2015-16 NBA Season Preview

Is this the year Oklahoma City breaks through? Can LeBron finally bring a championship to the city of Cleveland? Will the new look Spurs continue their dominance? Will Golden State validate their championship from last year? Rookie of the Year, how close will that race be?

Most Valuable Player: Russell Westbrook

My bias may come into play with this choice, but its valid. Russell *expletive* Westbrook is one hell of a player, my favorite player as well. This guy has the heart of a Kobe Bryant/Allen Iverson and competitive drive that is unparalleled in the league. How can you not love this guy’s game? Too many critics talk about how he needs to defer to Durant, but when there is not one person in this league that can stay in front of you off the dribble, which gives you the chance to create for yourself, and others, would you not take advantage of such ability? I hate pointing out numbers when talking about players, but you cannot deny 28, 9, 7. 2 and 10 triple doubles last season. Turned Enes Kanter into a solid NBA player. The Thunder were without Ibaka, Durant, and Collision, 3 rotation guys that have a huge impact on the team, and Westbrook lead them to within a crazy, double clutch, 40 foot, buzzer beating 3 pointer by Anthony Davis, of the playoffs. With Oklahoma City 100% healthy this year, look for them to have the best record in the league, and we all know how the MVP award is selected. Best record = MVP.

Defensive Player of The Year: Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is the created player we all created on 2k that is 7 feet tall, and can run, jump, shoot, handle the ball and play defense, basically the 99 overall guy. This is a tough decision for me, because I think Rudy Gobert will have such an impact on the Utah Jazz defensively this year, but they won’t qualify for the postseason, therefore eliminating him from the conversation. Last season Davis led the league in blocked shots and with a 7-4 wingspan, you can see why. When you watch Davis play, he jumps off your screen, he is a guy who has an affect on the game like no other player in NBA history. Here is a guy that can run the floor like a wing player, legitimately guard all 5 positions. Although AD has not quite led up to the comparisons of KG on the defensive end yet, I believe this is the year he will. Darren Erman, a name not many unless you follow the NBA fairly closely know. Erman is an elite defensive mind, and was hired as an Assistant for New Orleans this season. Erman is responsible for the Golden State Warriors Defensive Rating increase the past few years from 26th to 11th to 3rd. This past season he was with Boston and if you watched them at all, you saw how stifling they were on the defensive end, just imagine the knowledge Erman will impart upon Davis. Whew. Look out!

Rookie of The Year: Emmanuel Mudiay

I was a HUGE Mudiay fan coming out of high school, and wished he would have been able to play for the great Larry Brown at SMU, but he decided to go overseas for a year. Mudiay has one glaring weakness, that’s shooting from the outside. Mudiay is a prototypical guard with his explosiveness and his knack for setting up his teammates. Mudiay steps right into the starting position in Denver with Lawson moving to Houston. Jameer Nelson will be backing up Mudiay, teaching him the ins and outs of being successful in the league. Rookie of the Year is all about opportunity, and Mudiay will be given the keys to the ship. Denver wants to run and gun, don’t be surprised to see some eye-popping numbers.

Most Improved: Paul George

I was very hesitant to go for my guy Zach Lavine, but I am going to roll with PG. Coming off that gruesome leg injury we all saw live, PG looks to have a HUGE season. Lets not forget, this guy was giving LeBron a run for his money 2 years ago. An elite defender, 20+ point scorer, the guy is poised for an MVP type season. Only problem is the rest of his team is not set up for Indiana to succeed. Indiana’s only hope to make the postseason falls upon PG’s shoulders. Look for a 23, 7, 4 line from George this season.

Eastern Conference Outlook:

1. Cleveland

I will be the first to tell you I am not a Kevin Love fan, and strongly believe they should have let him go this offseason, or for that matter not make the trade that moved a guy who is turning into a legit wing player and will be a stud. The loss in the finals will only motivate all the guys, and especially the ones that were injured and could not participate. Look for Kyrie to assert himself this season and grow into more of a leadership role. LeBron will be LeBron. The key for Cleveland will be the bench and 3pt shooting. If those guys are making shots, it will be very tough for someone in the East to beat them in a 7 game series.

2. Chicago

Might have one of the most talented starting 5 lineups in the NBA. Mirotic and McDermott will step into bigger roles this season. With Hoiberg at the helm, look for the offense to be more perimeter oriented, and matchup based with 3pt shooting to be at a premium. Let me preface this next statement by saying I wish every player a healthy recovery, getting back to the level they were at before their injury because my playing career was cut short due to injury and still deal with the repercussions on a daily basis, so I never wish injury upon anyone. With that said, if I were the GM of the Chicago Bulls and had Hinrich and Brooks as my back up playmakers, I would look for any trade for Derrick Rose. There are teams that would give up a fortune for a guy like Rose, cough, NY, cough, but at this stage of his career and the system Hoiberg runs, I would look for big guards, and guys that can knock down an outside shot consistently. At the end of the day, as long as there is a guy named LeBron James in the Eastern Conference, Chicago will never make it past the ECF.

3. Miami.

IF Miami is 100% healthy when the playoffs begin, I don’t care where they finish the regular season, look for them to give Cleveland a run for their money and DO NOT be surprised if the beat them. That is a big “if” though. This team is 12 deep, easily. I expect Hassan Whiteside to be in the conversation for DPOY this season. When playoff time comes around, Dwyane Wade is a killer, and if they meet up with LeBron and co. look for Wade to post some ridiculous numbers.

4. Atlanta

Team play is the objective of the game of basketball, and you have to applaud Atlanta for adopting that philosophy. It is fair to say they were huge over achievers last season and will not match their 60-win total. Good team, not enough to make a difference in the final outcome.

5. Boston

Brad Stevens is one of my favorite coaches in the league. He doesn’t get enough credit for what he is doing up there in Boston. These guys are fearless, and would run through a wall for their coach. Avery Bradley is an elite perimeter defender who will scrap with anyone in the league. David Lee adds a scoring dimension to the team, with a guy like Isaiah Thomas, an elite Pick and Roll player, they have the chance to do some things in the East and surprise some people.

6. Milwaukee

Jason Kidd showed that he is a worthy coach last season. A top 5 defense, statistically speaking, utilizing length and athleticism, Milwaukee is a team you have to respect. Jabari Parker returns from injury and should add perimeter scoring, a guy who was NBA ready from day 1. With the addition of Greg Monroe, Milwaukee has a guy they can throw it to when they need a bucket.

7. Washington

Pierce leaving is a huge blow to this team, which were a few bench players away from being a legitimate threat in the East. I am a huge Brad Beal fan and look for him to assert himself as a borderline All Star selection this year. The DC area has to hope for the arrival of hometown superstar Kevin Durant this summer to change their fortunes.

8. Toronto

Not a fan of the Raptors. I believe they have been over-achieving these past few years, but they are another one of these teams that are stuck in the position of being good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to be a threat to winning the conference. You can’t be stuck in mediocrity for years, either go for it all or blow it up.

Western Conference Outlook:

1. Oklahoma City

100% healthy, best team in the league. No question. Scott Brooks out of the picture, Billy Donovan steps into one of the most lucrative situations in the league. As long as he can sustain the dynamic the team showed glimpses of last season, and Russell Westbrook is the guy who runs the show, they will be unstoppable. Kevin Durant can be the most lethal shooter in the league, most efficient scorer, playing off the ball. Anthony Morrow is a deadly 3-point shooter and is guy who will pay dividends come the postseason when teams try to double-team Westbrook/Durant. Ibaka will be in the conversation for DPOY as always with Adams, Kanter, and Collision filling out the rotation as the bigs.

2. San Antonio.

As long as Pop, Duncan, and Parker are around, the Spurs are championship contenders. Their biggest concern will be health, as always. With the additions of David West and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs solidified their front line after losing Splitter in free agency. San Antonio will push for the best record in the league and if it weren’t for my man crush on Oklahoma City, they would be my favorites.

3. Los Angeles Clippers.

Depth. LAC was very thin last postseason and was up 3-1 to Houston but blew it and lost in 7 games. With the additions of Lance Stevenson, Josh Smith, and Paul Pierce, the Clippers have veterans who understand big moments and produce in those situations. Pierce is a guy they can give the ball to in those critical moments and count on him coming through. The only question with this team will be chemistry and if they have enough outside shooting to make it through the deep Western Conference.

4. Golden State.

How can you go wrong with the name Steve Kerr? Great name. Golden State capitalized on the injury depleted postseason, not taking anything away from them, they earned their championship. They have a chance to prove how good they are this season, and I believe they will win 55+ games during the regular season. Once the postseason comes, with the likes of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, the reloaded Spurs, how will they fare? Only time will tell.

5. Memphis

The hard-nosed, stingy, blue-collar team from Memphis. I am a fan, but Memphis will only make it as far as their best perimeter scorer will take them. Who is that going to be this season? Will they make a trade? One thing to be said though, Tony Allen is “first team all defense. That’s first team all defense” good.

6. New Orleans.

Anthony Davis. That’s all that needs to be said. Alvin Gentry will turn Davis’ season into a historic one. Watch out.

7. Houston

I have a love/hate relationship with James Harden. The guy gets, b-u-c-k-e-t-s. But he is a turnover machine in critical moments and dribbles way too much for my liking. This team turns into a 1-4 set watching him try to make a play that ends up into a step back jump shot. Dwight Howard will have to prove himself now that he is healthy. However, the addition of Ty Lawson may help take the ball out of Harden's hands and take him off the ball, keep an eye out on how that situation plays out. Houston’s lack of leadership will forever come back to haunt them.

8. Phoenix

My sleeper pick this year, Phoenix has been on the cusp of the postseason for a couple seasons now. With the addition of Tyson Chandler, they get a rim protector who will be perfect within the random pick and roll offense Hornacek likes to run. Eric Bledsoe is a talent and with him and Brandon Knight in the backcourt, look for Pheonix to get out and run as usual.

NBA Finals: Oklahoma City vs. Cleveland

LeBron vs. Durant. Westbrook vs. Kyrie. Ibake vs. Love. Adams/Kanter vs. Thompson/Varajeo. Donovan vs. Blatt. These matchups make any basketball fan salivate just thinking about. Two teams with dynamic scorers, and bigs that can rebound and shut down the paint. In case you have not noticed the theme throughout this article, Westbrook is on a mission to destroy the league. I’m not a believer in JR/Shumpert/Love in big time games. Too inconsistent for me. The key to this series is obviously health. With OKC 100% healthy it will be incredibly difficult for Cleveland to slow down the two most dynamic players on one team, in the NBA. Unfortunately, LeBron will fall in the Finals yet again. OKC wins in 6.

Series MVP: Russell Westbrook