The NBA preseason has begun, and we’re all looking forward with anticipation to the 2018-19 season. With moves such as LeBron to LA and Cousins to Golden State, the NBA landscape will surely have some interesting deviations from the previous year (minus the Warriors winning the title).
Within such deviation lies teams – young/underrated teams – which will likely impact the NBA by surprising us all, and potentially making runs in the playoffs or go on long winning streaks. Many of these teams have a promising player who’ll most likely be that deciding factor. Here are some teams to look out for.
Dallas Mavericks
With the arrival of rookie Luka Doncic from Real Madrid, the Mavericks look like an extremely capable young team. In the first game of the preseason against the Shanghai Ducks, Doncic put up an impressive 16 points and six assists while shooting 5-7 from the field (3-4 from three). With a number of fancy crosses and tough shots, Doncic was able to give the Mavericks hope for the future.
Other Mavs will be able to adapt to Doncic’s game, as he’ll be able to get DeAndre good looks through the pick-and-roll. Doncic could furthermore act as the roller in the pick-and-roll for Harrison Barnes or Dennis Smith Jr. and get wide open looks when the defense collapses to defend against their drives. The team could set screens for Doncic in an effort to get a wide-open three, which he’ll knock down or find a better shot with his high IQ.
I’d expect big things from Dallas this year. When Doncic and his teammates mesh, they’ll without a doubt, play like a playoff team.
Atlanta Hawks
Judging Trae Young by the same standards as Doncic – their first preseason games – it seems that their performances were worlds apart.
Young shot only 5-16 from the field (1-6 from three) tallying 11 points and eight assists with some very questionable decisions and shot selections. But that’s who Young is: a player who could either catch fire and annihilate his opponent, or a player who stays cold for long periods of time. He’s the definition of a risk. One the Hawks were willing to take.
While Young is extremely streaky, if he learns to slow down and make better plays decisions, he has the potential to become an All-Star. With a combination of shooting and passing, Young could become a Curry-like player. When defenses jump to contest his shots, finding openings for teammates will be effortless.
John Collins is another Hawks player who looks very good as a modern-day big who’s very athletic and can play off the pick-and-roll. Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince will play their roles as wing scorers who can put the ball on the floor and create their own shot.
Overall, the Hawks seem to have a plethora of players who can score the ball. The real question is if they’ll be able to effectively play together. Their team defense is something which also must be worked on, but I have confidence that this young Hawks team will eventually put it all together.
Indiana Pacers
Straying away from the theme of teams with young leaders, we have the Indiana Pacers led by Victor Oladipo.
Last season, the Pacers were able to push the LeBron-led Cavaliers to seven games; a very impressive feat on its own (the Raptors got swept). Oladipo was able to prove that he was rightfully an All-Star that year. From the looks of it, the Pacers were coming for the title. However, that ended prematurely when King James shattered their hopes of making it to the second round.
With LeBron’s departure, the East is open for the taking. Besides Oladipo, the Pacers’ talented roster includes the likes of Bojan Bogdanovic, Myles Turner, Tyreke Evans, and Domantas Sabonis. The Pacers play a perfect style of modern NBA basketball by utilizing stretch bigs such as Turner or Sabonis. Indiana also has a top-10 defense which dictates that they’re effective on both ends of the floor. To be successful, a playoff team is required to meet this prerequisite.
To sum the Pacers up in a single word: balanced. Don’t get “balanced” confused with “mediocre,” as they have different connotations. What “balanced” means is that they play with heart on both ends of the floor, have an excellent mix of personnel, and fit extremely well together.
Expect great things this season.
I’d like to know your opinions as well! @JustPerSources