While we are here in the offseason, writers are coming up with content to keep people intrigued. Where is he going? What moves can they make? Will the Knicks ever get better? To answer all these questions, all I’d really have to say nowhere, nothing, and never, but that isn’t really much fun. Instead, I’m gonna open my dictionary, go through every team, and describe them each with one word that represents their 2020 perception around the league. Today…the east:
Atlanta Hawks
Burgeoning. The Atlanta Hawks haven’t finished above .500 since the 2016-17 season, but this year Atlanta looks like they’re making a jump. The signings of Gallinari, Bogdanovic, Rondo, and Kris Dunn are a statement that Atlanta means business, and with extra shooting and grit added to the team, they could make a big push to make noise in the playoffs.
Boston Celtics
Evolving. The Celtics are fully behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but the pieces around them to create a championship-level team have been ever-changing. After Gordon Hayward’s sign-and-trade to Charlotte, the only other player left from the young duo’s first Conference Finals four seasons ago is Marcus Smart. Much is expected from the Celtics, we’ll see if the tinkering pays off.
Brooklyn Nets
Supernova. A supernova is the explosion of star leading to it becoming a neutron star or a black hole. This Nets team seems like it is either destined for greatness, or will be considered an enormous collapse. Will Steve Nash flourish in his first season as a head coach? Will KD be healthy? Can they get Harden? Can Kyrie handle being second (or third) fiddle again? No matter what it’s going to be entertaining.
Charlotte Hornets
Meandering. Not much is expected of the Hornets but somehow they always end up disappointing anyway. While the selection of Lamelo Ball is intriguing, their best player on the team also plays point guard, and Ball still has much to work on to be considered a franchise cornerstone. They also decided to pay Gordon Hayward around $30 million per year in a sign-and-trade with the Celtics for…veteran leadership? Who knows, it’s the Hornets after all.
Chicago Bulls
Languid. The Bulls have been bad at basketball for the last three years running, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. While they have some good young pieces, none of them feel like they will pan out as anything other than trade fodder. That being said, with a new front office coming in, they probably feel they should evaluate their talent first before making any big moves. The worst part of the Bulls organization though is the ownership. It simply seems like Jerry Reinsdorf doesn’t care.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Ill-fated. It’s unfortunate being in one of the worst markets in the NBA. The Cavaliers have done their best since losing LeBron, but bad drafting has been the reason behind their failures since. Fifth pick Isaac Okoro looks to be a solid wing-addition, but it won’t mean much if their several young guards continue to be stagnant in their growth. It just seems like it’s fate for the Cavaliers to be bad perpetually.
Detroit Pistons
Trying. Finding one word for the Pistons is difficult. On one hand, they have to deal with the same rigors of being in a small market like the Cavs, but on the other, there is some optimism. They seemingly drafted well this year with the Killian Hayes pick (as well as Isaiah Stewart near the end of the 1st) and were able to sign Jerami Grant to a deal. All of these are positive signs, but their time is yet to come.
Indiana Pacers
Steady. The Pacers’ one-word answer every season could be steady. They seem to always have good level talent but lack the big-market to put together teams through free agency to take the next step. The Pacers also have a solid infrastructure and a strong eye for talent, which means they always keep their cool despite being in a constant form of transition. They have a new coach and we’ll see if they make a move on from Oladipo or Myles Turner, but if they do it usually means they are getting quality in return.
Miami Heat
Cool. I know, maybe a bit cheesy, but the Heat have made themselves cool again. It took several interesting moves and great drafting to get here, but the Heat have positioned themselves perfectly to grow into whatever happens. Giannis wants to go to South Beach? Moves can be made. He decides to stay? They have young talent with tons of room to grow. Pat Riley, Eric Spoelstra, and Jimmy Butler are built on strong character, and the Heat look like they’ll be around the top of the East for the foreseeable future.
Milwaukee Bucks
Nervous. If Giannis signs the extension this one word answer totally changes. When it comes to top NBA talent, it doesn’t get any better, and whoever wins the Giannis sweepstakes will be a top favorite no matter the destination. They tried getting him some pieces to make a better playoff run, but after the Bogdanovic debacle, things look a bit bleaker. If they lose Giannis and Jrue Holiday walks after the Bucks gave up three 1st round picks for him, they will be screwed for years.
New York Knicks
Hopeless. The Knicks are the Knicks, after all.
Orlando Magic
Uncertain. The Magic have a ton of young talent to play alongside Nikola Vucevic, but having young talent doesn’t always translate into wins. The Magic have been stuck at this juncture for a few years now, being too good to tank but not good enough to make a jump into the upper echelon in the East. I expect them to start making moves this year if things start to look stagnant.
Philadelphia 76ers
Expectation. This would have been the one word answer last year as well. This Sixers team is brimming with talent, they just can’t get themselves to that last step. New President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey is a trade guru, though, and through some moves this offseason has them looking pretty good. There are still fit questions with Simmons, Embiid, and Tobias Harris, but no matter what this year feels like a make or break season.
Toronto Raptors
Pivoting. This offseason the Raptors lost two of its cornerstone role players, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, and have thus made the importance of Paskal Siakam to the Raptors even bigger than before. Siakam was underwhelming in the playoffs, but if he keeps improving Toronto will be just fine. They were also able to retain Fred VanVleet. Look out next year for the Rapters in the Giannis sweepstakes.
Washington Wizards
Aimless. Not much is expected from the Wizards this year, and it looks like they pretty much know this. On top of the John Wall trade demand rumors, the Wizards might have to look into moving their other star Bradley Beal if they don’t make noise in the east this year. It looks like the future could be bleak in Washington, and it doesn’t even really seem like they are doing anything to improve that status.
Liked this article? Follow me @ShmeedShmeed on Twitter and check out all of our other NBA content here at Belly Up Sports.
