After a tumultuous 2022/23 NBA season, the new season on the horizon, is due to be as unpredictable as its predecessor. After a lively off season, the NBA landscape looks different with all teams attempting to make trades and decsions to help garner success. As a result, most teams have gotten better on paper. There are a few teams in particular however which avid fans should play close attention to throughout the season.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors endured a relatively unsuccessful season, according to the high standards they have set over the last decade. After finishing mid table in the regular season, then getting handled affirmatively by the Lakers in the second round of the play-offs, change was necessary. They had themselves an interesting off season, acquiring star veteran Chris Paul while also departing from young guards Donte Divencenzo and Jordan Poole. With the addition of Paul, NBA fans will be eager to see if the aging guard can help extend the Warriors' championship time line. It will be fun to see how he integrates himself with Splash brothers Curry and Thompson. Steph Curry in particular, may have to change his game slightly, allowing CP3 to take on more of the ball handling responsibilities. Though this should not be a problem for him and could in fact end up being a positive for Curry and the Warriors as a whole. Allowing the best shooter of all time, who also happens to be one of the best conditioned players of all time, to come of more off ball screens might be lethal. With Steph and Klay receiving pinpoint passing from Paul as well as Draymond Green, the best shooting back court in the history of basketball has the potential to be more potent and more efficient. Though, being the only team in the NBA to not register a player over 6'10, has its problems, as size and defense is probably going to be an issue for them. Hopefully, for their sake, their defense will be above average at the very least , if they hope to fulfill their championship aspirations.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs obtained one of the worst records in the western conference last year and as a result failed to qualify for the play offs as well as the play in. Though, lets provide some context. They were missing a 3 and D wing to help their defensive woes and new signing Kyrie Irving struggled to assimilate himself into the team as he joined mid way through the season. This off season they have rectified these two issues acquiring defensive wings Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics and Matheus Thybulle from the 76ers, while also managing to tie Irving down to a max contract. Both of these changes should bring about more stability on and off the court. With Doncic and Kyrie now set to lead this team for the foreseeable future, we are arguably looking at the best back court combo in basketball if they can click. The last time Kyrie played with a 6'8 shot creating playmaker who was able to generate offence at will, he won a championship. If they manage to get it right, we could be looking at one of the most entertaining and electric teams in the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The cavaliers should be on every NBA fans radar this season. Donovan Mitchell had a very successful season individually averaging a career high 28.3 points per game during the regular season and also scored a career high 71 points against the Chicago Bulls. Him and point guard Darius Garland complimented each other well, but were not able to overcome the stubborn New York Knicks in the post season. They were really missing a tertiary scorer able to space the floor. They have seemingly resolved this dilemma after securing Max Struss from the Miami Heat and drafting the precocious talent that is Emoni Bates. A team that was already astute defensively should now have the offensive fire power to compete with the best teams in the east. Can Mitchell lead the Cavs to their first eastern conference final since Lebron James' departure?