CHICAGO BULLS
The Bulls actually will be trying to win games this season. What a concept! You’d think that would be the least a fan could expect, but Chicago’s competitive vision got turned upside-down in 2017-18 as the Bulls maneuvered for a good spot in the Draft. They were so determined to rack up as many Ping Pong balls as possible for the lottery that a 15-8 stretch over about six weeks in the middle of the schedule, after a 3-10 start, spooked the bosses. By managing injury recoveries and assorted variables, coach Fred Hoiberg and his staff closed out the season on a 9-27 spiral. But the league has flattened the lottery odds to dissuade dedicated losing, and the Bulls have enough young talent already.
ICYMI
How’d that “tanking” work out for the Bulls? They won so much that they slipped to No. 7 in draft order, yet wound up with a player they were thrilled to get. Wendell Carter Jr. has a game and maturity beyond his years (he won’t turn 20 until six days after the regular season ends). The F/C made lofty comparisons to Boston’s Al Horford and looked legit in NBA Summer League … Jabari Parker’s repeat ACL tears and lengthy rehabs had worn on his relationship with the Milwaukee Bucks, so the Bulls stepped in to bring home the Chicago native and free agent. Only the first season of Parker’s two-year, $40 million deal is guaranteed, so Parker will be on the clock for whether this is a stopover or a long-term arrangement … Second-round pick Chandler Hutchison was a late-bloomer at Boise State but will be counted on quickly in Chicago, judged on his 3-point accuracy and his long-wingspan defense.
THREE POINTS
1. All that’s left for Zach LaVine is defense. He’s athletic, exciting and presumably healthier than when he returned in the second half of last season from his ACL surgery. Despite inconsistency, LaVine got paid when the Bulls matched Sacramento’s four-year, $80 million offer. Now he has to hush up an array of critics who claim he’s effective on only one side of the floor.
2. Dunn can’t possibly be done. Kris Dunn was playing the best ball of his first two seasons when he took a header against Golden State. He missed 25 of Chicago’s final 37 games, so re-establishing himself as the starting PG is his top priority.
3. At least 2-pointers sting less. Oddly, Chicago ranked last in the NBA both in making 2-point shots (.474) and in defending against them (.534). It’s typically not good to be 30th in any stats category.
MAN ON THE SPOT
Hoiberg survived his first two seasons with a veteran-laden roster and expectations set too high. He dealt with the cross-purposes of 2017-18. Now he’s finally got a team that should be taking a big step upward — and he’s into the fourth year of his five-year contract.
STARTING FIVE
Kris Dunn| 13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.0 apg
Not a perimeter shooter but an aggressive attacker and feisty defensively.
Zach LaVine | 16.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg
Defense isn’t his only challenge after shooting 38.3 percent with a minus-13.2 net rating.
Robin Lopez | 11.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.9 apg
Underrated team leader who was outrebounded by wing Denzel Valentine (5.1).
Jabari Parker | 12.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg
Shot corner 3’s well (50 percent) but only launched 17 percent of his 3-point attempts from there.
Lauri Markkanen | 15.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.2 apg
First team All-Rookie pick dispelled notions about toughness, now stronger.
KEY RESERVES
Bobby Portis | 13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg
Intense stretch big man will set his crazy eyes on Sixth Man award.
Wendell Carter Jr. | 13.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.0 apg (Duke)
Can play 4 or 5, makes solid decisions, values defense and will push for minutes.
Justin Holiday | 12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg
Veteran voice who started 72 times vs. 13 in first six NBA seasons.
BOTTOM LINE
The roster is more suited to Hoiberg’s preferred style than in the past, and there’s enough talent to challenge for the bottom of the East’s playoff bracket. The young Bulls will need to sort out a pecking order, with LaVine and Parker central in walking that line between asserting themselves vs. assimilating to teammates who carried bigger loads last season. Expected W-L: 37-45.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavaliers, is in the midst of major renovations that are set to be complete for the 2019-20 NBA season. One enhancement that would seem to be essential are safety belts for each of the 20,562 seats, because few franchises have experienced roller-coaster ups and downs quite like the Cavs. From 2003-10, LeBron James grew up there as an iconic NBA superstar. Then he left for four years in Miami, a crash course for hard times around the Q. In 2014 he was back and so was the winning. And now … the coaster could be headed south.
ICYMI
If you missed the departure of LeBron James from northeast Ohio, then you probably aren’t reading this. No move mattered more in the NBA this summer, same as in 2014, same as in 2010. Now the Cavaliers have to figure out a way to feed their fans a whole meal, while looking very much like a table full of side dishes in search of an entrée … Cleveland grabbed Collin Sexton out of Alabama with the No. 8 pick in the Draft, and the extremely confident point guard has the game, the attitude and the situation to — let’s just say it — thrust himself into Kia Rookie of the Year conversations … It’s likely Cleveland will try to offer some of its proven veterans to contending teams as we head toward the February trading deadline. Guys like George Hill, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Kyle Korver have big salaries, but could help in a stretch-and-spring drive.
THREE POINTS
1. “Randy, where’s the rest of me?” That’s a famous line from a pre-POTUS Ronald Reagan film in the 1940s in which he played an unwitting amputee, and it applies to the Cavaliers. They’ll likely be feeling their phantom superstar like phantom limbs, missing James on a nightly basis in one or more of a dozen ways. Sometimes movies can soar with ensemble casts, but when something is built as a star vehicle and subsequently loses its star, the results aren’t always pleasing to viewers.
2. The more precocious Collin Sexton is, the better. Sexton has the attitude and the quick-twitch skills to push the pace and make folks forget Ol’ Whats-His-Name for minutes at a time. Already he’s drawing comparisons to former Cav Kyrie Irving (whose No. 2 jersey he’s wearing) for his ability to ignite games from the point guard spot.
3. Tyronn Lue is on the clock. No more wisecracks from the peanut gallery about No. 23 serving as both resident superstar and coach. That means Lue will rise or fall on his ability to blend role-player talents into something beyond role-player results.
MAN ON THE SPOT
It wouldn’t be fair to expect Kevin Love to instantly revert to his Minnesota level statistically — 23 points and 13 rebounds per game, which he averaged over his last four Wolves seasons, are hard to snag in the best of times. Love, 30, is older now, with miles and injuries on his game, and he’s been playing a thoroughly different role the past four seasons. But he quickly signed a four-year extension to stick around as the face of the franchise, and he ought to enjoy being the focal point of an NBA offense again. Five or six extra shots a night, and three or four more free throws, should feel like old times.
STARTING FIVE
George Hill | 10.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg
As Cav (24 games), had worst 3-FG rate (.351) since rookie year.
Rodney Hood | 14.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg
Full-service offensive player vying to be No. 2 option.
Tristan Thompson | 5.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.6 apg
Injured and spotty season, but brought boost in playoffs.
Kevin Love | 17.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
Expected to channel his old Timberwolves self.
Cedi Osman | 3.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.7 apg
Earned look here a year ago, one of 12 Cavs who started 10-plus games.
KEY RESERVES
Jordan Clarkson | 12.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg
One of NBA’s top bench scorers last year, erratic in postseason.
J.R. Smith | 8.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg
Nearly identical stats from 2016-17, best used as a specialist.
Larry Nance Jr. | 8.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
“High motor” big looking to extend his range, offensive game.
BOTTOM LINE
Expecting the Cavaliers not to take a significant step back in the wake of James’ departure is like thinking you could yank a middle piece out of Jenga and have nothing else tumble. That this wasn’t the perfect complementary cast, though, might be a good thing, because several players should feel unburdened from having to sublimate their play to James. There’s more basketball to go around, but they’ll miss their big brother. Also, a number of opponents will be eager to deliver payback for four years of hard matchups, the way teams walloped Chicago in 1999 after Michael Jordan left for good. Expected W-L record: 32-50.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons have the league’s reigning Coach of the Year — who is winless on Detroit’s sideline. They have one of the league’s most recognizable stars, whose personal star has been dimmed of late. They have arguably the NBA’s most ferocious rebounder, but are enabling him to drift away from the rim to extend his range and even launch occasional 3-pointers. The fellows in question are (in order) coach Dwane Casey, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, all of whom will play pivotal roles for a squad that’s trying to reach the playoffs for only the second time in a decade.
ICYMI
Before Pistons owner Tom Gores could hire Casey once he was fired by the Toronto Raptors, Gores had to end the Stan Van Gundy era. Van Gundy steered Detroit into the postseason just once, evidence that his dual responsibility as coach and president of basketball operations wasn’t working. … Now the team has Malik Rose and Sachin Gupta in the front office, and Casey — who had the Raptors in the playoffs for five consecutive years — focused entirely on coaching … Roster additions have come mostly around the edges, with the likes of veterans Zaza Pachulia and Jose Calderon, University of Miami guard Bruce Brown with the No. 42 pick in the Draft and Creighton guard Khyri Thomas in a deal that night with Philadelphia. But the Pistons’ greatest excitement is being generated by having their own guys — Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson — healthy to start the season.
THREE POINTS
1. They need Mr. October-through-April. Point guard Reggie Jackson is invaluable as a scorer, ball handler and organizer of Detroit’s offense, but he mostly was unavailable last season. A severe ankle injury cost him 37 games, gouging a 12-25 hole in the Pistons’ schedule (they were 27-18 when he was on the floor).
2. Andre Drummond, floor spacer? Drummond is the NBA definition of “load,” several handfuls of big man who gets where and what he wants under the rim. He became only the fourth player to amass at least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks and 100 steals (at least since 1973 when the last two of those stats began to be tracked). Yet Casey, in hopes of opening up and quickening Detroit’s offense, is asking the big guy to hoist 3-pointers when the opportunity presents itself. Tread lightly, though, because Detroit averaged nearly three fewer offensive rebounds than it did just two seasons ago.
3. Paging Stanley Johnson. It’s time. Johnson came into the league three years ago to solid reviews and strong moments in summer league. But even he is tired of hearing about his potential, and after a season limited by some injuries, he’s hoping to establish himself as a consistent 3-and-D contributor. His perimeter shooting to this point makes that a lofty goal.
MAN ON THE SPOT
The cute commercials are behind Griffin now. Dunking over a car hood wound up being easier for the former Clippers star than staying healthy or translating his skills into deep playoff success. A former Kia MVP candidate traded to Detroit in January, Griffin hasn’t even played in an All-Star Game since 2015, but he had his healthiest and best offseason in years. Now he’s counting on training camp to develop rhythm with newish teammates, especially Drummond up front.
STARTING FIVE
Reggie Jackson | 14.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.3 apg
Hoping to end backslide in 3-point percentage and boost trips to line.
Reggie Bullock | 11.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
Opportunity matters: nearly doubled his stats from 2016-17.
Andre Drummond | 15.0 ppg, 16.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
His 60.5 percent from the line was a career high.
Blake Griffin | 21.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.8 apg
Stated goal: A top-4 seed in the East.
Stanley Johnson | 8.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 apg
Priority this summer was improving on his 28.6 3-point percentage.
KEY RESERVES
Ish Smith | 10.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.4 apg
Casey is eager to unleash Smith’s speed in quicker pace.
Luke Kennard | 7.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.7 apg
Goal: Shedding the “drafted ahead of Donovan Mitchell” tag.
Glenn Robinson III| 4.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.7 apg
Staying healthy would give his skills a chance to flourish.
BOTTOM LINE
The Pistons felt they should have reached the postseason last spring, so that’s an obvious goal. Adapting to the modern NBA, to the point of having their All-Star big men empowered as deep threats and playmakers (Griffin’s 5.8 apg was impressive), is another major ambition. And working through a calmer, lower-volume season with Casey on board in place of feisty Van Gundy is something players anticipate. Expected W-L record: 43-39, flipping last year’s mark.
INDIANA PACERS
Judging by the moves they’ve made, the Indiana Pacers must have thought LeBron James still was plying his trade in The Land. Indiana kept its lineup and key reserves intact, then surgically added a few pieces to bolster the operation. That makes the Pacers a favorite in the Central Division and as a top seed in the East. The biggest challenge now is winning without being able to sneak up on anyone as they did last season.
ICYMI
Tapping into the NBA’s Holiday family — drafting Aaron, based on the strong reviews of brothers Jrue and Justin — was an early offseason move … Then came the Pacers’ signings of three veterans, each meant to fill a niche. Tyreke Evans from Memphis is a proven scorer, a Kia Sixth Man candidate brought in to take some of the offensive load off Victor Oladipo. Doug McDermott is a shooter who has yet to find his NBA home after stints with four other teams in his first four seasons. And Kyle O’Quinn is a strongman built for banging, stepping into the Trevor Booker role to provide physical play … Less noticed as a summer transaction was the contract extension signed by coach Nate McMillan, who earned it just like he earned a few Coach of the Year votes last season.
THREE POINTS
1. Myles Turner used 2017-18 as his gather step. The Pacers’ young big man is most effective as a stretch-five, though its his mid-range game that draws defenders out rather than something arc-based. Defensively, he’s an avid rim protector, though sometimes beat by his men in other ways. Mostly, through injuries and otherwise, the eager 6-foot-11 center failed to take a stride forward. That’s what Indiana needs from a guy who, admittedly, won’t turn 23 until the season is five months old.
2. Tyreke Evans can be “the good Lance.” As in Lance Stephenson. Evans has a more proven track record as a reliable offensive threat than the always-entertaining “Born Ready” Indianapolis favorite, without the erratic, emotional downside. That’s the idea, with Evans penciled in both as an Oladipo backup and sometimes sidekick.
3. Roster flexibility is good — up to a point. Seven of the Pacers’ nine top salaried players are in the final year of their contracts, as reported by the Indianapolis Star. That makes for many options in what shapes up as a frenzied free-agent market next summer. But it also suggests some Indiana players might stray from the team’s all-for-one approach. McMillan vows it won’t happen, monitored by him and policed by teammates.
MAN ON THE SPOT
OK, so it hardly seems fair to have Oladipo “on the spot” again, after that’s where most critics had him as 2017-18 began. Instead of having to show he could ease the loss of Paul George — which he did in spades, making that reluctant trade with OKC (with Domantas Sabonis in tow) look like a Pacers’ W — Oladipo will be asked to demonstrate that last season was not a fluke. The next logical step for the Kia Most Improved Player award winners is to show that their stardom has staying power. His production at both ends of the court argues Oladipo’s case (he led the league in steals per game, 2.4, on top of his scoring and clutch moments), as does his work ethic and ever-hungry demeanor.
STARTING FIVE
Darren Collison | 12.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.3 apg
Low-profile playmaker led the league in 3-point accuracy (46.8 percent).
Victor Oladipo | 23.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.3 apg
An All-Star was born, along with fan fave, stepping into PG-13 void.
Myles Turner | 12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.3 apg
Obvious, untapped potential for soon-to-be restricted free agent.
Bojan Bogdonovic | 14.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg
His 3-point shooting was swell, his defense on LeBron was a bonus.
Thad Young | 11.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 apg
Ideal frontcourt player for these position-less times.
KEY RESERVES
Domantas Sabonis | 11.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.0 apg
Lively, savvy backup big who favors C over PF spot.
Tyreke Evans | 19.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.2 apg
Averaged 22.6 points per 36 with 21.1 PER in ninth season.
Cory Joseph | 7.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.2 apg
Backup PG valued as pesky defender and glue guy.
BOTTOM LINE
From all appearances, the Pacers’ locker room is one of the NBA’s most cohesive and upbeat. That stems from the calm demeanor and reasonable expectations of McMillan as coach and from Oladipo’s driven but not grim professionalism. Indianapolis insiders rave about this team’s chemistry, now rivaled by considerable roster depth. Expected W-L record: 54-28.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
A new arena, a new (and dazzling, compared to their old ramshackle digs) practice facility and a new coaching staff suggest a new commitment from the Bucks, who need to take in 2018-19 the step they squandered last season. It felt like a plateau year, a couple more victories, same first-round exit in seven games, and a coach (Jason Kidd) firing to boot. Hiring Mike Budenholzer from Atlanta should help Milwaukee at both ends, and the clock ticking on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract means this can’t be any honeymoon year thanks either to the coach or the building. It’s time.
ICYMI
The Bucks made their biggest personnel move in May, when they hired Budenholzer to fill the spot held last season by Jason Kidd and interim coach Joe Prunty. Budenholzer, who coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2013-18, brings a defensive fdcus and is more comfortable with the 3-point game than Kidd … Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo, the No. 17 pick overall, hit 40 percent of his college 3-pointers despite some streakiness … The Bucks and Jabari Parker were due for a break from each other, and the team that coped with Parker’s two extended ACL-surgery layoffs let him sign with the Chicago Bulls … Milwaukee brought back a familiar face in Ersan Ilyasova, a former Buck who played for Budenholzer in Atlanta … They also added veteran center Brook Lopez to further bolster the frontline.
THREE POINTS
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to take over the Eastern Conference, if not quite the entire league.The “Greek Freak” filled up most of the stats categories last year and should be a legit Kia MVP candidate — if he gets enough help for the Bucks to win 50 or more. Everybody wants to see him develop a reliable outside shot, but having teammates who can space the floor with theirs is the next best thing.
2. Hey, Giannis, if Brook Lopez can do it … Through his first eight NBA seasons, Lopez was 3-of-31 from 3-point range. Over the past two seasons, Lopez is 246-of-712 from deep. Credit his time in the gym and a couple of coaches in Brooklyn and Los Angeles who trusted him with his newfound skill. Budenholzer figures to do so as well.
3. Khris Middleton will take a few steps back. Literally, not figuratively, that is. Middleton’s true-shooting percentage (57.7) was the best of his career, while his 3-point accuracy (35.9) was his second-worst. But the percentage he plans to focus on is the share of his shots that came from beyond the arc. While his 407 3-point attempts were the most he’d ever taken, they still represented just 32 percent of his overall attempts. That left 68 percent as 2-pointers. A 60/40 or 55/45 would boost the Bucks’ attack.
MAN ON THE SPOT
The Bucks’ powerful point guard, Eric Bledsoe, will have his reputation and his future on the line this season. Defensively, he’s a disruptor. Offensively, he’s a scorer more than a playmaker, and the latter will be essential in Budenholzer’s system. Having a training camp with his Milwaukee teammates should help, as should his looming free agency and remind shoppers of his worth.
STARTING FIVE
Eric Bledsoe | 17.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.0 apg
His 4.7 net rating was solid for a team that was a mere 0.7.
Malcolm Brogdon | 13.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.2 apg
Tough but productive 2017-18 season for unheralded former Kia Rookie of the Year winner.
Brook Lopez | 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.7 apg
Don’t bother asking him about twin bro’ Robin playing 90 miles south.
Khris Middleton | 20.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg
Back to his iron-man ways after debilitating hamstring tear in ’17-18.
Giannis Antetokounmpo | 26.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.8 apg
As entertaining as any star in the NBA heaven.
KEY RESERVES
Ersan Ilyasova | 10.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.3 apg
Hefty deal (3 years, $21 million), unless he plays like it’s contract year.
Tony Snell | 6.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.3 apg
Longball attempts went down, due more to coaching than Snell.
John Henson | 8.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
Henson’s long-wingspan D might get reset with new coaches.
BOTTOM LINE
Enough with the hurry-up-and-wait. Antetokounmpo will be playing in the second year of his four-year deal, and both Bledsoe and Middleton could hit free agency next summer. Milwaukee needs real, tangible results, like, yesterday. This needs to be a season capped by two or three rounds of playoffs. Expected W-L record: 51-31.
