Don’t Sleep On Them!

In under 24 hours, the NBA will embark on another journey through uncharted waters. The 2020-21 season, which will kick off on Tuesday with a tantalizing doubleheader, is poised to present us with a multitude of storylines amidst our nation’s current trials and tribulations. The weeks since the excitement of the Orlando Bubble have brought key changes to the NBA landscape through the draft, free agency, and injury developments. With that being said, here are three teams who I believe could be classified as sleepers and outperform the expectations come playoff time. 

The Indiana Pacers. While the roster remains virtually unchanged from their first-round exit at the hands of Jimmy Butler and the Heat, there are a couple of subplots that could transform this team into a Cinderella story in the spring. For starters, this starting lineup is really solid, and it has the potential to make waves if it can stay healthy. In fact, the Brogdon-Oladipo-Warren-Sabonis-Turner combination played a mere 86 minutes together last season. Brogdon, who was signed over from Milwaukee before last season, needs to build a rapport with the oft-injured Oladipo, who has shown increasing signs of displeasure about being in Indy. If V.O. can rediscover his All-Star form, this backcourt could very well be one of the most well-rounded in the league. Additionally, the replacement of Nate McMillan with rookie coach Nate Bjorkgren will undoubtedly suit this team’s personnel. Bjorkgren, as opposed to his predecessor, hopes to bring a 3-and-D, space-and-pace emphasis, something that should particularly help the frontcourt rotation. The rookie coach’s philosophy should theoretically allow Myles Turner to freely roam the perimeter, in turn giving Domantas Sabonis more room to operate in the high post, where he is an All-Star caliber playmaker. All in all, if this team can stay healthy and adapt to a dynamic new play style, they can definitely make some noise in a much-improved Eastern Conference.

The Phoenix Suns. For a couple of years now, the Suns have relied heavily on young Devin Booker’s scoring prowess. Though he did spearhead an impressive 8-0 run in the Orlando Bubble, he is yet to take this team to the playoffs. However, with the emergence of several young stars and the major trade for Chris Paul, there seems to be a recipe for success brewing in the Valley. DeAndre Ayton, who’s in for a big fantasy season, partners alongside Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Cam Johnson to form a dynamic nucleus that could grow into a perennial force out west. The veteran additions of the Point God, Jae Crowder, and E’twaun Moore provide this young team with some leadership and playoff DNA, something that should make a world of difference as they attempt to put an end to a playoff drought that dates back to Nash’s reign in the desert. Expect the Suns to make a push for one of the lower seeds, and don’t be surprised if their combination of steady vets and young guns leads to a first round upset.

The Atlanta Hawks. Having endured a couple of tough seasons in order to build a young core, the Hawks made some moves in the offseason to bring in a veteran presence, much like the Suns. They have made it clear that Trae is their face of the franchise, coupling him with emerging young pieces in John Collins, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, and rookie Onyeka Okongwu. Collins really grew into his own last year, developing into a pick-and-roll operator perfectly suited to Trae’s game. Huerter and Hunter have already established themselves as high-caliber role players with versatility being their greatest strengths. Although Reddish struggled as a rookie, he obviously has the potential to develop into a high-volume scorer, and it will be interesting to see how they bring him along with Okongwu. As for the veteran additions, I really like the Rajon Rondo signing, as I think he has one of the highest basketball IQs in the league. Danilo Gallinari will definitely be in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation, and Kris Dunn provides some much needed perimeter defense. Speaking of defense, Clint Capela, an elite rim protector and rebounder, should be able to hold it down in the paint alongside the bouncy Collins. To round out the veterans, Bogdon Bogdanovic provides a reliable scorer in the backcourt, someone that the young Hawks can look to when Trae’s shot isn’t falling. A playoff appearance seems to be in the cards for the ATL, and a series win would be a huge step forward for the franchise’s current timeline. 

Thanks for reading, SHD Fam! Let me know what you guys think about this upcoming season. Be on the lookout for more hoops articles coming soon. Take care!