Page 37 - Sports Illustrated Kids (October 2018)

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Crucial Class: SPELLING Crucial Class: Crucial Class: SPEECH Crucial Class: HISTORY
O.K., the last name of the GOVERNMENT LeBron James is one of the The Bulls were
Bucks’ all-everything big man For the last four seasons, most vocal leaders in all just 27–55
is A-N-T-E-T-O-K-O-U-N-M- the Pistons were run by of sports. Now that he’s in last year. The EAST
P-O. But if that’s too hard, you Stan Van Gundy, who was Los Angeles, the last time
can just use his first name, the coach and president. big question in Chicago was
Giannis, or his nickname, the His teams made the playoffs Cleveland is that bad was
Greek Freak. Last season, just once, so he was let go which Cavs in 2003–04,
the 7-footer was more in the offseason. The new player is which capped
freakish than ever, averaging commander in chief is Dwane going to a miserable six- CENTRAL
26.9 ppg and 10.0 rpg while Casey, who was fired by fill that season period
occasionally playing point the Raptors despite being leadership brought on
guard. But his Bucks were named NBA Coach of the void. PF by the end of
inconsistent. Year. Casey’s Kevin Love the Michael
If SG Khris biggest task will has the most Jordan era.
Middleton, who be to get the most talent, and by The Bulls’
scored 24.7 ppg out of PF Blake signing a four- current
GREG NELSON (ANTETOKOUNMPO); DAVID E. KLUTHO (LOVE); CAMERON BROWNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (GRIFFIN); GARY DINEEN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (MARKKANEN); ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES (OLADIPO)
in the playoffs, Griffin, who year contract problems
can become a was acquired extension in the can be
steady sidekick during last offseason, he demonstrated traced to
and new season. his commitment to the the departure of another
coach Mike The organization. But Love’s superstar: SF Jimmy
Budenholzer former on-court form has dipped Butler, who was traded to
(another spelling mayor since joining the Cavs from the Timberwolves before
toughie) can of Lob City in Minnesota four years ago. last season. Chicago took
bring some Los Angeles dunked For years he was the focal a lot of heat for not getting
much-needed just 13 times in 25 point of the Timberwolves, enough in return, but one
defensive games with Detroit. and he never led them to the of the players the team got,
guidance, More troubling is postseason. Without James PF Lauri Markkanen,
that guy with the hard-to- that he still hasn’t on the floor—and in the locker showed promise. The
spell name has a chance to developed a mid- room—Love will likely once 7-footer nailed 36.2%
frustrate sportswriters deep range jumper to offset again find himself outside of his three-pointers and
into the playoffs. the loss of his hops. looking in at playoff time. averaged 15.2 points.
&- ) ## ) B &- ) ## ) C+ &- ) ## ) C- &- ) ## ) D

% % - " / 0 PF Domantas
Sabonis. But
Oladipo made
Win the Central
his first All-Star
Crucial Class: CHOIR Want to find team and led
the breakout star of the 2017–18 the Pacers to a
season? If he’s not in the gym, 48–34 record—a six-win
check the recording studio. improvement over 2016–17.
SG Victor Oladipo has long The addition of G-F Tyreke Evans,
been known as one of the who averaged 19.4 ppg for the
most talented singers in Grizzlies, gives Indiana a versatile
the league. Last year his veteran who will be one of the
play on the court finally best sixth men in the league.
caught up with his vocal He can also be a much-needed
skills. The Pacers go-to guy if Oladipo
were expected to is out: Indiana was 0–7
struggle after trading in games its sweet-singing
SF Paul George All-Star missed.
to Oklahoma City
for Oladipo and &- ) ## ) B+