Changing of the Guard in the NBA?
The offseason is a time of hope for any sport. Hopeless teams in every league go into their respective training camps with the belief that, when the dust settles, their new-look group has a chance to make their mark on next year’s postseason play.
The NBA is no different in that regard, but the basketball variation is that 16 of the 30 professional teams will make the playoffs next season. That’s more playoff spots than the other two major sports in this country (NFL, MLB), which guarantees that over half of the NBA overall will be playing meaningful basketball next May.
While that’s an even bigger reason to be more optimistic for all 30 NBA teams, it’s inevitable that 14 of those playoff hopefuls will be playing the lottery next summer.
Even though there’s no guarantee that any of these teams won’t be lottery bound next year, the six young and hungry teams on this list have legitimate reason for optimism heading into next season and beyond.
Without further ado, here are three teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences that have legitimate reason to be confident heading into next season:
Western Conference
Portland Trail Blazers:
After cruising through the Western Conference as a consistent postseason threat over the majority of the past decade, the Trail Blazers took a step back this past season. Injuries and locker room disarray dismantled what could’ve been a promising season as Portland finished 2012 with a dismal 28-38 record.
One positive to finishing as a lottery team was that Portland secured the sixth overall pick and if this team can stay healthy, the Blazers have a legit shot at securing the final playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference. The young and supremely talented cast in Portland has been slept on by many this offseason, but this Blazers team has all the tools at its disposal to be a factor in the West next season.
Potential Breakout Stars:
LaMarcus Aldridge – While already one of the most talented players and an elite scorer in the NBA, Aldridge still hasn’t been able to establish himself as a household name. Another dominant season for a potential playoff team in Portland could go a long way in changing that perception of Aldridge, who finished as the seventh-best scorer in the NBA this past season.
Damian Lillard – The top point guard selected in the 2012 NBA Draft, Lillard will be relied on to contribute right out of the gate next season for the Blazers. Lillard possesses all the tools but he must prove to be a quality distributor on the NBA-level if Portland wants to make the playoffs.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
With Kevin Love playing MVP-level basketball and sporting a veteran supporting cast now mixed in with the remaining influx of young talent; Minnesota is looking like a postseason sleeper in 2013. Love playing with another year of seasoning and Ricky Rubio staying healthy will keep the T-Wolves as a top-10 scoring team in the NBA and may very well lead to the first playoff berth since Kevin Garnett patrolled the paint.
Defense was a key issue this past season – Minnesota finished 25th in the NBA, allowing 100.1 point per game – but the addition of Andrei Kirilenko and a refocused effort on that end could pay dividends. Getting past last year’s eighth seed in the Utah Jazz along with the revamped franchises in Portland and Golden State won’t be easy, but the upside Minnesota possesses has many believing a postseason berth in 2013 in inevitable.
Potential Breakout Stars:
Ricky Rubio – The Spanish sensation ran the T-Wolves expertly and efficiently for 41 games his rookie season before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee that cost him the remainder of 2012. The early prognosis says Rubio may not be back until December but it’s still feasible that the impact upon his return will propel the T-Wolves over the final four or five months of the regular season.
Nikola Pekovic – After breaking out last season by averaging nearly 14 points on 56.4 percent shooting and 7.4 rebounds per contest, Pekovic has much higher expectations heading into 2012-2013. After finishing with the second best Player Efficiency Rating (PER) on Minnesota last season, Pekovic proved to be a capable center and could be on track for a mammoth year.
Golden State Warriors:
2012 was a year to forget for the Warriors but the dismal finish was brightened immensely by the myriad of massive, roster-changing improvements this team made at the deadline and this offseason. At the 2012 trade deadline, the Warriors turned disgruntled guard Monte Ellis into standout, but injury prone, center Andrew Bogut.
Then, this offseason, Golden State solidified the bench by acquiring former New Orleans Hornets starters Carl Landry and Jarrett Jack. Remaining healthy is the biggest key, but the front line of Bogut and David Lee to go along with a talented backcourt featuring budding-star point guard Steph Curry headline a starting-five to be reckoned with.
Potential Breakout Stars:
Stephen Curry – The son of former NBA marksman Dell Curry, Steph has struggled to stay on the court due to injury over his first few NBA seasons. Even though he played in just 26 games this past year, Curry shot 49 percent from the field and averaged nearly 15 points and 5.3 assists per contest. Curry has all the tools, it’s just a matter of staying on the court.
Harrison Barnes – The seventh overall pick of the 2012 draft, the UNC standout is currently penciled in as a starter for the Warriors heading into training camp. Because of the talent around him, Barnes will be able to just play his game and could find himself being a key contributor on a playoff hopeful in Golden State.
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia 76ers:
A playoff team that shocked many by taking the Boston Celtics to the brink in the Eastern Conference Semifinals just a season ago, Philadelphia comes into the upcoming season with a vastly different core from 2012. Already featuring one of the best defenses in the NBA under the guidance of head coach Doug Collins, the 76ers now possess a legitimate offensive weapon in Andrew Bynum.
An honest Sixers fan would admit that last season’s victory over the Chicago Bulls in the opening round of the 2012 playoffs would not have happened without Derrick Rose falling to injury. With Bynum now the fold, surrounded by a solid supporting cast and spectacular defense, defeating an elite East team won’t have to be a freak occurrence.
Potential Breakout Stars:
Andrew Bynum – Even though he’s been a dominant player for the Los Angeles Lakers over the past few seasons, Bynum will have an offense tailored around him in Philadelphia next season. Barring injury, it’s easy to see Bynum posting monster numbers next season that could rival his replacement, Dwight Howard, in LA.
Evan Turner – The former second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Turner has been intent on putting his stamp on this Sixers squad. After making strides in each of his first two seasons, Tuner is primed for a breakout year in 2012-2013.
Toronto Raptors:
After a multitude of moves this offseason, the Raptors have set themselves up nicely to rebound after a dismal, lottery-bound past four seasons. The acquisition of quality all around point guard Kyle Lowry to go along with a top-10 pick in Terrence Ross and a healthy Andrea Bargnani has Toronto planning a return to the postseason.
While a solid one-two punch resides in Toronto at nearly every position, possibly the biggest key to next season will be the emergence of potential rookie center Jonas Valanciunas. The 20-year old, nearly 7-feet-tall Valanciunas’ development will be a huge factor as to whether or not the Raptors four-year playoff drought will come to an end next season.
Potential Breakout Stars:
Jonas Valanciunas – The number five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Valanciunas has spent the last few seasons overseas but will likely enter the NBA this upcoming season to his fair share of hype. Even though he played in limited action throughout the 2012 Olympics, Valanciunas is viewed as a prime player in Toronto’s rebuilding project next season.
DeMar DeRozan – Through his first two seasons in the NBA, DeRozan has been a proven scorer but offensive efficiency has been an issue. At just 24-years old at the start of next season, DeRozan is fully capable of building upon his 16.7 point per game average of 2012 while bumping up that 42.2 percent shooting percentage to closer to his career average of 45.7 percent.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Of all the teams the lockout-shortened 2012 NBA season effected, it’s hard to find a team that was hit harder than the Cavaliers. Featuring a rookie starting point guard, with a lack of much of a training camp and with practice time few and far between; the Cavs started the 2012 season with an uphill climb.
Despite the lack of preparation, Irving still dominated opponents over the course of his inaugural NBA season and will only get better with further seasoning. The beauty of having a point guard like Irving is that he excels at making his teammates better and Cleveland will benefit from those attributes greatly from their floor general both next season and beyond.
Potential Breakout Stars:
Kyrie Irving – The second year point guard will come into 2012-2013 with a year under his belt and plenty more to prove after a breakout, Rookie of the Year-winning first season. Building upon Irving’s 18.5 point, 5.4 assist per game season from 2012 is a tough task, but the All-Star evolution of the 20-year old point guard likely begins next season.
Tristan Thompson – After playing in limited action this past season, Thompson will have more opportunity next season to showcase his immense potential as he will likely begin the season in the Cavs’ starting lineup. Showing signs of improvement from month to month, Thompson increased his scoring average each month from December on this past year and a breakout season could be a tap for 2012-2013.
Even though these teams are still evolving and making the playoffs will be difficult next season, the talent these squads possess suggest a much bigger prize may be in store down the road. If they remain intact, these teams have a chance to represent the changing of the guard in each conference over the next few seasons.
What team do you think is on the verge of something momentous going into next season? Let your voice be heard in the comments section below!
Loading ...
