These are the NBA teams prepared to take the step to the next level and surprise
Wembanyama and Holmgren raise the expectations of Spurs and Thunder
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Updated 16/10/2023 06:43 CEST
The unexpected is always more shocking. And this season there are a few teams in the NBA that could be much more talked about than expected despite not being among the candidates for the ring. Be it because of the roster they have put together this summer, because of the greater maturity of a talented group of youngsters, or simply because the arrival of one player changes everything, these teams could give a major surprise this campaign.
1
The same entourage plus the Euroleague MVP
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento’s lilac ray prepares to illuminate higher levels. Mike Brown, along with the best assistant coach in the NBA, Jordi Fernandez, stripped the Kings of their complexes last year by taking them 17 years then to the playoffs, where he pushed the Warriors to the limit who needed a seventh game and 50 points from Stephen Curry in it to overcome the first round.
With the curse overthrown, the California team has everything in its favor to take another step: it maintains a block of players led by the dynamic duo they form De’Aaron Fox y Domantas Sabonis who already know Brown’s system, Best Coach last season. A core that has only improved with additions such as Chris Duarte, JaVale McGee and, above all, the Euroleague MVP, Sasha Vezenkovwho must contribute together with McGee to improve the inside game.
However, Vezenkov’s role in the team is still unclear, with Mike Brown not seeming entirely satisfied with what he has seen so far from the former Olympiakos player. Still, all the changes have been for the better for the team with the best attack last year. Without forgetting that young people like Fox himself or Keegan Murray They are called to take another step forward.
2
The Wembanyama effect can be immediate
San Antonio Spurs
Neither Spurs nor Wembanyama are in a hurry in their first year together, they want to assimilate well all the learning stages and gain experience.
However, the fleeting adaptation that the number 1 in the draft They make us think that San Antonio could at least look askance at the playoffs after years of boredom in the city of Texas, since 2019 without playing in the title phase.
It is Wemby’s adaptation to the league but also to his teammates in Spurs in which it is important to remember that he maintains a group that knows well the ideas of Gregg Popovich led by Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, recently renewed.
Among the new faces, another French pearl acquired via draft like the former Baskonista Sidy Cissoko and Cedi Osman to provide experience to a young squad.
3
Shai plus Chet Holmgren and another Euroleague MVP
Oklahoma City Thunder
The presence of the Thunder is mandatory in any pool of teams with the potential to surprise with the shocking combination that results from what was more than what arrives.
A Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderdefinitively established in the World Cup with Canada, receives a luxury partner like none other than Chet Holmgrenthe unicorn and number 1 in the 2022 draft, more than a possible generational rival of Victor Wembanyama.
Unable to make his debut last year with a foot injury, Holmgren is another of those divine giants -2.16-, capable of doing everything and also emerging as Wemby’s main adversary in the fight to be the Rookie of the Year. And he has wasted no time in that blank year, gaining 6 kilos of muscle mass – from 88 to 94 – to better prepare for the inside game.
Added to all this is the arrival of two-time champion and MVP of the Euroleague, Vasilije Micic, who has finally decided to make the jump to the NBA at 29 years old after a long time pulling out the daisy. He will start from the bench, but will be an important support to the outside duo Shai-Giddey as well as adding depth, shooting and experience to two other new players such as Victor Oladipo and Davis Bertans, although the Thunder have yet to cut three players from a saturated roster.
There is also a category defender like Luguentz Dortz. Mark Daigneault’s team, who already reached the play-in thanks to a great final stretch last year, are ready to move to the next level.
4
Enjoy what Lillard has obtained
Portland Trail Blazers
The new life without Damian Lillard is exciting. The Blazers have been left without their banner of the last decade but, with what they have achieved for it, they have been left with a very nice and more balanced team.
To begin with, Dame’s departure opens all the way to Scoot Henderson. The point guard, number 3 in the draft and seen as another generational rival of Wembanyama, will be able to take the reins from the beginning of Portland, a team that gains strength in the paint with the arrival of two centers like Deandre Ayton y Robert Williams III who fit the profile of young people that the Oregon team wants at both 25 years old. Without forgetting the former Barcelona player Ibou Badji, with a two-way contract but with the Blazers willing to give him opportunities after a past season marked by injuries. All of this compensates for the departure of Jusuf Nurkic.
And even more gunpowder arrives abroad with Malcolm Brogdon, a Sixth of a Man with 44% in triples who will bring his quality and experience to his 30 years, reinforcing a perimeter along with two other spectacular projects for the future such as Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. And another veteran like Jerami Grant also follows.
The General Manager of the Blazers, Joe Cronin, has done a great job in a busy summer helped by his assistant in the offices, the Catalan Gelida Sergi Oliva.
5
Bruce Brown supports a rising project
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers is another of those projects that has been simmering and could make the jump to the playoffs this coming season. They were not that far from the play-in last year.
Tyrese Haliburton He was confirmed last year as a star and he is only the visible head of a group of young people with also the Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.
Added to them is the presence of an undervalued center like Myles Turnerplus the incorporation of two other players with some experience since they will allow the team Rick Carlisle take a leap in quality: Obi Toppin and, above all, Bruce Brown, an essential NBA champion for Nikola Jokic last year.
The unknown, what will happen to the best NBA shooter of the last five years, Buddy Hield. The shooting guard ends his contract in June and, according to Shams Charania, he will be transferred. If he stays, you definitely have to see the Pacers as a team that can be in the hunt for the playoffs all year.
6
One more year of a talented group with a lot to say
Orlando Magic
It can only improve the Orlando Magic, who actually finished last season on an upward trend after a bad start, even looking at the playoffs.
The Rookie of the Year, Paolo Bancheroleads a consolidated group, with a Markelle Fultz determined to continue progressing once the physical problems that undermined his confidence and led him to be discarded by the Sixers were overcome. With a Franz Wagner who has just won the World Cup with Germany and still doesn’t know his ceiling.
The Magic have let Bol Bol go, but former Barça player Joe Ingles and another point guard discarded by the Sixers have arrived, the explosive Mac McClung. The winner of the last All Star Dunk Contest with his 1.88, is crazy to show that he has a place in the NBA, just 4 games in his entire career at 24 years old.
The coach of the Florida team, Jamahl Mosley, He highlighted to MD last year that as soon as this group “clicked” it could do great things. And that “click” could be very close.
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2023-10-16 07:34:46
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