Hey guys,
I want to share my point of view, of who are the candidates for most improved team in this offseason for western conference (i will not talking about eastern conference since the answer is the Knicks with melo stays Lebron's Cavs, too obvious).
I will not talk at the chemistry improvement point of view, since it is unpredictable, purely just players in and out balance.
I will not include any advanced statistics during analysis, purely my feelings.
I will also eliminate some teams which not worth mentioning as most improved team because moves they do (getting worse or stay intact). Teams such as:
- • #top5protected Lakers. Well, they are trying but teams consist of: Kobe Bryant, Xavier Henry, Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Steve Nash, Robert Sacre, Nick Young, Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, Jeremy Lin, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson are not going to steal 8 seed no matter what Lakers's fans think.
- • Sacramento Kings. Well, they just lost their best player in Isaiah Thomas and sign
MightyDarren Collison to a huge contract. They will not going anywhere. No matter what they achieve in summer league. To be fair, they have intriguing Nick Stauskas but, he is just a rookie, what can he do? Good luck try to replace Isaiah Thomas for you. - • Minnesota Timberwolves. Basically the same team, only Zach LaVine arrived. With this K-Love circus and no other team enforcement they have to stay out of most improved list
- • San Antonio. Well, they played perfect games last season, the team keep intact, add Kyle Anderson, although Slo-Mo won't play much a believe. What else can they improved? Pop's beard probably need to be improved.
- • Memphis Grizzlies. Almost the same team with last year. Sure they lost Mike Miller, James Johnson, and Ed Davis and they lost a bit, but additional of Vince Carter to make up Mike Miller and James Johnson did and they still have John Leuer for Ed Davis, meaning they stay at the same strength as last season.
- • Houston Rockets. They lost Lin, Chandler Parsons, Asik, Caspri (getting worse) and they get Jeff Adrien, Trevor Ariza, Clint Capela, Joey Dorsey, Alonzo Gee, Scotty Hopson, and
the best point guard ever to suit for the game, fast break king, and the fastest player in the NBA in par with John WallIsh Smith to make it up. Well, according to Harden, because Houston is up and down with him and howard only, then Houston stays as they are. - • Oklahoma City. They will still become a very good team in 2014-2015. They choose to keep the core, stay intact. Loss of Caron Butler, Fisher, and Sefolosa will hurt them for sure. But personally with Sebastian Telfair (can replace fisher for sure), Anthony Morrow (can replace Butler), and Mitch McGary (can be a steal for them, but we have to see) they will float among the top of western conference, still.
- • Utah Jazz. They add Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, Trevor Booker, Steve Novak, while keeping the core stay intact. Well, it is nice but they ain't going anywhere soon.
- • Los Angeles Clippers. They add Spencer Hawes as stretch four (nice addition), Jordan Farmar to replace Darren Collison, and CJ Wilcox. It is nice, but it won't change much of their firepower. Playoff team for sure.
For me, the candidates for most improved teams in 2014-2015 are:
- · Our Phoenix Suns. Yes, we lost Channing Frye, but we make it up with signing Tolliver. Tolliver will arguably a downgrade of Channing did in defence department, especially in term of he can back it up at Center position at times. But with PJ Tucker stays, Bledsoe can play full season, Alex Len available from the beginning, Mile Plumlee still there, I think our defence will be just fine. Yes, we hurting of Ish Smith and Christmas departure, but Isaiah Thomas is much better player than both of them, so yes it is a huge upgrade. We also have Ennis and TJ Warren, we will not struggle for half court play again, will us? . So I can predict, we can improve from last season when we are the most improved team in the NBA. Never stop improving.
- · Golden State Warriors. Is it only me or some of you guys aware that addition of Shaun Livingston to replace Steve Blake is a huge upgrade for 2nd unit GSW that considered as weak link of them. Shaun Livingston is smart, versatile, and can become a key for them during Curry/Thompson rest on the bench and they don’t let Iguodala plays point guard, again. And in case Shaun Livingston tired, they still have Brandon Rush, quite deep. The GSW already better, I don’t know how much Shaun Livingston will improve them, but it will prevent their slide like some games at the end of the season like last year.
- · Dallas Mavericks. Damn! In my opinion, Dallas has one of better offseason and threaten us to become the most improved team next season with their additions. Probably the best short term improvement team in the NBA. They add Al-Farouq Aminu (slight downgrade of Shawn Marion), Tyson Chandler (improvement over Dajuan Blair and Samy Dalembert), Raymond Felton (I will not count him as improvement, but downgrade), Richard Jefferson (slight downgrade of vince carter), Jameer Nelson (better than Jose Calderon, Shane Larkins), Chandler Parsons (better than everybody that out of Dallas), Greg Smith (Tyson need a back up, doesn’t he?). Their starting 5 is good with Jameer-Monta-Parsons-Dirk-Tyson, probably could challenge Spurs like they did last season in playoff. Their bench with Felton/Devin Harris- Ricky Ledo - Jae Crowder/Aminu-Brendan Wright-Greg Smith is one reason why I put Suns ahead of them in term of most improved team
- · New Orleans Pelicans. They made smart moves with adding Russ Smith, Patric Young (hey, everybody loves him right?), Omer Asik, Jimmer Fredette, and John Salmons. Also with returning Ryan Anderson, they will become a deep basketball team. Leaving personnel such as Al-Farouq Aminu, Melvin Ely, Anthony Morrow, Brian Roberts, Jason Smith will not be missed with their addition. Potentially, NOP with Jrue Holiday – Eric Gordon – Tyreke Evans – Anthony Davis - Omer Asik will be fun, a lot of slashing and rebounds. Their bench also fun with Russ Smith/Austin Rivers- Jimmer Fredette (you think only Suns in love with PG’s? we do too! Lol) – Darius Miller/Luke Babbit – Ryan Anderson – Alexis Ajinca. But once again, I put Suns above them in term of bench fire power.
- · Denver Nuggets. Their deep team scares me. I don’t even know who their top player is. Ty Lawson-Arron Affalo- Returning Danilo Gallinari – Keneth Faried – JJ Hickson is a good team. And their bench, Erick Green/Nate Robinson – Randy Foye/Gary Harris – Wilson Chandler – Quincy Miller/Jusuf Nurkic – Timofey Mozgov/Javale McGee/Nicola Jokic also good. They can run with the best of them, and they can keep with Suns’s pace. We only hope shaqtin’ a fool superstar (McGee) is Suns advantage when we face them.
- · Portland Trail Blazers. Not much movement, but smart movement. Steve Blake is assurance in PG and 3 point department, in case Mo Williams not retained and Chris Kaman will be a very good options to back up Robin Lopez and occasionally surprise us. They will improved also, a lot.
Now, what team will you choose? Personally, call me bias, it is the Suns. Why? Because we have scary bench which is mostly better than other team’s bench and that will help a lot next season. Suns will become better than last year and sneak to playoff.
Outside the suns? Who will be the most improved team? I vote for Dallas Mavericks
What’s your thought?