If nothing else, the champion Warriors are refreshing. And revolutionary. NBA traditionalists can no longer say a jump-shooting team can’t win a championship, because it’s now been done.
And I thought LeBron James handled defeat in The Finals with class in the final seconds. How would Michael Jordan deal with it? He was so good we’ll never know.
But enough about last this season.
As of this morning it’s all about Tropical Storm Bill, next week’s NBA Draft, an impending summer of free agency featuring available stars like LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan and Kawhi Leonard, and the 2016 season starting in 4.5 months.
Golden State likely will return the majority of its roster, LeBron’s supporting cast should get healthy and those two will again be favorites to meet in the NBA Finals a year from now. Which leaves the Mavericks … where exactly?
While early Las Vegas odds have established the Cavs (9/4), Warriors (5/1) and Thunder (5/1) as 2016 favorites, way down the list resides the in-limbo Mavericks at a whopping 40/1. Puts them in the middle of the pack, well behind the Spurs (12/1) and Rockets (20/1) but nearly as ridiculous of a long-shot as the likes of the Hornets and Sixers, both 200/1.
Since we have zero idea who will be the team’s starting backcourt next season, I’d suggest it’s a tad early to plunk down any futures money on the Mavs. But that’s just me.
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The latest news from around North Texas.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
