(Henry's Note- I actually did the trades for the 2015-2016 season a long time ago, so I've forgotten some of the reasoning behind several moves. Instead of doing a big trade post, I'll just summarize the big moves now)
In the biggest trade before the season started, the Hornets acquired PG Tony Parker(95 OVR) from the Pelicans as New Orleans received several players and two first round picks in exchange. Several big name centers switched teams, including Joel Embiid(88 OVR, 91 Potential) to the Wizards for SG Dane Grimes(89 OVR) which saw Washington flip Al Jefferson(89 OVR) to Dallas for a couple first round picks. Finally, longtime Clipper Pau Gasol(93 OVR) finally left LA, as he joins Kevin Durant(98 OVR) in Minnesota.
Last time on The New Millennium, the Kings completed a quick retooling, trading for Joe Johnson and picking up Devin Booker in the 2015 Draft. Plus, the Bucks used their first and third picks to load up their frontcourt, selecting Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis. How will these moves, plus the trades made earlier, affect the 2015-2016 regular season?
Eastern Conference
1. Atlanta Hawks(59-23)
2. Indiana Pacers(58-24)
3. New York Knicks(56-26)
4. Orlando Magic(50-32)
5. Chicago Bulls(48-34)
6. New Jersey Nets(46-36)
7. Charlotte Hornets(46-36)
8. Boston Celtics(46-36)
9. Miami Heat(43-39)
10. Detroit Pistons(39-43)
11. Philadelphia 76ers(35-47)
12. Milwaukee Bucks(33-49)
13. Cleveland Cavaliers(32-50)
14. Toronto Raptors(32-50)
15. Washington Wizards(19-63)
The Hawks, Pacers and Knicks all went hard for the top spot in the East and the league, but in the end Atlanta won out as LeBron James(22.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.6 apg) took home his second MVP. Orlando enjoyed a breakout season thanks to the wing scoring tandem of J.J. Redick(17.6 ppg) and Javier Sanchez(18.5 ppg). The Hornets were a little inconsistent throughout the year, but got hot at the end to solidify a playoff spot, while Miami were unfortunate to miss out on the postseason with a winning record. Milwaukee added 14 wins with new rookies Porzingis(17 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Towns(12.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) both making 1st team All-Rookie. The gap between the largely mediocre teams and the basement was massive this year, as the Wizards lost their first 21 games, but did at least have Rookie of the Year winner Joel Embiid(16.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg).
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs(56-26)
2. Dallas Mavericks(53-29)
3. Vancouver Grizzlies(50-32)
4. Phoenix Suns(47-35)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves(47-35)
6. Golden State Warriors(41-41)
7. Denver Nuggets(38-44)
8. Utah Jazz(38-44)
9. Houston Rockets(38-44)
10. Portland Trail Blazers(36-46)
11. New Orleans Pelicans(34-48)
12. Sacramento Kings(33-49)
13. Los Angeles Lakers(28-54)
14. Seattle SuperSonics(26-56)
15. Los Angeles Clippers(23-59)
San Antonio and Dallas continue to dominate the West, with the Spurs coming out on top this year. Behind them, Vancouver and Phoenix surprisingly took the next two spots, thanks to breakout seasons from Marvin Williams(17.6 ppg) and Perry Drew(20.3 ppg) respectively. For Minnesota, new acquisition Pau Gasol(13.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg) had a fine season though he continues to show his age, and Houston suffered a tough loss on the final day to end their playoff hopes. The Pelicans enjoyed an incredible campaign from Bradley Beal(25.5 ppg) who provides hope with no more Tony Parker, and Sacramento began the slow move up the standings with a solid year from Joe Johnson(19.1 ppg). The Lakers and Clippers were as bad as anticipated, but Seattle continues to confound, losing 14 more games than last year and putting forth one of the worst defenses in the league.
Awards
MVP: LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks
Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid, Washington Wizards
Sixth Man: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Defensive Player: Willie Lewis, Boston Celtics
Most Improved: Zach King, Philadelphia 76ers
Coach of the Year: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks
With three legit contenders in the East and two more in the West, will it be one of the Hawks, Pacers, Knicks, Spurs or Mavericks who claim the title? Once again in the playoffs, can the Nets prove they still have what it takes in their title defense? Or will one of these lesser teams surprise everyone? Find out next time on The New Millennium!
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