Il trionfo di Cleveland e la definitiva – ma ce n’era ancora bisogno?- consacrazione di Lebron. La telenovela estiva di Kevin Durant, approdato a Golden State alla ricerca di un titolo che troppo a lungo gli è sfuggito di mano, condita da battage social e mediatico sulla bontà o meno della scelta. I ritiri di Kobe, Duncan e KG. Il draft con Simmons, Ingram, tanti giovani prospetti europei e giocatori forse ancora acerbi per il salto nei pro – scenario già visto e rivisto soprattutto negli ultimi anni. Rinnovi e firme faraoniche grazie all’adeguamento dei salary cap e agli introiti di una lega che non è mai stata così ricca. Tutto questo passerà in secondo piano questa notte ore 1.30 italiane, quando Knicks – Cavaliers aprirà la stagione 2016-2017 dello sport più bello del mondo.
Qui di seguito una “piccola” preview squadra per squadra, con le prospettive di ogni franchigia ai nastri di partenza, le mosse in entrata e in uscita e un po’ di sparate da pre-stagione.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, R.J. Hunter, Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, Jordan Mickey, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, James Young, Tyler Zeller
IN: Ben Bentil (R), Jaylen Brown (R), Marcus Georges-Hunt (R), Gerald Green (MIA), Al Horford (ATL), Demetrius Jackson (R), Jalen Jones (R), Damion Lee (R).
OUT: John Holland (CLE), Jared Sullinger (TOR), Evan Turner (POR).
PROJ: seed #2, vittoria division
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Bojan Bogdanovic, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Sean Kilpatrick, Brook Lopez, Chris McCullough
IN: Beau Beech (R), Anthony Bennett, Trevor Booker (UTA), Chase Budinger (PHX), Yogi Ferrell (R), Randy Foye (OKC), Jorge Gutiérrez (CHA), Justin Hamilton, Joe Harris, Caris LeVert (R), Jeremy Lin (CHA), Egidijus Mockevicius (R), Luis Scola (TOR), Greivis Vásquez (MIL), Isaiah Whitehead (R)
OUT: Markel Brown (CLE), Wayne Ellington (MIA), Jarrett Jack (ATL), Sergey Karasev, Shane Larkin, Willie Reed (MIA), Thomas Robinson (LAL), Henry Sims (UTA), Donald Sloan, Thaddeus Young (IND)
PROJ: ultimi nella division, tank year.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Louis Amundson, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle O’Quinn, Kristaps Porzingis, Lance Thomas, Sasha Vujacic
IN: Ron Baker (R), Willy Hernangómez (R), Justin Holiday (CHI), Damien Inglis (MIL), Brandon Jennings (ORL), Mindaugas Kuzminskas (R), Courtney Lee (CHA), Maurice Ndour (R), Joakim Noah (CHI), Marshall Plumlee (R), Chasson Randle (R), Derrick Rose (CHI), J.P. Tokoto ( R). NB: I Knicks non avevano alcuna pick al draft 2016.
OUT: Arron Afflalo (SAC), Louis Amundson, José Manuel Calderón (LAL), Cleanthony Early, Langston Galloway (NOP), Jerian Grant (CHI), Robin Lopez (CHI), Kevin Seraphin (IND), Derrick Williams (MIA), Tony Wroten.
PROJ: terzi nella division, seed #7 per la postseason
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Joel Embiid, Richaun Holmes, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, T.J. McConnell, Hollis Thompson.
IN: Cat Barber (R), Jerryd Bayless (MIL), Gerald Henderson (POR), Shawn Long (R), Timothe Luwawu (R), Brandon Paul (R), Sergio Rodríguez, Dario Saric (R), Ben Simmons (R), James Webb (R ).
OUT: Elton Brand, Isaiah Canaan (CHI), Carl Landry, Kendall Marshall, Ish Smith (DET), Christian Wood (CHA).
PROJ: 32-50, sono ottimista
Crescita costante negli ultimi tre anni, fino ad arrivare ad una stagione da 56 vittorie e alla finale di conference persa in 6 contro i poi campioni NBA. Maxi rinnovo per DeRozan e confermato -con merito- Coach Casey per altri tre anni, Toronto ha cambiato poco o nulla in questa offseason e si presenta ancora come legittima contender ad Est. La sensazione, almeno da parte di chi scrive, è che però manchi sempre qualcosa. E no, non parlo della percentuale di massa grassa di Sullinger.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Bruno Caboclo, DeMarre Carroll, DeMar DeRozan, Cory Joseph, Kyle Lowry, Lucas Nogueira, Patrick Patterson, Norman Powell, Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright.
IN: Brady Heslip (R), Jakob Pöltl (R), Pascal Siakam (R), E.J. Singler (R), Jared Sullinger (BOS), Jarrod Uthoff (R), Fred VanVleet (R).
OUT: Bismack Biyombo (ORL), James Johnson (MIA), Luis Scola (BKN), Jason Thompson.
PROJ: seed #3, secondi nella division
CENTRAL
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, Cristiano Felicio
IN: Isaiah Canaan (PHI), Michael Carter-Williams (MIL), Jerian Grant (NYK), Robin Lopez (NYK), Rajon Rondo (SAC), Denzel Valentine (R), Dwyane Wade (MIA), Paul Zipser (R).
OUT: Cameron Bairstow, Aaron Brooks (IND), Mike Dunleavy (CLE), Pau Gasol (SAS), Justin Holiday (NYK), E’Twaun Moore (NOP), Joakim Noah (NYK), Derrick Rose (NYK), Tony Snell (MIL).
PROJ: Rondo sclera dopo 2 mesi. No dai, abbozzerei un quarto posto divisionale e possibilità di giocarsi uno degli ultimi seed per I playoff.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI:Channing Frye, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Kevin Love, Jordan McRae, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, Dahntay Jones
IN: Chris Andersen (MEM), Mike Dunleavy (CHI), Kay Felder (R), John Holland (BOS), DeAndre Liggins.
OUT: Matthew Dellavedova (MIL), Sasha Kaun, Timofey Mozgov (LAL), Mo Williams
PROJ: seed #1
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Aron Baynes, Reggie Bullock, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Andre Drummond, Tobias Harris, Darrun Hilliard, Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Marcus Morris
IN: Henry Ellenson (R), Michael Gbinije (R), Nikola Jovanovic (R), Jon Leuer (PHX), Boban Marjanovic (SAS), Ray McCallum, Ish Smith (PHI)
OUT: Joel Anthony (SAS), Steve Blake, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jodie Meeks (ORL), Anthony Tolliver (SAC)
PROJ: sopra il 50%, seed 5-6
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Lavoy Allen, Rakeem Christmas, Monta Ellis, Paul George, C.J. Miles, Glenn Robinson III, Rodney Stuckey, Myles Turner, Joseph Young
IN: Aaron Brooks (CHI), Jeremy Evans (DAL), Al Jefferson (CHA), Georges Niang (R), Kevin Seraphin (NYK), Julyan Stone, Jeff Teague (ATL), Thaddeus Young (BKN)
OUT: George Hill (UTA), Jordan Hill (MIN), Solomon Hill (NOP), Ty Lawson (SAC), Ian Mahinmi (WAS), Shayne Whittington
PROJ: secondi nella division, seed #4
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, Khris Middleton, Greg Monroe, Steve Novak, Jabari Parker, Miles Plumlee, Rashad Vaughn.
IN: Michael Beasley (HOU), Malcolm Brogdon (R), Matthew Dellavedova (CLE), Orlando Johnson, Thon Maker (R), J.J. O’Brien, Jaleel Roberts (R), Tony Snell (CHI), Mirza Teletovic (PHX), Jason Terry (HOU).
OUT: Jerryd Bayless (PHI), Michael Carter-Williams (CHI), Tyler Ennis (HOU), Damien Inglis, O.J. Mayo, Johnny O’Bryant, Greivis Vásquez (BKN).
PROJ: Giannis MIP of the year
SOUTHEAST
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kris Humphries, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Dennis Schröder, Mike Scott, Thabo Sefolosha, Tiago Splitter, Walter Tavares, Mike Muscala
IN: DeAndre’ Bembry (R), Malcolm Delaney (R), Dwight Howard (HOU), Taurean Prince (R).
OUT: Kirk Hinrich, Al Horford (BOS), Lamar Patterson, Jeff Teague (IND).
PROJ: seed #6
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Nicolas Batum, Spencer Hawes, Frank Kaminsky, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeremy Lamb, Kemba Walker, Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, Aaron Harrison.
IN: Marco Belinelli (SAC), Treveon Graham (R), Roy Hibbert (LAL), Brian Roberts (POR), Ramon Sessions (WAS), Mike Tobey (R), Christian Wood (PHI).
OUT: Troy Daniels (MEM), Jorge Gutiérrez, Tyler Hansbrough, Al Jefferson (IND), Courtney Lee (NYK), Jeremy Lin (BKN).
PROJ: vittoria Southeast
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Tyler Johnson, Josh McRoberts, Josh Richardson, Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow . Bosh a roster ma inattivo.
IN: Luke Babbitt (NOP), Wayne Ellington (BKN), James Johnson (TOR), Rodney McGruder (R), Luis Montero (POR), Willie Reed (BKN), JaKarr Sampson (DEN), Beno Udrih, Dion Waiters (OKC), Okaro White (R), Derrick Williams (NYK).
OUT: Luol Deng (LAL), Gerald Green (BOS), Joe Johnson (UTA), Amar’e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade (CHI), Dorell Wright.
PROJ: sotto il .500
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja, Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic, C.J. Watson.
IN: D.J. Augustin (DEN), Bismack Biyombo (TOR), Jeff Green (LAC), Serge Ibaka (OKC), Nick Johnson, Jodie Meeks (DET), Arinze Onuaku, Damjan Rudez (MIN), C.J. Wilcox (LAC), Stephen Zimmerman (R)
OUT: Dewayne Dedmon (SAS), Ersan Ilyasova (OKC), Brandon Jennings (NYK), Devyn Marble, Shabazz Napier (POR), Andrew Nicholson (WAS), Victor Oladipo (OKC), Jason Smith (WAS).
PROJ: chiudono intorno al .400
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre, Otto Porter, Marcus Thornton, John Wall.
IN: Trey Burke (UTA), Danuel House (R), Ian Mahinmi (IND), Sheldon McClellan (R), Andrew Nicholson (ORL), Daniel Ochefu (R), Tomas Satoransky (R), Jason Smith (ORL).
OUT: Alan Anderson (LAC), Jared Dudley (PHX), Jarell Eddie, Drew Gooden, J.J. Hickson, Nene Hilario (HOU), Ramon Sessions (CHA), Garrett Temple (SAC).
PROJ: seed #8
WESTERN CONFERENCE
NORTHWEST
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Darrell Arthur, Will Barton, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic, Mike Miller, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jameer Nelson, Jusuf Nurkic.
IN: Malik Beasley (R), Juancho Hernangómez (R), Jamal Murray (R), Jarnell Stokes.
OUT: D.J. Augustin (ORL), Joffrey Lauvergne (OKC), JaKarr Sampson, Axel Toupane.
PROJ: sotto le 40 vittorie
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Nemanja Bjelica, Gorgui Dieng, Tyus Jones, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad, Adreian Payne, Nikola Pekovic, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins.
IN: Cole Aldrich (LAC), Kris Dunn (R), Jordan Hill (IND), John Lucas III, Brandon Rush (GSW).
OUT: Kevin Garnett (sigh), Tayshaun Prince, Damjan Rudez (ORL), Greg Smith.
PROJ: 41-41
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Steven Adams, Nick Collison, Josh Huestis, Enes Kanter, Mitch McGary, Anthony Morrow, Cameron Payne, André Roberson, Kyle Singler, Russell Westbrook.
IN: Álex Abrines (R), Semaj Christon (R), Ersan Ilyasova (ORL), Joffrey Lauvergne (DEN), Victor Oladipo (ORL), Ronnie Price (PHX), Domantas Sabonis (R), Kaleb Tarczewski (R), Chris Wright.
OUT: Kevin Durant (GSW), Randy Foye (BKN), Serge Ibaka (ORL), Nazr Mohammed, Dion Waiters (MIA).
PROJ: Westbrook MVP
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Al-Farouq Aminu, Pat Connaughton, Allen Crabbe, Ed Davis, Moe Harkless, Meyers Leonard, Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Mason Plumlee, Noah Vonleh.
IN: Festus Ezeli (GSW), Jake Layman (R), Shabazz Napier (ORL), Tim Quarterman (R), Evan Turner (BOS).
OUT: Cliff Alexander, Gerald Henderson (PHI), Chris Kaman, Luis Montero, Brian Roberts (CHA).
PROJ: seed 5-6
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Alec Burks, Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, Joe Ingles, Trey Lyles, Shelvin Mack, Raul Neto, Jeff Withey(NG).
IN: Joel Bolomboy (R), Boris Diaw (SAS), George Hill (IND), Joe Johnson (MIA).
OUT: Trevor Booker (BKN), Trey Burke (WAS), Chris Johnson, Tibor Pleiss.
PROJ: seed #8
PACIFIC
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Ian Clark, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Kevon Looney, James McAdoo, Klay Thompson, Anderson Varejao.
IN: Kevin Durant (OKC), Damian Jones (R), Patrick McCaw (R), JaVale McGee (DAL), Zaza Pachulia (DAL), David West (SAS).
OUT: Leandro Barbosa (PHX), Harrison Barnes (DAL), Andrew Bogut (DAL), Festus Ezeli (POR), Brandon Rush (MIN), Marreese Speights (LAC).
PROJ: 74-8
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Jamal Crawford, Blake Griffin, Wesley Johnson, DeAndre Jordan, Luc Mbah a Moute, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, J.J. Redick, Austin Rivers.
IN: Alan Anderson (WAS), Brandon Bass (LAL), Raymond Felton (DAL), Brice Johnson (R), Marreese Speights (GSW), Diamond Stone (R).
OUT: Cole Aldrich (MIN), Jeff Ayres, Branden Dawson, Jeff Green (ORL), Pablo Prigioni (HOU), C.J. Wilcox (ORL).
PROJ: seed #2
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Tarik Black, Anthony Brown, Jordan Clarkson, Marcelinho Huertas, Larry Nance, Jr., Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, Louis Williams, Nick Young, Metta World Peace(forse).
IN: José Calderón (NYK), Luol Deng (MIA), Brandon Ingram (R), Yi Jianlian, Timofey Mozgov (CLE), Thomas Robinson (BKN), Ivica Zubac (R).
OUT: Brandon Bass (LAC), Kobe Bryant, Roy Hibbert (CHA), Ryan Kelly, Robert Sacre.
PROJ: Il vecchio Jack dovrà avere molta pazienza.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, Tyson Chandler, Brandon Knight, Alex Len, P.J. Tucker, T.J. Warren, Alan Williams, John Jenkins(NG).
IN: Leandro Barbosa (GSW), Dragan Bender (R), Marquese Chriss (R), Jared Dudley (WAS), Derrick Jones Jr. (R), Tyler Ulis (R).
OUT: Chase Budinger (BKN), Jon Leuer (DET), Ronnie Price (OKC), Mirza Teletovic (MIL), Archie Goodwin (taglio dell’ultimissima ora).
PROJ: sotto le 40 vittorie
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Omri Casspi, Willie Cauley-Stein, Darren Collison, DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, Kosta Koufos, Ben McLemore.
IN: Arron Afflalo (NYK), Matt Barnes (MEM), Isaiah Cousins (R), Jordan Farmar (MEM), Skal Labissiere (R), Ty Lawson (IND), Georgios Papagiannis (R), Malachi Richardson (R), Garrett Temple (WAS), Anthony Tolliver (DET).
OUT: Quincy Acy (DAL), James Anderson, Marco Belinelli (CHA), Caron Butler, Seth Curry (DAL), Duje Dukan, Eric Moreland, Rajon Rondo (CHI).
PROJ: fuori dalla corsa ai PO, Joerger confermato.
SOUTHWEST
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Justin Anderson, JJ Barea, Devin Harris, Wesley Matthews, Salah Mejri, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Powell, Deron Williams.
IN: Quincy Acy (SAC), Harrison Barnes (GSW), Andrew Bogut (GSW), Nicolás Brussino (R), Seth Curry (SAC), Dorian Finney-Smith (R), A.J. Hammons (R).
OUT: Jeremy Evans, Raymond Felton (LAC), David Lee (SAS), JaVale McGee (GSW), Zaza Pachulia (GSW), Chandler Parsons (MEM), Charlie Villanueva.
PROJ: seed #7
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, Corey Brewer, Clint Capela, Sam Dekker, James Harden, Montrezl Harrell, K.J. McDaniels. Motiejunas non si sa ancora che fine farà.
IN: Ryan Anderson (NOP), Bobby Brown, Tyler Ennis (MIL), Eric Gordon (NOP), P.J. Hairston (MEM), Nene Hilario (WAS), Chinanu Onuaku (R), Gary Payton II (R), Pablo Prigioni (LAC), Kyle Wiltjer (R).
OUT: Michael Beasley (MIL), Andrew Goudelock, Dwight Howard (ATL), Terrence Jones (NOP), Josh Smith, Jason Terry (MIL).
PROJ: seed #4
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Jordan Adams, Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Jarell Martin, Zach Randolph, Brandan Wright, Vince Carter(NG), JaMychal Green(NG).
IN: Wade Baldwin (R), Matt Costello (R), Troy Daniels (CHA), Deyonta Davis (R), James Ennis (NOP), Andrew Harrison (R), Chandler Parsons (DAL), Troy Williams (R).
OUT: Chris Andersen (CLE), Matt Barnes (SAC), Bryce Cotton, Jordan Farmar (SAC), P.J. Hairston (HOU), Xavier Munford, Lance Stephenson (NOP).
PROJ: seed medio-basso, fuori al primo turno.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: Alexis Ajinca, Omer Asik, Dante Cunningham, Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Tim Frazier, Alonzo Gee, Jrue Holiday, Quincy Pondexter
IN: Cheick Diallo (R), Langston Galloway (NYK), Buddy Hield (R), Solomon Hill (IND), Terrence Jones (HOU), E’Twaun Moore (CHI), Lance Stephenson (MEM).
OUT: Ryan Anderson (HOU), Luke Babbitt (MIA), Norris Cole, Bryce Dejean-Jones, Toney Douglas, James Ennis (MEM), Eric Gordon (HOU), Jordan Hamilton, Kendrick Perkins.
PROJ: Davis gioca 70+ partite, Pelicans nella bagarre per gli ultimi seed a Ovest.
ROSTER
CONFERMATI: LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyle Anderson, Manu Ginóbili, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Mills, Tony Parker, Jonathon Simmons.
IN: Davis Bertans (R), Dewayne Dedmon (ORL), Bryn Forbes (R), Pau Gasol (CHI), Nicolás Laprovittola (R), David Lee (DAL), Dejounte Murray (R).
OUT: Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw (UTA), Tim Duncan, Boban Marjanovic (DET), Kevin Martin, Andre Miller, David West (GSW).
PROJ: seed #3
BUON BASKET A TUTTI!!