bisons and played in Buffalo but they then
• In 2010, Michael Jordan bought the franchise,
moved to Milwaukee and St Louis, eventually changing
becoming the first former player to own an NBA team.
their name to the Hawks and settling in Atlanta in 1968.
orlando magic • They have won one championship, in 1958, and six
• The Magic joined the NBA in 1989, a year after their division titles in total.
Florida neighbours in Miami, as an expansion team. • Their all time leading scorer is Dominique Wilkins, also
• They drafted Shaquille O’Neal in 1992 which was a known as ‘The Human Highlight Film’ on account of his
catalyst for the young franchise, leading to a surge in scoring and spectacular dunks. He played for Atlanta
their popularity and also brought about their first trip to from 1982-1994, scoring 23,292 points in his 13 year
the NBA Finals in 1995 where they were swept 4-0 by stay with the Hawks.
the Houston Rockets. • In 1986, Hawks’ Guard Spud Webb shocked NBA
• Orlando has boasted some of the NBA’s biggest stars fans and players by winning the Slam Dunk contest.
in their 25 year history. Aside from Shaq, platers they Spud was only 5 feet 7 inches tall and had never even
have had on their rosters include Tracey McGrady, dunked in an NBA game prior to entering. One of his
Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Vince Carter and Dwight opponents was Dominique Wilkins.toronto
air canada centre
HOME OF the 2015 All-star weekend
Capacity: 19,800the life of an uk fan
My body clock is messed up. It has been since 2006, At this time I thought NBA watching could never get better,
because being an NBA fan in the UK will do that to you. but fastforward to 2009 and NBA heaven landed... right on
my own laptop.
At the turn of the millennium the only way you could watch
the NBA was by having Sky Sports. It had two games The emergence of NBA League Pass was huge, it had
a week, the All-Star game and every Finals match-up. never been easier to watch and fall in love the NBA, and
However for me, this represented a serious problem. The it became the essential tool in any NBA fans arsenal. In
problem being I didn’t like any of the other sports Sky fact, you can now get every NBA game live & on demand,
offered, and that I didn’t have a chance in hell of persuading available on a wide variety devices (Apple TV being my
my mum to by the package. For what would effectively be a preference) to watch whenever you want. You can follow
pathetic 6 hours of content a week. your own team, watch the key matchup of the night or
watch a filler game as you wait for your desired game to
However in 2006 this all changed as NASN came to the start. It even lets you watch multiple games at once.
UK. It was luxury, the North American Sports Network or
ESPN as we know it now, showed a whopping five games So really there’s no excuse to miss a minute of action this
a week, my mornings haven’t been the same since.It was season.
then that I began to record games, with a VHS, waking up
at 6am to watch the latest games before school became League Pass has easily maintained and furthered my love
my new addiction. for the sport, making it the best way to watch the NBA in
the UK.
That season was my first true induction into the NBA and it
was thrilling to be part of it. I saw LeBron come into his own, The be all and end all is you can watch who you want when
Kobe break records, the Heat win their first Championship you want, so what are you waiting for?! go and subscribe.
and Tracy McGrady doing the impossible (I woke my whole
house up at 7am when McGrady hit the game winner that
morning). By Matthew Bates
Podcast Co-Host
click thumbnails to play VIDEO: Tracy McGrady | Vince Carter
WARNING: video content may not play on your device | best viewed in adobe readerdivision previews
Over the next 12 pages you’ll find Division
Previews of varying styles and formats. Some are
flowing, some are straight to the point and some
are indepth. CONTENT:
Now you may be wondering why we haven’t just
formatted them all the same, but just like an NBA Matthew Wellington - Co-Founder | Podcast Host
franchise, individual style is often the truest form of
expression.
Zach Salzmann - Podcast Co-Host | Editor
Ross Macleod - Editor
We thrive off variety and with fans from every Thomas Rowberry - Podcast Co-Host | Contributor
background, there are often varied opinions.
Sean Guest - Editor
Each writer has also included their Division Joe Hulbert - Podcast Host | Contributor
predictions, which means you can come back and
laugh at them when the season ends.
Enjoy!northwest division preview
portland trail blazers Utah Jazz denver nuggets
Last Season’s Record: 1st in Northwest, 51-31 Last Season’s Record: 3rd in Northwest, 38-41 Last Season’s Record: 4th in Northwest, 30-52
The talent drain in Portland this summer was extraordinary Utah went all defensive on the NBA last season. Their post The culture has changed in Denver recently. As a team that
and unexpected. Whilst many imagined Forward Lamarcus All-Star break display helped them post some of the best remained resolute in the Playoffs for ten straight seasons,
Aldridge moving on, few saw the mass exodus which statistics in the league. At 38-41 the Jazz aren’t a Playoff losing isn’t in their blood. Yet this season a crossroad
followed. team yet, but their late surge has thrown a huge shadow of has been reached, presenting the question: be bad or
Aldridge flirted with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles expectation over them this coming season. mediocre?
Lakers, before eventually deciding upon the San Antonio Rudy Gobert, who was previously only well known due to To be honest there’s talent in Denver, but whether or not
Spurs. Wesley Matthews ended up on the Dallas Mavericks. his nickname, the Stiffle Tower, is now in command of his head coach Michael Malone will be able to make the most
Nicolas Batum found himself traded to Charlotte and Robin and Utah’s future. The Frenchman hosts a 7’9” wingspan of it is another question all together. The hope this season,
Lopez pegged it to the bright lights of New York City. So it’s and has Defensive Player of the Year written all over him. if any, lies in Emmanuel Mudiay. The rookie will be entering
all change, and with it comes the moment Damian Lillard And when combined with the still young, Derrick Favours, his first season in the NBA, but make no mistake about it,
has been waiting for. This season is Lillards season, no one the Jazz have their frontcourt of the future cemented. It’s Mudiay can handle the limelight... or altitude as it will be in
else on this Blazers roster matters. He’s the star, their best Gobert who made Enes Kanter expendable, forcing the the Pepsi Center.
player and the only reason to watch Blazers basketball this Jazz to ship Kanter to the Thunder for little more than a At the ripe age of just 18, Mudiay embraced China, its
season. His usage rate will go through the roof, he’ll lead protected first-round pick. It was a huge leap of faith from culture and its basketball, becoming a prolific stud in
the league in shot attempts, and he’ll probably have a few the Jazz frontoffice, but it paid off, massively. China’s popular CBA. Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari
45+ point games. Unfortunately for them this season, Dante Exum, the have chips on their shoulder, as do several others on the
Having four of the five starters leave is bound to have a enigmatic Australian point guard, will miss a huge chunk Nuggets roster. All of which, comes as a direct result of
bad effect, and the rest of this Blazers roster poses nothing (if not all) of the season. After he tore his ACL playing for press and public humiliation, or should that be mockery?
but questions. Australia this past August. The public press bashing of Denver last season was heavy
They brought in a collection of low-priced, generally Exum was the key, the key to development, and with him and often hard. It hurt these players and they’ve made it
unproven players as part of a start-over plan, paid Lillard sidelined it’s up the much maligned Trey Burke to prove his their personal goal this season to at least prove that Denver
the max then claimed this isn’t a full-blown tank job... well worth. Exum will be a miss on both ends of the court, his is a capable unit once again.
it will be if anything happens to Lillard. length and freakish athleticism is something which Burke Capable players dot the roster, three of whom were part of
They’ll lose a lot of games this season, but the future is simply doesn’t possess and it gave the Jazaz a real bite in a 57-win team three seasons ago and it’s within them that
reasonable positive. the backcourt. the rest of the Nuggets’ hope lies.
As for this year, their hope now relies on Rodney Hood, Kenneth Faried looks set for yet another season of trade
oklahoma city thunder Gordon Hayward and Gobert. The first of which, posted rumours, which he’ll be used to by now. It will however be
Last Season’s Record: 2nd in Northwest, 45-37 outstanding perimeter shooting numbers late last season. interesting to see how he enters this season, as the much
If anyone questions the best team in this Division, then Alec Burkes too will be back in uniform, after he missed out spoken of Ty Lawson trade deeply hurt him this summer.
they seriously need their head checking and unless a Salt on the post All-Star run.
Lake City miracle occurs, the Thunder have this one in the If the jazz have one weapon up their sleeve it’s this. They Minnesota Timberwolves
bag. have an average age of 23, so even if this team achieves Last Season’s Record: 5th in Northwest, 16-66
The Thunder posted a 45-37 record last season, narrowly nothing of significance this season, it isn’t the end. This The Timberwolves are intriguing and they’ll certainly keep
missing the playoffs after suffering an unfair amount of unit has many more NBA seasons to come, and with the us on the edge of our seats this season or beds at 2am
regular season setbacks. Kevin Durant, the second best experience taken from last season and perhaps this, could in the morning. The roster consists of Andrew Wiggins,
player in the NBA rushed himself back from injury, only forge a future title contender. The simple fact is, the talent Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio, Shabazz
to sustain another. Serge Ibaka underwent arthroscopic is there, it’s now up to Quin Snyder and the Utah Jazz Muhammad, Adreian Payne, Gorgui Dieng, Anthony
knee surgery, which knocked him out for a good 6 weeks. players to show the basketball world what they’re capable Bennett and Tyus Jones among others; it’s immensely
Then Russell Westbrook, who almost broke the triple- of. talented but not very good, yet.
double record, fractured his cheek bone leaving him with The Timberwolves however aren’t messing around here;
the classic Batman style mask. A trade deadline move for because in two or three years, several of these player will
Enes Kanter fired the Thunder back into contention for the become some of the most talented and intelligent players Northwest prediction W-L
Playoffs, but it’ll be this season, where we truly see the around. In fact I struggle to see a more promising team in
rewards. the NBA, save the previously mentioned Jazz. Oklahoma City Thunder 57-25
This is the best roster the Thunder has ever had, yes I The youth and inexperience of the Timberwolves however
said ever. Strength and depth, combined with a good will work against them when competing in the ultra-deep Utah Jazz 40-42
run of health, should make this a Top 5 team in the Western Conference. The teams around them are tough,
NBA. They’ve got a new coach too, Billy Donovan, who battle hardened and host NBA stars. Meaning the basic Denver Nuggets 32-48
brings with him an added sense of optimism and a fun fact of the matter is, it’s a long road to earn a playoff spot
college style offense system, intent on making the in the menacing West. Minnesota Timberwolves 26-56
Thunder run and gun. With all their pieces in place,
their fate rests in that age old NBA enemy or ally, luck. Portland Trail Blazers 20-62
by Matthew WellingtonCENTRAL DIVISION
It’s Cleveland, then the rest Prediction: They won’t finish ahead of Cleveland, but new Indiana Pacers
Outside of the unfairly tough Southwest, the Central coach Fred Hoiberg inherits a team that has all the pieces
Last Season’s Record: 4th in Central, 38-44
Division was the league’s most competitive grouping necessary to win the title—in fact, the Bulls were a Game
4 meltdown away from emerging from the Cleveland Biggest Strength: The Pacers were decimated by injuries
last season. Three teams—Cleveland, Chicago and
series and likely from the East. Jimmy Butler will lead the last season, but Frank Vogel kept his team disciplined
Milwaukee—made it into the playoffs, while Indiana
way once again, but if Derrick Rose can stay healthy (one and organized defensively they therefore remained a very
narrowly missed out and Stan Van Gundy’s rebuilding
of life’s biggest ‘ifs’, I know) and build on a solid 2015 competitive Eastern Conference outfit. The team should
Detroit Pistons remained somewhat respectable with
post-season, the Bulls are a real threat. still have enough defensive acumen to remain greater
a record of 32-50 (Yes, unfortunately that counts as
than the sum of their parts.
respectable in the East).
Biggest Weakness: Even during their brief title window—
This season the Central Division promises to be no
from 2012-2014—generating offense was an absolute
less competitive, with the divisional powerhouses—
grind for the Pacers, and despite the addition of Monta
and title contenders—the Cleveland Cavaliers and
Ellis that should remain the case this season. The return
Chicago Bulls, battling it out in a bid for conference
of Paul George will be very welcome, but he’ll take some
supremacy, and the up-and-coming Milwaukee Bucks
time to regain his old form and the team is very thin on
looking to make the next jump in their exciting
players who can generate offense.
development. And don’t sleep on the Pacers and
Pistons; both teams, if things go their way, could fight Prediction: It hard to believe how different the 2015-2016
for a low playoff seed. Pacers are to the team that made two straight Eastern
Conference Finals. Gone are David West and Roy
Hibbert—and gone is the team’s inside-out, half-court
style. Paul George will see time as a small-ball power-
Cleveland Cavaliers forward and the team will look to imitate the style that
Last Season’s Record: 1st in Central, 53-29 worked so well for the Golden State Warriors. The Pacers
are short on talent, however. They’ll finish fourth in the
Biggest Strength: The Cavaliers are blessed with three
division and will struggle to make the playoffs.
superstars—Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and the planet’s
best player, LeBron James—and can pretty much run any Detroit Pistons
offensive play in the book with that talented trio; post-ups,
pick-n-rolls, pick-n-pops, isolations, you name it. After Last Season’s Record: 5th in Central, 32-50
a slow start the Cavaliers were unstoppable offensively Biggest Strength: With Andre Drummond (13.5 rebound
from February onwards. per game) at centre the Pistons were one of the best
Biggest Weakness: David Blatt needs to do a better job rebouanding teams in the league last season and
involving Kevin Love in the offense this season, but his finished third overall in offensive rebounding rate. The
teammates also need to cover for him defensively when Pistons remain big and athletic in the frontcourt and will
he’s on the floor. Love isn’t the most mobile and teams, give major headaches to any team, with their play in the
even with Timofey Mozgov down low, can still find ways to Milwaukee Bucks painted area.
exploit Cleveland in the paint. Tristan Thompson’s contract Last Season’s Record: 3rd in Central, 41-41 Biggest Weakness: Defensively there are still question
situation (he was so important last season) also remains marks surrounding the Pistons. Drummond may be
a concern. Biggest Strength: The Milwaukee Bucks were the best
a beast on the glass, but he’s still learning the art of
defensive team in the Eastern Conference last season
Prediction: Even with a tired LeBron James, and a cast defending the pick-n-roll—he can look like Bambi on
and outside of the Golden State Warriors no team boasted
of misfit role players, the Cavaliers were two games away ice, at times—and neither Reggie Jackson nor Brandon
a stingier defense in the NBA. That should continue this
from the NBA title. If the team can get a full season from Jennings are world-beaters at that end of the floor.
season. With the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris
Irving and Love—and some injury luck in the playoffs— Middleton and Michael Carter-Williams on the roster— Prediction: This is effectively year one of the Van Gundy
Cleveland will comfortably win the division, conference, players blessed with supreme length and athleticism—the experiment—last season was about seeing what he
and will challenge for the championship. Bucks are a nightmare for ball-handlers across the league. had and getting rid of what he didn’t like. Gone are
Josh Smith and Greg Monroe—noted black holes on
Chicago Bulls Biggest Weakness: The Bucks were great at generating
offense—as Stan looks to create something similar to
Last Season’s Record: 2nd in Central, 50-32
turnovers and scoring in transition last season, but really
struggled creating offense in the half-court—that was on
his Dwight Howard-era Orlando team. Drummond will be Central prediction W-L
Biggest Strength: The Bulls have many strengths, but the Howard-esque fulcrum, but the team doesn’t quite
their depth in the frontcourt is the envy of teams across
show too many times during their playoff series against
the Bulls. Jason Kidd’s team will need to get much, much
have the shooting of that Magic team. The Pistons will cleveland cavaliers 60-22
the league. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are two of the be improve on last season’s showing, but will once again
best defensive big-men in the game, Pau Gasol remains
better at scoring when the game slows down.
finish bottom of the division and will struggle to snag a chicago bulls 52-30
Prediction: The Bucks are a team on the rise, with a playoff spot.
one of the most highly skilled offensive centres in the
league and Nikola Mirotic spreads the floor to great effect.
young, exciting roster and an extremely talented head
coach unafraid of trying new things. The addition of Greg
milwaukee bucks 45-37
An embarrassment of riches.
Biggest Weakness: A lack of focus? It’s seem strange to
Monroe—a beast on the block—and Jabari Parker (out
for most of last season through injury) should bolster the
indiana pacers 39-43
say regarding a team that’s been one of the most intense
and gritty over the past five years, but last season the
team’s offense, while their defense should remain elite.
The Bucks will finish third in the Central and will make the
detroit pistons 37-45
Bulls switched off during multiple stretches of the season playoffs as a 5th or 6th seed.
and frequently played down to their opposition. by zach salzmannsouthwest DIVISION preview
Houston Rockets San Antonio Spurs Dallas Mavericks
Last Season’s Record: 1st in Southwest, 56-26 Last Season’s Record: 3rd in Southwest, 55-27 Last Season’s Record: 4th in Southwest, 50-32
The Rockets arguably have the most talented roster in The Spurs were rather disappointing in the playoffs last Dallas fans won’t be enjoying sports a lot currently, the
the whole league. In James Harden they have the best year, but in fairness to them they were never going to Cowboys have their two best players injured, the Stars
scorer in the League and a genuine MVP Candidate in match up with the star studded Clippers over a lengthy look poor and the Texas Rangers blew a two game lead in
any season he competes in. Dwight Howard gives them series. Kawhi Leonard however had an unbelievable year the playoffs against Toronto. In continuation of this, it wont
defensive stability and they have a great collection of role and fully deserved his defensive player of the year award. be a pretty season for the Mavericks, they lack depth all
players such as Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley and Sam The big addition was of course the signing of pure scorer over the court and will be relying on Wes Matthews and an
Dekker. LaMarcus Aldridge, he will form a formidable frontcourt old Dirk Nowitzki to give them their primary scoring.
The biggest move for the rockets was adding Ty Lawson, with Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard and he gives them The DeAndre Jordan fiasco has set this franchise up for
he is a troubled guy but the Rockets organisation is a very a genuinely elite scoring option that they haven’t had failure, it completely screwed them as they couldn’t target
secure organisation with a lot of experienced figures to since Tony Parker was playing at his MVP level. Aldridge other guys like Roy Hibbert and Robin Lopez due to the
help him through his tough times. Lawson is a ‘walking has defensive weaknesses, but he should be covered by extreme delay put on them by Jordan and the Clippers.
double double’ if he is on form, he averaged double figure Leonard and Duncan on that end. Zaza Pachulia is a decent player, but he is nowhere near
assists on two occasions for the Nuggets. Even with this, the Spurs come into the year slightly good enough to push them to the playoffs.
I would argue the addition of Lawson gives the Rockets overrated. Parker has declined as a player and they lost Deron Williams was brought in, and Rick Carlisle is one of
the most talented starting five in the League as Lawson, Cory Joseph who was a very useful backup. The over the few guys who could get him back to his best, but this
Harden, Ariza, Motiejunas and Howard is as good as it criticised Tiago Splitter was sent to Atlanta and it is is extremely questionable and asking him to return to his
gets really. With the Rockets analytics division still there, questionable whether David West has a lot left in the tank. MVP level is a huge ask considering how poor he was last
this team should find the most effective ways to beat every With Gregg Popovich at the helm this team will easily make season.
team. the playoffs and should finish in the top four, but I question One thing the Mavs have is great wing defence, Parsons,
My critique of Kevin McHale is well documented all over the whether they have enough roster depth for a championship Justin Anderson and Wes Matthews are all lock down
internet and until he actually demonstrates ability to make run. Popovich is a huge factor, but I don’t think he lifts the defenders so this team should move up from their 18th
adjustments, this won’t be changing. He is the only thing Spurs over the Thunder, the Clippers or the Warriors. placing on the defensive efficiency chart.
holding this team back, they are a genuine championship Monta Ellis isn’t one of my favourite players, but in him they
contender. had a genuine first scorer, they don’t have one of those
Saying this, in the regular season coaching doesn’t matter anymore. They will struggle
as much, this roster will coach itself and that is why they
will be a top two seed in the West. They have a deep team New Orleans Pelicans
with a lot of good three point shooters, they will blow teams Last Season’s Record: 5th in Southwest, 45-37
away. The biggest addition to the Pelicans this offseason was
upstairs, as Alvin Gentry arrived as Monty Williams
Memphis Grizzlies replacement from the Golden State Warriors. Gentry
Last Season’s Record: 2nd in Southwest, 55-27 designed the modern NBA offence based on three point
Memphis aren’t a particular favourite around the League, shooting and quick cuts to and from the basket, he will
but they are the most effective team in basketball. They work wonders with this team.
make you work for every point you get and they simply They also have a guy called Anthony Davis, he is already
bully their opponents on the offensive end behind the pure a top three player in the League and he will only get better
power of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. in the coming years, he could win MVP this year. Jrue
They haven’t done a lot over the offseason, but they didn’t Holiday coming back is great news for them as on his day
really need to, they have a settled starting five and there he is one of the most efficient and consistent point guards
is no reason this team can’t contend for a title. Some have in the whole league.
written that they need to change their ways, but I disagree. People like Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon are very useful
They are good at what they do, and I do not believe they players who can give the Pelicans different ways of scoring
aren’t winning a championship because of their style, they on the offensive end, something Alvin Gentry will love.
simply come up against more star studded teams. They didn’t add too much over the offseason, but guys like southwest prediction W-L
Matt Barnes was their most notable addition, its hard to Alonzo Gee, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Kendrick Perkins
think of a more perfect guy for the Grizzlies system, he is are useful role players who will not harm the team when houston rockets 63-19
a terrific perimeter defender and has a tough and intense they are on the floor.
personality which will scare the opposition. This teams biggest issue is the fact they are in the West, san antonio spurs 55-27
They will make the playoffs again unless they get an injury they will make the playoffs but due to a lack of talent in
or two, they may lack perimeter scoring but I’m not sure they comparison to other teams a fifth seed is probably the memphis grizzlies 54-28
really need it, they have enough scoring inside the paint absolute ceiling for this group.
and their defence more than makes up for their deficiency This season must be used to make their offense new orleans pelicans 49-33
from beyond the arc. The biggest question for this team is unstoppable and to develop some of the raw talent they
whether they can push for a top four side ahead of teams already have on the roster. dallas mavericks 34-48
like the Clippers and the Spurs
by joe hulbertatlantic DIVISION preview
Toronto Raptors Brooklyn Nets play as expected coming off an injury.
Last Season’s Record: 1st in Atlantic, 49-33 Last Season’s Record: 3rd in Atlantic, 38-44 At some stage the Sixers will HAVE to start winning,
unfortunately for Philadelphia fans it doesn’t appear as
The Toronto Raptors head into the 2015/16 season as For the first time since the Nets moved to Brooklyn they
though the continuous losing is coming to an end any time
clear favourites to win the Atlantic Division. They were the enter the season with low expectations. Somehow the
soon. Don’t be surprised to see this team tank yet again...
best team in the division last season, as evidenced by Nets managed to scrape to 38 wins last season with Brook
luckily for Sixers fans Jahlil Okafor is a serious candidate
them being the only team to go above .500; doing so with Lopez missing significant time, Deron Williams continuing
for Rookie of the Year so should provide some exciting
a franchise record 49 wins and 4th seed in the Eastern to prove he’s not worth his contract and Lionel Hollins
moments during the season.
Conference. coaching uninspired basketball.
The season, whilst their best regular season, was seen An already average Brooklyn team managed to somehow New York Knicks
as a disappointment when it came to the playoffs as with get worse this offseason, surprisingly the losses of Mirza Last Season’s Record: 5th in Atlantic, 17-65
homecourt advantage the Raptors crumbled at the hands Teletovic, Alan Anderson and Mason Plumlee are seen as
of the 5th seeded Washington Wizards who swept them significant losses. GM Billy King went out and ‘acquired’ the New York Knicks fans should actually have optimism
in 4. likes of Andrea Bargnani, Thomas Robinson and Shane heading into the 2015/16 season, General Manager Phil
Larkin.... These are clearly a downgrade on what was Jackson put together a fairly productive offseason and the
Rather surprisingly embattled head coach Dwane Casey team has All-World forward Carmelo Anthony back from
was kept in the hot seat during the offseason and enters previously at Lionel Hollins disposal. All three have done
nothing but bounce around the NBA, and disappointed at injury.
the 2015/16 with a roster which should fit his skills and
reputation as a ‘defence-first’ coach. General Manager every stop yet are expected to play significant minutes for Fourth overall pick Kristaps Porzingis could well be the
Masai Ujiri went out and paid primarily defensive players; the Nets. That spells bad news. most undervalued player from the 2015 Draft, the Latvian
the likes of DeMarre Carroll, Luis Scola and Bismack Boston Celtics Rather unexpectedly Billy King actually managed to make stretch four is one of the most versatile European players
to come out of the draft since Dirk Nowitzki; he’s got a
Biyombo all joined the Canadian ball club over the Last Season’s Record: 2nd in Atlantic, 40-42 a couple smart moves, getting Brook Lopez and Thaddeus
offseason. Young to re-sign for far less than their market value was legit stretch four game, can knock down threes with the
The Boston Celtics shocked the NBA last season best of them whilst provides a solid, efficient post game.
DeMarre Carroll gives Toronto what they have been by reaching 40 wins and squeaking into the Eastern fantastic business. Drafting Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and
Chris McCullough gives the Nets a couple of legitimate Defensively he’s no slouch either.
missing. He’s a 1st team all defence calibre player who Conference playoffs as the 7th seed after winning 20 of
shone in the playoffs last season on the offensive end. starting calibre guys for the future. With a team on the Whilst Porzingis may not be a full time starter this season
their last 31 games. The team, which has pride itself on
Carroll gives the Raptors a ball handler and scorer at downturn they’ll get plenty of time to play meaningless his impact playing next to Carmelo Anthony and Robin
being one of the winningest franchises in sporting history
the small forward position with the versatility to defend minutes and learn the NBA trade. Lopez should be visible from the get go. Which brings
seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis last season,
any position from point guard to power forward. He can As bad as the Nets offseason has been it wouldn’t shock me to Jackson’s astute free agent acquisitions - Robin
many predicted that the Celtics would struggle through the
legitimately change how teams plan for the Raptors. me to see this team trying to win games, they only have a Lopez and Arron Afflalo joined from the Trailblazers and
season and wind up with a lottery pick; head coach Brad
second round pick in the 2016 Draft and don’t select again should start from day one. Kyle O’Quinn is one of the more
One of the bigger offseason moves was reaching a contract Stevens however had his team playing so well that Danny
(unless they trade) until the 2020 draft... They need to try underrated free agent pickups, he’s a solid bench player
extension with Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, Ainge helped the efforts by acquiring Jae Crowder and
and win, unforunately they’re not talented enough to win. who looks like a perfect fit in Jackson’s triangle offence.
keeping the talented big man around for a further 4 years. Isaiah Thomas during the season.
With the re-signing of Valanciunas and the addition of With a roster that is no longer completely devoid of talent
After last season it seems that the culture and expectations
DeMarre Carroll the Raptors now have a legitimate All-Star in Boston are once more along the lines of playoffs or bust. Philadelphia 76ers there is a real chance we get to see Derek Fisher actually
candidate at four of the five starting spots. Last season Last Season’s Record: 4th in Atlantic, 18-64 coach this season. Last season he looked nothing more
The Celtics played the Draft game rather well by selecting
Valanciunas was taken out of games in the fourth quarter than a yes man for the ‘Zen Master’ and didn’t offer
guards Terry Rozier and RJ Hunter as well as forward The Philadelphia 76ers enter the third season of the ‘Trust
in favor of longtime Raptor Amir Johnson, this season anything in terms of ingame adjustments, hopefully the
Jordan Mickey, all three give Boston even more young the Process’ era coming off an expectedly horrendous
with Johnson gone Valanciunas looks set to play far more former NBA champion can provide something more in his
talent to add to a team stacked with the likes of Marcus season in 2014/15 in which they only won 18 games.
important minutes. second season as a head coach.
Smart, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas. The ‘talent’ in Philadelphia is pretty laughable, apart from
With an improved starting five and arguably a better bench The Knicks actually have a shot at the playoffs, with
Danny Ainge continued to show he’s one of the NBA’s Jahlil Okafor and maybe Robert Covington the Sixers
than last season the Raptors shouldn’t be any worse than Carmelo Anthony back the Knicks have a legitimate
better GMs this offseason when he acquired former All- don’t have any players who would even compete for a
the 49 wins they achieved last season, they may well break superstar. In the Eastern Conference a superstar and a
Star forward David Lee from the champion Golden State starting spot on the other 29 NBA rosters. Whilst rookie
their franchise best in wins yet again. decent team around him could well earn the 8th seed.
Warriors for basically nothing (Gerald Wallace and Chris Jahlil Okafor is expected to compete for Rookie of the Year
Babb). Other additions to this roster saw Amir Johnson honors former first round pick Joel Embiid is once more
and Perry Jones join a frontcourt rotation which has far expected to miss the entire season, meaning he again
more depth than previous seasons. won’t suit up for the Sixers.
The main problem facing the Celtics this season is the
amount of players who could potentially start at every
Head Coach Brett Brown is doing an admirable job
developing young players, even though the Sixers have
atlantic prediction W-L
the least talented team in basketball they’d be significantly
position. Isaiah Thomas was a legitimate candidate for
Sixth Man of the Year last season but could easily start worse if Brown wasn’t there. Second year forward Nerlens toronto raptors 50-32
Noel has raved about Brown’s impact on his game, if
over Marcus Smart at point guard, Jae Crowder and Evan
Turner both have the ability to start at the three whilst both Brown continues to help young guys develop they’ll atleast boston celtics 42-40
the power forward and center spot look to be in a heavy continue to compete in games.
rotation with the likes of Johnson, Zeller, Olynyk, Lee and Last season the Sixers were awful shooting the ball, hitting
new york knicks 38-44
Jones all capable of playing starting minutes. on only 40.8% of their shots and led the NBA in turnovers.
In a division which should pan out similar to last season With D-League stud Pierre Jackson FINALLY getting a
brooklyn nets 29-53
chance in the NBA Philadelphians could well be expecting
Boston look set to once more finish second.
him to get a shot at the starting job if Tony Wroten doesn’t philadelphia 76ers 20-62
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