2016-2017 NBA Season Preview

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The 2016-17 NBA season kicks off tomorrow night when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the New York Knicks. The Cavs are the defending world champions, but they are not the biggest story heading into the season.

That would be the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors finished with a 73-9 record in 2015-16, the best regular season finish in NBA history. Unfortunately, they couldn't finish the job and fell to the Cavs in seven games. Now, with Kevin Durant on their team, they're heavy favorites to win the title.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant's former team, are being counted out without him. They shouldn't be. Russell Westbrook has shown he can win without Durant and will do that again this season.

In the Eastern Conference, a lot has changed, as well. The Bulls have Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo, the Knicks have Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and so much more. This will be a very interesting season and it will be interesting to see who hoists the Larry O' Brien trophy in June. 

Raptors Beat San Lorenzo 122-105

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The Buenos Aires-based San Lorenzo de Almagro traveled to Toronto to take on the Raptors in international exhibition play on Friday night. With Toronto sitting most of its top roster players, San Lorenzo was able to keep the game close for a while, but the Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn a 122-105 victory.

Toronto had just played against the Cleveland Cavaliers the previous night, so head coach Dwayne Casey decided to give a handful of players the night off. Kyle Lowry, Demar DeRozan, Jared Sullinger and Demarre Carroll, amongst others, all watched from the bench as players fighting for the last roster spot got the chance to show off their skills.

Leading the charge were Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet. In just 24 minutes, second year shooting guard Powell put up 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting, with four assists and two highlight reel dunks that were sure to catch the attention of the crowd and the coaching staff. VanVleet, an undrafted rookie point guard out of Wichita State, had significant playing time and filled that box score accordingly. In 38 minutes he deposited 31 points on 12-for-19 shooting, five rebounds, five assists, and a +/- of 25.

San Lorenzo kept the game exciting for quite some time. They had the lead at halftime, and had a 61-59 advantage at the 9:30 mark of the third quarter, but Toronto used a small run to take a 79-73 lead six minutes later. The Raptors were up by just five after three quarters, but eventually pushed the margin to 20 points late in the fourth, before settling for the final score.

The Raptors are 3-2 in the preseason, with additional victories over Cleveland and the Golden State Warriors. The two losses came at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. They have two more games to complete their preseason, against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and the Washington Wizards on Friday, before they open their regular season at home against Detroit on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Cavs Resign J.R. Smith to Four-Year, $57 Million Deal

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Shooting guard J.R. Smith has verbally agreed to a four-year $57 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. Smith announced his decision to sign back with the Cavs via Bleacher Report’s Uninterrupted. Smith is guaranteed to make $45 million over the next three seasons. 

Smith was looking for $15 million per year, but the Cavs were only willing to give him $10-11 million per year. Once the Philadelphia 76ers expressed interest in the streaky shooting guard, Cleveland sweetened the deal to bring Smith back. Cleveland now has its core from last year’s championship team intact. Cleveland will begin their title defense on Oct. 25 against the New York Knicks. 

Smith has missed all of training camp and five preseason games, but he’s been seen with the team, including at last week’s Cleveland Indians MLB playoff game. The Cavaliers had a similar dispute over a contract with Tristan Thompson last year, but it didn’t take as long to end the stalemate as this one did. Smith was traded from the Knicks to the Cavaliers in the 2014-2015 season. Smith has played a vital role on both Cavaliers teams that have made it to the NBA Finals the past two seasons. 

Smith has provided knockdown three point shooting and a shooter that can space the floor. Smith was a starter last season and should be in the lineup for the upcoming season. Smith averaged 12.4 points while starting in 77 games. Smith was ranked seventh in the league in three-pointer (207). Smith converted on 50% of his three point attempts against the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta in last year’s NBA playoffs. Smith scored 12 points in Cleveland’s Game 7 NBA Finals win over the Golden State Warriors. 

Rockets Beat Pelicans 116-104 in Beijing

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The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans faced off again in the NBA preseason in Beijing Wednesday morning. The two met in Shanghai back on Sunday with the Rockets coming out with the 123-117 win.

The Rockets would best the Pelicans for the second time in China this preseason, beating them by a final score of 116-104. The biggest story from this game is Pelicans forward Anthony Davis left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

James Harden led the Rockets with 14 points on 5-11 shooting from the floor. Ryan Anderson was the only other Rockets player to record double figures (11 points) and also led the team with seven rebounds.

Solomon Hill led the Pelicans with 12 points on 2-8 shooting (1-5 from three). He also led the team with seven rebounds.

Kings Beat Maccabi Haifa 135-96

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The Sacramento Kings won their first game of the preseason Monday evening at the Golden One Center against Maccabi Haifa 135-96. The Kings showed they could dominate inferior competition, but it was a great opportunity to see what some of the newest players on the roster were capable of.

Their newest addition at point guard, Ty Lawson had a near triple double with 13 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Sacramento's two draft picks showed promise as well. Former Kentucky big man Skal Labissierre finished with 10 points and Syracuse standout Malachi Richardson chipped in nine as well. Ben Mclemore also had a game-high 18 points off the bench.

When you talk Kings basketball, the conversation always goes back to Cousins. Boogie was just too physically dominant for Maccabi Haifa's undersized front court to stand a chance. The Kings star had 14 points in 17 minutes of play but also had five fouls. If the Kings are to make a serious push for the playoffs after such a long drought, it is essential Cousins controls his himself in the paint.

Sacramento's new head coach, Dave Joerger, has plenty of new pieces to use this year as he tries to do the impossible and rebuild the culture in Sacramento. The Kings were never in danger of losing in this game and were up by as many as 46 points. They continue their preseason Thursday, Oct. 13 against the Lakers.

Rockets Beat Pelicans 123-117 in Shanghai

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The Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans rekindled their divisional rivalry overseas on Sunday morning, when the two teams met in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. This is the first of two meetings between Houston and New Orleans in the preseason, as they’ll meet again on Wednesday in Beijing. Houston used a strong fourth quarter to defeat the Pelicans, 123-117. 

The game was a shootout from the beginning, as both teams combined to score 67 points in the first quarter. After trailing by seven at the end of the first, New Orleans played much better in the second quarter to cut Houston’s lead to 68-65 at halftime. The Pelicans would outscore Houston by five in the third quarter to take a two point lead into the fourth quarter. 

Houston responded by outscoring the Pelicans by eight in the fourth quarter, which would give them the six point victory in front 15,844 fans in Shanghai. New Orleans was led by E’Twaun Moore, who scored 25 points and shot 4/4 from beyond the arc. Anthony Davis added 23 points and five rebounds. Former Rocket Omer Asik posted 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Pelicans. 

On the other side, fan-favorite James Harden led the way for Houston. Harden recorded 26 points, while adding 15 assists and seven rebounds. Former Pelicans Ryan Anderson (21 points) and Eric Gordon (24 points) both had big days against their former team. K.J. McDaniels chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Houston (3-0) will play the Pelicans (1-2) on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. ET at the MasterCard Center in Beijing.  

WNBA Finals Preview: Minnesota Lynx vs. Los Angeles Sparks

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The Women's National Basketball Association finals are almost in full swing. Two teams, the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks, battled to be the final two teams to go head-to-head to lift the trophy.

The Minnesota Lynx have a talented roster, including four women who were on the USA Women's Basketball Team that won gold in Rio de Janiero this summer. Lindsey Whalen, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, and Seimone Augustus are the four gold medalist on the Lynx's roster.

In their three postseason games, the Lynx have had only three players not see action in all three games. Keisha Hampton and Anna Cruz both appeared in two games while Janel McCarville only appeared in a single game.

Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Lynx, has started Moore, Whalen, Fowles, Augustus, and Rebekkah Brunson in all three matches. Standing tall at 6-foot-2, Brunson leads the team in rebounds, with an average of 8.6 per game (offensive and defensive rebounds totaled).

As for the Sparks, the team is packed with players looking for their first trophy or medal this year, as there are no Team USA participants from Rio on the roster. Head coach Brian Agler has started Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, Kristi Toliver, Essence Carson, and Alana Beard in all four of their games in the postseason.

Parker, the 6-foot-4 forward, leads the team in offensive and defensive rebounds with 10.3 per game. Four players have not participated in all four games. Sandrine Gruda has appeared in three games while Jelena Dubljevic, Ann Wauters, and Evgeniia Belyakova have appeared in two games.

The WNBA Finals game one kicks off on Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. ET.

Clippers beat Raptors 104-98

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After a lackluster effort against the Warriors Tuesday night, The Los Angeles Clippers got their first win in the preseason against the Toronto Raptors 104-98. The Clips held a double-digit lead throughout the contest until the 4th quarter when the Raptors bench went on a 19-0 run, cutting the lead to one with just under four minutes left.

Doc Rivers found surprising success with a starting lineup consisting of Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, Austin Rivers, Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan. Paul doesn't seem to be slowing down since joining The Clips in 2011. He recorded 15 assists before halftime along with his pitbull mentality on the defensive end. The acquisition of Raymond Felton seems to be one of the more underrated free-agent signings of the Summer. He struggled last season in Dallas, but he seems to have gotten stronger and in far better shape during the off-season.

Blake Griffin led The Clippers with 26 points on 10-13 shooting, while Deandre Jordan chipped in with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan also went 4-6 from behind the free-throw line. The Raptors were lead by Demar Derozan, who is fresh off of signing a $139 million contract. With Kyle Lowry's noticeable absence, Cory Joseph ran the point and finished with 13 points and and a single assist.

The Clippers play their next preseason game Oct. 10 against a revamped Utah Jazz team and The Raptors face the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers Oct. 13.

Thunder Beat FC Barcelona 92-89

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The Oklahoma City Thunder played FC Barcelona in Spain on Wednesday afternoon. They were looking for their first after an opening loss to Real Madrid.

They would get that first win after defeating FC Barcelona by a final score of 92-89. Domantas Sabonis led the Thunder with 31 points on 3-4 shooting. Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and recorded three rebounds and five assists.

Brad Oleson led FC Barcelona with 35 points on 3-5 shooting, including 2-4 from three. Victor scored 30 points on an impressive 9-12 shooting from the floor. 

The Thunder will play their next preseason game back in the United States. They will play at the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Nuggets Beat Raptors 108-106

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The Toronto Raptors took on the Denver Nuggets in Calagary on Monday night. This was a game part of the NBA Canada Series.

The Nuggets went on to win by a final score of 108-106. The Raptors went for the win with a three from Norman Powell, but it was no good.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points on 4-7 shooting from the field. Jusuf Nurkic recorded the Nuggets' only double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds).

Patrick Patterson led the Raptors with 22 points on 1-4 shooting from the field and 1-4 from beyond the line. Jonas Valanciunas led the team with nine rebounds. 

Thunder Fall to Real Madrid 142-137 in Overtime

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The Oklahoma City Thunder took a trip to face Real Madrid in the NBA's International Tour. However, it was Real Madrid that earned the win with a final score of 142-137.

Real Madrid was led in scoring by Jaycee Carroll, who finished out with 24 points. His teammate, Sergio Llull, also earned more than 20 points with a final total of 22 points. In addition, five Real Madrid players scored in the double digits.

Leading the team in assists was Llull with nine assists and leading the team in rebounds were Anthony Randolph and Andres Nocioni with six rebounds.

As for the Thunder, they were led in scoring by Victor Oladipo with 34 points. Behind him was Enes Kanter with 29 points. Only three other players for the Thunder (Russell Westbrook, Ersan Ilyasova, and Alex Abrines) hit double digit points.

Leading the team in rebounds was Kanter, with ten rebounds. Leading the team in assists was Oladipo with five assists.

Real Madrid led in the turnover rate with 24 turnovers, while the Thunder had 17 turnovers. Real Madrid also out-shot the Thunder at the three-point line with their 54.1 conversion rate to the Thunder's 37.9 success rate.

The Thunder will return to action against FC Barcelona on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Rockets Beat Shanghai Sharks 131-94

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The Houston Rockets opened up their preseason against the Shanghai Sharks on Sunday night in front of 12, 313 fans at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX. Houston certainly didn’t show any rust, as they crushed the Sharks, 131-94, to open their preseason slate with a demanding win. 

Former Rocket and Hall of Famer Yao Ming was on site to watch the team he owns, the Sharks, play against his former NBA team. Ming played for Shanghai before playing for Houston. Ming was given a huge round of applause and a standing ovation when he was shown on the video board. 

Houston showcased its offensive firepower on Sunday night, as they 72 points at halftime in their first game under new head coach Mike D’Antoni. Houston kept it going, as they outscored Shanghai by nine points in the second half to pick up the victory in their first exhibition game of the new season. 

James Harden scored 16 points for Houston, which led the team. Ryan Anderson and Nene both scored 12 points in their first game in a Rockets uniform. Shanghai had some players that fans could easily recognize. Jimmer Fredette, who became a fan-favorite at BYU, started and played 42 minutes for the Sharks. Fredette scored 33 points, while also having eight assists and eight rebounds.

 Guerschon Yabusele, who the Boston Celtics drafted in the first round, played 44 minutes for Shanghai. Yabusele scored 24 points and added 14 rebounds, and he shot 9-18 from the field. Houston will play its first NBA team of the season when they take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday in Houston. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.

Raptors Beat Warriors 97-93 in First Game of NBA Canada Series

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The Golden State Warriors debuted their new “super-team” on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors in Vancouver, Canada, as both squads opened up their preseason in the first game of the NBA’s Canada Series. Most of the buzz surrounding this game was the Warriors debut of Kevin Durant, who played in his first as a member of the Warriors.

Durant recorded nine points, with his first basket as a Warrior coming on an uncontested dunk. Durant shot 2-9 from the field, and he went just 1-4 from beyond the three-point line. Both teams went with their expected starting lineups, as Golden State started Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant, Draymond Green, and Zaza Pachulia. Toronto went with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, Jared Sullinger, and Jonas Valanciunas. 

Golden State rested their stars after halftime, and the Raptors did the same in the third quarter. This gave Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr a chance to play his bench, a unit many people have questions about heading into this season. Rookie Patrick McCaw played well for Golden State, as he scored 11 points, while also having four assists and five steals. Toronto would end up winning the game, 97-93, giving the Raptors their first win of the preseason. 

Carroll scored 14 points for Toronto, while DeRozan and Terrance Ross both chipped in 11 points. Instead of first round pick Jakob Poeltl or Lucas Nogueira, Dwayne Casey opted to play Pascal Siakam as the team’s backup center, and he delivered. Siakam scored nine points, and he added eight rebounds and two blocks. Klay Thompson scored 16 points to lead the way for the Warriors. 

Curry scored eight points in 16 minutes of action. Before the game, the Raptors locked arms during the “Star-Spangled Banner”, and “O Canada,” while the Warriors didn’t take part in any form of protest. Toronto will play the Denver Nuggets on Monday in Calgary, while the Warriors will host the Los Angeles Clippers in Oakland on Tuesday.