More 2022 NBA training camp observations.
Michael Porter Jr. has to play well for Denver
With all due respect, the Nuggets see a drop off in talent after their 3 best players (Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, & Porter Jr.). I trust that Jokic (back-to-back MVP) and Murray (averaged a career high in PPG last time he was healthy) will be fine, but Porter Jr. is coming off a horrid 9 games in 2021-22 (35.9% FG). So I hope that his back isn’t going to affect him again this season.
Magic & Pacers need to focus on daily progression with young players
Orlando & Indiana probably aren’t going to be playoff/play-in teams, but they do have the young talent to get there in the future. Youngsters Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Haliburton, and Bennedict Mathurin have the potential to become stars.
Kings have the offense now, defense will determine if they make the postseason
Adding Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Matthew Dellavedova to go along with De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, and Davion Mitchell gives Sacramento fans a team to be excited about for 2022-23. The Kings now have plenty of scoring, but defense is still a question.
Suns go through awkward media day, Ayton’s bad defense on switches during playoffs
The Robert Sarver news, Jae Crowder’s trade request, and the Deandre Ayton & Monty Williams player/coach relationship status made Phoenix Suns media day quite the awkward first day back. I know that Ayton had a tough Game 7 vs. Dallas and hasn’t talked to Williams since, but he needs to realize that improvements have to be made on his part. The young big man got burnt on switches by guards during the playoffs.
