By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Total Sports BlogTotal Sports Blog
  • Home
  • Football
    FootballShow More
    European Championship Qualifiers Today (18.11.23): High Stakes and Dynamic Clashes Across Europe
    3 weeks ago
    Profile: Moussa Diaby (Football Player)
    3 weeks ago
    Jack Grealish: An In-depth Look at the Football Star
    3 weeks ago
    What To Look Out For When Betting On Inter
    2 months ago
    Fantasy Football Team Name Generator
    3 weeks ago
  • NFL
    NFLShow More
    Profile: Peyton Manning (NFL Player)
    3 weeks ago
    Is the NFL Scripted? Debunking Myths and Understanding Realities
    4 months ago
    NFL Trivia: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of American Football
    4 months ago
    DRAFT Fantasy Football: Develop a Fun (And Perhaps Profitable) New Hobby!
    2 months ago
    NFL Week 1 Picks Against The Spread
    2 months ago
  • Wrestling
    WrestlingShow More
    WWE vs. AEW
    2 months ago
    Predicting the Future of Released WWE Stars during recent Budget Cuts
    2 months ago
    WWE SummerSlam 2023 Match Card, Predictions, and Surprise Returns
    4 months ago
    WWE SmackDown August 4 Results, Grades and Analysis
    4 months ago
    WWE Raw July 17: Winners, Grades and Analysis
    5 months ago
  • Cricket
    CricketShow More
    How Asian Fast Bowlers Are Finding Success in India for the ICC World Cup 2023?
    1 month ago
    Best Fast Bowler from Each Team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
    2 months ago
    Best Spinners from Each Team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
    2 months ago
    Road to the Semis: Picking the ICC World Cup 2023 Semi-Finalists
    2 months ago
    Australia vs England Ashes 3rd Test Match Details and Predictions
    5 months ago
  • NBA
    NBAShow More
    The 10 Best Random NBA Team Generators
    4 days ago
    Giants of the Game: Exploring the Average NBA Height and the Tallest Players
    4 months ago
    Five Best International Players That Will Join the NBA Next Season
    5 months ago
    Top 10 Moves From the Opening Days of the NBA Free Agency
    5 months ago
    Toronto Raptors And Cleveland Cavaliers Still On Second Round Collision Course
    5 months ago
  • More
    • Baseball
    • F1
    • NCAA
    • Golf
    • Athletics
    • Hockey
    • Pop Culture
    • TV
    • Wags Wednesday
    • Women
    • Reviews
    • Beer
    • Celebrity Gossip
    • Games
Aa
Aa
Total Sports BlogTotal Sports Blog
Search
  • Home
  • Football
  • NFL
  • Wrestling
  • Cricket
  • NBA
  • More
    • Baseball
    • F1
    • NCAA
    • Golf
    • Athletics
    • Hockey
    • Pop Culture
    • TV
    • Wags Wednesday
    • Women
    • Reviews
    • Beer
    • Celebrity Gossip
    • Games
Follow US
© Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
NBA

Two Teams That Could Surprise In The NBA

TotalSportsBlog 7 years ago 5 Min Read
Share

Finally, the 71st NBA season is upon us and we can tuck into some action.

Some are forecasting one of the more predictable campaigns in a long time and tipping the Golden State Warriors as sure things for the NBA Championship. The bookmakers are in agreement with Golden State favorites through bet365 NBA betting odds of 5/6 and it’s hard to envision any other team lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season.

That’s what happens when you sign a six-time All-NBA Selection and four-time single-season scoring leader in Kevin Durant.

“Cleveland Cavaliers Larry O’Brien Trophy” (CC BY 2.0) by EDrost88

Those in the know will also tell you that LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will make it to a third straight Finals this season and it’s difficult to argue with that assessment. Forecasting an outcome other than the Golden State Warriors contesting the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers is therefore a fool’s errand, but there are a couple of teams capable of springing a surprise or two.

Minnesota Timberwolves

“2013 Minnesota Timberwolves 1” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RMTip21

Minnesota showed that they are capable of pulling off a huge upset when they were the only team in the West to defeat the Warriors at the Oracle Arena in the regular season.

They possess last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year and superstar in the making in Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns brings the whole package and many an NBA General Manager would start a franchise with the 7 foot Dominican-American Centre. With Towns is a nucleus of young talent in the form of Andrew Wiggins, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine.
After an impressive rookie season, Wiggins made good progress last campaign with modest improvements in his assist and free throw rates. He has work to do this season however, particularly in his defensive awareness, but he could make a large leap and be a critical player for the Timberwolves.

See also  Top NCAA Basketball Recruit Josh Jackson Chooses Kansas

There is some trepidation about what the Wolves can expect from Kris Dunn and moving forward he’ll need to be less reckless and improve his decision-making. Yet Dunn possesses all the tools for a standout campaign as point guard with a blend of speed, power and agility.

Zach LaVine bounced back from a terrible rookie season last time out and much will depend on how new boss Tom Thibodeau utilizes the athleticism LaVine offers. Playing in a position he’s comfortable at, he could become a potent scorer and give the Timberwolves some much-needed pace in the side.

Ultimately Minnesota hasn’t had a winning season since 2004-05 and no matter how scintillating their youngsters are, it’s all just potential and they are missing some vital ingredients to make a Championship season. Yet with Thibodeau coming in you’d expect a much-improved defense and just maybe a run at the Championship.
Utah Jazz

“2013 Utah Jazz 1” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RMTip21

The Jazz should have been a playoff team last year, but injuries and a few under performing individuals meant it wasn’t to be. The Salt Lakers look much healthier coming into this season and should be better equipped to handle any injuries that do occur.

Most opponents will find it tough to deal with the top-notch frontcourt duo of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Favors has been quiet of late but continues to start as Power Forward, although the Jazz has him on a minute limit. Once he’s fully recovered from his IT Band syndrome he should get more time and gradually start to perform to his full potential.

See also  NBA Finals Game 7 Preview and Prediction

Gobert has recently signed a multiyear extension to remain with the Jazz as a reward for developing into one of the top defenders in the league over the last couple of years. His career average of 2.0 blocks per game ranks him in 3rd best in the club’s history behind Mark Eaton and Andrei Kirilenko and has made the Jazz defense one of the best in the league.

Combined with Gordon Hayward’s imminent return and a possible breakout season from Australian Dante Exum, there are signs that this could be a good season for Utah. After four years of missing the playoffs, some wise drafting and some better luck with injuries could well see Quin Snyder’s Utah Jazz into the playoffs.

TotalSportsBlog November 28, 2016
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article A Behind The Scenes Look at Prepping Football Stadiums
Next Article How to Choose the Perfect Canopy Tent For Sport Events
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured
Profile: Peyton Manning (NFL Player)
NFL
Top 10 Sport Accounts on Instagram You Should Follow
Uncategorized
European Championship Qualifiers Today (18.11.23): High Stakes and Dynamic Clashes Across Europe
Football
10 Most Athletic Sports
Athletics Other Sports Rugby Tennis

You Might Also Like

NBA

The 10 Best Random NBA Team Generators

4 days ago
NBA

Giants of the Game: Exploring the Average NBA Height and the Tallest Players

4 months ago
NBA

Five Best International Players That Will Join the NBA Next Season

5 months ago
NBA

Top 10 Moves From the Opening Days of the NBA Free Agency

5 months ago

TotalSportsBlog.com

  • Contact and Advertise
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?