It's less than a month before the 2019-20 NBA season kicks off, and making the long wait bearable — although it has the opposite effect for some — are the scheduled Media Day events.
Players get to show off their new threads and best kicks, as well as directly address the press directly before the season starts. And with how crazy the recent offseason went, fans were dying to hear from their favorite superstars.
The first look at each rejigged squad offers a legitimate sneak peek of what to expect from the initial Media Day batch:
Sacramento Kings
After being the league's laughingstock for almost two decades, Sactown showed some real promise last season. The Kings were fourth overall in three-point percentage (37.8) and finished with a 39-43 win-loss record, just outside the playoffs in a wild Western Conference. With the multi-titled Luke Walton at the helm, De'Aaron Fox and Co. are poised for their best campaign in recent history.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers had one of the lowkey better free agency hauls in TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jeremy Lamb. This also softened the blow of losing Thaddeus Young (Bulls), Darren Collison (retirement), and Bojan Bogdanovic (Jazz). Despite having the talented frontcourt of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, Indiana can only go so far as to where post-injury Victor Oladipo takes them.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors who remained are fully aware that the odds are stacked against them in their looming title defense — this time without their best player. Likewise, Kyle Lowry knows full well that he has to do more than just be a leader for Toronto to even put up a fight in this predatory basketball landscape. If there's something to get excited about Toronto, the team is bringing these unis back:
Houston Rockets
File this photo under: "Reunions We Seriously Didn't Think Were Possible." We aren't the only ones excited to see if Houston's ungodly combination of league leaders in usage rate will explode or implode. Who should be the Rockets' primary ball handler? Which former MVP should take the last shot? Who chokes out the other first? We're so ready for this swaggy Russell Westbrook-James Harden season.
Brooklyn Nets
Perhaps the biggest tease of Media Day is the Nets' 2020-21 NBA season. Kevin Durant in a Brooklyn jersey is such a bittersweet sight, even more so when Kyrie Irving joined him for one of the photos. Uncle Drew with DeAndre Jordan, Caris Levert, Jarrett Allen, and Spencer Dinwiddie could certainly make some noise in the East, but fans need to temper their expectations until KD returns [to form].
Los Angeles Lakers
Redemption will be the theme for the Purple and Gold in the upcoming season, from its biggest stars (LeBron James, Anthony Davis) to the supporting cast (Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, Danny Green). On paper, the roster is well-constructed to Bron's style of play as compared to 2018-19's Suicide Squad. All eyes will be on the Lakers if their vaunted shooting, size, and overall talent translate on the court.
Also, this photo almost gave us a heart attack:
Los Angeles Clippers
Amid much fanfare, it's hard to project their level of success without watching them play an actual game. This side of Los Angeles is said to have made the biggest catch this summer, but doubts swirl around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George's collective health. On the flipside, though, they still have the luxury of the gritty Clippers core and a great coaching mind in Doc Rivers that pushed the Warriors.
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