[llperez]

I know its early, but im bored at work so after looking over the depth charts of every team, here’s my early predictions for next season. For the record, I dont know whats gonna happen with kawhi but i dont see him playing full season for spurs so that plays into my spurs prediction despite not knowing destination.

East

1-boston celtics
2-toronto raptors
3-philadelphia 76ers
4-milwaukee bucks
5-indiana pacers
6-washington wizards
7-charlotte hornets
8-cleveland cavaliers
9-detroit pistons
10-chicago bulls
11-miami heat
12-orlando magic
13-brooklyn nets
14-new york knicks
15-atlanta hawks

West

1-golden state warriors
2-houston rockets
3-los angeles lakers
4-new orleans pelicans
5-oklahoma city thunder
6-portland trailblazers
7-utah jazz
8-minnesota timberwolves
9-denver nuggets
10-memphis grizzlies
11-san antonio spurs
12-phoenix suns
13-dallas mavericks
14-los angeles clippers
15-sacramento kings

[festar35Participant]

Eastern:
1 – Boston
2 – Philadelphia
3 – Indiana
4 – Toronto
5 – Washington
6 – Miwaukee
7 – Detroit
8 – Miami

I think Cleveland and Charlotte (If they keep Kemba).

2 through 5 could go any which way in my opinion.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 You really think that the Cavs without LeBron are going to have a better season than Detroit? Apart from Love and an untried rookie in Sexton, what do the Cavs have? I can’t see them anywhere near the 8th seed. Happy to hear your thoughts. 

[llperez]

 its close, just my 2 cents as i have them 8th and 9th. But i think the cavs have guys that will step up minus lebron. Hood, love, george hill, jordan clarkson all can play bigger roles. With detroit, just not sold that the pieces all fit together. after griffin and drummond, next best big man is an unproven henry ellenson. Wing play is just oaky with guys like reggie jackson, stanley johnson and luke kennard all still trying to show consistency(although i do like their upside). If someone wanted to say detroit ahead of the cavs, i wouldnt argue. But to say cavs wont be anywhere near 8th seed i think you are underestimating the amount of depth and vets and the fact love was all nba as the main man. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I think the Cavs pieces fit together worse than the Pistons. Also my 2 cents, and I’m probably undervaluing him, but I remember how bad the Minnesota teams were that had Kevin Love as "the man". Cavs depth was designed around James. Not sure they mesh all that well without him. 

[llperez]

 love put up 26 and 13 his last season playing without james and led a pretty bad wolves squad to 40 wins. I think hell be fine without lebron. Hood and clarkson both went from having career seasons last year to falling off the face once they joined lebron. zi expect both to pick it up. The team also has lots of vets.  I guess well just have to wait and see but I dont view this cavs team as being in tank mode right now. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I don’t think they want to tank, but it might be forced upon them. I actually rate Clarkson highly and think Hood has more to give, but I think depth will be a problem. A few injuries could easily cause them to drop. 

[Mr. JewboyParticipant]

 I have the East set up pretty much like yours, but I dont see the Cavs getting the 8th spot. I think the 7th and 8th spot will come down to Charlotte, Miami and Detroit

1-boston celtic
 2-toronto raptors

3-philadelphia 76ers

4-milwaukee bucks

5-indiana pacers

6-washington wizards

7-charlotte hornets

8-Miami Heat

9-detroit pistons

10-chicago bulls

11-Cleveland Cavaliers

12-orlando magic

13-brooklyn nets

14-new york knicks
15- Atlanta Hawks

The west though, damn! Probably the toughest its been in my days, maybe excluding that one year that the Suns won almos 50 and didnt make it to the playoffs. I have it:

1. Houston – same core, should make similar run

2. GSW – can get 60 wins injured and in their sleep

3. Lakers – Hopefully they connect fast

4. Utah- Only got better now that they build aroung Mitchell from the get go 

5. OKC – will probably be better next year, with a bit less pressure

6. NOP- found their stride late last year, but will be without Rondo. Interesting

7. Minnesota Timberwolves- They were all young last year, so makes sense they get better. But they have those chemistry issues

8. Denver Nuggets- Were a quarter away from making it last year. Should have Millsap + immprovement from young core + IT

9. Portland- dont think they make it, will probably trade during the year

10. SAS- Feel like I will regret this, because SPURS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. Thats a rule haha but didnt know where to put them..

11. Dallas- I think they will really make a push towards the playoffs. Doncic is a winner, get ready for him

12. Memphis- If conley and gasol are healthy, they should be an alright team. Now they have new blood with JJJ, they could surprise.

13. Phoenix- I cant believe this is where im putting them. In the East they would make the playoffs. Have a well rounded starting 5, booker is great, Ayton will be domninat, Ariza is a winning veteran and Jackson should learn a lot from him and really improve. Next year shoud def make playoffs, but in front of who?? SMH this is a tough conference

14. Clippers- Just too many good teams out West

15. Sac- They’re piling up good young players, they deserve to start getting back to close to playoff status but there are just too many good teams in the West…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The West looks scary in depth when people have a fairly solid Clippers team as 14th out there,

If the Kings do finish bottom out West then where their lottery ball ends up could be huge for the future out East between Philly and Celtics.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

EAST
1-Boston Celtics
2-Toronto Raptors
3-Indiana Pacers
4-Washington Wizards
5-Philadelphia 76ers
6-Detroit Pistons
7-Milwaukee Bucks
8-Chicago Bulls
9-Miami Heat
10-Charlotte Hornets
11-Brooklyn Nets
12-Orlando Magic
13-New York Knicks
14-Cleveland Cavaliers
15-Atlanta Hawks

WEST
1-Golden State Warriors
2-Houston Rockets
3-Los Angeles Lakers
4-Utah Jazz
5-Oklahoma City Thunder
6-New Orleans Pelicans
7-Portland Trailblazers
8-San Antonio Spurs
9-Denver Nuggets
10-Dallas Mavericks
11-Memphis Grizzlies
12-Minnesota Timberwolves
13-Los Angeles Clippers
14-Phoenix Suns
15-Sacramento Kings

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

East

1. Celtics – Both Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward will be 100% ready to go by the start of training camp. This team has so much talent and depth that it’s scary. With the offensive system Brad Stevens has in place, he should be able to maximize the talent.

2. 76ers – Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz are all having phenomenal summers working on their games. Simmons will be an improved shooter, which will change everything. The word coming out of Pure Sweat is that Fultz’s shooting issues are cured.

3. Pacers – The Pacers will be a 50+ win team. Victor Oladipo is having another monster summer, even better than the last. The same can be said for Myles Turner. Chances are high he has the best season of his career. Combine that with the free-agency they had and the Pacers are headed for big things.

4. Raptors – They did great things last season and are bringing back majority of their roster, but something seems off (to me) about this team from a mental standpoint. DeMar DeRozan deleted every picture on his instagram recently. Some are saying it’s because of his name coming up in trade rumors for Kawhi Leonard. Who knows? However, this team just comes across as mentally fragile.

5. Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo is the top player in the East now that LeBron James has departed. You have to expect another monster season from him. I like the addition of Brook Lopez.

6. Wizards – John Wall has had an amazing summer working on his body. I fully expect him to play 70+ games this season. I like the moves to add Dwight Howard and Austin Rivers.

7. Hornets – Will the dumping of Dwight Howard make them better or worse? He did average 17 and 13 last season. I like the hire of James Borrego and the signing of Tony Parker.

8. Cavs – They’ll do better than the experts and fans expect. Kevin Love needs to stay healthy and so does George Hill. The narrative has always been LeBron James doesn’t have help, but some players were put in limited roles in a LeBron centric offense. I expect Collin Sexton to finish top three in ROY voting. I also expect good things from Cedi Osman.

9. Pistons – They look good on paper, but I’m not convinced the pieces fit together. Can Blake Griffin play at least 65 games? Will Reggie Jackson actually look to make his teammates better?

10. Heat – They’re difficult to gauge. Will Dwayne Wade return? Can they repair the relationship with Hassan Whiteside? The trade market isn’t great for him. When will Dion Waiters return and can he stay healthy? Rumors are Pat Riley may look to cut salary and plan for the summer of 2019.

11. Bulls – It’s year two of Zach Lavine’s ACL recovery, so expect more highlight reel dunks, but he has to prove he can be a franchise player and lead. The roster has young talent, but we’ll see how it all fits together.

12. Magic – If player length determined team record, they’d be near the top, but . . . It doesn’t.

13. Nets – I like what Sean Marks is doing to clean up the mess, but it’s going to take time.

14. Hawks – It’ll be a painful season, but I’m a believer that Trae Young will be a big time playmaker.

15. Knicks – Kristaps Porzingis won’t play much during the 2018-2019 season. They’ll take a cautious approach.

[cap777Participant]

 West

1.  Rockets

2.  Warriors

3.  Timberwolves

4.  Thunder

5.  Pelicans

6.  Lakers

7.  Jazz

8.  Spurs

 

9.  Nuggets

10. Trailblazers

11. Clippers

12. Mavericks

13. Kings

14. Grizzlies

15. Suns

 

 

 

 

 

East

 

1.  Raptors

2.  Pacers

3.  Celtics

4.  76ers

5.  Bucks

6.  Wizards

7.  Heat

8.  Nets

 

9.  Pistons

10. Hornets

11. Cavaliers

12. Knicks

13. Bulls

14. Hawks

15. Magic

 

 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

East
1. Boston Celtics
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Washington Wizards
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Chicago Bulls
8. Miami Heat
9. Charlotte Hornets
10. New York Knicks
11. Detroit Pistons
12. Brooklyn Nets
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. Orlando Magic
15. Cleveland Cavaliers

West
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Houston Rockets
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
8. San Antonio Spurs
9. Los Angeles Clippers
10. Memphis Grizzlies
11. Phoenix Suns
12. Portland Trailblazers
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz
15. Sacramento Kings

[LOFTYParticipant]

 LOL I got to ask, why do you have Utah at 14? I think they’ll have a better record. I’ve got them at 4 or 5. There’s no way in hell the Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, Clippers are better than them this year

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 …Because I am being bolder than a Dorito.

[Captain LParticipant]

 You have to be kidding to have the Jazz at 14, 

What league are you watching?  Have you watched the Jazz at all?

 

[whiteflashParticipant]

 The Rockets won’t finish in the top 3, the Lakers won’t finish in the top 5, and Colin Sexton is going to struggle big time.

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 HaHaHa!! @LL Perez & Indiana Basketball! Y’all must really think the East is That Bad?! If u have The No Defense playing Cavs making the Playoffs ? 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’m only confident about the Celtics, 76ers, Pacers, Raptors, Bucks and Wizards. Those last two seeds are up for grabs in my opinion. I’m just not sold on the Pistons, Heat (as of right now), Bulls, etc. 

 

 

[stifler101Participant]

As of now…

 

East:

1. Boston Celtics

2. Philadelphia 76ers

3. Milwaukee Bucks

4. Indiana Pacers

5. Toronto Raptors

6. Washington Wizards

7. Miami Heat

8. Detroit Pistons

9. Charlotte Hornets

10. Brooklyn Nets

11. Cleveland Cavaliers

12. Chicago Bulls

13. Orlando Magic

14. Atlanta Hawks

15. New York Knicks

West:

1. Golden State Warriors

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Houston Rockets

4. Utah Jazz

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

6. New Orleans Pelicans

7. Portland Trail Blazers

8. Denver Nuggets

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

10. San Antonio Spurs

11. Dallas Mavericks

12. Memphis Grizzlies

13. Los Angeles Clippers

14. Phoenix Suns

15. Sacramento Kings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoacoddrParticipant]

EAST

1. Boston Celtics
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Toronto Raptors 
6. Washington Wizards
7. Charlotte Hornets
8. Miami Heat
9. Detroit Pistons
10. Chicago Bulls
11. Brooklyn Nets
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
13. Orlando Magic
14. New York Knicks
15. Atlanta Hawks
    

 

 WEST

1. Golden State Warriors
2. Utah Jazz
3. Houston Rockets
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. San Antonio Spurs
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Denver Nuggets
11. Memphis Grizzlies
12. Portland Trailblazers
13. Los Angeles Clippers
14. Phoenix Suns
15. Sacramento Kings
    

 

 

[CoachWyersParticipant]

 Still too early to put in predictions got to see what other trades shake out, but so far

WEST
TITLE CONTENDER: Warriors
PLAYOFF TEAM:  Rockets, Thunder, Jazz, Lakers
BATTLING FOR PLAYOFF SPOT:  Nuggets, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Spurs, Trailblazers
LOTTERY:  Mavericks, Clippers, Suns, Grizzlies Kings

EAST
TITLE CONTENDER:  Celtics, 76ers
PLAYOFF TEAM:  Rapotors, Pacers, Wizards, Bucks, Heat, Pistons
LOTTERY:  Cavs, Hornets, Bulls, Knicks, Magic, Nets, Hawks

 

 

 

 

 

[LOFTYParticipant]

 I like how you wrote that and agree with all but I think the Bulls might sneak into the playoffs.

[SubZeroParticipant]

How in the world do some of y’all have Philly any lower than 3? I don’t understand that at all

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

The 76ers will be at worst the 2nd seed in the east, 1st seed if things fall into place

1. If Fultz fixed his confidence and shoot mechanics It’s over for Kyrie, he’ll be abused in 1 on 1 scenarios 

2. If Simmons improves his jump shot even a little bit, he’ll be an MVP candidate 

3. If Embiid can stay healthy and stop turning the ball over we’re gonna be flat out scary

 

 

 

 

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

1.  Celtics
2. 76ers
3. Pacers
4. Bucks
5. Raptors
6. Heat
7. Wizards
8. Magic
9. Hornets
10. Pistons
11. Cavs
12. Bulls
13. Knicks
14. Nets
15. Hawks

1. Warriors
2. Nuggets
3. Jazz
4. Rockets
5. Thunder
6. Trail Blazers
7. T’wolves
8. Pelicans
9. Spurs
10. Lakers
11. Clippers
12. Mavericks
13. Grizzlies
14. Suns
15.  Kings

 

[llperez]

 So lakers finish 11th in West, have all their key players get a year better and add a guy by the name of LeBron James and you think they move up 1 spot to 10th? I so wish we could bet money on this site 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Lmao I honestly think its gonna be Lakers vs. Warriors this year and none of the other teams are even close and I hate the Lakers.

[LOFTYParticipant]

 Hell he’s got the nuggets at #2! That’s funny

[Author]

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