Jackson Ayorinde's Burning Questions
Dec 2, 2013 3:58:29 GMT
Post by Jestor on Dec 2, 2013 3:58:29 GMT
Excitement At Fever Pitch In NAH
Kevin Durant (L) and his Nets are considered championship contenders in some circles
The inaugural season of the NAH is about to tip off and there are some fascinating questions and storylines to follow as we head into the season that counts.
1. Is the Atlantic the best division in the NAH?
The two greatest players in the game - Lebron James and Kevin Durant are both in the division, with the Celtics and the Nets respectively. Then there's Chris Paul plying his trade up in Toronto. Dwight Howard, considered the league's best big? In the bright lights of New York. Brooklyn's presently tipped to win the division and be one of the favorites for the title in most preseason predictions, including my own that I'll publish soon. But the Celtics and the Knicks both only had one loss - Boston riding James and the Knicks having six players averaging almost 12 points or more - the type of team balance some front offices will seek to emulate - at least those teams that don't have Big Threes.
2. Who will win the Euro Division, otherwise known as the Central?
My opinion after the dispersal draft was that all five teams are so evenly matched that picking a champion out of the lot is going to be exceedingly difficult. Preseason bore that out, with 5-4, 5-5, 5-5, 5-5, and 2-9 records in those three weeks. Only the Milwaukee Bucks looked far off the pace. Indiana's perimeter attack is going to be fun to watch, and make for some entertaining fireworks, but I like the Cavaliers most, I think. Kemba Walker has a ways to go in his development, but if Cleveland stays competitive, they should surge past the other teams late in the season as Walker develops.
3. Can anyone stop the Hornets in the Southeast?
Barring injury, no. Don't let the 4-5 record fool you - Before putting in their backups for the last week of preseason, Charlotte was 4-2, and nobody else in the division looked even close to challenging the Hornets. In fact, so far, the Southeast is looking like the NAH's weakest division - a real blessing for the $100 million payroll, aging Hornets, who will need to be careful not to over-extend their veterans and blow their chances at a title because they're run down in the playoffs. And how sad do Washington and Miami look? Just pitiful.
4. Who will finish second to Anthony Davis in Rookie of the Year voting?
When a rookie gets a triple-double, even in preseason play, you know he's going to be a lock to win Rookie of the Year. His teammate, John Henson, could finish second. Otherwise we might be looking at Memphis's Harrison Barnes or Indiana's Damian Lillard. Not really too many candidates outside of that group right now, although Thomas Robinson is second in PER behind Davis. This is still very much a league that uses counting stats for awards voting in my opinion. The Spurs will contend for the Southwest crown as well behind their super rookie duo, although New Orleans is probably the favorite right now, because you can never count out a rh0xxy team. Dallas hasn't impressed, and the Grizzlies and Rockets need development and/or retooling before they're taken seriously.
5. Outside of Utah, will a team finish above .500 in the Northwest?
Minnesota probably will - the Paul Milsap, Paul Pierce, and Al Jefferson trio is good enough to get them there. Oklahoma City doesn't look very good, Denver doesn't have the right mix of players in my opinion, and Portland is in the first stages of a rebuilding project. The Jazz should run away with this in the same way that Charlotte has a cakewalk in the Southeast.
6. Are Sacramento and Golden State for real?
See my comment about New Orleans for my remark about the Warriors. On paper, Golden State doesn't look that tough, but mgtr81 knows how to find the coaching staff and players to make his given systems work. I'm not saying the Warriors will win the Pacific - the two Los Angeles teams and Phoenix have star power, and the Suns' 3-9 record was due to injuries to Tim Duncan and Marcus Thornton, who happen to bet two starters - but Golden State will be in the mix. The Kings' record surprises me, and I'm calling it a fluke. I just don't think they have a good roster.
7. Top 5 title contenders?
In alphabetical order:
1. Brooklyn Nets
2. Charlotte Hornets
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. New York Knicks
I don't like Utah's big man situation, San Antonio won't be ready, and the Knicks' balanced scoring makes them a more sturdy team than the Celtics. The Clippers will need to prove themselves first, but on paper, they have the talent to be one of the contenders, so I'm putting them in the second tier category to start the season.
Kevin Durant (L) and his Nets are considered championship contenders in some circles
The inaugural season of the NAH is about to tip off and there are some fascinating questions and storylines to follow as we head into the season that counts.
1. Is the Atlantic the best division in the NAH?
The two greatest players in the game - Lebron James and Kevin Durant are both in the division, with the Celtics and the Nets respectively. Then there's Chris Paul plying his trade up in Toronto. Dwight Howard, considered the league's best big? In the bright lights of New York. Brooklyn's presently tipped to win the division and be one of the favorites for the title in most preseason predictions, including my own that I'll publish soon. But the Celtics and the Knicks both only had one loss - Boston riding James and the Knicks having six players averaging almost 12 points or more - the type of team balance some front offices will seek to emulate - at least those teams that don't have Big Threes.
2. Who will win the Euro Division, otherwise known as the Central?
My opinion after the dispersal draft was that all five teams are so evenly matched that picking a champion out of the lot is going to be exceedingly difficult. Preseason bore that out, with 5-4, 5-5, 5-5, 5-5, and 2-9 records in those three weeks. Only the Milwaukee Bucks looked far off the pace. Indiana's perimeter attack is going to be fun to watch, and make for some entertaining fireworks, but I like the Cavaliers most, I think. Kemba Walker has a ways to go in his development, but if Cleveland stays competitive, they should surge past the other teams late in the season as Walker develops.
3. Can anyone stop the Hornets in the Southeast?
Barring injury, no. Don't let the 4-5 record fool you - Before putting in their backups for the last week of preseason, Charlotte was 4-2, and nobody else in the division looked even close to challenging the Hornets. In fact, so far, the Southeast is looking like the NAH's weakest division - a real blessing for the $100 million payroll, aging Hornets, who will need to be careful not to over-extend their veterans and blow their chances at a title because they're run down in the playoffs. And how sad do Washington and Miami look? Just pitiful.
4. Who will finish second to Anthony Davis in Rookie of the Year voting?
When a rookie gets a triple-double, even in preseason play, you know he's going to be a lock to win Rookie of the Year. His teammate, John Henson, could finish second. Otherwise we might be looking at Memphis's Harrison Barnes or Indiana's Damian Lillard. Not really too many candidates outside of that group right now, although Thomas Robinson is second in PER behind Davis. This is still very much a league that uses counting stats for awards voting in my opinion. The Spurs will contend for the Southwest crown as well behind their super rookie duo, although New Orleans is probably the favorite right now, because you can never count out a rh0xxy team. Dallas hasn't impressed, and the Grizzlies and Rockets need development and/or retooling before they're taken seriously.
5. Outside of Utah, will a team finish above .500 in the Northwest?
Minnesota probably will - the Paul Milsap, Paul Pierce, and Al Jefferson trio is good enough to get them there. Oklahoma City doesn't look very good, Denver doesn't have the right mix of players in my opinion, and Portland is in the first stages of a rebuilding project. The Jazz should run away with this in the same way that Charlotte has a cakewalk in the Southeast.
6. Are Sacramento and Golden State for real?
See my comment about New Orleans for my remark about the Warriors. On paper, Golden State doesn't look that tough, but mgtr81 knows how to find the coaching staff and players to make his given systems work. I'm not saying the Warriors will win the Pacific - the two Los Angeles teams and Phoenix have star power, and the Suns' 3-9 record was due to injuries to Tim Duncan and Marcus Thornton, who happen to bet two starters - but Golden State will be in the mix. The Kings' record surprises me, and I'm calling it a fluke. I just don't think they have a good roster.
7. Top 5 title contenders?
In alphabetical order:
1. Brooklyn Nets
2. Charlotte Hornets
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. New York Knicks
I don't like Utah's big man situation, San Antonio won't be ready, and the Knicks' balanced scoring makes them a more sturdy team than the Celtics. The Clippers will need to prove themselves first, but on paper, they have the talent to be one of the contenders, so I'm putting them in the second tier category to start the season.