[2quick4uParticipant]

1. HOUSTON: last year they won 65 games and had the type of collective numbers that GSW usually have; in fact, if it wasn’t for Paul’s injury Houston would have probably won those series. Even though they’ve lost Ariza, the franchise has made great moves this summer and has gotten even deeper with the additions of C.Anthony (off bench), M.Chriss, B.Knight, Hartenstein, Ennis and A.Gentile. I also expect Zhou Qi to make some impact after the all-star game.

Add that Capela is a year older and J.Harden at the peak of his career and hungrier than ever and there’s no other way than Houston at nº1. Playoffs will be different though and Paul’s health will be again decisive. It’s now or never for Houston.

projected record: 66-16

2. GSW: so it seems everyone agrees this year the Warriors have already won the ring without even stepping the court. I don’t. In fact i believe the Warriors are more beatable that ever since their dynasty began.

Last year their defense already dropped big time, and this year i think it will be about the same in RS, as their stars will probably rest more than ever because only the 3peat matters. 

I believe the addition of Cousins will hurt GSW’s defense and offense flow more than he will give them.

projected record: 57-25

3. JAZZ: last year they were supposed to be a lottery team and surprised most people winning 48 games thanks to an unbelievable rookie season by Mitchell and the DPY Gobert, whom still missed 26 games. They finished as the 2nd best defense in the league but they were the nº1 defense by far when Gobert played.

This year if Gobert plays more games and with D.Mitchell becoming a top player in the league, there should be no reason for Utah to not win more than 50 games.

projected record: 54-28

4. OKC: this team last year had better collective numbers than their record showed, especially during 1st half of season; then injuries and lack of chemistry did the rest.

But the Thunders have some serious versatility and defensive potential with Roberson healthy and the addition of Noel, plus the departure of Carmelo should really help with the flow and chemistry in offense. 

projected record: 52-30

5. SPURS: San Antonio won 47 games without Leonard in a packed west conference due to their defense, which is elite (3rd) with or without Leonard, and even though they’ve lost some good defenders like Green or Anderson, they’ve added a great one in Poeltl.

Even if their defense gets hurt a little, their offense will improve drastically with the addition of DeRozan, and they should get collective numbers good enough to be around 50 wins.

projected record: 50-32

6. LAKERS: even though people critized Lonzo a lot and questioned his defense, truth is he made a huge impact on defense for the team, going from the worst defense in the league the year before to the nº12 last year, and the top10 when he played…

Lakers offensive numbers were bad, but with the addition of Lebron James they should automatically jump into the top10 as every team Lebron has played with in the last decade, so if you add those defensive and offensive numbers it should give them no less than 48 wins.

projected record: 49-33

7. DENVER: this team will probably be one of the most fun to watch as they have the tools to become a top3 offensive team in the league and become the new version of the Warriors "Run TMC" in early 90’s.

I think their main problem is P.Millsap whom does not solve the team’s defensive problem while in the other hand he becomes a problem on offense, eating space, slowing their pace and taking shots from Jokic, Murray and Harris while not letting the team fully blossom and express their style.

All they need is rise the PACE. They cannot play that slow (16th) without playing any defense while having those great scorers; Still this team has too much talent and shoots too efficiently to not make the playoffs.

projected record: 48-34

8. NOP: so after all the Cousins drama, it happened that NO played much better with Mirotic than with Cousins…no surprise at all, as Davis needs a player like Mirotic that creates space for him to really explode.

The addition of Randle will only do good if he comes off the bench, if not he will be more of a problem; not having Rondo will be noticed.

projected record: 47-35

* I think Minnesota won’t make the playoffs as Butler seems he’ll be out of the team whether now or mid season before tradeline. 

** Portland will miss playoffs just for 1-2 wins.

*** Dallas and memphis will win around 40 games and won’t be that far from playoffs, giving both teams a hard time to many top teams, while Phoenix will dissapoint and won’t meet expectations losing many games again, just like LAC and SAC which will be the worst team in the conference.

[220Participant]

 My prediction would be.

1. Golden State

2. Houston

3. LA Lakers

4. Utah Jazz

5. Portland

6. OKC

7. Denver

8. San Antonio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cutler06Participant]

 Lakers won’t be 3rd in the West, even with LBJ…the LAL hype (hope) machine is working overtime !!

[HitsterParticipant]

 The West is as loaded as ever but my thoughts would be:-

1. GSW

2. Houston

3. Jazz

4. Spurs

5. Thunder

6. Denver

7. Lakers

8. Portland

9. T-Wolves ( assuming Butler goes)

10. NOP

11. Clippers 

12. Dallas

13. Phoenix

14. Memphis

15. Sacramento

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 It’s simply a combination of Massive respect for Lerbon James & the fact that after the Golden State Warriors & Houston Rockets there are a Lot of Good but far from Great teams in the West. 

If you took Any team outside of Houston & Golden State and put that team in the East, they’d finish at best 4th behind Toronto, Boston & Phila. 

I think the Regular season depends a lot on how Lebron feels & what I mean is that Lebron has focused on the playoffs the last few years in Cleveland & did not really worry about Seeding. But many people believe that will be reversed this year b/c Lebron wants the MVP & knows that this Lakers team can not beat the Dubs 

So if Lebron has a Monster regular season I believe it is entirely possible that the Lakers get the #3 seed. And we are Not talking about some kind of Impossible accomplishment – last season 49 Wins got Portland the #3 seed! 

Lebron has improved his new team by an Average of 13 Wins every time he’s changed teams, Lakers were a team on the upswing Anyway – w/ 35 wins last year a +13 Win upswing would put LA at 48 Wins – which would be just ONE win away from the #3 seed & a tie for the #4 seed! 

An Lebron led LA Lakers team winning 50 games is not a huge leap. Remember the #3 seed & the #9 seed in the West last year was separated by Only 3 games! 49 W’s = #3 seed & 46 W’s = #9 seed! so it was a Huge drop off from Houston & GSW and from 3 thru 9 is a toss up & if Jimmy Bulter stays in the West that will be a Major factor as well

1.Golden State; 2.Houston; 3.Lakers; 4.San Antonio; 5.OKC 6.Denver; 7.Utah; 8.Portland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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