5 Story Lines to Monitor moving forward
Nov 23, 2017 16:55:13 GMT -5
New York Knicks (Tyler), Philadelphia 76ers (Chris), and 5 more like this
Post by The Athletic on Nov 23, 2017 16:55:13 GMT -5
Hey boys we're mid week 5 and this has been a very interesting season so far, here are 5 important story lines to monitor as we continue to move forward this season
Pelicans the best out West?
It's comical this Pelicans team was considering tanking at the start of the season. 5 weeks into the season the Pelicans sit atop the West at 5-0 while also being up against pre-season title contender Memphis Grizzlies. The team is loaded. Obviously they are led by Russell Westbrook, who obviously hasn't been as good this year, but his 41 FPs per game is one of the best in the league and we don't see that stopping any time soon. It's clear Russ is the engine but this team is really deep. Gortat, Hardaway, Redick, Siakam, and Butler are all key pieces who have contributed all season long. So where is this team destined for? I think it's fairly obvious this is a playoff team, but just how good is this team? One think detractors will point to is the combined 7-16 record of the teams they've beat. But the Pelicans have scored the 3rd most points in the league this far and i think its fairly obvious the Pelicans are legit. We're not sure yet if we're ready to call the Pelicans the title favorite or even the favorite out West, but the Pelicans have made their mark on the league, and we look forward to monitoring the Pelicans success moving forward.
Thunder shopping solid players
As the Western Conference playoff race starts to heat up there is a team who doesn't want to win that has solid players available. The Thunder have made it very clear they have plenty of serviceable players they are willing to move. George Hill, Markieff Morris, and Eric Gordon are all available. All three are decently affordable and it's unclear if the Thunder are willing help financially but we would assume they would as they want to be non competitive as possible. Sabonis continues to be untouchable, but as this is probably the most across the board competitive season we've seen in awhile there are plenty of teams that should be making calls to Oklahoma City. It will be interesting to see where these guys end up at the end of the season, and don't be surprised if a couple guys that were in Thunder uniforms at the start of the year make a difference in this year's championship winner.
Who is the big dog out East?
There are three undefeated teams out East and each three have valid claims as being the best team out East. The Magic probably have the weakest claim but have guys like Myles Turner, Enes Kanter, Evan Fournier, and even the rookie Jaysom Tatum. It's no doubt been a special season for the Magic who will look to keep it rolling. The Bucks have maybe the best 1/2 duo in the league in Giannis and Zinger, both have been special this season, and while they may not have a ton of depth Zinger and Giannis are going to do everything in their power to take this Bucks team to the top of the East. Gary Harris has also been very solid. Lastly we have the defending champions in the New York Knicks. The Knicks have come back even stronger this year. Wall hasn't been quite himself this year, but even his off-year would be considered amazing for 99% of the league. The big thing for the Knicks this year is the emergence of TJ Warren and Spencer Dinwiddie. Cuddos to the Knicks for waiting on TJ to develop. The return of Dlo may hurt Dinwiddie, but either way Spence has proved he's a player in this league and will get minutes. Pau Gasol and Middleton have really been awesome this year. Gun to our head we probably go Knicks, Bucks, and then Magic but all three are going to be in the discussion as the season progresses. Gonna be a real fun race of East.
Were the Clippers a two week wonder?
Early on it seemed like the Clipps were destined for their first ever playoff appearance early on in the season. After two straight losses and what looks to be a third this week the Clippers will sit at 2-4 and on the outside looking in. The Clippers have two franchise changing players in Hassan Whiteside and James Harden, but need to look to add depth. The Thunder seem like an ideal trade partner as they have affordable contributors they are looking to move. I still believe the Clippers have a shot, and when you have two stars really all you have to do is develop a somewhat competent supporting cast. I don't see the Thunder holding on to the 8th seed so it really comes down to the Clippers ability to beat a pretty beat up Kings squad. I'm rooting for Trey and it'll be fun to monitor this team moving forward. One thing is clear, Trey needs to make his money right now as a GM and make some trades. Go Clipps.
Spurs back in the hunt?
I think a lot of people counted the Spurs out at the start of the season, including Chris himself. Don't look now but the Spurs look poised to make a really nice run. Conley being out has resulted in Chalmers playing big minutes, and the Spurs have to soak up every single point Chalmers scores these next couple weeks. Capela has taken a huge step forward this year and will continue to be the catalyst for this team, really the only thing that hold him back is playing time. The Spurs actually boast a pretty deep team right now. Steven Adams was a really nice addition, Batum is back, TJ has been super solid in Fultz's absence, Bazemore has been pretty good, and don't look now but Chris' boy Monroe is getting minutes in Phoenix. It's still early and knows if guys like like Monroe, Chalmers, and McConnell will continue to produce this way into winter but it'll be interesting to see. On another note the Southwest division out West may be one of the better division we've seen in basketball dynasty history. Spurs will be a fun team to watch chug forward this year.
Who is the big dog out East?
There are three undefeated teams out East and each three have valid claims as being the best team out East. The Magic probably have the weakest claim but have guys like Myles Turner, Enes Kanter, Evan Fournier, and even the rookie Jaysom Tatum. It's no doubt been a special season for the Magic who will look to keep it rolling. The Bucks have maybe the best 1/2 duo in the league in Giannis and Zinger, both have been special this season, and while they may not have a ton of depth Zinger and Giannis are going to do everything in their power to take this Bucks team to the top of the East. Gary Harris has also been very solid. Lastly we have the defending champions in the New York Knicks. The Knicks have come back even stronger this year. Wall hasn't been quite himself this year, but even his off-year would be considered amazing for 99% of the league. The big thing for the Knicks this year is the emergence of TJ Warren and Spencer Dinwiddie. Cuddos to the Knicks for waiting on TJ to develop. The return of Dlo may hurt Dinwiddie, but either way Spence has proved he's a player in this league and will get minutes. Pau Gasol and Middleton have really been awesome this year. Gun to our head we probably go Knicks, Bucks, and then Magic but all three are going to be in the discussion as the season progresses. Gonna be a real fun race of East.
Were the Clippers a two week wonder?
Early on it seemed like the Clipps were destined for their first ever playoff appearance early on in the season. After two straight losses and what looks to be a third this week the Clippers will sit at 2-4 and on the outside looking in. The Clippers have two franchise changing players in Hassan Whiteside and James Harden, but need to look to add depth. The Thunder seem like an ideal trade partner as they have affordable contributors they are looking to move. I still believe the Clippers have a shot, and when you have two stars really all you have to do is develop a somewhat competent supporting cast. I don't see the Thunder holding on to the 8th seed so it really comes down to the Clippers ability to beat a pretty beat up Kings squad. I'm rooting for Trey and it'll be fun to monitor this team moving forward. One thing is clear, Trey needs to make his money right now as a GM and make some trades. Go Clipps.
Spurs back in the hunt?
I think a lot of people counted the Spurs out at the start of the season, including Chris himself. Don't look now but the Spurs look poised to make a really nice run. Conley being out has resulted in Chalmers playing big minutes, and the Spurs have to soak up every single point Chalmers scores these next couple weeks. Capela has taken a huge step forward this year and will continue to be the catalyst for this team, really the only thing that hold him back is playing time. The Spurs actually boast a pretty deep team right now. Steven Adams was a really nice addition, Batum is back, TJ has been super solid in Fultz's absence, Bazemore has been pretty good, and don't look now but Chris' boy Monroe is getting minutes in Phoenix. It's still early and knows if guys like like Monroe, Chalmers, and McConnell will continue to produce this way into winter but it'll be interesting to see. On another note the Southwest division out West may be one of the better division we've seen in basketball dynasty history. Spurs will be a fun team to watch chug forward this year.
