This is officially the final season preview in the final season of This A Good Ass Game. Our philosophy at Full Sass of course, if its to be done at any sass level, then it must be done to its fullest, and unfortunately I don’t have the time (or the manpower) to keep this site going. I did however, find it crucial to give it one last go just for old time’s sake. So for the final time, I bring you this season’s most compelling NBA story lines, A-Z for the 2018-2019 season–the abbreviated version.

Are the Golden State Warriors going join the short list of dynasty and get that 3-peat?Whether or not they hoist that trophy up again depends on their role players and how healthy they are heading into the playoffs.

Boston’s Depth. They go ten deep this year. Eastern Conference is theirs for the taking. I’d be shocked if they didn’t make the NBA Finals.

Competitive Balance or nah? Lebron and Kawhi moving eastward opens up a vacuum in the Eastern Conference. Who wants it?

Denver finally will get into the playoffs. But everyone will be too stoned to care.

End of an Era. Only two active players left who were drafted in the 90’s. Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter.

Folks were sleeping on the Spurs, and maybe they were right to be. Who knew their backcourt would get ravaged with injuries before the season even began?

Grizzlies got their fangs back? On paper they got some good players, but what happens if Mike Conley and Marc Gasol get hurt again? And they are still paying Chandler Parsons just to practice.

Houston regresses, but only slightly (of course this changes if they somehow trade for Jimmy Butler). They got slower, and older,but at least they got rid of Ryan Anderson’s contract.

Indiana won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. 

Jamal Crawford getting signed this season? Philly? Golden State? Indiana?Portland?Houston? Anyone?

Kawhi’s new home or just a jump off?

Lebron’s new locker room. Lavar Ball, Javale McGee, Rajon Rondo, Michael Beasley, and Lance Stephenson all in the same locker room? I’m all in on this.

Mavericks finally entertaining again (and I’m not talking about the off the court lawsuits). Luka Donkic might be this generation’s Andre Miller (and believe me that is not meant as a diss).

New Orleans is about to feel the heat. Anthony Davis signing with Klutch sports? He is good ass gone.

Opportunity knocks for Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee. Bucks made a great pick with Mike B. for their head coach. And yes I still think Jason Kidd can still be a good head coach somewhere.

Playing time for Nerlens Noel. I hope he can parlay this into a big contract. Don’t mess this up Nerlens.

Quiet Loans Arena…………..crickets…crickets………Kevin Love is about to experience some Deja Vu as his career is going to bookend with a bunch of L’s and empty stats.

Rookie of the Year goes to……… of Deandre Ayton, Luka Donkey-Kong, Marvin Bagley, and Jaren Jackson, Jackson is the only one with a legit shot to see playing time in April. My dark horse money is on the son of a former Spur.

Sixers will disappoint this season. Their bench is thin and are you really sure that Fultz, Simmons, or Embiid can stay healthy the entire year all at the same time? Yea me neither.

Thibs’ is f*$kin’ up! NBA front offices, do yourselves a favor: No more dual roles for head coaches. It just doesn’t work.

Utah is worth hating on again. Greyson Allen and Quin Snyder are both Dukies. Rudy Gobert is French, and Joe Ingles looks like some average schlub at the 24 hour fitness court. I do mess with Donovan “Spidey” Mitchell though. That dude goes hard.

Vince Carter can still contribute to a playoff contender. Philly, or Miami should trade for him if they can swing it.

Will this finally be the year the Trailblazers fans revolt?  Paul Allen died today so I don’t want to speak ill of the dead……..BUT Portland fans have been so happy just to have a team that they have no standards. As long as Blazers fans are simply  satisfied just o make the playoffs and get knocked out in the second round, then ownership will never have an incentive to field a championship roster.

X-ray results of my ankles. Am I ever going to be able to play full court basketball again? Tune in next week on the next episode of Kaiser’s Crusades.

Youthful Injection. Kevin Durant was in the 2007 draft and is considered a vet. Only four active players are left from the legendary draft of 2003. The NBA has gotten younger and there is a whole wave of young studs ready to fill that vacuum after this Warriors and Celtics championship wave is finished. [Eye’s Wide Open Emoji]

Zhaire Smith’s bad luck. I had high hopes for the swingman out of Texas Tech. I desperately wanted him to fall to the Spurs. Philadelphia drafted him, and he’s gotten all kinds of bad luck and freak injuries since. Poor guy. Get better soon Zhaire. Best of luck!

 

[Update 10/16/18] Pre-Season Predictions

 

Eastern Conference

1.Boston

2. Toronto

3. Indiana

4. Milwaukee

5. Philadelphia

6. Washington

7. Miami

8. New York

 

Western Conference

1. Houston

2.Golden State

3.Utah

4.Los Angeles

5.Portland

6.Memphis

7.Denver

8.San Antonio

 

MVP: Lebron James

Rookie Of The Year: Jaren Jackson

Sixth Man of the Year: Dirk Nowitzki

Most Improved Player: Markelle Fultz

Eastern Conference Finals: Indiana vs Boston

Western Conference Finals: Houston vs Golden State

NBA Finals: Golden State vs. Boston 

NBA Champs: Golden State (winners in seven)

 

Enjoy this season folks. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

BM

  Bobby Mickey is the alter ego of writer and poet Edward Austin Robertson. When he isn’t involved in some basketball related activity, actively looking for parties to deejay or venues to perform comedy, he can be found in the KDVS studios making on air playlists. For booking inquiries, send contact info to thisagoodassgame@gmail.com