Each off-season, no matter the sport; trade transactions / free agency shakes up the league. As sports fans it keeps us asking what the hell was that? And what’s next?
In the 2019-2020 season, Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as the cover gods. According to teamrankings.com, with an ATS record of 48-31, OKC covered a league best 60.8% of the time. THEY WANTED ALL THE SMOKE.
Speculator counted OKC out well before the start of the season. Chris Paul embraced the challenges put before him and brought out best in players like Steven Adams, rookie Shai gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and several other role players.
Clearly it wasn’t enough when Houston took em out game 7 in the first round of the playoff bubble. C’mon paul can’t do it all!
Which leaves those askin, WHO WANTS ALL THE SMOKE THIS SEASON?
I’m a huge fan of individual player talent and what executives do bringing players together. Establishing a COHESIVE group.
Two teams stand out to me currently and that is the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. I know, first thing you’re saying is who the FOOK is this guy. But I’m serious.
A healthy John Wall / demarcus cousins / Christian wood. Throw Eric Gordon PJ Tucker, and Victor Olidipo; the rockets can cause serious damage. Now James Hardens usage can be spread amongst the recruited talent.
As for Detroit, Jeremy Grant is an absolute hooper. I loved watching him in Denver. D rose always doin his part. Along with mason plumlee, Delon Wright and bruiser Jahlil Okafor they have a solid starting cast. Blake griffin has been a question for me. Minute restrictions possibly from injuries, not involved in key parts of the game, head coach Dwane Casey in my eyes is slipping on getting the right guys on the court at the right points of the game.
They beat the Lakers after being down at half and pushed against Utah for the +12. If you can read the matchup right (injuries considered) you might get lucky pullin for Detroit as some hefty underdogs here and there.
Aside from a few cons I do believe both teams have potential to cover the spread more than half the time as OKC did last season.
Im curious, what teams/players do y’all see on the rise that I might not see?
Fox and Haliburton emerging as the clear future backcourt of the Sacramento Kings, add Richaun Holmes and they might break the playoff drought very soon.
And if Heild is dropping 3s that night with Harrison Barnes showin up SHEESH. They’ve been covering as well! Holmes is making whiteside look like a lost cause. Love what they have going
White side is and will always be a BUMMMM!
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Hield or Barnes moved at the deadline if they fall out of the race. Championship teams would love players like them down the stretch.