As I’m writing this, there are barely 2 days left for the brand new 2015/2016 NBA season to kickoff. The Golden State Warriors come into this season as defending champions after their dominant 4-2 finish against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2014/2015 NBA finals.
But will they be able to defend the championship? Thanks to the off season trades, the NBA draft and rookie signings from other leagues, both the Eastern and Western conference teams have been strengthened and balanced and this will in turn result in what could be an absorbingly competitive NBA season. Here’s my take on the top 6 title contenders for this brand new season.
01. The Cleveland Cavaliers
If you know me personally you might be think this is a completely biased take given the fact that the Cavs are my favourite team. But believe it or not I do firmly believe that statistically, the Cavs are the favourites to win the title although their edge over the other teams is marginal.
Why Cleveland Cavaliers?
For starters, they have the best player on the planet right now in LeBron James. Standing at 6’ 8” and 113 Kilos, not only is LeBron a player with a great physique for a Small Forward but he is also one freak of an athlete. Despite hitting his 30s he is the most versatile player in the league right now, in my opinion, as his size and skill level allow him to play from the Point Guard position to the Power Forward position on the offensive end and make him guard any position on the defensive end. Then there’s also the experience, court vision and leadership which together make him just a phenomenal ball player.
The Cavs also have a top point guard in All-Star Kyrie Irving with his jaw-dropping ball handling skills and speed. Not to mention All-Star Kevin Love, one of the best rebounders and stretch Power forwards in the league. During the play offs last season we were able to see the special connection Ball controller Kyrie had developed with Russian Center Timofey Mosgov with those smooth Pick and rolls and pick and pops. The Cavs have also finally re-signed Tristan Thompson who was one of their main players in the rebounding and shot blocking departments last season. The sometimes reckless Mr. “Instant offence” J.R. Smith and the defense first Iman Shumpert make up a solid back court.
And of course one must not forget the courageous Australian back-up Point guard Matthew Dellavedova and his heroics at the 2015 NBA finals. Speaking further on the roster, the Dynamic Brazilian Center Anderson Varejao will be making a return to the lineup recovering from an Achilles injury. The Cavs have signed another offensive weapon in Guard Mo Williams who has quality experience which will come in handy for the Eastern conference power house this season.
Finally, speaking of the Cavs backroom, their coach David Blatt is only in his 2nd season as an NBA coach, however, he has tons of experience outside the NBA; from coaching the Russian National side successfully, to leading Maccabee Tel Aviv in the Euro League when they downed title favourites Real Madrid in the final of the 2014 championship. The Cavs have exquisite ball handlers who can pick defenses apart and reliable 3-Point shooters who will drill down the long range buckets when provided space. They are also one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. If they can ward off the injuries that seemed to follow them around last season, the Cavs will be favorites to clinch the title this year.
02. Oklahoma City Thunder
You might be surprised that I’ve picked a team that didn’t even make the play offs last season to take 2nd spot!
Why Oklahoma City Thunder?
Firstly I pick Oklahoma City Thunder as the 2nd most favored team to win the title this season ahead of the others because of one very crucial development- The return of Kevin Durant. This means the most Dynamic duo in the NBA at the moment will be back in business together as before. The other half of the duo is KD’s partner in crime Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant is the 2nd best player in the NBA right now, but he is the best player offensively. His height, agility, and explosiveness give him an edge over his counter-parts offensively. Then there’s the lights-out shooting ability even off the dribble and unbelievable ball handling skills for someone his size. It is his cross over that’s the most deadly. Not many players can stay with KD defensively. If you commit he’ll blow past you, if you don’t he’ll shoot the ball with masterful precision. There is yet another offensive machine at OKC’s disposal, who is just as capable as Durant, in Russel Westbrook. Russel is most definitely a product of modern day NBA in my opinion: an above average sized Shoot first Point guard. Not only is he able to force the score board to keep ticking in favour of his team but he’s also a handful defensively, coming up with steals or creating mayhem by creating turn overs, allowing fast breaks. Speaking of fast breaks, Westbrook is a freight train when it comes to them. Once he gets onto the open court at full speed there is no stopping him unless you have a ladder. But you can’t use Ladders in the NBA, so yes he is unstoppable!
Thunder also has a top class rebounder and shot blocker in Spaniard Serge Ibaka. He is also a high-energy guy who will deliver night in and night out. They also have a promising young talent at shooting guard in Dion Waiters who proved last season that if he can keep a cool head, he has the potential to become an All-star level player. At center position they have 2 young international talents, who will constantly be fighting for the Starting spot, namely the New Zealander Steven Adams and the Turk Enes Kanter. Both are highly skilled and young with promising futures. The OKC also have the luxury of having veteran center Nick Collison who is yet another big player and the quick guard D.J.Augustin. Steve Novak, Anthony Morrow and Kyle Singler are all reliable 3 Pointers who will help Durant and Westbrook spread the floor to create driving lanes.
Oklahoma City Thunder will be under Rookie coach Billy Donovan who has replaced the much loved Scott Brooks. Billy wouldn’t be a Rookie coach if he hadn’t exited the contract he had signed with Orlando Magic in 2007 to coach the Florida Gators College team instead. He has coached the U-19 USA team on several occasions and has led them to a few international level championships. So OKC seems to be in safe hands from a coaching standpoint. So these points put Oklahoma City Thunder in a pretty good position this season, despite not making the Playoffs last season!
We will be looking at my 3rd and 4th takes at the NBA title contention next week right here at thepapare.com. So brace yourselves and get ready for the NBA season 2015/2016 where amazing events are about to happen. Until then Keep Balling.
