TEAM TO BEAT:

Always in this conference, we start and end with the Cavaliers. They are fresh off another NLL title, putting them at an unprecedented three-peat. Any team with Lebron always has a shot, but GM Alejandro also has Tony Parker and Serbe Ibaka, arguably both top 5 players at their respective positions. Andre Drummond has blossomed since being traded to Cleveland by Golden State and Terrence Ross is looking to really perform well this year too. One of the keys to Cleveland’s success has been their ability to quickly replace their bench with role players. They started this year purging most of their roster. Then they signed a whopping EIGHT free agents. Now that’s restocking!!! This could be their best bench ever, so dethroning the King may be tough.

KEY STORYLINE:

Improvement!  Every team in this division has improved. Some were addition by subtraction, with Milwaukee finally getting the “Jrue” off their backs. Others were just complete overhauls, see Chicago and Detroit. Lastly, we had the playoff teams, Indiana and Cleveland, who kept their tried and true core, but improved their benches. This improvement will see this division have 3 teams represent them in the playoffs, similar to last year!

FIVE BEST PLAYERS:

#5 – Serge Ibaka – The Cavs “glue guy”, Serge is one of the best defensive players in the game, so he anchors one of the league’s best defenses. He was a 15 and 10 man last year, but his ability to hit a mid range jumper opens up the paint, allowing for Cavs to relentlessly drive the paint.  When Ibaka was out, the Cavs actually looked like they could be beaten, but lucky for GM Alejandro, he was back in time for their playoff run.

#4 – Russell Westbrook – Milwaukee can be a very dangerous team, when Russ isn’t hurt.  Over the last few years, when he’s on the court, Milwaukee is a playoff team, but when he’s on the IR, they are a lottery team. How’s that for being pivotal to your team’s success?  He’s probably the 2^nd most athletic player in the conference and maybe the 3^rd best scorer, but his health status is always a concern.

#3 – Blake Griffin – You know you have a tough division when this guy ends up 3^rd best.  He’s a double double machine and has really added to his scoring in the last few years.  Expect Blake to continue to be successful, as Indiana really will only go as far as Griffin takes them.

#2 – Stephen Curry – This sharpshooter was relocated this offseason from sunny Miami to the harsh winters of Chi-town, but his ability as a shooter is 2^nd to none.  Expect him to finally elevate Chicago from perennial whupping boy to possible playoff contender this year!

#1 – Lebron James -  The King is the King because he is the BEST player in the entire NLL.  He doesn’t do everything well, he does it exceptionally.  No other player affects a team, or a game, as much.  He’s always deserving of the league MVP and there isn’t a single GM in the league that wouldn’t trade for him…..PERIOD!

SLEEPER

Chicago – This was a team that was always in rebuild mode, but a few nice trades and key free agent acquisitions have made the Bulls our sleeper pick. They have the best scoring point guard in Curry, a lights out SG shooter in Redick, CJ Miles is still an NLL glitch, Taj Gibson is a high motor and rebound guy, and Bogut is one of the better big men in the league. Barring injury, the Bulls could easily end up in 2^nd or 3^rd in the division and a playoff spot is not out of the realm of possibilities.

BREAKOUT STAR

Giannis Antetokounmpo -  The “Freak” is just that. He’s having a solid year in the NBA, and we fully expect to see that translate as the weeks roll by.  e’s a matchup nightmare at the PF or SF spot, which is where he will be projected to play. Players like this just need PT and with all the injuries for the Bucks, he’s gonna get minutes. It also looks like Giannis has added a 3 point shot this offseason, so opponents beware!!!

BEST NEWCOMER

Doug McDermott -  Dougie McBuckets was easily the best shooter/scorer in last year’s draft.  Looking at the Bucks, they will definitely need someone that can score consistently, as only Westbrook and Cousins have proven to be consistent scorers on this team.  We expect Dougie to be that scorer off the bench that Milwaukee has lacked in recent years.

PREDICTION

Cleveland is still the cream of the crop here, but the margin is narrowing as the rest of the division continues to improve each year. Indiana will easily be a playoff team. Chicago, our sleeper pick will sneak into the playoffs as the 8^th seed.  Milwaukee will be competitive, but they will rely too heavily on rookies and reserves, as injuries will continue to dampen their spirits. Detroit is on the right track, but they just haven’t improved as much as their rivals, so we predict they end up at the bottom of the division.