NBA Predictions, Rankings and Possible Lineups for 2016-17 Season: Teams that Will Breakout Include Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
For each NBA season, there is at least one team that surpasses the pessimistic predictions of sports fans and analysts. The following teams are poised to surprise NBA fans and do better than their previous season's showing:
1. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz had a good chance of making it to the playoffs last season, but they were hindered by injuries and the lack of a solid point guard. This season, there's a good chance the team will be healthy throughout the year.
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If the Jazz can handle injuries better and stay healthy for the entire season, then their starting 5 will be among the best in the NBA. The team includes 2 dominant forces in the frontcourt: Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors. Hood, Hill and Hayward can not only wreak havoc offensively, they are great defenders as well.
Not only that, CBS Sports ranks the Jazz' bench players as the best in the league. The bench players include Boris Diaw, Trey Lyles, Joe Johnson, Alec Burks and Dante Exum.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves has three young players who have surely improved over the off-season, because that's what young, developing players do. These are Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, and last season's Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns.
Indeed, Minnesota has the best group of young talents in the NBA. The team had some incredible moments last season; upsetting big-named teams such as the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Timberwolves had some problems last season on the defensive end, but by hiring head coach Tom Thibodeau, a coach that emphasizes defense, they may be poised to remedy that problem for the 2016-17 NBA season.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks also has young talent like the Timberwolves. These are Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo, the 6'11" guard from Greece, had a breakout season in 2015-16, averaging 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The almost 7-footer is the Bucks primary ball handler, bringing the ball up the floor and making simple but effective passes if not slashing through towards the rim.
Last season, the Bucks didn't have solid three point shooters. This problem was addressed in the off-season with the addition of Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova.
4. Orlando Magic
First, Orlando Magic's new head coach, Frank Vogel, is a highly successful coach in the NBA. He led the Indiana Pacers to 5 playoff appearances in 5 seasons. According to Rob Hennigan, GM for Magic, Frank Vogel "is a strong, hard-working and experienced leader, who will continue to instill smart, physical, unselfish, and defensive-minded basketball in our group."
Magic will also become a better defensive team with Serge Ibaka. Bismack Biyombo will also be a crucial bench player. The team, like the Bucks and the Timberwolves, also has young talent in Fournier, Payton, and Hezonja.
