Last season’s champions Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the New York Knicks, setting into motion a brand-new campaign of basketball action across the North American continent.
Sport360’s Jay Asser provides predictions on what fans can hope to witness as each competing team’s campaign progresses week in, week out.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The block. The shot. The stop.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 25, 2016
2016 Cleveland Cavaliers: A Season to Believe 🏀🏆 https://t.co/QGuzmbTCJi
Until proven otherwise, there’s no reason to believe any team in the East can challenge them. They might not even finish with the best record in the conference, but there’s a clear drop-off after them which will again be evident in the playoffs. Boston will make their road more difficult than usual, but that will be the extent of it.
Golden State Warriors
#NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors
— Whistle Sports (@WhistleSports) October 22, 2016
How many wins? 🤔🏀 pic.twitter.com/Z7oTxjCqK5
Until proven otherwise, there’s no reason to believe any team in the East can challenge them. They might not even finish with the best record in the conference, but there’s a clear drop-off after them which will again be evident in the playoffs. Boston will make their road more difficult than usual, but that will be the extent of it.
Golden State Warriors
This is going against LeBron, which backfired in a major way this past June, but even one of the greatest players in NBA history can’t stop what the Warriors are. There’s just too much talent, too many mismatches, too much shooting and too much versatility for the Cavaliers to contend with. Unless there’s an injury, Golden State should win the grudge match.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant hits a three and turns around before it goes in. He's officially a Warrior #TheCurryEffecthttps://t.co/3LsCYCR4Gp
— BigSport (@BigSportGB) October 17, 2016
It’s another bet against LeBron, who should get a wave of mea culpa votes after Stephen Curry’s anointment last year, but the MVP historically comes from one of the top teams and if Golden State approach 70 wins, it will be one of their players. Voter fatigue is a real thing and after giving it to Curry the past two years, Durant is the obvious target to receive the credit.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is one of those characters in Westworld that gets sharper with each loop https://t.co/mCR6qhlngx
— Bruno Passos (@brunosteps) October 22, 2016
He’s the league’s best perimeter defender, who constantly makes life difficult for opposing stars and can guard multiple positions. Dwight Howard is the only player to ever win the award in three consecutive years, but this will be a way to recognise Leonard without giving him the MVP.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is gonna be a force in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/Hz5qBGgXdw
— Jayhawks In The NBA (@NBA_Jayhawks) October 23, 2016
If Ben Simmons was healthy, this would be a fun two-way battle, but with his team-mate out until potentially January, Embiid will have plenty of opportunities to take full charge of Philadelphia. After sitting out two seasons, he’s looked very good, showing an ability to score with his back to the basket and facing up.
D’Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell forces the turnover, which leads to a Julius Randle slam dunk.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 22, 2016
(đź“ş: @SpectrumSN / @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/n6GlxDsj0y
With Kobe Bryant gone, there shouldn’t be anyone on the Lakers to constrict the point guard. Luke Walton will unshackle Russell and allow his playmaking to shine, which will result in good stats on a mediocre team.
Brandon Knight
Andre Iguodala may be the most valuable sixth man in the league, but the award typically favours volume scoring, which is why Jamal Crawford could also repeat. But Knight is a starting caliber player who will come off the bench for Phoenix and provide plenty of spark and points.
Brad Stevens
Waltham...Celtic players about to sing Happy Birthday to coach Brad Stevens...40th...did not go well... pic.twitter.com/NwOAX2Zj48
— Tom Cuddy (@TomCuddySports) October 22, 2016
He’s already established as one of the best coaches in the league, but this will be the first season Boston becomes one of the unquestioned top teams and have the record to show for it. Fifty-plus wins are on the way, as is the two seed in the East.