1. Clippers 2. GSW 3. Lakers 4. Blazers 5. Denver 6. Rockets 7. Jazz 8. Spurs I had a hard time deciding the 8th spot between OKC with Westbrook, Mavs, Pelicans, Spurs
Is that in order? Because I don't think GSW should be that high, even with Russell in the fold. OKC isn't making the playoffs this season if all they have is Westbrook. I think the Pelicans' youth also keeps them out of that last spot, so I think the Mavs take it.
Healthy GSW would have almost the same roster as the 73 win team a couple of years ago minus Iggy but with Russell. Assuming Thompson comes back by midseason I think they'll be the 2nd best team in the west. Also, I don't see the Mavs beating out the Spurs or Pelicans for the final spot but it will be close.
I disagree. Curry and Russell would have to carry that team without Thompson. Green is a year older. No Bogut to set screens. No Iggy to play great defense. And every other playoff-bound team is much better than the 1-8 seeds of the 73 win season. While they may make the playoffs, I don't think they secure HCA. Also, that 73 win season was 4-5 years ago. Can't really just say the rosters are the same and that's that. Father Time waits for no one.
1. Warriors (w/healthy Klay) 2A. Clippers 2B. Lakers (I'd push them up to 2nd, if Cousins is completely healthy without question) 4. Nuggets 5. Rockets 6. Thunder (if they keep Westbrook) 7. Trailblazers 8. Spurs/Jazz/Kings/Grizzlies/Mavs
People sleeping on the Mavs, if Porzingis comes back to form, the Mavs absolutely make the playoffs. Luka with another year under his belt will become a top 25 player, KP is already there talent wise.
The Warriors had huge lost with KD and Igoudala, but in the process they've gotten younger, grabbed a dynamic scorer, and are oddly filling their bench out with younger players. With just Klay/Steph/Draymond, the Warriors are still better than most of the Western playoff teams, I feel like the Warriors are full strength can beat both LA teams. Kawhi/George is a fantastic combo, but I think the Clippers are fairly beatable. LeBron in the playoffs is scary with AD/Kuzma/Cousins, but the Warriors could beat them as well.
The way I see it.... The "Favorites": #1 Lakers #2 Clippers Battle for the 3rd spot: Rockets Denver GSW Utah Portland Battle for the 8th spot: Spurs Dallas
Imo Rockets and Jazz are top 4 as today, with the Clippers and probably the Lakers, but the West is definitely going to be a bloodbath...what scares me here most is that we're an old team, we'll be forced to fight for a good seed and it's going to be really hard (if not impossible) to have Chris healty for all the season.
Hello Tilman. Please upgrade the Rockets. You said the money would not keep you from improving the team you bought. If you can't or won't improve the Rockets please sell them. I'm sure Mattress Mac will spend the money needed to improve the team. Not just have new uniforms on draft night, with no Draft picks. Tilman you have casinos. You need to play the hand, It fold them.
Coming off an injury, I wouldn’t expect him to come back strong at first. I think the Mavs are exactly where they should be on OP’s list, fighting for the 8th. If CP3 plays decent for most the season and CC re-emerges, Rockets should be top 3. Hard to say how quickly Russel and Curry will mesh, w/ no Klay for half season, it might take them 2019 to jell.
Adam needs to just go ahead and implement that 16 team, no-conference playoff system. It's just ridiculous at this point. We might actually end up playing the Warriors in the 1st round ffs.
You guys are amazing making predictions like that. You know all the rosters and depth charts with so many player movements and signings. I don't even know well who's where at this point.
73 win Dubs also had Barnes, and Klay isn't coming back anywhere near full-strength this season. They'll still be good, but won't be a threat again until the following season.