The defining moment of Ange Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham has arrived.
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Spurs host Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar on Friday morning Australian time in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie, needing to come from behind to keep their hopes of winning a trophy alive this season after losing the first leg 1-0 in the Netherlands a week ago.
Postecoglou’s statement back in September that “I always win things in my second year”, in reference to titles with Celtic, Yokohama F. Marinos, the Socceroos, Brisbane Roar and South Melbourne, has seemingly become a rod for his own back during his second season in north London.
It is a quote that is brought up constantly, and when asked about it again in his match eve press conference, he passionately defended his words once again.
“I wasn’t making anything up. I was asked the question, and I answered it,” Postecoglou explained.
“Critics have used it for their own purposes, suggesting I’m making a bold claim, but I was stating a fact.
“Usually in my second season, I win things.
“That’s the whole idea. The first year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully, the second year is going to win things.
“If that doesn’t happen this year, then I can’t say that anymore. What am I supposed to say? I’ve always won in the second year; I have in the past, everywhere I’ve been, but here (at Tottenham) it won’t happen.
“Is that what people want to hear? People can twist these things, use them, and you know what, maybe we defy all the odds and we do win something.”
With the FA Cup and Carabao Cup gone, and Tottenham sitting a lowly 13th place on the Premier League table, Postecoglou is all-in on the Europa League.
Spurs won five, drew two and lost one of their league phase matches to avoid a playoff and gain automatic passage to the Round of 16.
But a second poor showing in the first knockout stage would end Postecoglou’s stunning second-year streak and the knives are sharpening in preparation.
Tottenham are winless in their past three matches in all competitions despite clearly playing better football as the cavalry returns following their injury crisis.
Key players getting out of the medical room and back on the pitch built positivity, which was boosted by a hat-trick of league wins before an arguably unlucky 1-0 loss to Manchester City started their current winless stretch, but the discontent, that has bubbled away for several months, quickly resurfaced.
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Reports from Italian outlet TuttoSport emerged this week that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is keeping a close eye on Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement for Postecoglou.
Meanwhile, former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe revealed to TalkSport that he and other coaches at Spurs in 2023 wanted now England manager Thomas Tuchel appointed instead.
The Athletic’s Tottenham-focused podcast, ‘The View from The Lane’, spent much of their most recent episode debating whether Spurs would be more likely to win the Europa League if they moved on the Australian now.
Former Tottenham and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker also poured fuel on the fire, suggesting on the Rest is Football podcast that Postecoglou may have had a falling out with attacking midfielder James Maddison because he started on the bench in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday.
Defender Cristian Romero made his return from injury in the same game, having not played since December, but the World Cup winner increased speculation of unrest by thanking the Argentinian physiotherapists, and not Tottenham’s, on Instagram for getting him back on the park.
But despite the huge amounts of negativity swirling about, Postecoglou is pushing ahead with trying to orchestrate a memorable comeback victory.
Son Heung-min started on the bench along with Maddison against Bournemouth, in a call seemingly made to ensure they are fresh for this European clash.
Romero played a little over an hour before making way for Micky van de Van, who has also returned from injury to offer Postecoglou the chance to start his preferred pairing in central defence.
But midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur, after a third booking in the competition, and Dejan Kulusevski, foot injury, will be absent because Tottenham could not possibly have their first-choice team available at the same time this season.
The key addition that Postecoglou is most counting on, however, is a supportive home crowd.
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Tottenham fans are routinely ridiculed for their negative antics, and Postecoglou has experienced a testy relationship with the supporters.
It was all sunshine and roses when they sat atop of the Premier League table ten games into the Australian’s maiden season at the helm.
He was serenaded with “I’m loving big Ange instead” to the sounds of Robbie Williams’ hit Angels upon the full-time whistle after home wins, but by the end of the season, Postecoglou blasted the club’s fragility as fans pleaded for the team to lose the penultimate game of the season to eventual champions Manchester City to deny rivals Arsenal the title.
The tension increased throughout the current campaign as Postecoglou clashed with verbally abusive fans on several occasions after disheartening losses.
He was also met with choruses of boos instead of jubilation upon the final whistle as well as calls for his sacking on social media and talkback radio.
But the 59-year-old has asked the faithful to channel their passion into supporting the team rather than ridiculing.
Postecoglou believes the players need a vibrant crowd to feed off rather than becoming engulfed by an anxious one.
“Yeah, look, again I said before, I can’t sort of dictate to people how they sort of interact, but, AZ’s crowd certainly helped them on Thursday night,” he said after the Bournemouth match.
“We need our crowd to get behind the boys on Thursday to make it an atmosphere where maybe we lose some of that nervousness and anxiety within our game.
“But the reality is, we as a team have to respond irrespective of the atmosphere and one may follow the other. If we start the game strong, it’ll get the place nice and loud, which will help us.”
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Tottenham have undeniably been a team of moment throughout the Postecoglou era.
When they are good, they have ran over the top of teams and piled on goals, proven by the fact only league leaders Liverpool have scored more goals than them despite such an underwhelming campaign.
When they are poor, the reverse is true. Unable to stem any bleeding with defensive frailties causing unrest in the stands.
An early goal would be a nightmare for Postecoglou’s side, while like Liverpool in their Round of 16 defeat to PSG in the Champions League, the fans would scarcely be able to handle the drama of a penalty shootout.
But the reality of the situation is that the feeling of impending doom will not disappear if they can advance to the quarter-final.
Tottenham have infamously not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and their European drought dates back to the 1984 UEFA Cup, the precursor to the Europa League.
Patience has not been Tottenham’s strong suit in the 17 years following their 2-1 triumph against Chelsea at Wembley, with Postecoglou their eighth full-time manager since Spaniard Juande Ramos, who lifted the trophy that day.
The nerves will likely get greater if they can make it deeper into the competition, but that is far better than Postecoglou being given his marching orders.
It allowed Defoe a clean route towards goal and he made no mistake with the finish past former boxer Tony Bellew to put England up 4-2.
While Defoe celebrated with his teammates, Bolt remained on the turf and required medical attention as he was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher.
The Jamaican applauded the fans inside Stamford Bridge as he was stretchered off and later confirmed the brutal injury news on social media after the game.
“Raptured (sic) Achilles but done know we a warrior,” Bolt said.
It wasn’t all bad news for Bolt, though.
The Jamaican, who famously enjoyed a brief stint with A-League side Central Coast Mariners, left former England cricketer Stuart Broad for dead when he spun around him to latch onto a pass.
Bolt bagged an assist before he ruptured his Achilles. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Bolt then laid the ball through for Italian great Alessandro Del Piero to slot the ball home with a first-time finish.
Ultimately it was not enough for the World XI, as England ran out 6-3 winners in what was their first victory in the charity match since 2018.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole opened the scoring in the 7th minute for England before Eden Hazard equalised for the World XI with a free kick just seven minutes later.
Goals from Ellen White and Del Piero ensured both sides went into half time level at 2-2 before England, managed by the trio of Harry Redknapp, Robbie Williams and Frank Lampard, turned it on.
Podcaster and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett bagged a double along with Defoe’s goal to give England a big 5-2 lead before Billy Wingrove, one half of the F2 Freestylers, pulled one back for the World XI in the 76th minute.
However, a late goal from Theo Walcott put the result beyond doubt.
The match raised over $AUD29 million for charity, per BBC Sport.
The NBA Finals are not unfamiliar territory for the Boston Celtics.
If anything, it should feel like home given they were here just two seasons ago.
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And when they haven’t made it to the final hurdle, the Celtics have made the Eastern Conference finals six times since the 2016/17 season, winning it twice.
But winning it all? That is unfamiliar territory given the franchise has not won the Larry O’Brien trophy since 2008.
Yet they now have another chance to end the wait as a Finals series against the tricky Dallas Mavericks looms.
However, there’s a sense that if the Celtics can’t get over the hump now, when will they?
With extra firepower brought in through two major trades and a superstar handed a big contract, there can be no complaints about the roster.
Couple that with a dominant record in the regular season and a soft playoff run, it’s now-or-never territory for the Celtics.
It’s very much now-or-never for the Celtics when it comes to winning a championship. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WHY ‘EASIEST PATH TO FINALS’ COULD COME BACK TO BITE
Over the past eight seasons, Boston have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA.
A powerhouse of their conference, the Celtics are an easy tip for pundits when it comes to predicting who will finish towards the top in the East.
Once again Boston dominated their conference rivals as a 64-18 regular season record secured the No. 1 seed.
It was the Celtics’ best regular season since 2007/08, the same season they last won a championship.
Boston continued their dominance into the playoffs and go into the Finals having won 12 and lost twice across the first round, conference semi-finals and finals.
With an overall record of 76-20 across the regular season and playoffs, the Celtics are the first team with two or fewer losses in a single postseason going into the NBA Finals since the Cavaliers and Warriors back in 2016/17.
Not only that, Boston are just the fifth team in the last 25 years to go into the NBA Finals with 20 losses or fewer.
Safe to say, this is a historically dominant Celtics team.
But dig a little deeper into their playoffs run this postseason and you wonder if this team is actually as good as the record suggests.
Boston have steamrolled their playoff opponents. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
In the first round, Boston faced the Miami Heat who were without their superstar Jimmy Butler for the entire series.
Without Butler, the Heat had little hope and were soundly beaten in the series 4-1 as the Celtics progressed to a conference semi-finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, their hopes were dealt a fatal blow when star man Donovan Mitchell suffered a series-ending calf injury in Game Three.
Cleveland was also without centre Jarrett Allen for the entire series due to a rib injury.
The Celtics had little trouble eliminating the Cavaliers 4-1 to seal a spot in the conference finals for the third-straight year, where they would take on surprise package Indiana.
Sadly for the Pacers, the loss of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton for Game Three and Game Four left them with a mountain too high to climb as the Celtics secured a series sweep.
Granted, Boston can only face whoever they’re up against.
But it can’t stop pundits from noting they’ve had an absurdly soft run into the NBA Finals.
Tatum enjoyed sweeping the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“The Celtics have effectively gotten a bye to the NBA Finals. That might be unprecedented. There has not been a moment of real stress in these finals.”
Lowe conceded there was little the Celtics could do in regards to the seeds shaking out the way they did and have “nothing to apologise for”.
The fact Boston has enjoyed a stress-free run to the finals also had Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem fearful of what could happen should results go against them early in the series against Dallas.
“You definitely want to be battle tested, you want to build confidence, you want to build grit,” Haslem said.
“You want to understand you can win games in the mud, you can win games when your best players aren’t playing well, you can win games when shots aren’t falling.
“You want to know that you can win games in all shapes, forms and fashion.”
It’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely the Celtics will enjoy a run to the finals as easy as this one ever again.
A failure to capitalise on it would be an unmitigated disaster.
The Celtics haven’t been properly tested in the playoffs. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
DESPITE STAR DUO’S ARRIVAL AND $455M DEAL, CELTICS ROSTER STILL UNDER ‘LITTLE BIT OF SUSPICION’
The Celtics’ remarkable postseason runs since the 2016/17 have coincided with the franchise drafting Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Brown and Tatum were selected by the Celtics in the 2016 and 2017 Draft respectively and, as a duo, have steered the franchise to the Eastern Conference finals in five of the seven seasons they’ve played together.
But, for whatever reason, they could never clear the final hurdle and convert their dominance into championships.
Having fallen short on several occasions, Boston decided this would be the season they go all-in on building a championship-winning roster.
Last June, the Celtics traded away star guard Marcus Smart, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala and the 35th overall pick to secure Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards along with a future first round pick and the Grizzlies’ 2023 pick in a three-team trade.
Porzingis, a towering centre and forward, was coming off one of the best seasons in his career having racked up career-highs in points (23.2), assists (2.7) and steals (0.9).
Boston weren’t done with their roster moves, adding Jrue Holiday from Portland in return for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, a 2024 first round pick and a 2029 unprotected first round pick.
In Holiday, the Celtics acquired a five-time All-Defensive selection and slotted right into the starting point guard which Smart had occupied for several years before his trade to Memphis.
Holiday also brought championship experience having won the Larry O’Brien Trophy with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Jrue Holiday’s addition has been a welcome one for Boston. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Aside from bringing in new faces, the Celtics moved to extend Brown on a five-year supermax extension worth up to an eye-watering $AUD455 million last July.
Tatum is also eligible for a supermax deal worth $477 million in this coming off-season. That’s a whopping $932 million tied up in two players.
Having added Holiday and Porzingis to the roster alongside Brown and Tatum, the Celtics really couldn’t have asked for much more in terms of the firepower needed to win a first championship in 16 years.
And if Tatum can’t deliver, would the Celtics still be inclined to tie him down to that supermax deal having failed to get over that final hurdle so many times before?
The Ringer’s senior NBA writer Howard Beck believes the Celtics’ roster is in the best possible shape to break the championship drought, but Brown and Tatum cannot afford to slip up.
“But they have these glitches at times. Sometimes it’s a quarter, sometimes it’s a game, sometimes it’s a series.
Brown was signed to a big extension last July. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“And I think everybody looks at them with admiration for their talent and everything that they’ve done but with a little bit of suspicion because they have these untimely pratfalls.
“Now they’re a little bit older, they’re a little more experienced, a little deeper and better built.
“If they have Porzingis, they will be in much better shape to win a championship than they were two years ago.”
With an improved roster compared to the one that took on the Warriors in the 2021/22 Finals series, the Celtics cannot use the excuse of not having the cattle needed to get over the final hurdle.
They’ve also enjoyed an extraordinarily easy playoffs run, although Boston can only beat what’s in front of them.
It’s created the perfect storm for the Celtics to win their first championship since 2007/08.
But it’s also why this team is under immense pressure to deliver and a failure to do so could result in some major consequences.
When Ange Postecoglou sat down for his first press conference as Tottenham manager last July, he revealed his vision for his new team.
Aside from being “successful”, Postecoglou wanted Tottenham “to be an aggressive team, a dominant team, a team who takes the game to every opposition home and away”.
With Postecoglou’s debut season as a Premier League manager in the rear-view mirror, it’s hard to argue the Australian hasn’t delivered on his plan, especially the desire to show no fear against Spurs’ opponents.
However, the same pundits who lauded Postecoglou’s bravery and ingenuity for the style of play at the start seemed to turn on him just as quickly once results began to slide.
It was a predictable discourse and one Postecoglou has faced at almost every stop in his managerial career.
However, one game – and one specific moment – proved that no matter what the pundits said, the Australian would not waver from his beliefs.
This is how Postecoglou silenced the doubters, at least for now, and guided Tottenham back to the bright lights of European football, all without the club’s record goal scorer.
Postecoglou laid out his ambitions for Tottenham in his first press conference. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ANGE REVEALS GREAT SPURS ‘HOPE AND DESIRE’ AMID GLARING $157M HOLE
Along with an outline of what he wanted from Tottenham during games, Postecoglou made it abundantly clear it would be no overnight transformation.
But, at the very least, he wanted fans to see the foundations for what was to come.
“We had a massive rebuild at Celtic but at the beginning, even though the results weren’t there, the supporters could see what we were trying to do and get behind us,” Postecoglou said.
“I don’t know whether it’s going to be a rocky start or a good start for us but my hope and desire and what I’m going to try to do is give supporters hope that we’re going to embark on something special.”
What made Postecoglou’s rebuild all the more difficult was the drawn-out transfer saga surrounding superstar striker Harry Kane.
In the 2022-23 campaign, Kane accounted for 43 per cent of Tottenham’s 70 league goals but he was so much more than just a goalscorer. Kane was Tottenham.
Kane left Tottenham to go to Bayern Munich. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Kane was sold to Bayern Munich for $157 million on the eve of Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Brentford, although Postecoglou insisted he planned for the superstar’s exit.
It’s impossible to replace Kane directly, so Postecoglou opted to upgrade several positions across the squad prior to Kane’s departure.
Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro’s temporary deals became permanent while Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Mickey van de Ven and Brennan Johnson all arrived in the summer, with Johnson joining on deadline day.
With the loss of Kane coupled with the squad needing to adapt to Postecoglou’s methods, the Australian was reluctant to set any expectations for the season ahead, at least externally.
“Again, from the outset what’s important is that we try and establish some key principles of who we want to be first of all,” Postecoglou said.
Well, if Postecoglou didn’t want to vocalise any concrete goals, the stunning unbeaten run to start the season gave fans plenty of reason to dream.
Maddison was one of Postecoglou’s first signings. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
POP ICON GETS BEHIND ANGE AS SPURS DARE TO DREAM
In Postecoglou’s first season at Celtic, a draw and three losses in the first seven league games — including a defeat to bitter rivals Rangers — had some sections of the fanbase already doubting his credentials.
It was the complete opposite at Tottenham.
Postecoglou oversaw a pulsating 2-2 draw against Brentford to start and the results that followed led to a tidal wave of positivity and optimism from Spurs supporters.
Tottenham went on a staggering 10-game unbeaten run featuring victories over Manchester United and Liverpool, albeit the latter result was dripping in controversy as the Reds were wrongly denied a goal.
Not even bitter rivals Arsenal could stop Tottenham as the first north London derby of the season ended 2-2.
Yet the one game in this dizzying run that truly united the fan base was a 2-1 victory over lowly Sheffield United.
Tottenham celebrate after scoring a late, late winner to beat Sheffield United. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The Blades looked set to escape north London with a highly valuable victory and were ahead as late as the 97th minute.
Just 180 seconds later, Kulusevski scored what proved to be the game winner as the stadium erupted in a chorus of joy.
Tottenham sat in first with 26 points from a possible 30, Postecoglou was constantly serenaded to the tune of Robbie Williams’ Angels — with the pop icon even signing the amended version himself — and fans dared to dream of what could be.
But Tottenham supporters were quickly brought crashing back to earth in the club’s 11th game of the season as a reporter’s prediction about how Postecoglou’s first season would unfold came true.
Postecoglou laps up the support from the adoring Tottenham fans. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HOW EERIE PREDICTION CAME TRUE AS LOSS SPARKS GREAT DEBATE
In early November, Tottenham welcomed a Chelsea team stuck in mid-table having won just three of their opening 10 games.
Postecoglou’s side began brightly as Kulusevski scored in the sixth minute and looked a threat every time they went forward against Chelsea’s fragile backline.
But the contest flipped on its head in the 33rd minute when Tottenham defender Cristian Romero got sent off and Cole Palmer buried the resulting penalty to equalise.
It went from bad to worse for Tottenham when star duo Van de Ven and Maddison were forced off with significant injuries just before half time.
If that wasn’t grim enough, Destiny Udogie’s second yellow in the 55th minute reduced the hosts to just nine men.
Much to the surprise of the wider football community — except those who have followed Postecoglou’s career closely — Tottenham refused to park their nine men behind the ball and continued to pour numbers forward in attack.
Yes, it meant Chelsea’s speedy wingers got behind Tottenham’s defensive line with ease, but it is not the Postecoglou way to simply roll over and accept defeat.
An iconic image emphasised how wedded Postecoglou is to his philosophy and also proved The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare correct in his pre-season prediction.
“I think there will be quite a tedious debate,” Eccleshare told The View From The Lane podcast in August.
“The way this will pan out is that Postecoglou will get a lot of plaudits early on because he plays attacking football.
“But there will come a point at which they lose badly to a team they’re expected to beat because they play in this certain way.
“There will be a lot of pundits saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m all for good football but there comes a time you’ve got to shut up shop. I don’t care who you are, you’ve got to show more respect to the opposition.’”
Despite going down to nine men, Postecoglou still used a high defensive line against Chelsea. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied
Those critical pundits came out swinging after the Chelsea defeat.
“I have to say, there was a bit of an arrogance about not changing it,” former Chelsea defender and talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy said, adding Postecoglou’s stubbornness was “naive”.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson was equally critical.
“I’d never seen anything like it,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“But Ange Postecoglou should have changed tactics. It was very easy. If that was Man City playing Tottenham, it would have been 10-1 at least.”
Even Tottenham legend and former England manager Glenn Hoddle was stunned at Postecoglou’s refusal to adapt.
“If Tottenham keeps playing that high, near the halfway line, then I think it’s footballing suicide with 10 men,” Hoddle told Premier League Productions during the halftime break.
“They had defenders in there that they’ve had it work, but it seems to me they haven’t changed their tactics. They’ve got to change.”
Unsurprisingly, Postecoglou was peppered with questions as to why he did not change his approach with nine men on the park.
“It is just who we are mate,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.
“It is who we are and who we will be for as long as I am here. If we go down to five men, we will have a go.”
Only Postecoglou could have the ability to make Tottenham fans view a 4-1 defeat to a rival team through an optimistic lens.
However, the debate slowly turned against him as results became harder to come by in the second half of the season.
Postecoglou’s approach against Chelsea had pundits questioning his bold tactics. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ANGE’S BRUTAL VERDICT AS ‘WORST EXPERIENCE’ LEAVES AUSSIE SEETHING
After the Chelsea defeat, Tottenham failed to win any of their next four games as Postecoglou grappled with a mounting injury list that exposed a worrying lack of depth, especially in defence.
Tottenham ultimately kept just one clean sheet from the Chelsea clash on November 6 through to the 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa on March 10.
Conceding goals off of set pieces also proved to be problematic, with Tottenham shipping the fifth-most (16) throughout the season.
There were calls from the external world for Postecoglou to appoint a specialist set piece coach to combat the issue but the Aussie refused, insisting his assistant coaches Ryan Mason and Mile Jedinak were well-equipped at the role.
“There are far more important things that we need to concentrate on at the moment in terms of the team we’re building,” Postecoglou said.
Although Tottenham’s form in the second half of the season was patchy, the 4-0 victory over Villa had many believing a top four finish was achievable.
But Postecoglou’s side won just four out of their final 11 games as the Champions League dream slipped further and further away.
Granted, Tottenham had to face Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their final seven games.
Tottenham’s form dropped off a cliff at the end of the season. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The defeat to City proved to be especially bruising — and eye-opening — for the Aussie boss.
Tottenham had to win if they were to remain in the mix for the Champions League, but victory would have also put Arsenal in the box seat to win the Premier League title.
Lose or draw that match and they could kiss the Champions League goodbye for another season.
Sections of the Tottenham fan base made it clear they weren’t terribly fussed about losing to City, especially if it robbed their bitter rivals of a first league title in 10 years.
When asked before the game about the supporters being okay with defeat, Postecoglou bristled and responded: “I understand rivalry, but I have never, and will never, understand if someone wants their own team to lose.”
Tottenham would lose 2-0 to City amid a subdued atmosphere within the stadium as Postecoglou delivered an explosive post-match press conference where he criticised the club’s “fragile foundations”.
The defeat to Manchester City left Postecoglou with a bitter taste in his mouth. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It left The Telegraph’s Matt Law believing either Postecoglou or Tottenham had to fully adapt to the other and could not maintain their stubbornness.
“In many respects Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur are a match made in heaven,” Law wrote.
“But if the marriage is not to ultimately end in another messy divorce, then something will have to give.
“Put simply, either Tottenham have to change or Postecoglou does because the last three months have demonstrated that stubbornness from both sides will grow into something much more damaging.”
A few days after the game, the Aussie boss conceded it was “probably the worst experience” he’s had as a manager during a match and “got it wrong” in terms of what he expected the atmosphere and the fans’ sentiments to be.
Postecoglou and Tottenham managed to end the season on a high as a comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield United ensured a spot in the Europa League for next season.
Tottenham qualified for the Europa League. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HOW PL VACUUM COULD GIVE SPURS BIG BOOST AS HISTORY ON ANGE’S SIDE
Although some may look back on Tottenham’s season wondering what could have been, Postecoglou’s debut Premier League campaign should fill supporters with optimism.
Objectively it was a better season than the 22/23 one: under Postecoglou, Tottenham finished with more points, won more games, scored more and conceded less.
Let’s not forget Postecoglou did all of this without Kane’s goals.
Another cause for a positive outlook is how Postecoglou traditionally fares in his second season at a club.
During his stints with the Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic, the 58-year-old averaged more points per game in his second season.
The summer window will give Postecoglou another chance to shape the squad further into his mould and ship out those who he does not believe can play his high-octane brand of football.
There could also be a serious vacuum at the top of the ladder which opens the door wide open for Postecoglou and Tottenham to return to the top four.
With Jurgen Klopp no longer at the helm for Liverpool, new boss Arne Slot will hope to avoid the slump attached to those replacing long-term managers.
There’s plenty to look forward to in Postecoglou’s second season at Tottenham. (Photo by Barrington Coombs/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
David Moyes couldn’t do it at Manchester United after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson and Unai Emery struggled at Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s successor, so there’s every chance Slot and Liverpool slide down the ladder.
Chelsea will also have a new manager in Enzo Maresca as the Blues parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino despite the latter leading the club to a sixth-place finish.
There’s also a chance Aston Villa take a slight tumble as they contend with the club’s first Champions League campaign in 41 years.
A return to Europe’s elite club competition next season would represent yet another improvement for Postecoglou.
So too would winning a trophy, something Tottenham have not done since 2008.
The NBA playoffs are just over a month away and while the Boston Celtics are clear frontrunners in the East, there is a three-way tussle for supremacy over in the West.
Here foxsports.com.au breaks down where every NBA team finds itself ahead of the run home, placing them into five tiers — contenders, dark horses, teams making up the numbers, those planning for next year and teams who should also turn their attention towards 2025.
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There is one exception though, which brings us to the first team in the Eastern Conference.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
1. Boston Celtics (48-12)
In the Western Conference the top teams are separated into a tier of contenders. But in the East that doesn’t apply. The Celtics are just in a tier of their own, most recently destroying the much-improved Warriors by 52 points in yet another reminder of their championship credentials. “I think the entire league needs to be watching what the Boston Celtics are doing and understanding that they are the team to beat,” Richard Jefferson said on ABC during that game. “I understand that the Denver Nuggets are the defending champions but to me there is no greater threat to them really going on a run and winning a couple than what the Boston Celtics are presenting this season.”
The Celtics are on another level. Brian Fluharty/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
The challenge when it comes to Boston is just how talented and deep this roster is, to the extent that you can’t send help to double Jayson Tatum, for example, because whoever you leave open is going to make you pay. Just as the Warriors learned after intentionally sagging off Jaylen Brown near the perimeter in the opening quarter. The result? He had 19 points in seven minutes. Boston ranks first in the league in offensive rating and second in defensive rating. It is hard to see the Celtics not making the NBA Finals considering how good they have been, although performing in the playoffs hasn’t always been a guarantee from Boston in recent seasons.
CONTENDERS
2. Milwaukee Bucks (41-21)
When the Bucks sacked first-year coach Adrian Griffin it came as a bit of a surprise, at least on the surface, since the team ranked second in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-13 record. But there was a prevailing thought that Milwaukee was achieving those results in spite of Griffin, particularly given the lack of improvement on the defensive end under him. So, understanding they needed to capitalise on their current championship window, the Bucks made a ruthless call to sack Griffin and hire Doc Rivers. For all the talk about Rivers’ inability to take accountability, the results on defence speak for themselves so far.
The Bucks have gone from recording the 22nd best defensive rating in January to the third-best under coach Rivers while the transition defence in particular has improved from 20th to second-best in the NBA. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the way the Bucks shouldn’t have too many dramas scoring points either, especially in the fourth quarter. It may still take some time to gel but the defence is no longer a major area of concern.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (39-21)
Given what happened last year, where the Cavaliers finished fourth in the East only to be easily handled 4-1 in a first-round series defeat to the Knicks, we can’t get too ahead of ourselves here. But then again, this is a different Cleveland team to the one that didn’t make any noise in the 2022-23 playoffs. This Cavaliers team is stacked with 3-point shooting options off the bench with Sam Merrill shooting 44.1 per cent from downtown while Isaac Okoro is even going at a 40 per cent clip. Max Strus hasn’t been the most consistent outside shooter, averaging 34.0 per cent from deep, but is capable of big games like the one when he went 7-for-10 on 3-pointers against the Mavericks. Elsewhere, Dean Wade is healthy and offering solid production while Craig Porter is a handy depth option too at guard. Of course, then you add in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt and backcourt duo Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs have been one of the hottest teams in basketball, winning 20 of their 26 games since the new year.
The Cavaliers are a contender. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
4. New York Knicks (36-25)
Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have become a hard-edged, gritty, defensive-minded team that scraps for every win. And they’re certainly scrapping for every result at the moment, with All-Star guard Jalen Brunson the latest Knicks starter to go down. Brunson was diagnosed with a left knee contusion after landing awkwardly on his leg in New York’s win over Cleveland earlier this week. Already without starters Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have had their depth tested recently, losing eight or their last 15 games. The door is open for the Knicks to book an Eastern Conference Finals berth against the Celtics. They just need to stay healthy.
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Brunson limps off moments after tip-off | 00:43
5. Philadaelphia 76ers (35-25)
It all hinges on Joel Embiid’s health. Without him, the Sixers belong in the tier below. Embiid spoke to media earlier this week and said he plans to return at some point before the end of the regular season, regardless of what the team’s record looks like. The reigning MVP has been sidelined since late January after undergoing a procedure to “address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee”. The Sixers have been able to stay afloat without Embiid, winning six of 14 games to sit in fifth position in the Eastern Conference, although the seventh-placed Heat are just one game back from Philadelphia facing the prospect of having to fight its way through the play-in tournament. The Sixers rank 20th in offensive rating and second-last in defensive rating in their 14 games without Embiid. They can’t afford to rush him back though given they still have the ammunition to go after a big name over the summer and put all their focus into the 2024-25 season.
7. Miami Heat (34-26).
If we learned anything from last season, it is that you can never count out Jimmy Butler, Erik Spoelstra and the Heat. Of course, Miami’s magical run to the NBA Finals had as much to do with Max Strus and Gabe Vincent as it did the team’s superstar forward, who averaged 21.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in the month of February. The Heat have won eight of their last 10 to sit 0.5 games short of the sixth-placed Orlando Magic and just 1.5 games behind the fourth-placed Knicks, who are now vulnerable with their recent run of injuries. Miami has ranked eighth and third in offensive and defensive rating during that period. Miami’s backcourt depth has been tested with injuries to Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, although the additions of Terry Rozier via trade and Delon Wright have helped bolster its guard stocks. The Heat even added Patty Mills in a low-risk move ahead of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson has improved into a more well-rounded player to go from out of the rotation to pushing for a starting spot. And then there is rookie Jaime Jacquez Jr., who has been an immediate contributor averaging 12.7 points.
Knicks lose Brunson, but still beat Cavs | 00:55
MAKING UP THE NUMBERS
6. Orlando Magic (35-26)
This young Magic team made a statement before the season proper even started, showing early signs they could become the best isolation defence teams in the league. Those pre-season performances didn’t end up being a fluke either, with Orlando’s top-tier one-on-one defenders helping the Magic to the fifth-best defensive rating this season and, at the moment, sixth spot in the East. It is hard to see Orlando going deep in the playoffs given this is still an inexperienced team but like Oklahoma City in the West, it doesn’t matter all too much. The Magic are quickly building one of the most exciting, young rosters in the league and will only continue to get better with emerging and already emerged talent in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr. and Anthony Black.
Paolo Banchero is one of Orlando’s rising stars. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
8. Indiana Pacers (34-28)
The numbers tell quite a simple story. This is one of the most dynamic scoring teams in the league but their best chance of doing anything in the playoffs involves outgunning their opponent because they aren’t going to win on the back of their defence. The Pacers currently have the second-best offensive rating and fifth-worst defensive rating in the league. After the All-Star break though Indiana’s offensive rating has dropped to eighth-best in the NBA while the defence has improved, but only slightly, to sixth-worst. That coincides with Tyrese Haliburton slowing down after a stunning start to the season which saw him average 28.6 points and 11.7 assists per game in November. Haliburton admitted on J.J. Redick’s podcast last month that he had rushed back from his hamstring injury because of the 65-game threshold he needed to reach to be eligible for the All-NBA team and a potential $41 million bonus. Whether Haliburton is still feel the ill-effects on that or taking on too heavy a workload in his return is something only the All-Star guard himself can answer.
Emotional Paolo discusses game-winner | 00:45
SHOULD BE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
9. Chicago Bulls (29-32)
DeMar DeRozan said last summer that the Bulls were too “inconsistent” in the 2022-23 season. Well, guess what? Inconsistency has again been Chicago’s biggest issue and it makes it incredibly hard to get a read on the Bulls ahead of the playoffs. Are they capable of winning one playoffs series? Sure. But a lot of things would have to go right and that is definitely true if Chicago is somehow going to make a deep run. The Bulls looked to be building something when they beat the Timberwolves and Grizzlies earlier this month but went on to drop four of their next six games, including a 10-point loss to the lowly Pistons. They then backed that defeat up with an overtime win over the Cavs before a 16-point loss to the Bucks. Consistently inconsistent is what the Bulls have been all season long. Just not good enough to take the leap, which makes their inactivity at the trade deadline all the more puzzling. At least the improvement of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu gives Bulls fans something to look forward to.
Coby White has had a big year. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
10. Atlanta Hawks (26-34)
The Hawks were always going to be a frisky play-in tournament team with a chance of pulling off an upset in the first round of the playoffs and nothing more. An injury to star guard Trae Young, however, has Atlanta in danger of falling out of the play-in tournament entirely with the 25-year-old undergoing surgery on a torn radial collateral ligament in the fifth finger of his left hand. Young is going to be re-evaluated in four weeks and while the Hawks won their first two games without him they have since dropped two straight against the Nets. Regardless, Atlanta has the second-worst defensive rating in the league so it was hard to see the Hawks going deep in the playoffs even with Young healthy.
11. Brooklyn Nets (24-37)
They are technically still in the hunt but things really took a turn for the worse before the Nets sacked Jacque Vaughn, with Kevin Ollie taking over as interim coach. The results since have been mixed, with Brooklyn winning three of its last five games. But the Nets have also been blown out by the Raptors, Timberwolves and Magic since Ollie’s appointment. This is a team still trying to figure out its identity and injuries to emerging guard Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons only makes things harder, especially given the Australian was such a central part of Brooklyn’s plans on offence — especially in transition. Mikal Bridges continues to prove why he was such an in-demand target at the trade deadline while Dennis Schroder is proving a handy pick-up, averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 assists since joining the Nets.
Struss sinks ABSURD halfcourt winner! | 01:04
12. Toronto Raptors (23-38)
Another team that at this point is better using the remaining games of the season to develop its on-court chemistry after the departures of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby before the trade deadline. The injury to Scottie Barnes, which was later revealed to be a fracture to his third metacarpal bone in his left hand, will only make things harder for the Raptors given he is unlikely to return before the end of the regular season. One shining light to emerge in the second half of the season is the form of RJ Barrett, who has impressed with a career-high 20.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists since making the move from New York via trade. Meanwhile, fellow former Knicks teammate Immanuel Quickley is growing in confidence as a playmaker and in particular when operating in the pick-and-roll with big-man Jakob Poeltl.
ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
13. Charlotte Hornets (15-46)
Can we just have one season with a healthy LaMelo Ball? The 22-year-old guard has been sidelined since late January with an ankle injury after managing just 36 games in the 2022-23 season. Ball is the biggest name missing but Seth Curry, Cody Martin, Nick Richards and Mark Williams are all also battling injuries while the Hornets have now dropped five of their last six games after a promising stretch of results earlier in February.
14. Detroit Pistons (9-51)
After a disastrous start to the season the Pistons have picked up a few wins and are now level with the Wizards on nine wins. There is still plenty of potential in this young team, with Cade Cunningham the most likely player to emerge into a genuine top-tier star in the NBA. Although there are still question marks over what his ceiling looks like and obviously injury setbacks since his rookie season haven’t helped. Elsewhere, there are concerns over Ausar Thompson’s shooting while Jalen Duren’s defence remains a work in progress. More than anything, patience is needed if this is the young core Detroit wants to build around.
Pistons coach FIRES UP after Knicks loss | 02:27
15. Washington Wizards (9-52)
Watch out Pistons, the Wizards are coming for you. Washington has dropped 15 games in a row and if its losing ways continue, coincidentally Detroit would have the opportunity to inflict a 28th defeat in a row on the Wizards, tying its record losing skid. Unlike the Pistons and Hornets, the Wizards are right at the start of a full-scale rebuild after trading away Bradley Beal so it may be a long time before Washington is relevant again. Of course, usually being the worst team in the NBA isn’t such a bad thing when it involves the potential of a high draft pick but this year’s class lacks top-tier talent — at least the kind of talent that can turn around this franchise’s fortunes right away.
PLAYOFFS SERIES IF SEASON ENDED TODAY:
(1) Celtics vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Bucks vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) Cavaliers vs. (6) Magic
(4) Knicks vs. (5) 76ers
Play-in tournament
(7) Heat vs. (8) Pacers
(9) Bulls vs. (10) Hawks
WESTERN CONFERENCE
THE CONTENDERS
1. Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19)
While the Clippers may have the bigger names, this is the team that has already caused real problems for the defending champion Nuggets this season. Minnesota and Denver play each other three more times before the playoffs but it was a comprehensive 110-89 win for the T’Wolves in their one meeting earlier this season as Nikola Jokic was held to just three assists. The Timberwolves settled to letting Jokic score in exchange for taking away his playmaking, effectively using Karl-Anthony Towns as an on-ball defender while having Rudy Gobert roam the paint. It proved the right strategy on that occasion and when you add in the rising superstar that is Anthony Edwards, a 3-and-D wing in Jaden McDaniels and the experience of Mike Conley, this is a team that could go deep and potentially all the way to the Finals considering the match-up problems they could present the Nuggets.
NBA Wrap: Slow burn Lakers silence OKC | 01:33
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-19)
The Thunder are ahead of schedule so there is the temptation to not entirely buy into their contender status because it just seems to all be happening so fast, as if this young group needs a bit more time and a bit more playoff experience before making a deep run. But keeping OKC out of this tier would be a disservice to just what this team has achieved in the regular season under Mark Daigneault, led by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Of course, playoff basketball is another beast entirely but the Thunder have built their success off doing things differently, putting together a roster stacked with playmaking, positional size and high basketball IQ that makes them uniquely well-positioned to make things uncomfortable for rival teams in the post-season despite their inexperience.
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What will the Thunder do with Josh Giddey’s minutes in the playoffs? (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The big question mark is what role Josh Giddey plays given the way opposition defences have already treated him in the post-season, often leaving the Australian wide-open until his outside shooting in particular improves. The acquisition of Gordon Hayward at the trade deadline offers OKC an experienced option with similar skills to lean on more heavily should Giddey continue to struggle and be more heavily targeted on defence. It is not necessarily that Giddey won’t play but that his minutes will be staggered to better surround him with shooting and have the Australian play on the ball more. The only complicating factor is that Jalen Williams has done particularly well running OKC’s second unit so it is hard to go away from what works.
3. Denver Nuggets (42-19)
Based on their recent stretch of form since the All-Star break, the defending champions look to be building towards another run at the title. The Nuggets dropped three games in a row early last month, including heavy defeats to the Kings and Bucks, but have since won six straight despite a few lingering injury concerns. Jamal Murray has been playing through shin splints while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was dealing with a hamstring injury before the break. Murray had been really heating up before suffering an ankle injury against the Heat, scoring 59 points in wins over the Warriors and Kings. Fortunately he returned for the Nuggets’ victory over the Lakers, putting up 24 points and 11 assists. Of course, Nikola Jokic remains a walking triple-double while Michael Porter Jr. has been lights out recently. Add in the two-way impact of Aaron Gordon and the presence of the always ready Justin Holiday off the bench and the Nuggets looked primed to give the West another shake. Denver is in a good position to take top seed in the conference with the 11th easiest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon.
Nuggets win NBA finals rematch | 01:04
4. Los Angeles Clippers (39-21)
Health was always going to be the key for the Clippers and fortunately for them Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have been able to stay on the court more often than not this season. A fractured hand for Russell Westbrook won’t help given the success Los Angeles had after the guard reportedly volunteered to come off the bench after the Clippers suffered six straight losses. Although Westbrook had been in a rough shooting stretch lately anyway. Westbrook though isn’t the only one who has put the team first this season, with James Harden also embracing his role as the third option in this Clippers offence since making the move from Philadelphia. In fact, Harden’s usage percentage is the lowest since his second NBA season with the Thunder, which in some ways will be a relief in the post-season where there won’t be as much pressure on the 34-year-old with Leonard and George running the show. Speaking of which, if Jokic didn’t exist Leonard may well be a leading contender in the MVP race. Leonard is averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists and provided he stays healthy, the Clippers could be poised to make the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history (53 years).
Kawhi Leonard is fit and firing. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
THE DARK HORSES
5. New Orleans Pelicans (36-25)
Like the Clippers, this one is all about health. Losing Australian Dyson Daniels, who underwent a successful meniscectomy on his left knee in mid-February, doesn’t help. For his shortcomings on the offensive end, Daniels is one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders in the league and formed a fearsome tandom with teammate Herb Jones, helping create fast-break opportunities. Otherwise, New Orleans has a clean bill of health — a stark contrast to where New Orleans found itself last season after injuries spoiled a strong start to the year. If anything, finding ways for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to continue playing off each other into the post-season will be central to determining just far the Pelicans can go. On a personal level, both Williamson and Ingram have been able to stay on the court and in the case of the former, he is looking explosive again finishing at the rim. And when Williamson isn’t doing that he’s running the offence, with New Orleans quickly realising it is at its best with ‘Point Zion’.
6. Phoenix Suns (35-26)
There is little doubting the Suns have the offensive firepower to challenge for a title. But what about the defence? Phoenix currently ranks 13th in the league for defensive rating (114.3), which isn’t too bad. But this just doesn’t look like a team that is complete enough to challenge the likes of Boston and Denver. It is similar to Dallas. Phoenix could absolutely upset a higher seed in the first round of the playoffs, especially when you have Devin Booker and Kevin Durant averaging 27.5 and 27.8 points per game respectively. But the Suns just haven’t been able to build the kind of chemistry needed to make a deep playoffs run, especially when you consider Bradley Beal’s injury woes. Now Booker is dealing with an ankle injury. Phoenix currently sit in sixth position but is at risk of dropping into the play-in tournament with Sacramento, Dallas, Golden State and Los Angeles lurking.
Cavs shock Mavs with crazy buzzer-beater | 01:08
Working against the Suns is the fact they have the hardest schedule remaining according to Tankathon, having to play the Celtics, Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Clippers twice before the end of the season. ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on ‘NBA Today’ that it would be a “potential disaster scenario” for the Suns to fall into the play-in tournament. “They went all-in for this team and just haven’t seen it together. When they’ve been together they’ve been really good but once you’re in the play-in you are super vulnerable to not even getting into the playoffs or getting a match-up where it is super hard to win even two or three rounds,” Lowe added.
8. Dallas Mavericks (34-27)
Honestly, the temptation was there to put Dallas in just making up the numbers given its inconsistent recent form. Last month the Mavericks beat up on the Thunder and scored wins over the Knicks and Suns but also went down to the undermanned Sixers, were thumped by the Celtics and Pacers and pipped by a Max Strus prayer shot. It is just hard to see Dallas playing at the consistently high level that is needed to make the NBA Finals, let alone go deep in the competitive Western Conference. The additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford though give the Mavericks something they haven’t always had in previous years — high-calibre depth. It means the burden shouldn’t always be on Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving to produce the kind of big games that Dallas previously needed to even stand a chance in the post-season. Whether it is enough to compete with well-drilled teams that seem to have a better understanding of their identity remains to be seen.
MAKING UP THE NUMBERS
7. Sacramento Kings (34-26)
The Kings were one of the big surprise packets last season and currently sit seventh in the Western Conference. In a lot of ways, not a whole lot has changed for Sacramento, who entered the All-Star break with a 31-23 record, which was identical to where the franchise stood at the same point last season. The biggest difference? The West is much more competitive this season and so while the Kings again look like a solid playoff team, it is hard to see them making the jump to genuine contender status this year. Another first-round series defeat or even a play-in tournament exit looks the likeliest option.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (34-29)
The Lakers will go as far as LeBron James and Anthony Davis can take them. Although a repeat of last year’s charge to the Western Conference Finals may be tough to come by if Los Angeles is again forced to win its way through the play-in tournament. That may be the reality for LeBron and co. though as they face the fifth toughest remaining schedule according to Tankathon, having to play the Timberwolves and Bucks twice in the run home. A resounding win over the Thunder though, even if it just one game, proves the Lakers could be a problem in the playoffs with the right match-up. But it is hard to buy them sustaining that level of play to get all the way to the Finals. Of course, James’ potential impending free agency status looms large but even if the Lakers aren’t able to replicate last season’s post-season run their main selling point will be the trade assets they have up their sleeve this summer. That will somewhat soften the blow if the Lakers make an early exit.
All hail the King! LeBron reaches 40k! | 00:37
10. Golden State Warriors (32-28)
Playing against the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics is one way to get a sense for just how close — or far away — you are from contending for a championship this season. And in the case of the Warriors, it was a timely wake-up call as Golden State was blown out by 52 points. This was a Warriors team that had won 13 of their past 16 games to potentially emerge as a championship dark horse that may have been better placed with the above three teams. From Draymond Green’s welcomed return and the associated re-emergence of Andrew Wiggins to Klay Thompson embracing his new role after moving to the bench, these Warriors looked to be building something. They still could be. The Celtics are just that good that sometimes you’re going to have losses like the one Golden State had on Monday. But it was a reminder of just how far ahead the better teams in the league are this season, including the Nuggets who overcame a slow start to finish well on top of the Warriors last week. Golden State currently sits in 10th in the West, meaning they would be facing the Lakers in a do-or-die play-in tournament game if the season stopped right now.
SHOULD BE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
11. Utah Jazz (28-34)
It has been a rough recent stretch for the Jazz, who have dropped eight of their last nine games to fall to 11th in the West and it is hard to see them making up enough ground to challenge either the Lakers or Warriors for a spot in the play-in tournament. The Jazz have the worst defensive rating (123.3) in the league over the last 15 games, punished in size mismatches while Lauri Markkanen hasn’t been able to keep up the kind of production that had Utah moving up the standings earlier in the season.
12. Houston Rockets (26-34)
Like the Jazz, the Rockets just haven’t been consistent enough to anticipate the kind of run they need to make in the next month to qualify for the play-in tournament. Although the fact Houston is even on the playoff bubble has to be a positive given expectations were relatively low for the rebuilding Rockets this season. The focus in the summer though will be working out how Houston approaches the next stage of its rebuild, whether it is continuing to patiently develop its young core or package some of its assets for a star player via trade.
BasketBRAWL: Butler ejected in NOLA | 01:10
ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
13. Memphis Grizzlies (21-41)
The Grizzlies were already up against it before the season tipped off, with superstar guard Ja Morant suspended for the first 25 games. Memphis looked to be building something when Morant returned but it was short-lived as the 24-year-old was later ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder. The injury list keeps growing too, with Ziaire Williams And Derrick Rose the latest names set for time on the sidelines. Bring on next year.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (17-43)
Another team that was expected to be sitting down the bottom of the Western Conference after trading Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Although the Blazers didn’t enter full-scale rebuilding mode, holding onto players like Jerami Grant, Malcolm Brogdon, Matisse Thybulle and Robert Williams at the trade deadline. Where they fit in the team’s long-term plans remains to be seen but Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are still key building blocks for the future.
15. San Antonio Spurs (13-48)
This season was all about the Victor Wembanyama experience, with the No.1 overall pick firmly in Rookie of the Year calculations. Wembanyama has averaged 20.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in his rookie season. Finding a starting point guard still remains the likely next move for the Spurs, who have leaned on Tre Jones to fill the void left by Dejounte Murray for the time being.
We’ve just about hit the quarter mark of the NBA season.
And the fortunes of several blockbuster trades — one in season — are proving to have a key impact on the title race and campaign at large, while significantly altering teams’ fortunes.
Below are foxsports.com.au’s winners and loser from the big moves that transpired.
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PG hits scintillating GAME-WINNING three | 00:43
CELTS RECONFIGURE IN THREE-WAY PORZINGIS SWAP
Celtics receive
Kristaps Porzingis (via Wizards), No. 25 pick in 2023 Draft (via Grizzlies), 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via Warriors)
Grizzlies received
Marcus Smart (via Celtics)
Wizards received
Tyus Jones (via Grizzlies), Danilo Gallinari (via Celtics), Mike Muscula (via Celtics), No. 35 pick in 2023 Draft (via Celtics)
Early winner
The addition of Porzingis to the Celtics has made the now title favourites even stronger and unlock a new level of Joe Mazulla’s side in the Jayson Tatum-Jalen Brown era. Having Porzingis at centre as a genuine floor spacer provides line-up flexibility and lanes the C’s haven’t had before, while the maligned Latvian big man has averaged a cool 18.9 points on 54 per cent shooting from the field, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Health is clearly the main concern with Porzingis — and he’s currently sidelined with a calf injury — but having him available at the business end of the season is clearly more important.
Early loser
Both Memphis and Washington have come away worse for wear. While the 5-14 Grizzlies can at least put their issues down to the absence of stars — including to Smart — they’re actually trying to contend, whereas the 3-15 Wizards are effectively in tank mode, even if J0nes has underwhelmed at his new side, and they could yet flip the guard for a long-term asset. So looking at it from a wider lens — and not necessarily a knock on Smart — Memphis has been the loser. And in Jones the Griz at least had a known quantity who knew how to run their system whenever Ja Morant was out. Memphis was of course simply trying to take itself to the next level to contend in the Western Conference, and while there’s ample time to turn things around, it’s been a grim first quarter of the season for the franchise.
Grayson Allen (via Bucks) Keon Johnson (via Blazers) Nassir Little (via Blazers) Jusuf Nurkic (via Blazers)
Early winner
A fair bit to unpack here. But any side that gets a multi-time All-NBA, All-Star guard has to be the winner, so it’s the Bucks (for now at least). Sure, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing integrating Lillard into the line-up amid a big drop off from the team on the defensive end of the court compared to having Holiday out front. But for all those concerns, Milwaukee sits third in the East at 14-6 and have claim of the league’s second-best net rating over the last 10 games. The Bucks are in the business of winning titles right now, so going all in on Lillard makes complete sense. The Suns are also a sneaky winner, with Nurkic in perhaps the ideal landing spot for his skill set as a throw in that’s proved to be an important piece — he just needs to stay healthy. Allen has also provided invaluable depth, particularly with Bradley Beal sidelined.
Early loser
The Blazers are the closest thing to a loser — not in terms of what they got in the Lillard deal, but more just from a holistic standpoint. When you trade a franchise superstar, you’re generally committing to a lengthy rebuild and accepting your current core doesn’t have what it takes to win a title, plus there’s no guarantees when going back to the draft. In terms of this deal specifically, Portland only got one first-round pick in addition to two-pick swaps, whereas the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert yielded much bigger hauls in terms of draft capital. Then there’s the DeAndre Ayton side of it, with the gun big man and former No. 1 pick still failing to live up to his enormous potential despite being in a opportunistic situation. In saying all this, the Blazers already have exciting young players in Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, so they’re well placed overall.
Ctrl+C+V for the above Porzingis point. Unlike Porzingis though, Holiday has taken more of a back seat in Boston and personally sacrificed the most of its four stars — at least offensively. No matter, the stud defensive guard remains a key piece that has it looking like the clear Larry O’Brien trophy frontrunner right now and will clearly provide a huge boost come the real stuff. He’s averaged 12.2 points, 5.1 assists and 0.7 steals per game, which would statistically be his worst season since his sophomore campaign. However the 33-year old provides elite defensively flexibility and a sturdy veteran presence, plus championship pedigree from Milwaukee.
Early loser
Can we say no one? It probably is Portland, but it’s not by a lot and more comes down to whether or not it could’ve got more for Holiday after acquiring him from Milwaukee in the Damian Lillard trade. There’s otherwise genuine concerns around Williams’ future after he suffered yet another knee injury likely to sideline the big man for the rest of this season. Missing him on the court aside — for Portland isn’t exactly trying to win games — the Blazers could’ve traded him to a contender for an asset ahead of the deadline, but that’s no longer an option really. Brogdon has been solid, but again, did they really want someone to help them now who will stand in the way of Scoot Henderson? And the picks of course compliment the Blazers’ direction.
Is Beal the piece that’s going to take Phoenix past any other team — or at least be the key factor to do so? That’s the big question here, and frankly, we still just don’t know as the star guard’s start to his Suns tenure has been ruined by injury. Considering the mega return Washington got for a player who’s never quite gotten back to his All-Star heights of several years ago and you’d have to give the Wizards the points right now. Plus Washington flipped Chris Paul for Jordan Poole (though more on the later) as another long-term piece to do add to its collection — even if he’s struggled to really ascend his game at his new team.
Early loser
To this point, it’s Phoenix, though it could change quickly. As mentioned, we just haven’t seen nearly enough of Beal yet in a Phoenix guernsey — only three times, to be specific. In fact, the team’s big three of Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have combined for a total zero regular season appearances together as Booker has also battled injury in a worrying factor. The Suns have still cruised to a nice 12-8 start to the season, and they could yet reach an even higher level when Beal returns. But the big swing move for the 30-year old hasn’t yet lived up to what Phoenix gave up. And what if Beal’s injury lingers throughout the season?
Kings topple Warriors for Group C throne | 00:57
WARRIORS LAND CP3
Warriors received
Chris Paul
Wizards received
Patrick Baldwin Jr., Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, 2027 second-round pick, 2030 first-round pick (top 20 protected), Cash considerations
Early winner
Not that the Poole-Wizards era is necessarily going well, but the Washington is at least accruing long-term assets and what it’s doing makes sense, so it’s a soft winner. And there’s the potential for him to turn things around from an individual standpoint — or the Wizards move him elsewhere. As mentioned earlier, the franchise has gone into all-out tank mode and its No. 1 ambition might just be finishing with the worst record in the league, of which it’s not far off.
Early loser
The CP3 era in Golden State is off to a rough start. Nor does it appear to be the lever the team should’ve pulled given it’s clear need for a second offensive star alongside Steph Curry as opposed to solidifying its bench, plus you’d argue it was better off with Poole to Paul, who’s already suffered his first injury setback of the season and is hard to trust to stay healthy. There’s still the potential for the Warriors to trade Paul or one or more of their young players to change up the rotation. Because right now, instead of Golden State going to another level, it seems to have gone backwards in concerning signs for Steve Kerr and company.
‘Wait a minute!’ Smith blasts ‘idiots’ | 02:01
CLIPPERS PULL TRIGGER ON HARDEN
Sixers received
Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, 2029 pick swap, (all via Clippers), 2026 protected first-round pick (via Thunder)
Clippers received
James Harden, P.J. Tucker, Filip Petrusev
Thunder received
2027-first-round pick swap (via Clippers)
Early winner
Not only did Philadelphia rid itself of the Harden drama, it gave Maxey a clear runway to be a superstar and got better in the process. Usually it’s the team that acquires the superstar in a trade that wins — and while that could yet be the case — it’s been addition by subtraction for the 12-7 Sixers to consolidate their roster with other useful pieces as well as assets they could use to acquire another star by the deadline. Some now believe they can not only compete with the likes of Boston and Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference, but could be the premier team. It’s also crucial the team keeps winning games to convince Joel Embiid to stick around long term.
Early loser
Yes, the Clippers are starting to work things out with Harden after a gloomy 0-4 start to his tenure with the team. But if it hadn’t already, LA has now gone completely all-in with this roster and has basically no draft picks remaining for the decade as a result. Even if Harden has made the Clippers a better team overall, the deal simply has to take them over the top of the likes of Denver, Phoenix and potentially Minnesota and Oklahoma City to be considered a success — or at least even with such West powerhouses. From what we’ve seen so far, that’s not the case. While it could be argued the team was already chips in during the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era, the franchise could’ve dealt both and pushed the reset button, but it’s gone all out the other way ahead of the opening of its new arena in 2024. It’s still a long season ahead though, and the Clippers are nearly back at .500, with the health of the aforementioned stars paramount to everything.
The Bucks pulled the trigger on one of the biggest trades in recent seasons, landing point guard Damian Lillard to partner Giannis Antetokounmpo as they aim to head back to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, can Australia’s very own Josh Giddey and his emerging Oklahoma City Thunder squad progress to the playoffs after falling agonisingly short last season?
Here at foxsports.com.au, we’ve run our eye over all 30 teams. Read on for our bumper NBA season preview!
Analysis: It was only three seasons ago that the Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals, but in the two campaigns since, they’ve been bundled out in the first round. It’s clear what this team wants to do, considering they possess a stack of shooters, including Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic and the emerging Saddiq Bey. They also added Patty Mills and Wesley Matthews in the offseason as well as drafting shooting guard Kobe Bufkin. The back-court of Young and Dejounte Murray, who signed a 4-year, $120 million extension, is one of the best in the league. They compliment each other well and showed that in the first round of the playoffs, when taking two games off the Celtics. Quin Snyder took over as coach towards the end of last season and is an upgrade on Nate McMillan, who was fired heading into the All-Star break. Snyder has had a full offseason with the Hawks which is important, and that, coupled with the addition of two savvy veterans, should see Atlanta improve on last season and make some noise in the East.
Prediction: 6th in the East
BOSTON CELTICS
Gained: PF Kristaps Porzingis, PG Jrue Holiday, G Oshae Brissett
Lost: SG Marcus Smart, F Grant Williams, F Robert Williams, PG Malcolm Brogdon
Analysis: The Celtics have made the conference finals in three of the last four seasons but keep finding a way to fall short. Favoured by many to win it all in 2022-2023, it was a disappointing playoff campaign last season, taking six games to beat the Hawks, seven to progress over the 76ers in the conference semis before losing in seven against the Heat. Something needs to give in order to get over the hump, so GM Brad Stevens decided to make a number of huge moves this offseason, including orchestrating a bumper trade to acquire Porzingis. Unfortunately, that mean tough-nosed fan favourite Marcus Smart had to go. The Celtics also picked up Jrue Holiday in the Damien Lillard-to-Milwaukee three-team trade. In addition, star forward Jaylen Brown ensured his future in Boston by signing the richest NBA deal ever. Throw in MVP candidate Jayson Tatum and the Celtics boasts one of the most potent offenses in the NBA and are as well as they’ve ever been placed to win their first title in 15 years.
Prediction: 1st
BROOKLYN NETS
Gained: PG Dennis Smith Jr, G Lonnie Walker, F Noah Clowney (draft), G Dariq Whitehead (draft)
Lost: F Yuta Watanabe
Analysis: The question on the lips of many is ‘will Ben Simmons ever get back to his best?’ The Aussie star has barely been sighted over the past two seasons (just 42 games) and has become an NBA whipping boy. However, there have been good signs in the offseason/preseason that Simmons is ready to perform like we know he can. Simply put, he’s going to have to for this Nets team to have any chance of winning at least one playoff series. Defensively, Simmons makes this team much better, and that aspect is going to have to be a strength for a Nets side who lack a superstar. Mikal Bridges emerged last season after being traded from Phoenix as a part of the Kevin Durant deal. Of course, the Nets boast several draft picks from the Durant and Kyrie Irving (Dallas) trades, so perhaps the front office could use those in future deals to improve their team immediately. However, until that happens, the Nets are just a middle-of-the-road team.
Prediction: 12th
Ben Simmons.Source: Getty Images
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Gained: Brandon Miller (1st round draft pick)
Lost: G Dennis Smith Jr, Kelly Oubre Jr, Kai Jones
Analysis: The Hornets were never in the hunt last season, finishing with one of the worst records in the league (27-55). They are likely to be significant improvers this time around, even though it likely won’t end in a playoff berth. Charlotte drafted Alabama guard/forward Brandon Miller with the second overall pick, and he’s a player who should boost this team right away as he was the most-ready-made prospect in the entire draft. LaMelo Ball is a star, who inked a massive five-year extension, but his absence through injury for most of last season was noticeable. The Hornets really could have used Miles Bridges, but his future on the team is uncertain. Bridges, who didn’t play at all last season, was suspended 30 games by the league after being charged with domestic violence. He was due back this season but has since violated a protection order. There are some good, young pieces on this roster (Ball, Miller), and underrated players who are more than capable (PJ Washington, Mark Williams) and will improve from last season, I just don’t think there are a team primed to challenge in the East just yet.
Prediction: 13th
CHICAGO BULLS
Gained: G Jevon Carter, F Torrey Craig
Lost: G Pat Beverley, F Derrick Jones Jr.
Analysis: It’s fair to say the 2022-23 Bulls were a big disappointment. The 40-42 record indicates a mediocre team, which is what they were, despite boasting Zach Lavine, Demar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. With so much money tied up in those three players, there isn’t much wiggle room for the Bulls to improve their roster and barring the pick-up of some needed point guard depth in Jevon Carter, they didn’t really get a whole lot better in the offseason. Sadly, Lonzo Ball will again miss yet another season with his troublesome left knee. He would have been a huge help. High draft pick Patrick Williams hasn’t kicked on like the franchise would have expected, and if anything, regressed last season. At this stage, the Bulls are a middling team and with Lavine, DeRozan and Vucevic not getting any younger, I don’t envisage them scaring anyone in the East.
Prediction: 9th
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Gained: G Max Strus, F Georges Niang, G Emoni Bates (draft)
Lost: F Cedi Osman
Analysis: Donovan Mitchell was excellent in his first season with the Cavs, averaging over 28 points a game, building a strong back-court with the talented PG Darius Garland who should only improve again in what is his fifth year in the league. Evan Mobley impressed in his second season, showing off plenty of versatility. After winning 51 games in the regular season, was an anticlimactic end for the Cavs, losing to the Knicks 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs. They were able to get better in the offseason as they didn’t lose any key players but were able to add a couple of sharpshooters in Max Strus and Georges Niang. The Cavs are one of the better teams in the East, but until they can win at least a series in the postseason, they aren’t yet a serious threat for the title.
Prediction: 3rd
Donovan MitchellSource: Getty Images
DETROIT PISTONS
Gained: F Joe Harris, G Monte Morris, G Ausar Thompson (draft)
Lost: G Cory Joseph
Analysis: The Pistons have a new coach in the well-regarded Monty Williams and plenty of young pieces who should enjoy long NBA careers. The return of Cade Cunningham is key. He was very good as a rookie and improved in his second season but only played 12 games before a stress fracture ended his season, although there was seldom a shot he didn’t like which affected his shooting percentage. Jaden Ivey is Cunningham’s running mate in the back court and he made huge strides last season. Jalen Duren is Detroit’s centre of the future while rookie Ausar Thompson will have an immediate impact defensively. It won’t be hard to win more games than they did last season (17) but it won’t be for at least a couple of years until we see the Pistons be in a position to challenge for a championship.
Prediction: 14th
INDIANA PACERS
Gained: G Bruce Brown, F Opi Toppin, G Ben Sheppard (draft), F Jarace Walker
Lost: G Chris Duarte
Analysis: There were plenty of decent signs from this Pacers team last year, despite missing the postseason with a 35-47 record. Tyrese Haliburton was one of the league’s best point guards and was rewarded with a new contract. The Pacers added the tenacious Bruce Brown from the championship winning Nuggets and playing around him will only improve this team’s effort. Bennedict Mathurin looks set for a very good career in this league after showing out as a 6th man in his rookie season. Expect to see him in the starting line up in the near future. The Pacers should improve on last season’s record.
Prediction: 11th
MIAMI HEAT
Gained: C Thomas Bryant, F Jaime Jaquez (draft)
Lost: G Gabe Vincent, G Victor Oladipo, F Max Strus
Analysis: It was a remarkable run from the Heat last season, progressing to the NBA Finals from the Play-In Tournament. The catalyst for that run was the play of Jimmy Butler, who had one of the all-time finals series. There was a time during the offseason where it appeared Damian Lillard would end up at the Heat, but it was the Bucks who swooped in, which caught the ire of a few Miami players, notably Butler. However, they have to let bygones be bygones and focus on the team they have. Tyler Herro’s return from a wrist injury is a big boost but the losses of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus will be felt as both players were strong contributers last season. With that said, the Butler-led Heat will again be competitive with Herro and Bam Adebayo to feature prominently. After last season, you just can’t count this team out.
Prediction: 7th
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Gained: PG Damian Lillard, G Malik Beasley, C Robin Lopez
Lost: PG Jrue Holiday, G Grayson Allen
Analysis: After being bundled out in the first round last year (the sixth ever No.1 seed to lose to an 8 seed), superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo made no secret that the Bucks had to make improvements soon or he might be out of there. The front office were obviously listening as the Bucks pulled off one of biggest trades in recent memory when acquiring Portland point guard Damian Lillard. Unfortunately, they had to part ways with fan favourite Jrue Holiday but it was clear it was a move Milwaukee had to make to get back into the NBA Finals. It’s the first time both Lillard and Antetokounmpo have played with another star player and the veteran point guard’s best chance of winning a championship after toiling away in Portland in recent seasons. Giannis may have only just signed a new three-year extension worth $186m (USD), but the clock is ticking on this new partnership. The Bucks have to win now as the franchise have committed so much money to both Antetokounmpo and Lillard to the tune of over $122m (USD) a year between the two of them. In fact, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are the two highest earners in the NBA annually ($62m, $60.8m respectively). The Bucks’ first round exit last season resulted in coach Mike Budenholzer’s firing. He’s been replaced with former Toronto assistant and rookie head coach Adrian Griffin.
Prediction: 2nd
Milwaukee’s trade for Damian Lillard sent shockwaves through the NBA.Source: AFP
NEW YORK KNICKS
Gained: G Donte DiVincenzo
Lost: G Derrick Rose, F Obi Toppin
Analysis: The Knicks won just their second playoff series in 10 years when defeating the Cavs 4-1. It was one of their better seasons in recent memory and they’ll hope to build off that. The Jalen Brunson acquisition was a terrific move with the point guard taking his game to a new level in New York after getting out from under Luka Doncic’s shadow in Denver. Immanuel Quickley also had a career-best season, resulting in a runner-up finish in the sixth man of the year race. There are no out-and-out superstars on their roster, but they have a very good core of Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett and are a well-coached team. They will be thereabouts again.
Prediction: 5th
ORLANDO MAGIC
Gained: G Anthony Black (draft), F Jett Howard (draft)
Lost: F Bol Bol
Analysis: There’s plenty to like about this team and the way they finished off last season, and if it wasn’t for such a sluggish start, the Magic would have likely made the Play-In Tournament. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero was immense from day dot for the Magic, averaging nearly 21 points and seven rebounds a game. He leads a young team that just got younger in the offseason, adding Anthony Black (6th overall) and Jett Howard (11th overall) in the draft. Orlando just inked an extension with handy guard Cole Anthony who is plenty versatile and will be a sixth-man of the year contender this season. Are the Magic a serious threat? Far from it, but they should provide plenty of entertainment as they continue navigating through a rebuild.
Prediction: 10th
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic may surprise some people this season.Source: AFP
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Gained: G Pat Beverley, F Kelly Oubre
Lost: F Georges Niang, G Shake Milton
Analysis: We will start with the elephant in the room. What in the world is going on with James Harden? At this stage, it doesn’t appear he’ll be on the floor for the 76ers’ opening game against the Bucks on Friday (AEDT). What happened? Well the relationship between Harden and GM Daryl Morey has disintegrated badly with the star guard publicly calling out Morey numerous times this offseason in addition to requesting a trade (which hasn’t been granted). Harden opted into his contract and picked up his $35.6 million (USD) option but then wanted to be traded. In Harden’s eyes, he should have been offered a long term deal and wasn’t so Morey can’t be trusted. New coach Nick Nurse will have to go on without Harden, who led the league in assists last season. Joel Embiid was able to win his first MVP this season, and while he will still be one of the best players in basketball with or without Harden, he may not be as effective as last season without Harden running point. The 76ers have picked up a couple of good role players in Beverley and Oubre Jr, the latter who will instantly improve the team’s three-point shooting.
Prediction: 4th
Has James Harden played his last game for the 76ers?Source: AFP
TORONTO RAPTORS
Gained: G Dennis Schroder, G Gradey Dick (draft)
Lost: G Fred VanVleet
Analysis: It’s a new dawn for the Toronto Raptors, who fired Nick Nurse after an underwhelming 10th placed finish last season and replaced him with rookie NBA head coach Darko Rajakovic. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam is the star of the show, but he’ll need help from the likes of Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby with Fred VanVleet leaving in free agency. It was somewhat of a sophomore slump for Barnes last season but expect him to bounce back. He’s a stat sheet filler who is improving his shooting range so if the Raptors are to play well, he’ll need to be better. Rookie Gradey Dick is a three-point threat which is desperately needed, especially in VanVleet’s absence. They are a long way from getting back to a championship, but their best form would be good enough to progress to the playoffs and perhaps win a series.
Prediction: 8th
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Gained: G Jordan Poole, G Tyus Jones, G Landry Shamet, F Bilal Coulibaly (draft)
Lost: G Brad Beal, G Monte Morris, F Kristaps Porzingis
Analysis: The Wizards said farewell to Brad Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, their two best players. Beal is a huge loss as he was the heart-and-soul of this team, but it was a necessary change to trade him onto a contender as they weren’t getting anywhere with him as the team’s first scoring option. Instead, they’ll rely on walking bucket Jordan Poole and the newly extended Kyle Kuzma. Poole has his shortcomings, but he proved when given the chance to start at the Warriors, that he could post big numbers. Bilal Couliabaly is a promising high draft pick who should find himself playing quite a bit in his rookie year. They might prove to be a plucky team at times, but make no mistake, the Wizards will be finishing near the bottom of the standings in the East.
Prediction: 15th
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Mavericks
Gained: F Grant Williams, G Seth Curry, G Dante Exum, C Richaun Holmes, C Dereck Lively II (draft)
Lost: F Reggie Bullock
Analysis: The Mavs suffered a late-season collapse, missing the playoffs despite heading into the All-Star break with a 31-26 record. That collapse coincided with the arrival of Kyrie Irving in late February. Whether Irving and Luka Doncic can coexist is the big question. They went 5-11 when playing together last season, but with the benefit of a full offseason under their belt together, expect that record to prove to be an outlier. Dallas added several handy role players which will help defensively, including Grant Williams from the Celtics. Aussie Dante Exum is back in the NBA with Dallas and he too will had plenty of starch defensively. Tipping the Mavericks to hit back from a disappointing 2022-2023 and progress to the postseason.
Prediction: 7th in the West
Can Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic coexist in Dallas?Source: AFP
Denver Nuggets
Gained: G Justin Holiday
Lost: G Bruce Brown, F Jeff Green
Analysis: Last season’s champs did it with the ears pricked in the end as the nonchalant, harness racing-loving Nikola Jokic proved he was the best player in the NBA with his first title. Guard Jamal Murray made a big leap last season, earning a place on the All-NBA team while Michael Porter Jr. hit big shots time and time again. The departure of Bruce Brown is hard to replace, but there a couple of younger players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson who can play a similar role. The Nuggets didn’t get much better, but they won’t need to to go back-to-back as was the ease they cruised to a championship last season. At this early stage, the West is between the Nuggets and Suns with a bit of a gap to the rest of the teams.
Prediction: 2nd
Golden State Warriors
Gained: G Chris Paul, G Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski (draft)
Lost: G Jordan Poole, G Donte DiVicenzo
Analysis: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green may be in the twilight of their careers, but as long as that core is on the floor, Golden State can never be counted out. Jordan Poole was traded to the Wizards, with veteran PG Chris Paul joining the Warriors. It’s hard to envisage what Golden State will look like with Paul joining the fray, but there’s no doubt he adds another level head and basketball smarts to a team that aren’t lacking in those areas. The key is Steph Curry and whether he can continue to play at such a high level. The Warriors adding a savvy vet in Cory Joseph while Jonathan Kuminga improved vastly last season and has been near outstanding in preseason action. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski is another who has been balling out for the Warriors this preseason. They’ll shock some people and make a deep run.
Prediction: 5th
Houston Rockets
Gained: G Amen Thompson (draft), G Cam Whitmore (draft), F Dillon Brooks, G Fred VanVleet, C Jock Landale, F Jeff Green
Lost: G Kevin Porter Jr, F KJ Martin
Analysis: Were willing to make a splash in free agency, giving rich deals to Fred VanVleet and the polarising Dillon Brooks. From an outsiders perspective, it may look like Houston paid overs for these two players, but for a young team yearning for experience, they are good acquisitions. VanVleet will be good for 20 points a night, while Brooks’ defensive prowess can’t be overstated, despite his shortcomings. Houston traded last season’s point guard Kevin Porter Jr. because of serious legal issues, so VanVleet will be required to earn every cent of his $128.5m (USD) contract. The Rockets drafted Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in the first round to add to a young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr and the very impressive big man Alperen Sengun. There will be more growing pains for this group this campaign, but they should eclipse last season’s 22 win total.
Prediction:13th
LA Clippers
Gained: G Kobe Brown (draft), Kenyon Martin Jr
Lost: G Eric Gordon
Analysis: This shapes up as a huge season for the Clippers. In what has been indicative of the past few seasons, they were bundled out after a 4-1 first round series loss to the Suns with Paul George missing the entire series. When Kawhi Leonard and George joined the team in July 2019, many thought the Clippers would soon be winning championships or at the very least, contesting the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case with injuries playing a big factor as Leonard and George have only played together in 142 of a possible 308 games, going an impressive 96-46. That stat alone should give Clippers fans hope that if these two superstars can stay on the court, it bodes well for their title chances. However, from what we’ve seen recently, it is a big if.
Prediction: 3rd
LA Lakers
Gained: C Jaxson Hayes, F Taurean Prince, F Christian Wood, G Gabe Vincent
Lost: G Malik Beasley, G Dennis Schroder
Analysis: The Lakers have probably one of the more well-rounded rosters heading into a new season than they have in years past. Depth has been the concern in those recent seasons, but the Lakers were able to add some handy pieces such as Christian Wood and Gabe Vincent, which will potentially be low risk, high reward signings. Both are very handy players, Wood especially on his day. With that said, the burning question is whether 38-year-old LeBron James shows any sign of slowing down. It doesn’t appear he is just yet and with running mate Anthony Davis at the peak of his powers, the Lakers look well placed to make another deep run with these added parts to the roster expected to be key.
Predicition: 6th
LeBron James is gearing up for season 21.Source: AFP
Memphis Grizzlies
Gained:
Lost:
Analysis: The Western Conference will be extremely competitive this season, and despite winning 50 games in 2022-2023 to finish second, the Grizzlies are a team who may find themselves sliding down the standings. Star point guard Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games and centre Steven Adams is out for the entire season with a knee injury. The conference is so strong and a slow start without Morant might be too tough to overcome later in the season. Adding Marcus Smart via trade was a shrewd move after gun defender Dillon Brooks left for Houston in free agency. The Grizzlies are a tight-knit bunch who are well-coached, but their lack of top-tier talent outside of Morant may hurt them in a season a number of teams in the conference are expected to ascend.
Prediction: 10th
Minnesota Timberwolves
Gained: G Shake Milton
Lost: F Tauren Prince
Analysis: Intriguing team are the Wolves. On paper, they have one of the more talented starting fives in the league, but for one reason or another, they can never seem to gel as a unit. Anthony Edwards as a bona fide superstar and has earned every cent of the bumper new $260 million (USD) deal he signed in the offseason. For mine, he’s Minnesota’s most important player, however what will also be critical to the Timberwolves’ success will be how the frontcourt pairing of Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert will work. Minnesota sold the farm for Gobert before last season but his form was mixed at best. He didn’t see much time on the floor with KAT though with the latter only appearing in 29 games last season. One thing that this team doesn’t lack though is confidence. Point guard Mike Conley isn’t short of belief in this group, stating at Minnesota’s media day, “I think that last year our team, if we were healthy, we were a team that could have been the Denver Nuggets of last year”. Huge call, but it’s hard to disagree that if these talented group of players can find a way to put it altogether, the Timberwolves can make some noise this season.
Prediction:8th
Timberwolves star Anthony EdwardsSource: Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans
Gained: G Jordan Hawkins (draft)
Lost: C Jaxson Hayes
Analysis: After a terrific first couple of months, the Pelicans dropped off to finish 9th in the West last season and were eliminated during the Play-In Tournament after a loss to the Thunder. At the moment, they are simply a middling team who don’t have the firepower to challenge for a title. Australia’s own Dyson Daniels, Herbert Jones and sharpshooter Trey Murphy III are three players set to make a big leap this season and improve on their strong end to 2022-2023, but outside of them, a lot of guys have hit their ceiling. There’s talent on this roster, notably Zion Williamson, but he just can’t stay healthy. If the Pelicans were to make into the playoffs, it wouldn’t be a shock, but there’s as good a chance they miss out completely. The concern is that they didn’t really improve in the offseason other than adding rookie Jordan Hawkins in the draft whereas other teams around them in the standings in the West, did.
Prediction: 11th
Oklahoma City Thunder
Gained: F Davis Bertans, G Cason Wallace (draft)
Lost: F Dario Saric, C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Analysis: Every Aussie’s first or second favourite team made huge strides last season. The Thunder were one game away from progressing to a seven-game playoff series, but were defeated by Minnesota in the Play-In Tournament. Conventional wisdom suggests they’ll improve on that result with last year’s number two overall pick Chet Holmgren to now feature in the line-up. It’s essentially Holmgren’s rookie year after missing all of last season with a foot injury. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved he is one of the most prolific scores in the league last season and the Thunder will go as far as he takes them, while Josh Giddey took a huge leap in his development Giddey was able to score more effectively last season, and many experts expect him to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2023-2024. A starting five of Giddey, SGA, last season’s outstanding rookie Jalen Williams, Holmgren and Lu Dort will make some noise in the West, and if they can keep those four core players together, success appears imminent at some stage over the next four to five seasons.
Prediction:9th
Phoenix Suns
Gained: G Brad Beal, C Jusuf Nurkic, G Grayson Allen
Lost: G Chris Paul, G Landry Shamet
Analysis: The Suns arguably possess the most potent trio of scorers in the league with Brad Beal joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix. The Suns gave away quite a bit to land Beal, including giving away Chris Paul and a number of draft pick swaps. Phoenix will be hoping Beal can be that piece that can help them get back to the NBA Finals after failing to progress pass the second round in the last two seasons. In addition, Durant has had the benefit of a full offseason with the Suns after arriving halfway through 2022-2023 campaign. They loom as the biggest threat to Denver in the West, and betting markets reflect that with the Suns and Nuggets $3.75 joint favourites to win the conference. While centre Deandre Ayton is a loss, former Trail Blazer Jusuf Nurkic is no slouch, and will certainly be an offensive threat down low that opponents can’t take lightly. The additions of bench players Grayson Allen, Bol Bol and Chimezie Metu ensures the Suns’ depth won’t be an issue.
Prediction:1st
The NBA’s newest superstar trio: Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.Source: Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers
Gained: G Scoot Henderson (draft), F Kris Murray (draft)
Lost: G Damian Lillard
Analysis: The end of an era in Portland. Star guard Damian Lillard, after 11 seasons of tremendous service, was traded in the offseason to Milwaukee. It was a move both teams had to make, as the Trail Blazers weren’t able to build a strong enough team around Lillard to contest. However, as sad as it is to see a player like Lillard go, Portland fans are ready for the Scoot Henderson show. Henderson fell to the Trail Blazers at pick number 3 in the 2023 NBA Draft, and will probably be the main option offensively. Anfernee Simons is a future All-Star who improved last season while Jerami Grant, who inked a rich five-year extension, can score from anywhere on the court while former number 1 pick Deandre Ayton will command plenty of respect from opponents. Depth is the concern for the Trail Blazers, but even though they are in the midst of a rebuild, they will have their moments this season.
Prediction: 14th
Sacramento Kings
Gained: G Chris Duarter, C Nerlens Noel, G Sasha Vezenkov (Euroleague)
Lost: C Richaun Holmes
Analysis: The question is, can they back up last season’s somewhat surprising third-placed finish in the West? They had the talent, but they were able to put it altogether and break a lengthy playoff drought. They wound up being bundled out by the Warriors in the first round, but that’s nothing to scoff at. The West is always a tough conference, so it’s hard to be confident they’ll nab a top four seed, but one thing is for sure – the Kings haven’t got worse. Sacramento have added Sasha Vezenkov from the Euroleague, and he’s shown in the preseason that he’ll be a player that has to be closely guarded on the perimeter from opposition defenses. Superstar point guard De’Aaron Fox is just hitting his prime so expect him to build on last season’s career best campaign, which resulted in a maiden All-Star appearance.
Prediction:4th
San Antonio Spurs
Gained: F Victor Wembanyama (draft), F Cedi Osman, G Reggie Bullock
Analysis: It’s safe to say they’ll be one of the most-watched teams this season, particularly early on because of the addition of one Victor Wembanyama. The 224cm, 19-year-old is the most hyped prospect since LeBron James and for good reason. His rare size blends with an unique skillset blends which creates a type of player that hasn’t been seen before in the NBA. While Wembanyama will undoubtedly make this team better, it’s still a very young roster in San Antonio. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are nice pieces who are improving but growing pains are to be expected again from the Spurs. Plenty will disagree, but this team will struggle to finish better than the bottom two in the West even with their shiny new toy.
Predicition:15th
Victor WembanyamaSource: AFP
Utah Jazz
Gained: F John Collins, F Taylor Hendricks (draft), G Keyonte George (draft), Brice Sensabaugh (draft)
Lost: C Juan Toscano-Anderson
Analysis: The acquisition of John Collins from Atlanta in a trade will help this burgeoning roster. Collins joins a frontcourt consisting of the up-and-coming centre Walker Kessler and All-Star Lauri Markkanen. In the back-court, Jordan Clarkson is a sharpshooter who can go on a tear with the drop of a hat, while Collin Sexton has flashed glimpses. Consistency is the issue with him, but if he can figure that out, he has a tonne of upside. There’s plenty to be excited about for Jazz fans, including three first round draft picks. But while they might not go deep into the playoffs, it wouldn’t shock to see them nab a lower seed and contest a Play-In match.
Jrue Holiday said he wanted to retire with the Bucks, but now he’s with one of their top competitors in the Eastern Conference.
The Trail Blazers are trading Holiday to the Celtics, according to multiple reports, just four days after Holiday was traded by the Bucks to the Blazers as part of a three-team blockbuster with the Suns that landed superstar Damian Lillard in Milwaukee.
Boston is sending Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick and 2029 unprotected first-round pick to Portland in return, according to ESPN.
On Wednesday, the Blazers acquired Holiday, an unprotected first-round pick and two unprotected pick swaps from the Bucks along with Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara from the Suns in the three-team deal.
The Suns acquired Jusuf Nurkic, Nasir Little and Keon Johnson from the Blazers and Grayson Allen from the Bucks in the deal.
In a rebuild, the Blazers were widely expected to quickly reroute Holiday to a contender after the trade, and now he’s well-situated to attempt to spoil his former side’s championship ambitions.
Holiday played the last three seasons with the Bucks, playing a key role in the team’s championship run in 2020-21 after they traded for him midseason.
He earned his second-career All-Star nod last year, and averaged 18.5 points, 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in his Bucks tenure.
Holiday has also been named to the All-Defensive first-or-second team five of the last six years.
One day prior to the blockbuster Lillard deal, Holiday told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he wanted to spend the rest of his career with the Bucks.
According to the Boston Globe and ESPN, the Celtics are sending Portland guard Malcolm Brogdon, center Robert Williams, a 2024 first-round NBA Draft pick obtained from Golden State and Boston’s 2029 first-round selection. (Photo by Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)Source: AFP
“Would love to [sign an extension],” Holiday the outlet.
“Before I even won here I think I said I’m a Buck for life and I mean that like deep in my heart. I don’t want to play for any other team. I think we have a chance to continue to do great things as the Bucks team and organisation so I want to be in Milwaukee. …
“Being with the Bucks, having three of the best seasons I’ve had in my career, and not only that but having a winning record, being a top team or a top-three team, I don’t think I was ever on a top three-team until I came to the Bucks.”
With Lillard along with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks made their title expectations clear.
The Bucks and Celtics finished first and second in the Eastern Conference last year, respectively, and will figure to be right back at the top with their new additions.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.
Pop superstar Robbie Williams is, quite literally, singing his praises.
His players have spoken glowingly about his managerial touch and have embraced his full-throttle style of play.
Oh, and his team sits second in the league with an unbeaten record.
As far as first months in the Premier League go, they don’t get much better for Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian boss has looked at home while parading the touchline and pitting his tactical wit against 19 of the most elite footballing brains on the planet.
But it’s not just the on-field work of Postecoglou — or his players — that has the fans chanting “we’ve got our Tottenham back” long into the night, although it is a significant factor.
Postecoglou’s first order of business was to ensure his new signings hit the ground running in their Premier League opener against Brentford on August 19.
Three of Tottenham’s summer additions were named in the starting line-up for that game: goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, centre back Mickey van de Ven and star midfielder James Maddison.
One could also lump in left back Destiny Udogie into that group given it was his Tottenham debut despite having signed for the club from Udinese last summer.
On paper, three new signings doesn’t seem terribly disruptive, but two of those were key defensive positions that can significantly help or hinder a team.
It didn’t help that not long after scoring the opener against Brentford centre-back Cristian Romero had to be subbed off due to concussion.
But Tottenham remained strong and held out for a 2-2 draw in a game that represented the peaks and troughs of ‘Angeball.’
Going forward, Tottenham were electric but when defending, it was wildly chaotic at times.
“No one, least of all Postecoglou, is suggesting Spurs aren’t a team with lots of flaws and issues to resolve.
“But this game was a lot of fun and a big departure from last season. And that’s a start.”
Postecoglou earned a hard-fought draw in his first Premier League match. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Yet all eyes quickly turned towards how Postecoglou would fare in his second match against one of the biggest teams in the world: Manchester United.
Postecoglou had faced the Red Devils as a manager once before when he was coaching South Melbourne at the 2000 Club World Championship, but went down 2-0 to Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops.
But the Australian would exact revenge 23 years later in a history-making win via the same scoreline.
United boss Erik ten Hag simply had no answers for the swarms of white shirts running at the Red Devils’ goal as the Tottenham faithful found their voices once again.
Again, it was another old school saloon shootout and on another day the result could have easily swung in United’s favour, but Lady Luck was on Postecoglou’s side.
Result aside, the game was yet another reminder of the departure from the playing style of Postecoglou’s predecessors.
“Under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, Spurs had shrivelled into a ball of pragmatism in the futile search for silverware,” The Times’ Alyson Rudd said.
“Under Ange Postecoglou, they are expressive, bold, fun and carefree. Erik ten Hag simply ran out of ways to handle it, the way a kindergarten teacher might despair of a class having a water fight.
“Tottenham may need to issue health warnings if this marks just the beginning of what the Australian has planned for the Premier League.”
The unbeaten start continued with a 2-0 and 5-2 victory over Bournemouth and Burnley respectively.
But if there was ever a sign ‘Angeball’ has been well and truly embraced by Tottenham’s players, it was their fifth goal against Burnley that rounded out skipper Heung-Min Son’s hat-trick.
Romero won the ball back on his own byline and just 16 passes later, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was picking the ball out of his own net.
Ange ball on fire! – Spurs new tactic? | 00:50
‘JUST COPYING PEP’: HOW ANGE HAS POST-KANE SPURS FLYING
The results are there and so too is the playing style, even if there are some teething problems.
So, how has Postecoglou got his troops all singing off his rather complex hymn sheet?
Firstly, there’s the usage of inverted fullbacks.
It’s not a groundbreaking invention from Postecoglou, but it takes an intelligent manager to not only implement it in their system but to ensure it works.
He even joked that he was “just copying Pep (Guardiola)” when quizzed about using the tactic.
What it means is that Udogie and Pedro Porro will drift into the middle third of the field, allowing any one of their central midfielders in Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr or James Maddison to drop from wide positions.
In turn, it opens up passing lanes for the centre-backs when they are on the ball to either feed it wide to a winger or give it to one of their midfielders who have come short to receive.
It also helps create numbers in the middle of the field to form various passing triangles, allowing Tottenham to carve teams open.
But the biggest tactical change Postecoglou has been forced to enact is up front.
Tottenham sold their record goalscorer Harry Kane to German giants Bayern Munich in an eye-watering $168 million deal.
Last season, Kane scored a staggering 30 league goals which contributed to 43 per cent of Tottenham’s goals, which was the highest figure in the league.
Additionally, Kane has scored 32.92 per cent of all Tottenham’s Premier League goals since the start of the 2012/13 season.
Whichever way you wanted to spin it, that number made it hard to disprove the argument Tottenham were a one-man team.
Whether he was dropping deep to link up play and drag opposition defenders with him or being a pest in the box, Kane was central to every attack.
Tottenham’s win rate with and without Kane also painted a rather bleak picture as to just how big of a task Postecoglou would have to revolutionise the squad, even if he insisted he had always planned for his departure.
Harry Kane’s exit could have easily derailed Tottenham’s start to the season. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Per BBC Sport, Tottenham won 167 of the 304 games Kane played for the team for a win rate of 54.9 per cent.
In the 36 games Kane did not play, Tottenham won just 16 of those and lost 12 for a win rate of 44.4 per cent.
It left Postecoglou needing a serious tactical revamp to not only attempt to plug the Kane-sized hole in his attack, but he had to find ways to share the goalscoring burden.
Four league games later and it’s safe to say he’s done that, even if Kane is irreplaceable in terms of his goals and what he brought to Tottenham as a whole.
Six Tottenham players have got on the scoresheet so far with Son leading the way with three goals while Maddison and Romero both have two, and $93 million deadline day signing Brennan Johnson may well quickly find himself on the scoresheet too.
Capable of playing on the wing or up top, the rapid Welshman was on Postecoglou’s wishlist for quite some time and for good reason too.
Son and Richarlison have both had chances as the central striker in a three-man forward line with contrasting fortunes.
Richarlison, who has scored just once for Tottenham in the Premier League, has struggled to insert himself into games.
As for Son, his rapid pace has proven key to how Tottenham play, especially when launching a counter-attack or latching onto a floated ball played over the top of opposition backlines.
The South Korean, who was handed the captain’s armband by Postecoglou after Kane’s departure, is loving his new role.
“He wants to have the ball, he wants to dominate the game and he wants to play as high as possible and in their half of the pitch which our players are really interested in and put a lot of effort into it so everyone is enjoying it and you could see on the pitch that everyone is playing with joy, with the happiness which is very helpful for the team,” Son said.
But it’s not just the players who are falling head over heels for the Aussie boss.
Son Heung-Min had plenty of kind words to say about Postecoglou. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ANGEBALL MEETS … BAZBALL?
Football chants are synonymous with famous songs of both old and present.
No matter how difficult a player’s name may seem to put a musical twist on it, you can bet your bottom dollar that supporters will find a way to make it work.
But for Postecoglou, the Tottenham faithful have managed to bestow two songs on him — at least for now.
One is their take on ‘Waltzing Matilda’, but the most iconic song — and one that even caught the attention of pop legend Robbie Williams — is to the tune of ‘Angels’.
It’s just the latest chapter in an already-blossoming love affair between Postecoglou and Tottenham fans.
From the very first game, the signs were there.
Before Tottenham kicked off against Brentford, their starting team ran towards the away section and applauded them before going into a huddle, sparking vocal cheers from their travelling fans.
If Tottenham’s home ground had a roof it would have been blown into space, such was the noise generated throughout their win over Manchester United.
It was that game that truly made fans fall in love with Postecoglou if they hadn’t already.
He continues to lead the fans in thunderous applause after every game, like a conductor leading his orchestra.
“The post-match celebrations summed up the relationship that’s developing between the Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou,” BBC Sport commentator John Bennett said after Spurs’ win at Burnley.
“He was last off the pitch to acknowledge the sustained applause from the away end.”
Socceroos legend Robbie Slater also noted the unique connection Postecoglou has already formed with the fanbase in record time.
“It’s the style of football,” Slater said on Fox Sports News.
“Look at what Son Heung-Min said after the game. It’s those expressions that are giving Tottenham fans a lot of hope and a lot of joy.
Postecoglou has formed an instant connection with the fans. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Ange’s connection already with the supporters is amazing, the way he goes to the supporters, he makes the players go to the supporters.”
Part of what has made Postecoglou an instant hit with the Tottenham fans — Celtic supporters will likely attest to this — is his witty rhetoric in press conferences.
There’s an element of relatability to what he says, with many clips of Postecoglou’s press conferences littered with comments along the lines of: “He gets it.”
Postecoglou also isn’t afraid to have playful banter with some of the journalists either, although one may argue the assembled press pack bring it upon themselves.
When one described summer signing Maddison as a “bargain” for £40 million, Postecoglou was flabbergasted that monetary figure could be labelled as such.
It feels like a lifetime ago Spurs fans were this giddy with glee, even if the best days of the Mauricio Pochettino era were less than a decade ago.
But that’s the effect of the soul-destroying and laborious stints of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte at the club.
“At this moment it feels like Tottenham Hotspur supporters are not looking far ahead – they are far too busy enjoying the moment,” The Athletic’s Tim Spiers wrote.
“They have waited a good long while for the kind of sun-kissed scenes of wondrous delirium and beaming pride witnessed at the end of the 5-2 shellacking of Burnley.
“The dreaming will no doubt follow if they keep this up but, as they keep singing, they are just happy right now to have “our Tottenham back.’”
The Guardian’s Max Rushden even went as far as likening the Postecoglou effect at Tottenham to that of a certain New Zealander on English cricket.
“Last year, no-one expected Arsenal to mount a title challenge and realistically no-one expects Spurs to this year,” Rushden wrote.
“But the vibes are good. And vibes matter.
“Angeball might be the Bazball of the Premier League. Make everyone happy, enjoy yourself doing it and the results might follow.”
But how long will these results and the positivity last?
The Tottenham fans are singing all sorts of songs about Postecoglou. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HAS ANGE FINALLY BUCKED NAGGING TREND, OR DELAYING THE INEVITABLE?
Tottenham’s red-hot start to the season has bucked the trend of Postecoglou’s slow starts.
In his first season at Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, the Aussie won just five of his first 16 games and avoided a relegation playoff only on goal difference.
He also endured a difficult start to life at Celtic as he oversaw three defeats — including a loss in his first Old Firm derby — and a draw in his opening seven games.
The criticism and questioning of his credentials came thick and fast, especially since the spotlight is that much brighter on managers at one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
Yet Postecoglou soon proved why he was wanted by Celtic, going on to win the Scottish Premiership and League Cup in his first season before completing the domestic treble in his second.
An unbeaten start to the Premier League season is a complete departure from the 57-year-old’s traditional starts which could mean one of two things.
Will the expected slow start simply never arrive?
Or, more worryingly, is it going to arrive but at a later date?
Some may argue Tottenham have been rather fortunate in their fixtures to start the season, but the bigger tests are set to come thick and fast after the international break.
Postecoglou will lead Tottenham into his first North London derby against Arsenal on September 24 before they host Liverpool on October 1.
Postecoglou’s side have already been knocked out of a cup competition. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It is worth pointing out that it has not by any means been a perfect start for Postecoglou.
Tottenham were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the second round by Fulham, meaning it’s one less opportunity for Postecoglou to bring some long-awaited silverware back to North London.
Given there is no European football being played by Tottenham this season, realistically their only hope for a trophy now solely rests in the FA Cup.
There’s also concerns about the team’s depth, especially at centre back.
Tottenham elected to sell Davinson Sanchez to Galatasaray, leaving a large drop-off from starting duo Van de Ven and Romero to the likes of Eric Dier or Ben Davies.
There’s also the question of who will replace Maddison’s creativity in midfield should he go down with an injury, with Giovani Lo Celso perhaps the only option.
Even then, the Argentinian midfielder doesn’t have the same ability to thread the needle or take players on quite like Maddison does.
Thankfully their summer additions up front, namely Johnson, Manor Solomon and the permanent signing of Dejan Kulusevski means there is plenty of cover in the final third if need be.
Of course, these issues may very well be rectified in the January transfer window, although it is unknown how much Postecoglou will have to spend on new signings.
There’s a lot of football left for Postecoglou and Tottenham this season. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Who knows how good this feel-good factor at Tottenham will last.
The mood could quickly turn sour in just a matter of games if results begin to dip.
But based on Postecoglou’s first month in the Premier League, it’s difficult to see that happening.
He’s brought in a style of play that has fans off their seats and has unburdened Tottenham’s players from the shackles of the Mourinho and Conte eras.
Most importantly, he’s given the Tottenham fans their club back.
Ange Postecoglou is used to it now, having arrived at Celtic as a relative unknown in the European game.
But even Postecoglou’s success in Glasgow and positive start to his coaching career at Tottenham hasn’t been quite enough to see the Australian viewed as a “big manager” just yet.
The only problem? As Postecoglou put it, the reporter delivered “one of the most backhanded, underwhelming compliments” in the process. Oh, and he also asked if Postecoglou even knew who Williams was.
Ange Postecoglou couldn’t believe it.Source: FOX SPORTS
“This club have had some big managers, some historic managers down the years, but you’ve achieved something already that none of them have as none of them have had a pop song sung about them,” the reporter opened.
“Firstly, do you know Robbie Williams, have you met him, and what did you think when you heard the lyrics had been changed to one of his most famous songs and he was singing it?”
Postecoglou’s reaction before the question even finished said it all before the Australian delivered a hilarious response to the reporter.
“That’s one of most backhanded underwhelming compliments I’ve ever had,” he said.
“You’ve had some unbelievably fantastic managers, big names, successful… and then there’s you Ange. And then have I ever heard of Robbie Williams? Where have I been living mate? I mean seriously.
“Look, I love Robbie Williams, I think he’s brilliant, a great entertainer. He did the song, I think it came off the back of one of our supporters. Look it’s great, the alternative is they make up songs about you that are less than complimentary.
“So I’ll take it for what it is but yeah thanks mate. I’ll just float out of here feeling good about myself.”
Postecoglou will certainly be feeling good about himself after Tottenham successfully landed Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest in one of the major deadline day moves.
The Australian had previously said the priority for Tottenham would actually be trimming its playing squad, with Sergio Reguilon and Japhet Tanganga both exiting the team on loan.
Although speaking to media ahead of the deadline, Postecoglou had an interesting response when asked whether he was looking forward to having his squad finally settled.
Van Dijk CHARGED after foul-mouthed rant | 00:48
“To a certain extent, but I still like and anyone that knows me, knows I still like players being on edge,” he said.
“I would hate for anyone to think, ‘OK we’ve got through the window and I’m comfortable now,’ because I certainly won’t let anyone feel that way. We’ve still got a lot to achieve, a lot to work on and a lot to push each other on.
“The players, whatever group we settle on there will be competition within that and as we know between now and new year we have just got the league to concentrate on and every game will be important, so performance in every game will be important and I want competition for places. “There will never be a feeling of comfort within the group, not from myself or anyone else. In terms of maybe the uncertainty over peoples futures, maybe that settles them but I won’t allow anyone to think they are set for a couple of months and can sit back and relax. That is not the way I work. There will always be some edge around everything I do.”
