2016-17 NBA Preview: rematches and revenge
A brand new NBA season—infused with colorful storylines and distinctive possibilities–begins on Tuesday, Oct. 25. After an eventful offseason, the upcoming season proves to be one with rim-rattling potential. Multiple moves have changed the aspects of today’s league. Three pioneers of the late 1990s and 2000s, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan, have all retired. And, most notably, superstar Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, the defending Western Conference Champions who last year went 73-9 to break the season record for team wins. It’s easy to think the Warriors will be competitive this year, but a different bench and pressure to perform creates a situation unlike head coach Steve Kerr’s first two seasons in Oakland. A team full of chemistry last year has changed its look, hoping to achieve its second title in three years.
The Warriors, however, are rivaled across the country by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who came back after being down 3-1 to the Golden State in last year’s NBA Finals, winning their first title in franchise history. Led by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and a spirited supporting cast, the Cavs look to defend their title and remain atop the Eastern Conference. Cleveland won’t see an intense amount of conference competition, only the Raptors, who the Cavs beat in the 2015-16 Eastern Conference Finals, and the new-looking Boston Celtics have the talent, coaching, and depth to truly compete with the Cavs in the postseason. Boston holds a flock of young talent and draft picks that could be pieced into a blockbuster trade mid-season. For now, though, head coach Brad Stevens will use the players he has now: the burgeoning defense of Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley, the bite-size yet big-time scorer Isaiah Thomas, and the new big man Al Horford.
The rest of the East seems mundane enough, but untapped rookies and new lineups favor potential entertainment throughout the conference. The Milwaukee Bucks’ new starting point guard is Giannis Antetokounmpo, a 6 foot 11 inch behemoth ready to skillfully maneuver himself around, and through, opposing defenses. The Indiana Pacers have added decorated veterans Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young, and Al Jefferson; could they surprise the Cavaliers in the playoffs? The Philadelphia 76ers, finally making strides up the rebuilding hill, are set to roll out their young players –Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Timothe Luwawu, and (when he recovers from his broken foot) Ben Simmons. Athleticism and 3-point shooting–two cornerstones of today’s NBA–may at last be coming back to Philly.
While the East’s competition is weak, the West—besides the Warriors, of course—will remain ambitious and enthusiastic. The San Antonio Spurs are poised to contend again after signing Pau Gasol and David Lee—though coach Gregg Popovich’s bunch can only reach the heights achieved by star forwards Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Los Angeles Clippers, with almost the same roster as last year, will also attempt a coup on the Warriors’ Western reign. But, new to the playoff win party are the Northwest Division youth movements—the Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Portland’s guard combo, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, will fire all the three- pointers, pull-up jumpers, and euro steps in the world. Utah’s fervent coach Quin Snyder, veteran additions like Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw, and ever improving scorers Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors will catapult them into the heat of the West’s playoff hunt.
Meanwhile, the Thunder, hell-bent on revenge for Kevin Durant’s summer exodus to California, will be epically championed by Russell Westbrook, their boisterous, rim-rocking leader. A point guard of muscle, dynamic force, and snappy interview comebacks, Westbrook is determined for a MVP-season to swat away the overwhelming Warriors.
Certainly, the budding Western rivalry will be played at full strength all season— a treat for NBA fans nationwide. But, even with rivalries and tensions alike, the coming basketball year seems as predictable as ever. Right now, the Warriors and Cavaliers appear too deep and too powerful for others to truly compete with them.
Season outlooks change, however, and potential trades, unknown rookies, and injury risks may soon alter the power grid of the league. But for now, Cleveland and the Warriors seem assured to reach the Finals for the third straight year.