These teams are fun. Some are on the uptick, others are familiar faces on their way down. One way or another there’s been recent movement, and that’s always interesting. We call these teams “Almost Famous”.
Sidebar: Each NBA preview column will feature contributions from myself, and fellow HHSR contributors Kenneth Hicks and Anthony Hueston.
Boston Celtics
Last Season: It is no secret that the C’s have been in a rebuilding process. After Ray Allen took a pay cut and his talents to South Beach in 2012, the era of The Big 3” in Boston came to an abrupt halt. Knowing what it takes to win, Boston GM Danny Ainge has been quietly assembling a team that can be built for long term success. The Celtics have the fourth youngest roster in the NBA and the youngest head coach in 36-year-old wunderkind, Brad Stevens. There is a lot of room for growth inside of the organization, but don’t think for a minute that that is enough to temper expectations for the league’s winningest franchise.
Boston flew under the radar for most of last year and surprised many by landing in the playoffs ahead of schedule as a seventh seed. This gave them the unenviable task of facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, who swept the Celtics handily en-route to their NBA finals birth. Ironically, the Celtics proved to be too “green” to handle a team headed by battle-tested league general, LeBron James. The greatest move of the past season though may have been made by retired Celtic Danny Ainge when he sent streaky Marcus Thornton and a 2016 first round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Isaiah Thomas just before the trade deadline. Thomas contributed immediately off the bench averaging 17.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in the series versus the Cavs.
Offseason: Fresh off a fairy tale ending in Golden State, David Lee now finds himself anchoring the Boston interior. He is a smart, tough player who fits the identity and culture they are trying to breed in Bean Town. They also added sharpshooter RJ Hunter from Georgia St. and Terry Rozier a talented scorer from Cleveland, Ohio (by way of Louisville). Shooting .324 from three-point range, the Celtics were third worst in the NBA last season. Guard Avery Bradley is taking this to task by stating that he intends to be a .400 shooter from behind the arc this season, and “nothing less”. He’s connected on .524 of his triples in the preseason and has been shooting 300 bombs in practice per day. Bradley is already one of the premiere defenders at his position, and when paired with second-year guard Marcus Smart, make for a fearsome defensive backcourt.
Marcus Smart had a solid season as a rook. Soon Boston will be right back like they left something.
#Trending: Up. In the midst of all of Danny Ainge’s wheeling and dealing, the Boston Celtics have also stockpiled a nest egg of draft picks. So much so, that there is a very plausible scenario brewing where Boston could make the playoffs and still have an unprotected lottery pick from Brooklyn and an 8-10 lottery pick from Dallas as well to play with (or better, if it hits the lotto). I wouldn’t be surprised to see them package up some of their four first round picks (Boston, Brooklyn, Dallas, Minnesota) and/or four of their second round picks (Brooklyn, Cleveland, Miami, Philly) along with some expendable young talent for an impact player who may be looking to re-sign with Boston this upcoming offseason. It could be a great landing spot for a player like Kevin Durant if things sour in OKC over the course of the season.
This team has a lot of growing pains left to get through. Their greatest adversity will be having that lack of experienced star power and veteran leadership that can will them through the losing streaks, road trips and games in hostile atmospheres. Despite the inexperience, look for the C’s to take their lumps but keep moving forward. The luck of the Irish might be all the front office needs to turn this team into a future title contender.
— KH
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Season: Jason Kidd’s second foray into the coaching ranks saw him lead the young Bucks to a 41-41 record without highly touted rookie Jabari Parker, who unfortunately fell to injury early in the season. The Bucks traded starting point guard Brandon Knight (to Phoenix), and rescued point guard Micheal Carter-Williams from Philadelphia in separate deals. They also waived center Larry Sanders, who needed to confront his own mental struggles away from the game.
For the Bucks the combination of length, athleticism, length, good coaching and more length made them a bit of a surprise in the Eastern Conference as they earned the sixth seed in the playoffs. They faced off against their neighbors to the south the Chicago Bulls in what would be Derrick Rose’s first playoff action in three years. The Bulls ran out to a 3-0 series but the Bucks staved off elimination not once, but twice, forcing a Game 6 in Milwaukee…which they might as well have not showed up for. The Bulls completely embarrassed the Bucks 120-66 ending the season for Milwaukee.
Offseason: This offseason the Bucks: Redesigned their logo, drafted shooting guard Rashad Vaughn 17th overall out of UNLV, resigned starting two-guard Kris Middleton (who shot .400 from deep) to a 5-year $70 million pact, they brought in Piston free agent Greg Monroe with a 3-year $50 million max contract, signed a pair of journeymen in Chris Copeland (who played with Kidd during his stint with the Knicks) and Marcus Landry. On top of all of that Bucks are bracing for the return of Jabari Parker.
#Trending: Up. Fear the Deer! Bringing in Greg Monroe may not completely fit what they did last season — which settled around being long and athletic gobbling up rebounds and turnovers and trying to score easy buckets — but it will help them in the playoffs. Being able to pass the ball in and out the post will create more options for space and cutting lanes. Monroe, while not a great rim protector, is an able and willing passer while being an above average post scorer and upper echelon rebounder, especially on the offensive end. We will get another year in development for Giannis Antetokounmpo whose reign of rangy terror will only continue to grow, and with Jabari Parker’s eventually return to health, the Bucks should be able to continue to improve.
Last year’s playoff experience will prove valuable to them as them make a return this season and hope to improve on last years results.
— AH
Indiana Pacers
Last Season: In a flash it was all over, before it ever started.
Paul George somehow managed to recover from his devastating knee injury before the 2014-15 season ended. He appeared in six games, averaging 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per contest. Regardless, it was far too little and too late to matter.
Still, with leadership from the likes of Larry Bird (GM/President), Frank Vogel (coach) and David West (veteran/talented goon), Indy managed to go 21-12 in their last 33 games to finish the season. It still wasn’t enough to make the playoffs in the East, but all is not lost in The Circle City.
As a result of the George injury, a good team received a lottery pick. And with a touch of serendipity, a franchise can turn a tragic situation into Tim Duncan, five championships and 19 years of dominance.
OffSeason: Okay, so Indiana wasn’t nearly that lucky, but they did land Texas seven-footer Myles Turner with the 11th overall pick in the draft. Turner played well in the summer league and the preseason, and should immediately act as a serviceable Roy Hibbert replacement because, similar to Hibbert — as Jay Bilas said of Turner it during ESPN’s draft coverage — “running in a straight line is not his thing“. Never fear, Pacer fans; according to Bilas, Turner’s been “working on it”.
Sidebar: I had never laughed so hard during an NBA Draft.
Hysterical draft analysis aside, the Pacers also added Monta Ellis over the summer. Ellis’ run in Dallas was good enough to restore his name in NBA circles. No longer is he viewed strictly as the emptiest 20 points per game in the league (granted, some still feel this way), however he never quite reached his full potential as Dirk Nowitzki’s “second banana occasionally raising his game to first banana heights when necessary”. Ellis is an upgrade nonetheless and fits with the new small ball philosophy Indiana has adopted.
This philosophy has led Vogul to tentatively start Paul George at power forward this season. Remember two years ago when we were led to believe George (who naturally slides into the small forward position— we forget he’s 6’9″) was a two-guard? Those days are long over, and it may be for the best. Judging by his preseason performance, keeping up with guards defensively may be a thing of the past for PG.
#Trending: Up. The Pacers were one of the elite organizaitons in the conference over the last several years until George went down. They’ve since gotten younger, faster, more athletic, they now have three guys named “Hill” and they eliminated Hibbert’s dead weight. After a mid-summer trade, he’s now embarrassing a whole new franchise. Nap Town won’t have Dr. Hibbert to kick around anymore, but Indy will always have the memes and memories.
They may not look like much on paper, but the Pacers are poised to reappear in the postseason.
— JH
New York Knicks
Last Season: After missing the playoffs the spring prior, the Knicks began their season as fodder for the two teams that were assumed to be the leaders in the conference, opening at Chicago and at Cleveland. The Knicks were embarrassed by the Bulls 104-80 but rallied to defeat the Cavs version 1.0 with LeBron, Kyrie, Love, Waiters and Varejo in the starting lineup 95-90. Spoiling the home opener of a title favorite was great for New York, but it would be one of the few bright spots on the season.
Carmelo Anthony suffered a knee injury during this game that would linger and limit him throughout the remainder of the season, and eventually would require surgery after All-Star Weekend. Even before Melo sat out the Knicks had traded away or waived most of their bona fide NBA talent. JR Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavs as part of a three-team deal with the Thunder that saw the Knicks clear cap,and bring in a couple of journeymen and a 2019 2nd rd pick. Phil Jackson and Co. agreed to a buyout of Amar’e Stoudamire, and they traded Knick cult hero Pablo Prigioni to the Rockets for a 2019 2nd rd pick and Alexy Shved.
The Knickerbockers would eventually finish with their worst record in franchise history at 17-65. Ultimately, the Knicks smartly cleared cap space, tanked the season, and saved some wear and tear on their star player while evaluating some younger and journeymen talent in the system President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson and Head Coach Derek Fisher wanted install (which was a hybrid triangle, not the strict adherence to the principles that most talking heads ridiculed).
Offseason: When the season ended, the Knicks had around $30 million and the fourth pick in the draft (after being the only team to drop in their draft slot because…Knicks) to restock the roster. Armed with these tools, Phil Jackson filled the team with solid, respectable players, old and young, and zero star names, in a complete turnaround in franchise priorities. The Knicks flirted with Greg Monroe, DeMarre Carroll, DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge, but were unable or unwilling to make a deal. The Knicks did however bring in centers Robin Lopez and Kevin Seraphin, guards Arron Afflalo (who apparently sold Kendrick Lamar a bootleg copy of Reasonable Doubt back in the day) and Sasha Vujacic, and forwards Derrick Williams and Kyle O’Quinn (a Queens native) in free agency.
On draft night the Knicks swung for the fences and selected Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis fourth overall. The 7’1″ 20-year-old showed that he could drain it from deep, while possessing the agility and skill to put the ball on the floor. He also used his incredible length to play decent defense in the Summer League and preseason. Porzingis was roundly boo’d on draft night but in his words he’ll work to turn the boo’s into cheers.
The Knicks weren’t done on draft night as they traded for the draft rights Jerian Grant, the 19th overall selection from Notre Dame from Atlanta by sending out Tim Hardaway Jr. The Knicks also traded a pair of second round picks to the 76ers to select Willy Hernangomez, who played on the same Spanish team as Porzingis.
#Trending: Nowhere to go but up! For this season, if the Knicks can get a full season of a mostly healthy Melo, a better coaching season from Derek Fisher and NBA caliber performance from an undeniably improved roster they can compete for a near .500 record and a bottom playoff seed. In the preseason the Knicks have been pleasantly surprised by Derrick Williams whom was in the tops in the team with scoring along with Carmelo. Arron Afflalo missed some games but showed some steadiness that will help the team this season. The Knicks do not as of yet have a draft pick in 2016 so playoff success will be vital in showing positive progression to any potential free agents as the Knicks will once again have money to spend in free agency.
— AH
Toronto Raptors
Last Season: “What a Time to be Alive” if you are from Toronto. In a great year for hip-hop music, Toronto’s native son, Drizzy, continues to reign supreme in running the airwaves, the internet and the clubs. Not mention the Blue Jays came just shy of a trip to the World Series. Up next, the Toronto Raptors look to lay their contribution for this T-Dot renaissance. Let’s get into the Raptors 2015-16 “View from the 6”.
It was a tale of two seasons for the Raptors. The regular season showcased a high energy, high scoring team that finished the year with a 49-33 record (.598), which was a higher win percentage than the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat. They began the season at a fast pace and found themselves as the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in team history. After losing All-Star DeMar Derozan, who tore his left adductor longus tendon (we’re doctors over here too) and had to sit out for 6 weeks, the team stumbled.
Late season back spasms caught up with Kyle Lowry and hindered his effectiveness in the playoffs. High on offense and low on defense, the Raptors were exposed in the first round of the playoffs by the Wiz Kids who were offensively proficient enough to require the Raptors to beat them with their defensive play. They were swept 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs, a bitter pill to swallow for a team that feels they have just a good of a shot as anyone in emerging out of the Eastern Conference fog.
These guys are good. But do they look like title contenders to you?
Offseason: If science is indeed an art, then team chemistry must have some artistic qualities as well. After seemingly sacrificing defense for the sake of putting up numbers last season, the Raptors have made defense a priority as they looked to build off of last season’s successes. As always, the addition and loss of players through the offseason can greatly impact a team’s chances of replicating that winning formula even from just a few months prior.
The Raptors decided to mortgage off some of their scoring capacity to pick up strong defenders. The reigning “6th Man of the Year” and subject of Drake’s song Lou Will was lost to free agency, coming off a career-high 15.5 ppg. Despite the lack of depth, the Raptors cashed in by picking up DeMarre Carroll from Atlanta. Carroll reached playoff career-highs in points (14.6) and rebounds (6.1), while providing rock solid wing defense for the top-seeded Hawks. The Raptors even brought “home” guard Cory “Cory Joe” Joseph and former #1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, who both hail from Toronto, in hopes of giving both players a fresh start.
Luis Scola will also look to be a contributing factor with this team after seeing his minutes, points and rebounds all take a significant dip in Indiana. The Raps even drafted Delon Wright, a guard from Utah who was a two-time Pac-12 All Defensive Team (2014, 2015) member. It maybe some time before we can truly see if the Raptors experiment has been a success. However, high energy and a rejuvenated focus on defense should pay dividends early in the season.
Trending: Down. At this point, it’s hard to see the addition of Anthony Bennett as indication that any team is serious about having a successful season. All jokes aside, (sorta) the Raptors felt they had enough firepower to spare. They had the fourth highest scoring average per game in the NBA last season, (104.0 ppg). Luckily for coach Dwane Casey, you don’t necessarily have to shoot the lights out to win in the Eastern Conference.
The bad news for the Raptors is that Carroll averaged no more than 6.0 ppg his whole career before coming to the Hawks in 2013. Why is this relevant? Well, the Hawks success has been largely credited to their ability to replicate the same formula for success used by the San Antonio Spurs. That in mind, with such a disparity in productivity, the biggest question is whether or not his success is due to his own personal commitment, or if he was merely a product of the system around him. Furthermore, losing the depth that Lou Williams provides could prove to be very costly, especially if the Raptors find themselves making a late season push for playoff positioning.
— KH