[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

I’ve been thinking this for a few days now…but the news of the KD injury just solidified it for me.

Prediction: The Dallas Mavs are going to win the Western Conference this year!

I don’t see any team out west that can beat these guys in a 7-game series (this is of course contingent on Monta, Dirk, and both Chandler’s being healthy going into the playoffs.)

Offensively, they’re loaded with weapons that compliment each others abilities in the starting lineup. The bench depth is very good as they have role players to contribute in multiple areas…Harris, Felton Crowder, RJ, Wright, & Greg Smith have all played roles on playoff teams in their careers. Aminu & Ledo can also give a spark here and there. The amount of lineup combinations they have to work with coupled with Carlisle’s coaching ability is going to make them a matchup nightmare that’s tough to stop.

 

The competition: Spurs- obviously the defending champs are considered the team to beat in the west and rightfully so. However, they’ve never repeated as champs with this group and I don’t see this year being any different. Some complacency will creep in at some point this season and if they go into the playoffs sluggish they’re a candidate to get knocked out by the 2nd round just like everyone else in the loaded conference. I see them as a 2 seed and if they run into Dallas or Memphis early I think they get bounced.

Clippers- They keep getting better every year since CP3 got here, but yet can’t reach the conference finals. This is probably the best chance they have, 2nd year under Doc, improvement out of Blake & DJ, improved bench, but I still see them coming up just short. Matchups like OKC & GS give them trouble, and I see them running into one of those teams 2nd round as the 1 seed vs. the 4/5 winner.

Thunder- KD’s injury is a big blow, they’ll still win games and stay in the playoff hunt til he gets back. But I worry about Westbrook getting too comfortable being the #1 and #2 option early on and not being able to fully adjust once KD is back. They’ll be a middle seed (4-5 range) but not make it out of the west playoffs without home court advantage.

Blazers- They played better than expected last year and really gelled as a unit. They relied on their starters for huge minutes, and some new faces on the bench doesn’t neccessarily mean an upgrade. Kaman is a good piece but he’s always had a problem with pecking orders and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up in the doghouse in favor of T Rob, Freeland, and Myers at the end of the year due to chemistry/fit issues. I’m the biggest LMA fan there is, but last years numbers likely won’t be duplicated and even if you factor in Lillard’s improvement they’ll peak around the same level they did last year. Tough first round series, 2nd round exit.

Rockets- Losing Parsons hurt, but Ariza should add a defensive element that will still help the team. It’s the inexperience of the bench that will make this team take a slight step back. I see them as a 7 seed who makes it no further than the 2nd round.

Warriors- Probably the biggest threat I see for Dallas because of the matchups and equal firepower. Thompson is poised for a career year, Curry will still be great, Lee will be his usual consistent self. Bogut is an x-factor here assuming he’s healthy for the playoffs…he changes the game with his rim protection and defensive activity as well as his passing and inside finishing on offensive. Their bench is improved and should be able to maintain leads as well as give a lift at times. They’re good enough to make the conference finals, especially if Kerr can draw up some actual plays for them to execute late in games instead of just letting Steph dribble and shoot tough shots. The home court advantage in Oracle is as good as anywhere in the league and I’m projecting them as a 4 seed so that will definitely give them a lift in the early rounds of the playoffs. The rookie coaching as well as lack of late-game execution are the reasons I think they’ll fall short in either the 2nd round or conf finals.

 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I chose Dallas to come out of the West as well.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I chose Dallas to come out of the West as well.

[xJumpManxParticipant]

 Id be happy with a Dallas Vs Cleveland Finals. The East is shaping up to be the Cavs and some other teams right now. I was worried about Rose but its going to take a season or more for him to regain his shooting and learn to play with less violence to his body.

[xJumpManxParticipant]

 Id be happy with a Dallas Vs Cleveland Finals. The East is shaping up to be the Cavs and some other teams right now. I was worried about Rose but its going to take a season or more for him to regain his shooting and learn to play with less violence to his body.

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

 Bold prediction – Dallas doesn’t make the playoffs

1 spurs

2 clippers

3 warriors

4 thunder

5 grizzlies

6 pelicans

7 blazers

8 suns 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

 Bold prediction – Dallas doesn’t make the playoffs

1 spurs

2 clippers

3 warriors

4 thunder

5 grizzlies

6 pelicans

7 blazers

8 suns 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[machu46Participant]

I didn’t pick Dallas to win the West, but I did pick them to reach the WCF.  PG is an obvious weakness, but they’ll just have to hope one gets a hot hand and then roll with whoever that is.  I think the Clippers and Spurs are probably the top 2 teams in the West, but Dallas could challenge them in the playoffs.

[machu46Participant]

I didn’t pick Dallas to win the West, but I did pick them to reach the WCF.  PG is an obvious weakness, but they’ll just have to hope one gets a hot hand and then roll with whoever that is.  I think the Clippers and Spurs are probably the top 2 teams in the West, but Dallas could challenge them in the playoffs.

[lalailaParticipant]

c’mon I see you guys are writting Thunder off..

it’s possible they will play only 17 games without KD. Let’s say they will be like 9-8 then (and would of been 12-5 with KD let’s say). So while I thought they would be 60plus wins team their record still could very well be above 55wins and that’s top3 seed at least

[lalailaParticipant]

c’mon I see you guys are writting Thunder off..

it’s possible they will play only 17 games without KD. Let’s say they will be like 9-8 then (and would of been 12-5 with KD let’s say). So while I thought they would be 60plus wins team their record still could very well be above 55wins and that’s top3 seed at least

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Ha thats hilarious that you guys write off the Thunder. If anything KD’s injury makes OKC stronger once he returns and that wont even be a quarter into the season. If he misses 20 games and they are .500 the experience and added responsability guys like Jackson, Adams, Lamb, Jones with gain from his absence will translate into development and confidence going forward for each player individually and the team going forward.

I love the Mavs current lineup and think they are definitely contenders but there are so many good teams in the West its hard to make such a prediction. Now I dont mind a bold prediction like someone saying Dallas will win the West but just ruling out OKC because Durant will miss a qaurter of the season is not a bold prediction its absurd.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Ha thats hilarious that you guys write off the Thunder. If anything KD’s injury makes OKC stronger once he returns and that wont even be a quarter into the season. If he misses 20 games and they are .500 the experience and added responsability guys like Jackson, Adams, Lamb, Jones with gain from his absence will translate into development and confidence going forward for each player individually and the team going forward.

I love the Mavs current lineup and think they are definitely contenders but there are so many good teams in the West its hard to make such a prediction. Now I dont mind a bold prediction like someone saying Dallas will win the West but just ruling out OKC because Durant will miss a qaurter of the season is not a bold prediction its absurd.

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