2016-17 NBA Season Primer
Four months after LeBron James' Cavaliers finally won one for "The Land," the NBA officially returns Tuesday night with Cleveland raising its first championship banner - in any sport - since 1964.
They'll be hosting a New York Knicks team that now includes Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Later on Tuesday, a Golden State Warriors team that won a record 73 games last season before coming a win shy of a second straight title, will officially welcome Kevin Durant to The Bay Area.
For everything else you need to know before the 71st season in NBA history tips off at The Q, here's a comprehensive primer:
Team Previews
Eastern Conference
BOS | BRK | NYK | PHI | TOR
CHI | CLE | DET | IND | MIL
ATL | CHA | MIA | ORL | WAS
Western Conference
DAL | HOU | MEM | NOP | SAS
GSW | LAC | LAL | PHX | SAC
DEN | MIN | OKC | POR | UTA
Team Storylines
- Why the Warriors won't win 73 games
- Why LeBron won't catch the 'ghost' of Michael Jordan
- With Kobe retired, 'face of the Lakers' is up for grabs
- Are the Spurs finally too old to compete?
- Is this a do-or-die season for Clippers' core?
- Knicks need injury luck, fresh thinking to end playoff drought
- What would it take for Toronto to win the East?
- 3 players the Celtics could trade for
- How the Baby Wolves can reach playoffs ahead of schedule
- Westbrook will be on fire, but MVP no sure thing
- Bulls' lack of shooting could spell disaster
- Is the Sixers' epic rebuild finally ready to bear fruit?
- Kings remain mediocre heading into last dance with Boogie
- How Mavs' offseason gambles can get them past 1st round
- This is the year Kemba Walker becomes an All-Star
- Sorting out Orlando's crowded frontcourt
League Storylines
- Is parity possible during The Warriors' Era?
- 3 teams that need to win now
- How Vince, Manu, and Pierce can retire gracefully
- 3 encouraging trends to watch from preseason
- 3 worrisome trends to watch from preseason
- 3 smartest minds in the NBA
- 3 players who are above the NBA law
Team Rankings
Player Rankings
- NBA Player Rankings: 30-21
- NBA Player Rankings: 20-11
- NBA Player Rankings: 10-6
- NBA Player Rankings: The Top 5
Who To Follow
Predictions
Fantasy
Betting Odds
Championship Odds
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Golden State Warriors | -125 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | +300 |
San Antonio Spurs | +900 |
Boston Celtics | +1800 |
Los Angeles Clippers | +2500 |
Toronto Raptors | +4000 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | +4000 |
Chicago Bulls | +4000 |
New York Bulls | +5000 |
Indiana Pacers | +6600 |
Memphis Grizzlies | +6600 |
Minnesota Timberwolves | +6600 |
Portland Trail Blazers | +7500 |
Atlanta Hawks | +10000 |
Utah Jazz | +10000 |
Houston Rockets | +10000 |
Detroit Pistons | +10000 |
Miami Heat | +10000 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +10000 |
Washington Wizards | +10000 |
Milwaukee Bucks | +10000 |
Dallas Mavericks | +20000 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +20000 |
Orlando Magic | +20000 |
Charlotte Hornets | +30000 |
Denver Nuggets | +50000 |
Sacramento Kings | +50000 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +50000 |
Phoenix Suns | +50000 |
Brooklyn Nets | +50000 |
*Championship odds courtesy Bovada
Win Totals
Team | over/under |
---|---|
Golden State Warriors | 66.5 |
San Antonio Spurs | 57.5 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | 56.5 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 54.5 |
Boston Celtics | 52.5 |
Toronto Raptors | 50.5 |
Utah Jazz | 47.5 |
Portland Trail Blazers | 45.5 |
Indiana Pacers | 45.5 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | 45 |
Detroit Pistons | 44.5 |
Atlanta Hawks | 44 |
Memphis Grizzlies | 44 |
Houston Rockets | 43.5 |
Washington Wizards | 43 |
Minnesota Timberwolves | 41.5 |
Charlotte Hornets | 41.5 |
New York Knicks | 40.5 |
Chicago Bulls | 40 |
Dallas Mavericks | 39 |
Orlando Magic | 36.5 |
New Orleans Pelicans | 36.5 |
Denver Nuggets | 36.5 |
Milwaukee Bucks | 36 |
Miami Heat | 34.5 |
Sacramento Kings | 33 |
Phoenix Suns | 28.5 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 25.5 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 24.5 |
Brooklyn Nets | 21.5 |
*Win totals courtesy Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook's Jeff Sherman