As the calendar turns toward October, a new NBA season lies on the horizon.
The landscape of the entire league has shifted thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s departure from Toronto and subsequent arrival in Los Angeles with Paul George. Of course, that’s not the only shakeup that has basketball fans patiently awaiting the arrival of the 2019-20 campaign.
The three Texas teams all look loaded for a run at the playoffs — and perhaps even more. Here’s a quick look at all three, beginning with the biggest burning question for each Western Conference Southwest Division squad.
Houston Rockets
Can James Harden and Russell Westbrook really coexist in the backcourt?
This will be one of the most interesting sagas of the entire season. But if the duo can find a way to merge their strengths and properly share the lone basketball on the floor, then this could be the year that Houston finally earns a berth in The Finals come next June.
Houston still has plenty of firepower alongside the tandem, as SG Eric Gordon, SF P.J. Tucker and PF/C Clint Capela are expected to round out the starting five. The Rockets also made an under-the-radar move this offseason by bringing back 3-point marksman Ryan Anderson following a subpar year in Phoenix.
San Antonio Spurs
Is Dejounte Murray 100 percent healthy?
The young point guard out of the University of Washington developed into a Third Team All-NBA defender in a short amount of time before suffering a torn ACL during last year’s preseason. Derrick White stepped up in a big way to fill the PG role, and a potential Murray-White combo has Spurs fans salivating.
Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan returns for his second season in San Antonio, and former Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge is also back in the starting five, as is veteran small forward Rudy Gay. Guard Bryn Forbes could take on a starting role until Gregg Popovich gets his rotation worked out.
Spurs fans also can’t wait to see second-year pro Lonnie Walker get some minutes after he lost a large portion of his rookie season to a torn meniscus.
Dallas Mavericks
Can Kristaps Porzingis realize his potential?
The “Unicorn” had his moments in New York prior to a torn ACL and is now in Dallas alongside the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year — point guard Luka Doncic. The Mavericks were thrilled when Doncic fell to them in the 2018 draft and he had an incredible debut season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. Adding Porzingis to the mix is a scary proposition for the future.
Dallas is expected to also start PF/C Dwight Powell, SG Delon Wright and SF Justin Jackson. Expect the Mavericks to continue to search for a third star to pair with Doncic and Porzingis. Just send the bill to Mark Cuban. He can afford it.

The Texas Sports Monthly PODCAST
- 2019 Season - Week 12Area Round of the 2019 Central Texas High School Playoffs as the tournaments continue. Lake Travis has a rematch against San Antonio Madison at Rattlers Stadium in San Marcos. Westlake would go on the Win the State Championship while Cavs would defeat Judson again in 3rd round at the Alamodome but would fall the following […]
- 2019 Season - Week 11Steve and Russell breakdown the 2019 High School Playoffs in Central Texas on 104.9 Horn FM. Bi-District week where districts collide in this first round. McCallum and Westwood battled out....Giddings defeated Houston Kashmir 50-0. Georgetown at LBJ, Lake Travis at Smithson Valley, Vandegrift hosts Bridgeland at home led by Jax Mccauley in a close comeback […]
- 2019 Season - Week 10Russell & Steve cover week 11 on our 10th show as teams get near the playoffs and districts begin to line up as teams edge each other out for the final playoff spots. Russell became a grandpa the night before this show. . . Vista Ridge beat Round Rock 41-38.
- 2019 Season - Week 9Week 9 of The Friday Night Countdown on 104.9 Horn FM is your Pre-Game for Central Texas High School Football for 2019 Season! Thursday Night games we rained out and delayed. Weiss winning 14-7 over Eastview.
Texas Sports
- UT Athletics announces 2023 Spring Commencement participantsA total of 111 current and former UT student-athletes are scheduled to participate in commencement exercises this weekend or are projected spring or summer 2023 graduates.
- The Longhorn Foundation launches the United Texas CircleThe United Texas Circle is a philanthropic giving society designed to support Texas Athletics across their greatest areas of need.
FALL 2022 PREVIEW COMING SOON
