The Blazers are among teams that can set the pace this season. The team has everything to gain a foothold among the leaders of the league and compete for more than the first round of the playoffs. The club’s management competently dealt with unnecessary players, while Carmelo Anthony was given a contract for “minimal salaries”. Also worth noting is the exchange of Trevor Ariza for Robert Covington, which is also a wonderful transfer. Portland won only one game during the preseason matches, but now it will be a completely different game, especially since a serious opponent is coming to visit, which clearly will not allow to play half-strength.
Atlanta also lacked defense and offensive effectiveness last season, but added Chris Dunn, Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovich and rookie Onuek Okongwa to the offseason. Teamwork and the distribution of roles are still in question, but John Collins has already noted that the arrival of veterans increased the intensity of training and forced the young to work on defense so as not to be embarrassed every day. Atlanta now even surpasses Chicago in line-up and in terms of the quality of involving players in the right roles, it can also be better than its rival. Hawks is eager to show off their new weapon and killer second five with Gallinari and Bogdanovich.
