Vol. 1 No. 8 — October 16th, 2019

Welcome to the eighth edition of the Rathbun Roundball Report, Subscriber First Name!

In less than a week, for-real NBA games will be played. Here’s a look at a few teams that have caught my eye in the pre-season:

Denver Nuggets

Looking for a team to make a fast getaway? You might try the Nuggets. Coming off a fantastic season a year ago, Denver has all its key pieces in place to make another strong playoff run.

And they will add the heralded Michael Porter, Jr., whose back surgery wiped out his would-be rookie season.

Denver should improve on its 54-win season, sharpened by two, tough seven-game playoff series last spring.

Don’t laugh. This could be the best team in a loaded Western Conference.

Miami Heat

The Heat have done little but tread water in Biscayne Bay since LeBron left. Last season, Dwyane Wade’s last, was a disaster, especially at home. 

But Pat Riley did what he does best, and that is to get a star.

Welcome, Jimmy Butler.

The alpha-dog arrives in South Beach after a stint in Philadelphia. He’s a playoff vet—seven trips in his eight years in the league. 

He should be the catalyst Miami needs. The Heat will also get an infusion of energy and spirited play from third-year big man Bam Adebayo. The Heat won their first three pre-season games with Bam crackling with energy.

New Orleans Pelicans

Well, is it for real? Will this hold up for 82-games?

Those are the questions that many in the NBA are wondering about after watching man-child Zion Williamson dominate in the Pel’s 4-0 exhibition getaway.

Williamson, just 19-years-old and already the fourth-heaviest player in the NBA at 285 pounds, has showed that his inside game is just fine.

I’m sure he will slow down a bit as teams’ put game plans together and work on his dominant left hand.

But my goodness, has he been amazing.

Just what was need to raise a moribund franchise to the cusp of the playoff race.

New Orleans opens in Toronto next Wednesday. 

A game of intrigue right away.

A Summer of Movement

Over 150 NBA player changed teams in the off-season, making the summer of 2019 one of the most turbulent in history.

Just to refresh everyone’s memory, here are some of the major player moves heading into the new season:

• Eight 2019 NBA All-Stars (the most reigning All-Stars to change teams in a single offseason): Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, D’Angelo Russell, Kemba Walker and Russell Westbrook.

• Three players who were All-Stars in 2018 but not in 2019: Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins and Al Horford.

• Three Kia NBA MVPs: Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

• Three Bill Russell NBA Finals MVPs: Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Kawhi Leonard.

• Six Kia NBA Rookies of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon, Kevin Durant, Pau Gasol, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.

• The NBA’s active leader in assists (nine-time All-Star Chris Paul), the active leader in rebounds and blocks (eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard) and the career leader in field goal percentage (one-time All-Star DeAndre Jordan).

• Franchise icons Mike Conley, Kemba Walker and Russell Westbrook.

More next week, including the Half-man, Half-amazing Vince Carter as he starts his record-setting 22nd year in the NBA when the Hawks open at Detroit next Thursday.

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