[high floorParticipant]

I’d like to talk about 5 teams that could make a sizable jump in their win/loss record. Of course there could be other teams like the 2013-2014 Phoenix Suns who could make a leap (not on this list) that nobody is predicting, but for the purposes of this post I’d like to stick with these 5 specifically:

• Sacramento Kings
• Utah Jazz
• Orlando Magic
• New York Knicks
• Miami Heat

****The Lakers, Pistons & T-Wolves could improve significantly also****

Sacramento: I share the same opinion as others on this forum that they had a very underrated off-season. And not because of the Rondo signing. I think WCS will contribute right away, and that veteran additions like Marco Belinelli/Caron Butler/Kosta Koufos will make a sizable impact. Plus Ben McLemore could improve as well, and George Karl is a top 10 coach in the league. I like them to finish the season with 44 wins, a 15 win improvement.

Utah: I love this team. Rudy Gobert is going to be an absolute beast, Derrick Favors will continue to improve, Hayward will further solidify himself as a top 10 wing, Rodney Hood could win MIP if he stays healthy and plays 28+ minutes, and Alec Burks is eager to prove his worth after signing that pricey extension. They are returning largely the same team that had a #1 defensive rating after the All Star Break. Plus Quin Snyder is an excellent up and coming HC. I like them to finish the season with 48 wins, a 10 win improvement

Orlando: New head coach Scott Skiles was brought in to instill a defensive identity amongst this intriguing group of athletes. But he was also to brought in to add W’s quickly, which historically he has been able to deliver at his previous stops in Phoenix, Chicago & Milwaukee. I think all of Orlando’s key players should improve next season (i.e Payton, Oladipo, Harris, Gordon, Vucevic, Fournier). The key to me is Gordon & Payton though, and if they each take a big step forward this team could sneak into the playoffs. I like them to finish with 37 wins, a 12 win improvement

New York: Carmelo Anthony returning alone will bring a double digit win-improvement to this team. Add Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams & a couple of promising rooks’ in Porzingis & Grant… and I think you’re looking at the team with the biggest improvement in the W/L collumn in 2015-2016. Granted this team had the lowest amount of wins amongst the group though. I like them to finish with 34 wins, a 17 win improvement.

Miami Heat: How much pace is this team going to play with? They have a lightning quick PG in Dragic, but also employ "slow-it-down" methodical veterans that excel more in the half-court like D-Wade, Bosh & McRoberts. Deng looked slow as hell, like he was dragging a wagon behind him or something last season. Whiteside could succeed within an uptempo offense, as would Justise Winslow. I’m really, really curious to see how this team is coached. A significant win improvement should be expected with this group, and if healthy during April could reach the ECF. D-Wade & Bosh need to play 70+ games. I like them to finish with 48 wins, a 13 game improvement.

[Arc12345Participant]

 I’ll go out on a limb and say Miami and Orlando. Miami added a few more pieces, and Wade should be finally healthy.

I really like the Magic. Hezonja will be great, Oladipo is a stud, Vucevic is a stud, Harris is a stud, Payton is great, and Gordon looked to have improved a great deal. 

I like the Wolves young roster with the veterans. Could surprise some people.

 

 

[Arc12345Participant]

 I’ll go out on a limb and say Miami and Orlando. Miami added a few more pieces, and Wade should be finally healthy.

I really like the Magic. Hezonja will be great, Oladipo is a stud, Vucevic is a stud, Harris is a stud, Payton is great, and Gordon looked to have improved a great deal. 

I like the Wolves young roster with the veterans. Could surprise some people.

 

 

[Sand]

 I gotta go with Orlando. Purely on the basis of expected improvement of the young guys. One of them needs to take the ‘next step’…but I see 45 wind in their future

I would have said Utah but after the Dante Exum injury they’re stuck with terrible PGs. Exum was a non-factor on offense, but plays very good defense. 

[Sand]

 I gotta go with Orlando. Purely on the basis of expected improvement of the young guys. One of them needs to take the ‘next step’…but I see 45 wind in their future

I would have said Utah but after the Dante Exum injury they’re stuck with terrible PGs. Exum was a non-factor on offense, but plays very good defense. 

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 Don’t know y u put Miami in with these teams…everyone knows they would’ve been in playoffs if injuries didn’t doomed them!!   Put my t wolves in they playoffs t wolves will be eighted seed!! Mark my words!! Goat mine of all time

[Sand]

How many animals can one expect to find in this Goat Mine of yours? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trombonematrix43Participant]

Lots of goats, I can promise that

Source: goat mine expert

[trombonematrix43Participant]

Lots of goats, I can promise that

Source: goat mine expert

[Sand]

How many animals can one expect to find in this Goat Mine of yours? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 Don’t know y u put Miami in with these teams…everyone knows they would’ve been in playoffs if injuries didn’t doomed them!!   Put my t wolves in they playoffs t wolves will be eighted seed!! Mark my words!! Goat mine of all time

[trelos6Participant]

Purely based on how bad they did last season. 

[trelos6Participant]

Purely based on how bad they did last season. 

[T Rex]

 For all I know, Utah peaked last year.

Orlando is where it’s at for realistic upside and future stars.

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Guess you don’t know a lot then… Sure, we lost Exum but we gained Alec Burks. Hayward, Favors, and Gobert can only get better. Had one of the best teams after the All Star break. Definitely better than the Celtics as the Jazz were in the West.

On a Side Note: After the All Star break, the Jazz were 15-4 against teams who made the playoffs last year and the Celtics were 9 – 5 against playoff teams. So, the Jazz had a significantly harder schedule after the All-Star Break than the Celtics yet you’re saying that they are nearly championship contenders.

Anyways, the Jazz haven’t peaked their best is yet to come. They could be a playoff team this next year. And they’ll be better than the Magic for a long time. Especially since neither of the Harrison bros went to the Magic 😉

 

[T Rex]

No depth, and Favors, Burke, and Burks are who they are, for the most part. They went on a nice run last year, but their upside is 8th seed and a pat on the back. Even the Wolves look better on paper, so that "upside" is very questionable. Maybe if they stay perfectly healthy and Trey Lyles can make an impact they’ll reach their upside this year.

 

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 They have a ton of depth, and they’re all good players

PG: Burke/Neto/Cotton and they also have Exum next year.

SG: Burks/Hood/Ingles/Millsap We don’t even know who will start out of Burks and Hood they’re both so good.

SF: Hayward/Ingles/Millsap/Graham Hayward is a borderline all star, depending on how well the rest of the Jazz do… He could be an all star.

PF: Favors/Lyles/C. Johnson/ Favors will be a 20 10 guy this year.

C: Gobert/Pliess/Withey Gobert is a shot blocker and Pleiss and Withey both have some decent range. Out at the 17 foot area.

That’s quite the depth chart to me. I’m just assuming they drop Jack Cooley, J.J. Obrien, Grant Jerrett, and just put Exum as injured for this year and don’t play him at all. If they do play him, I could see them dropping Jeff Withey or C. Johnson. I honestly can’t wait for this Jazz team to play next year and years after because they have the ability to be one of the bests in the league in years coming up.

I know the Wolves look better on paper. I know that they’ll be better soon. But as of now, the Jazz are going to rise.

Just imagine, about 5 years from now. Utah and Minnesota could be fighting for #1 and #2 seed in the west. Been a while since we’ve seen that.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 They have a ton of depth, and they’re all good players

PG: Burke/Neto/Cotton and they also have Exum next year.

SG: Burks/Hood/Ingles/Millsap We don’t even know who will start out of Burks and Hood they’re both so good.

SF: Hayward/Ingles/Millsap/Graham Hayward is a borderline all star, depending on how well the rest of the Jazz do… He could be an all star.

PF: Favors/Lyles/C. Johnson/ Favors will be a 20 10 guy this year.

C: Gobert/Pliess/Withey Gobert is a shot blocker and Pleiss and Withey both have some decent range. Out at the 17 foot area.

That’s quite the depth chart to me. I’m just assuming they drop Jack Cooley, J.J. Obrien, Grant Jerrett, and just put Exum as injured for this year and don’t play him at all. If they do play him, I could see them dropping Jeff Withey or C. Johnson. I honestly can’t wait for this Jazz team to play next year and years after because they have the ability to be one of the bests in the league in years coming up.

I know the Wolves look better on paper. I know that they’ll be better soon. But as of now, the Jazz are going to rise.

Just imagine, about 5 years from now. Utah and Minnesota could be fighting for #1 and #2 seed in the west. Been a while since we’ve seen that.

[T Rex]

No depth, and Favors, Burke, and Burks are who they are, for the most part. They went on a nice run last year, but their upside is 8th seed and a pat on the back. Even the Wolves look better on paper, so that "upside" is very questionable. Maybe if they stay perfectly healthy and Trey Lyles can make an impact they’ll reach their upside this year.

 

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Guess you don’t know a lot then… Sure, we lost Exum but we gained Alec Burks. Hayward, Favors, and Gobert can only get better. Had one of the best teams after the All Star break. Definitely better than the Celtics as the Jazz were in the West.

On a Side Note: After the All Star break, the Jazz were 15-4 against teams who made the playoffs last year and the Celtics were 9 – 5 against playoff teams. So, the Jazz had a significantly harder schedule after the All-Star Break than the Celtics yet you’re saying that they are nearly championship contenders.

Anyways, the Jazz haven’t peaked their best is yet to come. They could be a playoff team this next year. And they’ll be better than the Magic for a long time. Especially since neither of the Harrison bros went to the Magic 😉

 

[T Rex]

 For all I know, Utah peaked last year.

Orlando is where it’s at for realistic upside and future stars.

 

 

[llperez]

 dont see much improvement from utah, they got 38 wins last year and i still see them around .500 so maybe a few more wins. The knicks can only go up from 17, but still dont like their roster so im guessing maybe 26 wins so about a 10 game improvement. i think orlando will be right around 10 more wins as well which would put them at about 35 wins. Heat probably about 10 more as well which would put them at 48. Kings i think get to about 42 wins which would be a 13 game improvement so they get my vote

[llperez]

 dont see much improvement from utah, they got 38 wins last year and i still see them around .500 so maybe a few more wins. The knicks can only go up from 17, but still dont like their roster so im guessing maybe 26 wins so about a 10 game improvement. i think orlando will be right around 10 more wins as well which would put them at about 35 wins. Heat probably about 10 more as well which would put them at 48. Kings i think get to about 42 wins which would be a 13 game improvement so they get my vote

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Utah and Orlando will win more games, hopefully a  lot more, but who will make the biggest jump? I think the Knicks improve about 15 games.  That still leaves them pretty terrible, but it’s the biggest increase because they sucked that badly last year.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Utah and Orlando will win more games, hopefully a  lot more, but who will make the biggest jump? I think the Knicks improve about 15 games.  That still leaves them pretty terrible, but it’s the biggest increase because they sucked that badly last year.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think it’s actually going to be the Knicks, although I still don’t think they make the playoffs. This is more a product of how bad they were last year. Even if they only get to 32 wins that’s still a 15 win improvement.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think it’s actually going to be the Knicks, although I still don’t think they make the playoffs. This is more a product of how bad they were last year. Even if they only get to 32 wins that’s still a 15 win improvement.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I like Detroit and Orlando more than New York. Both teams have better coaches and better chemistry as far as the pieces fit on paper. 

[T Rex]

 Porzingis is better than Drummond Right Now.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Porzingis is better than Drummond Right Now.

 

 

[T Rex]

 lol at the people who don’t realize Porzingis is better than Drummond right now.

You know who wants you to bet on the Pistons? 

Casinos.

When the Knicks make the playoffs over Detroit it will be a little more obvious about Porzingis, but by then nobody will ever remember not seeing his obvious upside.

His game is tailor made for the NBA, not Europe.

 

 

[T Rex]

 lol at the people who don’t realize Porzingis is better than Drummond right now.

You know who wants you to bet on the Pistons? 

Casinos.

When the Knicks make the playoffs over Detroit it will be a little more obvious about Porzingis, but by then nobody will ever remember not seeing his obvious upside.

His game is tailor made for the NBA, not Europe.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I like Detroit and Orlando more than New York. Both teams have better coaches and better chemistry as far as the pieces fit on paper. 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Between – NYK, Miami, and Orlando, the healthiest team will make most improvements 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Between – NYK, Miami, and Orlando, the healthiest team will make most improvements 

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 I’d say New York based simply on the fact that they won 17 last year and if Carmelo is healthy all year they can’t go anywhere but up. For example if they win 30 to 35,it’s a 13 to 18 win jump. It’s kind of an unfair comparison with a team like Utah who won 38 last year. But as far as my prediction,I see Utah being the 7th seed and win more than 50 games. Defense wins,I already said that,but if they’re a top 3 defense and let’s say a top 20 offense,they’ll be in the playoffs. 

I think Miami is slightly overrated. Their starting five has 4 30 year olds,with Wade and Deng clearly on the decline. And I don’t like their bench ,like at all. Green and Stoudemire aren’t good defenders or passers,Winslow(whom I’m very high on) is 19 years old,Chalmers had a hard time adjusting to playing withtout LeBron (From 39% to 29% from three),Chris Andersen is old,and McRoberts hasn’t played basketball for a year and a half,and has never played with these teammates. That’s a LOT of question marks.

Orlando will improve no doubt,but I don’t think it will be anything spectacular,and the Kings are the Kings. I don’t know what to expect from them,expect that they’re still a mess of an organisation.

 

 

 

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 I’d say New York based simply on the fact that they won 17 last year and if Carmelo is healthy all year they can’t go anywhere but up. For example if they win 30 to 35,it’s a 13 to 18 win jump. It’s kind of an unfair comparison with a team like Utah who won 38 last year. But as far as my prediction,I see Utah being the 7th seed and win more than 50 games. Defense wins,I already said that,but if they’re a top 3 defense and let’s say a top 20 offense,they’ll be in the playoffs. 

I think Miami is slightly overrated. Their starting five has 4 30 year olds,with Wade and Deng clearly on the decline. And I don’t like their bench ,like at all. Green and Stoudemire aren’t good defenders or passers,Winslow(whom I’m very high on) is 19 years old,Chalmers had a hard time adjusting to playing withtout LeBron (From 39% to 29% from three),Chris Andersen is old,and McRoberts hasn’t played basketball for a year and a half,and has never played with these teammates. That’s a LOT of question marks.

Orlando will improve no doubt,but I don’t think it will be anything spectacular,and the Kings are the Kings. I don’t know what to expect from them,expect that they’re still a mess of an organisation.

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Utah will see a huge improvement regardless of the Exum injury. He didn’t add that much last year, just some good defense, but now they have Alec Burks back. He’s just as tall as Exum, can also play the point. His defense may not be as good as Exum’s was or could have been, but its still respectable. You could even see both Burks and Hood starting together. That is if Trey continues to struggle like he did last year. I hope that doesn’t happen, but I realize that it could. And a big frontcourt could really help Utah win a lot of games, just like it did after the allstar break last year.

I don’t know about the Kings. I respect George Karl and all, and I want him to succeed but the current makeup of the Kings, Cousins, Rondo, I just can’t see those two getting along with Coach Karl, and actually doing what he asks to win games. Since those two are the main focal points of that team, I can’t see it working out. Maybe a 5 or 6 game improvement but not a 15 win improvement like you suggested. Team turmoil always spells trouble. And the Kings are one of the teams that I think could have that this season. 

I also don’t know about the Knicks. Melo being healthy hopefully all season will help but not enough to win 17 more games than last year. This team still has a lot of room to grow. I think maybe a 10 win improvement but certainly not 17.

I do agree with the other teams though. 

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Utah will see a huge improvement regardless of the Exum injury. He didn’t add that much last year, just some good defense, but now they have Alec Burks back. He’s just as tall as Exum, can also play the point. His defense may not be as good as Exum’s was or could have been, but its still respectable. You could even see both Burks and Hood starting together. That is if Trey continues to struggle like he did last year. I hope that doesn’t happen, but I realize that it could. And a big frontcourt could really help Utah win a lot of games, just like it did after the allstar break last year.

I don’t know about the Kings. I respect George Karl and all, and I want him to succeed but the current makeup of the Kings, Cousins, Rondo, I just can’t see those two getting along with Coach Karl, and actually doing what he asks to win games. Since those two are the main focal points of that team, I can’t see it working out. Maybe a 5 or 6 game improvement but not a 15 win improvement like you suggested. Team turmoil always spells trouble. And the Kings are one of the teams that I think could have that this season. 

I also don’t know about the Knicks. Melo being healthy hopefully all season will help but not enough to win 17 more games than last year. This team still has a lot of room to grow. I think maybe a 10 win improvement but certainly not 17.

I do agree with the other teams though. 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think it is harder to go from below average to above average than it is to go from really bad to slightly less really bad, even if the win improvements are similar.

The Heat look like one of the main contenders for the EC title.  I am not sure any team other than the Cavs, Bulls, Heat, and maybe the Hawks has a chance.

I see Utah and Sacto getting into the playoffs.  I feel bad for 1 and 2 seeds out West.  Then the Grizzlies might be at 6.  BRUTAL.  

I don’t see the Pelicans getting in.  It is still Anthony Davis and a roster that doesn’t quite fit.  Either way, should come down to the last week of the season.

I think Philly improves in the win column.  Okafor might be good for 5-10 wins by himself.  Not sure how many games Philly won last year, but at some point a young team like this gets on a roll at some point in the season.  At the very least, Noel and Okafor will make life difficult for opposing bigs.

OKC could get 60 wins.  How many did they win last year?  They could improve by at least 10 games over last year’s totals, maybe 15.

Not sure where Minny can add a bunch of wins.  The top of the West is even better, and some of the teams in the middle/low middle (Kings, Jazz, Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder) are either better or healthier.  The Mavs should drop off (but how much).  The Blazers should too, but Mr. Empty Stats Hall of Famer (LMA) is their main loss and I like the arrival of Mason Plumlee and I really like Myers Leonard’s game.  If their wings shoot some jumpers on one end (and mostly get out of the way), and then defend on the other side (being defined as getting IN the way) then this team will win at least 40 games, maybe 45.

Note: It’s amazing how many players mess up the essential default strategy in basketball.  Get out of the way on offense aka space the floor and get IN the way on defense aka don’t let other guys score and cut off their driving lanes to the basket.  Too many guys do the exact OPPOSITE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think it is harder to go from below average to above average than it is to go from really bad to slightly less really bad, even if the win improvements are similar.

The Heat look like one of the main contenders for the EC title.  I am not sure any team other than the Cavs, Bulls, Heat, and maybe the Hawks has a chance.

I see Utah and Sacto getting into the playoffs.  I feel bad for 1 and 2 seeds out West.  Then the Grizzlies might be at 6.  BRUTAL.  

I don’t see the Pelicans getting in.  It is still Anthony Davis and a roster that doesn’t quite fit.  Either way, should come down to the last week of the season.

I think Philly improves in the win column.  Okafor might be good for 5-10 wins by himself.  Not sure how many games Philly won last year, but at some point a young team like this gets on a roll at some point in the season.  At the very least, Noel and Okafor will make life difficult for opposing bigs.

OKC could get 60 wins.  How many did they win last year?  They could improve by at least 10 games over last year’s totals, maybe 15.

Not sure where Minny can add a bunch of wins.  The top of the West is even better, and some of the teams in the middle/low middle (Kings, Jazz, Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder) are either better or healthier.  The Mavs should drop off (but how much).  The Blazers should too, but Mr. Empty Stats Hall of Famer (LMA) is their main loss and I like the arrival of Mason Plumlee and I really like Myers Leonard’s game.  If their wings shoot some jumpers on one end (and mostly get out of the way), and then defend on the other side (being defined as getting IN the way) then this team will win at least 40 games, maybe 45.

Note: It’s amazing how many players mess up the essential default strategy in basketball.  Get out of the way on offense aka space the floor and get IN the way on defense aka don’t let other guys score and cut off their driving lanes to the basket.  Too many guys do the exact OPPOSITE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 wow those are some win numbers… well, utah could get that 8th seed, if all goes well, i would say denver, minnesota, portland, phoenix, sacramento, and lakers aint getting in, so someone has to, we will see how far dallas falls, those two will probably be fighting for the last spot at around 40-44 wins. sacremento could be around mid 30s for wins, so many question marks for them…

eastern- i love the magic, they my boys! but they wont be in the playoffs… 30-35 wins. i hope its the low end of that so we get a pick. jalen brown or brandon ingram with the 7th pick! miami, should be a clear improvement. toping out at a possible 4th seed with around the 48 wins you predicted… i think they could lose 1st round tho to a quick wizards team, tho it would be fun to see them second round against lebron. injuries might keep them from that lofty an end position. new york will be around the same win total as the magic, hopefully a little higher. east is going cleveland, atlanta, chicago, miami, washington, toronto… and probably milwaukee ahead of the fight for the last spot between boston, detroit and indiana… or paul george sucks now and indianas nowhere near but i think they’ll be in the hunt… ahead of new york and orlando.

so who has the most improvement? new york. best of the bunch, miami for sure.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 wow those are some win numbers… well, utah could get that 8th seed, if all goes well, i would say denver, minnesota, portland, phoenix, sacramento, and lakers aint getting in, so someone has to, we will see how far dallas falls, those two will probably be fighting for the last spot at around 40-44 wins. sacremento could be around mid 30s for wins, so many question marks for them…

eastern- i love the magic, they my boys! but they wont be in the playoffs… 30-35 wins. i hope its the low end of that so we get a pick. jalen brown or brandon ingram with the 7th pick! miami, should be a clear improvement. toping out at a possible 4th seed with around the 48 wins you predicted… i think they could lose 1st round tho to a quick wizards team, tho it would be fun to see them second round against lebron. injuries might keep them from that lofty an end position. new york will be around the same win total as the magic, hopefully a little higher. east is going cleveland, atlanta, chicago, miami, washington, toronto… and probably milwaukee ahead of the fight for the last spot between boston, detroit and indiana… or paul george sucks now and indianas nowhere near but i think they’ll be in the hunt… ahead of new york and orlando.

so who has the most improvement? new york. best of the bunch, miami for sure.

[Author]

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