2017-18 Division Preview
Aug 3, 2017 22:30:00 GMT -5
Kots (Colorado GM), HawkEye, and 3 more like this
Post by Miege22 on Aug 3, 2017 22:30:00 GMT -5
It's been a few years since we've done these season previews, and we've got a month until training camp starts. So let's jump right in...
1. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors probably have the best starting 5 in the whole division with Cousins-Porzingis-Ariza-Booker-Fox. They've got solid contributors up and down the roster, and literally zero weak spots. I really like what they've done, even if I thought going Turner for #4 wasn't great value. This is just a remarkably balanced team that should make the playoffs yet again this season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are about to be that team that benefits enormously from his roster going through some real life changes. Dewayne Dedmon is about to see all the playing time he wants in Atlanta. Ditto for Allen Crabbe in Brooklyn. Kevin Love looks like he'll be moving up to the #2 role in Cleveland. Terry Rozier will get minutes early with IT out, and Chalmers is back in the NBA. Morris, Mirotic and Denzel Valentine should all see increased minutes as well. The Cavs have been so close to breaking through and getting back to the playoffs, and I think this season is the year they finally get back.
3. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls finally cracked the postseason last year for the first time in franchise history. They return almost everybody this year. They will be incredibly deep in the backcourt, with Russell-Payton-Beverly holding down the PG spot and KCP-Rivers-Mitchell playing the SG. The frontcourt is a little dicey, but they still have Vucevic and Drummond to fall back on. There are two keys here: 1. What do Bender and Skal do and 2. How will Rudy Gay play when he returns. If the answers to both of those questions are positive, the Bulls should be knocking on the door of the postseason again. If not, it'll be back to the lottery.
4. Brooklyn Nets
The biggest swing team in the division right here. The Nets are heavily reliant on a lot of unknowns. They could have the best top-7 in the division, depending on what happens with Taurean Prince, Cody Zeller, Dennis Smith and the rest of the roster. The problem for the Nets is they could have as many as five empty spots on the roster. Luwawu, Hernangomez, Collins, Richardson and Derrick Jones Jr. may not see a ton of minutes this year. Next year looks like it will be the year the Nets make their charge back to the top, as they will have 12 players under contract, and $14 million to spend. They'll also have four (potentially, five) draft picks over the next two years.
5. Boston Celtics
Despite declaring Boston the winner of free agency, the reality here is the Celtics simply have too many empty spots on their roster to make the playoffs. Kuzma, Yabusele, Wilson and Jackson may not see the floor at all this year. And, unlike Brooklyn, the top-end talent here doesn't crack the top-30 fantasy players. That being said, there is a lot to like here. Boston will be much improved compared to last year. They are balanced and will put up a fight all season long. They'll be a ton of fun to track, and should avoid the bottom 5 in the league. If those four rookies get playing time, a surprise playoff run is not out of the question.
Discuss.
1. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors probably have the best starting 5 in the whole division with Cousins-Porzingis-Ariza-Booker-Fox. They've got solid contributors up and down the roster, and literally zero weak spots. I really like what they've done, even if I thought going Turner for #4 wasn't great value. This is just a remarkably balanced team that should make the playoffs yet again this season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are about to be that team that benefits enormously from his roster going through some real life changes. Dewayne Dedmon is about to see all the playing time he wants in Atlanta. Ditto for Allen Crabbe in Brooklyn. Kevin Love looks like he'll be moving up to the #2 role in Cleveland. Terry Rozier will get minutes early with IT out, and Chalmers is back in the NBA. Morris, Mirotic and Denzel Valentine should all see increased minutes as well. The Cavs have been so close to breaking through and getting back to the playoffs, and I think this season is the year they finally get back.
3. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls finally cracked the postseason last year for the first time in franchise history. They return almost everybody this year. They will be incredibly deep in the backcourt, with Russell-Payton-Beverly holding down the PG spot and KCP-Rivers-Mitchell playing the SG. The frontcourt is a little dicey, but they still have Vucevic and Drummond to fall back on. There are two keys here: 1. What do Bender and Skal do and 2. How will Rudy Gay play when he returns. If the answers to both of those questions are positive, the Bulls should be knocking on the door of the postseason again. If not, it'll be back to the lottery.
4. Brooklyn Nets
The biggest swing team in the division right here. The Nets are heavily reliant on a lot of unknowns. They could have the best top-7 in the division, depending on what happens with Taurean Prince, Cody Zeller, Dennis Smith and the rest of the roster. The problem for the Nets is they could have as many as five empty spots on the roster. Luwawu, Hernangomez, Collins, Richardson and Derrick Jones Jr. may not see a ton of minutes this year. Next year looks like it will be the year the Nets make their charge back to the top, as they will have 12 players under contract, and $14 million to spend. They'll also have four (potentially, five) draft picks over the next two years.
5. Boston Celtics
Despite declaring Boston the winner of free agency, the reality here is the Celtics simply have too many empty spots on their roster to make the playoffs. Kuzma, Yabusele, Wilson and Jackson may not see the floor at all this year. And, unlike Brooklyn, the top-end talent here doesn't crack the top-30 fantasy players. That being said, there is a lot to like here. Boston will be much improved compared to last year. They are balanced and will put up a fight all season long. They'll be a ton of fun to track, and should avoid the bottom 5 in the league. If those four rookies get playing time, a surprise playoff run is not out of the question.
Discuss.