FROM THE PRESS BOX – Folks, we are less than a week away from the start of the NBA regular season.
This also means it’s my last opportunity to get in some hawt taeks before things get rolling.
So let’s get to it, a fresh set of Ebs’ Hot Takes, NBA style.
Enjoy.
The Golden State Warriors are going back to back to back. I know this isn’t a very hot take in the general sense, but considering I’ve almost always picked LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the past, I feel like picking the Golden State Warriors is a big deal.
The addition of DeMarcus Cousins is what put me over the top. This team can legitimately roll out a starting five of five of the best 20-25 players during the second half of the season.
Kevin Durant. Steph Curry. Klay Thompson. Draymond Green. Andre Iguodala. AND Cousins.
Sheesh. That’s scary.
The Warriors take down the Houston Rockets in seven. Then face the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals. Yup. The Sixers.
This young core has what it takes. Markelle Fultz is the key. And don’t be surprised if they’re active at the deadline or figure out a way to trade for Jimmy Butler.
What was that on Wednesday, by the way?
Jimmy Butler joined the bench units against the starters and went out of his way to challenge Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins at practice, sources told @wojespn. https://t.co/fmn7imRaen pic.twitter.com/0ql6ljFfUb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 10, 2018
Carmelo Anthony is going to bounce back. From the looks of it, Carmelo Anthony is having fun again.
????? Carmelo Anthony said "My Bad" for hitting the midrange jumper over the 3 Ball pic.twitter.com/gg0MkbLevz
— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) October 3, 2018
Reunited with Mike D’Antoni, Anthony is in the perfect system for his game.
He can shoot and willingly. I even think he can mesh well with James Harden and Chris Paul. And maybe Jimmy Butler?
I know. Shocking.
The question remains is whether or not Anthony can hold up on the defensive end of the floor.
Defense has always been Anthony’s biggest whole in his game and the Rockets were one of the best defensive teams in the league a season ago.
Can Anthony hold his own?
Only time will tell.
Orlando Magic, you are on the clock. There are a lot of bad teams in the NBA, so there was a lot to choose from.
But as it stands right now, heading into the season, the Orlando Magic are headed straight for the first overall pick. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.
This is a team that, aside from Aaron Gordon and Mo Bamba, lacks talent. They have a first-year coach in Steve Clifford, who comes from the Charlotte Hornets. And Clifford didn’t do anything that impressive in his time in Charlotte.
Hey, at least R.J. Barrett should be good, Magic fans.
