Ty's 2019 - 2020 NBA Preview: Heat, Nets, Celtics, Lakers

The weekend is over, and that means we are back to my 2019-20 NBA countdown. Today we enter the top 10. I think each of these teams have a legit shot to make it to the Finals, but they could also have a sloppy year, and neither outcome would shock me.

Starting with number 10 we have the Miami Heat. The Heat were in this weird kind of middle that they seemingly would never get out of. Then they went out and signed Jimmy Butler this offseason. I don't think Butler is a super star, but the dude is one of the better 2 way players in the league. What he does lack is a true deep shot. He can shoot the mid range, attack the rim, draw fouls and he plays some of the best defense in the league. He is also a throwback style player who doesn't really need to be friends with anyone in the league. He would rather beat you then befriend you. I dig that about him. But, he is old, coming off a few injuries and has shown an ability to wear out his welcome real quick. But, he was a big time get for the Heat. Outside Butler, they have solid guys. I still believe in Justise Winslow. I think his defense has been much better than I thought it would be, and if he could be any kind of threat on offense, that would really open things up. Goran Dragic is a solid point guard, and if he sticks around, I think he and Butler will get along tremendously. Dion Waiters is still liable to go off at any moment. He is so inconsistent, but when he is cooking, he can light it up. I am a big fan of Bam Adebayo's. He made it easy for them to part ways with Hassan Whiteside, and the way he played this summer should have fans hyped. James Johnson is a bad dude, and he just so happens to be able to score. He is another throwback player I dig. I don't know what to think of Meyers Leonard. He has moments, but more often than not, he doesn't really show up. And the rookie from Kentucky, Tyler Herro, could be the instant offense they need on the bench. Miami is a solid playoff team, and if things bust right, and Butler plays better than ever, this team could be dangerous.

At number 9 I have the Brooklyn Nets. They would be number one if KD wasn't hurt. But, that is the reality of the situation. And, they did trade away All Star D'Angelo Russell. But, this team was a playoff team last year. and without Russell, and KD, this team is better. They will be much better next year, but still, they are a good team. They signed Kyrie Irving, and now that he got to pick where he wanted to play, I think he will be fine. I still think he will say dumb shit and be a curmudgeon, but this is the first time in his pro career where he made the choice. He picked this team, and I think he will play well. Caris Levert is becoming a reliable scorer and defender. He is rock solid. Jarret Allen is a young and ferocious defender. He is also a solid rebounder, and is getting better around the rim. I think it is a bummer that he will lose minutes to Deandre Jordan, but that comes with the territory. And, I think Irving and Jordan can be a solid pick and roll duo. Spencer Dinwiddie is the new Jamal Crawford, except he plays defense. Joe Harris can shoot threes. I love the trade for Taurean Prince. He is a solid defender, and he can get you 12 to 14 points a night. And Wilson Chandler is finally gone from Denver, and he can fill it up as well. The Nets are a solid team, that plays great defense. When they get KD next year, I will have them as my finals favorites, but for now, they will have to settle for a 4 or 5 seed.

At number 8 I have the Boston Celtics. I feel like this is way too high if I am being honest. They replaced Kyrie Irving with Kemba Walker. Look, I love Kemba Walker, but how is that an upgrade. People will point out Kyrie's weird outbursts last year, but Walker is not as good as Irving. That is facts. They then replaced Al Horford with Enes Kanter. Kanter is a better scorer than Horford, but that is it. Kanter is a liability on defense, and cannot pass like Horford does. Gordon Hayward is a shell of himself, and I lost faith in him when he played in the playoffs his last year in Utah. Jayson Tatum regressed last year, and I hope that isn't a sign of things to come. He has the ability to be a top tier scorer, but last year was worrisome. Jaylen Brown is an awesome defender and slasher to the rim, but I don't know if he will get enough minutes, and he is in a contract year. Marcus Smart is really, really good on defense, but that is it. Carsen Edwards was a great scorer in college, but he will be going up against guys 5 and 6 inches taller than him, and he will find it hard to get shots off. I don't get why they drafted Romeo Langford. I feel like he will be in the G League by all star break. They're going to have to find minutes for Grant Williams, but that means other guys like Robert Williams and Semi Ojeleye will barely see the floor. I think, including myself, we have overrated the Celtics for the past 4 years. The one thing they have in their favor, they play in the East. They will be in the playoffs, but if they are a 6 or 7 seed, that wouldn't shock me.

My final team for the day, at number 7, I have the LA Lakers. Look, the Lakers may have the best duo in the NBA in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That pick and roll will be lethal, they can both handle the ball, Davis is a great defender and rebounder and this is the best teammate LeBron has ever played with. But, LeBron just got his worst injury of his career, and Anthony Davis hasn't played a full season yet. And the rest of this roster is just flat out weird. I was checking it out while doing research, and man, it is an odd collection of players. Danny Green was okay last year, and can kind of shoot the three, but he isn't the same guy that he was in San Antonio. Avery Bradley is well, well past his prime. I am stunned that people think this is a good signing. Alex Caruso is the new Matthew Dellavedova, except he won't get the minutes to be of any notice. Dwight Howard is back, and that is laughable to me. He is so far past his prime. Rajon Rondo is still there, but the fact that LeBron has been named the point guard should tell you all you need to know about his playing status. Quinn Cook was a "big" get for them after missing out on Kawhi Leonard. Yeesh. They still have Kentavious Caldwell Pope, and that makes me yawn. And I am over all the Kyle Kuzma talk. The Lakers should be good, but I do not see them as the best team in the West. Like I said, outside of Davis and James, I do not get this roster. Oh, and if things go mildly bad to start the year, Frank Vogel will get canned. In fact, I would bet that, before the season ends, Jason Kidd will be the head coach of the Lakers because that is what LeBron wants. The Lakers should be a playoff team, but I don't see them getting any higher than the 5 seed, especially in the West.

That's it for today, come back tomorrow for the nest 4 teams.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet. 

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