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With the National Basketball Association (NBA) starting next week, let’s take a quick look on how I think every division will play out throughout the season.
East Division
1. Boston Celtics. You have to commend the Boston Celtics for not being satisfied with grabbing the #1 seed in the East last season. Adding Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Morris, and Jayson Tatum will make the Celts outstanding this season.
2. Toronto Raptors. The Raptors pretty much stayed put during the offseason, which means that the Raptors will win 50 games again.
3. Philadelphia 76ers. The backcourt puzzle has been solved as rookie PG Ben Simmons and free agent pickup JJ Redick should allow for the Sixers to compete for a playoff spot this season.
4. Brooklyn Nets. The only way that the Nets can go is up.
5. New York Knicks. The Knicks are officially in tank mode.
Central Division
1. Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though the Irving trade happened, the Cavs are the best team in this division by a longshot.
2. Detroit Pistons. Trading for SG Avery Bradley will improve Detroit’s defense.
3. Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a super year, but Jabari Parker needs to stay healthy.
4. Indiana Pacers. The Pacers appear to be tanking a bit after trading Paul George to Oklahoma City.
5. Chicago Bulls. The Bulls appear to be tanking even more.
Southeast Division
1. Miami Heat. If the Heat continue to play like they did the second half of last season, then they will surprise teams this season.
2. Washington Wizards. If the Wizards only had a bench, then they would win this division.
3. Charlotte Hornets. Nicolas Batum’s injury will hurt Charlotte at the start of the season.
4. Orlando Magic. The rebuilding project continues.
5. Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks will look to swoop in for the next Draft lottery.
Southwest Division
1. San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were one twisted ankle away from winning the playoffs last season.
2. Houston Rockets. Trading for PG Chris Paul shows that the Rockets are for real.
3. Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will experience more obstacles then usual because Memphis is looking to scrap their defense.
4. Dallas Mavericks. Dennis Smith, Jr. will ensure that the Mavs cannot end up in the gutter.
5. New Orleans Pelicans. What is this organization doing?
Northwest Division
1. Oklahoma City Thunder. Not having a bench should not matter until the playoffs.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves appear to be fed up with not making the playoffs because the team added JImmy Butler, Jeff Teague, and Taj Gibson.
3. Utah Jazz. Losing Hayward hurts, but watching Donovan Mitchell score points off of the bench will be fun.
4. Portland Trail Blazers. Having one of the best backcourts in the NBA doesn’t hurt. Having a lack of depth on the team does hurt.
5. Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are about a year away.
Pacific Division
1. Golden State Warriors. To make life even more hectic for their opponents, the Warriors now have depth off of the bench.
2. Los Angeles Clippers. Trading Chris Paul to Houston allowed for the Clippers to vastly improve their depth. Signing PG Milos Teodosic from Europe allows for Lob City to continue.
3. Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were able to strike gold in this draft by picking up rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma.
4. Sacramento Kings. The Kings finally have some direction now.
5. Phoenix Suns. The Suns will find themselves in Lottery Land once again.
Pic is from Pixabay.com
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