Lakers, Clippers and the beginning of a new NBA season

Let's get you caught up in the world of the NBA. The new season tips off Tuesday night but first there's a few things you need to know.

CAVS

Lebron James is entering his 12th season so we have a pretty good picture of who he is and isn't. He the perfect player to build around but not someone who can join any team. He's been in the last 5 finals and won 2 of them. Look to see if he can do it again and bring a title to Cleveland. 

Thompson & Love are the Cavs power forwards. They are the key to the teams success. Thompson compliments Lebron extremely well and is allowed to play to his potential within the offenses sets. Love however compliments Lebron well as well but doesn't get to play to his potential due to his rebounding style and lack of dunking. Watching these two play together and to see how they get utilized this year is the Lebron and coach Blatt's biggest concern this year. Thompson held out all summer for a big contract but the Cavs gave his money to Love. Thompson did get a big contract however and no one knows where the money came from but we will see how the Love and Thompson dynamic play out. 

CLIPPERS 

Over the summer Doc Rivers added Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith, Paul Pierce, Cole Aldrich, Wes Johnson and a rookie named Dawson who looks like a baby Draymond Green. They retained DJ after an emoji battle and some shady lack of communication from Jordan to Cuban. Nevertheless he's back with JJ, CP and Blake making this the best roster the Clippers have had in franchise history. This puts a boom or bust pressure on the squad. I believe Doc to be overhyped but this year he gets to prove just how good he is.

DUB NATION 

The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions but have gotten little to no respect during the summer. If you are one of these people you believe they didn't deserve the title let me leave you this...
1-They won 67 games in the western conference finishing with the first seed
2-They are led by the defending MVP, the first MVP since Dirk in '07 who gets 75% of his points from jump shots. He's doesn't live above the rim.
3-They had the second best offensive rating and best defensive rating in the entire league.
4-They were led by a rookie coach.

This sounds like they were the best team in the league last year... So... let's give them their respect. They are not locks to win again this year but they did deserve their title last year. Watch to see how they do this year.

GO SPURS GO

The example franchise for the last 20 years struck gold again after signing LaMarcus Aldridge. So, what makes them so special? It's in how they are ran and operated. They know their team recipe and the ingredients that make it work. They don't go after just any ole player. They only after players who match ingredients. They never scrapped their team. I am excited to see how this team performs this year and how Kawhi Leonard emerges into a top 3 player in the league.

LAKERS 

After 4 disappointing seasons Laker fans are not looking for a championship rather they are wanting to see if the front office knows what they are doing. They have young stars in Clarkson and Randle and still have Kobe. Some Laker fans including me were very disappointed in drafting D'Angelo Russell. He's hyped to be a top point guard and can be a missing link in Los Angeles. I disagree but we shall soon see how he performs and fits the squad.

STORY LINES TO FOLLOW
1-Harmony in Sac Town
2-Lawson to Houston
3-Jabari's return
4-The Bulls
5-PG13 at Power Forward

So, who's ready to tip off the 70th season of the NBA?


To conclude I would like to wish the Saunders family condolences. Til next time...

-Schlierman