Pre-Season HeadlinesThe off-season was a wacky one, with guys like Kevin Durant, Paul Millsap and Dougie McBuckets changing area codes. Here were some of the headlines!
- Terry Stotts has high hopes for season after "very good" training camp
- Cavaliers, Clippers emerge as betting odds favorites for 2018 championship
- Blazers' starting five: Lillard, McCollum, Aminu, Giles, Gobert
- Bruno Caboclo now just one year away…
- Curry on Durant's departure: "Fuck KD"
- Lance Stephenson to start at point guard for Kings
- Austin Rivers on Clippers' big 4: "it's really a big 5… don't leave DeAndre out like that"
- Thibodeau on Timberwolves: "we're spooky"
- Kerr on Warriors' offseason: "I need a drink"2017-18 PRE-SEASON POWER RANKINGSYou look at these power rankings, and start to get the sense that the Cavs, Clippers and Blazers are the only real title contenders. Gotta love parity! At the risk of losing my job, I won't say any more. Here's the power rankings!
1. Cleveland (last season: 60-22, NBA Champs) | Starters: K Irving, I Shumpert, L James, K Love, T ThompsonThey're the two-time defending champs, and they have essentially kept last year's team together. The odds-on title favorites until further notice.
2. Los Angeles Clippers (last season: 40-42, missed playoffs) | Starters: C Paul, A Rivers, K Durant, B Griffin, D JordanThe Clippers have no bench, missed the playoffs last year, and have never made it to the conference finals in their franchise's long history. However, the addition of Kevin Durant gives them a big four (!) comparable to last year's Warriors.
3. Portland (last season: 53-29, lost in WCF) | Starters: D Lillard, C McCollum, A Aminu, H Giles, R GobertPortland may not have added Kevin Durant, but they had a tremendous off-season nonetheless, improving their defense considerably. How their #1 rated offense will respond to a larger starting lineup is a question mark.
4. San Antonio (last season: 46-36, lost in round 2) | Starters: T Parker, T Allen, K Leonard, L Aldridge, P GasolTony Allen seems like just the kind of player the Spurs would add. The age and lack of shooting in that back court is a major concern for San Antonio, but they still have a superstar in Kawhi, a great bench, and the GOAT coach in Popovich. Look out.
5. Golden State (last season: 65-17, lost in NBA Finals) | Starters: S Curry, K Thompson, D McDermott, D Green, C FelicioThe Warriors still have Curry, Thompson and Draymond. However, outside of their three stars, this team is looking very shallow. Steve Kerr will have his hands full replacing KD with Doug McDermott.
6. Chicago (last season: 54-28, lost in round 1) | Starters: B Jennings, D Wade, J Butler, N Mirotic, N NoelChicago was one of the biggest surprises of last season, winning 54 games to get the 2 seed. However, they were stunned in the first round by New Orleans. It's unclear how replacing Rondo with Jennings will go, but adding Nerlens is a huge coup for the formerly defensively challenged Bulls.
7. Toronto (last season: 52-30, lost in round 1) | Starters: K Lowry, D DeRozan, D Carroll, P Patterson, J ValanciunasToronto brings back the same team that lost in the first round last year. They're still a solid bet to win 50 games, but it's hard to imagine them seriously contending without making some moves.
8. Houston (last season: 46-36, lost in round 1) | Starters: P Beverley, J Harden, T Ariza, R Anderson, C CapelaThe Rockets are back at it again, hoping James Harden plays at an MVP level and Capela improves into an elite defensive Center.
9. Memphis (last season: 51-31, lost in round 1) | Starters: M Conley, W Baldwin, C Parsons, M Beasley, M GasolEvery year, some predict the demise of the aging Grizzlies, and this one is no exception. Losing Zach Randolph and Tony Allen is a big hit to the identity this team crafted early in the decade, but they still have Conley, Marc and some nice role players.
10. Minnesota (last season: 41-41, lost in round 1) | Starters: K Dunn, Z LaVine, A Wiggins, G Dieng, K TownsKarl-Anthony Towns is a beast, but we already knew that. It'll be the improvement of Andrew Wiggins and Kris Dunn that decides whether this Wolves team can become the future contender many expect them to.
11. New Orleans (last season: 40-42, lost in ECF) | Starters: J Holiday, J Clarkson, Q Pondexter, A Davis, T ChandlerPerhaps this team would be ranked higher, coming off a surprise conference finals appearance, while adding Jordan Clarkson and Tyson Chandler. However, this team is very shallow, which is a huge problem considering the fragility of their two best players, Davis and Holiday.
12. Detroit (last season: 48-34, lost in round 2) | Starters: R Jackson, K Caldwell-Pope, J Green, T Harris, A DrummondThe Pistons had a very nice season last year, but one must wonder whether they reached their ceiling as a team last year.
13. Philadelphia (last season: 41-41, lost in round 2) | Starters: D Fox, W Matthews, B Simmons, D Saric, J OkaforTrust the process! The Sixers are ahead of schedule after not only making the playoffs, but somehow sneaking into the second round. This team looks incredibly promising - the question is, who will start at the 5? Embiid or Okafor?
14. Milwaukee (last season: 33-49, missed playoffs) | Starters: M Fultz, K Middleton, G Antetokounmpo, J Parker, G MonroePeople are sleeping on the Bucks, but they got the steal of the draft in Markelle Fultz, a guy many expected to go first overall. Boasting three potential all-stars and some nice role players, the Bucks might make some noise sooner than you think.
15. Los Angeles Lakers (last season: 37-45, missed playoffs) | Starters: D Russell, V Oladipo, B Ingram, J Randle, T MozgovBrandon Ingram had a terrific rookie season (in this universe) and won Summer League MVP. After being in the playoff race up until the last couple weeks, and adding Victor Oladipo, the Lake Show might make their triumphant return to the post-season.
16. Oklahoma City (last season: 58-24, lost in round 2) | Starters: R Westbrook, T Wroten, A Roberson, E Kanter, S AdamsLooking back, it's a mystery how this team managed to win 58 games last season. Truly a testament to Westbrook's greatness. However, things will be even harder this year with starters Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova leaving town.
17. Indiana (last season: 38-44, missed playoffs) | Starters: R Sessions, M Ellis, P George, C Bosh, M TurnerThat front court is sick! Possibly the best in the East if Bosh can stay healthy. However, that back court is hot garbage, as is their bench. Borderline playoff team once again. Let the Paul George 2018 speculation begin.
18. Denver (last season: 34-48, missed playoffs) | Starters: E Mudiay, G Harris, D Gallinari, N Jokic, D HowardAdding Dwight Howard is a bizarre move for a young team midway through a rebuild. Their rebounding will be elite, but their spacing will be dreadful.
19. Phoenix (last season: 31-51, missed playoffs) | Starters: E Bledsoe, A Bradley, D Booker, J Crowder, D BenderPhoenix added veteran two-way players Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder to aggressively push the smallball agenda. Maybe it'll work, maybe they'll be trash. Either way, I'm intrigued.
20. Utah (last season: 40-42, missed playoffs) | Starters: R Rondo, R Hood, G Hayward, M Teletovic, D FavorsAfter a trying off-season, the Jazz did some serious retooling, trading Gobert away and adding Rondo. I don't know what they're doing, but keeping first-time all-star Hayward is a major coup for a team trying to return to the post-season... eventually.
21. Washington (last season: 35-47, missed playoffs) | Starters: T Evans, B Beal, O Porter, M Morris, M GortatJohn Wall is expected to miss at least half the season recovering from last season's ACL tear. Tyreke Evans may be a borderline competent replacement, but the Wiz may want to consider moving veterans such as Marcin Gortat, and punt this season.
22. Kansas City (last season: 41-41, lost in round 1) | Starters: S Livingston, N Powell, R Gay, A Johnson, I MahinmiThe expansion Knights drafted a veteran team, and through hard-nosed defense and sheer cussedness, made the post-season in their inaugural season. The addition of Rudy Gay should help their offense, but a team with so little talent is expected to come back down to Earth this season.
23. Dallas (last season: 24-58, missed playoffs) | Starters: L Ball, N Batum, A Iguodala, P Millsap, NeneThrough a bizarre off-season strategy of wheeling and dealing, the Mavs came into the off-season with the first overall pick, and left with Lonzo Ball and a veteran team hoping to sneak into the playoffs. Ball is a major steal, and perhaps Cuban is hoping he can be like fellow Dallas sports star Dak Prescott and lead his team to glory.
24. Orlando (last season: 35-47, missed playoffs) | Starters: F Ntilikina, E Fournier, A Gordon, B Biyombo, N VucevicOrlando still has an NBA team?
25. Boston (last season: 39-43, lost in round 1) | Starters: I Thomas, J Brown, J Tatum, K Olynyk, A HorfordAn extremely disappointing season saw the Celtics opt to bolster their war chest rather than cash it in. A smart move, as this team is loaded with young talent, while still led by veteran stars Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford. They'll probably be bad this year though.
26. New York (last season: 37-45, missed playoffs) | Starters: D Rose, J Smith, C Anthony, K Porzingis, J NoahThe league's other super-team gave Rose a near-max contract, and brought back two-time NBA champion and former Sixth Man of the Year Earl "J.R." Smith. Unfortunately, Kristaps is the only starter on the right side of thirty.
27. Sacramento (last season: 40-42, missed playoffs) | Starters: L Stephenson, A Afflalo, J Ingles, S Labissiere, D CousinsWell, they still have Cousins. And Joe Ingles is a nice pick-up. However, Lance Stephenson is their freaking Point Guard! Sacramento is, was, and will always be a dumpster fire. 2002 feels like a century ago.
28. Miami (last season: 24-58, missed playoffs) | Starters: G Dragic, J Richardson, J Winslow, T Jones, H WhitesideThis starting five doesn't look too bad on paper, and they have #3 overall pick Josh Jackson coming off the bench. However, they were godawful last year, and don't appear to be in a hurry to start winning games any time soon.
29. Seattle (last season: 40-42, missed playoffs) | Starters: T Satoransky, J Redick, S Muhammad, J Leuer, M PlumleeThis roster is trash. How did they win 40 games last year?
30. Charlotte (last season: 22-60, missed playoffs) | Starters: K Walker, D Smith, M Kidd-Gilchrist, J Sullinger, T ZellerThey're playing Dennis Smith at the two, but to balance that out, they have Sullinger at the four. Not good.
31. Brooklyn (last season: 24-58, missed playoffs) | Starters: P Mills, J Lamb, H Barnes, K Humphries, B LopezWhen your team is trash, and won't have any first rounders until 2037, building around Harrison Barnes is just what you do.
32. Atlanta (last season: 45-37, lost in round 1) | Starters: J Teague, F Jackson, K Bazemore, S Novak, M MuscalaThis might be the worst roster in NBA history.
2017-18 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERs OPENING NIGHT ROSTERThis is Portland's opening night roster. Can't believe Giles is starting.
PG - Damian Lillard
SG - CJ McCollum
SF - Al-Farouq Aminu
PF - Harry Giles
C - Rudy Gobert
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G/F - Evan Turner
F - Zach Randolph
F/G - Jonathan Simmons
F/C - Noah Vonleh
C - JaVale McGee
G - Shabazz Napier
G - Grayson Allen
C - Thomas Bryant
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G - Ian Clark
F/G - Pat Connaughton