The NBA’s off-season didn’t disappoint when it came to forming new challengers in the shape of star-studded duos.
After the Golden State Warriors proved to be too much to overcome for any team in the league, six teams took it upon themselves to make a change with a new front.
Some are young, and while others are coming down to their last chance. Nonetheless, they all have something to prove.
6. Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic
The Denver Nuggets came one-game short of the West’s eighth seed last season. After adding Paul Millsap, a four-time consecutive all-star, that playoff spot and a couple others above it should be Denver’s for the taking.
Nikola Jokic’s 2016-17 stat line of 16.7 points on 57.8 per cent shooting, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game has only been matched by Charles Barkley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. Considering he’s also the youngest of the four to hit those averages, it’s safe to think there’s a bright future in Denver.
Even though they’re still years away from challenging the Warriors, by adding Millsap the Nuggets accelerated their timeline while taking a meaningful step towards their first playoff appearance since 2013.
5. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward
The Boston Celtics have a new all-star duo. In Gordon Hayward they have a player who’s already guided a team to a 51-win season, while in Kyrie Irving they have arguably the most clutch performer in the league, who’s spent three years learning from enemy No. 1 LeBron James.
Behind two players who have yet to turn 28, and a third option in Al Horford, the Celtics are positioned for both the long and short term. They’ll most likely have to wait out LeBron, who enters his 15th year in the league.
There will be some rough patches, especially with two youngsters in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the wing, but there shouldn’t be any worry about the pecking order. Hayward was fine joining Isaiah Thomas in free agency, who lit up the league in the same way Irving will be capable of doing now that he’s not in the King’s shadow.
4. Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns
Instead of waiting a couple years to make their mark, the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to live in the now. They paired their young definite superstar who averaged 25.1 points last season, with a proven two-way player that’s already led a Tom Thibodeau-team to the playoffs.
Andrew Wiggins is good, but Jimmy Butler is simply better – having already made three all-star appearances. Butler is also 27 years old, and after upping his scoring averages in each of the past five seasons there’s no reason to think he’s hit his ceiling.
Add in Wiggins, Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford next to a duo of Towns-Butler, and the T-Wolves have a roster capable of being a dark horse in a Western Conference that’s in need of a twist.
3. Russell Westbrook and Paul George
Russell Westbrook got himself a new running mate. Paul George is basically a poor man’s version of Durant, but that’s no insult. Even though he isn’t a Finals MVP, he’s still a six-foot-nine sniper with a handle and the ability to impact both ends.
The Thunder’s potential rests on Westbrook. His breakup with KD is old news, but it can be put to rest if he can make the best of their one-year loan and convince George to stay in OKC. Westbrook is unapologetic, but it’d be nice to think he did reflect on himself after KD left.
With George – a four-time all-star – by his side, Westbrook’s goals shouldn’t be limited to just personal ones. He’ll have a floor spacer who shot 39.3 per cent from three last season, and one who’s probably itching to get back to the conference finals after a pair of trips earlier in his career.
But let’s not expect George to guide the Thunder to a 3-1 lead over the defending champs quite like Durant did in 2016.
2. Chris Paul and James Harden
The Rockets paired the Point God of a generation with the league’s latest leader in assists. Problem is, they both thrive with the ball in their hands.
It’s hard to imagine what a combo of Chris Paul and James Harden will be able to accomplish. But with a 31-year-old Paul only having a year left on his deal, they’ve already taken it upon themselves to lay down some initial chemistry over the summer.
At this point it’s still Harden’s team, as the 28-year-old hit career-highs in scoring (29.1) and assists (11.2) last season. Paul, who has yet to make a conference final, will have to defer to a player with two under his belt. But he’s proven he can take over the other end of the floor after a 2016-17 All-Defensive First Team nod.
1. LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas
Realistically, pair anyone alongside James and the Cavaliers are still a shoe-in to keep their Eastern Conference crown for the fourth straight year.
But this year, James will be looking to a healthy Isaiah Thomas to fill the void left by Irving. The Finals have been where Irving has done his best work, averaging 27.4 points, while nailing the biggest shot in Cleveland’s history.
Thomas has rightfully earned the nickname “Mr. Fourth Quarter”, but the Warriors are a different beast for the five-foot-nine point guard, who’s averaged 20.8 points on 36.5 per cent shooting against them in the past two seasons.
But that’s without LeBron by his side.
[relatedlinks]
