[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 East

1.) Boston Celtics

2.) Cleveland Cavs

3.) Washington Wizards

4.) Milwaukee Bucks

5.) Toronto Raptors

6.) Miami Heat

7.) Charlotte Hornets

8.) Philadelphia 76ers

West 

1.) Golden State Warriors

2.) San Antonio Spurs

3.) Houston Rockets

4.) Oklahoma State Thunder

5.) Utah Jazz

6.) Memphis Grizzlies

7.) LA Clippers

8.) New Orleans Pelicans 

Quick Thoughts East: I feel like there is a major overhaul in the East. I believe that only 4 teams that made it to the playoffs the past post-season are a lock to make it next year. The Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and the Indiana Pacers are most likely out and the Rapters could also be out, or battling to get in, depending on Kyle Lowry. I like the Philly 76ers as a team that can win 15 more games than the previous season. They add two number one picks and Joel Embiid back from "injury", also they bring in their 2nd international rookie that was very high on big boards in last year draft in Furkan Korkmaz. The Sixers was a very competitive team when Emiid and actuall NBA players were on the court, now they add great young prospects. Also, key reserve Jarryd Bayless is coming back after missing most of last season. I expect the Hornets to have a bounce back year, they didnt really add anything spectacular, but I can’t expect they having two bad years in a row.

Quick Thoughts West: Most of this can change given free agency. The Clippers and Jazz are two teams that can drop out the top 8 if they lose Blake Griffin/Chris Paul and Gordan Hayword/George Hill. The top 3 seem solid, and are the best 3 teams by far in the conference. I have the Pelicans over the T’Wolves due to the me believing AD and Boogie will get it done this season and the lack of floor spacing/bench of the Wolves. It willk be a close battle, but I believe AD and Boogie will get it done and will be on a mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I say no to the Pelicans, yes to the Timberwolves. Rumor is they might get Lowry. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

If CP3 and Blake leave, they don’t make the playoffs. If Hayward leaves, they’re borderline. In the case of both of those happening, it’s not off the table for both Minny and New Orleans making it

Also, I wouldn’t count out Dallas. Last season they had so many roster changes and new pieces to try to fit in, but there seems to be a permanence that wasn’t there last year, along with picking up ROY candidate Dennis Smith

[negguaryParticipant]

IF healthy I see the sixers being a top 4 team in the east. They won 28 games last year with embeast only playing 31 and tj as our starting pg. with the new additions to the roster via draft and potentially free agency the win total could easily improve by a minimum of 15 games which would take is to 43 wins but could easily see it jumping to 20+ wins which would take us to 48. Remember the caveat is they are all healthy!  

[holefillers1Participant]

 Vegas has the Sixers as a 7 seed next year, they are not in the business of losing money.  Also the Sixers have the highest defensive rating in the league with Embiid on the court.  

I they add a veteran FA like Ibaka or Milsap or even bring Ilyasova back, I think a top five seed and even a home playoff series is possible.  Embiid blocks everything and literally forces guards to change directions when driving the lane.  

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 youtu.be/IC8qrr93ToI

Watch this video. Pay attention to how he anticipates blocks and how quickly he gets off the floor.

 

[cozmojimParticipant]

Is this current rosters assuming free agents all stay put? If so why/ how does OKC jump ahead of Utah and the Clips? 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

I don’t believe you can judge who makes the playoffs yet. We need to see if Utah can keep Hayward, if Toronto can keep Lowry, where Paul and Blake end up going, where Millsap goes. There are tons of things to address in free agency before we can determine who makes the playoffs next year.

For now here is who I have to make the playoffs: (Note: I may end up being short on the # of teams I have in each conference. This is who I project to make it right now. Lowry hasn’t signed with any team yet but I expect him to re-sign, nor has Hayward but I expect him to stay as well)

East:

1. Cavs
2. Celtics
3. Wizards
4. Raptors
5. Bucks
6. 76ers
7. Hornets
8. ?

I expect the 8th seed to be a battle between the Bulls, Heat, Pistons, and Pacers (If they keep Paul George). I’m not quite sure who to put there at the moment.

 West

1. Warriors
2. Rockets(This is where I expect Paul and Millsap to go and that’s a pretty good free agent hual so they have to get 2nd place)
3. Jazz (I expect Hayward to stay, and I don’t think injuries will be that mean to them as they were the previous year, and they always overachieve what the norm projects for them)
4. Spurs (I expect them to trade Green, and Aldridge and get okay value in return, yet not be able to sign Paul or Blake)
5. OKC (I expect Blake to come to OKC, and if that’s the case it will be a very close race between the Thunder and Spurs for 5th spot. I have to give HC to the spurs because of Pop)
6. Blazers
7. Wolves
8. Suns

I don’t think the Grizzlies will make it because they will soon go into rebuild mode. I expect to see that happen come this offseason. I also expect the Mavs, Suns, and Nuggets to fight for the 8th spot but the Mavs come up just short because to me the Suns have the more talented team. I excited to see Josh Jackson alongside Booker. I think Bledsoe will remain as their PG and I expect Chriss to continue to develop and preform well in his second season. Dirk might retire this offseason, and I think the Mavs have a hole at SG therefore I can’t put them into the playoffs but pretty close. The Nuggets still need to find a better young PG they can trust besides Mudiay (and I don’t think Morris is the answer), and we haven’t seen enough of Murray or Lyles to vault them into consideration for the 8th spot. If the Lakers are able to get Paul George in a trade than I expect them to also fight for the 8th spot but just miss out. Too many young guns on that roster, and now they have a hole at the 2 spot after they traded away D-Russ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nill650Participant]

 until rosters are set after FA gets going it is a bit difficult to guage just what teams will look like.

I don’t think Philly makes the playoffs with 2 rookies even though they were 1# overall picks unless another bubble team has major setbacks.

If the Timberwolves don’t win enough to make the 6-8 seed I would be surprised , they were already much better than their record last season,just couldn’t finish games. Butler fixes that.

[joe2324Participant]

IF Embiid can stay healthy. Guys like Embiid in today’s game are so rare and deadly on both ends of the court. He does everything, he even shoots freaking 3s. If you get a full season with Embiid, Simmons, Saric and Fultz…ouch. Even better, if you get some playing time out of Jahil, you potentially increase his value and maybe move him by the trade deadline. 

[cozmojimParticipant]

 Northwest Division will be interesting, especially if Utah loses Hayward. I think it’s 5 teams with s ceiling  of 50 wins and a floor of 35.  None of them are gonna threaten the Warriors, but it will be fun to watch!

[Andrew1984Participant]

 Are the Oklahoma State Thunder the practice squad opponent of the Oklahoma State Cowboys? 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 As a Raptors fan Ill say its way too early to make predictions before the free agency dust settles, but 5th in the East seems optimistic as of right now.

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