NBA PREVIEW: IN-DEPTH LOOK PART 4

It’s part four of our NBA season preview as we give our tips from the 12th to 7th spot.

#12 DETROIT PISTONS

TEAM ROSTER:

Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, Will Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Peyton Siva, Tony Mitchell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rodney Stuckey, ChaunceyBillups, Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe, Luigi Datome, Kyle Singler, Jonas Jerebko, Josh Harrellson.

PRE-SEASON SUMMARY/PREDICTIONS

Over the summer, Pistons’ GM Joe Dumars made several moves which instantly transformed Detroit’s losing atmosphere into a habitable one.
The headline signings of Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings rightfully include this team in the playoff picture for five-plus seasons, however their championship ambitions won’t materialize until Drummond and Monroe start to accumulate “best frontcourt in the NBA” praises.

On paper, they are easily an East playoff team, especially when boasting of a potential starting line-up of Jennings, Billups, Smith, Monroe, and Drummond. The bench is also strong with Stuckey (potential starter), Bynum, Singler (will start a lot of games), Caldwell-Pope, Villanueva, Jerebko, and Datome. They should be in the mix for the 5th to 8th seeds.

I’m not sure if Mo Cheeks is the perfect man to figure out a solid rotation for this team, but I’m not one to wish bad luck on others, so good luck, Mo.

OFF-SEASON GRADE: B

Hired Mo Cheeks as head coach, Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, Chauncey Billups, Luigi Datome, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (draft), Tony Mitchell (draft), Peyton Siva (draft), Josh Harrellson.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: 

Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings are both exciting players who pushed for a change of scenery after frustrating ends on their respective teams, so this new start should revitalize their motor.

This isn’t mid-late 2000s Chauncey Billups, so don’t expect announcers to yell “Mr. Big Shot!!” on a regular basis. That being said, Billups still has more than a few big shots left in him, so look out.

Joe Dumars drafted fairly well by picking KCP (potential starter) and Tony Mitchell (super athletic blue chipper). I have no doubt that these two will become fan favourites at The Palace.

Andre Drummond had a positively terrifying Summer League, so expectations are rising each time he steps on the court. I’m predicting a 13-10-3 Year Two for him.

For the first time since 2009, the Detroit Pistons will make the playoffs.

WHAT NOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

A lot of people believe that the hire of Mo Cheeks was a eyeroller. Is there something I missed??!

Josh Smith has the tendency to get a little trigger-happy at times. He did it in his years in ATL while playing as a four, and he’ll continue to do that at a much higher rate in Detroit while playing the three spot. I never expect his long twos/threes to go in, so I always compliment him when he manages to sneak one in.

Drummond’s free-throw shooting. He’s got lots of time to improve, but one summer of arduous practice won’t make much difference.

 

#11 NEW YORK KNICKS

TEAM ROSTER:

Iman Shumpert, Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler, Metta World Peace, Amare Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, Chris Smith, Kenyon Martin, Pablo Prigioni, Andrea Bargnani, Cole Aldrich, Tim Hardaway Jr., Beno Udrih, Toure Murry.

PRE-SEASON SUMMARY/PREDICTIONS

If you’re of the idea that the Knicks are a contender, you’re either a die-hard Knicks fan, or you’ve talked yourself into way too much. WAAAAAYYYYY TOOO MUCH.

There are just too many questions that this team needs to solve if it plans on improving last year’s outcome.

1. Will Bargnani fit? Can he cope on a Mike Woodson defensive system?

2. What’s up with Stoudemire?

3. What does Carmelo wanting to test free agency really mean?

4. Can we really win with J.R. Smith as our second best player?

As you can see, too many undealt question marks linger over this team.

While New York’s summer wasn’t one to envy, you still have to give them credit for getting Bargnani and Metta World Peace for basically nothing. Beno Udrih and Tim Hardaway Jr. also demand respect, as they will bring offensive contributions right from the get-go.

OFF-SEASON GRADE: C

Andrea Bargani, Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cole Aldrich, Toure Murry.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Andrea Bargnani is a three point shooting sniper that should fit appropriately in the Knicks’ spacing offense. Thanks to him Melo won’t be forced to play out of position.

Amare Stoudemire hasn’t quite been the same since Melo became a Knick, so I don’t expect him to bounce back to All-Star level status; however if he can manage to stay consistent and in terms of efficiency, the Knicks’ place among East’s elites could rise.

A potential first round meeting between the Knicks and the Nets is a scenario that could easily take place come playoffs time. Every game of this growing aggravated rivalry would be a can’t miss event.

WHAT NOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Concerns are starting to accumulate after Carmelo Anthony made it clear that he will test free agency next summer. That, is very, very bad news for Knicks fans.

Even if he eventually decides to stay, his comments are generating enough controversy that it wouldn’t be inaccurate to believe that he is debating a change of scenery.

Both Amare Stoudemire and J.R. Smith are facing health problems that will almost certainly hinder New York’s season goals; because they represent such a big part of of the Knicks’ picture, they should start thinking of possible alternatives.

Andrea Bargnani has been so atrocious rebounding wise that experts aren’t afraid to call him “worst rebounder of all time”. He has also racked up loads of criticisms for his bad defensive instincts, so you might want to close your eyes when the Knicks are on defense.

 

#10 HOUSTON ROCKETS

TEAM ROSTER:

Dwight Howard, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverley, Omer Asik, Donatas Moteijunas, Terrence Jones, Ronnie Brewer, Omri Casspi, Isaiah Canaan, Aaron Brooks, Greg Smith, Francisco Garcia, Robert Covington, Marcus Camby, Reggie Williams.

PRE-SEASON SUMMARY/PREDICTIONS

I’m not quite ready to hand them contender status, but having both the best shooting guard and the best center in the game is enough to get you in the top ten.

If Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin,  and the rest of the role players fully commit to their responsibilities as supporting cast to Harden and Howard, the Rockets will be in great position to exceed people’s expectations in year one of the “New Era”.

Having Kevin McHale and Hakeem Olajuwon within hand’s reach on a daily basis should help Dwight Howard reclaim his lost authority, as well as win back the public’s trust.

Apart from the few glimpses of pre-season action displayed, no one has a clear idea of what this team will look like a month from now. Howard and Harden favor their chances of success, but after what happened to the Lakers last season, it’s best to let fate take its course.

OFF-SEASON GRADE: A

Dwight Howard, Omri Casspi, Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Camby, Isaiah Canaan, Robert Covington, Reggie Williams.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

The Howard/Asik defensive combo should instantly transform a defense that ranked third in most points allowed. (Hoopdata)

I don’t proclaim Dwight Howard to be the best center in the world with the same conviction of two years ago, but as soon as we get a few dominant games from him, it’ll almost be like he never left.

Is James Harden the league’s top shooting guard? An improvement from last years’s leap should force Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade to hand him the torch.

Chandler Parsons is a fan favourite/borderline star who will be talked about quite a lot this season.

WHAT NOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Rumors about Omer Asik’s unhappiness with his new role could quite possibly turn into back-and-forth jabs between him and Howard. The team’s success could depend on their ability to coexist.

 

#9 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

TEAM ROSTER:

Tony Allen, Jarryd Baylees, Mike Conley, Nick Calathes, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Ed Davis, Tayshaun Prince, Mike Miller, Quincy Pondexter, Jamaal Franklin, Jon Leuer, Kosta Koufos.

PRE-SEASON SUMMARY/PREDICTIONS

Quickly after being swept by San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals, we saw Lionel Hollins escorted out the door for openly addressing his differences with the Memphis front office. Now that the reins have been handed to David Joerger (Grizz assistant since 2007), anything less of a conference finals will be looked at as a failure and disappointment following what just was the best season in franchise history.

Over the off-season, Memphis dumped Austin Daye, Tony Wroten, Darell Arthur, and Keyon Dooling but reloaded with Mike Miller, Kosta Koufos, Jamaal Franklin, and Nick Calathes. The headline signing was Mike Miller, who, in his second stint with Memphis, should almost certainly help fix their failing efforts from the three point line. According to Hoopdata, they ranked 24th overall in three point percentage (34.5%) and dead last in three pointers made per game (4.7).

Which brings me to my next point. The Grizzlies have publicly been labelled a “Grit & Grind” basketball team built around their two bigs, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph; because of this unbalanced focus on their inside game, their weak perimeter play is exposed when the paint presence fails to dominate.

While they’ll be in the mix for the top four in the West, a potential first round upset is possible.

OFF-SEASON GRADE: C

Promoted David Joerger to head coach, Mike Miller, Kosta Koufos, Jamaal Franklin (draft), Nick Calathes, Janis Timma (draft).

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: 

Mike Conley’s current underrated status will finally cause people to pay more attention and give him the respect he deserves. he won’t be an All-Star but you’ll hear his name more often.

BIG IF: A healthy and rejuvenated Mike Miller will be the reason why people won’t look at this team as a bad three-point shooting team anymore.

Kosta Koufos is a young, rising big man who will rapidly learn under the mentorship of inside masters such as Gasol and Randolph. He is a player that, once at his peak, could cause endless headaches to opposing coaching staffs. Great pick-up.

Jamaal Franklin is another blue-chipper who can provide instant help on the defensive end, and maybe on offense as well. Imitating defensive whiz Tony Allen is only going to fasten his growth.

Nick Calathes was standout college player who diligently worked at his NBA dream by spending four season in Europe. Now an official Grizzly, he has the chance to show that he belonged in the league long ago.

Head Coach David Joerger walks into a very good situation with this roster. They could even go twelve man deep.

WHAT NOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: 

Will their “Grit & Grind” identity expose them again in the playoffs? They rely too much on their bigs without making proper adjustments to opponents and their playing styles.

#8 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

TEAM ROSTER: