By: Aubrey Golson
On October 27th, the National Basketball Association season started. Today, the NBA is a very competitive league where the best players and best teams put on a show every night to compete to make the playoffs and ultimately get a championship.
I have been on the lookout for teams that have the potential to improve dramatically or even win the NBA championship title. Here are my top 5 teams to watch.
NEW YORK KNICKS:
The Knicks were in last place in the Eastern conference with a record of 17-65 in the 2014-15 season. This year they seek to sneak into the playoffs. With NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony returning from missing most of last season with a knee surgery, the Knicks have their primetime scorer back. Also, they received lottery pick Kristaps Porzingis from the 2015 NBA draft. Porzingis is a young talented player who has the ability to do nothing but wonders for the Knicks. Although the Knicks started off with a 3-4 record, they still can put New York on the map as a good basketball city.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:
Having lost in the championship round last season, the Cavaliers seek to make it to the finals again with a different outcome. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love missing the championship series, it is arguable that Cleveland would have won if two of the best three people were healthy. Lebron James (best player in the world) helped to start the season strong with a record of 6-1.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES:
After a horrible season last year and ranking last place in the NBA, the Timberwolves seek to turn it around this year. With the advantage of having the first pick of the 2015 NBA draft, they picked the Kentucky star Karl-Anthony Towns. Minnesota hopes that Karl Towns will transition from college to the NBA very well and make their dreams of making it to the playoffs a possibility. The Timberwolves started off with an impressive 4-2 record.
OKLAHOMA THUNDER:
Having fallen short of making the playoffs last season, the Thunder are planning to return back as one of the best teams in the western conference. Although star Kevin Durant missed most of last season, he appears healthy and ready to put OKC on the map as a team worthy of playoffs. Also, you can’t count out one of the best point guards in the league: Russell Westbrook. His stats last year were phenomenal as he took on the challenge without his star teammate KD. With that dynamic duo healthy, anything is possible for them. They started off this season with a 4-3 record.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS:
The reigning champs seek to continue their hot streak. The chemistry of this team is unbreakable. With last year’s MVP, Stephen Curry, looking healthy and ready for this upcoming season and sharpshooter Klay Thompson (the splash brothers) ready to play hard, it seems as if this team may be coming for another championship. The Warriors start their season with a perfect 8-0 record.