NBA Season Preview

Alia Parker, Sports Editor

With stars from all over the league traveling during this hectic summer, there are bound to be some new powerhouses in the NBA. Here are my top five teams for the 2016-17 season.

  1. Golden State Warriors: Even with their loss in last year’s NBA finals, the Warriors are no doubt this year’s favorite to win the title. What many people believe will somehow boost this team even higher than the heights they reached last year, is the addition of former NBA MVP Kevin Durant. Adding a player of his caliber to a 73-win roster seems like a recipe for multiple championships.
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers: The defending champions have a lot to look forward to this season. Even though they’ve lost some of their key players from their championship run, like Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mosgov, they are bringing back the majority of their core. Not to mention that they have two of the best players in the league, Lebron James and Kyrie Irving.
  3. San Antonio Spurs: The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most consistent teams in the league. Many expect the Spurs to fall, as their team is aging and Tim Duncan has retired. But the addition of Pau Gasol should fill the hole left by their legendary king’s absence. The growth of Lamarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard together could also prove to be key for the team’s future.
  4. Los Angeles Clippers: After surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers and becoming the premier team of the city, the Clippers have had some underwhelming seasons. But they look to bounce back this year and rejoin the elite teams. With the return of superstar Blake Griffin and the hunger of Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers should be a force in the West.
  5. Indiana Pacers: The Indiana Pacers may be the first contender to challenge the Cavaliers in the East. They have a great foundation in their star swingman, Paul George, and with the addition of Al Jefferson and Jeff Teague, their team is looking to be complete from top to bottom.