[Fuzzy DunlopParticipant]

Excluding the Timberwolves – This division has the most promise out of any division in the NBA…..let me know if you agree or not

OKC – there have been plenty of threads about them…i don’t need to go in depth. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka and Perk….Conference finals this year…nuff said

Portland – good mix of veterans and promising young talent at almost all the positions. just need a quality back up  for Aldridge. I like the new changes at point guard with felton and nolan smith. Wes matthews is the truth. linep of felton, matthews, wallace, aldridge and camby/oden is something to be reckoned with/

Utah Jazz – the future is bright….i’m a huge fan of alec burks….stacked front court now with kanter, jefferson, milsap and okur……former all star devin harris (late twenties)….two more first round draft picks next year we barely got to see gordon hayward play this year

Denver – with them it depends on if they can keep some key free agents…affalo is a must keep…wilson chandler would be nice too… ty lawson has exceeded expectations (don’t ever forget that jonny flynn was picked before this guy)….so has affalo….decent pieces in galo and mozgov….top 5 center in nene

I know I excluded the wolves but wit kevin love, ricky rubio and derrick williams on one team they may have some promise as well…..i’ll reserve judgement until i see them play together

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

you forgot to mention derrick favors in that crowded frontcourt

[TRC1991Participant]

you forgot to mention derrick favors in that crowded frontcourt

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Actually Utah only has 1 first round draft pick next year. Their own draft pick was traded to Minny as part of the Al Jefferson trade. But their 1 first round draft pick next year is actually a lottery pick.  Probably a late lottery pick (10-14 range). But they could still land a good PG like Myck Kabongo or Kendall Marshall or they could land a good SF like Michael Gilchrist, Adonis Thomas, Terrance Jones, or even Terrance Ross.

Indeed the future is bright for Utah, but once again even though Utah has a crowded front court, I do not think they will trade one of the front court players. And nor do I think that Kanter will get shortened playing time because of it. I think he’ll start at Center with Jefferson playing PF. (Millsap would be moved back to the bench where he can consistently average a double double more effectively.)

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Actually Utah only has 1 first round draft pick next year. Their own draft pick was traded to Minny as part of the Al Jefferson trade. But their 1 first round draft pick next year is actually a lottery pick.  Probably a late lottery pick (10-14 range). But they could still land a good PG like Myck Kabongo or Kendall Marshall or they could land a good SF like Michael Gilchrist, Adonis Thomas, Terrance Jones, or even Terrance Ross.

Indeed the future is bright for Utah, but once again even though Utah has a crowded front court, I do not think they will trade one of the front court players. And nor do I think that Kanter will get shortened playing time because of it. I think he’ll start at Center with Jefferson playing PF. (Millsap would be moved back to the bench where he can consistently average a double double more effectively.)

[Cincinatti BowtiesParticipant]

I think Denver will struggle, especially if they lose Nene. They lack a go to guy, and probably wont be able to re-sign Nene, JR Smith, Chandler and Affalo. I dont see them making the playoffs next year, but they should at least be competitive. I think they will have a hard time re-building until they get a "star" quality player.

[Cincinatti BowtiesParticipant]

I think Denver will struggle, especially if they lose Nene. They lack a go to guy, and probably wont be able to re-sign Nene, JR Smith, Chandler and Affalo. I dont see them making the playoffs next year, but they should at least be competitive. I think they will have a hard time re-building until they get a "star" quality player.

[chevilicousParticipant]

Actually, the jazz could have 2 picks next year, the pick they traded to minnesota is lottery protected, and golden states pick they received is top 7 protected. They could have 0-2 picks depending on how things turn out

[chevilicousParticipant]

Actually, the jazz could have 2 picks next year, the pick they traded to minnesota is lottery protected, and golden states pick they received is top 7 protected. They could have 0-2 picks depending on how things turn out

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I obviously like the Thunder and what they have there.  I like Utah if their young players pan out.  I really like their front court depth and they have some decent wing players.  Minny is doing fairly well.  The Williams pick is good, the Wes Johnson pick was ok (has upside, looks like a good team player), and I think Rubio will do well as a distributor and floor general.  Getting Love was good and he is a good building block.  They basically stole Michael Beasley for a 2nd round pick.  Good scorer and an ideal 6th man.  Anthony Randolph is worth taking a flyer on.  The center combo of Darko and Brad Miller isn’t the best but it is solid.  I like the T-Wolves future prospects as much as any young rebuilding team.  Great core going forward. 

The Nuggets and Blazers will be contending for the playoffs but they might be examples of teams that peak out as second round teams.  They can win the first round but can’t make the next step. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I obviously like the Thunder and what they have there.  I like Utah if their young players pan out.  I really like their front court depth and they have some decent wing players.  Minny is doing fairly well.  The Williams pick is good, the Wes Johnson pick was ok (has upside, looks like a good team player), and I think Rubio will do well as a distributor and floor general.  Getting Love was good and he is a good building block.  They basically stole Michael Beasley for a 2nd round pick.  Good scorer and an ideal 6th man.  Anthony Randolph is worth taking a flyer on.  The center combo of Darko and Brad Miller isn’t the best but it is solid.  I like the T-Wolves future prospects as much as any young rebuilding team.  Great core going forward. 

The Nuggets and Blazers will be contending for the playoffs but they might be examples of teams that peak out as second round teams.  They can win the first round but can’t make the next step. 

[MuggsyParticipant]

[MuggsyParticipant]

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

According to that source chevilicious, the Jazz could have 2 lottery picks next year. But the fact is that the Jazz are likely to make the playoffs next year. (If there is a season of course) If they make the playoffs next year then the pick belongs to the Wolves. That is what I was basing my earlier comment off on.

As a Jazz fan, I fully expect them to make the playoffs next year. With their two great draft picks this year, as well as the team options picked up on CJ Miles, Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward (as of today), it looks like that is what the Jazz’s goal is to do as well. They are not normals for the lottery. They are normals for the playoffs. . When they don’t make it there they don’t stay in the lottery for too long. Last time they were in the lottery was from 2004-2006. Just 3 quick years. That’s the longest they’ve been in the lottery since Stockton and Malone were drafted way back in the mid 80’s!!! So yes, I do expect that even though they were in the lottery this year, it will be very short lived. Expect the Jazz to make the playoffs next year. If they don’t than I and many other Jazz fans as well as the Jazz organization themselves will be very upset.

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

According to that source chevilicious, the Jazz could have 2 lottery picks next year. But the fact is that the Jazz are likely to make the playoffs next year. (If there is a season of course) If they make the playoffs next year then the pick belongs to the Wolves. That is what I was basing my earlier comment off on.

As a Jazz fan, I fully expect them to make the playoffs next year. With their two great draft picks this year, as well as the team options picked up on CJ Miles, Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward (as of today), it looks like that is what the Jazz’s goal is to do as well. They are not normals for the lottery. They are normals for the playoffs. . When they don’t make it there they don’t stay in the lottery for too long. Last time they were in the lottery was from 2004-2006. Just 3 quick years. That’s the longest they’ve been in the lottery since Stockton and Malone were drafted way back in the mid 80’s!!! So yes, I do expect that even though they were in the lottery this year, it will be very short lived. Expect the Jazz to make the playoffs next year. If they don’t than I and many other Jazz fans as well as the Jazz organization themselves will be very upset.

[Author]

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