TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015 SPORTS LeBron leads Cavaliers as 70th season opens

WASHINGTON: Superstar playmaker that, then I’m optimistic I’ll be able to we’re really concerned with is just return date is unknown. Iman Warriors’ Australian big man Andrew LeBron James sparks the NBA’s high- go,” James said. “I’m trying to listen to becoming a good team right now.” Shumpert underwent right wrist sur- Bogut plays down. “Most of the com- est-paid lineup in his quest of a long- the training staff and not be hard James made his fifth NBA Finals gery and is out until late December. ments made by us were tongue in sought title for his hometown headed, and I’m going with them.” appearance in a row last June, the first Timofey Mozgov has a sore right knee cheek, just joking around,” Bogut Cleveland Cavaliers when the league Plenty is expected from James this four with the Miami Heat before jump- after an off-season operation. wrote in an NBA blog. “We didn’t take opens its 70th season today. season as Las Vegas oddsmakers have ing back to the club he spurned in Anderson Varejao is working on fitness it too seriously. It’s just interesting But the $115 million squad will be made the Cavaliers 5-2 favorites to 2010 for the South Florida sun. The after Achilles tendon surgery last hearing it from a team that hasn’t challenged to lift the trophy next June claim the title and 53.6 percent of NBA four-time NBA Most Valuable Player December. Kevin Love must regain been there.” The Spurs, seeking their by a handful of top foes, most notably general managers think the Cavaliers and two-time champion was undone form after off-season surgery to repair second crown in three seasons, com- the team that scuttled their champi- will win the crown. by injuries to teammates, unable to a dislocated left shoulder. bine Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and onship dreams four months ago, the “All the predictions and prognosti- carry the team to glory, and injuries Golden State, expected to repeat as Tim Duncan with newcomer LaMarcus Golden State Warriors. Opening night cations, it doesn’t mean a whole lot,” still weigh upon Cleveland four the Western Conference champions, Aldridge for another run at the top features Cleveland at Chicago and Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. months later. boast the same veteran lineup led by while Oklahoma City expects Kevin Golden State unfurling a champi- “Certainly we can be a contender, but “Internally, the motivation for us is sharpshooter Steph Curry that pro- Durant and Russell Westbrook to be onship banner against visiting New beyond that? I don’t think we’ve got to not repeat what happened last year, duced a club-record 67 wins last sea- healthy from the start as they seek a Orleans. the right to talk too much about more which is to get so close, but not be son. The question for the Warriors is return to the NBA Finals. Add James The Cavaliers remain nagged by than that. able to seal the deal,” said Cleveland’s can they become a dynasty. Los Harden-led Houston and the West injuries as they were in the final, only “We’re not even talking about that James Jones. “So we’re excited for the Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers again figures to be tough. this time it’s 30-year-old James with a right now. We’re talking about how we opportunity.” teased that they had luck to win the Cleveland’s reign in the East could sore back who is questionable. can get everybody on the same page, Kyrie Irving didn’t practice after sur- Western Conference last year without be tested by Central division rival “We feel like we’re progressing real- get all our players back, work hard and gery to repair the left kneecap he frac- facing his club or San Antonio and a Chicago as well as the Toronto Raptors ly well and if we can continue to do try to make day-to-day progress. What tured in game one of the final. His pre-season war of words erupted, one and Atlanta Hawks.—AFP NBA Eastern NBA Western Conference Conference team team capsules for 2015-16 LOS ANGELES: Western Conference capsule team previews for the 2015-16 NBA capsules for 2015-16 season that tips off today (in predicted order of finish by division): Northwest Division LOS ANGELES: Eastern Conference capsule team previews for the 2015-16 Thunder, Jazz, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Trail Blazers NBA season that tips off today (in predicted order of finish by division): • Oklahoma City Thunder - With Kevin Durant back from injury and new coach Billy Donovan at the helm Atlantic Division the Thunder look set to improve on last season’s 45-37 run that wasn’t good Raptors, Celtics, Nets, Knicks, 76ers enough to make the playoffs in the West three years after they reached the NBA Toronto Raptors Finals. The efforts of a healthy Durant and prolific point guard Russell Wilson should After racing to a surprising 37-17 start last season, the Raptors had a 12- see the Thunder back in the post-season. 16 finish en route to a 49-33 season and were swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the . The addition of Cory Joseph • Utah Jazz - from San Antonio should help the Raptors’ sluggish ball movement and The emergence of towering French center Rudy Gobert as a defensive force Kyle Lowry’s pre-season form has been impressive. helped propel the Jazz to 38-44 last season. But with Dante Exum rehabbing a knee injury and a youthful lineup it’s not clear if Utah, who won 20 of their last 31 games, • - can pick up where they left off. The Celtics made the playoffs last season with a late push to a 40-42 record in coach Brad Stevens’ second campaign, but lack of star power - could hinder their efforts to go further in the post-season. • Minnesota’s young team-including the past two number one draft picks in Karl- • Brooklyn Nets - Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins-opens the season under a pall after the death The high spending aimed at fulfilling Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s from cancer of coach Flip Saunders. bold 2010 guarantee that the Nets would win an NBA title by 2015 is over. It will be up to interim coach Sam Mitchell and veteran to keep But while the Nets may find it hard to produce much offensive pop, they things steady, help Wiggins build on last season’s rookie of the year campaign and still harbor hopes of bettering their 38-44 record of last season and reach- hopefully see an improvement on last year’s 16-66 record. ing the playoffs for a fourth straight time. • Denver Nuggets - • New York Knicks - Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay-who opted to hone his skills pre-NBA in China, Coaching great Phil Jackson has yet to turn things around as an execu- rather than a US college-is being touted as a rookie of the year contender and new tive, and draft pick Kristaps Porzingis won’t be an immediate difference- coach Mike Malone is out to shake the Nuggets out of the 30-52 malaise of last sea- maker. At least a healthy Carmelo Anthony might help them improve on a son. club-worst 17-65 campaign. • Portland Trail Blazers - • Philadelphia 76ers - Star point guard Damian Lillard finds himself surrounded by a new supporting With center Joel Embiid expected to miss a second straight season after cast after an all-change off-season. Four of the five starters that led Portland to a another foot surgery, there’s little light at the end of the tunnel for the 51-31 record and first-round playoff appearance have departed including LaMarcus 76ers. With little prospect of much improvement on last season’s 18-64 Aldridge as a free agent to San Antonio. record, they will be hoping young players Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor will be able to develop even as the defeats pile up. Pacific Division Warriors, Clippers, Suns, Kings, Lakers Central Division Golden State Warriors Cavaliers, Bulls, Bucks, Pacers, Pistons Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Co. return to try to replicate Cleveland Cavaliers- a dazzling 67-15 campaign capped by a Finals triumph that ended a 40-year title Superstar LeBron James will again be the key as he tries to take the drought. The absence of head coach Steve Kerr because of complications from Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals and-this time-all the way to a title. Improving on a 53-29 mark will be of no consolation if the Cavs don’t go all PORTLAND: In this March 22, 2011, file photo, Washington Wizards head back surgery is the only dark spot on the Warriors horizon apart, of course, from all the way. coach Flip Saunders shouts at an official in the second quarter of an NBA bas- the teams anxious to prove their sensational run to the crown was a fluke. ketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers. —AP • Chicago Bulls • Los Angeles Clippers - New coach Fred Hoiberg faces a challenge with early season injuries, After flirting with the Mavericks, free agent DeAndre Jordan opted to return to with Derrick Rose on the mend from a broken orbital bone and Mike the Clippers, who followed up a 56-26 regular season with another disappointing Dunleavy sidelined after back surgery. T’wolves coach playoff exit in the West. With Jordan set to produce again alongside Chris Paul and His up-tempo approach will also require adjustment from big men Pau Blake Griffin, newly acquired Paul Pierce brings the grit that could help Doc Rivers’ Gasol and Joakim Noah as they seek to improve a 50-32 record. Saunders dies team make it further. • Milwaukee Bucks - • Phoenix Suns - The Bucks will try to build on 41-41 season in which their unexpected Newly arrived Tyson Chandler should be a steadying presence on defense and in run to the playoffs under new coach Jason Kidd owed much to the stingiest NEW YORK: Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball opera- the locker room-where the stage is set for drama after Markieff Morris’s objections defense in the East. tions and head coach Flip Saunders has died at the age of 60 after a to the Suns’ decision to trade his twin brother, Marcus. If the Suns can keep things battle with cancer, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team on an even keel, a breakout season for 25-year-old guard Eric Bledsoe could see • Indiana Pacers - said on Sunday. them improve on last year’s 39-43 campaign. The Pacers welcome Paul George back afer a year-long injury absence, “It is with extreme sadness that the Minnesota Timberwolves today but he is still adjusting to a new role at power forward. If he can thrive learned that Phil ‘Flip’ Saunders, who served as the team’s President of • Sacramento Kings - there, and if George Hill and Monta Ellis produce offensively, the Pacers A restocked roster-including the addition of Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and could find themselves better than last season’s 38-44 and back in the post- Basketball Operations and Head Coach, in addition to being a minori- ty owner of the team, passed away today at age 60,” the team said in a Caron Butler-gives coach George Karl plenty of options in his stated goal of reach- season. ing .500 a season after the Kings finished 29-53. statement. • Saunders, a veteran of 17 NBA seasons who posted a career record • Los Angeles Lakers - Center Andre Drummond will be in the spotlight in new coach and pres- of 654-592, was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer of the Kobe Bryant’s likely final season will look much the same as the previous two as ident ’s revamped roster. Sweeping personnel changes immune system, in June. the aging star fights fatigue and tries to avoid another season-ending injury. Bryant could see the Pistons better last season’s 32-50 mark, but it could be too The longtime coach said in August when the team announced his soon for the new-look lineup to put the Pistons back in the playoffs for the will have some new young talent around him, but it probably won’t be enough to first time since 2009. health issues that doctors called his condition a “very treatable and prevent the Lakers — 21-61 last season-from missing the playoffs for a third curable form of cancer.” straight season. Southeast Division He took a leave of absence from the NBA team in September after Hawks, Wizards, Heat, Hornets, Magic complications arose following chemotherapy treatments. Southwest Division Atlanta Hawks - The team promoted associate head coach Sam Mitchell to interim Spurs, Rockets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Mavericks San Antonio Spurs - The Hawks will try to build on the an impressive 60-26 campaign that head coach and expanded general manager Milt Newton’s duties • LaMarcus Aldridge arrives to share the load with aging stars Tim Duncan, Tony marked club’s first 60-win season. The re-signing of Paul Millsap will aid that until Saunders’ return. cause, as will the arrival of ex-Spur Tiago Splitter. But the departure via free Parker and Manu Ginobili. With Kahwi Leonard still developing, the Spurs look set agency of DeMarre Carroll leaves a void and the Hawks could be hard- Saunders coached the Timberwolves for 11 seasons in two separate for another playoff run, even if coach Gregg Popovich’s habit of resting key players pressed to again finish with the best record in the East. stints. He also coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. when he deems necessary means they might not be looking at improving on last He began his NBA coaching career in 1996 with the Timberwolves season’s 55-27 regular-season mark. • Washington Wizards - and led the team to eight playoff appearances in a row. After being The departure of 37-year-old Paul Pierce helps open the door for a faster fired by Minnesota in 2005, Saunders joined the Pistons for the next • Houston Rockets - paced offense, although his resolve in clutch situations could be missed. season and steered them to the conference finals three times. The addition of Ty Lawson gives Houston a playmaker to complement James The backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal is one of the best in the league Saunders coached the Wizards for three seasons before returning Harden-provided Lawson overcomes personal issues that led to two drunk driving and a key asset as the Wizards seek to improve on last season’s 46-36 record arrests. With big man Dwight Howard healthy the Rockets, who parlayed a 56-26 and second-round playoff showing. to the T-Wolves in 2013 as team president and part-owner. He took over again as coach last season to direct a major rebuilding of a season to a surprise run to the West finals, could go deep again. young team that finished 16-66. Tributes flowed in from the basket- • Miami Heat - • Memphis Grizzlies - After a disappointing 37-45 campaign, Miami at last have the lineup ball community after the news broke of Saunders’ death. The Grizzlies’ physical, inside style will again rely on the front court pair of Marc they wanted in February, when they acquired Goran Dragic only for Chris The Pistons released a statement which read, in part: “He will be Gasol and Zach Randolph, who led the Grizz to a 55-27 record and the Western Bosh to be sidelined by blood clots. Bosh is back, but veteran Dwyane remembered by Pistons fans as one of the franchise’s most successful Conference semi-finals-where the old-school body-banging game couldn’t keep Wade remains a question mark after missing 20 games last season and the head coaches-leading the club to three consecutive Eastern Golden State at bay. Heat will likely again have to manage his time to keep him healthy for a playoff push. Conference Finals appearances and a franchise-record 64 wins in 2005-06.” • New Orleans Pelicans - • Charlotte Hornets - NBA great LeBron James tweeted: “Lost a great person in our frater- New Pelicans coach , tasked with improving on a 45-37 season, has The Hornets will be coping for at least six months without top defensive nity way too early.” James’ team mate Kevin Love, who played under long been an advocate of fast-paced offenses and the exciting Anthony Davis player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who needed surgery on a shoulder injury suf- Saunders in Minnesota, also reacted on Twitter. should thrive in his system, which will also play to the strengths of three-point shooter Ryan Anderson. fered in the pre-season. It’s a blow for a team that made moves to bolster “Flip you were one of a kind,” said Love. “Great basketball mind and an indifferent offense that ranked near the bottom of the NBA in most cate- even better human being. You had a great impact on my life personal- gories as the Hornets plummeted from a playoff team to a lottery outfit. • Dallas Mavericks - ly and professionally.” The Mavericks’ big plans for improving on a 50-32 campaign that ended with a • Orlando Magic - Former NBA player , a friend of Saunders, first-round playoff exit were scuppered when free agent DeAndre Jordan backed New coach Scott Skiles will have the task of developing a starting lineup recalled their final conversation. “He was so looking forward to the out of a commitment to Dallas to re-sign with the Clippers. with an average age of 24. His priorities will include cutting down turnovers future,” Thompson said. “That’s why this is so heartbreaking to see New signing Wesley Matthews was still recovering from an Achilles injury as the and inspiring his players to attack on offense in a bid to better last season’s him gone so soon, way too young ... this does not feel right. He had season approached and veteran Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki could find it tough sled- 25-57 record. —AFP so much more to give.”—Reuters ding in north Texas.—AFP