The NBA is unofficially back in action, so we can finally watch real games after a 3 month non basketball drought. Although nothing we see right now is full on competitive and the regular season has yet to start.We have learned some early preseason lessons. Here are the top 3:
The third splash brother
what happens when the two best shooters in the NBA are coached by one of the most accurate shooters of al time? Scoring. Lots and lots of scoring.The dubs have piled on a 4-1 record this pre-season, and have yet to score under 100 points in one game. Under former head coach Mark Jackson, the ball stayed in one place, allowing Curry and the rest of the team isolations. In comparison, Steve Kerr's offense emphasizes ball movement and passing, and it is led by an elite passer who also happens to be one of the best shooter in the NBA. Watch out world, because Steve Kerr and the Warriors are coming for you.
Oh Giannis
There is much uncertainty regarding the "Greek Freak" even after you learn how to spell his last name. Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown vast flashes of potential with his jaw dropping size and athletic abilities, yet he has yet to show star caliber production for his larger than life body(seriously). In the preseason, Antetokounmpo has made the one play a night that has reporters and fans worldwide drooling, but until he actually breaks out, its going to be just that. Seriously, if the kid is not averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists a night he's doing something wrong.
The Cavs are just one step away from being Unfair
The cavaliers dominated their first 4 games of the preseason from beginning to end in almost every way possible. In fact, their only loss of the preseason came in their fifth game with the Dallas Mavericks, who are a legitimate title contender. Although Kevin Love did not play that game, weakening an otherwise unstoppable offense, the Mavericks did expose the one major weakness of the Cavaliers :interior defense. The Mavericks speedy backourt continuously got to the basket, and the Cleveland Cavaliers could do nothing to stop it. Even though this team does not have any elite rim protectors on its rosters, it could have at least stopped players from getting to the basket. This means that they have yet to learn David Blatt's concept of team defense. Until they do, they will be terrorized by the frontcourts of the teams all around the NBA. This team will always have a scary offensive identity with Love's outlet passes, Irving smooth ball handling skills and love's incredible 50 foot outlet passes, yet it is defense that will defer between a championship or a playoff exit for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The third splash brother
what happens when the two best shooters in the NBA are coached by one of the most accurate shooters of al time? Scoring. Lots and lots of scoring.The dubs have piled on a 4-1 record this pre-season, and have yet to score under 100 points in one game. Under former head coach Mark Jackson, the ball stayed in one place, allowing Curry and the rest of the team isolations. In comparison, Steve Kerr's offense emphasizes ball movement and passing, and it is led by an elite passer who also happens to be one of the best shooter in the NBA. Watch out world, because Steve Kerr and the Warriors are coming for you.
Oh Giannis
There is much uncertainty regarding the "Greek Freak" even after you learn how to spell his last name. Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown vast flashes of potential with his jaw dropping size and athletic abilities, yet he has yet to show star caliber production for his larger than life body(seriously). In the preseason, Antetokounmpo has made the one play a night that has reporters and fans worldwide drooling, but until he actually breaks out, its going to be just that. Seriously, if the kid is not averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists a night he's doing something wrong.
The Cavs are just one step away from being Unfair
The cavaliers dominated their first 4 games of the preseason from beginning to end in almost every way possible. In fact, their only loss of the preseason came in their fifth game with the Dallas Mavericks, who are a legitimate title contender. Although Kevin Love did not play that game, weakening an otherwise unstoppable offense, the Mavericks did expose the one major weakness of the Cavaliers :interior defense. The Mavericks speedy backourt continuously got to the basket, and the Cleveland Cavaliers could do nothing to stop it. Even though this team does not have any elite rim protectors on its rosters, it could have at least stopped players from getting to the basket. This means that they have yet to learn David Blatt's concept of team defense. Until they do, they will be terrorized by the frontcourts of the teams all around the NBA. This team will always have a scary offensive identity with Love's outlet passes, Irving smooth ball handling skills and love's incredible 50 foot outlet passes, yet it is defense that will defer between a championship or a playoff exit for the Cleveland Cavaliers.