The Team To Beat: San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs achieved a fantastic record of 60-22 last season, and they haven't lost any key personnel. If anything, they have improved. With up and coming young star Anthony Davis looking very like to go supernova in season 14-15, the Spurs should once again take out the Southwest Division and quite possibly the entire Western Conference. It looks like Davis now has literally no real weaknesses in his game - his ability to score from anywhere inside the three-point line, finish plays, crash boards, run the floor, steal and block almost anything, and drain almost all his free throws. All that from a seven-footer... wow! He has capable three point shooters all around him with Wes Matthews, Deron Williams and Goran Dragic. He has two great playmakers in the aforementioned Williams and Dragic that will take pressure off him all while giving him good looks. Dragic was acquired for Nikola Pekovic, a deal which I think was good for the Spurs. Plumlee is just out there to have AD's back and bang and rebound, which is just fine for the Spurs, but he's an athletic, springy big. Tony Allen sees himself starting at shooting guard and his presence along with Davis and Matthews' really makes this a really strong team at both ends. Depth is solid, nothing amazing, but the starting line up + Dragic really looks like something special.


Key Story Line: Can the division be one of the best in the league?

Last season the Southwest Division had (reeeeaaaallly) easy-beats Houston and Memphis as well as under-achieving New Orleans. The GM for each of these teams resigned or was fired, so hopefully enthusiasm and expertise come with new the new GM trio. Houston has had quite possibly the best off-season in the entire NLL (along with regaining Kobe), New Orleans finally has some structure to it and looks deep at all positions, and Memphis, fresh off a tank job gets to start the season with a clean bill of health and a trio of rookies. Dallas and the aforementioned San Antonio will be NLL heavyweights once again in 14-15, one would think.


Five Best Players:

1. Anthony Davis - San Antonio Spurs

A generational talent. Re-read first section to hear about all that he can do. Could literally be one of the most impactful players in league history. Athletic, intelligent on both ends, great touch, great work ethic, tall, long, 21 years old. An MVP candidate.

Did I mention he was good at basketball?

2. Kobe Bryant - Houston Rockets

The greatest scorer in NLL history is back off a year layoff due to a slew of injuries. Has father time finally caught up to Kobe, or will he still command the ball just as much as he always and still put up countless amounts of shots? A tour de force in 2k for as long as the game has existed, Kobe never met a shot he didn't like and frequently scores north of thirty. Has possibly the best surrounding cast he has had in a long time this season in Houston, and might be able to get his team into the playoffs.

3. Carmelo Anthony - Dallas Mavericks

Close call with Melo. Could have been second on this list, but with his current back injury and the uncertainty about the Mavericks new offense, I bumped him down a spot. Still one of the most lethal scorers in the league, and whenever he steps on the floor he's likely going to be the best player on the court most times.

4. Deron Williams - San Antonio Spurs

Deron Williams was touted as possibly the best point guard in the league just five years ago. Injury and inconsistency has derailed that momentum and his career to a degree. However, he finally looks healthy and hungry going into 2014-15, and his playmaking, speed and offensive prowess will make for a lethal Robin to Davis' Batman.

5. Eric Bledsoe - New Orleans Pelicans

Mini Lebron finally gets the reins in NO with Dragic making his way to the Spurs. With the reins comes responsibility, and reliability, something that Bledsoe hasn't had in the past due to health issues. He needs to work on his durability, but apart from that, he has the skill sets for both ends of the floor and has All-NLL athleticism. These attributes come together to forge what should be a really lethal and impactful 2K player.


Sleeper: Houston Rockets

The new front office has been hailed as the savior of the recently lifeless franchise. Frequent personnel change and injury have caused Houston to tread water (if not drown) over the last few seasons. With a slew of trades, Houston is now unrecognisable. Kobe is back to avenge his lost season and has a really great team at his back, at least on paper. Jrue Holiday, Jeff Green, Thaddeus Young and Samuel Dalembert make up one truly complete and dangerous starting five. A massive sleeper team, here. Potential to make playoffs and give every team a run for their money.


Breakout Star: Anthony Davis should be the breakout star. However, with 2K's penchant to give the guards the lions share of the looks, I predict Eric Blesdoe will have an all-star season. Only had 22 minutes per game last season, and is now looking at 38 minutes a game and no Dragic to take his usage at the point guard spot. Will dunk, steal, block and speed his way into the highlight reals in the coming season. Will seriously go close to 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game, I'd say.


Best Newcomer: Jrue Holiday

A fantastic young point guard that was smashed by injuries last season. Brought in by HOU for Aaron Gordon. Has all the attributes to dominate a game in the NLL. Holiday is still just in his mid 20s, and will have plenty of dimes with finishers like Bryant, Green and Young to score the ball.


Prediction: San Antonio Spurs will win the Southwest Division

Davis is playing like a demi-god in the NBA right now. Even if only 3/4s of that dominance translates to NLL the Spurs will be a nightmare to play. Deron Williams is on the rise, and the Spurs have two all-NLL team types in him and Davis. They have stars, a really great, balance top six players and finals experience. They steal, shoot threes, get boards. Gonna be a real tough team to beat. Dallas will finish second, just in front of Houston Rockets, who I think will make the playoffs. New Orleans will be behind them, likely just missing out on the playoffs. Memphis was anchored to the bottom of the standings last season and whilst I see much improvement coming from them, Rome wasn't built in a day.