[joe2324Participant]

 Is it crazy to say the Timerwolves could lock up the 8th seed next year? If Rubio can stay healthy, Wiggins improving and Karl Towns at center, I think this team has a great future. The cavs are going to DEEPLY regret trading Wiggins. I’m calling Wiggins to be a top 5 player in the league in 2 years. 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I think the Magic and the Heat could surprise some people. The Bucks will surprise the casual NBA fan. The Eastern conference is wide open seeds 5-8…

I think the Twolves are one year away from contending for that 8 spot. Utah will be the surprise team out West and fight for the 8th seed, but i dont see them getting it either over NOLA. 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I think the Magic and the Heat could surprise some people. The Bucks will surprise the casual NBA fan. The Eastern conference is wide open seeds 5-8…

I think the Twolves are one year away from contending for that 8 spot. Utah will be the surprise team out West and fight for the 8th seed, but i dont see them getting it either over NOLA. 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Orlando have been drafting high for a few years and the pieces may now be falling into place so they could move forward next season I think.

The T-Wolves have a talented young roster and if everyone stays fit they could improve  fair bit but to make a big jump from high lottery to play offs is much harder out West than out East.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Orlando have been drafting high for a few years and the pieces may now be falling into place so they could move forward next season I think.

The T-Wolves have a talented young roster and if everyone stays fit they could improve  fair bit but to make a big jump from high lottery to play offs is much harder out West than out East.

 

 

 

[Rip255]

I’m pretty confident the Jazz will get a playoff spot. 

Exum will become a very good player this season and Rudy Gobert is the Stifle Tower. 

 

[Rip255]

I’m pretty confident the Jazz will get a playoff spot. 

Exum will become a very good player this season and Rudy Gobert is the Stifle Tower. 

 

[jwall1Participant]

Wiggins a top 5 player in the next 2 years? thats pushing it to say the least…

[jwall1Participant]

Wiggins a top 5 player in the next 2 years? thats pushing it to say the least…

[Robb_CParticipant]

Jazz 

Pistons 

Nuggets

Suns

[Robb_CParticipant]

Jazz 

Pistons 

Nuggets

Suns

[trelos6Participant]

The Blazers have fallen off. OKC will be back in the top 4. Jazz will duke it out with Mavs and Pels for 7/8 seeds. 

Depends on the Jazz backcourt and if Exum and Burks can develop further. 

[trelos6Participant]

The Blazers have fallen off. OKC will be back in the top 4. Jazz will duke it out with Mavs and Pels for 7/8 seeds. 

Depends on the Jazz backcourt and if Exum and Burks can develop further. 

[LionsLiferParticipant]

3 words… Fear the Deer.

[LionsLiferParticipant]

3 words… Fear the Deer.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 hmmm… james curry harden westbrook davis i think everyone agrees were top 5 this year. hes better than someone in there by third year? durant and george were both there before their injuries. i think with a big step up each year he may be an allstar by then… not top 5. hope he does tho, go team canada!

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 hmmm… james curry harden westbrook davis i think everyone agrees were top 5 this year. hes better than someone in there by third year? durant and george were both there before their injuries. i think with a big step up each year he may be an allstar by then… not top 5. hope he does tho, go team canada!

[alex23Participant]

 Wiggins at top 5 in two years is a bit risky but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was top ten, also by then, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get the 8th seed in the west too.

[alex23Participant]

 Wiggins at top 5 in two years is a bit risky but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was top ten, also by then, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get the 8th seed in the west too.

[TRC1991Participant]

I have faith in the Bucks being very good – they only improved their roster this offseason, and return almost everyone minus Dudley…And Parker will return healthier 

[TRC1991Participant]

I have faith in the Bucks being very good – they only improved their roster this offseason, and return almost everyone minus Dudley…And Parker will return healthier 

[T Rex]

 Celtics and Jazz.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Celtics and Jazz.

 

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

 Lakers are better than people will give them credit.  They have a solid bench and some young promising player to play with a healthy Kobe and rejuvenated Roy Hibbert.

[sheltwon3Participant]

 Lakers are better than people will give them credit.  They have a solid bench and some young promising player to play with a healthy Kobe and rejuvenated Roy Hibbert.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 For the West it’s the Jazz, but for people who actually follow basketball hardcore, that’s not a surprise at all. 

I think the team that will surprise the most will be Detroit. I’ve seen people take shots at them alot this offseason, and most people have them in their bottom teams in the "6 Worst teams next year" thread, and to me that just blows my mind. right now they will have a rotation of:

Drummond-Bayne

Ersan-Tolliver

Johnson-Morris

Pope-Meeks

Jackson-Jennings

For starters, all their players are either about to blossom or already in their primes, and you can expect improvement from Jackson/Drummond/Pope. 

All great teams, or teams who win, need a few things. 

1.) A rim protector. 

Check. Drummond certainly classifies, and is one of the biggest, athletic players in the entire NBA. He put up Rodman type numbers last year, and with no Monroe, I wouldn’t be surpised if he increased his rebounding %. 

2.) Shot creators:

Check. While not the best, Jennings and Jackson are both capable of breaking down a defense, and both of them are capable at creating their own shot. How effective and effiecient are they? Maybe not the best, but at the end of the day, they are still capable. 

3.) Shooters:

Check. Meeks/Tolliver/Ersan/Pope are all good 3pnt shooters, and going 4 out is only going to help them all get better looks. 

4. Depth:

Check: If they decide to keep Jennings they will have a solid bench. He could be a great sparkplug off the bench, and I think he would excell in the Lou Williams role for DET. Trading for Marcus Morris is another great addition to the bench, as he’s a versatile player who can play the 3 or 4, and is also capable of hitting the long ball. Tolliver is the same. They need a back up center imo, but they just gave Baynes a legic contract so who knows, maybe they see him as that guy. 

5. Good coaching:

Check. Say what you will about SVG, but the guy gets results. He’s a good coach, and he knows the game of basketball. With a team this young, hopefully he can get them to buy in early. 

DET was 15th in OFF and 19th in DEF last year, and I expect both of those numbers to improve greatly. The Pistons shockingly only had a point differential of -1.0 last year (that’s right, just one point), and they won 32 games. Stats show that they lost 14 games last year decided by 4 points or fewer or in OT…that’s crazy, and I don’t expect them to repeat that feat, as I expect about half of those games will go their way this time around with a more balanced roster and better depth. 

Havings a full year of Jackson and Jennings should also be a big boost for the team, and lets not forget Josh smith…

I think the Pistons will have a winning record, my bet is somewhere in the 44-48 win total, and will most likely be the 7th or 8th seed in the east. They are clearly better than the Pacers/Celtics/Hornets in my opinion, and could really break out. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 For the West it’s the Jazz, but for people who actually follow basketball hardcore, that’s not a surprise at all. 

I think the team that will surprise the most will be Detroit. I’ve seen people take shots at them alot this offseason, and most people have them in their bottom teams in the "6 Worst teams next year" thread, and to me that just blows my mind. right now they will have a rotation of:

Drummond-Bayne

Ersan-Tolliver

Johnson-Morris

Pope-Meeks

Jackson-Jennings

For starters, all their players are either about to blossom or already in their primes, and you can expect improvement from Jackson/Drummond/Pope. 

All great teams, or teams who win, need a few things. 

1.) A rim protector. 

Check. Drummond certainly classifies, and is one of the biggest, athletic players in the entire NBA. He put up Rodman type numbers last year, and with no Monroe, I wouldn’t be surpised if he increased his rebounding %. 

2.) Shot creators:

Check. While not the best, Jennings and Jackson are both capable of breaking down a defense, and both of them are capable at creating their own shot. How effective and effiecient are they? Maybe not the best, but at the end of the day, they are still capable. 

3.) Shooters:

Check. Meeks/Tolliver/Ersan/Pope are all good 3pnt shooters, and going 4 out is only going to help them all get better looks. 

4. Depth:

Check: If they decide to keep Jennings they will have a solid bench. He could be a great sparkplug off the bench, and I think he would excell in the Lou Williams role for DET. Trading for Marcus Morris is another great addition to the bench, as he’s a versatile player who can play the 3 or 4, and is also capable of hitting the long ball. Tolliver is the same. They need a back up center imo, but they just gave Baynes a legic contract so who knows, maybe they see him as that guy. 

5. Good coaching:

Check. Say what you will about SVG, but the guy gets results. He’s a good coach, and he knows the game of basketball. With a team this young, hopefully he can get them to buy in early. 

DET was 15th in OFF and 19th in DEF last year, and I expect both of those numbers to improve greatly. The Pistons shockingly only had a point differential of -1.0 last year (that’s right, just one point), and they won 32 games. Stats show that they lost 14 games last year decided by 4 points or fewer or in OT…that’s crazy, and I don’t expect them to repeat that feat, as I expect about half of those games will go their way this time around with a more balanced roster and better depth. 

Havings a full year of Jackson and Jennings should also be a big boost for the team, and lets not forget Josh smith…

I think the Pistons will have a winning record, my bet is somewhere in the 44-48 win total, and will most likely be the 7th or 8th seed in the east. They are clearly better than the Pacers/Celtics/Hornets in my opinion, and could really break out. 

[T Rex]

 I bet you picked Detroit to finish above the Celtics last year. You’ll be wrong again this year because Drummond sucks.

 

 

[T Rex]

 I bet you picked Detroit to finish above the Celtics last year. You’ll be wrong again this year because Drummond sucks.

 

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

God damn, why does avery response I get have to be an insult towards the Celtics! 

Yes, I did have the Celtics finishing in the bottom 10 teams last year, but that has nothing to do with Detroit. Drummond sucks, okay, I’m not saying he’s an all-time great player, but anyone who can put up 14/14/2 while leading the league in offensive boards the past two years, DOES NOT suck. He may not be the player you want him to be, but the player he is can effect the game in a lot of ways. 

I think DET has made a lot of solid moves, and I expect them to have a good year because of their newly aquired depth that they’ve added this offseason. They didn’t have that Luxery last year, and only improved upon their weaknesses. 

Last year they played Caron Butler and Tayson Prince at SF…I think it’s safe to say that Stanley Johnson will be a big improvement over those two, especially defensively, and if the summer league is any indication of how he’s going to do, he could be another offensive weapon for them as well. 

They will also have a full season of Brandon Jennings, and more importantly, a full season and training camp with Reggie Jackson.

DET was literally middle of the pack in everything last year, so it’s outlandish for me to think that they will improve upon that and win some of those close games which I highlighted above. Young teams typically get better, not worse. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

God damn, why does avery response I get have to be an insult towards the Celtics! 

Yes, I did have the Celtics finishing in the bottom 10 teams last year, but that has nothing to do with Detroit. Drummond sucks, okay, I’m not saying he’s an all-time great player, but anyone who can put up 14/14/2 while leading the league in offensive boards the past two years, DOES NOT suck. He may not be the player you want him to be, but the player he is can effect the game in a lot of ways. 

I think DET has made a lot of solid moves, and I expect them to have a good year because of their newly aquired depth that they’ve added this offseason. They didn’t have that Luxery last year, and only improved upon their weaknesses. 

Last year they played Caron Butler and Tayson Prince at SF…I think it’s safe to say that Stanley Johnson will be a big improvement over those two, especially defensively, and if the summer league is any indication of how he’s going to do, he could be another offensive weapon for them as well. 

They will also have a full season of Brandon Jennings, and more importantly, a full season and training camp with Reggie Jackson.

DET was literally middle of the pack in everything last year, so it’s outlandish for me to think that they will improve upon that and win some of those close games which I highlighted above. Young teams typically get better, not worse. 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

To Brad Stevens System is going to help them a lot. His defensive rebounding ability will help Thomas lead fast brakes and push the pace. Eastern  conference is weak. Him and Johnson  are good pick ups to add to that current roster. Now Stevens job is to put them in best position to succeed.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

To Brad Stevens System is going to help them a lot. His defensive rebounding ability will help Thomas lead fast brakes and push the pace. Eastern  conference is weak. Him and Johnson  are good pick ups to add to that current roster. Now Stevens job is to put them in best position to succeed.

[nill650Participant]

 I don’t really think any teams are going to surprise anyone at this point besides those who only are homers to their respective teams.

it is already a given teams like the bucks are on the rise in the east (meaning they could be a top 4 team this season).

it is also a given with their losses teams like portland in the west are lottery bound.

if there is any team that is projected to rise a lot from last season it has to be okc if healthy…but that would’nt and shouldn’t surprise anyone. I expect them to be a top 4 seed easy.

I would give a team like the magic the best chance to actualy surprise anyon in 15-16 and make the playoffs this year…lose in the first round, but make the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nill650Participant]

 I don’t really think any teams are going to surprise anyone at this point besides those who only are homers to their respective teams.

it is already a given teams like the bucks are on the rise in the east (meaning they could be a top 4 team this season).

it is also a given with their losses teams like portland in the west are lottery bound.

if there is any team that is projected to rise a lot from last season it has to be okc if healthy…but that would’nt and shouldn’t surprise anyone. I expect them to be a top 4 seed easy.

I would give a team like the magic the best chance to actualy surprise anyon in 15-16 and make the playoffs this year…lose in the first round, but make the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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