[markfitz14Participant]

 

Here is my list with bullet point of why. Give me your list would like to see who you think makes playoffs next year now that Free Agency is almost done accpet for a few people. 

1. Cavs – Easy

2. Heat – Bosh was great before blood clots, plus improved roster

3. Bulls- Rose maybe stays healthy finally, Butler star on the rise

4. Hawks – Milsap stays keeps them up top

5. Bucks – Can’t believe they got Monroe. Impressive

6. Wizards – Wall Beal Combo

7. Raptors – Borderline with the rest

8. This is where it seems lots of teams are pretty close.

 I have Pacers 8. but not sure about PF now, lacking bigs

Then 9. Celtics, 10. Magic, 11. Pistons, 12. Nets, and 13. Hornets will all compete for the 7th and 8th seeds with Raptors and Pacers really. Seems like these teams are all pretty equal. Who do you think gets the last playoff spots.

 

 I cant see Melo carrying the 14. Knicks to compete for the playoffs. 

15. Sixers pretty much last next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[bobbybParticipant]

 Agreed , except for the Hawks. They got lucky that no other teams caught on.

[bobbybParticipant]

 Agreed , except for the Hawks. They got lucky that no other teams caught on.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Really good list markfitz. The Eastern Conf. playoff race for the 7th and 8th seeds are gonna be a bloodbath, because I have a hunch that injuries won’t be a major factor like this past season. Somebody really good is gonna miss the boat this time. The teams I have in the hunt are the Celtics (best coach in the east conf, but lack all-star talent), Pacers (New system/style, newcomers, but have a superstar), Pistons (better personnel fit, lots of effective pieces, but lack a go-to guy), and the Nets (bigtime veteran experience, no incentive to tank, but inept unpredictable front office). 

Now what will make the East really interesting are the Magic and the Knicks. That’s right people, the Knicks. Here’s a bold prediction for you: I predict the Knicks win total will be closer to 35 wins than 15. I still don’t think they make the playoffs, but they won’t be out of it by the all-star break like a lot of people are saying. The team I feel most sorry for in the East are the Magic. The good news is they are loaded with good young talent. The bad news is they are LOADED with good young talent.  The TWolves of the East. They need some starter quality vets in that lineup, or they will be stuck in the mid 30s win range for the next two years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took a mini-step BACK with the East actually improving next year.

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Really good list markfitz. The Eastern Conf. playoff race for the 7th and 8th seeds are gonna be a bloodbath, because I have a hunch that injuries won’t be a major factor like this past season. Somebody really good is gonna miss the boat this time. The teams I have in the hunt are the Celtics (best coach in the east conf, but lack all-star talent), Pacers (New system/style, newcomers, but have a superstar), Pistons (better personnel fit, lots of effective pieces, but lack a go-to guy), and the Nets (bigtime veteran experience, no incentive to tank, but inept unpredictable front office). 

Now what will make the East really interesting are the Magic and the Knicks. That’s right people, the Knicks. Here’s a bold prediction for you: I predict the Knicks win total will be closer to 35 wins than 15. I still don’t think they make the playoffs, but they won’t be out of it by the all-star break like a lot of people are saying. The team I feel most sorry for in the East are the Magic. The good news is they are loaded with good young talent. The bad news is they are LOADED with good young talent.  The TWolves of the East. They need some starter quality vets in that lineup, or they will be stuck in the mid 30s win range for the next two years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took a mini-step BACK with the East actually improving next year.

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. Cavs- All the pieces from last year are back. Will they all stay healthy?

2. Hawks- Their team approach is perfect for dragging out close games as the season wears on. Will have the 2nd best record in the East.

3. Bulls- What will the Bulls rotations look like now that Tibs isn’t playing people into the ground. Huge minutes increase coming for Mirotic, McDermott and Snelly Cat.

4. Heat- Lack depth, but that starting lineup in the East is dangerous. Would love to see a Heat vs Cavs playoff series.

5. Wizards- Front line is old, but might be able to hold out enough this year to give them 1st rd home court. Does Otto take a leap forward with Pierce gone?

6. Bucks- The way they play defense alone will get them into the playoffs. Past any of the 1-4 teams, not sure? Offense is lacking this past year, does Monroe and Parker being a year older change that?

7. Raptors- Lost some role players this summer. Should still make playoffs in a weak East.

8. Celtics- Their decision to draft a PG still confuses me, but I think this team only gets smarter as Stevens coaches longer. Pacers arn’t ready to be back in the picture THIS year IMO, but the year after PG and the Pacers are knocking out one of these 8 teams.

9.Pacers 10. Detriot 11. Charlotte 12. Magic (not ready yet, but damn they look exciting) 13. Knicks 14. Nets 15. 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. Cavs- All the pieces from last year are back. Will they all stay healthy?

2. Hawks- Their team approach is perfect for dragging out close games as the season wears on. Will have the 2nd best record in the East.

3. Bulls- What will the Bulls rotations look like now that Tibs isn’t playing people into the ground. Huge minutes increase coming for Mirotic, McDermott and Snelly Cat.

4. Heat- Lack depth, but that starting lineup in the East is dangerous. Would love to see a Heat vs Cavs playoff series.

5. Wizards- Front line is old, but might be able to hold out enough this year to give them 1st rd home court. Does Otto take a leap forward with Pierce gone?

6. Bucks- The way they play defense alone will get them into the playoffs. Past any of the 1-4 teams, not sure? Offense is lacking this past year, does Monroe and Parker being a year older change that?

7. Raptors- Lost some role players this summer. Should still make playoffs in a weak East.

8. Celtics- Their decision to draft a PG still confuses me, but I think this team only gets smarter as Stevens coaches longer. Pacers arn’t ready to be back in the picture THIS year IMO, but the year after PG and the Pacers are knocking out one of these 8 teams.

9.Pacers 10. Detriot 11. Charlotte 12. Magic (not ready yet, but damn they look exciting) 13. Knicks 14. Nets 15. 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Chewy the Pacers are the one East team I don’t feel confident predicting. It just feels like they are one of those sneaky teams that are uneven at first, then get stronger as the season goes on, probably in part to being overlooked in the first place.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Chewy the Pacers are the one East team I don’t feel confident predicting. It just feels like they are one of those sneaky teams that are uneven at first, then get stronger as the season goes on, probably in part to being overlooked in the first place.

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. How hard is Vogel going to push PG? Can he handle 30 mpg for 82 games? People like Westbrook bounce back from injuries like he is made of rubber and D Rose bounces back from injuries like he was made of glass. I don’t know how PG will bounce back yet.

2. No bigs: Hibbert is supposed to go to LAL in trade, West is supposed to go to Spurs in FA (rumor) and Scola is 35 yrs old. I know you can be a playoff team with your top two scorers being perimeter players, but your bigs can’t be this bad and be a playoff team. (Also, the Wiz front court is aging rapidly and will need to retool before next year at the latest)

3. They have some solid role players, but no one that makes me think, "wow, he could put them over the edge this year." I don’t see a single player on this roster that is going to have a breakout year and play above what he has played in the past.

4. I could be wrong about them and maybe Myles Turner is enough youth in the frontcourt for this season, but I don’t think they make it.

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. How hard is Vogel going to push PG? Can he handle 30 mpg for 82 games? People like Westbrook bounce back from injuries like he is made of rubber and D Rose bounces back from injuries like he was made of glass. I don’t know how PG will bounce back yet.

2. No bigs: Hibbert is supposed to go to LAL in trade, West is supposed to go to Spurs in FA (rumor) and Scola is 35 yrs old. I know you can be a playoff team with your top two scorers being perimeter players, but your bigs can’t be this bad and be a playoff team. (Also, the Wiz front court is aging rapidly and will need to retool before next year at the latest)

3. They have some solid role players, but no one that makes me think, "wow, he could put them over the edge this year." I don’t see a single player on this roster that is going to have a breakout year and play above what he has played in the past.

4. I could be wrong about them and maybe Myles Turner is enough youth in the frontcourt for this season, but I don’t think they make it.

 

 

 

[joe2324Participant]

I would move the Bucks up to the 2nd seed. Adding Monroe is going to be huge and Parker coming back is going to really help scoring. The Bucks are long, athletic and now they have a big time center. Look how far they went when Parker went down.

 

I would go 

 

Cavs 

Bucks

Wizards

Bulls

Heat 

Hawks

Pacers

Celtics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[joe2324Participant]

I would move the Bucks up to the 2nd seed. Adding Monroe is going to be huge and Parker coming back is going to really help scoring. The Bucks are long, athletic and now they have a big time center. Look how far they went when Parker went down.

 

I would go 

 

Cavs 

Bucks

Wizards

Bulls

Heat 

Hawks

Pacers

Celtics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 joe I share your enthusiasm for the Bucks’ potential, but I think the 2nd seed is unrealistic for a team consisting of players that have not won anything at the NBA level. They have to go through the growing process like everyone else.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 joe I share your enthusiasm for the Bucks’ potential, but I think the 2nd seed is unrealistic for a team consisting of players that have not won anything at the NBA level. They have to go through the growing process like everyone else.

[FrozetoesParticipant]

1.  Cav’s, they should be even better this year.

2.  Bulls

3.  Hawks

4.  Bucks

5.  Wizards

6.  Raptors

7.  Heat

8.  Hornets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FrozetoesParticipant]

1.  Cav’s, they should be even better this year.

2.  Bulls

3.  Hawks

4.  Bucks

5.  Wizards

6.  Raptors

7.  Heat

8.  Hornets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Dragic, Deng, Wade, Bosh, Whiteside is a very talented and balanced line up.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Dragic, Deng, Wade, Bosh, Whiteside is a very talented and balanced line up.

[ChoppyParticipant]

Health issues. How many games will Wade play? Is Deng going to wear down after all those mins in Chicago? Plus, is Winslow ready? Will Whiteside be able to continue his form from last season? Is their lack of depth going to cause problems?

Too many questions with the heat to have them ranked higher.

[ChoppyParticipant]

Health issues. How many games will Wade play? Is Deng going to wear down after all those mins in Chicago? Plus, is Winslow ready? Will Whiteside be able to continue his form from last season? Is their lack of depth going to cause problems?

Too many questions with the heat to have them ranked higher.

[joe2324Participant]

On paper, Yes, Dragic, Deng, Wade, Bosh, Whiteside. 

This group is very talented; however, with each Deng, Wade and Bosh, you have mileage and injuries to worry about. With Wade, who knows what condition he is going to be in and if he can hold up for a full season. Bosh also has a lot of mileage on him and he is coming of off a season ending illness and Deng was abused by Thibs for many years and his body is a wreck. I’m not as high on the heat as everyone else. I think Justice Winslow is a nice addition, but won’t be enough. They will make the playoffs, but I see them getting knocked out in the first round. 

 

[joe2324Participant]

On paper, Yes, Dragic, Deng, Wade, Bosh, Whiteside. 

This group is very talented; however, with each Deng, Wade and Bosh, you have mileage and injuries to worry about. With Wade, who knows what condition he is going to be in and if he can hold up for a full season. Bosh also has a lot of mileage on him and he is coming of off a season ending illness and Deng was abused by Thibs for many years and his body is a wreck. I’m not as high on the heat as everyone else. I think Justice Winslow is a nice addition, but won’t be enough. They will make the playoffs, but I see them getting knocked out in the first round. 

 

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

They missed the playoff this year so all thoses players are going to have a longer offseason than the previous four years. If health I think they are top 5.

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

They missed the playoff this year so all thoses players are going to have a longer offseason than the previous four years. If health I think they are top 5.

[cryan03Participant]

 1. Cavs

2. Hawks

3. Heat

4. Bulls

5. Bucks

6. Wizards

7. Raptors

8. Pistons

9. Pacers

10. Celtics

11. Magic

12. Nets

13. Hornets

14. Knicks

15. Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cryan03Participant]

 1. Cavs

2. Hawks

3. Heat

4. Bulls

5. Bucks

6. Wizards

7. Raptors

8. Pistons

9. Pacers

10. Celtics

11. Magic

12. Nets

13. Hornets

14. Knicks

15. Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Dang, the Magic are so bad they’re 11 and 15?

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Dang, the Magic are so bad they’re 11 and 15?

[kingofbumsParticipant]

 you cant have the raps at 7 when you dont have any other atlantic teams ahead of them. They will probably end up as a overrated 4th seed with the division title.

[kingofbumsParticipant]

 you cant have the raps at 7 when you dont have any other atlantic teams ahead of them. They will probably end up as a overrated 4th seed with the division title.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 agreed. they had a decent offseason, and although i think everyone else got better by comparison, they are still capable of getting hot for a couple months to put them in the 4-6 range. boston isnt ready to beat them out and the atlantic stinks.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 agreed. they had a decent offseason, and although i think everyone else got better by comparison, they are still capable of getting hot for a couple months to put them in the 4-6 range. boston isnt ready to beat them out and the atlantic stinks.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 didnt silver (or isnt he supposed to) abolish divisions meaning anything for playoff seeding starting next season?

 

 

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 didnt silver (or isnt he supposed to) abolish divisions meaning anything for playoff seeding starting next season?

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 The Bulls are a bit of a question mark as well. I’m sure if healthy they will contend for their division title but if Gasol, Noah and Rose go down  with more injuries it will be interesting to see how Butler and the supporting cast responds.

Hoiberg has a dynamic offense fit for the NBA that should really benefit Rose and Mirotic.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 The Bulls are a bit of a question mark as well. I’m sure if healthy they will contend for their division title but if Gasol, Noah and Rose go down  with more injuries it will be interesting to see how Butler and the supporting cast responds.

Hoiberg has a dynamic offense fit for the NBA that should really benefit Rose and Mirotic.

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1.Cavs

2. Bulls, I actually felt they have a more talented roster than the cavs, maybe this new coach upgrades the offense, if so I can see them beating the cabs.

3. Hawks they lost s solid piece in Carroll, but their style of play,& the players left in my opinion have them maybe finishing here

4 & or 5. Raptors. I know losing Williams& Vasquez isn’t something to forget, but the addition of Carroll, I think will have them here. Wizards are right there with them in my opinion, & if beal can stay healthy all year, along with oubre having a solid year  than maybe Pierce’s departure won’t be catastrophic.

6. I think with Miami’s starting 5 if they can sty healthy, with Winslow off the bench they should be comfortably back in the playoffs

7. I feel like the bucks are being overestimated. Yes they added Monroe, which with any team would be a upgrade, but last year they had a losing record after the knight trade. Now they have traded away one of their 2 best shooters on eryasova, mcw& Gianni’s still can’t shoot from 3, when Monroe gets double teamed I don’t see those 2 being guarded tightly, so can they make those shots?

8 pacers. At 1st I was high on the pacers but west& hibbert are gone&, i. Know Hibbert is inconsistent, but he still has a NBa ready body that turner has to develop to bang with nba centers.

9 hornets. They added a solid amount of talent with kaminsky, & batum. I could see them making the playoffs.

10 celtics

11.Knicks

12 nets. I would say they finish higher but every year d.will loses more & more of his inspiration & JJ is only getting older, time to see what brook Lopez can do to try to make the playoffs.

13.Magic

14. Pistons

15 sixers

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1.Cavs

2. Bulls, I actually felt they have a more talented roster than the cavs, maybe this new coach upgrades the offense, if so I can see them beating the cabs.

3. Hawks they lost s solid piece in Carroll, but their style of play,& the players left in my opinion have them maybe finishing here

4 & or 5. Raptors. I know losing Williams& Vasquez isn’t something to forget, but the addition of Carroll, I think will have them here. Wizards are right there with them in my opinion, & if beal can stay healthy all year, along with oubre having a solid year  than maybe Pierce’s departure won’t be catastrophic.

6. I think with Miami’s starting 5 if they can sty healthy, with Winslow off the bench they should be comfortably back in the playoffs

7. I feel like the bucks are being overestimated. Yes they added Monroe, which with any team would be a upgrade, but last year they had a losing record after the knight trade. Now they have traded away one of their 2 best shooters on eryasova, mcw& Gianni’s still can’t shoot from 3, when Monroe gets double teamed I don’t see those 2 being guarded tightly, so can they make those shots?

8 pacers. At 1st I was high on the pacers but west& hibbert are gone&, i. Know Hibbert is inconsistent, but he still has a NBa ready body that turner has to develop to bang with nba centers.

9 hornets. They added a solid amount of talent with kaminsky, & batum. I could see them making the playoffs.

10 celtics

11.Knicks

12 nets. I would say they finish higher but every year d.will loses more & more of his inspiration & JJ is only getting older, time to see what brook Lopez can do to try to make the playoffs.

13.Magic

14. Pistons

15 sixers

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

1. Cavs

2. Bulls

3. Hawks

4. Wiz

5. Heat

6. Raptors

7. Bucks

8. Pacers

9. Celtics

10. Hornets

11. Pistons

12. Knicks

13. Nets

14. Magic

15. 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

1. Cavs

2. Bulls

3. Hawks

4. Wiz

5. Heat

6. Raptors

7. Bucks

8. Pacers

9. Celtics

10. Hornets

11. Pistons

12. Knicks

13. Nets

14. Magic

15. 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 1-cavs

2-bulls

3-hawks

4-heat

5-bucks

6-wiz

7-raptors

8-hornets

9-pacers

10-celtics

11-nets

12-magic

13-knicks

14-pistons

15-sixers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 1-cavs

2-bulls

3-hawks

4-heat

5-bucks

6-wiz

7-raptors

8-hornets

9-pacers

10-celtics

11-nets

12-magic

13-knicks

14-pistons

15-sixers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

1-cavs best players and added depth

2-bulls  Lots of talent and should improve health and offensively

3-heat When healthy could Cavs trouble but need more depth

4-bucks Jason Kidd will work his magic with a more talented team that a legit go to post player needs shooters

5-hawks  The will miss Carroll but now they have a legit defensive minded Center

6-wiz Lost Paul Pierce but young guns should step up and Wall should have a solid year

7-raptors  They have talent but not enough to go to the next level

8-hornets  Al Jefferson, Kemba plus Batum will be enough to get them in the playoffs

9-pacers  Lost a lot but still have talent

10-knicks  Don’t sleep on a healthy Melo with a decent defensive Center and solid vets at every position if the David Lee trade happens is not they could dip below Celtic who at this point have no star

11-nets  Talented but older and have yet to put it together

12-celtics  solid players but no star

13-magic young talented but must learn how to win

14-pistons They should be better but they are still young at many positions

15-Philly another lottery year 

 

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

1-cavs best players and added depth

2-bulls  Lots of talent and should improve health and offensively

3-heat When healthy could Cavs trouble but need more depth

4-bucks Jason Kidd will work his magic with a more talented team that a legit go to post player needs shooters

5-hawks  The will miss Carroll but now they have a legit defensive minded Center

6-wiz Lost Paul Pierce but young guns should step up and Wall should have a solid year

7-raptors  They have talent but not enough to go to the next level

8-hornets  Al Jefferson, Kemba plus Batum will be enough to get them in the playoffs

9-pacers  Lost a lot but still have talent

10-knicks  Don’t sleep on a healthy Melo with a decent defensive Center and solid vets at every position if the David Lee trade happens is not they could dip below Celtic who at this point have no star

11-nets  Talented but older and have yet to put it together

12-celtics  solid players but no star

13-magic young talented but must learn how to win

14-pistons They should be better but they are still young at many positions

15-Philly another lottery year 

 

 

[Author]

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