Mid Range Jumpers NBA Preview
The Mid Range Jumpers are a group of NBA fans who have been created thanks to science. They've been developed by The Niche Cache to provide a look at the wider NBA, not just the teams who get the big TV games. They are - the Fresh Prince, the Nighthawk, His Airness and They poke their nose all round the league and provide NBA insight with the usual kiwi funk that is The Niche Cache. Here's hoping they don't turn in to zombies and turn on us, their creators.
Who'll be the MVP? Well top 3 at least?
Fresh Pricne
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
- Stephan Curry
* Kevin Durant
I think the MVP award is wide open this year and for an award that is normally easy to predict I think this years race to the MVP will be close. My three picks are - n the best player in the league in LeBron James, the guy I expect to take over the NBA in Anthony Davis and a player who is ready to take the next step in Steph Curry. I’ve asterixed defending MVP winner Kevin Durant as I see his injury as a niggly one, which could go either way at this stage.
Nighthawk
- LeBron James
- Blake Griffin
- Anthony Davis
(Kevin Durant would be but is injured)
His Airness
- Kevin Durant
- LeBron James
- Kobe Bryant
Who's Going Under The Radar?
Fresh Prince
- Andre Drummond
- Alec Burks
- Klay Thompson
*Kobe Bryant
My under the radar three are players who I believe are ready to take the next step. Andre Drummond was a beast last year on the boards, had a good offseason with the US squad and is on a talented yet underachieving team from last year so I expect him to take over the reigns in Detroit. Alec Burks is a more of stretch for under the radar but with two talented young guards running alongside him in Trey Burke and Dante Exum, I see Burks experience and potential taking him to another level. The final guy isn’t necessarily under the radar but ‘the splash brothers’ are set for good year. Klay Thompson is a good complement to Steph Curry and in a contract year I expect Thompson to stake a claim for a big paycheck come this off season.
Another addition is the return of Kobe Bryant. I’d be remiss to not mention the ‘Black Mamba’ and while I don’t see him as a true MVP contender, mainly due to the mediocrity of the Lakers squad, I certainly expect to see Bryant putting all the haters on his back and showing everyone why he is one of the greatest to ever play the game. A lot has been said about his evolution as a player and while he doesn’t have that explosiveness anymore expect to see a refined post game along with some subtleties which will make Kobe’s return a joy to watch.
Nighthawk
- Kobe Bryant (I think people think he wont be that good, I think he’ll be pretty much the same as he was before injury)
- Lance Stephenson
- Klay Thompson
- Also Anthony Davis is bit under the radar in a way but he’ll be a MVP candidate I think.
His Airness
- Anthony Davis
Big Improvers
Fresh Prince
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Washington Wizards
Without a doubt the team most likely to improve this year are the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whenever you add the league’s best player to a talented roster your likely going to improve but the addition of all-star Kevin Love sends the Cavs straight into title consideration. Under new head coach David Blatt I expect this squad to maximize their offensive potential and in my mind the deciding factor on their success is how well they can defend. The other teams I believe will improve the most are the New Orleans Pelicans on the back of Anthony Davis and the Washington Wizards.
Nighthawk
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Cleveland Cavaliers (will improve obviously, were one of the worst last year and now will be one of the best)
His Airness
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Orlando Magic
- New Orleans Pelicans
Most Interesting Storyline
Fresh Prince
This is an easy one! LeBron’s return too Cleveland is the biggest storyline the NBA has seen since he left for Miami. LeBron returns as an improved player who is still the best in the league and at the top of his game and has experienced what it takes to win an NBA championship. The question remains now can he come through on his promise as an 18 year old and bring a championship to Cleveland.
Nighthawk
Injuries. Derrick Rose and Kobe are the big ones coming off major injuries and also Durant is out for 6-8 weeks while a few other notable key players to other teams are injured. Injuries will be the major story line and how good players will be coming off injury, particularly Kobe and Rose.
His Airness
Kobe has MVP like season and winning the scoring title
Breakout Star
Fresh Prince
You will be hearing a lot about Anthony Davis over the course of the NBA season, as he seems destined to take the next step in becoming an NBA superstar this season. He has all the physical gifts and basketball smarts required to lead his team to the playoffs and become a true force on both ends of the court. The big man will likely be an MVP contender, perhaps even becoming the youngest ever player to win the NBA MVP award.
Nighthawk
Anthony Davis. He’ll be a MVP candidate bar an injury, he’s going to have a big season and I think the Pelicans will also be a playoff team. Expect big numbers and a lot of talk about him as the season goes on.
Klay Thomson and Victor Oladipo might breakout as well.
His Airness
Anthony Davis
Best Team In The East + West
Fresh Prince
The Chicago Bulls have reloaded this off season and with the return of Derrick Rose, I expect the Bulls to return to where they were a few years ago with a healthy D-Rose. The addition of Pau Gasol is a good fit, in forming a very strong frontcourt alongside Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah. The Bulls seem to have the pieces and with former front-runners Miami and Indiana looking very different this season Chicago look set to return to the top of the East.
In the West I believe the L.A. Clippers are ready to ascend to top. Its hard to write of the defending champion Spurs, but I believe the Clippers under Doc Rivers are the ones to beat. With energetic new owner Steve Balmer, the Clippers have new life and I’m expecting the see some form of Lob City taking over the reigns in the west.
Nighthawk
San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.
His Airness
Spurs and Cavs.
Who Will Be A Box Score Beast?
Fresh Prince
Anthony Davis. Points, rebounds, blocks, PER are the categories I see Anthony Davis as being a top 5 player in. I expect him to lead the rebounds and blocks categories and just being an absolute beast on the box scores all season!
Nighthawk
LeBron will be as always, he might put up more scoring this year as he won’t need to run the offense as much and he'll be able to play his true position at small forward.
Anthony Davis will be a beast too; I think he’ll put up something like 22+ points, 10+ rebounds and around 3 blocks per game.
His Airness
Anthony Davis with points, rebounds and blocks as well as Lebron James
Which Team/Player Will Suck?
Fresh Prince
Draft Joel Embiid, trade your best front court player from last year in Thaddeus Young and the rumours of potentially trading your floor general and current rookie of the year in Michael Carter Williams are too hard to ignore. Unfortunately for Philly fans I don’t see this year as the return of the Sixers. While they may suck this season, add another high draft pick and another potential ROY in Nerlens Noel and a squad of MCW, Noel and Embiid is looking pretty good for future seasons.
Nighthawk
Sixers will suck this year, they are rebuilding but with basically a similar team to last year. They will most likely be the worst team again.
His Airness
Sixers
Coach Who'll Make The Biggest Impact?
Fresh Prince
The offensive mind of Coach Blatt in Cleveland with the likes of Lebron, Kyrie, Kevin Love and Dion Waiters is something too look forward too. While he may have inherited one of the NBA’s top rosters, David Blatt has an impressive resume. His reputation of taking squads with little talent to new heights is impressive in both the Euro leagues and on the international scene with Russia at the Olympic Games. Now give him the best player in the world and one of most talented scorers in the league in Kyrie Irving and see what he can do.
Nighthawk
This is bold but I think Derek Fisher will make a big impact, he’s bringing in the triangle offense and I think the Knicks will be a good team once again with Carmelo Anthony leading.
His Airness
Tom Thibodeau (Bulls) and Derrick the fish (Knicks)
Who's/What's Gonna Make You Laugh This Season?
Fresh Prince
Following the Cleveland Cavaliers is certainly going to be entertaining. The scrutiny that comes with LeBron James will be enjoyable and I expect the media to pick on every twist and turn that’s in store for the Cavs. Not to mention all the former so-called die-hard Heat fans who will be donning their new wine and gold jerseys with the no.23 on their backs.
Nighthawk
I think it will be everyone thinking Kobe won’t be as good as he was, I think he might be slow out the gate but I think sooner rather than later he will be as good if not better than he was before. Same can be said for Derrick Rose as well.
His Airness
When Kobe starts to be ranked in top 3 players in the NBA again.