FROM THUNDER TO DRIZZLE The re-building Oklahoma City Thunder had a big overhaul this off-season. The team said goodbye to their two superstars, Paul George, and more notably, Russell Westbrook, who has been the most consistent and decorated part of the franchise’s 11-year existence. As OKC moves on, its new marquee name is 34-year-old Chris
WHO WILL BE JIMMY BUTLER’S SCORING PARTNER? The Miami Heat had a bit part in the NBA’s craziest off-season to date when they aggressively went for Jimmy Butler this past summer. The team’s front-office traded two starters and multiple draft picks to get the All-Star, who has had locker room turmoil follow him during his
A REMATCH OF A MEMORABLE PLAYOFF DUEL In Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals series this past season, the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets engaged in one of the best back-and-forths in recent memory. The Blazers needed four extra periods to earn a 140-137 win – a match-up they eventually won, 4-2. DIFFERENT
THE DEFENDING CHAMPS ARE (STILL) HERE Kawhi Leonard may be gone, but the champs are still the champs until they get officially eliminated. Also, as amazing as Leonard was, no one can really take away one key stat from this Raptors team: they went 17-5 in the 22 games that he sat out last season.
A CLASH OF FUTURE STARS This match-up is an embarrassment of riches – and by “riches,” we mean future stars of the NBA. There’s vast talent on each team, so we may see one of the most interesting pre-season games this season. The phrase “League Pass team,” – or simply “the team you should watch
THE BULLS HAVE A SNEAKY-GOOD ROSTER The Chicago Bulls, despite a string of questionable front office decisions and in-team craziness, have still managed to put together a decent roster, one that you can still lean hope into. Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, who they both got back when they shipped Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota
