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As much as a long intro to the column would be reader-friendly and what not, the heck with it, and let’s just get to the main course, shall we?
5. New York Knicks:
I get it. You’ve clicked “off” of this column at this point. But I commend the Knickerbockers, who had money, couldn’t get anyone they wanted to come to their house, and decided to just put their loot in the underwear drawer rather than buying snacks, beer, and an escort just for the sake of saying they did something Saturday night. The signings they did have are guys that won’t sap the salary cap and will leave them with more money down the road … when maybe they will get someone. But the Knicks got mildly better (probably not playoff better) and didn’t blood let the future just for the sake of having the ability to. Not bad. Robin Lopez, Aaron Affalo, and Derrick Williams are useful bodies at no long term damage.
4. Memphis Grizzlies:
Even though Keeping Marc Gasol was assumed to be as easy as pulling the cord on your mower every week to get it started, we know that sometimes the engine seizes and you’re left with a gaping inability to cut your lawn with anything but Fiskars unless you want to spend some serious loot. Gasol resigned, but in addition to that, they added another ornery defender in Matt Barnes to go with their own incumbent ornery defender in Tony Allen. Memphis got appreciably better and added angry people, which always works in basketball.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
Paying nearly $90 million for an indecisive dude that can’t shoot free throws normally lands you on the other side of a list like this, but they basically got Lance Stephenson for pennies on the dollar and snagged a guy that you have to respect in Paul Pierce. Stephenson is at his best when he has someone he deeply respects to oversee his actions, which Pierce can be if he doesn’t mind the overtime work for no pay (helloooo retail jobs!!!). Aside from that, they kept Austin Rivers (obviously) and return a deeper team with more options than last year. Pierce is the type of guy who can lead them where they lack … and that’s specifically “winning experience.”
2. Indiana Pacers
Larry Bird may be many things, but a liar is not one of them. He said he was going up tempo, and damn it, he’s going up tempo. Bird wasn’t just whistling dixie after the season when he noted the new pace of play and a reduction in minutes for some. Roy Hibbert and David West saw the writing on the wall and got it on the arches. Monta Ellis was a huge signing, because it gives the team a go get it guy other than Paul George, which he flourished with alongside the aforementioned Lance Stephenson, who is also one of those guys. Bringing back Rodney Stuckey was huge. But maybe more than all, athletic rebounding machine Jordan Hill should give them a big option while they’re running all over the place like they say they’re going to. As Borat said … “Great Success.”
1. San Antonio Spurs
This is one of those, “so, what do you think of Milana Vayntrub?” questions where the answer is obvious, but you still need to give credit where it’s due. The Spurs eventually, like, in 2025, will need to move on from Tim Duncan, A.D. Bringing in Lamarcus Aldridge, bringing back Manu Ginobili, getting David West to basically play for peanuts (by NBA standards) and keeping the rest of their roster mostly in tact is impressive. It sort of felt like defending a title was the thing that brought the Spurs back, and if it didn’t happen, maybe some of this frays at the seams. Nope. They’re geared up for another several years of a go for it, assuming Pop stays around. Duncan looks like he can play until he’s 50. They are the New England Patriots of the NBA.
