Another NBA season has come and gone. With new records broken and teams reaching new heights, no team has been able to top the two powerhouses of the league. Again, in the 2017 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers played the Golden State Warriors, with the Dubs winning the series in five. With this marking the third straight year that the Cavaliers and the Warriors have faced off in the Finals, they sent a message to the rest of the Eastern and Western Conference that they are on another level, especially with both teams going a combined 24-1 in the playoffs before reaching the Finals. This message sparked a wild NBA Draft and Free Agency period that would alter the outlook of the league. Will 2018 bring about more dominance from the Cavs and the Warriors, or have teams done enough in the offseason to conquer the kings of the NBA?

EAST

Dominance in the Eastern Conference centers around one name: LeBron James. The consensus best player on the planet and maybe one of the best ever has tormented Eastern Conference teams, going to the last seven NBA Finals, whether as a member of the Miami Heat or the Cavaliers. However, several teams have made moves to challenge The King in 2018 and for years to come.

Boston Celtics

After losing to LeBron and the Cavs in five in the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s easy to forget that it was actually the Celtics who were the first seed in the conference. After proving no match for Cleveland in the ECF, Boston, who held the first pick in the draft from the Brooklyn Nets, traded down to the third pick in the draft and selected Duke SF Jayson Tatum. The Celtics made a big splash in signing Gordon Hayward from the Utah Jazz, reuniting the budding star with former Butler head coach Brad Stevens. However, after absorbing Haywards max contract, Boston had to part with depth forwards Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk. Avery Bradley was also traded to the Detroit Pistons to make cap room for Hayward. Bradley’s departure from the organization leaves a big question mark at the shooting guard position and the Celtics’ ability to defend in the backcourt as 5’ 9” Isaiah Thomas is far from an elite defender. The Celtics certainly added scoring with Gordon Hayward to go along with Thomas, but their ability to keep the opposing team from scoring will be the biggest question mark for Boston heading into the 2017-2018 campaign.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have been the epitome of a bad basketball team ever since all-time great Allen Iverson left the franchise. However, with their “Trust the Process” mentality, the Sixers, may have finally figured it out. With the emergence of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric as potentially elite players last season, and the potential that comes along with Ben Simmons, the Sixers had three young and talented players to go along with capable role players like T. J. McConnell and Robert Covington heading into this offseason. Trading up two spots to grab number one overall pick Markelle Fultz certainly gives Philly an able, possibly generational point guard for the future. Also, the signing of veteran scorer J. J. Reddick from the LA Clippers fortifies the backcourt in Philadelphia. The only thing lacking in this team is winning experience. Many will wonder if the spotlight will be too big for a young and up-and-coming 76ers team if they snag a playoff spot in the East this upcoming season.

Milwaukee Bucks

The potential and already visible skill of Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo is what gives the Bucks the possibility of making noise in the Eastern Conference. He, alongside ROTY winner Malcolm Brogdon, budding star Jabari Parker, underrated stud Khris Middleton and former 16PPG/10RPG player Greg Monroe allows the Bucks to be relevant in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

Washington Wizards

Washington has finally burst onto the scene in the Eastern Conference. After losing out on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes last year despite his connection with Washington D. C., the Wizards have been able to rely upon their superstar John Wall. Wall has finally blown the cap way off on his potential and talent by averaging 23.1 points per game and 10.7 assists last year. He and Bradley Beal form one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts if they can both stay healthy. They get much-needed help from standout Otto Porter Jr., who averaged 13.4 points per game last year to go along with 6.4 rebounds in an efficient season, to go with Markieff Morris and a still useful Marcin Gortat. This core group can challenge the top team in the East in the upcoming years, and the main question is if can all of them stay healthy long enough to do it. Depth may also be a concern here.

 

WEST

The dynasty of the San Antonio Spurs has just about faded into history, hanging on by a thread who goes by the name of Kawhi Leonard. The new dynasty of the Golden State Warriors has begun, which features them winning two of the last three NBA Championships. By adding Kevin Durant in the 2016, owner Joe Lacob has built the super team of super teams that looks to dominate the Western Conference for years to come. Their superiority over the Conference has pushed the rest of the conference to catch up.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have been searching for the pieces to regain the glory they had earlier in the 21st century. By drafting UCLA Guard Lonzo Ball and trading D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn for center Brook Lopez, the Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka-led Lake show have put together a team that could compete in 2017. However, with the young talent they have in Ball, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram, the Lakers are looking forward to prospective free agents they could sign in the upcoming years. Now Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George has been heavily linked with the Lakers, and is believed to want to sign with his hometown team after his contract ends next summer. Los Angeles has also been linked with superstar LeBron James who may also be becoming a free agent when his contract expires in 2018. When you are a franchise with the reputation that the Los Angeles Lakers have, you are never really irrelevant. The Lakers look like they could be very close to regaining the glory they once had.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Who’d ever think that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be potentially one of the best teams in the league? With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins finally coming into their own as future stars, the Wolves have a very optimistic future. Adding Creighton seven-footer Justin Patton in the draft gave Minnesota another young player with a lot of upside. Heading into free agency, not many were expecting the small-market Minnesota Timberwolves to make a ton of noise. However, when all-star forward Jimmy Butler was traded from Chicago to Minnesota for Zach Levine, Kris Dunn and a swap of first round draft picks, Minnesota became the hottest spot for free agents. With the Timberwolves going on to sign point guard Jeff Teague from Indiana who made an all-star appearance just two years ago, the stage is set for the Timberwolves to make a run into the playoffs this upcoming season. If they can keep this group together, who knows how deep that playoff run could be?

San Antonio Spurs

With Gregg Popovich at the helm of the Spurs, San Antonio is never really far away from challenging for the NBA title. Despite Tim Duncan retiring and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili aging, the Spurs still have a top three player in Kawhi Leonard to lead the team. Alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green, San Antonio make formidable opponents for all Western Conference teams. However, with so many teams getting younger and faster, even the ageless Spurs are having to adapt, causing them to have to search for potential free agents. Despite the passing of the torch from the Spurs’ big three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, the Spurs are never far from another championship run – don’t forget the lead that they held in game one of the WCF before Kawhi went down.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets MVP finalist James Harden made significant strides under Coach Mike D’Antoni this past season. After losing to the Spurs in the second round of the NBA playoffs, the Rockets made large-scale changes to try and get over that playoff plateau that’s haunted them. By trading for all-star point guard Chris Paul for a heap of players including Sam Dekker and Patrick Beverley, the Rockets added another piece to go along with Harden. However, the combo of Harden and Paul may not be as successful as people assume. Harden flourished as a point guard last season in the D’Antoni offense. By adding Chris Paul, Houston is forced to move Harden back to playing shooting guard, where his numbers may drop from their 29/8/11 spot established last season. Also, by giving up so much for Paul, the Rockets bench took a substantial shot in its depth, which was another big reason for last year’s success. Only time will tell if the Paul-Harden relationship with generate wins on the court, and whether they have enough pieces around them to push the Houston Rockets over the edge.

Kyrie Irving’s plan to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers is undisputedly the hottest news in the NBA. Kyrie has distinguished himself as one of the most talented guards and elite players in the game. His spontaneous trade request brings about a very interesting future for the NBA.

Irving was drafted number one overall in 2011, and was boded to be the face of the Cavaliers franchise for years to come. However, when LeBron James returned in 2014, Irving’s prior prophesy of being “the man” in Cleveland was overshadowed by the hype of “The King” coming home. Irving has always had that look in his eye that told the world that he was one of the best in the league, with his playing style and how he carries himself on the court. Coming into the league though, he was young and inexperienced. LeBron’s return had the adverse effect of allowing him to progress and evolve into the unparalleled player that he has become. With the young rising superstar paired up with one of the greatest players of all time along with the plethora of talent that the Cavaliers assembled, an NBA championship was in the purview.

It is every basketball player’s dream to win an NBA championship, and Irving’s sacrificing of superstardom to achieve that dream and advance as a player next to a great role model was tolerable in his mind. He would take the backseat to LeBron for as long as it took to get that NBA title. In 2015, the Cavs made it to the finals, but lost to the Warriors. Coming so close but ultimately failing gave him the will to get revenge, and therefore the will to continue to ride behind LeBron. In 2016, the Cavs won the title back after getting the rematch with the Warriors they were waiting for. Why stop the music if it can keep on playing? That’s what Irving thought as he stayed for another year to try and win back to back championships. However, after losing in the finals to the Warriors again in 2017, Irving must have had an epiphany.

Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly an amazing player and has always showed that, though it seems as if he has something to prove. He wants to show the world what he can truly do, as any amazing player would want. It’s not a personal issue between him and LeBron as the media portrays, but rather, Irving recognizes that he has already won a championship in his prime, and now wishes to expand on his legacy and become one of the greats.

In a press conference, Irving said that he wanted a situation like Damian Lillard’s or John Wall’s; a situation where he could be the centerpiece of a franchise. Lillard actually responded to the comment, saying that he doesn’t understand why Irving would want to leave Cleveland and abandon the opportunity that most players can only dream about; playing with LeBron and being a member of one of the most talented teams the NBA has ever seen. That being said, Lillard and Irving have never been in each other’s shoes, and therefore cannot understand each other’s feelings on the matter. Irving has had the luxury of playing on an elite team and winning a championship, while Lillard has had the time to be the superstar for his franchise. The two players have totally different aspirations and experiences, and so it makes sense that they are unable to empathize with those goals and disagree with each other.

All in all, Kyrie Irving isn’t abandoning Cleveland based off of personal vendetta, he’s doing so because he recognizes the potential he has as a player, and wants to continue forging his legacy to show the world his true capability. There was no interpersonal drama. The drama came because of how the situation was handled. Irving handled it with attitude, which led to LeBron’s involvement, and in turn the media’s firestorm.

As for the fate of Cleveland, I believe it is a good move for both Irving and the team. He gets the potential to live out his aspiration and be the face of a franchise, while the Cavs won’t be brought down by too many superstar egos. If they can replace Irving with a solid point guard and get something else in return on top of that, they will end up being better than they were with Irving. A team can be too good for their own good. With too many superstars on a team, chemistry can become lost, drama can spark, and an efficient flow of play can cease as the stars individually try and control situations within a game. This was clearly seen in the Cavs’ offensive play style. There was too much focus revolving around isolation and not enough team play. This is what doomed them in the 2017 finals. Their play-style was like a scratched record; there wasn’t a smooth flow of play because of the competing egos.

Kyrie Irving’s trade demand yields good news for his and the Cavs’ future. At first glance, Irving’s departure can stop a Cavs fan’s heart, but by taking an optimistic outlook of the situation, a positive future can be seen for both sides. Cleveland can become a more balanced, cohesive team, and Kyrie Irving can show the world what he can truly do.