Cleveland Cavaliers
Out: Matthew Dellavedova, Sasha Kaun, Timofey Mozgov, Mo Williams
Come: Chris Andersen, Mike Dunleavy, Markelle Brown, Kay Felder
This season, the biggest boost for the reigning champions is, believe it or not, the extension of JR Smith's contract, despite numerous vicissitudes. For the second season in a row, Cleveland started preparations for the season due to a contract problem with one of the key players in an incomplete lineup - last year, the problem was with Tristan Thompson. The biggest question facing Cleveland is whether they can beat Golden State with Kevin Durant in what is already projected to be a replay of the Finals. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine that LeBron does not enter the grand finals for the seventh time in a row, bearing in mind that Kyrie Irving is still in the phase of his career when he is improving his form, and considering what he has done so far, the position of the best playmaker (maybe also a player?) in the East seems cemented in the coming period. Kevin Love will be even better, he lost weight, he is more mobile, and in the preseason he reminded of the dominator he was in Minnesota. Channing Frye will play a lot more, and with him in the lineup, Cleveland can provide long-range shooting from all positions. The champions should also be watched this year because of the rookie-sophomore pair of Kay Felder-Jordan McCrae. The latter has already profiled himself as a very prolific netminder and it will be interesting to see how much his performance will allow the first line-up minutes of rest on the bench. The equestrian machinery will continue to tread this season, Lebron will record record numbers in record low minutes, TT will dominate in the jump and Kevin Love will return to the All-Star lineup of the East.
Projection: 1st place
Indiana Pacers
Out: George Hill, Jordan Hill, Solomon Hill, Ty Lawson, Ian Mahinmi
Come: Jeff Teague, Aaron Brooks, Jeremy Evans, Al Jefferson, Kevin Seraphim, Thaddeus Young
Indiana is the team that probably did the best in the transfer window. The slow and unstable playmaker George Hill was replaced by Jeff Teague, who, despite a bad season in Atlanta, is a more mobile penetrator and an equally good defender. I'm not sure why Al Jefferson was brought in, other than to increase the intelligence level of the racket a little, but he won't play anyway if top sophomore Myles Turner, who was one of the most underrated young players in the league last year, stays healthy. Let's remember the phenomenal block on Lebron, the fight for rebounds and the huge pickenpop potential due to the skill from the mid-range. When Tadiya Young is added, Indiana's racket seems stronger than ever, since the David West-Roy Hibbert combination. Everything still depends on Paul George - last season was his first after a serious injury, this season he seems angrier than ever and more ready to dethrone King James. For Indiana to do something special this season, Paul George needs to be in the top three MVP candidates, which he will undoubtedly aim for. Indiana will play phenomenal basketball and hopefully face Cleveland in the Conference Finals.
Projection: 3rd or 4th place
Detroit Pistons
Out: Joel Anthony, Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks, Anthony Tolliver, Spencer Dinwiddle
Come: Boban Marjanović, Ish Smith, John Luer
DIIIIIII-TROIT BASKETBALL! will fight again in the Palace, fans have not had this much reason for optimism since the championship ring in the middle of the last decade. The Pistons preserved the roster and brought in a couple of reinforcements, the most interesting of which is, of course, the benevolent giant from Zaječar – Bobi Marjanović. Frankly, I'm not sure how much Bobby will play this year, even though he was paid 21 million. Aaron Baynes, the backup to the untouchable Drummond, transferred his top form from the Olympics to the preseason, and there is the ever-improving John Luer from Phoenix, who will cover the 4 or 5 if needed. The aforementioned Drummond is still the biggest star, he will record over 12 rebounds per game and be an indestructible pick and roll combination with Reggie Jackson, but the man who will make the final step towards All-Star material is Kentavious Caldwell Pope, better known as KC.P. Perpetually under the radar compared to draft peers Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oladipo, McCollum, Carter-Williams, Adams and Gober, KC has virtually no weak spots in his game. He is slowly becoming one of the best shooters in the league, with a phenomenal entry and toughness on defense.. Sophomore Stanley Johnson is also a big potential, especially on defense, and he has to earn a place in the starting five in time. If Reggie Jackson stayed healthy for most of the season, as he won't, and if somehow Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris were to play less, Detroit would have a legitimate chance to reach not only the playoffs, but also the (semi)finals of the Conference.
Projection: from 5th to 8th place
Chicago Bulls
Out: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Tony Snell, Antoine Mohr, Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, Justin Holiday
Arrived: Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, Michael Carter-Williams, Spencer Dinwiddle, Isiah Kenan, Jerian Grant
The traumatic Derrick Rose era in Chicago is over – the injury-prone playmaker and former MVP of the league moved to New York, and veterans Rajon Rondo and Dwayne Wade, who together have 4 rings, joined Jimmy Butler. That Chicago is aiming for the biggest ranges is an open secret, the only fear lies in the feasibility of playing so many incoming basketball players. It's a shame that they had to part with Antwan Moore, who already showed in the preseason that he will be a great addition to New Orleans, and the trade of Carter-Williams for Tony Snell is absolutely not clear to me. Toni Snell, who until two seasons ago was thought to be able to reach the level of Kawhi Leonard, did not get enough minutes last year and is one of the few in this team who can shoot the basketball. Chicago may have the best bench in the Conference: Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic are killer offensive solutions, and Bobby Portis is an aggressive center with a soft hand. Felicio and Dinwiddle, who didn't look bad at all in the summer league and preseason, could also get good minutes. Finally, there is the first star of the last summer league – the phenomenal arm Denzel Valentine, who has yet to recover from an injury. Chicago really has a handful of players who can explode this season, and it's up to the talented Fred Hoiberg to stack the dice the right way.
Projection: from 3-6 seats
Milwaukee Bucks
Out: Jared Bayliss, Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, Grivis Vasquez, OJ Mayo
Come: Michael Beasley, Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry
Milwaukee looks fantastic, attractive, exciting. I would pay to watch them practice. What Jabari Parker and the human alphabet Giannis Antetokounmpo will do this season will be difficult to describe in words. Chris Middleton will flood from the back position, Miles Plumlee and John Henson will fight for every rebound and I'm still not sure how much space Greg Monroe will have and to whose detriment, because he is the type of player who looks for the ball in the low post and when he gets it, he is not in the habit of passing it on. Under the baton of Jason Kidd, Dellavedova will become one of the most sought-after point guards in the league, due to his unselfishness and fanaticism in defense, and his shooting has improved so much that he is no longer the little Australian from two years ago who you can leave alone on the three. Michael Beasley may have 30-point games, but most of the time he will be soloing and the bricklayers, I am not sure about his role on the court either. My most favorite ruck this season – Ton Maker, with his 215 cm and perfect ball control and shooting, has yet to prove that he can play with the strongest. Milwaukee, with its youth, jumpiness and range of arms, will steal points from many favorites, but the question is how good they will be in continuity and whether they will achieve a sufficient number of victories in the ever stronger East.
Projection: fight for the playoffs
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
