Post by The Athletic on Jul 27, 2018 14:03:43 GMT -5
New Orleans Pelicans
PG Russell Westbrook
SG Devin Booker
SF James Johnson
PF Draymond Green
C Marcin Gortat
UTL John Wall
UTL Buddy Hield
Key Bench – Tim Hardaway/Fred VanVleet
Championship Favorite
Here is your BBall26 2018-19 favorite. There is no other way to put it other than saying – this team is stacked. Westbrook, J-Wall, DBook, and Dray form a scary core group with the likes of Gortat, Buddy Hield and Hardaway playing depth roles. They are your clear favorites and the only thing that could hold them back is injuries. There isn’t really much more to say, Alex has built a great team after compiling picks these last few years and this is the result. Someone is going to have to pull off a major upset to knock these guys off but hey anything is possible - KG.
Dallas Mavericks
PG Kyle Lowry
SG Andre Iguodala
SF LeBron James
PF Taj Gibson
C Richaun Holmes
UTL Dejounte Murray
UTL Rudy Gay
Key Bench – Dirk Nowitzki
Championship Contender
Royce has made some changes after the failed experiment of KD and LeBron. He dealt KD for Lowry and Murray (pretty much) in what was considered a highly questionable move. The reasoning was there though as he brings in depth, which is something the Mavs clearly lacked this past year. Royce’s team this year is pretty deep but there is a glaring hole at center. The Taj Gibson pick up was solid as Taj is almost a near lock to be the same consistent beast he always is. Dejounte Murray has stud potential here with his stealing ability and Rudy Gay has a great opportunity with Kawhi gone. LeBron is going to need to have another unbelievable year for this team to make a run in the playoffs but this year Royce and the Mavs have the depth to do so. If the center position problem is fixed, I expect Royce to be in championship contention.
Memphis Grizzlies
PG Chris Paul
SG Lance Stephenson
SF Paul George
PF Bobby Portis
C Deandre Jordan
UTL Willie Cauley-Stein
UTL Zach Randolph
Key Bench: Garrett Temple
Playoff Contender
The Grizzlies have a veteran trio of CP3, PG13 and Deandre Jordan. All three of these guys will put up monster numbers but this team’s success is going to depend on how well the “other guys” play. WCS is the most intriguing of the bunch because of his rebounding and block potential, the only problem now is that the Kings are going to have Giles back healthy and just drafted Bagley. Portis has his own share of problems as Wendell Carter Jr. was just drafted and Jabari joined the Bulls recently. Lance Stephenson should be in for an interesting role with the new look Lakers but I don’t expect him to be a huge contributor for this Grizzlies team. Luke the Grizz are going to need to look for some depth and he knows it, he has been shopping the likes of CP3 and PG13 for a while now.
Houston Rockets
PG Jeff Teague
SG Jonathan Simmons
SF Harrison Barnes
PF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
C Boban Marjonavic
UTL Josh Hart
UTL Ersan Ilyasova
Key bench – Larry Nance/Frank Mason
Pretender
The Rockets are in a sticky situation, they do have some nice pieces to compete now but also have a few bright young spots. Jeff Teague and Harrison Barnes are both solid vets who should put up decent numbers. RHJ had a nice year and is on the verge of becoming a 25fp guy here. Hart showed out in the summer league and should be in for a decent role in LA. Larry Nance will have more opportunity on a new look Cavs team and Boban might finally be free. I think the Rockets need to find a direction or they may be stuck in mediocrity for a while.
San Antonio Spurs
PG Elfrid Payton
SG Malcolm Brogdon
SF Nic Batum
PF
C Clint Capela
UTL Trevor Ariza
UTL Danny Green
Key bench – Delon Wright/Greg Monroe
Playoff Contender
Chris and the Spurs always seem to put together a playoff team but this year might be a little different in a tough western conference. The obvious hole here is PF, not one player on this team has PF eligibility. Besides that, the Spurs bring a savvy veteran squad. Capela is a stud here and should put up some monster stat lines throughout the season. Elfrid is going back home to Louisiana and should contend for big time minutes next to Jrue. Batum is supposedly slotting back into a SF role in Charlotte where he can create more for his teammates, I expect him to have a much improved season. Danny Green should also be in for an increased role on a revamped Raptor team. I also really like Delon Wright and he should carve out another nice role for the Raptors. I think the Spurs will be on the brink of a playoff berth all depending on if they can ever get a capable PF.
