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 GSW

Projected Starters
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
G - Stephen Curry
Bench
G - D’Angelo Russell
F - Alfonzo McKinnie G - Glenn Robinson III
F - Draymond Green G - Alec Burks
G - Jacob Evans
C - Willie Cauley-Stein G - Jordan Poole
F - Eric Paschall
F - Omari Spellman
F - Alen Smailagic
C - Kevon Looney
 (Photo by Noah Graham – Getty Images)

Injuries piled up last year last season might belong in to footspeed, effort, or scheme
for the first (real) time during the “fluky” category. The MCL awareness.
Steve Kerr’s championship sprain in March was also a
run. Stephen Curry missed 31 freak accident that occurred Now, rookie Jacob Evans and
games. Kevin Durant missed by contact, with JaVale McGee 10-year veteran Jonas Jerebko
14. Draymond Green missed crashing into Curry’s knee at will need to fill in for ancillary
12. Klay Thompson, usually the a hundred miles per hour. I production. The one thing that
ironman, missed nine. wouldn’t worry about either hurt them this summer was
issue rearing its ugly head Patrick McCaw turning down
Oh, they still rattled off 58 again. Curry looked spectacular the Warriors’ offer in restricted
wins and secured the second down the stretch of the West free agency. He’s still lingering
seed by a wide margin. Look Finals versus Houston, then with no deal and obviously
no further than how dominant followed it with a Finals MVP hasn’t reported to camp or
they were when Curry was in worthy series against Cleveland. practice. Many believe there’s
the lineup (because, duh). With no way a deal doesn’t get inked
their MVP, the Warriors went This is a younger Warriors in the near future, but reports
41–10, winning 80.4 percent of rotation than the last couple indicate that McCaw would like
their games and playing at a 66- seasons, too. David West (38) a larger role elsewhere.
win pace. retired, Zaza Pachulia (34)
wasn’t retained, and Nick The Warriors’ offense should
While you can point to Young (33) knew he wouldn’t be a lot better than last year,
Curry’s troubled past with get a new contract. All three of which is scary enough to say.
ankle injuries, those three ankle those pieces had major holes Having your stars in the lineup
tweaks defensively, whether it was due more often will tend to improve
 LAL

Projected Starters (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Bench Key Notes

G - LeBron James • 55.4% TS (18th)

G - Rajon Rondo • 15.0% Turnover
G - Danny Green Rate (28th)
G - Avery Bradley
F - Kyle Kuzma G - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• No playoffs since
2013
F - Anthony Davis G - Quinn Cook • Ranked last in
C - JaVale McGee G - Talen Horton-Tucker wide-open 3PT
G/F - Troy Daniels percentage (34.8%)
• Returned only
F - Jared Dudley 49.8% of their total
C - DeMarcus Cousins player minutes

2019-20 NBA Preview | 5

 What often gets overblown (finishing third), he recorded 266 production at 1.21 points per
in the discussion about Davis’s possessions as a roll-man scorer transition opportunity. That was
future outlook is the injury off the pick-and-roll. Out of the tied with James, and still first
concern. Before this most recent 17 players to tally at least 200, among all centers.Throughout
season, he had played in 159 he ranked third in points per those two healthy years, roughly
of the possible 173 games New possession (1.18). 11 percent of Davis’s offensive
Orleans had in the 2016-17 and possessions were in transition.
2017-18 seasons. That was 91.9 In the last full season he Expect that to climb a few
percent availability for someone played and gave full effort (2017- notches higher when he and
that’s been classified as “injury 18), Davis was one of 75 players James try to recreate “Showtime.”
prone.” to finish at least 150 possessions They’ll need a dynamic guard to
with a transition opportunity. help, of course.
He only appeared in 56 of He ranked eighth in the entire
the Pelicans’ 82 games during league in points per possession He is about to become the
the last campaign, but most during transition (1.25) that screen-and-dive sidekick for
of those misses were due to year — first out of all centers by James. Immediately, it becomes
rest and inactivity once the a mile. His new running mate, the best pairing for LeBron’s
trade demand surfaced. He has LeBron James, was a few spots skill-set as a passer in those
definitely become suspect to the below him at 1.19 points per scenarios. What also goes a
smaller nagging injuries that possession. The only player that long way in helping the Lakers’
require a short healing process. shot a better percentage than offense is that Davis rarely turns
But as for long-term issues with Davis in transition was rookie the ball over when he’s the roll
his knees or lower extremities, Ben Simmons. man. Only five percent of his last
nothing is currently hindering 937 pick-and-roll possessions
his prime. In 2017-18 when The season before (2016-17), have resulted in turnovers (since
Davis made a strong MVP push Davis was slightly below that 2016-17). That is right up there

2019-20 NBA Preview | 6

 What often gets overblown In the last full season he The season before (2016-17),
in the discussion about Davis’s played and gave full effort (2017- Davis was slightly below that
future outlook is the injury 18), Davis was one of 75 players production at 1.21 points per
concern. Before this most recent to finish at least 150 possessions transition opportunity. That was
season, he had played in 159 with a transition opportunity. tied with James, and still first
of the possible 173 games New He ranked eighth in the entire among all centers.Throughout
Orleans had in the 2016-17 and league in points per possession those two healthy years, roughly
2017-18 seasons. That was 91.9 during transition (1.25) that 11 percent of Davis’s offensive
percent availability for someone year — first out of all centers by possessions were in transition.
that’s been classified as “injury a mile. His new running mate, Expect that to climb a few
prone.” LeBron James, was a few spots notches higher when he and
below him at 1.19 points per James try to recreate “Showtime.”
He only appeared in 56 of possession. The only player that They’ll need a dynamic guard to
the Pelicans’ 82 games during shot a better percentage than help, of course.
the last campaign, but most of Davis in transition was rookie
those misses were due to rest Ben Simmons. That’s why landing Davis,
and inactivity once regardless of the
the trade demand price, was necessary.
surfaced. He has Asking a 35-year-
definitely become old to carry the load
suspect to the smaller while avoiding major
nagging injuries injuries is risky. Now,
that require a short they have someone
healing process. But that’s more than
as for long-term capable of leading the
issues with his knees team in usage if James
or lower extremities, takes a step back.
nothing is currently
hindering his prime. The mission has
In 2017-18 when only started for Los
Davis made a strong Angeles, however.
MVP push (finishing Surrounding this duo
third), he recorded with shooters is what
266 possessions as a catapults them into
roll-man scorer off the championship
the pick-and-roll. Out conversation. If there
of the 17 players to are enough threats
tally at least 200, he spread around the
ranked third in points court, defenders will
per possession (1.18). quickly learn how
hard it is to cover a
 What often gets overblown He ranked eighth in the entire regardless of the price, was
in the discussion about Davis’s league in points per possession necessary. Asking a 35-year-old
future outlook is the injury during transition (1.25) that to carry the load while avoiding
concern. Before this most recent year — first out of all centers by major injuries is risky. Now,
season, he had played in 159 a mile. His new running mate, they have someone that’s more
of the possible 173 games New LeBron James, was a few spots than capable of leading the
Orleans had in the 2016-17 and below him at 1.19 points per team in usage if James takes a
2017-18 seasons. That was 91.9 possession. The only player that step back.
percent availability for someone shot a better percentage than
that’s been classified as “injury Davis in transition was rookie The mission has
prone.” Ben Simmons. only started for Los
The season before (2016-17), Angeles, however.
He only Davis was slightly
Surrounding this duo
appeared in 56 below that
with shooters is what
of the Pelicans’
catapults them into the
82 games during the
championship conversation.
last campaign, but most
of those misses were due to
If there are enough threats
rest and inactivity once the spread around the court,
trade demand surfaced. He has defenders will quickly learn
definitely become suspect to the how hard it is to cover a
smaller nagging injuries that
require a short healing process.
But as for long-term issues
with his knees or lower
extremities, nothing is
currently hindering his prime.
In 2017-18 when Davis made production at 1.21 points per
a strong MVP push (finishing transition opportunity. That was
third), he recorded 266 tied with James, and still first
possessions as a roll-man scorer among all centers.Throughout
off the pick-and-roll. Out of the those two healthy years, roughly
17 players to tally at least 200, 11 percent of Davis’s offensive
he ranked third in points per possessions were in transition.
possession (1.18). Expect that to climb a few
notches higher when he and
In the last full season he James try to recreate “Showtime.”
played and gave full effort (2017- They’ll need a dynamic guard to
18), Davis was one of 75 players help, of course.
to finish at least 150 possessions
with a transition opportunity. That’s why landing Davis,

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

 MIL

Projected Starters
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

G - Eric Bledsoe
G - Khris Middleton
F - Wesley Matthews
F - Giannis Antetokounmpo
C - Brook Lopez

2019-20 NBA Preview | 9

 LAC

(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Projected Starters

G - Patrick Beverley
G - Paul George
F - Kawhi Leonard
F - JaMychal Green
C - Ivica Zubac

2019-20 NBA Preview | 10

 BOS

(Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

Projected Starters

G - Kemba Walker
G - Jaylen Brown
F - Jayson Tatum
F - Gordon Hayward
C - Enes Kanter

2019-20 NBA Preview | 11

Depth issues aside, there trips, locker room chatter, can’t exactly be considered regardless if he’s generating
are reasons to be excited etc. addition by subtraction since the look on his own or
about the Celtics adding Boston is losing a lot more spotting up.
Walker to the mix. This is In his eight years with than just Irving this summer,
definitely Ainge believing Charlotte, Walker has never there is some credence to the
in his ability to fill the had that characterization idea of Walker being a better Last season, Irving was
frontcourt depth through a attached to him. Even teammate for Brown, Tatum, in the 94th percentile of
signing or offseason trade. though it would make sense and Hayward to mesh with. his position in points per
What it also appears to be for Walker to view himself shot attempt, compared to
is Boston believing they in that light, given his In terms of on-court Walker’s 75th percentile.
aren’t completely dead in contributions to the Hornets production, Boston will have He had an effective field
the Eastern Conference and how critical he’s been to to temper their expectations. goal percentage higher than
battlefield. If Kawhi Leonard their offense, the only thing Despite any headaches Walker as the pick-and-
bolts for Los Angeles, surrounding his name has Irving caused the team, he’s roll ball handler, spot-up
Milwaukee loses just one come in the form of still a superior player shooter, handoff creator, and
piece of its strong rotation, adulation. From to Walker. There transition scorer.
and Philadelphia fails to that standpoint, really isn’t a debate
re-sign both Jimmy Butler the Celtics when you take into An intriguing part of
and Tobias Harris, one can’t might have an account the form Walker’s fit in Boston rests in
really blame Boston for opportunity to of shot-creation, the usage. In Charlotte last
seeing a realistic shot. Now, repair the mood balance between year, he had no choice but to
that’s a lot of “ifs.” But given around their being an on-ball and shoulder a massive amount
how much uncertainty there team and erase off-ball threat, and of the offensive load. If he
is floating around the league the negativity that playmaking. Irving has didn’t, the team had zero
this summer, it wouldn’t be haunted them last consistently been chance to eclipse 30 wins.
surprising. season. a devastating Due to Jeremy Lamb being
While shooter, the Hornets’ second-best
Boston could also be it (and most reliable) player
viewing Walker’s addition behind Walker, the ball had
as a breath of fresh air to be in Walker’s hands more
compared to the Irving than almost any point guard
drama they went through in the league — D’Angelo
in 2018-19. For better or Russell and James Harden
worse, Irving’s personality were the only ones above
and playing style have him in usage rating, if you
always exuded an alpha consider Harden a point
dog status. Where it guard.
comes in handy is
during crunchtime of In Boston’s offense, Brad
highly intense games, Stevens doesn’t roll that
when you need a player way. If he worked to
that considers himself increase Irving’s passing
unstoppable. However, volume and instill more
it can get in the way of of an egalitarian approach,
team chemistry when that you can bet he’ll do the same
mentality rubs teammates when Walker is the lead
and coaches the wrong way guard.
during the day-to-day grind
of a season — practices, road Walker nearly doubling

2019-20 NBA Preview | 12

 HOU

Projected Starters (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

G - Russell Westbrook
G - James Harden
G - Eric Gordon
F - PJ Tucker
C - Clint Capela
 PHI

Projected Starters
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

G - Ben Simmons
G - Josh Richardson
F - Tobias Harris
F - Al Horford
C - Joel Embiid
 PHI

Projected Starters
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

G - Ben Simmons
G - Josh Richardson
F - Tobias Harris
F - Al Horford
C - Joel Embiid
 BKN

Projected Starters

G - Kyrie Irving
G - Caris LeVert
F - Joe Harris
F - Taureen Prince
C - Jarrett Allen
 DEN

Projected Starters (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

G - Jamal Murray
G - Gary Harris
F - Will Barton
F - Paul Millsap
C - Nikola Jokic

2019-20 NBA Preview | 18

 UTA

Projected Starters
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

G - Mike Conley
G - Donovan Mitchell
F - Joe Ingles
F - Bojan Bogdanovic
C - Rudy Gobert

2019-20 NBA Preview | 19

 UTA

Projected Starters
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

G - Mike Conley
G - Donovan Mitchell
F - Joe Ingles
F - Bojan Bogdanovic
C - Rudy Gobert

2019-20 NBA Preview | 20

 Projected Starters

G - Kyle Lowry
G - Norman Powell
F - OG Anunoby
F - Pascal Siakam
C - Marc Gasol

2019-20 NBA Preview | 21

 Projected Starters

G - Goran Dragic
G - Jimmy Butler
F - Justise Winslow
F - Kelly Olynyk
C - Bam Adebayo

2019-20 NBA Preview | 21