[Andrew1984Participant]

Last year, 10 teams won 50 games. Four of them did not win 50 the previous year (Hawks, Cavs, Bulls, Mavs).

I think New Orleans and Oklahoma City are shoo-ins for ’15-’16. I’m going to say Indiana gets there next year, too. Toronto won 49, but I see a slight drop-off coming. 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Celtics finished the season with 24 wins in 36 games. That’s 50+ wins. I think with the new additions, and the half season of experience dominating the league, combined with a weak Atlantic division, will all combine to get the Celtics over the top of the 50 win mark.

No Homer.

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Celtics finished the season with 24 wins in 36 games. That’s 50+ wins. I think with the new additions, and the half season of experience dominating the league, combined with a weak Atlantic division, will all combine to get the Celtics over the top of the 50 win mark.

No Homer.

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I think the Jazz will reach the 50-win mark this coming season.

Also, the Thunder are sure-fire locks, and a sleeper team that I have is Miami. Well, they might not be a sleeper but I haven’t seen it on here yet.

 

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 Every stat shows that Utah has a strong chance to be a 50 win team. If they keep a top 3 defense,all they need to do to be a 50 win team is be a top 20-25 offense,which they will be. Defense is still underrated it looks like.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 Every stat shows that Utah has a strong chance to be a 50 win team. If they keep a top 3 defense,all they need to do to be a 50 win team is be a top 20-25 offense,which they will be. Defense is still underrated it looks like.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I think the Jazz will reach the 50-win mark this coming season.

Also, the Thunder are sure-fire locks, and a sleeper team that I have is Miami. Well, they might not be a sleeper but I haven’t seen it on here yet.

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

If the injury bug stays away, the Thunder are definitely a 50 win team. I think a big sleeper this year is the bucks. They won 41 games last year and they added Greg Monroe and they have Jabari Parker back. I seenthem contending for the 3rd seed in the east.

[T Rex]

 The thing about the Bucks is their second half was terrible. 10-18 finish I believe. They have a lot less momentum than you’d think, as do the Raps and Wizards, who all started coming apart at the seems 2nd half of the season.

And both the Raps and Wizards lost their heart and soul leader in Amir Johnson and Paul Pierce.

Brandon Knight was the leader of that Bucks team, and they also lost Ilyasova or how ever you spell it.

The only thing Greg Monroe ever led the Pistons to was pre-season playoff expectations…

 

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 I agree the Bucks did stumble the 2nd half of the season, but you cant blame Greg Monroe for what happend to the Pistons. He averaged 16 and 10. The problem with the Pistons last year was a huge lack of floor spacing. The Pistons were 5-23 with Josh Smith and 27-37 without him, and it wouldve been much better if Brandon Jennings didnt go down with an injury.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 I agree the Bucks did stumble the 2nd half of the season, but you cant blame Greg Monroe for what happend to the Pistons. He averaged 16 and 10. The problem with the Pistons last year was a huge lack of floor spacing. The Pistons were 5-23 with Josh Smith and 27-37 without him, and it wouldve been much better if Brandon Jennings didnt go down with an injury.

[T Rex]

 And now the problem with the Bucks is floor spacing, yet nobody seems to notice.

Monroe, Giannis, Jabari, MCW all can’t stretch the floor.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Funny how nobody figured out the Pistons problem was floor spacing until after the season, just like the years before.

People think collections of talent equals success, without ever thinking about how the talent will actually function on the floor.

 

[T Rex]

 And now the problem with the Bucks is floor spacing, yet nobody seems to notice.

Monroe, Giannis, Jabari, MCW all can’t stretch the floor.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Funny how nobody figured out the Pistons problem was floor spacing until after the season, just like the years before.

People think collections of talent equals success, without ever thinking about how the talent will actually function on the floor.

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 I agree the Bucks do have a floor spacing problem, but nobody is going to be jacking up shots like Josh Smith did. And I think the Bucks should trade MCW and get a floor spacing point guard. But even with MCW, I believe the Bucks are a 50 win team, espically with the Hawks getting worse and the Wizards losing Paul Pierce.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 I agree the Bucks do have a floor spacing problem, but nobody is going to be jacking up shots like Josh Smith did. And I think the Bucks should trade MCW and get a floor spacing point guard. But even with MCW, I believe the Bucks are a 50 win team, espically with the Hawks getting worse and the Wizards losing Paul Pierce.

[T Rex]

Bucks should have drafted Jerian Grant over Vaughn. Grant is an underrated shooter, and would be a clear upgrade over MCW because of his ability to stretch the floor.

I’ve predicted earlier that Kidd probably has a plan to play Vaughn at PG quite a bit, though he might not have the defense for it.

You can’t just ignore bad floor spacing and predict 50 wins regardless. Defenses are just going to clog the lane and give the Bucks contested 2 point jump shots, the worst formula in basketball.

 

[T Rex]

Bucks should have drafted Jerian Grant over Vaughn. Grant is an underrated shooter, and would be a clear upgrade over MCW because of his ability to stretch the floor.

I’ve predicted earlier that Kidd probably has a plan to play Vaughn at PG quite a bit, though he might not have the defense for it.

You can’t just ignore bad floor spacing and predict 50 wins regardless. Defenses are just going to clog the lane and give the Bucks contested 2 point jump shots, the worst formula in basketball.

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

I believe that by the end of the season we will see a lot of O.J. Mayo at the point. Although he is more of a 2, he could definitely help the floor spacing problem. Also, i think the bucks are just going to be a great defensive team. The length on the team is unbelievable. Defense is going to carry them this season.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

I believe that by the end of the season we will see a lot of O.J. Mayo at the point. Although he is more of a 2, he could definitely help the floor spacing problem. Also, i think the bucks are just going to be a great defensive team. The length on the team is unbelievable. Defense is going to carry them this season.

[T Rex]

 Monroe and Jabari are negative defenders, especially Jabari. Not enough length to defend PFs, not nimble enough to defend SFs.

And if they end up playing Mayo or Vaughn heavy minutes at pg, that’s another major weakness.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Monroe and Jabari are negative defenders, especially Jabari. Not enough length to defend PFs, not nimble enough to defend SFs.

And if they end up playing Mayo or Vaughn heavy minutes at pg, that’s another major weakness.

 

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 Actually Greg Monroe has been positive in defensive plus/minus his whole career and so was Jabari. And if you watched him at all at Duke you know he is strong enough to hold his own in the post.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 Actually Greg Monroe has been positive in defensive plus/minus his whole career and so was Jabari. And if you watched him at all at Duke you know he is strong enough to hold his own in the post.

[T Rex]

 Jabari got pulled out of games at duke twice for being more of a defensive liability than an offensive asset.

but good to know he stood his ground against some college pfs. 

 

[T Rex]

 Jabari got pulled out of games at duke twice for being more of a defensive liability than an offensive asset.

but good to know he stood his ground against some college pfs. 

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

Reguardless the Greek Freak will be playing the 4 and Jabari will be guarding 3s which he will have no problem with. Even if people drive by him they will run into Greek Freak and John Henson or Greg Monroe.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

Reguardless the Greek Freak will be playing the 4 and Jabari will be guarding 3s which he will have no problem with. Even if people drive by him they will run into Greek Freak and John Henson or Greg Monroe.

[T Rex]

 Oh No, it’s Greg Monroe!

 

 

[T Rex]

 Oh No, it’s Greg Monroe!

 

 

[T Rex]

 Oh No, it’s Greg Monroe!

 

 

[T Rex]

 Oh No, it’s Greg Monroe!

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Let’s just make this comment box littler…

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Let’s just make this comment box littler…

[T Rex]

 Instead of Josh Smith jacking up threes, it’s going to be Jabari, Giannis, and MCW jacking them up. By necessity, because those shots will be wide open with a packed in defense.

Are any of those guys better 3 point shooters than josh smith? No.

Whether it’s contested long 2s or open 3s, the Bucks are easy to game plan for.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Instead of Josh Smith jacking up threes, it’s going to be Jabari, Giannis, and MCW jacking them up. By necessity, because those shots will be wide open with a packed in defense.

Are any of those guys better 3 point shooters than josh smith? No.

Whether it’s contested long 2s or open 3s, the Bucks are easy to game plan for.

 

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 Jabari is a capable 3 point shooter and I hope by now MCW realizes hes not a shooter. Plus he has the point guard whisperer as a coach so maybe he improved during the offseason.

[B-dizzle97Participant]

 Jabari is a capable 3 point shooter and I hope by now MCW realizes hes not a shooter. Plus he has the point guard whisperer as a coach so maybe he improved during the offseason.

[T Rex]

 The thing about the Bucks is their second half was terrible. 10-18 finish I believe. They have a lot less momentum than you’d think, as do the Raps and Wizards, who all started coming apart at the seems 2nd half of the season.

And both the Raps and Wizards lost their heart and soul leader in Amir Johnson and Paul Pierce.

Brandon Knight was the leader of that Bucks team, and they also lost Ilyasova or how ever you spell it.

The only thing Greg Monroe ever led the Pistons to was pre-season playoff expectations…

 

 

[B-dizzle97Participant]

If the injury bug stays away, the Thunder are definitely a 50 win team. I think a big sleeper this year is the bucks. They won 41 games last year and they added Greg Monroe and they have Jabari Parker back. I seenthem contending for the 3rd seed in the east.

[Toronto16Participant]

Heat and Thunder.

[Toronto16Participant]

Heat and Thunder.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Wizards have been right around 45-48 wins each of the past 2 seasons. If beal and Porter break out this season they could get to 50 wins. I think they will miss Pierce’s leadership in the playoffs though.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Wizards have been right around 45-48 wins each of the past 2 seasons. If beal and Porter break out this season they could get to 50 wins. I think they will miss Pierce’s leadership in the playoffs though.

[Bucks1234Participant]

 Milwaukee will have 50 wins this season barring major injuries. They had 41 last year without Jabari 3/4 the season and no Monroe. This year in the weak East and the fall off of Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, Cavs without Irving, and all the really crappy teams they should be in line for a really good season.

[Bucks1234Participant]

 Milwaukee will have 50 wins this season barring major injuries. They had 41 last year without Jabari 3/4 the season and no Monroe. This year in the weak East and the fall off of Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, Cavs without Irving, and all the really crappy teams they should be in line for a really good season.

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 T wolves

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 T wolves

[Bucks1234Participant]

 Not this season for the Wolves. Next year maybe? But definitely the year after. The West is just to strong this season. 

[Bucks1234Participant]

 Not this season for the Wolves. Next year maybe? But definitely the year after. The West is just to strong this season. 

[dcaseParticipant]

 Agree with the OP that the Thunder and Pelicans stand the best chance (out of teams that didn’t reach the mark last year) of getting 50 wins this year.

 

A sleeper team might be Charlotte. They had 43 wins two years ago.  If Jeffereson can stay healthy along with Kemba and the addition of Batum, I can see them making a big jump.  I think anything is possible in the east during the regular season. Look at Atlanta…..they went from 38 to 60 wins between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

[dcaseParticipant]

 Agree with the OP that the Thunder and Pelicans stand the best chance (out of teams that didn’t reach the mark last year) of getting 50 wins this year.

 

A sleeper team might be Charlotte. They had 43 wins two years ago.  If Jeffereson can stay healthy along with Kemba and the addition of Batum, I can see them making a big jump.  I think anything is possible in the east during the regular season. Look at Atlanta…..they went from 38 to 60 wins between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

[jaycee24Participant]

 Pistons book it

[jaycee24Participant]

 Pistons book it

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Miami

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Miami

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Pacers with Paul George back and Monta Ellis added should be above .500 but I cannot see them winning 50 games with their frontcourt unless Paul George has a monster season.

As a Phoenix fan, I’d love to see them win 50 games and having added Chandler and had a full pre season to run plays through Brandon Knight they could be a surprise team to possibly hit 50 wins.

But I agree Pelicans, Thunder and Raptors are the obvious 3.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Pacers with Paul George back and Monta Ellis added should be above .500 but I cannot see them winning 50 games with their frontcourt unless Paul George has a monster season.

As a Phoenix fan, I’d love to see them win 50 games and having added Chandler and had a full pre season to run plays through Brandon Knight they could be a surprise team to possibly hit 50 wins.

But I agree Pelicans, Thunder and Raptors are the obvious 3.

 

 

[Rip255]

Since Im late to the party I’ll go with some fresh thinking…

The Knicks. Maybe 45-50 wins…cut me some slack here.

Core of Melo, Rolo, Afflalo and some good role players like Early, Seraphin, Zingers, Derrick Williams, Calderon. Seems a bit front court heavy.

If Anthony is injury free and in prime health…those supporting players are much more valuable. If hes not…they’re lost.

They could really use another guard not named Sasha Vujacic though…how is he still in the league. I like his beef with Goran Dragic though. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rip255]

Since Im late to the party I’ll go with some fresh thinking…

The Knicks. Maybe 45-50 wins…cut me some slack here.

Core of Melo, Rolo, Afflalo and some good role players like Early, Seraphin, Zingers, Derrick Williams, Calderon. Seems a bit front court heavy.

If Anthony is injury free and in prime health…those supporting players are much more valuable. If hes not…they’re lost.

They could really use another guard not named Sasha Vujacic though…how is he still in the league. I like his beef with Goran Dragic though. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 OKC,  Jazz, NO, Miami, Milwaukee.

[Captain LParticipant]

 OKC,  Jazz, NO, Miami, Milwaukee.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

 Orlando Magic 

[CavFanPRParticipant]

 Orlando Magic 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I see Orlando making the playoffs and perhaps finishing slightly above .500, but I definitely don’t think they’ll go 50-32 or better. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I see Orlando making the playoffs and perhaps finishing slightly above .500, but I definitely don’t think they’ll go 50-32 or better. 

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Miami Heat will be a 50 win team this season barring injuries. They have a strong starting 5 with a very deep bench and in the East I think its a possibility.

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Miami Heat will be a 50 win team this season barring injuries. They have a strong starting 5 with a very deep bench and in the East I think its a possibility.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 Well I think with the exception of the Thunder for obvious reasons, there are only two real option: The Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards. Anything else is just real speculation. 

The Heat were plagued by injuries last year, and will have a full season of Dragic, Whiteside, Bosh, and McRoberts (who is an extremely underrated player, he was a top recruit in HS). Add Justise Winslow to the mix and you have a deep team with championship experience. Even if Wade misses some games or takes a step back they added enough firepower to compensate for that. Unless they don’t gel at all, I think this team could easily win 50+ games in the East. A rotation of:

Whiteside-STAT

Bosh-McRoberts

Deng-Green

Wade-Winslow

Dragic-Chalmers

is extremely potent, and has more versatility and scoring options than probably any other team in the East. They can go big with Whiteside/Bosh, stretch it out with Bosh/McRoberts, and have 5 players who are all capable of scoring in bunches and at a high level. Don’t see how this team doesn’t get around 50 wins really. 

The Wizards are the other team that obviously can take that next step in wins. Unlike the Heat, they won’t get better by addition, but more so through internal developement. Beal and Porter showed in the playoffs that they are teatering on the edge of becoming solid, consistent players, and really that’s all the Wiz need right now. Wall is an absolute stud, and is going to be a star in this league for years to come, so having those two step up is going to be huge for him and the Wiz. I also think Gortat gives them some added value, as you know what you’re going to get with him, and that’s solid production from the 5 spot. 

The Wiz also made some nice, underrated moves in the offseason which will def. pay off big time, and really closed up some of their holes. People think that the Wiz were an offensive team, but in reality they were mediocre on that end, but great on the other. The additions of Sessions will help, as they had no possitive backup PG play last year, and Dudley/Neal/Anderson are all players who can come in and give you consistent scoring/shooting off the bench, something the Wiz lacked all year. A rotation of:

Gortat-Gooden

Nene-Humphrees

Porter-Dudley-Oubre

Beal-Anderson

Wall-Sessions

Is solid, and if Beal can take that step and become an All-Star calubur player than the team could really take off. The only thing holding them back is their mediocre coach. Whittman isn’t the worst out there, but he certainly isn’t the best, and leaves a lot to be desired. He Wiz were a top 5 defense last year, so he’s doing something right, and if the new additions cna give them the scoring they need to bring that 17th offensive rating into the top 10-12 in the league, then they will most likely win 50 games nex year if healthy. 

I think the people who are picking the Celtics or any team in the West are a little delustional. Those guys won’t scratch 50 wins. Celtics will probably have a winning record, but I expect a huge turnover rate for the C’s this year, and it’s hard to clique as a team when players are coming and going. 

I think the dark horse team to win some games, not 50 obviously but having a winning season, would be the Knicks. Lopez and AA were great signings, and I expect their defense to be much improved because of thier great interior defense of Lopez and O’Quinn, who is a really under rated big man off the bench (He was really the only plus defender on those horrible defensive Magic teams. Let that sink in for a sec). I also like their PG rotation of Calderon/Grant/Galloway. Calderon is a solid vet who makes the smart play, and Grant and Galloway are big dudes who can give them consistency from that possition with size. If Porzingis can give them anything then I’d be surprised if they didn’t atleast win around 40 to 44 games if their coaching improves. They are going to have superior size on most nights, so if they can utilize that, and hunker down and play good d, then they are going to def. be better than the 17 win season they had last year. Think early 2000 Sixers, but not as good. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 Well I think with the exception of the Thunder for obvious reasons, there are only two real option: The Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards. Anything else is just real speculation. 

The Heat were plagued by injuries last year, and will have a full season of Dragic, Whiteside, Bosh, and McRoberts (who is an extremely underrated player, he was a top recruit in HS). Add Justise Winslow to the mix and you have a deep team with championship experience. Even if Wade misses some games or takes a step back they added enough firepower to compensate for that. Unless they don’t gel at all, I think this team could easily win 50+ games in the East. A rotation of:

Whiteside-STAT

Bosh-McRoberts

Deng-Green

Wade-Winslow

Dragic-Chalmers

is extremely potent, and has more versatility and scoring options than probably any other team in the East. They can go big with Whiteside/Bosh, stretch it out with Bosh/McRoberts, and have 5 players who are all capable of scoring in bunches and at a high level. Don’t see how this team doesn’t get around 50 wins really. 

The Wizards are the other team that obviously can take that next step in wins. Unlike the Heat, they won’t get better by addition, but more so through internal developement. Beal and Porter showed in the playoffs that they are teatering on the edge of becoming solid, consistent players, and really that’s all the Wiz need right now. Wall is an absolute stud, and is going to be a star in this league for years to come, so having those two step up is going to be huge for him and the Wiz. I also think Gortat gives them some added value, as you know what you’re going to get with him, and that’s solid production from the 5 spot. 

The Wiz also made some nice, underrated moves in the offseason which will def. pay off big time, and really closed up some of their holes. People think that the Wiz were an offensive team, but in reality they were mediocre on that end, but great on the other. The additions of Sessions will help, as they had no possitive backup PG play last year, and Dudley/Neal/Anderson are all players who can come in and give you consistent scoring/shooting off the bench, something the Wiz lacked all year. A rotation of:

Gortat-Gooden

Nene-Humphrees

Porter-Dudley-Oubre

Beal-Anderson

Wall-Sessions

Is solid, and if Beal can take that step and become an All-Star calubur player than the team could really take off. The only thing holding them back is their mediocre coach. Whittman isn’t the worst out there, but he certainly isn’t the best, and leaves a lot to be desired. He Wiz were a top 5 defense last year, so he’s doing something right, and if the new additions cna give them the scoring they need to bring that 17th offensive rating into the top 10-12 in the league, then they will most likely win 50 games nex year if healthy. 

I think the people who are picking the Celtics or any team in the West are a little delustional. Those guys won’t scratch 50 wins. Celtics will probably have a winning record, but I expect a huge turnover rate for the C’s this year, and it’s hard to clique as a team when players are coming and going. 

I think the dark horse team to win some games, not 50 obviously but having a winning season, would be the Knicks. Lopez and AA were great signings, and I expect their defense to be much improved because of thier great interior defense of Lopez and O’Quinn, who is a really under rated big man off the bench (He was really the only plus defender on those horrible defensive Magic teams. Let that sink in for a sec). I also like their PG rotation of Calderon/Grant/Galloway. Calderon is a solid vet who makes the smart play, and Grant and Galloway are big dudes who can give them consistency from that possition with size. If Porzingis can give them anything then I’d be surprised if they didn’t atleast win around 40 to 44 games if their coaching improves. They are going to have superior size on most nights, so if they can utilize that, and hunker down and play good d, then they are going to def. be better than the 17 win season they had last year. Think early 2000 Sixers, but not as good. 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

brooklyn might be a surprise..if lopez remains healthy…and hollins is a great motivator..

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

brooklyn might be a surprise..if lopez remains healthy…and hollins is a great motivator..

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 I forgot to say I agree that Washington could be a 50 win team if they all stay fit. Losing PP’s experience will be a blow but they have added Oubre and if Porter can step up to support Wall, Beal, Gortat, Nene and co.

[HitsterParticipant]

 I forgot to say I agree that Washington could be a 50 win team if they all stay fit. Losing PP’s experience will be a blow but they have added Oubre and if Porter can step up to support Wall, Beal, Gortat, Nene and co.

[nath09Participant]

 Obviously you would think the Thunder but outside of that I like the Pelicans.

By the end of the season we could be saying they have a top 3 player in Davis. The core has been together a couple of years now and I think Davis will progress this team on to another level.

 

[nath09Participant]

 Obviously you would think the Thunder but outside of that I like the Pelicans.

By the end of the season we could be saying they have a top 3 player in Davis. The core has been together a couple of years now and I think Davis will progress this team on to another level.

 

[Author]

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