Now that the draft & major free agents are done, how do you see the WC finishing....and for that matter, what 3 Eastern conference teams do you predict make the playoffs along with Miami, Chicago, Brooklyn, NYK, and Indiana?


Western Conference:
1. OKC
2. SAS
3. LAC
4. HOU
5. GSW
6. MEM
7. DEN
8. NOP

That would be at least two rematches from this years playoffs.

EC.

6. WAS
7. TOR
8. CLE

I think the Spurs sneak up and nab the 1 seed as Leonard emerges, Parker plays healthier, and Westbrook deals with his first serious injury. After that, LAC, HOU, and GSW are an absurdly tough 345 that could end up in any order.

It's hard to see Memphis maintaining without Hollins; they are too limited in too many ways and the Spurs showed everyone how to thwart Randolph/Gasol/Conley. Denver/NOP make sense to round it out, and those are nasty 7/8 seeds. Lakers may be able to sneak up into the discussion if someone 3-8 gets the injury bug.

1. SAS
2. OKC
3. LAC
4. HOU
5. GSW

6. MEM
7. DEN
8. NOP


East... the teams that matter are Miami, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Indiana. The Knicks have all the pieces, but they've never looked like a threat before and I have a hard time seeing them as a threat now. That may be bias speaking though. The last 3 in the East don't matter. Absolute garbage. Actually, I forgot Cleveland. They might be a solid regular season team.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 7/18/2013 11:22a).]

West:
1. OKC
2. SAS
3. HOU
4. LAC
5. GSW
6. MEM
7. DEN
8. UTAH?

East:

1. MIA
2. IND
3. CHI
4. NYK
5. BRK
6. ATL
7. TOR
8. CLE

Much like recent years, it probably won't matter who finishes outside of the top 2 or 3 in the East.

Sidebar: I am kind of hoping New Orleans turns out to be really bad. Not because I hate them, just because the nickname possibilities are awesome. Pelican'ts. NOPe. NO wins.

The reason I put OKC above SAS is I just think that with the extended playoffs, Pop will rest the guys even more this year.


I'm not convince the Clippers have upgraded their talent, especially in the front court where I think they will still have matchup problems with the Spurs and Grizzlies, and possibly the Rockets. I think they match up very well with OKC and GSW however. that could change if the Clips bring back Kenyon Martin again (although I see him joining up with the Knicks again)

WC:
OKC
SA
HOU
LAC
GS
MEM
DEN
LAL

EC:
MIA
IND
BKN
CHI
NYK


The rest I have no idea

WEST
1.Oklahoma City
2.San Antonio
3.L.A. Clippers
4.Houston
5.Golden State
6.Memphis
7.Denver
8.Minnesota
9.Portland
10.New Orleans
11.Dallas
12.L.A. Lakers
13.Sacramento
14.Phoenix
15.Utah

EAST
1.Miami
2.Indiana
3.Chicago
4.Brooklyn
5.New York
6.Atlanta
7.Cleveland
8.Milwaukee
9.Washington
10.Detroit
11.Charlotte
12.Boston
13.Philadelphia
14.Toronto
15.Orlando

The 2014 draft is probably the strongest NBA draft since 2003. A lot of star talent with Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Dante Exum, Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart and a lot of others.

I think a lot of NBA teams, once they realize they are out of contention or a borderline playoff team will tend to tank.

quote:

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The reason I put OKC above SAS is I just think that with the extended playoffs, Pop will rest the guys even more this year.

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Not to mention some of the guys (Parker, Belinelli, etc) are playing international ball this summer.

But yeah, the reasons stated above mixed with a couple new faces on the team, injuries, and I think the Spurs might not finish 1. I still think they finish top 3 but OKC with the young rested legs could run out on top IMO. I could also see the Clippers winning a lot of games in the regular season next year.

WEST
1.SA
2.LAC
3.OKC
4.GS
5.MEM
6.HOU
7.Minnesota
8.Denver

EAST
1.Miami
2.Brooklyn
3.Chicago
4.Indiana
5.New York
6.Atlanta
7.Detroit
8.Cleveland

OKC's bench scoring is going to be a real concern. Still contenders obviously, but I don't think they can grab the top spot.

give me Dallas for the 8th seed

WEST
1.Thunder
2.Clippers
3.Spurs
4.Rockets
5.Warriors
6.Grizzlies
7.Nuggets
8.T-Wolves

EAST
1.Heat
2.Nets
3.Bulls
4.Pacers
5.Knicks
6.Cavaliers
7.Hawks
8.Celtics

WEST

1 - OKC
2 - Houston
3 - Memphis
4 - Dallas
5 - LA
6 - SA
7 - MN
8 - Utah

EAST
1 - Miami
2 - Indy
3 - Chicago
4 - NJ
5 - NY
6-8 don't matter

quote:

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4 - Dallas

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I wish but sadly, no

West:
1. SA
2. LAC
3. OKC (skinny bench now)
4. Houston
5. Golden State
6. Memphis
7. Denver
8. New Orleans
9. Portland
10. LAL

East:
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. Indiana
4. Brooklyn
5. NY
6. Detroit
7. Atlanta
8. Cleveland
9. Washington

Minnesota is far too injury prone to get into the playoffs.

quote:

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4 - Dallas

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West:
1. OKC
2. SAS
3. Houston
4. LAC
5. GSW
6. Grizz
7. Denver
8. NO

East:
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. Indiana
4. NYN
5. Brooklyn
6. Cavs
7. Bucks
8. Hawks

[This message has been edited by JerryAg (edited 7/18/2013 5:47p).]

West:
OKC
HOU
SAS
GS
LAC
MEM
LAL
MIN

East:
MIA
CHI
BKN
IND
NYK
CLE
TOR
DET

New Orleans seems poised to make a big jump, but then again it'll be tough in the southwest division.

West:
SAS
HOU
OKC
LAC
MEM
GSW
MIN
DAL

East:
MIA
BRK
CHI
NYK
IND
WAS
TOR
DET

So Dallas at #4 , but no Clippers in the top 8?

I am hoping that the LA in that post doesn't stand for the Lakers

[This message has been edited by CFTXAG10 (edited 7/18/2013 8:40p).]

What are you talking about? He has LA at 5. I would hope that's the Clipps.

He also has SA at 6, Minnesota at 7, Memphis at 3, and GS missing altogether, which means he basically picked names out of a hat and may not even be aware that there are two team in LA.

quote:

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What are you talking about? He has LA at 5. I would hope that's the Clipps.

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Thats exactly what I am talking about?

quote:

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WEST
1.SA
2.LAC
3.OKC
4.GS
5.MEM
6.HOU
7.Minnesota
8.Denver

EAST
1.Miami
2.Brooklyn
3.Chicago
4.Indiana
5.New York
6.Atlanta
7.Detroit
8.Cleveland

OKC's bench scoring is going to be a real concern. Still contenders obviously, but I don't think they can grab the top spot.

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Ouch

Bond he also has LAC at #2 ahead of OKC. I think his credibility is shot

haha My credibility is shot for having OKC in the top three? OKC lost their key bench scorer and have Westbrook coming off of an inury. Durant and Westbrook will probably have to log riduclous minutes this year (they already were high to begin with). LAC has a defensive oriented coach and have picked up shooters that they have desperately needed. I think they take that next step and become elite. Houston has an injury prone franchise player who has not played one game with their new team that doesn't have any depth. I like the Rockets. I just don't think they are there yet.

Fine. Switch Houston with Memphis.

Early grading says that the Clippers got better this offseason and the Thunder got worse. OKC was only 4 games ahead of the Clippers last year. It's a valid prediction.

quote:

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. Houston has an injury prone franchise player

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Who? the guy who has played over 76+ games every year of his career? (outside of strike season)

Westbrook coming off an injury won't matter. It wasn't a torn acl. The recovery for that injury is only a few weeks.

He played through a lot of injuries last year. You also have a disgruntled center who doesn't want to be on the team anymore. I'm sure Asik will buy in, but that's something to consider as well.

quote:

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He played through a lot of injuries last year. You also have a disgruntled centerwho doesn't want to be on the team anymore. I'm sure Asik will buy in, but that's something to consider as well.

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According to who? The same ****ty sources who thought Dwight was 50/50 flying back to LA. Please.

quote:

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He played through a lot of injuries last year.

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Yet still managed to average 17 points a game and lead the league in rebounds.

And Asik is not disgruntled. Every interview Morey has given talks about the luxury it will be to have a top 5 defensive center back up the best defensive center in the league. He is part of our plan and I have not heard a legit source claiming he is upset.

You don't have to think Houston will be great next year. I'm just saying the reasons you've listed don't hold much weight

West:
OKC
SAS
LAC
GSW
Memphis
LAL
Houston
NOP

East:
Miami
Nets
Indiana
Chicago
Knicks
Atlanta
Cleveland
Boston (and probably with a losing record)

^^^^ wow I'm surprised you even put Houston in the playoffs and I'm laughing so hard I'm crying at the LAL prediction

[This message has been edited by Mr.Bond (edited 7/20/2013 3:19p).]