Training camps got underway this week so the 2016-17 NBA regular season is getting closer. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the main favorites, but franchises like the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics are worth keep an eye on.
With that in mind, here we present you five teams that have become must-see franchises during the course of the upcoming NBA season:
New York Knicks: Derrick Rose said the Knicks were a super team and we all know that’s not true. But they could make a deep run in the East if everything clicks. That’s a big if, but it should be enough to make the fans watch them and check them on the standings every once in a while. Rose is not the player who once was and Noah is versatile but he’s not the MVP candidate he was a few years ago. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis will carry most of the load just like year. Will it be enough this time?
Minnesota Timberwolves: The T-Wolves are by far the most exciting young team in the NBA. They have two of the best budding stars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. They have Zach LaVine, one of the most athletic players in the league. One of the most gifted passers in Ricky Rubio. And there’s also Kris Dunn, the fifth-overall pick in this year’s Draft who’s already the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award. They won’t have Kevin Garnett’s leadership, but there’s a lot of talent here. Will Tom Thibodeau use it correctly?
Utah Jazz: Can the Jazz become a Top-5 team in the West? They have talent on both sides of the ball, that’s for sure. And they’ve been playing together for a long time, too, and that’s always a plus. Utah has one of the most dominant scorers in the game in Gordon Hayward, but that’s not everything. The duo of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert has the potential to be one of the best in The Association. And they have depth, too. Will they rise in a crowded Western Conference? If not this year, they are well-equipped for the future.
Indiana Pacers: There’s a lot of talk about how Paul George has been carrying the Pacers on his own these last few years. But 2016-17 will be a different story for Indiana. For the first time, PG13 will have a pass-first PG in Jeff Teague, somehow who’s used to be the second or third option on offense. Monta Ellis should have more spaces to thrive. There’s also the emergence of second-year standout Myles Turner at C and the arrival of Thaddeus Young. The former Brooklyn Nets forward will finally prove his worth on a contending team. There’s depth an experience too in players like Rodney Stuckey, Al Jefferson and C.J. Miles. There’s no doubt Indiana is poised to make a huge leap on the East this year.
Detroit Pistons: Originally I would’ve chosen the Milwaukee Bucks for the fifth spot. But they won’t have Khris Middleton for five or six months due to injury, so that weakens them considerably. Instead we have the Detroit Pistons who have a solid 1-2 punch in Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond. They also have a very good head coach in Stan van Gundy. There’s also the supporting cast that has loads of talent, but lack experience. They managed to reach the playoffs last season, and they should be an improved unit with one more year playing together. Don’t sleep on Detroit because they’re ready to return where they belong.
What do you guys think? Do you see other teams making surprising leaps on the standings? Perhaps some underachieving? One thing is for certain: this upcoming NBA season will be filled with excitement!