Ten NBA Mildly Warm Takes

My fantasy teams are locked in, my TAB account has been topped up, and my NBA league pass has been renewed – the 2017/18 NBA season is underway. That means it’s time for my annual ‘The Ten Things I’m Looking Forward To’.

After a crazy off season with plenty of big name players, trading team’s expectations are high. There’s a plethora of billionaire owners wanting to be the man at their country clubs, telling their mates how gangster their teams are. So without further ado, let’s get amongst it.

10. All Star Pick Up Game

I’ve never been a fan of the All Star weekend, it always just got in the way of real basketball. The dunk comp has become zzzzzzz, the skills comp is zzzzzzz, the celebrity game is an embarrassment and the actual All Star game is not worth wasting my time with.

It’s really just an opportunity for sponsors to host clients and half ass rappers to masturbate their egos by hanging out with players.

The NBA has made a change though that might actually make this year’s All Star game competitive. Anyone who’s played pick-up basketball knows playing with a group of your mates against another group of mates you don’t really like, can be brutal. The trash talk can be vicious, and getting an easy basket is like trying to convince a male banking CEO that Jacinda Adern will be good for business.

All that being said, I don’t think the NBA will let the players go full throttle, but I am hoping that in the heat of the moment the players at least act like they give a shit. They gave zero shits about the East v West format, that’s for real.

9. The 76ers

It’s fair to say the process has processed, there’s enough young talent in Philly to satisfy the whole Kardashian family.

Joel Embid is an absolute beast on the court and a Grand Maester of the Twittersphere. His roasting of Hassan Whiteside in the pre-season was pure joy. All this will amount to nothing if he has another season in street clothes though.

Watching Ben Simmons’ first couple of games, he already looks the part, his ceiling is limitless. Unstoppable on the fast break with some silky ball skills, all he needs is to nail some jumpers and look out.

Adding to that, another No1 draft pick in Markelle Fultz has joined them in Philly, although have you seen his free throw form? If players were picked on that alone he wouldn’t make the Breakers roster. This team is by no means in a place to make a championship run, but the fans at least have some hope, and they’re going to be fun to watch.

8. James Harden & Chris Paul

The Rockets started the season by beating the Warriors. Yes, you read that right, for most of the game the Warriors looked like they would run away with the game, the season, and the whole of the NBA for the next 5 years. To the Rockets credit they hung tough, came back, and Kevin Durant’s final shot was about 1/1000th of a second too late. Despite this great start, the Rockets aren’t better than the Warriors.

Chris Paul was on the bench down the stretch, he injured his knee while he was on the floor though, Houston looked good. There’s been a lot of talk about he and Harden sharing one ball and rightly so, they both love to dribble the air out if it. But I think Chris Paul knows how old he is and his chances of winning a ring are getting slimmer and slimmer. He’s at the stage of his career where he’ll do anything to win.

Harden on the other hand needs to find a heart. His abject performance against the Spurs in their blow out playoff loss was an embarrassment. If Paul can help him anywhere it could be his competiveness. Paul’s is legendary, Harden’s is not, if CP3 can make him care more about losing, Houston have a supporting cast to make some noise. If he doesn’t, it won’t be long before Paul starts calling Harden a bitch….

7. Boston Celtics

I’m actually crying writing this part, or actually re-writing it. You may think that’s an over reaction, but I’d written a completely different story 5 days ago, and now I have to think about Gordon Hayward’s injury again. I have serious sympathy for Hayward as I’ve done that exact injury to my ankle. His probably had a few more people watching though, there was only a small crowd at the AUT center when I did mine.

​​Watching that injury in the first 5 minutes of the first game of the year, I saw the Boston Celtics season get derailed. My dreams of battling LeBron in the finals will have to wait another year. We’ll be lucky to beat a Washington team who are on the ascendance, and after watching us lose to Giannis and the Bucks we’d be lucky to beat them in 7.

In saying that, we still have one of the best coaches in the league. He showed that by getting the team focused in the second half of the Cavs opener, and pushing them right to the end.

We also have Kyrie Irving who thinks he’s ready to lead a team to a championship. Watching LeBron own the last 2 minutes of the opener, Irving has some way to go to catch his former team mate.

I’ve been a Boston fan for over 30yrs and they’ll make my list every year until I die. Sorry bout that….

I can't watch this again, but if you haven't seen it...

6. Giannis Antetkounmpo

This guy is an absolute freak, at almost 7 feet, his arms and legs look like something from inspector gadget. Here’s a list of basketball things he’s good at; scoring, dribbling, shooting, rebounding, blocking shots, setting up his team mates, defending, and going to practice. Kevin Durant was recently quoted as saying, “Giannis could be the best player in the world”. High praise indeed. Giannis is not quite at those lofty heights, but injuries aside he has the ability to prove KD right.

In the meantime, if your name’s Jason Kidd, you’re thanking the basketball gods every day. He should keep praying to those gods that the big Greek doesn’t fancy a shift from the very dim lights of Milwaukee, to somewhere rather more brightly light.

The Bucks have enough young talent to be a force in the coming years if Jabari Parker can come back from another knee injury, Kevin Middleton is a quality player, and Malcom Brogdon looks like he can run an offence. They’ll need to boost their bench and I’m not sold on J Kidd being a coach yet, but things are looking good in Brew Town.

5. The Twin Towers

Having two of your favourite players on the same team should be a good thing. When the team is the New Orleans Pelicans, yeah not so much.

Other than DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, there’s not a lot to like about The Pelikients. They overpaid Jrue Holiday like small market teams do, other than that you have to be an NBA rat to know who else is on their roster.

Still, I’m looking forward to watching these athletic big men dominate the ball, and their opposition. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually think they’ll win much, but zigging while the rest of the NBA is zagging seems like something Boogie Cousins is made for. I love him for his, me against the world attitude, as well as his soft hands around the rim and absolute power in getting it there.

As for Davis, well it’s hard to imagine there’s a big man with a better all-around game. Yes you can argue Towns, but I think if you swapped those two players, the T’Wolves are a better team. Hopefully Davis stays healthy, and I also hope in a year or so he thinks Boston is the best basketball city in the world.

In the meantime, let’s get more of this.

4. Isaiah Thomas

I'll have to wait until 2018 to watch IT play for the Cavs, but it’s going to be worth it as he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder bigger than Trump’s ego.

After keeping the Celtics relevant for the past three years, playing injured, and turning up for a playoff game after his sister tragically died in car accident, he was traded by Danny Ainge for Kyrie Irving. The NBA can be tough, and if I was Ainge I’d probably make that trade every time as well. But Thomas bled green, and was the beating heart of an overachieving Celtics team. So he has a reason to feel aggrieved with the club.

I was absolutely gutted he was injured for the Cav’s first game against the Celtics, as I’m sure he would’ve made it personal and put on a show. Don’t think LeBron wouldn’t have helped him out as well.

Which leads me to this season. With LeBron drawing so much attention, Thomas will be free to wreak havoc, knock down open 3’s, and generally be a pest to opposing teams and coaches. I’ll always root for a little man, and being a Celtics fan I won’t forget what he did for the club. With Hayward out, and my team not likely to be a threat, I’m all in on Thomas helping LeBron to another title.

3. Oklahoma Thunder

I’m torn here really, as I’m neither a Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony fan, but I am a huge fan of Paul George – and of course NZ’s own Steven Adams. Add to that I’m all in on any team that has any chance to beat the Warriors.

I still can’t actually believe that Oklahoma got George, that trade was a joke and would’ve been vetoed in any respectable fantasy league. PG13 is a complete two-way basketball player, and if any of you saw him trading buckets with LeBron in last year’s playoffs, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I was hoping the Celtics would land him instead of Hayward. Russell Westbrook now actually has someone to pass the ball to.

Add Melo into the mix, and all of a sudden opposing teams have a match up nightmare. Say what you like about Melo’s defense, I’ve bagged him plenty myself, but the man can still score.

Speaking of defense, this is where Adams will have to make his money, of which he has plenty. Last season they needed him to score some points, but with the new recruits, any points he gets are a bonus. Anchoring the Thunders D will be crucial. Although George is a beast as mentioned before, Melo is a lamb on D. I’m hoping he can up his rebounding average, which at times can be difficult with Russ flying in from nowhere like a man possessed.

Mostly though, I’m hoping they can push the Warriors, put them under pressure, and make them at least earn another championship.

2. Washington Wizards

It’s a big year for the Wiz. John Wall still ain’t getting the love he deserves from the pundits, but after a stunning season last year that may change. Wall did it all for the Wiz, scoring, assists, defense, and highlights galore. He’s a complete point guard in my eyes, and if he was on a better team more people would know about it.

Bradley Beal was more consistent last year as well, and with Wall makes up a lethal scoring combination.

To make the Wizards complete they need Oto Porter Jnr to make another jump. It’s his third year in the league, and he needs to take some offensive pressure off Wall and Beal.

Add to that, a couple of good banging role players in Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat the Wiz have a solid starting 5. The problems really begin after that. Kelly Oubre Jnr could become a really good NBA player, he has length, skills, and can guard most positions. He’s still young so time is still on his side. From there though things get a bit grim. Names like Meeks, Smith, and Mahinmi, don’t fill you full of confidence.

All that aside, Wall is a favourite of mine and his high octane game is a pleasure to watch. Let’s hope his team mates come to the party and the East can have another team worth watching.

I dare you to tell me this guy isn't an All Star.

1. LeBron James

LeBron’s first couple of games this year have been business as usual. The Celtics came to town, he dominated them as per usual. Then he visited the young buck, and LBJ sent the Greek Freak packing as well. He posted crazy numbers in the first game and a little more sedate in the second, told reporters he wasn’t fit, and needed some conditioning. Yeah, business as usual.

When you’ve been scrutinized your whole life I guess you get used to criticism, but most of what this guy receives is unwarranted. Much like SBW in NZ, James polarizes people, you either love him or hate him. I’m a fan and always have been. The guy’s barely has an issue off the court, stands tall for what he believes in, has an unbelievable work ethic, and above all else leaves it out on the court every night. His mix of skills and power are irresistible; he can beat you from anywhere on the court. If he’s hitting his 3 point shot, forget about it.

Plenty will say Steph’s the best player in the league, he’s certainly the best shooter, but he’s not the complete player at both ends of the court that LBJ is.

Am I ready for Cavs v Warriors part IIII, you bet I am.

Here's some dunks, cause everyone likes LBJ dunks.

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