The 2019-2020 NBA season is right around the corner. It’s time to start getting excited about each team after the insane amount of moves that took place in the off-season. Almost every franchise made a change, so it will be interesting to see how new players adapt to changes in their environment and how teams deal with new personnel. Despite how exciting every team might be, there are only a few that earn the distinction of being a top-five league pass team.
Top Five League Pass Teams
5. Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have finally done it. They’ve made it onto a list that isn’t titled “Who Will Finish at the Bottom of the League?” They are now out of the dreadful stage they were in before and can finally make a playoff push in an insanely competitive western conference. They have a good pool of talent, including Bogdan Bogdanovic who is fresh off an impressive FIBA World Cup run. The main attraction to this team will be their youth and energy. Watching their games will have you fully engaged as you see De’Aaron Fox running up and down the court, with the trailer Marvin Bagley III, not to mention Buddy Hield spotting up on the perimeter. Trevor Ariza will also be able to aid their outside game and provide veteran leadership.
4. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are the perfect example of how contrast makes the perfect story. On one side you have the youth of the team, made up of Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, and fan-favorite Kevin Huerter. This core of young players has huge upside and is only going to grow throughout the year. Seeing the progression they will make will definitely be a story to keep an eye on.
On the other hand, you have the veterans, specifically, Vince Carter. He has made it official that this will be his last season playing in the league. This sets up the farewell tour, an NBA tradition which was recently carried out by Dwayne Wade, but will surely stay around for a while. Watching the Hawks will allow you to stay in touch with the progression of their young core and watch the roaring goodbyes, stadium to the stadium for Vince Carter.
3. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are staying true to their former franchise player, Dirk Nowitzki, by gathering a collection of Europian talent. Although we were not able to see Kristaps Porzingis play last year, the duo of Luka Doncic and the Unicorn is definitely going to be one to keep an eye on. The team did miss out on a couple of names that were rumored to consider Dallas as an option, such as Kemba Walker, Danny Green and Malcolm Brogdon. However, the Mavs were able to pick up Seth Curry who is going to be able to open up the floor for them and provide what every team needs, outside shooting.
As for the entertainment side of things, being able to see a young Dirk-like player in Porzingis with a crafty guard like Doncic is a dream come true. It will be interesting to see how the coach, Rick Carlisle, will utilize them in late-game situations. Will he go towards the pick and roll to try to get Doncic a mismatch to abuse or a pick a pop to try to get Porzingis an open look?
2. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets (or the Oklahoma City Thunder Super-Star Stealers) were able to get another all-star guard from OKC. Daryl Morey knew a change needed to be made after a disappointing end to the 2018-2019 season. Bringing in a player like Russell Westbrook shifts the dynamic of the whole team. For a team like the Rockets that already plays a fairly fast pace, it will only get more hectic. This sets up one of the best League Pass Teams for the 2019-2020 NBA season.
Although there are mixed opinions on Houston’s ISO styled basketball, it is always amazing to see the great James Harden go to work. Whether it’s seeing his patented step back or observing how he’s able to use the attention from that move to get the first step on the defender and attack the paint. It will also be very interesting to see how Mike D’Antoni incorporates Russell Westbrook into the system. Will the two players take turns running an iso-style system or will it be more of a team-oriented style?
1. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the most different rosters compared to last year. Although they did lose their franchise player in Anthony Davis, they were able to recover with Zion Williamson. Along with the addition of the youth of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, there is no question that the pelicans deserve the top spot on the League Pass Teams for the 2020 NBA Season.
On top of all the youth they acquired, they had one of the most underrated additions all off-season. They were able to pick up the shooter J.J. Redick on a two-year deal. A shooter like this gives you so many more options on the floor. It also gives players like Zion and Ingram more room to operate with the floor spacing. You can expect the Pelicans to play a super-fast tempo throughout the year with a unique mix of paint play and outside shooting.
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