2012 NBA Preview: Five Interesting Teams

Brooklyn Nets 

Joe Johnson, Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez, Deron
Williams, and Gerald Wallace
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The Nets franchise has returned to New York after spending the last 35 seasons across the Hudson River in New Jersey. the move to a new city comes with a whole new look. The face of the franchise is PG Deron Williams, who resigned with the Nets in the off-season. Unlike the last few years in NJ, Williams has a legitimate playoff team to lead. He has newly-acquired G-F Joe Johnson who is a good shooter, defensive stopper Gerald Wallace, rebounding machine Kris Humphries, and big-man Brook Lopez. This is a very good starting line-up. However, I believe they will be at their best when they put in a small line-up. Williams at PG, MarShon Brooks at SG, Johnson at SF, Wallace at PF, and Lopez or Humpfires at C.  With this line-up, they will be able to stretch the floor and get some open shots. I expect the Nets to be contenders in the East.

Detroit Pistons 

The Pistons are going through a rebuilding stage that will take another year or two until they start to make a playoff run. They need build their team around bigman Greg Monroe. Monroe is going into his third year, andlast year averaged 15.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg . This year, he needs to start averaging 20 and 10 to start to turn this team around. Backing up Monroe is rookie Andre Drummond. Drummond has the potential to be a star, but could also be a major bust. I think he will fit in well in Detroit, as he will be given time to develop as the back-up center. Detroit's backcourt of Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey can become one of the best in the league. Both are pure scorers that can drop 25 ppg when they get the shots. I would not expect much else from the team this year. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love
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For the first time since the Kevin Garnett Era, the Timberwolves are relevant again. They have a face to the franchise in F/C Kevin Love and a side-kick in PG Ricky Rubio. However, both players are going to be starting the season on the bench due to injuries. Love looks to be back by late November-early December, while Rubio is projected to return in December. Until they return, the team's role player will have to step up big. Andrei Kirlinko signed with the T-Wolves in the off-season after spending a season with CSKA Moscow. He is going to be a key to the team's success as a wing player. Brandon Roy is returning to the NBA after retiring before the 2011-12 season. He needs to be a consistent scorer. Derrick Williams needs to begin to play like the number two pick he was drafted to be a year ago. With Love out, he should have time to improve. I think that if Love and Rubio return to a team that is in the playoff hunt, they will make the playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland had a big drop-off performance last season. After having three consecutive seasons with a winning percentage higher then .585, the team from Rip City had a below .500 record. They now have a new coach and have to start over again. They still have All-Star PF LaMarcus Aldridge to build around. Aldridge is in his prime years and will be great this year. Rookie Damian Lillard was second in scoring last season in the NCAA and will bring those skills to the NBA. Lillard isn't the only good pick-up in the Draft. Meyers Leonard is going to be the a good starting center and Will Barton will be key off the bench. They resigned underrated Nicolas Batum in the off-season, who will do very well this year. If the Blazers go back to their winnings ways, they will easily make the playoffs. But, it is more likely that the season will be one of transition.

Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson
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The Golden State Warriors can be a surprise team this year. They have a starting line-up that has the potential to be very good. They are led by PG Stephen Curry, who is a great shooter from distance and one of the better PG's in the game. But, he has some ankle issues that could flair up during the season. That is why Curry will not be the key to success this year. The key is second-year guard Klay Thompson. Thompson has the chance to be a great player and this year could be the year where he starts. Rookie  Harrison Barnes will be another good scorer on the team. If Curry, Thompson, and Barnes are all healthy and play very well, combined they could average 65-70 ppg. Golden State's post players are also good. David Lee and Andrew Boget will be rebounding machines. Golden State will come very close to making the playoffs,but will fall short.