In order to be surprised, something dramatic needs to happen. To be a playoff team or be on the cusp of the playoffs and sneak in, is no surprise. Now to climb up from the ashes of being out of the playoffs or to jump up a ton of spots, well now that’s surprising. Some teams signed a few new guys, returned a big name or two and even had a player elevate their game over the summer. Here are 5 teams that will surprise you as the season goes on. Think Toronto Raptors or Portland Trailblazers from last year.
1. Charlotte Hornets
Last Season Finished: 43-39, 7th in the East, 3rd in Southeast Division
This Season Projected: 50-32, 4th in the East, 1st in Southeast Division
Why?
Charlotte was not bad at all last year. They were a slight surprise but in the East, it wasn’t anything to wag a finger at. Now this year no one will take the Hornets easily as they brought in highly sought after free agent guard Lance Stephenson from the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets also added veteran Marvin Williams, drafted P.J. Hairston and Noah Vonleh to help out with the bench. The Hornets, when healthy, have a dangerous line up now. Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams and “Big Al” Al Jefferson make the Hornets a formidable opponent on any given night in the first season back for the Hornets in Charlotte. A Big 3 in the making has the city of Charlotte buzzing about the Hornets and the NBA all over again.
2. New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season Finished: 34-48, 12th in the West, 5th in Southwest Division
This Season Projected: 48-34, 7th in the West, 4th in Southwest Division
Why?
Injuries, injuries and injuries, the curse of so many NBA teams. That’s why last year the Pelicans dropped all the way to 12th out West. For the first time in as long as I can remember, the Pelicans look like they’re going into opening night with a fully healthy roster. And a roster that touts some big playmakers and guys who can score all on their own. Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis and Omer Asik are slated to start for the Pelicans this season. Coming off the bench will be sharpshooters Jimmer Fredette and Ryan Anderson, as well as veteran John Salmons and the ever improving Austin Rivers. Anthony Davis is on his way up the ladder of the NBA’s best, some even saying Davis may be the top power forward in the NBA right now, especially after his performances recently in preseason and over the summer in the FIBA World Championship of Basketball. Davis is already an early MVP candidate and if the Pelicans stay healthy and make it work, expect them to make some noise out west.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Last Season Finished: 27-55, 14th in the West, 5th in Pacific Division
This Season Projected: 46-36, 8th in the West, 3rd in Pacific
Why?
Granted, the Lakers don’t look good at all early on in preseason, but then again, it is preseason. Under new head coach Byron Scott the Lakers will be working under new schemes and ideas from a seasoned NBA coach and a handpicked ‘Kobe guy’. Lakers made some headlines by acquiring Carlos Boozer after the Bulls amnestied him earlier in the offseason, acquiring Jeremy Lin in a trade from the Rockets and also drafting Julius Randle with their pick in the first round. Randle, if not for injury, may have gone first in the draft. Besides Jabari Parker, Randle is the most NBA ready talent from this years draft but he won’t be starting just yet. Randle will contribute that’s for sure but how much of an impact will he make. Lin may be the opening day starting point guard over always injured Steve Nash. Carlos Boozer is key though. Kobe needs someone else to help him take off some of the scoring load night in and night out. Nick “Swaggy P” Young is still on the roster and can drain some shots whenever needed. Jordan Hill, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson and Ryan Kelly are also looked at to contribute off the bench or in supporting roles. The starters for opening day, Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, Wesley Matthews, Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill might be one of the best lineups the Lakers have brought out in the last few years.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Last Season Finished: 49-33, 8th in the West, 4th in Southwest Division
This Season Projected: 55-27, 4th in the West, 2nd in Southwest Division
Why?
Mavericks made huge moves this off-season to bring some more talent into Dallas to accompany Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas Mavericks have a formidable roster that can challenge some contenders out West. Due to some injuries and other declining teams out West, the Mavs might be able to sneak up and become a contender in this years NBA. They have the roster to do it and the new talent makes them look better than ever. An opening day lineup of Jameer Nelson, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler make for a challenge for any NBA team. The scoring of Ellis, Dirk and Parsons will be tough to defend. The inside presence of Tyson Chandler will make it hard for any team to come inside and score and we all know how well Tyson plays in a Mavericks uniform. Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris and Raymond Felton will all be fighting for that starting point guard role, but for now, due to his defense, Nelson gets the nod. The other players looking to contribute on the roster include a plethora of veterans in Brandan Wright, Charlie Villanueva, Al-Farouq Aminu and Richard Jefferson. Mavericks look like a team to be scared of in the NBA this year.
Plus, you got to love Chandler Parsons and Devin Harris participating in “Hump Day” antics.
5. New York Knicks
Last Season Finished: 37-45, 9th in the East, 3rd in Pacific
This Season Projected: 46-36, 6th in the East, 2nd in Atlantic
Why?
The Knicks weren’t the most active NBA team this off-season. Their number one goal was to retain All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, and now he stays in New York. They traded away Tyson Chandler and received Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin and Samuel Dalembert in the deal, to add to the Knicks depth. A starting lineup now looking like Jose Calderon, Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Quincy Acy and Samuel Dalembert will ask for Carmelo to pick up alot of the scoring load early on in games. Off the bench though is where the Knicks may be able to cause a firestorm of problems. Amar’e Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, Shane Larkin, Andrea Bargnani, Tim Hardaway Jr, and rookie Cleanthony Early are all a bunch of guys who can score and in bunches if needed by New York. Knicks might not have the star power as other teams do, but with formidable scoring from a vast amount of players helping out Melo as well as a nice group of guys being able to play defense in key spots, the Knicks may make the playoffs this year and might be boasting one of the top offenses in the NBA.
