How you looking?

 Playoffs – probably not. Think we finish 9th or 10th but are in the conversation all season long

Team MVP – Drummond, and it ain’t close either.

Most growth – KCP. Based on his season by season growth, I hope he becomes a true two way threat.

Most pleasant surprise – Baynes. A lot if people bagged this signing but I think he has a lot to offer and critics will be changing their tunes.

Biggest disappointment – Marcus Morris. I hope I’m wrong but for me the jury is still out on how he will perform without his bro. 

Traded – Brandon Jennings. I like Jennings, especially after the way he was playing right before he got injured. But he won’t come off the bench forever and two starting quality PG’s are a luxury I don’t think we can afford, especially if it lets us upgrade another position (PF, SF or SG). 

 Playoffs – probably not. Think we finish 9th or 10th but are in the conversation all season long

Team MVP – Drummond, and it ain’t close either.

Most growth – KCP. Based on his season by season growth, I hope he becomes a true two way threat.

Most pleasant surprise – Baynes. A lot if people bagged this signing but I think he has a lot to offer and critics will be changing their tunes.

Biggest disappointment – Marcus Morris. I hope I’m wrong but for me the jury is still out on how he will perform without his bro. 

Traded – Brandon Jennings. I like Jennings, especially after the way he was playing right before he got injured. But he won’t come off the bench forever and two starting quality PG’s are a luxury I don’t think we can afford, especially if it lets us upgrade another position (PF, SF or SG). 

 Playoffs: Definitely, Around 3-6 seed but will get beat in first or second round.

 Team MVP: Chris Bosh, he has been doing well last year as a first option before his blood clots so I see the same thing this year. Dragic and Wade close second.

 Growth: Hassan Whiteside. He will be matured throughout the season with the help of Spo, Pat and others and will put up stats that may put him in DPOY conversation but will not win it.

 Pleasant Surprise: Amar’e Stoudemire, I think he plays more than 70 games this season and contributes well off the bench.

 Disappointment: Mario Chalmers, He hasn’t been the same since Lebron left Miami and I think Tyler Johnson will took over as the backup for Goran Dragic.

 Traded: Chalmers and Birdman, They have been in the trade block lately and will get traded for almost nothing so the Heat can go under the luxury tax. Hate to see Birdman go though.

 Playoffs: Definitely, Around 3-6 seed but will get beat in first or second round.

 Team MVP: Chris Bosh, he has been doing well last year as a first option before his blood clots so I see the same thing this year. Dragic and Wade close second.

 Growth: Hassan Whiteside. He will be matured throughout the season with the help of Spo, Pat and others and will put up stats that may put him in DPOY conversation but will not win it.

 Pleasant Surprise: Amar’e Stoudemire, I think he plays more than 70 games this season and contributes well off the bench.

 Disappointment: Mario Chalmers, He hasn’t been the same since Lebron left Miami and I think Tyler Johnson will took over as the backup for Goran Dragic.

 Traded: Chalmers and Birdman, They have been in the trade block lately and will get traded for almost nothing so the Heat can go under the luxury tax. Hate to see Birdman go though.

 Timberwolves

Playoffs – No, I think they will finish between 10-12 in the West.  I believe that the beginning of the season will be a learning period, finding roles for players and gaining experience with such a young roster.  I think they will be somewhere around 30 wins, give or take.  I know finishing as high as 10 seems like a stretch in the West, but the Timberwolves arguably have the most young talent on a roster in the league between Wiggins, Towns, LaVine, Muhammed, and Rubio.  

MVP – Andrew Wiggins.  Last year he proved he can score on anyone (including LeBron).  I think he will be a more efficient version of his rookie self. 

Most Growth – Zach LaVine.  Earning more minutes this season, he’ll learn what a real NBA season is like and the physicality it requires.  I believe by the end of the season he’ll prove himself as a reliable scorer and playmaker when he needs to be.

Pleasant Surprise – The Big Ticket.  Everyone thinks he washed up and is just there to teach KAT a few things and retire on the team where he started his HOF career.  That’s not necessarily wrong, but he’s there to play too.  I think he’ll average about 8 ppg and 8rpg, and of course bring that intensity and energy on the defensive end.

Biggest Disappointment – Nemanja Bjelica.  Coming from a very successful career in Europe, people aren’t quite sure what to expect in his transition to the NBA, but most think he will be a solid contributor.  I’m not convinced, but hopefully he proves me wrong.

Traded – Pekovic, Muhammed, and/or Martin.  With the youth and productivity of Towns and Dieng at the 5, I don’t think there’s any room for the Serbian and his huge contract.  With Martin and Muhammed not starting, I don’t think either of them are good being 3rd or 4th at the SG/SF spot.  So one of those two will be shipped.

 Timberwolves

Playoffs – No, I think they will finish between 10-12 in the West.  I believe that the beginning of the season will be a learning period, finding roles for players and gaining experience with such a young roster.  I think they will be somewhere around 30 wins, give or take.  I know finishing as high as 10 seems like a stretch in the West, but the Timberwolves arguably have the most young talent on a roster in the league between Wiggins, Towns, LaVine, Muhammed, and Rubio.  

MVP – Andrew Wiggins.  Last year he proved he can score on anyone (including LeBron).  I think he will be a more efficient version of his rookie self. 

Most Growth – Zach LaVine.  Earning more minutes this season, he’ll learn what a real NBA season is like and the physicality it requires.  I believe by the end of the season he’ll prove himself as a reliable scorer and playmaker when he needs to be.

Pleasant Surprise – The Big Ticket.  Everyone thinks he washed up and is just there to teach KAT a few things and retire on the team where he started his HOF career.  That’s not necessarily wrong, but he’s there to play too.  I think he’ll average about 8 ppg and 8rpg, and of course bring that intensity and energy on the defensive end.

Biggest Disappointment – Nemanja Bjelica.  Coming from a very successful career in Europe, people aren’t quite sure what to expect in his transition to the NBA, but most think he will be a solid contributor.  I’m not convinced, but hopefully he proves me wrong.

Traded – Pekovic, Muhammed, and/or Martin.  With the youth and productivity of Towns and Dieng at the 5, I don’t think there’s any room for the Serbian and his huge contract.  With Martin and Muhammed not starting, I don’t think either of them are good being 3rd or 4th at the SG/SF spot.  So one of those two will be shipped.

Lakers 

Playoffs – No way. I guess they will win around 30 games and get the 12th seed in the west, ending up losing their pick.

Team MVP – Julius Randle. This is tricky. Kobe is the leader but I’m not sure he will be the best player of the team, especially if he shoots inefficiently around 40%. In the preseason I liked what I saw from Randle and if he can stay healthy and average around 16 with 6/7 rebounds and 2/3 assists, he will be the Lakers’ MVP.

Most growth – Julius Randle. Again. Jordan Clarkson might also be here, but Randle is such a hard worker that it’s difficult not to see him grow as a player as the season progresses.

Most pleasant surprise – Anthony Brown. Right now I think he’s the perfect fit in the starting five at the 3 spot around so many ball handlers. If he consistently hits open threes and defends well, he can become a good 3&D guy. For a 2nd round pick it’s great value. I’m thinking averages of 7/8 points with 2/3 rebounds.

Biggest Disappointment – D’Angelo Russell. He seems to struggle to adapt to the NBA and his shot isn’t falling. He’s still 19 and has time to grow, so I would bring him along slowly by letting him start off the bench and lead the 2nd unit with shooters like Williams and Young around him. He would be a disappointment for the draft position, at least this year. I’m thinking 8/9 points, 4 assists and 40% from the field.

Traded – Nick Young. If anyone will be traded it’s definitely him. I can’t see anyone else really getting traded.

Lakers 

Playoffs – No way. I guess they will win around 30 games and get the 12th seed in the west, ending up losing their pick.

Team MVP – Julius Randle. This is tricky. Kobe is the leader but I’m not sure he will be the best player of the team, especially if he shoots inefficiently around 40%. In the preseason I liked what I saw from Randle and if he can stay healthy and average around 16 with 6/7 rebounds and 2/3 assists, he will be the Lakers’ MVP.

Most growth – Julius Randle. Again. Jordan Clarkson might also be here, but Randle is such a hard worker that it’s difficult not to see him grow as a player as the season progresses.

Most pleasant surprise – Anthony Brown. Right now I think he’s the perfect fit in the starting five at the 3 spot around so many ball handlers. If he consistently hits open threes and defends well, he can become a good 3&D guy. For a 2nd round pick it’s great value. I’m thinking averages of 7/8 points with 2/3 rebounds.

Biggest Disappointment – D’Angelo Russell. He seems to struggle to adapt to the NBA and his shot isn’t falling. He’s still 19 and has time to grow, so I would bring him along slowly by letting him start off the bench and lead the 2nd unit with shooters like Williams and Young around him. He would be a disappointment for the draft position, at least this year. I’m thinking 8/9 points, 4 assists and 40% from the field.

Traded – Nick Young. If anyone will be traded it’s definitely him. I can’t see anyone else really getting traded.

siege

noun
1.
the act or process of surrounding and attacking a fortified place in such a way as to isolate it from help and supplies, for the purpose of lessening the resistance of the defenders and thereby making capture possible.
2.
any prolonged or persistent effort to overcome resistance.
3.
a series of illnesses, troubles, or annoyances besetting a person or group:
a siege of head colds.
4.
a prolonged period of trouble or annoyance.

siege

noun
1.
the act or process of surrounding and attacking a fortified place in such a way as to isolate it from help and supplies, for the purpose of lessening the resistance of the defenders and thereby making capture possible.
2.
any prolonged or persistent effort to overcome resistance.
3.
a series of illnesses, troubles, or annoyances besetting a person or group:
a siege of head colds.
4.
a prolonged period of trouble or annoyance.

 Jazz

Playoffs – very well in reach, they’ll be in a 6 team playoff race, I believe they’ll make the 8th seed. And lose in the first round.

Team MVP – Gordon Hayward, he will likely (hopefully) be an All Star this year.

Most Growth – Rodney Hood, he had a great last month of the season. I expect him to take that momentum into this year.

Most pleasant surprise – Rudy Gobert turning into more of a scorer, we saw glimpses of this in the preseason, he could be a strong post presence on both sides of the court.

Biggest Disappointment – Trey Lyles, he likely won’t find any playing time on the deep front court the Jazz have.

Traded – No one, if I had to pick someone though… Maybe Tibor Pleiss or Elijah Millsap, someone like that.

 Jazz

Playoffs – very well in reach, they’ll be in a 6 team playoff race, I believe they’ll make the 8th seed. And lose in the first round.

Team MVP – Gordon Hayward, he will likely (hopefully) be an All Star this year.

Most Growth – Rodney Hood, he had a great last month of the season. I expect him to take that momentum into this year.

Most pleasant surprise – Rudy Gobert turning into more of a scorer, we saw glimpses of this in the preseason, he could be a strong post presence on both sides of the court.

Biggest Disappointment – Trey Lyles, he likely won’t find any playing time on the deep front court the Jazz have.

Traded – No one, if I had to pick someone though… Maybe Tibor Pleiss or Elijah Millsap, someone like that.