Its here !!!…Its finally here, the season we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. No time for predictability or knowing before opening night who will end up playing for the title in June. The odds are literally the same for everyone, superstars are spread across the landscape of the NBA and its a wonderful thing. Players have switched coasts, teams,countries, and fans imaginations are running wild with the prospect of being that “next team” that everyone adores. So without further ado, its the 2019-20 LOCKER ROOM MATERIAL NBA PREVIEW ((gotta wait awhile for ZION WILLIAMSON tho…about 6-8 weeks))
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1.PHILADELPHIA 76ers
This team has pressure, expectations, and major changes to deal with from a Game 7 defeat in the ECF last season. Hoping that addition (AL HORFORD/ JASON RICHARDSON) by subtraction (JIMMY BUTLER/JJ REDDICK) will work because experience is a great teacher and it taught this team that they are good but not great…yet. They need a focused and mature JOEL EMBIID to be great this season.
2.BOSTON CELTICS
What needs to happen this year in Boston is what hasnt happened the last couple of seasons. A lot of talent that didnt mesh well together, and it needs to show up in the stat lines. The ball will move on this team and that might be all they need to be able to take that next step. New faces could make chemistry a season long issue once again.
3.BROOKLYN NETS
Im not really sure what to think about this edition of Brooklyn’s finest, they added two high priced free agents in KEVIN DURANT and KYRIE IRVING, but I think they added just added one and a half because KYRIE will be playing this year while the injured KD has to wait. So what are we to expect from a team on the rise or do we wait for next year. A playoff berth awaits but after that who knows ?
4.TORONTO RAPTORS
Didnt this team win the title last year ?. You wouldnt know it by the way everyone was so quiet about it. A championship hangover is more than likely with this squad, since their leader left for Hollywood. Take the loss of KAWHI LEONARD in stride and keep pushing for respectability.
5.NEW YORK KNICKS
Another season of rebuilding has beckoned in Manhattan, and its okay because the pieces that were acquired will actually make this team better in the long run and that should Madison Square Garden a fun place to watch basketball again. It has not been that way in a long time.
CENTRAL DIVISION
1.MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The shortcomings were exposed during the playoffs last season, and hopefully the star player GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (hey i spelled it right !!!) will step his game up and be more of a leader and this team can take next step knowing what awaits them down the line with GIANNIS’ contract situation. The reigning MVP has to come through and bring the ROBIN LOPEZ that stepped up last season with him.
2.INDIANA PACERS
A very interesting group on paper, but this team has thrived on unselfishness and team play the last couple of seasons. Many changes will challenge that philosophy now. If VICTOR OLIDIPO has a positive return from his injury, and they continue to get solid play from big men. This team can and will be a factor in the EAST.
3.DETROIT PISTONS
This team can go either way, a build off BLAKE GRIFFIN’s nice season but again if the injury bug strikes as it did last year, it could be another rebuild in the Motor City. This team needs to continue its upward swing, which DERRICK ROSE will show up this season ?
4.CHICAGO BULLS
Progress should be the key word with this squad and it will not be automatic. The roster is young and the coach is unproven. A bad stretch could turn this into a long and depressing season at the United Center. COBY WHITE has skills to change fortunes of this team quickly.
5.CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Can this team make a return to the glory years ?. Who knows, some might say “who cares ?” . It will definitely be interesting to watch this team grow under the leadership of JOHN BEILEIN. He steps his game up as well coming from the college ranks to lead this young team that did not add any veteran leadership.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1.ORLANDO MAGIC
The chemistry and continuity this team has is essential to winning basketball. And this team has it in abundance. All of the starters are back and they added depth with acquisition of AL-FAROUQ AMINU from Portland. He will come off of the bench to spell starters AARON GORDON and JONATHAN ISSAC. Keeping this team together was a big move.
2.MIAMI HEAT
They may be the surprise team this season, with a rookie (TYLER HERRO) who is not scared at all. And sign and trade pickup of JIMMY BUTLER says everything about what this team is trying to accomplish. They have tasted success and they want more of it. A healthy GORAN DRAGIC would make that happen sooner than later.
3.ATLANTA HAWKS
The young and the restless have got the the energy to make this season a revelation for all involved. Heavy workloads for this team is coming and it seems as if they may be able to handle it, TRAE YOUNG and rookie CAM REDDISH will make it very interesting this season. If JOHN COLLINS can continue to pile up double doubles then it will be fun this season.
4.WASHINGTON WIZARDS
This season should be interesting as they added ISAIAH THOMAS (yeah THAT one) to play alongside BRADLEY BEAL and sleeper Rookie of the Year candidate RUI HACHIMURA. Lets see how much this team grows up while JOHN WALL remains injured.
5.CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The superstar is gone and they are left with having to figure out which side of the fence they will be on come the trade deadline. TERRY ROZIER is definitely on the spot as he knows the shoes of KEMBA WALKER will be hard to fill. MILES BRIDGES could use an upgrade to his game as well.