Is this the best team Damian Lillard has played on?

I'm not just saying it because they started the preseason destroying Sacramento by 25, before losing to them a couple of nights later, but besides Dallas, I think Portland might be one of the most improved teams, and might be more of a true contender than they've been previously, although there are a lot of really good teams. I think they should be bunched up with Denver, Dallas, and the Clippers, possibly Utah; they should fight for those 2-5 seeds, and have a chance to get home court advantage in the West. This is the first time they've had this level of more consistent 2 way talent on the wings, and though I think they could use someone at the guard spot that can defend guards, I think they should be significantly improved defensively as well. They also should arguably be a dangerous playoff team because they should be much improved in the half court offense, with multiple options to get them easier baskets, playing through their bigs or Melo in post up situations (in different spots), as well as the ability to throw out multiple pick and roll combinations with their guards, who might have more space than ever this season, and I think this could be Damian Lillard's chance to potentially be an MVP candidate, if LeBron, Luka, or Joel Embiid dont win it. I'm interested to see if they can use the correct rotations, and play the way they need to, but I think it should work itself out. 

Lillard, CJ, Covington, Melo, Collins

Derrick Jones jr, Trent, Nurkic, Hood, Little, Simons, Giles

With Collins missing the start of the season, Giles might make sense as a starter, so Nurkic gets used to what should be his role off the bench behind Collins once he comes back. Ideally, I also like the idea of splitting Melo and Nurkic. There is no need to start DJJ and Covington together, when they can go to those lineups for their runs, and you arguably want at least one of them on the floor for you in general. They might prefer Nurkic starts, but they should consider rotating bigs for specific matchups, like Toronto did a couple of years ago with Gasol and Ibaka, and Valanciunas and Ibaka before their Gasol trade

This is Derrick Jones' chance to be a big contributor to a winning team, and bring some of that Heat culture with him, and show how good he actually is on both ends of the floor. He should also help them with their rebounding issue. Robert Covington is obviously a massive pickup, and I think both will work well together, and as defensive anchors on the floor at all times. Harry Giles is also a great fit, as a big that can defend pick and roll, besides Zach Collins, and he can also shoot, playmake, and rebound, as well as defend multiple positions, so I'm interested to see if he comes out of the rotation, if he gets a chance early.  

This could be the best team Damian Lillard has played on, and that could give Portland a chance as a contender in the West, possibly with home court advantage. It could just come down to if they can stay healthy.

2020/2021 Pre-Training Camp NBA Predictions

East	West
1. Boston Celtics	1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Philadelphia 76ers	2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Milwaukee Bucks	3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Miami Heat	4. Denver Nuggets
5. Toronto Raptors	5. Portland Trail Blazers
6. Brooklyn Nets	6. Utah Jazz
7. Detroit Pistons	7. Phoenix Suns
8. Indiana Pacers	8. San Antonio Spurs
9. Charlotte Hornets	9. Houston Rockets
10. Orlando Magic	10. Memphis Grizzlies
11. Atlanta Hawks	11. New Orleans Pelicans
12. Washington Wizards	12. Golden State Warriors
13. Cleveland Cavaliers	13. Minnesota Timberwolves
14. Chicago Bulls	14. Sacramento Kings
15. New York Knicks	15. Oklahoma City Thunder

Eastern Finals  

Boston over Heat/Bucks

West Finals

 Lakers over Dallas/Clippers/Denver

NBA Finals

I'll just go with LeBron again for now. Multiple possibilities still there. Let's see how the preseason goes.

2020-2021 NBA Champions

LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

Will this be Luka's true breakout season?

The uniquely brief 2020 NBA offseason has seen significant changes throughout the league, but in my opinion, no team stands out, in terms of significant improvement, more than the Dallas Mavericks. In the 2019 - 2020 season, Dallas weaponized one of the most efficient offensive seasons of all time, but as great as they were on that end, they were equally terrible on defense. 

Now, they have taken significant steps to change that. 

They added several lengthy, athletic, versatile options on the wing, and at the 4 positions, which was an area of significant need for them, especially next to Luka Doncic, as well as their other more undersized scoring guards, and shooters. 

• Josh Richardson is the most prominent addition, and should be expected to start, and guard multiple positions, as a do-it-all complementary piece to Luka. He provides elite defense on the wing, and at the guard spots, and as well as being a great catch and shoot option for Luka on the perimeter, he can also handle playmaking situations with, or without, Luka on the floor. 
• They also added his former Miami Heat teammate, James Johnson, by moving another versatile, defensive guard, that was more redundant on their roster, Delon Wright. Johnson should provide toughness in the front court, alongside Richardson, and the still remaining Dorian Finney-Smith, which was severely lacking the last couple of seasons, and especially in the bubble. 
• Another lowkey addition, Wesley Iwundu, should also provide them with length, athleticism, and disruptiveness at those wing positions. 
• The return of Dwight Powell, who gave Luka Doncic an historical pick and roll efficiency partner, should also help them on both sides of the floor. Powell gives them much needed pick and roll defense out of the big position that they're lacking, especially with Kristaps Porzingis slated to miss the start of the regular season.
• They also added multiple players in the draft that should give them help at those wing positions: Josh Green felt like the perfect fit, in my opinion, as someone that can score on the wing at multiple levels of the offense, and still provide value guarding well enough, and Tyler Bey, who surprisingly is only signed to a two way deal, should also provide them with exciting defensive playmaking, as well as above the rim athleticism, and that toughness that was previously mentioned. 

I personally feel that all of this should lead to Luka Doncic potentially being an MVP candidate as early as this season, and Dallas may find themselves in position to secure home court in the Western Conference Playoffs....

Reaction to Phil Jackson's Troll Tweet at Steve Kerr

Have to feel for Knicks fans. Phil Jackson obviously doesnt know anything about today's NBA. If he really thinks that 3 point shots are bad, and doesnt see the importance of spacing the floor, I can now 100% believe the reports of them being interested in players that play essentially the same position as Melo (such as Greg Monroe). Now, players at the combine have mentioned being asked about their knowledge of the triangle in interviews with the Knicks. That means they really are committed to running that as their primary offense, in a league that is dominated by athletes, pace, and spacing the floor. You have to play with pace unless you have an elite defensive team, and even then, you still want to get out and run.

By the way Phil, the Knicks led the league in 3 point attempts the year they won 54 games a couple of years ago. They dropped to 21st in attempts this past season, and Oh, look at that! Worst record in franchise history....And to answer his question, teams that shoot a lot of 3s have won more than 60% of their games in the playoffs so far

Quick Reaction to end of Wizards-Hawks series

Even more incredible finish to this Hawks-Wizards game, after a crazy end to Game 5. I dont think I can remember ever seeing a team get eliminated on something like that, but thats just off the top of my head. I think that not having Sefolosha will hurt Atlanta in their series with the Cavs. I'm curious to see if Mike Scott can finally see more time, now that he is back from injury. I think he gives them some defensive versatility at the 3/4 spots. I have no doubt that Atlanta can beat the Cavs, and I think they would definitely beat them with Sefolosha. I think LeBron can still win this series though. Atlanta needs to use their depth, and if they can stay in the rebounding battle, they'll have every chance to win the series. If LeBron makes the type of effort to get the ball in better spots, like he did in the last couple of games of the Bulls series, he'll give himself a chance to get back to the Finals

Quick Reaction After Game 6 of Rockets-Clippers

Just saying, thats the 2nd time Houston has won by coming back from down a lot without James Harden. There is a reason for that. They use their athletes to be disruptive, and are better defensively, and they move the ball better, and utilize Dwight a little more. So they get out in transition more, and they score better in the half court. Even without Patrick Beverly, Pablo Prigioni is still a very good defender. They have a good matchup against the Clippers.

Huge opportunity missed by the Clippers to let Houston get back in this series, and now they have to go to Houston for Game 7, and they are in serious trouble. Have to feel for Chris Paul. It would be cool to see him finally break through and shut some people up. You have to think that he'll come out with everything in Game 7

Should be interesting to see who moves on. If its Houston, I feel like they have a somewhat decent matchup with Golden State, assuming they play the correct rotations, and play more inside out/through Dwight Howard. They can match them with their length and athleticism, and versatility in some ways. That being said, I dont see either of these teams beating Golden State, as they're on route to winning a Championship, barring injury

Mini Synopsis of end of Bulls-Cavs series

Honestly, the Bulls have no business going home right now. This series should have arguably been over already, with them heading to the Eastern Conference Finals. So much had to happen for them to lose Games 4 and 5. Just poor luck, and some poor execution in big moments.


Cavs luck out once again with Kyrie Irving going down, helping their defense and allowing them to move the ball and space better offensively. Aaron Brooks is also complete garbage defensively. Not difficult for Matthew Dellavadova to knock down shots when nobody is guarding him. For all of his short comings defensively, Tristan Thompson's unbelievable effort on the offensive boards was a huge part of them moving on, as the Bulls couldnt finish off defensive possessions with a rebound.

Otherwise, LeBron totally carried them once again, and somehow willed them to winning a series they had no right to win. With Atlanta still beat up with injuries, LeBron may luck into a 5th consecutive Finals appearance...Seriously though...how much luck can 1 organization possibly have?