After an eventful NBA off-season, the balance of power in the NBA has shifted with the signings and tradings of several key free agents.The 2018-19 NBA season will showcase the rigorous competition for playoff seeding in the Western Conference in recent memory, and a highly competitive race for Most Valuable Player. Here are my rankings of the top five teams in the NBA this upcoming season.
1. Golden State Warriors: The defending champions enter the 2018-19 NBA season while retaining the majority of their roster from last season. The signing of All-Star Demarcus Cousins for the mid-level exception not only bolsters their roster with the addition of a top five center, but also enables the Warriors to utilize a variety of lineups that create matchup nightmares for their opponents. The development of both Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney will be crucial for the Warriors’ success during the first half of the regular season as Cousins recovers from his achilles tendon injury. Nevertheless, with arguably the most talented roster ever assembled in the history of the modern NBA, the Warriors will be the overwhelming favorites to obtain the best record in the league and win their third consecutive title.
2. Boston Celtics: After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season despite the season-ending injuries to All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics will start the season with their extremely talented roster at full strength for the first time since opening night of the 2017-18 season. Under Brad Stevens’ exceptional coaching, both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will continue to progress on both sides of the floor and will be in contention for spots on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Complementing the Celtics’ dominant starting lineup is their deep bench of quality role players, which includes talented guards Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart. The Celtics will be the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference and reach their first NBA Finals since 2010.
3. Houston Rockets: Last season, the Rockets were the only team that legitimately threatened the Golden State Warriors, but their lackluster activity during free agency has weakened them. The loss of Houston’s two best perimeter defenders, Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza, will hurt the team’s overall ability to guard elite teams. Also, while the likely acquisition of Carmelo Anthony could potentially give the Rockets another dominant scorer, he will detract from their ability to guard opponents. Nevertheless, the combination of James Harden, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela will prove once again to be one of the league’s most potent offensive juggernauts. Additionally, Houston retains some of its most important spot-up shooters in Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, and Ryan Anderson, which will ensure that the Rockets will once again have one of the best offensive seasons in NBA history. Without significant injuries to Chris Paul or James Harden, the Rockets should still be able to contend for a championship this season.
4. Toronto Raptors: Lebron James’ departure from the Eastern Conference has finally removed the Raptors’ greatest obstacle to title contention, and the massive overhaul of the Raptors’ roster will mean they will have their first real chance at an NBA Finals appearance this season. The Raptors’ recent acquisition of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green will vastly improve their three point shooting, movement-centered offense, and defense. Additionally, young players such as Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Fred Van Vleet will continue to improve and help the Raptors on both sides of the floor. The biggest concern for the Raptors will be the quality of coaching from Nick Nurse, a rookie NBA coach. Otherwise, the Raptors will be a very well-rounded team that will compete with Boston for the Eastern Conference title.
5. Philadelphia 76ers: Despite a disappointing playoff series against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, the Sixers’ young core enter the 2018-19 NBA season with more experience and with few changes to their roster. The Sixers managed to draft Zhaire Smith, a very athletic guard with immense defensive potential, and re-sign sharpshooter J.J. Redick this off-season. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid will continue to improve as rising stars in the league and will be the driving force of the Sixers’ success this season. Additionally, if Markelle Fultz develops a consistent jumpshot, the Sixers will be a very formidable offensive team. You can expect the Sixers to win over fifty games again this season and become a legitimate title contender.