Contenders

 Steven Adams will bring some toughness. I think he will make a real leap in production this year.

 Steven Adams will bring some toughness. I think he will make a real leap in production this year.

Real Contenders: Spurs, OKC, Cavs. 

Borderline Legit Contenders: Bulls

Sleeper Teams: Clippers, Grizzlies, Warriors, Wizards

The Spurs have the best overall "team" in the league.  Tony Parker is an MVP candidate type, and Kawhi Leonard is only getting better.  More shooters, plus Diaw, and quality inside play with Duncan and Splitter.

The Thunder and Cavs have the best Big Threes in basketball.  You could even argue that LeBron, Durant, Westbrook, and Love are the best four guys in the league (CP3 fifth somewhere). 

Looks like the Thunder have more youth, size, and athleticism with Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka, although the MVP award could be going back to Cleveland with LeBron being the favorite and Kevin Love possibly making his best run at it, yet. 

A potential Cavs-Thunder Finals could come down to the "role players".  Guys outside the big three with matchups like Dion Waiters vs. Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow and Jeremy Lamb against James Jones and Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, TT, Andy V, and Brendan Haywood against guys like Perkins, Nick Collison, Steven Adams, and Mitch McGary. 

… if Rose, Pau, and Noah are at 100% and if Doug McDermott’s game full translates then I would put the Bulls fourth with a real shot at taking it to the Cavs.  But, that might be too much to ask.  The Bulls have a really good Big Three.  The Cavs have a better one.  The Bulls might have more options and depth, but the Cavs are pretty deep too. 

Yeah, those are my Final Four picks: Spurs, Cleveland, OKC, and Chicago. 

Outside the top 3 there is a bit of a drop to Chicago, then a bigger drop to the rest of the league’s playoff caliber teams.

My "Cinderella team" is the Grizzlies.  Solid point guard play with Mike Conley, a bunch of wing options, Tony Allen for D and Vince Carter, Courtney Lee, and Jordan Adams for scoring, a "20-10 guy" in Zach Randolph, with Contract Year Marc Gasol looking like he is in good shape. 

Out East, Washington and Toronto are nice young teams, but watch out for Miami if D Wade gets healthy. 

Real Contenders: Spurs, OKC, Cavs. 

Borderline Legit Contenders: Bulls

Sleeper Teams: Clippers, Grizzlies, Warriors, Wizards

The Spurs have the best overall "team" in the league.  Tony Parker is an MVP candidate type, and Kawhi Leonard is only getting better.  More shooters, plus Diaw, and quality inside play with Duncan and Splitter.

The Thunder and Cavs have the best Big Threes in basketball.  You could even argue that LeBron, Durant, Westbrook, and Love are the best four guys in the league (CP3 fifth somewhere). 

Looks like the Thunder have more youth, size, and athleticism with Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka, although the MVP award could be going back to Cleveland with LeBron being the favorite and Kevin Love possibly making his best run at it, yet. 

A potential Cavs-Thunder Finals could come down to the "role players".  Guys outside the big three with matchups like Dion Waiters vs. Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow and Jeremy Lamb against James Jones and Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, TT, Andy V, and Brendan Haywood against guys like Perkins, Nick Collison, Steven Adams, and Mitch McGary. 

… if Rose, Pau, and Noah are at 100% and if Doug McDermott’s game full translates then I would put the Bulls fourth with a real shot at taking it to the Cavs.  But, that might be too much to ask.  The Bulls have a really good Big Three.  The Cavs have a better one.  The Bulls might have more options and depth, but the Cavs are pretty deep too. 

Yeah, those are my Final Four picks: Spurs, Cleveland, OKC, and Chicago. 

Outside the top 3 there is a bit of a drop to Chicago, then a bigger drop to the rest of the league’s playoff caliber teams.

My "Cinderella team" is the Grizzlies.  Solid point guard play with Mike Conley, a bunch of wing options, Tony Allen for D and Vince Carter, Courtney Lee, and Jordan Adams for scoring, a "20-10 guy" in Zach Randolph, with Contract Year Marc Gasol looking like he is in good shape. 

Out East, Washington and Toronto are nice young teams, but watch out for Miami if D Wade gets healthy. 

 everyone is drinking the Cavs Koolaid right now.. the team does have great pieces but will have TONS problems with teams with size..The Bulls are a 6’9 Long Athletic SF that Thibs can mold into a lock down defender away from being a serious title team..

 everyone is drinking the Cavs Koolaid right now.. the team does have great pieces but will have TONS problems with teams with size..The Bulls are a 6’9 Long Athletic SF that Thibs can mold into a lock down defender away from being a serious title team..

According to Brian Windhorst, the Cavaliers are currently trying to pry Timofey Mozgov from Denver. He played for David Blatt on the Russian national team and could help to shore up some minor defensive holes, protect the rim, etc. Shawn Marion will have a part in that as well.

According to Brian Windhorst, the Cavaliers are currently trying to pry Timofey Mozgov from Denver. He played for David Blatt on the Russian national team and could help to shore up some minor defensive holes, protect the rim, etc. Shawn Marion will have a part in that as well.

You can talk about "contenders" but historically the nba is a dynasty driven league; that has never changed. Realistically speaking the only teams that have a legitimate shot to win the title this year would be San Antonio and Cleveland with OKC and Chicago having a slim slim chance to win by way of a LeBron Injury or some unordinary scenario. It just goes to show you the lack of true depth the nba has due to the fact that before the year starts if I asked everyone to pick 5 teams that could win the title, 95% of the people would pick the winner before a game has been played. It’s much harder to do that with the MLB, NFL, NHL etc. 

You can talk about "contenders" but historically the nba is a dynasty driven league; that has never changed. Realistically speaking the only teams that have a legitimate shot to win the title this year would be San Antonio and Cleveland with OKC and Chicago having a slim slim chance to win by way of a LeBron Injury or some unordinary scenario. It just goes to show you the lack of true depth the nba has due to the fact that before the year starts if I asked everyone to pick 5 teams that could win the title, 95% of the people would pick the winner before a game has been played. It’s much harder to do that with the MLB, NFL, NHL etc. 

Chicago is absolutely a contender, especially in the Eastern Conference. They have star power (Rose, Noah) and legitimate depth at every position.

Out of their big men alone, they have a defensive anchor in Joakim Noah, a post up/pick and pop big in Pau Gasol, a stretch 4 in Mirotic, and a high energy/dirty work big in Taj Gibson.

On the wings, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy Jr. bring effort, high IQ, and 3 point shooting to the 2 guard spot. Dunleavy is the better shooter while Butler is the superior defender, however, they compliment each other well. At the three, Doug McDermott and Tony Snell have a lot to live up to. Offensively, the Bulls need 3 point shooting from them, which they have yet to proven at the NBA level but definitely have the capability to do. Snell will be a tough matchup for any wing player due to his length and athleticism, and McDermott’s IQ on the defensive end hasn’t been called into question, just his athletic ability. 

At the point guard spot, a healthy Derrick Rose makes this team incredibly dangerous offensively and defensively. He has looked great throughout team USA’s exhibition games. Aaron Brooks is a perfect fit for what Coach Thibs looks for from his backup point guards; willingness to be coached/run an offense, yet at the same time, have the freedom to call their own number if they get hot. Brooks can shoot the 3 and score off the bounce.

This team has a true 10 man rotation and their combination of star power and depth is phenomenal. The biggest question mark (aside from if Rose can stay healthy) is at the three spot, with Snell and McDermott. However, these two players have the potential to make a huge positive impact on the Bulls. This is going to be a fun team to watch.

Chicago is absolutely a contender, especially in the Eastern Conference. They have star power (Rose, Noah) and legitimate depth at every position.

Out of their big men alone, they have a defensive anchor in Joakim Noah, a post up/pick and pop big in Pau Gasol, a stretch 4 in Mirotic, and a high energy/dirty work big in Taj Gibson.

On the wings, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy Jr. bring effort, high IQ, and 3 point shooting to the 2 guard spot. Dunleavy is the better shooter while Butler is the superior defender, however, they compliment each other well. At the three, Doug McDermott and Tony Snell have a lot to live up to. Offensively, the Bulls need 3 point shooting from them, which they have yet to proven at the NBA level but definitely have the capability to do. Snell will be a tough matchup for any wing player due to his length and athleticism, and McDermott’s IQ on the defensive end hasn’t been called into question, just his athletic ability. 

At the point guard spot, a healthy Derrick Rose makes this team incredibly dangerous offensively and defensively. He has looked great throughout team USA’s exhibition games. Aaron Brooks is a perfect fit for what Coach Thibs looks for from his backup point guards; willingness to be coached/run an offense, yet at the same time, have the freedom to call their own number if they get hot. Brooks can shoot the 3 and score off the bounce.

This team has a true 10 man rotation and their combination of star power and depth is phenomenal. The biggest question mark (aside from if Rose can stay healthy) is at the three spot, with Snell and McDermott. However, these two players have the potential to make a huge positive impact on the Bulls. This is going to be a fun team to watch.

I like OKC’s chances.  Durant, Ibaka, and Adams is a huge, long, athletic front line.  Westbrook is a beast, Reggie Jackson is a good 2nd/3rd guard and now they have a 3 point shooting specialist in Anthony Morrow. 

Even their rookie Mitch McGary looks like a guy who can matchup ok with Kevin Love. 

I like Chicago but they are almost in a similar position as the Cavs (who have to integrate their top two pieces who are new: LeBron and Love).  Rose has injury issues and hasn’t played much in two years.  Pau is new.  Doug McDermott is a rookie.  Jimmy Butler is their 4th guy but only started playing big minutes last season.  For them to go the distance, Noah and Rose have to have MVP-caliber seasons.

To me, the Bulls have only ONE 20 point scorer — if D Rose can find a time machine.  They do have a lot of guys though who can get you about 15 a night — Noah, Pau, Butler, Doug, and maybe even Taj Gibson.  Contrast that with the Cavs who can get 80 points from 3 guys (Big Three) and the OKC big three with two guys who can get you 40 and the other (Serge) gets 15 on an average night and can get you 20 if needed (most of the time).

A healthy OKC looks like a slight, slight favorite.  If the Spurs stay hungry they will be right there.  The Cavs are the favorites to come out of the East with the Bulls possibly being close to a SLEEPER pick than a legit title contender.  The Bulls need the most things to go right for them to get to the Finals. 

… the past few Finals have almost come down to the "last piece" guy.  When the Heat lost to the Mavs they went out and got Shane Battier.  Shane put them over the top in my opinion.  Then they got Ray Allen.  Ray Allen hit possibly the biggest shot in NBA Finals history.  Then last year they lose Mike Miller who resigns with the Grizzlies.  MM might not have put the Heat over the top last year, but who knows?  They really missed out at that stretch forward position in last year’s playoffs with Mike Miller not being there and with Shane Battier being the last guy to know that he retired.  … this year I think Shawn Marion will be that "last piece guy".  He can board, defend, and help out with scoring.  He and LeBron can really wreak some havoc on D.  Then he allows them some more freedom to play a small ball front line with Kevin Love at center.  Marion is the perfect guy to throw at Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and those guys.  He can also guard the top Chicago wing so LeBron can check/frustrate Derrick Rose. 

I like OKC’s chances.  Durant, Ibaka, and Adams is a huge, long, athletic front line.  Westbrook is a beast, Reggie Jackson is a good 2nd/3rd guard and now they have a 3 point shooting specialist in Anthony Morrow. 

Even their rookie Mitch McGary looks like a guy who can matchup ok with Kevin Love. 

I like Chicago but they are almost in a similar position as the Cavs (who have to integrate their top two pieces who are new: LeBron and Love).  Rose has injury issues and hasn’t played much in two years.  Pau is new.  Doug McDermott is a rookie.  Jimmy Butler is their 4th guy but only started playing big minutes last season.  For them to go the distance, Noah and Rose have to have MVP-caliber seasons.

To me, the Bulls have only ONE 20 point scorer — if D Rose can find a time machine.  They do have a lot of guys though who can get you about 15 a night — Noah, Pau, Butler, Doug, and maybe even Taj Gibson.  Contrast that with the Cavs who can get 80 points from 3 guys (Big Three) and the OKC big three with two guys who can get you 40 and the other (Serge) gets 15 on an average night and can get you 20 if needed (most of the time).

A healthy OKC looks like a slight, slight favorite.  If the Spurs stay hungry they will be right there.  The Cavs are the favorites to come out of the East with the Bulls possibly being close to a SLEEPER pick than a legit title contender.  The Bulls need the most things to go right for them to get to the Finals. 

… the past few Finals have almost come down to the "last piece" guy.  When the Heat lost to the Mavs they went out and got Shane Battier.  Shane put them over the top in my opinion.  Then they got Ray Allen.  Ray Allen hit possibly the biggest shot in NBA Finals history.  Then last year they lose Mike Miller who resigns with the Grizzlies.  MM might not have put the Heat over the top last year, but who knows?  They really missed out at that stretch forward position in last year’s playoffs with Mike Miller not being there and with Shane Battier being the last guy to know that he retired.  … this year I think Shawn Marion will be that "last piece guy".  He can board, defend, and help out with scoring.  He and LeBron can really wreak some havoc on D.  Then he allows them some more freedom to play a small ball front line with Kevin Love at center.  Marion is the perfect guy to throw at Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and those guys.  He can also guard the top Chicago wing so LeBron can check/frustrate Derrick Rose.