The Dunkyard continues its look at each teams champs & chumps – those who played above expectations as well as those who struggled to make an impact. We conclude with the cream of the crop, the contenders:

Utah (48-34, lost 4-1 to Houston)

Champs: The off-season departure of Gordon Hayward had many, including The Dunkyard, condemning Utah to a losing season. Instead the Jazz, led by rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell¹ (20.5-3.7-3.7-1.5, 33.4mpg, 43.7% FG, 34.0% 3FG, 16.7 PER) and DPOY Rudy Gobert (13.5-10.7-1.4, 2.3bpg, 62.2% FG, 20.7 PER), closed the season on a 29-6 tear and a first-round upset of more fancied Oklahoma City.

Also helping the Jazz cause was a career-best season from Joe Ingles (11.5-4.2-4.8-1.1, 46.7% FG, 44.0% 3FG, 14.4 PER) who developed into one of Utah’s primary playmakers and a career-best shooting season² from Ricky Rubio (13.1-4.6-5.3-1.6, 41.8% FG, 35.2% 3FG, 15.4 PER).

(¹ Donovan Mitchell had a very good rookie season and if Playoff performance was a consideration in the “Rookie of the Year” award I might have handed him the award myself. But it’s not. The award is for the regular season only and if you think that Mitchell had a better regular season than Ben Simmons then you didn’t watch enough of their games)

(² Rubio’s previous best shooting? 40.2% FG in 2016-17 and 34.0% 3FG in 2011-12. His career averages prior to the season? 37.5% FG, 31.5% 3FG)

Chumps: After trading Rodney Hood for him mid-season Utah would’ve been hoping for more from Jae Crowder (11.8-3.8-1.5, 38.6% FG, 31.6% 3FG, 10.8 PER). Despite still being efficient Derrick Favors (12.3-7.2-1.3, 1.1bpg, 56.3% FG, 18.8 PER) continues to frustrate. One of the best young bigs in the league as little as two years ago his game, as well as his confidence, has regressed.

2018-219 Outlook: By re-signing their own free agents in Dante Exum, Derrick Favors and Raul Neto the Jazz have decided to bet on themselves. Utah will count on the addition of polarising Duke star Grayson Allen via the draft and continued internal development in order to keep improving. As long as the second-year blues (it’s a real phenomenon) don’t strike Mitchell Utah should have no issues claiming a playoff berth next season.

New Orleans (48-34, lost 4-1 to Golden State)

Champs: When DeMarcus Cousins (25.2-12.9-5.4-1.6-1.6, 47.0% FG, 35.4% 3FG, 22.6 PER) snapped his Achilles after 48 games it appeared the Pelicans playoff hopes snapped with it. Instead they traded for Nikola Mirotic (14.6-8.2-1.4, 42.7% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 16.3 PER), watched Anthony Davis (28.1-11.1-2.3-1.5-2.6, 53.4% FG, 28.9 PER) hit MVP-level, finish the season 20-8 and sweep Portland 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Only the Golden State juggernaut ended their run.

After claiming Jrue Holiday didn’t have it in him earlier this season he proved me wrong by enjoying one the better seasons of his career (19.0-4.5-6.0-1.5, 49.4% FG, 33.7% 3FG, 17.8 PER) before dominating Portland’s self-proclaimed “Best backcourt in the NBA” (27.8-4.0-6.5-1.3, 56.8% FG, 35.0% 3FG). Well played Mr Holiday, well played.

Chumps: If New Orleans could play their five best players 48-minutes per game this team could challenge the NBA elite. Unfortunately this isn’t possible, instead they’re forced to play heavy minutes to the undeserving. Darius Miller (7.8-2.0-1.4, 23.7mpg, 44.4% FG, 41.1% 3FG, 9.3 PER) and Dante Cunningham (5.0-3.8, 21.9mpg, 44.0% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 8.4 PER) should only be played when you’re 20 points up in the 4th quarter, while Ian Clark (7.4-1.7-1.5, 19.7mpg, 44.8% FG, 31.8% 3FG, 9.4 PER) is the first of many ex-Warriors that will fool a team into thinking riding a championship bench translates to on-court production.

2018-19 Outlook: Only time will tell if the late season surge was a temporary run of form or a permanent sign of things to come for New Orleans. For the sake of the franchise let us hope for the latter – MVP-calibre players like Anthony Davis need to be in the playoffs every year. Prior to this season there was a ‘Kevin Garnett in Minnesota’ feel to this situation.

The Pelicans have already been active in free agency bringing in Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton to replace the departing DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo. I like both these deals for New Orleans, especially Randle who has the potential to make this the signing of the season.

Philadelphia (52-30, lost 4-1 to Boston)

Champs: After four long, torturous seasons 76ers fans were finally rewarded for trusting the process. The team rode a 16-game win streak into the playoffs before falling to Boston in the second round with franchise cornerstones Joel Embiid (22.9-11.0-3.2, 1.8bpg, 48.3% FG, 30.8% 3FG, 22.9 PER) and ROY Ben Simmons (15.8-8.1-8.2-1.7, 54.5% FG, 20.0 PER) providing more than just hope for the future.

With a dominant post player and a pass-first PG this is the perfect team for a specialist shooter and J.J. Redick (17.1-2.5-3.0, 46.0% FG, 42.0% 3FG, 15.9 PER) is just that, while Dario Saric (14.6-6.7-2.6, 45.3% FG, 39.3% 3FG, 15.8 PER) is quietly developing into the perfect third-wheel.

Chumps: Despite some encouraging signs, including a triple-double, during his return for the final 10 regular season games Markelle Fultz (7.1-3.1-3.8, 40.5% FG, 12.4 PER) can only be described as a failure in his first season, especially considering how well the player he was traded for, Jayson Tatum, performed for the Celtics. I still feel confident, presuming any injuries are fully healed, that Fultz can play a massive part in any future Philadelphia success, although should there be any lingering physical and/or mental issues we might be looking at one of the big NBA “What if’s?” of recent memory.

2018-19 Outlook: The off-season got off to a less than ideal start with the comical resignation of Team President Bryan Colangelo however interim President, coach Brett Brown, showed he took notes from Sam Hinkie in fleecing Phoenix on draft night by swapping Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith and Miami’s unprotected 2021 first round pick – it’s not a stretch to envisage in three years time the Eastern Conference’s best team has a top-3 draft pick.

While the Sixers were probably never serious contenders in the LeBron sweepstakes they have re-signed Redick to a one-year deal, signed the under-appreciated Nemanja Bjelica from Minnesota and remain one of the more likely trade scenarios for Kawhi Leonard.

Toronto (59-23, lost 4-0 to Cleveland)

Champs: While not up to the career peaks of their 2016-17 seasons DeMar DeRozan (23.0-3.9-5.2-1.1, 45.6% FG, 31.2% 3FG, 21.0 PER) and Kyle Lowry (16.2-5.6-6.9-1.1, 42.7% FG, 39.9% 3FG, 19.5 PER) still gave Toronto two All-Stars in 2018, however the main reason for the Raptors ascension to the No. 1 seed was the play of their bench. Fred VanVleet (8.6-2.4-3.2, 42.6% FG, 41.4% 3FG, 15.9 PER), Delon Wright (8.0-2.9-2.9-1.0, 46.5% FG, 36.6% 3FG, 16.5 PER), Pascal Siakam (7.3-4.5-2.0, 50.8% FG, 14.5 PER), Jakob Poeltl (6.9-4.8, 1.2 bpg, 65.9% FG, 17.5 PER) and C.J. Miles (10.0-2.2, 37.9% FG, 36.1% 3FG, 13.0 PER) formed the best bench unit in the NBA.

Chumps: There wasn’t much not to like during the regular season however that quickly changed as Toronto turned into “LeBronto” during a 4-0 sweep at the hands of their nemesis. DeRozan (16.8-4.0-2.8, 43.9% FG, 0-9 3FG) and the wildly overpaid Serge Ibaka (8.5-4.3, 39.3% FG) were the main disappointments in the series while the bench unit lacked both the experience and confidence to make a real difference under increased playoff pressure.

2018-19 Outlook: After another disappointing playoff exit it seems the only casualty is coach Dwane Casey who, despite claiming Coach of the Year honours, has been replaced by assistant Nick Nurse. The Raptors seem to be intent on entering the new season with basically the same roster and while the hope is that a new coach may unleash a criminally underused Jonas Valanciunas it’s the mental scars from playoffs past that will need to be dealt with.

Boston (55-27, lost 4-3 to Cleveland)

Champs: Never mind Gordon Hayward’s opening night tragedy, when Kyrie Irving (24.4-3.8-5.1-1.1, 49.1% FG, 40.8% 3FG, 25.0 PER) was ruled out of the playoffs with knee complications it seemed that all hope of an extended playoff run was lost with it. Instead the Celtics young players took over the team and led Boston to within a game of the NBA Finals. While the regular season production of Jayson Tatum (13.9-5.0-1.6, 47.5% FG, 43.4% 3FG, 15.3 PER), Jaylen Brown (14.5-4.9-1.6, 46.5% FG, 39.5% 3FG, 13.6 PER) and Terry Rozier (11.3-4.7-2.9, 39.5% FG, 38.1% 3FG, 15.1 PER) was impressive enough, it was the playoff performances that made the rest of the NBA take notice – the thought of having Tatum (18.5-4.4-2.7-1.2, 47.1% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 16.2 PER), Brown (18.0-4.8-1.4, 46.6% FG, 39.3% 3FG, 16.0 PER) and Rozier (16.5-5.3-5.7-1.3, 40.6% FG, 34.7% 3FG, 17.3 PER) around for the next decade will put a smile on Celtics fans everywhere.

Chumps: I appreciate Marcus Smart (10.2-3.5-4.8-1.3, 36.7% FG, 30.1% 3FG, 10.8 PER) as a defensive presence and energy guy off the bench. I do not appreciate much else about him, especially giving him 29.9mpg. Brad Stevens should be looking to use him around 15mpg, much like he does Semi Ojeleye (2.7-2.2, 15.8mpg, 34.6% FG, 32.0% 3FG, 4.6 PER) who doesn’t look much like an NBA player at the moment and could do with some time in the G-League.

2018-19 Outlook: GM Danny Ainge has been the man with the golden touch over the last few years and I’m interested to see how he approaches a couple of large pending decisions. Marcus Smart is currently a restricted free agent meaning Boston can choose to match any offer for him, however I would be wary of matching anything above the $10-12m mark considering his limitations. In addition Rozier is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be seeking a large extension sooner rather than later – but how much do you offer a player that, behind Kyrie Irving, will be no more than a backup PG?

Houston (65-17, lost 4-3 to Golden State)

Champs: Remember when everybody was worried that James Harden & Chris Paul couldn’t play together? Well, Paul (18.6-5.4-7.9-1.7, 46.0% FG, 38.0% 3FG, 24.4 PER) fitted in seamlessly as Harden (30.4-5.4-8.8-1.8, 44.9% FG, 36.7% 3FG, 29.8 PER) claimed MVP honours during the winningest season in Rockets history. Had it not been for Paul’s paper-mache hamstrings during the Western Conference Finals we may have had another title in ‘Clutch City’.

The secret to the Rockets success is the play of Clint Capela (13.9-10.8, 1.9bpg, 65.2% FG, 24.5 PER) who is the perfect rim-running, defensive-switching, shot-blocking center to allow the teams other stars to flourish. If he improves his conditioning to increase his current 27.5mpg then there is no doubt he’ll become an All-Star.

Chumps: With the additions of P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute to stalwart Trevor Ariza Houston made a concerted effort to improve their frontcourt defence which is the writing on the wall for the allergic-to-defence Ryan Anderson (9.3-5.0, 43.1% FG, 38.6% 3FG, 12.6 PER). As the season progressed Anderson saw more and more of the bench and was almost completely frozen out of the playoff rotation (1.7-1.2, 11 games, 8.6mpg, 35.0% FG, 33.3% 3FG, 7.0 PER).

The late season addition of 36-year old “Iso” Joe Johnson (6.0-2.8-1.7, 38.1% FG, 27.9% 3FG, 6.8 PER) did not have the impact the team and the fans would have been hoping for.

2018-19 Outlook: Trevor Ariza’s 42min, 0pt, 0-9 3FG performance in Game 7 versus Golden State makes his departure to Phoenix a little easier to swallow. Houston have re-signed Paul to a max contract as they look to take advantage of this current championship window but will need to lock up restricted free agent Capela as soon as possible. There’s rumours of the Rockets interest in Carmelo Anthony should he be bought out from his OKC contract – this would have the potential to either complete the championship puzzle or completely derail years of hard work.

Cleveland (50-32, lost 4-0 to Golden State)

Champs: This team experienced more drama than ‘The Bold & The Beautiful’ during the season with the one constant being the “carry the team on my back” play of Lebron James (27.5-8.6-9.1-1.4, 54.2% FG, 36.7% 3FG, 28.6 PER). When he wasn’t injured Kevin Love (17.6-9.3-1.7, 45.8% FG, 41.5% 3FG, 22.4 PER) assisted as best as he could. Unfortunately, after the Bikini Atoll-like blow up of the roster mid-season the only real success was Larry Nance Jr. (8.9-7.0-1.0-1.2, 20.8mpg, 55.0% FG, 21.5 PER)

Chumps: We all remember his inexplicable brain-fade at the end of Game 1 of the finals but the truth is J.R. Smith (8.3-2.9-1.8, 28.1mpg, 40.3% FG, 37.5% 3FG, 8.5 PER) was disappointing all season. Injuries and scandal in his private life reduced Tristan Thompson (5.8-6.6, 56.2% FG, 13.6 PER) to a shell of a man while their top prize in the trade bonanza, Rodney Hood (10.8-2.6-1.4, 44.2% FG, 35.2% 3FG, 12.7 PER), had more in common with a booby prize.

2018-19 Outlook: It’s not often a team fresh off the back of an NBA Finals appearance has such a bleak outlook. Not only does the departure of LeBron to LA prove lightning can indeed strike twice, it relegates Cleveland to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and a full rebuild. With Jeff Green already off to greener pastures, the likelihood of a Kevin Love trade looming and the prized Brooklyn draft pick netting only Collin Sexton at No. 8 it’s going to be a long few seasons ahead for Cleveland fans….well, those that haven’t also left for LA.

Golden State (58-24, NBA Champions)

Champs: Neutral NBA fans hoping for an end to this Warriors juggernaut were teased throughout the season with Curry’s injury concerns, the failure to claim home court advantage and falling behind 3-2 to Houston. In the end this team and its four All-Stars were just too good. Steph Curry (26.4-5.1-6.1-1.6, 49.5% FG, 42.3% 3FG, 28.2 PER) and Kevin Durant (26.4-6.8-5.4, 1.8bpg, 51.6% FG, 41.9% 3FG, 26.0 PER) take turns decimating the opposition depending on who feels hot on any given night, while Klay Thompson (20.0-3.8-2.5, 48.8% FG, 44.0% 3FG, 16.1 PER) and Draymond Green (11.0-7.6-7.3-1.4-1.3, 45.4% FG, 30.1% 3FG, 16.1 PER) fill in the gaps on both ends of the court.

Golden State also has an uncanny ability to get high efficiency production in short spurts from their bench. JaVale McGee (4.8-2.6, 9.5mpg, 62.1% FG, 22.3 PER), David West (6.8-3.3-1.9, 13.7mpg, 57.1% FG, 20.9 PER) and rookie Jordan “Baby Draymond” Bell (4.6-3.6-1.8, 1.0bpg, 14.2mpg, 18.0 PER) are all able to change the momentum of games when needed.

Chumps: There aren’t many weak links in the Warrior armour but if you had to pick one it would be Nick Young (7.3-1.6, 41.2% FG, 37.7% 3FG, 10.0 PER) who offers nothing more than standing in a corner hitting a satisfactory amount of three-pointers. Still, neither myself or anyone else can take that championship ring away from him.

It’s refreshing to realise that Golden State don’t hit home runs on every roster addition. Second-year Patrick McCaw (4.0-1.4-1.4, 40.9% FG, 23.8% 3FG, 7.4 PER) looks set to follow in Ian Clark’s footsteps…. on his way out.

2018-19 Outlook: As if four All-Stars weren’t enough the Warriors have added a fifth in what is basically a DeMarcus Cousins over JaVale McGee upgrade. By letting McGee sign with the Lakers and inking Cousins (due to return from injury December/January) to a 1-year $5.3m deal Golden State have almost locked up a three-peat three months prior to opening tip. The only thing left to do is fill the bench with cheap veterans and promising youngsters. It’s going to take nothing short of a miracle by one of the other 29 teams to ensure this Warriors dynasty doesn’t keep rolling.