Trell's 5 BOLD Predictions for the 2014-15 NBA Season
Football is upon us but it's never a bad time to talk NBA hoops. A lot has change in the NBA since the Spurs won the title in June over the Miami Heat. LeBron's return to Cleveland, Carmelo staying in NYC and a host of other off season moves have most NBA teams feeling good about their chances to make a title run. Things can change between now and the tip-off of a new season but here are my five predictions that most NBA fans will not see coming.
1. The Raptors will make the Eastern Conference Final
The Toronto Raptors are coming off a surprising season finishing 3rd in the East with a 48-34 record. Despite getting knocked out in the 1st round by the more experienced Brooklyn Nets in 7 games, the Raptors have been quiet but very productive this off season. Resigning "boarder line all-star" Kyle Lowry was top priority for the Raptors who will also have the services of all-star and FIBA World Cup participate DeMar DeRozen. To boost their depth in the backcourt Toronto also resigned Greivis Vasquez and acquired Lou Williams from Atlanta. Questions still surround their frontcourt but throughout last season Amir Johnson and Joans Valanciunas showed signs of improvement. The eastern conference is not as weak as it use to be but with last year's Game 7 experience and and improved roster; the Raptors can easily be a top 2 team in the east.
2. Rajon Rondo will be traded to the Charlotte Hornets
Does Rondo want out of Boston? None of us really know the answer but the speculation is so strong that teams are putting trade packages together for the 4 time all-star. If Rondo does want out; then Charlotte is where he would land. The trade would include Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo in which all three players contracts will be completely off the books after the 2015-16 season. Rondo with Lance Stevenson and Al Jefferson will be a big 3 that can win upwards to 50 games in the eastern conference. I'm sure if Rondo is available Michael Jordan will find some time of way to be a player in that poker match.
3. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be the 1st NBA team to have three All-NBA 1st team players.
LeBron and Kevin Love (if healthy) is automatic. The wildcard is the 22 year old point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving has been a topic in the league since he became the number one pick in the 2011 draft hand hasn't disappointed yet. Two all star appearances, all star MVP and a number of other accolades is a solid foundation to start a career on. With James and Love handling the scoring load, don't be surprised to see Kyrie leading the league in assist, pushing Chris Paul to the second team All-NBA.
4. This will be Scott Brooks last year as Oklahoma City Coach
Scott Brooks has been outstanding for the Oklahoma City Thunder leading the team to 50+ wins 4 out of the last 5 season (47 wins in the strike shorten 11-12 season), 3 trips to the western conference championship and a finals appearance. For some franchises that's something commendable but when you have the MVP of the league and a perinatal all-star at point guard, the expectations are much higher than other teams. Brooks has a 39-34 playoff record and after losing in the western conference finals last season to the aging San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder will believe that the team had outgrown Brooks laid back offensive philosophy and shortcomings in the playoffs. I expect for Mark Jackson to be heavily considered as Brooks replacement.
5. The San Antonio Spurs will repeat as NBA Champions
This NBA season will be the most exciting year since the "Big 3 in Miami" off season, yet all roads to the championship go through the AT&T Center. The Spurs bring back a championship team with not a hair out of place after resigning Patty Mills and Boris Diaw and even giving Coach Popovich a contract extension. Drafting 6'9" point guard / small forward Kyle Anderson is just the icing on the cake for the Spurs to add a 6 ring to the franchise's legacy.
1. The Raptors will make the Eastern Conference Final
The Toronto Raptors are coming off a surprising season finishing 3rd in the East with a 48-34 record. Despite getting knocked out in the 1st round by the more experienced Brooklyn Nets in 7 games, the Raptors have been quiet but very productive this off season. Resigning "boarder line all-star" Kyle Lowry was top priority for the Raptors who will also have the services of all-star and FIBA World Cup participate DeMar DeRozen. To boost their depth in the backcourt Toronto also resigned Greivis Vasquez and acquired Lou Williams from Atlanta. Questions still surround their frontcourt but throughout last season Amir Johnson and Joans Valanciunas showed signs of improvement. The eastern conference is not as weak as it use to be but with last year's Game 7 experience and and improved roster; the Raptors can easily be a top 2 team in the east.
2. Rajon Rondo will be traded to the Charlotte Hornets
Does Rondo want out of Boston? None of us really know the answer but the speculation is so strong that teams are putting trade packages together for the 4 time all-star. If Rondo does want out; then Charlotte is where he would land. The trade would include Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo in which all three players contracts will be completely off the books after the 2015-16 season. Rondo with Lance Stevenson and Al Jefferson will be a big 3 that can win upwards to 50 games in the eastern conference. I'm sure if Rondo is available Michael Jordan will find some time of way to be a player in that poker match.
3. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be the 1st NBA team to have three All-NBA 1st team players.
LeBron and Kevin Love (if healthy) is automatic. The wildcard is the 22 year old point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving has been a topic in the league since he became the number one pick in the 2011 draft hand hasn't disappointed yet. Two all star appearances, all star MVP and a number of other accolades is a solid foundation to start a career on. With James and Love handling the scoring load, don't be surprised to see Kyrie leading the league in assist, pushing Chris Paul to the second team All-NBA.4. This will be Scott Brooks last year as Oklahoma City Coach
Scott Brooks has been outstanding for the Oklahoma City Thunder leading the team to 50+ wins 4 out of the last 5 season (47 wins in the strike shorten 11-12 season), 3 trips to the western conference championship and a finals appearance. For some franchises that's something commendable but when you have the MVP of the league and a perinatal all-star at point guard, the expectations are much higher than other teams. Brooks has a 39-34 playoff record and after losing in the western conference finals last season to the aging San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder will believe that the team had outgrown Brooks laid back offensive philosophy and shortcomings in the playoffs. I expect for Mark Jackson to be heavily considered as Brooks replacement.
5. The San Antonio Spurs will repeat as NBA Champions
This NBA season will be the most exciting year since the "Big 3 in Miami" off season, yet all roads to the championship go through the AT&T Center. The Spurs bring back a championship team with not a hair out of place after resigning Patty Mills and Boris Diaw and even giving Coach Popovich a contract extension. Drafting 6'9" point guard / small forward Kyle Anderson is just the icing on the cake for the Spurs to add a 6 ring to the franchise's legacy.
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