With the NBA season fast approaching, there are many questions that still need to be answered. Here are a few of them.
After reloading this summer, will the Spurs be able to make a championship run?
After one of the most successful offseasons in recent years, the Spurs look primed to make another run at the NBA championship. They re-signed reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard and sharpshooter Danny Green to shore up their wing positions, as well as signing top free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge. With a seemingly ageless Tim Duncan, the Spurs have a good chance to be great this season. Unfortunately they have no real center on the roster aside from Duncan, so frontcourt size and depth could be an issue. Despite this, with one of the best coaches of all time at the helm and three future hall of famers on the roster, the Spurs could very well find themselves in contention for their second championship in three years.
Will the Clippers’ offseason moves pay off?
Last season the Clippers statistically had the best starting lineup in the NBA. Unfortunately, beyond their top six players, the rotation was problematic. When Austin Rivers is playing major rotation minutes while averaging seven points per game, you know there is a problem. Fortunately, the Clippers were able to avoid disaster and re-signed center DeAndre Jordan. They were also able to seriously upgrade their bench. The overhauled second unit is now made up of Rivers, Jamal Crawford, Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith, an eclectic group of players who all need to have the ball to contribute. It will be interesting to see how this group gels and if Los Angeles is able to make it to the Western Conference Finals or beyond this season.
Can the Warriors repeat?
After one of the best seasons in NBA history, the Warriors look to repeat as champions. In the offseason, GM Bob Meyers was able to re-sign forward Draymond Green to a lucrative deal, as well as trade rarely-used former All-Star forward David Lee to the Celtics in a salary dump. As a result of the trade, Meyers was able to pick up Jason Thompson for an additional center to go with Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezili. By retaining the core of their roster, the Warriors look to be in great position to take their place in the NBA Finals once again.
Will the Miami Heat be contenders in the East?
When LeBron James left Miami, the general public and media were skeptical of Miami’s chances to compete in the weaker Eastern Conference. With the emergence of Hassan Whiteside and the midseason acquisition of point guard Goran Dragic, the Heat had a good chance to make the playoffs, even after Chris Bosh went down for the season with blood clots. After adding a great deal of depth, especially in the frontcourt, Miami seems poised to be a real contender and a possible top three seed in the Eastern Conference.
Does Ty Lawson put Houston over the top?
The Rockets were the two seed in the West and made it to the Western Conference Finals last season. Now they have another ball handler and creator to pair in the backcourt with James Harden. Lawson has a chance to lead a second unit that could be one of the best in the league. If Lawson can fit in with Harden, they have a legitimate shot at winning their first title in 20 years.
