Welcome to another season of COMO basketball. We're on to Year 4 of everyone's favorite league, and the first thing we want to do is take a look back at the inaugural auction, held in October 2013. There are only 14 players still with the team that originally signed them three years ago:
All original nine teams have made the playoffs at least once in the league's first three seasons, while the three expansion teams have yet to crack the postseason. Here's a look at the furthest each of those original franchises has advanced in the playoffs:
This season figures to be one of the most balanced in COMO history. After three years of projecting Chaska No. 1, there's a new team out front. But we'll momentarily put off team-by-team predictions to bring you this year's 2016-2017 All-COMO projections from CBS and ESPN. Here's the outlook: CBS All-COMO 1st PG: Russell Westbrook, Newport Beach (34.44) 1st SG: James Harden, Colorado (32.78) 1st SF: LeBron James, Newport Beach (30.84) 1st PF: Anthony Davis, Minnesnowta (29.96) 1st C: DeMarcus Cousins, Chaska (29.80) 1st 6TH: Kevin Durant, Duval United (30.24) 2nd PG: Steph Curry, Shorewood (27.24) 2nd SG: Jimmy Butler, St. Louis (22.90) 2nd SF: Paul George, Paisley Park (24.52) 2nd PF: Paul Millsap, Chaska (26.40) 2nd C: Hassan Whiteside, St. Louis (29.42) 2nd 6TH: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minneapolis (27.50) ESPN All-COMO 1st PG: Russell Westbrook, Newport Beach (32.70) 1st SG: James Harden, Colorado (30.10) 1st SF: Kevin Durant, Duval United (34.40) 1st PF: Anthony Davis, Minnesnowta (32.50) 1st C: DeMarcus Cousins, Chaska (30.80) 1st 6TH: Steph Curry, Shorewood (30.10) 2nd PG: Chris Paul, Minneapolis (26.8) 2nd SG: Jimmy Butler, St. Louis (24.2) 2nd SF: Kawhi Leonard, Paisley Park (25.4) 2nd PF: Hassan Whiteside, St. Louis (29.0) 2nd C: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minneapolis (27.50) 2nd 6TH: Andre Drummond, Paisley Park (27.20) COMMISH'S MVP RANKINGS
TEAM PREVIEWS
Chaska was the unquestioned favorite in its first three seasons, but that run ends now. The Moose don't quite have the same level of talent they've boasted previously. Still, this is a championship contender in a balanced league. David Greene has mastered the regular season, and he could hit the 50-win mark again with Lowry, Millsap and Cousins — the three longest-tenured Moose — who are good enough to steal a win on any given night. Who knows ... perhaps lowered expectations will help Chaska break through to win its first ring. Projected record: 47-35, No. 6 seed.
It's the same old story in Greeley: How far can James Harden take the Hilltoppers? He's got another weak supporting cast (weaker than last year's bum squad), so the answer is probably, "To the lottery again." Injuries are hurting the 'Toppers. No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons might miss the entire season, top free-agent signing Reggie Jackson is out for the first month, and holdover Tyreke Evans could miss two months. Coach Hines' seat is going to be white hot come 2017. Projected record: 18-64, No. 11 of 12.
Most of the band is back, but there's a glaring hole in the backcourt. Point guards Rajon Rondo and Reggie Jackson left in free agency, and Duval has yet to fill that spot with any kind of talent or depth. Ditto at shooting guard, where Danilo Gallinari is playing out of position, and there's no one behind him. The front office has shown a strong ability to add talent through waivers, though, and there's a good chance Duval will shore up those needs within the next few weeks. If that happens, they'll be one of the league's best teams again. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan and Derrick Favors form a murderer's row that few opponents can match up against. Projected record: 51-31, No. 3 seed.
Until this past spring, GM Jack Nowland was taking heat from fans for the team's frustratingly slow improvement. The Monarchs limped into the playoffs at 32-50, and appeared headed for an early exit against Duval United, which had doubled KC's win total during the regular season. But then lightning struck; the Monarchs upset Duval in the first round, and nearly took down No. 2 seed Shorewood to make a shocking Finals appearance. Needless to say, fans will be packing the Sprint Center this season, especially after Nowland made several impressive moves in the offseason. Namely, Carmelo Anthony is now in town, and Marc Gasol is back at a heavily discounted rate. Expect another surprising season from these guys. Projected record: 41-41, No. 9 of 12.
The Spiders are loaded up for the 2017 COMO Draft (three first-round picks), and can likely add another high pick or two before the trade deadline by shipping Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki or Rudy Gay. But there's also enough talent in Manhattan for the Spiders to make a playoff run this season. A deep roster means plenty of players can contribute when called upon, though fans will likely miss the backcourt combo of Kemba Walker and DeMar DeRozan (both traded to Shorewood) when the current group of youngsters struggles. Projected record: 28-54, No. 10 of 12.
If we knew Wes Matthews and Trevor Ariza could hit that 19-20 range this season, Minneapolis would be an easy pick to win the league championship. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns will win 1-on-1 against almost any opponent, while Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas add incredible point guard depth, and Zach Randolph figures to keep pouring in bones against all odds. The front office needs to add some depth (or new starters) at SG and SF if Matthews and Ariza become glaring weaknesses, but regardless, this team is sailing past .500. Projected record: 50-32, No. 4 seed.
A couple early-season injuries (to Hayward and Parsons) will throw the Chill's lineup out of whack, but 'Snowta should be a consistent winner as the season drags on. Now that Tim Duncan has retired from Chaska, and Al Horford has moved over to the dark side, Minnesnowta now has the best lineup of big men in the league ... and it's not close. Can the Chill get production at point guard, though? Derrick Rose has been a wild-card for the past few years, and Ish Smith isn't a great replacement option. Projected record: 44-38, No. 8 of 12.
The Grizzlies only got better this offseason, reacquiring LeBron James at a lower cost so they could add LaMarcus Aldridge, Monta Ellis and Robin Lopez to the mix. Outside of the two MVP candidates, Newport Beach is finally going to get some production from Joel Embiid after waiting two seasons for their top draft pick to get healthy. He could be the difference between a great team and an all-time great team. Even if Embiid falls apart at some point, the Grizzlies are still worthy of being preseason favorites. Projected record: 53-29, No. 1 seed.
This is perhaps the deepest roster in the league. All five starters could crack the 20 mark — with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Andre Drummond all threats to break 25 — while Greg Monroe provides plenty of upside as the sixth man. Paisley Park needs Jabari Parker to break out this season if the Rainmakers are to get over the hump and win their first playoff series. Bradley Beal, Jeff Teague and Brandon Knight also provide good upside. The question is not whether Paisley Park is good; it's whether or not this team is going to be the best in the league. (Also, RIP Prince). Projected record: 49-33, No. 5 seed.
It's a new era in the West Metro, with Chaska and Shorewood potentially taking a backseat to new arrival Paisley Park. Show fans had to say goodbye to mainstays LaMarcus Aldridge (off to Newport Beach) and Pau Gasol (Manhattan), two players who each helped Shorewood win three consecutive titles. Steph Curry is back, and so are 2013-2014 stars DeMar DeRozan and Joakim Noah. Kemba Walker is one of the league's best sixth men, while the youthful starting combo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic might be elite by year's end. There's plenty of potential in Shorewood — and enough talent to win a fourth straight title — but this is a "wait and see" team. Projected record: 46-36, No. 7 seed.
Last season, Newport Beach set a COMO record when it improved by 33 wins. St. Louis — which relocated from Hollywood this summer — figures to challenge that mark this season. Coincidentally, a huge draft-day trade with Newport Beach was what gave the Hornets enough juice to become a Finals contender. John Wall and Nikola Vucevic both came over from the Grizzlies, joining Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Hassan Whiteside to form a killer lineup. When Kevin Love arrived in free agency, he gave the starting 5 a needed bump at power forward. St. Louis fans still mourning the loss of their football team won't be sad for long; this group looks great. Projected record: 52-30, No. 2 seed.
A top-heavy league means it's another lottery year in Nova Scotia. Just like fellow 2015 expansion team Manhattan, the Slayers own three first-round picks in next year's draft, and figure to be serious dealers at the deadline. Sunnyvale will not be a pushover, however. There's enough veteran talent — especially in the backcourt — that Lahey's Driveway (capacity: 118) could host plenty of upsets and potentially alter an über-competitive playoff race. Projected record: 14-68, No. 12 of 12. 2017 FREE AGENCY PREVIEWWhile it's impossible to predict which players' stock will rise or fall this season, there are plenty of educated guesses we can make about the upcoming class of free agents. Chief among them is Anthony Davis, who is projected to be owed $50 million by Minnesnowta next season. If AD can't get back to an MVP level in 2016-2017, he'll likely hit the open market. Here are the players projected to join him:
Let's have fun this season, y'all.
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