Last NBA season was filled with storylines no one was expecting. The rise, and fall of franchises that were expected to have different levels of success. No one expected the Atlanta Hawks to blow up and win the Eastern Conference with 60 wins. It seems each year a new franchise that no one is expecting comes out of the woodshed and takes the league by storm. There are plenty of squads that are ready to break out this year but we have narrowed them down. Here is a list of the top five darkhorse teams poised to erupt in the 2015-16 NBA season.
5. Detroit Pistons
Last year record: 32-50
Next year prediction: 42-40
The Detroit Pistons have had quite a fruitful offseason. They swung a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks that landed them stretch forward Ersan Ilyasova who will be a perfect pair in the frontcourt with lumbering franchise center piece Andre Drummond. They had a gaping hole at the small forward position but quickly patched that up with the addition of Arizona product Stanley Johnson, who is absolutely lighting up Summer League, via the draft. They got rid of Greg Monroe who was really stagnating the development of Drummond. They also acquired role players Marcus Morris, Danny Granger, and Reggie Bullock from Phoenix. Add that to them locking up their point guard of the future in Reggie Jackson and you have a substantially improved roster in D-Town, one that is potentially more than capable of sneaking into the post season in the weaker Eastern Conference
4. Orlando Magic
Last year record: 25-57
Next year prediction: 38-44
The Orlando Magic are just going to get better and better each year from here on out. They have one of the most electrifying young backcourts in the association with Elfrid Payton, 21 and Victor Oladipo, 23. One of the biggest fears was the likelihood of Tobias Harris walking but they managed to resign him to a 4 year deal. Nikola Vucevic is one of the finest offensive centers the league has to offer and Aaron Gordon provides incredible athleticism from the 4 spot. Draft pick Hezonja should add a completely new dimension to the team, whether it be off the bench or from the starting lineup. Try digesting this: Harris is 22, Vucevic is 24, Gordon is 19, and Hezonja is 20. Scary to picture what they could be if they all gained chemistry with each other.
3. Indiana Pacers
Last year record: 38-44
Next year prediction: 53-29
The Indiana Pacers are in for a rejuvenating year in 2015-16. They will have two way superstar Paul George fully recovered from his gruesome leg injury sustained while representing the USA in the Fiba World Cup. Indiana also added scoring ace Monta Ellis to their backcourt, forming the best wing combination in the keague consisting of him and George. They did lose David West but he should be replaced nicely by draft pick Myles Turner out of Texas. The loss of center Roy Hibbert shouldn’t be that damaging either depending on what they get in return. The biggest factor is the return of Paul George who is arguably the best two way player in the league. The Pacers are in for a solid year that should carry them deep into the Eastern Conference playoffs.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year record: 16-66
Next year prediction: 33-49
There are two words to describe the Minnesota Timberwolves at this juncture: youth and athleticism. Minnesota selected Karl Anthony-Towns of Kentucky first overall and has already drawn comparisons to Anthony Davis. Reigning rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins is in for a bigger role and should emerge as a perennial all star. The backcourt also has a good fusion of youth and experience with Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, and Zach LaVine. They also added crafy guard Tyus Jones out of Duke in the draft. With the wolves, they don’t have much of a shot to make the playoffs especially in the West but they do have a chance to make some serious noise.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Last year record: 41-41
Next year prediction: 55-27
If you’re still sleeping on the Milwaukee Bucks, you will have a rude awakening this coming season. What Milwaukee was lacking the most last year was an interior presence and they went out and got one of the best on the market in Greg Monroe. Monroe will be able to play his natural center position, something which wasn’t feasible in Detroit. They also surrounded the big man with youth most notably forwards Giannis Antentokounmpo and former second overall pick Jabari Parker. Add supporting pieces Michael Carter-Williams and Khris Middleton who Milwaukee locked up long term and you have a team that will easily make a good amount of noise in the Eastern Conference.
