NBA 2016-17: Preseason Shootaround

Washington Wizards v/s Cleveland Cavaliers November 18, 2009 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the most anticipated season in recent Minnesota Timberwolves history.  With a new coach in Tom Thibodeau, high-quality young players such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and the apparent return to form of Ricky Rubio, the Wolves are set to contend for their first NBA playoff appearance in over a decade.  But you know they'll find a way to mess it up through injuries, infighting, inexperience, general incompetence and a tough Western Conference.  Just like the Wolves we've always known.

Thanks to the new TV contract with ESPN and Turner Sports (soon to be part of AT&T?), more NBA free agents are taking advantage of all the money that's coming their way by jumping to teams where they think they can win a championship.  Kevin Durant ditches Oklahoma City for Golden State.  Dwyane Wade moves north from Miami to Chicago.  Dwight Howard goes east from Houston to Atlanta.

As most of you know, Kobe Bryant has played his last game for the Los Angeles Lakers.  So did Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, who also won championships during their long and rewarding NBA careers.  But Bryant's long goodbye happened to coincide with his team's worst season ever, impeding efforts for them to improve themselves.  Maybe now, the Lakers can move on without Kobe.

New Orleans, not Charlotte, will host the 2017 All Star Game.   The NBA moved the event because of North Carolina's new laws restricting the rights of transgenders.  The NCAA followed suit by taking most of its championships out of the Tar Heel State.  So did companies and entertainers who refused to do business there.  But, the NBA says, Charlotte can have the All Star Game back in a few years if the law is repealed.  Way to take a stand, guys.

Cleveland is the favorite to repeat as NBA champions, now that LeBron James taught the city how to be winners.  If not the Cavs, then Golden State if the chemistry between Durant and Stephen Curry works out.  Otherwise, here's our projected playoff picks.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Miami Heat.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:  Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks.