Here we are, finally back there NBA. And the weekly column is also back NBA Freestyle. Here are some hot topics that will characterize the season starting tonight.
Celtics, the team to beat
Virtually, they really have few limits. They are the champions, the team to beat. Jayson Tatum it’s one stella of the first magnitude, despite the generally good, but not stellar, playoffs. Jaylen Brown it’s a All-Star with points in his hands and a first-class defensive application. Jrue Holiday he is one of those players who make you make the leap in quality both in attack and defense. Derrick Whitea top-of-the-line point guard. There is theincognita Porzingiswho leaves injured. There squad was built to win again. In attack, they execute without frenzy and without selfishness. And if you build good shots (and have competent shooters), sooner or later the ball goes in. They use the three point shot like a lethal weapon. In defenseand that’s the key, they are responsive, concentrated, mobile, interchangeable. Coach Mazzulla is doing an excellent job.
Dallas Mavericks: Klay Thompson’s redemption?
On paper, add a laser shooter like Klay Thompson in the game system of Mavs it is a move to influence the fate of a championship. With two Satanassi ball in hand like Doncic e Irvingcapable of creating for himself (a lot), but also of unloading with great pace on the perimeter, someone like the former Warriors could make three-four triples in a single quarter of the game. We are talking, however, about Thompson at the peak of his career. One of the best snipers in history. The killer who had not yet “lost his shot”, ended up in an unprecedented crisis of confidence. What we saw, however, in past seasons raises quite a few doubts. In pre-seasonamong other things, continued to shooting from outside like any “Josh Giddey” (33.3%). Non of particular good omen.
Watch out for the second year of Wembanyama
He put on a few pounds of muscle. It’s even scarier. In addition, a wise man has arrived as a point guard Chris Paulcertainly now advanced in age, who with his lobs would be able to crush anyone. Let alone a 2.24 with his arm span. But in general the “sophomore years” are never the easiest to deal with. Adversaries begin to take more precise countermeasures. The surprise effect vanishes. Expectations are even higher. The French will do itbecause he is the only one of his kind. Because it has physical, dynamic, motor and structural characteristics that are difficult to repeat. And why the talentthe real one, you can’t contain it for long.
Minnesota T-Wolves, why?
As known, Karl-Anthony Towns was sent to Knicksin exchange for Julius Randle e Donte Divincenzo. But why dismantle a toy like this, when we were starting to see the fruits of a long (and painful) reconstruction? Salary reasons also have something to do with it, of course. Is it enough? Especially after the last playoffs, in which the T-Wolves had mistreated Denver, with a defensive system that would make the entire NBA tremble. They gave up an All-Star like Towns, who can be perfectly integrated both with their first violin (Edwards) and with a center like Gobert who certainly doesn’t open the area. A former first choice who had accepted a more secluded role for the good of the team. One of the best long shooters in the league, who plays a pick-and-pop (blocking and opening to shoot) of the highest level, and who had also begun to raise his game in defense. And for what? For Randle, a ball-eater, in love with his shot, who selects shots poorly, plays with little efficiency, and who shoots blanks from three? Divincenzo is an excellent player, he shoots spectacularly and defends strongly on the perimeter. Is it enough? Perhaps, Minnesota believes it can start the excellent Reid in the quintet. Stay the uncertainty of a chemistry to be rediscoveredwhen a chemistry had already been found.
The Thunder on the launch pad
This could be the right year for Oklahoma (57 wins last year). Now they also have playoff experience. I am young, athletics, enthusiastic, solid. And they have shooters, which never hurts. Gilgeous-Alexanderwith his essential playing style, is now one of the best in the league. Chet Holmgren he is a luxury in the modern NBA, with his perimeter danger, ability to understand the game, and intimidation under the basket. Jalen Williams he is uniquely complete, he knows how to score, he knows how to defend, he knows how to understand the rhythms. Lu Dort he is a defensive bulldog with a much improved shot over the years. They added Alex Carusowho growls on defense, knows how to lead the game, and has a round hand from three, unlike Giddey (who went to the Bulls). Nice prospects.
The Nuggets looking for redemption
Denver will try Of return to the topbut he lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (another important piece later Bruce Brown last year), which gave a good balance both in attack and defense. Everything will always revolve around the “game system” Nikola Jokic ea Jamal Murray: their two-man game, on the right evenings, is difficult to mark, it gives no points of reference. Aaron Gordon he has made the leap in quality and is now a high-level third violin. Michael Porter Jr will be called upon to play an even bigger role. He has lots and lots of shots, but creates little for others and isn’t a top-level passer.
New York Knicks most competitive
A long can create spacing like Karl-Anthony Towns next to a primary creator like Jalen Brunson it suits us really well. But the thing that fascinates most about the Knicks is the defensive potential. Con Josh Hart, Anunobye Mikal Bridges (arrived from the Nets), New York can count on a group of outsiders able to make a difference on defense and to cover the perimeter with physique, lateral mobility and speed in changes. They got rid of the Randle ballast, which is a great thing. It seems like a better prospect than the already positive last season. Watch out Miles McBride: if inspired, he knows what he’s doing in attack.
That’s all Folks!
See you next week.
