After a third straight Championship in Oklahoma City, there's little doubt that Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook & James Harden are the most dominant trio the league has possibly ever seen. A second straight Finals sweep leaves little to be imagined in what could be the outcome of the 15/16 season, with someone needing to rise above the pack to challenge the dynasty. LeBron James is back in Cleveland, Chris Bosh has finally left Toronto, and two of the biggest markets in New York and the Lakers look set for rough seasons ahead.
Division Previews
Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division
After an impressive Playoff push, the Atlantic Division appears to be the Celtics for the taking with the dismantling of the New York Knicks. Adding the veteran experience of Tim Duncan and the quickness of Ricky Rubio to patch the loss of Reggie Jackson, Beantown looks to have finally turned the corner and become a true contender again in the East. After the miserable slump of last season, the Sixers have added value in Khris Middleton and the drafting of Devin Booker, looking to fill out the scoring imbalance that has plagued them outside of Jrue Holiday, can Philly get back to the postseason? With Chris Bosh no longer leading the team, the onus falls to the Raptors youthful core of DeMar DeRozan, CJ McCollum, Noah Vonleh and Jahlil Okafor to kickstart the next phase of Canada's lone franchise. Brooklyn looks set to be on the receiving end of another rough win/loss record, still missing the class needed to drag them out of the doldrums in the East, and still having two years of Pau Gasol's massive contract as a timer on their rebuild. On the topic of rebuilds, no one's season looks rougher than the Knicks, who look likely to break the record for largest drop in wins in two seasons, going from the #1 spot to likely the 15th. With LeBron out of the picture, it's Giannis Antetokounmpo's time to shine, and bring hope to The Big Apple.
Eastern Conference – Central Division
With Kemba Walker returning on a new contract, this looks to be the year that Milwaukee can break through to the ECF, Paul George looks set for another stellar season, boosted by the dynamic frontcourt of Andrew Bogut and Jared Sullinger. In their current format, the Cleveland Cavaliers look promising, but not a certain contender, lacking the sidekick that LeBron has had since he left The Land five years ago. Without a bonafide second star, it may pave the way for the King to put up career numbers, but could also lean too heavily on their hometown hero. The Pistons add another key piece after acquiring Al Jefferson last season, setting up a strong frontcourt for their youthful backcourt. The pressure is on Harrison Barnes in his contract year to earn a large extension, with the possibility of being shipped out to make way for Aaron Gordon on the wing in the starting lineup. The Windy City looks to take a step back this season, with Luol Deng & Joakim Noah no longer able to keep Chicago at the top of the East, and seem likely to clear house without a strong start to the season. Scenes look grim in Indianapolis, with the lack of youthful prospects weighing heavily over the likes of Danny Granger, David West & Lou Williams. With Williams' famed shooting touch, it wouldn't be out of the question to see the Pacers deal at the deadline for some prospects.
Eastern Conference – Southeast Division
Another year, and another likely division title for the Heat. With Kyrie Irving healed from a torn MCL that sidelined him for the NBA Finals, the Heat are out to prove just why they took the East last season. The cheap acquisition of Hassan Whiteside is a major factor, boosting their weak frontcourt stocks, however with minimum cap space available, it might not be a long stint in South Beach for the promising big man. The Magic took many by surprise last season, fueled majorly by their free agency acquisitions of Patrick Beverley and Lance Stephenson. With another year of development for Gordon Hayward, it wouldn't be out of the question to see Orlando find its way back to the ECF. Zach Randolph is back on an NBA court, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him out the door due to the dominant play of Nikola Mirotic in his debut season. With a significant salary locked away under ZBo and Mirotic, one looks set to give way for some additional backup talent. With the signing of the Celtics' dynamic scorer Reggie Jackson, Kyle Lowry seems to have found his co-pilot. Pairing with the sophom*ore Andrew Wiggins and Nerlens Noel, the Wizards are taking all the right steps to get back to the postseason, something they haven't achieved since 2008. The Hawks look set for a rebuild, and another candidate for a deadline fire-sale, with Joe Johnson & Al Horford both garnering significant interest from contenders. With a future invested in Elfrid Payton and Kenneth Faried, Atlanta is likely to miss the postseason for the foreseeable future.
Western Conference - Pacific Division
A great playoff display has the Warriors as slight favourites to win the Pacific division, as DeMarcus Cousins builds on a fantastic first season in the Bay Area. Surrounded by some serious shooting artillery in Stephen Curry, Alec Burks & Kyle Singler, Golden State should be expecting a similar run that saw them win it all in 2012. Carmelo Anthony's player option in Los Angeles is up, and the Clippers are feeling the pressure of some meager postseason performances since the drafting of Blake Griffin in 2009. Flanked by veterans such as Devin Harris, Tyson Chandler & the recently signed Jamal Crawford, the youthful trio of Griffin, 6MOY Bogdan Bogdanovic & Dennis Schroder are in the hot seat to bring some success to LA's second franchise. Sacramento seems to be in a holding pattern, and with a second straight miss of the postseason, things are due for a shakeup. Brandon Knight fell flat in free agency, forced to take a qualifying offer to stay at the Kings after seeming destined to leave. Regression is the Kings' biggest weakness, with poor showings from the likes of Brandon Jennings & Tyreke Evans last season casting serious doubt around Sac-Town's future. Can John Wall stay healthy? If so, we could be seeing the Suns in the postseason for the first time since the days of Nash & Stoudemire. It's been a rough 6 years for Phoenix, however with prospects like reigning ROY Jabari Parker, Jonas Valanciunas & Justise Winslow, the Grand Canyon state is set to disrupt. The waining days of Kobe Bryant are likely set in mentoring, with Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Vucevic now steering the league's second most successful franchise. Likely heading back to the lottery, could the Lakers do the impossible send the Black Mamba somewhere for one last chance at a ring?
Western Conference – Southwest Division
Further development from Kawhi Leonard and a healthy second unit makes the Grizzlies hard to ignore in the Southwest Divison. Immaculately balanced, they seem set to be the Thunder's biggest foil. After a first-round upset at the hands of the Jazz, the Spurs have a lot to prove. Kevin Garnett is back for another shot at glory, whilst also mentoring their PF of the future in Dario Saric. With the retirement of Manu Ginobili, Danny Green from the Clippers looks set ot rejuvinate San Antonio's outside threats, teaming with J.J. Redick. The Pelicans add another high-value prospect to their overflowing rotation, now needing to find minutes to fit Andre Drummond, Karl-Anthony Towns & David Lee in their front court. After re-signing, Klay Thompson has appeared as the leader of this exciting New Orleans outfit, and all signs point to a return to the Playoffs in The Big Easy. The Rockets sit in a state of flux, as Eric Bledsoe leads a Houston team that sits between both contending and rebuilding. Draftee Kristaps Porzingis will have his work cut out for him, contending for frontcourt minutes amongst Markieff Morris, Amare Stoudemire & Omer Asik, though it's likely that not all of his contemporaries will remain in H-Town for the entire season. After pushing their chips in on Rudy Gay at the deadline and now Rajon Rondo in free agency, the Mavericks have potentially invested their money in under-achievers, further souring the end of Dirk Nowitzki's reign at the helm of Dallas. The Mavericks have high hopes on rookie Stanley Johnson with deadline-acquired Tim Hardaway Jr., a likely future tandem to lead the franchise.
Western Conference – Northwest Division
With three consecutive championships and a trio of superstars all locked in beyond this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are in a league of their own. A new challenge emerges however, with the chance of becoming the first team since the Celtics of the '60s to win four titles in a row. With another postseason without star big man Anthony Davis, the Jazz appear to have all the pieces to go all the way, if injuries don't pop up. Jimmy Butler is staying put, despite flirting with a move to another contender, and will lead the Jazz on both ends of the floor. Damian Lillard finally has some point guard help with the valuable addition of former Thunder backup Shaun Livingston, bolstering a Blazers team that was a shot away from a winner-take-all Game 7 against the Thunder in last year's playoffs. Can the Blazers back up their impressive season with further development of the defensive secret weapon Draymond Green? With the loss of Khris Middleton & Ricky Rubio, the Timberwolves still look dangerous, however their signature depth seems to be fading. Bradley Beal is due for a major extension, but the question is beginning to arise as to whether Kevin Love is the right big man to pair with their dynamic scorer. The Nuggets welcome back Carlos Boozer after a year with the Bulls, however with both the DPOY and MIP on the blocks in DeAndre Jordan & Steven Adams, he's set to take a back seat as the Nuggets pair their twin towers with exciting ROY-favourite D'Angelo Russell.
Award Predictions
Most Valuable Player
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
A second straight and third overall MVP is likely for the best player in the league, as the Thunder chase history and a fourth consecutive title.
Rookie of the Year
D'Angelo Russell, Denver Nuggets
With Karl-Anthony Towns likely to come off the bench to start the season, all signs point to the major minutes for a Nuggets PG who is tasked with both delivering points and assists in the Mile High City.
Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony Davis, Utah Jazz
With DeAndre Jordan sharing the floor with Steven Adams this season in the starting lineup, Anthony Davis is a clear frontrunner to take home his first piece of hardware.
Most Improved Player
Reggie Jackson, Washington Wizards
Leaving his bench role in Boston for a starting role in DC, Reggie Jackson's ability to score will shine bright regardless of the Wizards record.
Sixth Man of the Year
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers adding Jamal Crawford in place of Danny Green puts Bogdanovic in a strong position to win a second straight Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Coach of the Year
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
At the helm of the league's most dangerous perimeter attack and the dominance of DeMarcus Cousins down low, Steve Kerr is set to steer the Warriors ship back to the promised land of a Championship.
