Two days after the end of the pre-season and two days before a resumption with fanfare with a double header Bucks-Nets and Warriors-Laker sprévu Tuesday evening, we throw you in deuspi what to remember from these few sweet friendly evenings . We attack with the Eastern Conference, with already a Cade Cunningham in great shape (not at all).
# Atlanta Hawks
A small alert for Trae Young after a crutch received by Gabe Vincent, but Trae Young will end his preseason with a masterclass on the head of… the same Gabe Vincent. Otherwise ? John Collins exterminated Jarrett Allen, Sharife Cooper and Jalen Johnson that promises, and we are still awaiting the signing of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
# Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum doesn’t especially need to prove himself, Al Horford and Jaylen Brown are in quarantine, Romeo Langford has slammed a game winner, Aron Nesmith a 30-pawn match and Dennis Schroder is slowly getting used to the life of a poor guy.
# New York Knicks
Evan Fournier made his debut (shy but effective), Kemba Walker made his debut (shy but effective), Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Derrick Rose are already on the cleat, the Thibodeau philosophy did not get stuck on vacation and all is doing well in New York.
# Brooklyn Nets
We have been talking a lot about Kyrie Irving for weeks in Brooklyn but on the field we have also seen beautiful things, with a KD / Harden duo surprisingly gifted at basketball and a Cam Thomas who will not hesitate to scratch a place. in Steve Nash’s rotation.
# Milwaukee Bucks
When the NBA champions were sold out, no one could really stop them, oh but what a surprise. Special mention to Jordan Nwora and rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili who could put their noses out the window this season, but good luck getting a place in Mike Budenholzer’s 5-star roster.
# Detroit Pistons
No Cunningham cade during this preseason, no risk of taking either with Killian Hayes who only played two games. Result of the races? In this franchise of kids it is old Kelly Olynyk, Cory Joseph or Josh Jackson who have made it rain and shine in recent weeks.
# Cleveland Cavaliers
We were able to appreciate the beginnings of Evan Mobley, so precious in absolutely all the compartments of the game. Special mention also to the rookies Ricky Rubio and Lauri Markkanen, while on the side of the kids Collin Sexton was not really in it, Darius Garland has showed some nice things but it is still only 10% and Isaac Okoro is still wondering how it will be used by this genius of JB Bickerstaff. Gray question mark the Cavs, but it’s exciting.
# Philadelphia Sixers
We talked more about offcourt with Ben Simmons than about performance on the field, and yet there are a few things to say. The good news of this preseason? Andre Drummond will be a solid back-up to Joel Embiid, and young Tyrese Maxey or Isaiah Joe have a bright future ahead of them. Joel Embiid? A few minutes here and there, obviously no need for more.
# Indiana Pacers
Nothing crazy to say about the expected leaders, but above all a big hype around the rookie Chris Duarte, author of a good preseason after having bled the Summer League in August. He may not be Reggie Miller’s successor, but the Pacers may have one of their leaders from the future.
# Washington Wizards
Lots of new blood this year in Washington. Lakers alumni Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are far from being flushed out, Spencer Dinwiddie needs some more time, Deni Advija is back and Rui Hachimura is expected to follow, while Bradley Beal does Above all, took no risk not to burn out before the real recovery.
# Chicago Bulls
Perhaps the most exciting team of this preseason. Undefeated even if we don’t care, Billy Donovan’s players sent the big game for two weeks and the rookies (Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan) already seem to be having a blast alongside the two-player LaVine / Vucevic duo. who also seem ready to do battle. If the Bulls hit us with victory records by playing like the Lakers of the 80’s, how do we do it?
# Miami Heat
The potential is freaking out, and when the starters played together it was often carnage. Note the very good integration of Kyle Lowry and the Olympic form of Tyler Herro, while Udonis Haslem started a match at the age of 72.
# Orlando Magic
A game winner by Jeff Dowtin, cut since, great performances of the duo Wendell Carter Jr. / Mo Bamba inside, beautiful sequences of Jalen Suggs, and the confirmation of what we already knew: it will be a mess this season in Orlando.
# Toronto Raptors
The Scottie Barnes revelation, the beautiful exits of Malachi Flynn, the integration of Goran Dragic but the announcement of Chris Boucher’s injury. All-in Scottie this season in Toronto? There too many questions around Nick Nurse’s group, with as a first confirmation the very solid level of OG Anunoby, that’s already it.
# Charlotte Hornets
From the show, as expected, and to the growing form of LaMelo Ball was added the revelation James Bouknight, seen well at his ease in recent weeks. Only kids who jump like kids, a little experience to frame the whole thing, but a huge jerk off which is tasked against the Mavs, even if it remains pre-season.
Hype in Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta or Indiana, ambition in Miami, the confirmation of obviously solid groups in Milwaukee, Brooklyn or even New York, in short, the pre-season taught us certain things at the same time as it we confirmed others. The following ? It’s Tuesday, and Tuesday it will be much more serious. Are you ready? We are, more than ever.
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