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The Scout: NBA Season Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Eastern Conference Winner
Philadelphia 76ers – $3*

Unlike the stacked Western Conference, the East is shaping as a race in two. Both Milwaukee and Philadelphia have claims, but the talent (and size) across the board gives the 76ers the edge.

While Philadelphia look to have improved their roster (despite the departures of Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick) the same can’t be said for the Bucks after the loss of Malcolm Brogdon. The now-Pacer, had a career best year last season with a super efficient 15.6 points and 3.2 assists per game.

It’s a long season but it’s hard to see a team that boasts a starting five of Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Al Horford and Joel Embiid not being at the top of a weakened Eastern Conference.

Richardson averaged 16ppg last season for the Heat, while there are big things expected from rookie Matisse Thybule and their first round pick from last year, Zhaire Smith, barely got a look in last season after foot surgery.

The marquee addition for this roster however was Horford, who came to be known as the “Embiid stopper” for his ability to stifle his now teammate. Horford is the perfect glue guy for this squad. He can play either front court position, can stretch the floor creating space for Simmons and Embiid; and perhaps most importantly has had success in the past in slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo – the player Philadelphia will have to go through to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2001.

If Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer beater hadn’t fallen in last year’s playoffs, we could be talking about Philadelphia as the defending champions. I think this year they’re in the pole position for the Eastern Conference crown.

MVP
Nikola Jokic – $15*

Much like the title race, the MVP looks a wide-open affair.

Kawhi Leonard would be my pick, but given his injury history, may only play 60 or so regular season games – the amount he played with the Raptors in 2018/19.

I expect Leonard, LeBron James and Anthony Davis (and maybe others) to be “managed” right out of contention for the MVP award.

Enter Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic.

To call last season a breakout year is an understatement with the Serbian behemoth making the All-NBA 1st Team on the back of 20.1 points, 10.8 boards and 7.2 assists per game.

He played 80 out of a possible 82 games while shooting 51% from the field and 82% from the free throw line. Scarily his stats improved across the board in the playoffs!

While his defense can be suspect, his dynamic offense (and a likely improvement in his three point shot) should see him become one of the marquee players in the game; if he isn’t already.

I’m wary of voter fatigue with Giannis, and I expect the Nuggets to be a top three team in the West with Jokic literally at the centre of everything they do.

NBA Championship
Los Angeles Clippers – $4.50*

In what looks like a new ‘Big Two” era in the NBA; the Clippers bring to the table Kawhi Leonard and Paul George; last season’s Finals MVP, and a player who finished 3rd in regular season MVP voting.

A 48 win team in 2018/19, the Clippers have added two superstars in their prime while holding onto a core that boasts several high level role players.

Patrick Beverley is a bulldog on the defensive end, while Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell were 1st and 3rd in Sixth Man of the Year Voting last season.

With Harrell at the five, this looks to be the Clippers’ end of game lineup. It looks deadly. And it looks like it’s built for the playoffs.

The Clippers should instantly be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Leonard and George (when he returns from injury) will be unmatched on the perimeter. Kawhi’s defensive exploits are well known, while George led the league last season in steals (170) and pass deflections (292).

“Load management” of their stars might see the Clippers finish further down in the standings than some of their rivals, but regular season performance isn’t the concern for this team.

With two of the best players in the league and a strong supporting cast I think Kawhi Leonard will do for the Clippers what he did for the Raptors and win them their maiden NBA Championship.

*Odds correct as at 12pm, 18th October 2019.

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