1) Chicago Bulls
For the last few seasons the Bulls title hopes were put on hold due to injuries suffered by their star player Derrick Rose. The return of Rose, along with the addition of 2-time NBA champion Pau Gasol should put the Bulls at the top of the standings in the East this year.
Pau Gasol is one the most skilled offensive big men ever. With Joakim Noah and Taj Gipson to do most of the heavy work on the inside, look for Gasol to return to his championship form.
One can not forget Noahs ability to pass the ball, which gives the Bulls a high/low option between Noah and Gasol, and an extremely potent pick and roll game with Derrick Rose and either big.
Scary thing about the Bulls is that they play great team defense. Add that to the fact they should have very little trouble scoring this year, and you have a formula for a championship season.
2) The Return of Kobe Bryant
One of the few players remaining from my adolescent years. Arguably the greatest player since Jordan retired. One of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA.
Kobe Bryant is about to begin his final act. How many seasons will it last? I dont know, but I hope that he goes out with a bang
If you appreciate hard work, and dedication to a craft, than you have to appreciate Kobe Bryants career.
I cant wait to watch Kobe play with a chip on his shoulder, as he already plays ever game like its his last.
He is going out on the court every night to prove to the critics, the fans, and his peers that he is still one of the best players in the NBA.
No doubt many people will be doing some Online sports betting on this final show from the legend, too.
So much fluidity in his game, if anybody can return to form despite age, an Achilles tear, followed by a fractured knee its Kobe.
His mental toughness, his ability to play through pain and adjust his game depending on the type of injury lead me to believe Kobe will return to top form. Even if he loses a step he is still the smartest, most skilled basketball player alive.
3) Big Three in Cleveland
Cleveland’s success will rely heavily on Kyrie Irvings and Kevin Loves ability to adjust their games. Kyrie Irving will have to get use to having more than one option on the court and not always having the ball in his hand.
Kevin Love will have to play more inside. He tends to float on the perimeter at times. With Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, and Dion Waiters on the perimeter it will be important for Love to emphasize his inside game even more than he did in Minnesota.
Lebron James should be extremely excited. Unlike Dewayne Wade, Kyrie Irving should be able to give James a consistent secondary/primary scorer. Unlike Chris Bosh, Kevin Love should give James a power forward with range that’s not scared to mix it up inside the paint.
4) Can Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook play together?
Its hard to call these guys the best duo in the NBA, because I have yet to actually see them put a whole season together(regular+playoffs) in which they played like a duo.
Scott Brooks has to do a better job of coaching these two. I am starting to doubt if he is the right coach for the job.
With Russell Westbrooks ability to get to the rim at will and Kevin Durants ability to shoot from anywhere you would think their games were a perfect fit for each other.
The problem is not how they play, but rather how they think. The two star players have mentalities that are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
5) Do the Spurs have an expiration date?
You would think Houston, Oklahoma City, Portland, or the Clippers with all their youth and rising stars would be on top of the Western Conference by now, but the Spurs continue to prove age aint nothing but a number.
The San Antonio Spurs are the best team in basketball, and at this rate the only thing that will change that is time. Im anxious to watch good team basketball and nobody plays team ball like the Spurs.