[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Western Conference 

1. Golden State
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. San Antonio
4. Memphis 
5. Portland 
6. Utah
7. New Orleans
8. Oklahoma City
9. Minnesota
10. Houston
11. Dallas
12. Sacromento
13. Los Angeles Lakers 
14. Phoenix
15. Denver 

Eastern Conference 

1. Cleveland 
2. Toronto
3. Boston
4. New York
5. Milwaukee
6. Washington
7. Chicago
8. Indiana 
9. Atlanta
10. Charlotte
11. Detroit
12. Orlando
13. Miami
14. Brooklyn
15. Philadelphia

Notes and Nuggets:

• I do believe Philadelphia gotten better this offseason, but I do believe they will still be a bottom three team in the league. They will be a more competitive and more fun to watch, but I do believe they will win under 23 games.
• One of the most controversial picks selections is the Milwaukee Bucks. I like what they did in the back end of the season and I expect a big jump from Jabari Parker (over 21 ppg) and Giannis. I can see them winning 46+ games next season.
• Most will be shocked about the Pacers not making the playoffs prediction. I believe they didn’t make a ton of upgrades on their roster and not made any improvements. I believe that George Hill is a better fit than Jeff Teague. I like the Thad Young trade, but hate the Al Jefferson signing. They also downgraded in the coaching department.
• One of the other controversial predictions is Washington being that high. I believe in the Wizards team. They can get off to a fast start with how their schedule look. I love all of their roster changes. They got younger and more athletic. They got a top 2 coach in free agency and they improve on their weaknesses on their roster. I believe John Wall will take another step w/ this coaching change and Bradley Beal to stay healthy, he was going through growing pains last year causing him to miss time (he grew an inch causing the stress injuries)
• I believe my Miami Heat will not make the playoffs, not because they will be bad, but because they will be bad, but because the eastern conference will be more balanced this year. This is a blessing for the Heat given the fact that this years draft class is deep.
• I have the Pelicans being a really improved team. They missed the playoffs last year because they started the season slow due to injuries. Last year roster didn’t fit what Alvin Gentry wants to due, which is have tons of ball handlers, two way players, and shooters on the court. They won free agency in my eyes by signing E’twuan Moore, Solomon Hill, Terrence Jones, and Langston Galloway. I know none jump out, but they add much needed depth for this team. They also returning Quincy Pondexter back. I also love what I saw from Jrue Holiday in the last two months of the season, he played outstanding.

 

[Arc12345Participant]

 I’ll just go down the post. 

West: I don’t see the Clippers being that good. But you never know. I have a hard time seeing OKC that low…yeah they’re worse without Durant but Oladipo is a major upgrade. I think the team could run a little more smoothly as well, since Westbrook will undoubtedly be getting the last shot. New Orleans is an interesting pick, but if AD plays like he should, he could push them to 8 possibly. I’d pick Minnesota though.

East: Pretty bold with Milwaukee but anything is possible. Id be shocked if they finished that high. I don’t see Washington being anywhere near that good, and I doubt they make the playoffs. You a wizards fan? I also can’t see Detriot missing the playoffs. With a young nucleus like that, I’d only expect them to improve. And God forbid Andre Drummond hits his free throws.  Indiana will also be better than that. I also see Chicago being better than that.

It’s a pretty hard year to predict with so many shake ups, that’s why I’m really excited.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 Look at my profile pic, I’m a Miami Heat fan.

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 Just believe that the Wizards aare heavy sleepers. Just two seasons ago the Wizards was on the verge of making the conference finals/ Last year, Bradley Beal was battling injuries, Nene was in and out, the coach was terrible, their best three point shooters was missing time. 

They started to figure it out at the end of the season w/ the addition of Keef Morris. They added the second best coach on the merket, they added the best international guard,, the added a top 5 free agent center, one of the most underrated/underused players, and a solid third center in free agency.

Last year towards the end of the season when they got Keef Morris, they were the 5th best defense in the NBA when he was the starter. People forget that he is a good player. A big question mark w/ the Wizards is Brad Beal’s health. It shouldn’t be a question given the fact that he was going through growing pains, playing basketball while growing an inch caused his stress reactions. 

Otto Porter is solid, I believe in Kelly Oubre, and John Wall finally going into a season healthy. I believe John Wall going to have another breakout year

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

You can say I’m biased since I’m a Pacers fan, but I don’t agree with the Pacers being ranked 8th. 

George Hill’s defensive versatility and corner shooting will be missed, but he was arguably the least aggressive starting point guard in the NBA in regards to attacking ball screens and driving the lane, averaging less than 3 drives per game. He’s what the Jazz need. However, Jeff Teague is what the Pacers need considering how they want to play. He’s arguably THE most aggressive point guard in the NBA averaging over 11 drives per game. That’s going to get Myles Turner easy baskets… That’s going to take a huge burden off of Paul George. Playing without the ball also won’t be a problem, since he’s had experience playing with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, etc. Another thing I love about Teague is he’s been in the playoffs every season of his career and he’s feeling rejuvenated being able to play for his hometown. 

Ian Mahinmi will be replaced in the starting lineup by Myles Turner, who’s already a better player and actually spaces the floor. Reports coming out of Team USA camp were that he looked like he should be on the actual Olympic 12 man roster. Al Jefferson will come off of the bench. He has his weaknesses, but he’s 100% healthy and will do what he does. 

Nate McMillian isn’t much different than Frank Vogel. Vogel was good, but there were times the players just weren’t responding to him. McMillian is an old school type and former player (Vogel never played) who’ll hold the players more accountable. The key is the rest of the coaching staff is literally exactly the same, except McMillian added Bill Bayno, who was the big men coach with the Blazers (worked with LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden and Joel Prizbilla). People give Vogel a lot of credit for the Pacers’ defense, but it’s really Dan Burke who runs the defense. 

The biggest key is… Paul George. He’s the 2nd best player in the conference and he’s two years removed from his injury. He’s about to have the best season of his career. Love the experience he’s getting with Team USA too. He’s learning the importance of doing the little things and especially playing without the ball. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I just believe the Pacers made a ton of sideways moves that didn’t improve the team. They have a lot of meh players, no bench, and downgraded in coach. This team will be determined by how much Myles Turner and Paul George’s improvement.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

1. Celtics (52-30)

2. Raptors (49-33)

3. New York (41-41)

4. Philadelphia (21-61)

5. Brooklyn (19-63)

Central

1. Cleveland (55-27)

2. Detroit (46-36)

3. Indiana (44-38)

4. Milwaukee (36-46)

5. Chicago (31-51)

Southeast

1. Charlotte (48-34)

2. Miami (46-36)

3. Atlanta (43-39)

4. Washington (35-47)

5. Orlando (33-49)

Western

Northwest

1. Utah (51-31)

2. OKC (45-37)

3. Portland (44-38)

4. Minnesota (39-43)

5. Denver (36-46)

Pacific

1. Golden State (67-15)

2. LAC (54-28)

3. Sacremento (27-55)

4. Phoenix (23-59)

5. LAL (20-62)

Southwest

1. San Antonio (60-22)

2. Memphis (47-35)

3. Houston (42-40)

4. Dallas (40-42)

5. New Orleans (37-45)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Dang! I never noticed this, but there is a major dropoff in the Pacific Region after the Clippers. Love the Jazz ranking, but unfortunately, I think the Thunder will have a slightly better record. I’d love to see it your way though!

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 The Wizards have been in talks for a break out year for a few seasons now. They will let people down the ones that got their hopes up. John Wall is a star player, but on the lower tier on the totem pole of star PG’s. Bradley Beal the same lower teir star player, but injury prone. Otto Porter you won’t even notice him on the court, and when you do he looks like an average NBA player. The bigs they have are bench players on a good team.

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Tell me how many teams that been in the conference simi’s two out of the last three seasons? The teams are the Wizards, Cavs, Warriors, OKC, Spurs, and the Hawks. There may be some more, but that’s all I can name off the top of my head. 

I’m not saying that they will win 50+ games, but they won 41 games and a couple games out the playoffs. They won 41 games when their second best player missed half the season, Nene missed a good portion of the season, the got Keef Morris mid season, the team was poorly coach, and their third best three point shooter missed most of the season. So, it would surprise me if they won 45 games and be the 5th/6th seed.

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 So your saying they’re a middle of the road team ? Yeah, I agree with you if that is what your saying.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 seems like for the past few yrs,people have written off the mavs..but they keep overachieving…some how cuban still manages to put 2gether a playoff team…

orlando might be 1 of the surprise teams next season..

 

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Everyones sleeping on Chicago.. They have one of the better benches in the league.. 

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Well that’s what happens when you have the worst shooting back court in recent memory, 3 guys in the starting lineup that need the ball to be effective, Rondo and his attitude troubles, wade and his durability issues, and a shaky big man rotation with only one guy that’s been reliable for a long time in Gibson; you get that. The Bulls are either going to tear it up, or turn into a sinking ship this season.

[ChewyParticipant]

 a clinic in how to have redudancy AND holes on your roster.

You want a smart, un athletic wing who can shoot: We have 2. Doug and Valentine.

You want a ball dominate guard with a suspect jumpshot: We have 3. Rondo, Wade and Butler. (Jerian Grant shot terribly in summer league)

You want a big with a jumpshot: We have 2. Niko and Portis.

You want an athletic wing to defend the top wings in the league: We have none. (Technically Butler, but he is already carrying our offense)

You want a rim protector: We have none.

You want a back to the basket scorer: We have none.

The Bulls are like a really interesting 2k team, but in real life NBA basketball, I don’t see how we are successful this year. Maybe a playoff birth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CDPHParticipant]

I think the Nets might be the worst team in the NBA this year.  

Deep(ish) Thoughts

 

  

[terrancebowerParticipant]

 Here’s my rankings (just for fun). First let me just say I do agree with some of the posters about The Pelicans (I don’t see them being that high) but I do fully back you on Washington, Everyone is sleeping on them and their potential to grow internally. (Porter, Morris, Beal, even Wall is still getting better, Oubre’s a break out candidate). I put these in tiers, but really rankings.

East

Cleveland – Contender
Toronto – Playopff Lock
Boston – Playoff Lock
Indiana – Playoff Lock (I’m high on Indy)
Miami – Playoff Lock (With Bosh)
Detroit – Fighting for 5-8 Seed
Washington – Fighting for 5-8 Seed
Chicago –  Fighting for 5-8 Seed
Charlotte – Fighting for 5-8 Seed
Atlanta – Fighting for 5-8 Seed
Milwaukee – Dark Horse (could sneak into 6th-8th spot pending development/ Point Guard experiment)
New York  – Dark Horse (talented team that I think will struggle to work together, but has an outside shot)
Orlando – Basement (lots of talent but they have logjams and are built funny. Too young as well)
Philly – Basement (not last!)
Brooklyn – Basement (dear God…)

West

Warriors – Contender (duh)
Spurs – Contender
Clippers – Playoff Lock (solid SF away from being contender)
OKC – Playoff Lock (I think I have more faith in them than most, super intriguing team either way)
Memphis – Playoff Lock (much improved and ideally will be much, much healthier)
Portland – Playoff Lock (Tentative saying this about a team that relies so heavily on the back court, could be a low seed… that 1-2 punch tho…)
Dallas – Fighting for 5-8th seed (like last year, they have OK talent but each player has some kind of red flag – Age, Health, Barnes…)
Utah – Fighting for 5-8 (should surprise people)
Houston – Dark Horse (some might say I’m underrating them, but they have no two way players and are so disfunctional. Could snag a 6-8 spot if chemistry improved)
Denver – Dark Horse – When you’re 10 guys deep you can run people out of the gym. They’re healthier (hopefully) and almost every player on their team is getting better daily. possible 7 or 8 seed)
New Orleans – Dark Horse (Anthony Davis…. If Jrue is healthy and someone steps up on the wing, possibly 7 or 8 seed)
Minnesota – Dark Horse (The longest longshot of them all, but look at that talent! Outside shot of making playoffs as a 7/8 seed).
Sacramento – Basement
Phoenix – Basement (barring a big trade, which isn’t out of the question)
Lakers – Basement (lol)
 

[terrancebowerParticipant]

 Meant to put "not really rankings" rather than "but really rankings"

[Snatalini247Participant]

Here are my rankings with short comments, not including records because that’s just too much.

East

Cavaliers – East’s cream of the crop.
Celtics – Solid team, good coach, didn’t lose much talent and added an all star who should mesh well in Horford.
Raptors – Not much of a drop off but I think the Celtics move slightly ahead.
Pacers – Like some of the moves they made, may be tough with out Vogel but will be solid in George’s second year back.
Pistons – Maybe it’s my man crush on Andre Drummond but I think the Pistons will be competitive all year.
Hawks – Little bit of a shake up but due for their usual 3 to 6 seed even with the changes.
Bobcats – Like what they’ve done but never seem to put two consistent winning seasons together in a row.
Wizards – Tough to pick an 8 seed with out of them MIL, NYK, CHI, MIA.
Bucks – On the right track but I think they just barely miss out to the Wiz by a game or two
Knicks – I like some of the moves they made barring injuries, but still not enough to make the playoffs.
Heat – Without Bosh I don’t expect much from them, too much unknown and pretty much too hard to place in rankings.
Bulls – Same thing with the Heat, not sure how the roster will mesh so I bumped them down a few pegs.
Magic – Great coach, but lots of strange pieces and young players, needs more time for growth still.
76ers – Young talents helps them slide just enough out of last place in the East.
Nets – Bottom of the barrel, not enough talent.

Warriors – Is this even legal?
Spurs – Contenders, if…. they can get past the Splash Bombing Quad-Carrier of Death
Clippers – Probably the fourth best team in the league.
Grizzlies – Nice pick up in Parsons plus the same core, getting older though
Jazz – Defense. Defense. Defense.
Thunder – Don’t piss off Westbrook.
Rockets – Will score their way to the playoffs.
Pelicans – Healthy year for this team and they’ll be back. AD is just too good.
Blazers – Just barely miss out, I think they’ll have a small slide this year.
Mavericks – Aging roster, just think they’re due for a slow down or some injuries.
Timberwolves – Showing signs of breaking out. 2017 will be the year.
Kings – Can we please get DMC some real talent around him?
Suns – I’m not sure what to expect from this team but I don’t see it being many wins.
Lakers – Still too young. 64 mil to Mozgov really?
Nuggets – I just don’t get good vibes about wins for this young team.

[Author]

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