Ten Things I Think
1. I think Kevin Durant will be wearing a Thunder jersey by 2020. There are many factors at play here, but with the recent free-agency activity I think this outcome is more likely than not. KD just signed a 1 and 1, meaning a one-year contract with a player option for the second season. Whether he opts-in or not, I am not sure, but I believe this current contract will be his swansong with the Warriors. Yes, their success has been unparalleled, but Durant will be seeking a new challenge and returning to the Thunder would provide just that. There is also a non-zero chance that both Draymond and Klay are entering their final season as Warriors given their contract situations and the ownership’s tax concerns. With Paul George signed long-term and Westbrook still rambunctious as ever, the Thunder have all of the pieces to contend for a championship. LeBron returned to Cleveland, why couldn’t KD return to Oklahoma City?
2. I think the Lakers will lack adequate shooting this year. Rondo? Can’t shoot. Lonzo? Can’t shoot. Lance Stephenson? Can’t shoot. Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram are decent shooters for players their size, but if they’re your teams premier three-point threats that’s a problem.
3. I think Saquon Barkley will have the most productive rookie season of all-time by a running back. That is a bold, bold statement, but I believe it to be true. The array of weapons in the Giants’ offense will allow for the Penn State product to thrive under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur. Based on some cursory research, the bar for rookie running backs was set in 1999 by Edgerrin James with the Indianapolis Colts. In his first campaign, the talented rookie ran for 1,553 yards, had 586 yards receiving, and accounted for 16 touchdowns. I think Saquon Barkley is capable of surpassing those lofty heights this year in The Big Apple.
4. I think Devin Booker will lead the NBA in scoring within the next three seasons. I am not certain the Suns will improve all that much, even with the additions they have made this offseason, but Booker will continue to demonstrate his proficiency as a bucket-getter. Through three NBA seasons, the former Kentucky Wildcat has steadily increased his scoring and his efficiency. Booker might be the typical crazy stats, bad team guy, but dropping thirty a night and leading the NBA in scoring is no small feat and I expect him to do just that.
5. I think the Yankees need to move on from Sonny Gray. He has been abysmal of late and has seemingly lost what made him an ace in Oakland prior to the Yankees dealing for him last July. Aaron Boone cannot continually trot Gray out there every fifth day and allow the opposing batters to light him up.
6. I think it is time to abolish conferences in the NBA. No more top eight teams from each conference make the postseason. Instead, the top sixteen teams are seeded 1-16, regardless of conference, and the bracket is formed that way. Right now, the Western Conference is absolutely stacked. Even before the world’s best player decided to jump aboard the West was far superior to the East. It will certainly break tradition, but Adam Silver should certainly consider making this move. The amount of intrigue it would add to an already booming sport would be massive.
7. I think Ozzie Albies will be better than Jose Altuve. Yes, I know that Altuve is the reigning AL MVP and currently leading the majors in hits, but the Braves second baseman is special. In his age 21 season, he has 18 home runs and 50 RBI’s as he has helped propel the Braves into first place in the NL East. Similarly to Altuve’s miniature stature, Albies stands 5’8” and weighs 165 pounds, but plays much larger. It’s not outlandish to say that the switch-hitting second baseman is on a fast track for Cooperstown.
8. I think Mario Hezonja will thrive with the Knicks. The former fifth overall pick by the Orlando Magic back in 2015 hasn’t quite found his footing in the NBA, but his talent and skillset are readily apparent if you gaze hard enough. In New York, he is joining a team deprived of competent wings so his opportunities will be plentiful. Under David Fizdale, I expect Hezonja to maximize his potential and revive what once appeared to be a very promising career.
9. I think Bryce Harper may be costing himself tens of millions of dollars. It had been tossed around that the Nationals right fielder would be the recipient of a 10-year contract worth upwards of $400 million once his current deals expired at the end of this season, but Harper’s play has been uninspiring in many respects this season. He is hitting a meager .219 and has already nearly surpassed his strikeout total from a year ago. Sure, he will make a fortune this winter, but I am not positive he will receive a record-setting contract.
10. I think the Mavericks will compete for a playoff berth this year. With the addition of DeAndre Jordan, the selection of Luka Dončić, and the recovery of Wes Matthews, I expect Dallas to be right in the thick of things with Rick Carlisle leading the charge.
