5 Not as Important Simmering Thoughts
Before the season starts tonight on TNT, let’s take a quick look at some questions not really burning but simmering. Everyone is following the Jimmy saga and no one is quite clear on how the Lakers will play. We know the Warriors have motivation issues and that there will be a new King of the East. So what else is interesting?
- How many wins will it take to make the playoffs in the East?
39? 40? Can it please be over .500? With all of the recent discussions around 1–16 seeding, this year will only serve to amplify that. In the West, there are arguments to be made for almost every team being in the playoffs (except you Phoenix, Dallas, and Sacramento. I still love you.) In the East, it’s a much different story. Between Miami, Charlotte, Detroit, and Cleveland, we will likely have a fun race to sneak in and get destroyed in the first round. Who you got?
My Answer: 41 wins
2. Who will win Most Improved Player?
Markelle, pls? Fultz seems primed to make some noise and show everyone why he was chosen 1st in the draft. I’m still a believer but he might start a little too slow for an award like this. Malik Monk could take a large leap under a new coach and finally start showing off some of his scoring prowess. Jabari Parker is in a position to score a lot of points but I don’t think the Chicago Bulls will win enough for him to be seriously considered. Which brings us to Gordon Hayward. If he is even at 80% of himself and plays most of the year, this award should be his. Coming back from something so intense is not just a physical healing experience but a mental one too and it should be rewarded.
My Answer: Gordon Hayward
3. Which player or coach gets a fine first?
In the offseason, we had a taste for some candidates to be fined. J.R. Smith and Lonzo Ball were both told to hide branded tattoos (Supreme and Big Baller Brand, respectively). Should one of them either “forget” to cover it up, they will likely be swiftly fined. Hooray for branding wars. Steve Kerr has gotten mouthier and mouthier every year. Magic Johnson might get into some tampering. Igor Kokoskov might swear in Serbian. I still think this is easily J.R.’s to take though.
My Answer: J.R. Smith
4. Who will ignite the tank first?
Get it? Ignite the break… Ignite the tank? …Moving on, Sacramento might do this just by being them. They will play hard and have nothing to lose for but it probably won’t be enough. Phoenix should be a bit more competitive out of the gates but the West is so stacked they might quickly fall behind. Memphis could lose one their All-Stars to injury (please not basketball gods). The Hawks are going to give the ball to a rookie all day and as great as Trae Young might be, a rookie needs time. The Bulls might not even play on the defensive side of the court but they have some actual talent and are a little too good to be that bad. At the end of the day, the Kings are likely to be the punching bag of the West.
My Answer: Sacramento Kings
5. Who will be the All-Star team captains?
There will be new All-Star team captains this year since 1. LeBron is in a new conference and 2. They aren’t repeating anyone as captains. So who takes up the mantle in the East? I personally am going with Giannis Antetokounmpo but Kyrie Irving or Joel Embiid could easily rise to the top. I doubt anyone will top LeBron or Curry in terms of votes but in the West, it seems likely that Kevin Durant will get to be a captain. Watching KD try to pick between Curry and LeBron sounds oh so delicious.
My Answer: Giannis and Kevin Durant
