My 2023 NBA training camp/early season observations for all 30 teams.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks need to keep establishing a system and roles under new head coach Quin Snyder, which already looks like it’s going to be a longer process than a quick adjustment.
Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis’ health/Jrue Holiday locking up the perimeter defensively should be huge for Boston, as this club definitely has what it takes to possibly win a title.
Brooklyn Nets
This Brooklyn group has a bunch of players who can defend multiple positions, but don’t have many guys who can create their own shot besides Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, & Cam Thomas. Offensive execution is a big focus.
Charlotte Hornets
How centers Mark Williams & Nick Richards hold up down low/LaMelo Ball’s efficiency and decision making are two major keys for the Hornets. Also do talented veterans Gordon Hayward & Terry Rozier finally get traded?
Chicago Bulls
Every single player on the Bulls besides DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic needs to understand that defense/timely shot making & cutting are the only things that matter. I doubt this roster is back next year if they have another mediocre season.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs added much needed shooting in Max Strus and Georges Niang, so let’s hope that the group’s starters can keep growing as players after looking overwhelmed during the 2023 playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas already has two of the world’s best scorers (Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving), which leads me to believe that establishing roles and getting stops on defense are going to determine a lot.
Denver Nuggets
For Denver to repeat, I think that starters Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have to step it up even more/head coach Michael Malone has to find the right bench guys to replace Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
Detroit Pistons
With Cade Cunningham back healthy after missing almost all of last season/Monty Williams taking over as head coach, the Pistons need to make up for the poor showing they put up in 2022-23 and prove that they are a competitive/tough young group.
Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson shot a career low 38.8% from the field during the 2023 postseason, so I hope that Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody can play as many minutes as possible to help get a bucket when Golden State needs it come playoff time. Having Andrew Wiggins & Gary Payton II fully healthy helps their defense tremendously.
Houston Rockets
There’s still going to be a lot of growing pains for Houston, as their young players still have plenty to learn. I would ask many questions every day to head coach Ime Udoka and veterans such as Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green if I were Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, etc.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers’ high scoring offense picked up even more pace by adding Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin. Now it’s all about defense, an area they struggled in quite a bit last year.
Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard & Paul George’s health/establishing who their go-to role players and defenders are have become yearly deciding factors for the Clippers. We’ll see if James Harden & PJ Tucker can help them win a championship.
Los Angeles Lakers
Obviously Anthony Davis’ play matters even more as LeBron James gets older, but so does everyone else on the Lakers’ roster now. From new pieces to returners, the rest of their roster has been known to be up and down, so it should be an interesting season.
Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. clearly needs to step up without Steven Adams, but to me the biggest thing for Memphis is getting back to that grit & grind style once Ja Morant returns. Hopefully Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose can set the right culture that Dillon Brooks & Tyus Jones did as leaders.
Miami Heat
The production of Max Strus & Gabe Vincent has to be replaced for the Heat. Also will Kevin Love (35-years-old) and Kyle Lowry (turns 38 in late March) stay healthy? Does Tyler Herro produce enough in the playoffs if he’s injury-free?
Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard is certainly going to help the Bucks on offense, but losing PJ Tucker and now Jrue Holiday adds more concern to their perimeter defense. Maybe Giannis Antetokounmpo will defend on the perimeter more (something he’s already doing this season).
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anything short of winning a first round playoff series/losing in seven hard fought games honestly feels like a letdown at this point for the Wolves. With star Anthony Edwards and the bench continuing to improve, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Jaden McDaniels will be counted on to produce.
New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans star Zion Williamson staying injury-free means everything for this team. Jose Alvarado also missed important time last season (brings game-changing energy and defense).
New York Knicks
I’m a fan of the Knicks roster, but I think it’s pretty obvious that Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley have to put up points/Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein need to defend.
Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC making the 2023 play-in tournament without Chet Holmgren was a nice accomplishment for their young roster. However, the continued growth of starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams will determine a whole lot.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are a team that can guard multiple positions, but lack 3-point shooting on offense. Franz Wagner & Paolo Banchero have to grow up fast this season if they want to make the playoffs or play-in.
Philadelphia 76ers
James Harden is finally gone, which means we now get to see Tyrese Maxey shine bright. I’ll be keeping an eye on Joel Embiid staying fresh for the playoffs, Maxey’s progression, and Nick Nurse’s coaching decisions.
Phoenix Suns
Hopefully the Suns can stay healthy, as president of basketball operations/GM James Jones put together a nice roster of role players to help Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal compete for a championship.
Portland Trail Blazers
Development seems to be the main focus for Portland after trading Damian Lillard (Shaedon Sharpe looks solid so far). Do veterans Jerami Grant & Malcolm Brogdon eventually end up getting traded?
Sacramento Kings
Head coach Mike Brown went with Terence Davis over Davion Mitchell in Game 7 vs. Golden State last playoffs. The Kings have a great offense, but have had a hard time figuring out who their go-to defenders are.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama is now San Antonio’s franchise guy, so I will be interested to see if players like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and more of their heavy minute players can fit well enough next to him as time goes by.
Toronto Raptors
I’m a fan of the job that new head coach Darko Rajakovic has done so far, but it doesn’t look like he can save this current roster. Trading Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. for some nice value is a must.
Utah Jazz
Consistent guard play on both ends will be huge for the Jazz. Keep an eye on the development of youngsters Walker Kessler, Ochai Agbaji, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh as well.
Washington Wizards
With a new front office, I really do wonder how many players Michael Winger & Will Dawkins see as long term pieces besides Bilal Coulibaly. Also head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is in a weird situation right now with it being a year where he probably wanted to prove himself after two losing seasons, but doesn’t have the roster to progress much better than 35-47.
