Forecast: 2012-13 Western Conference Standings CONF TEAM W L PCT '12 W '12 L '12 PCT 1 Okla. City Thunder* 59 23 .720 47 19 .712 @BeckleyMason: Prediction: Thunder are going to win 62+. Can't imagine any coasting from them after the Finals. Same reason Durant will be MVP. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 2 Los Angeles Lakers* 59 23 .720 41 25 .621 @mtg_law_etc: The Lakers are unlikely, due to growing pains and age, to grab the 1-seed in the West, but that isn't their goal. #NBAPicks Join the discussion » 3 San Antonio Spurs 54 28 .659 50 16 .758 @BeckleyMason: Spurs expected to have the 3rd biggest drop in winning % in the West despite retaining their entire roster. Don't buy it. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 4 Los Angeles Clippers* 50 32 .610 40 26 .606 @charliewiddoes: I like that the bar has been set at 50 wins for the #Clippers. Was their pace last year, is a good test for 2nd year improvement. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 5 Denver Nuggets* 50 32 .610 38 28 .576 @fosterdj: Denver was 19th in defensive efficiency last year. Andre Iguodala and Wilson Chandler will change that. 50 wins might be too low. #NBApicks @milehigh_11: A full year of Chandler, Iggy, McGee, Faried, a healthy Gallo with a dash of Lawson = Explosive. #denvernuggets #NBApicks 6 Memphis Grizzlies 48 34 .586 41 25 .621 @BigL_17: #NBAPicks Grizzlies with another year of chemistry and an improving Mike Conley will be better than a 6th seed. Join the discussion » 7 Dallas Mavericks 46 36 .561 36 30 .545 Join the discussion » 8 Utah Jazz* 41 41 .500 36 30 .545 Join the discussion » 9 Minn. Timberwolves* 41 41 .500 26 40 .394 @PDWolves: I'd love to complain about ESPN predicting 41-41 for the Wolves, but that'd be their best record (by 8 wins) since 2005. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 10 G.S. Warriors 38 44 .463 23 43 .348 @fosterdj: Golden State has the firepower, but playoff hopes hinge almost fully on Andrew Bogut's health. Gutless defensive team without him. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 11 Portland Trail Blazers 35 47 .427 28 38 .424 @chosenray: A 35-47 prediction for the Blazers. Sadly, I fear that might be too generous. Already praying for a miracle in the 2013 lottery. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 12 Houston Rockets 33 49 .402 34 32 .515 Join the discussion » 13 New Orleans Hornets 31 51 .383 21 45 .318 @pmeredith77: With the additions of Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis, and locking up Monty Williams, 31 wins might be too low. #NBApicks Join the discussion » 14 Phoenix Suns 30 52 .366 33 33 .500 @SherwoodStrauss: Suns have 30 wins in #NBAPicks. My question: Where are the extra 15 wins coming from? Join the discussion » 15 Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 22 44 .333 @JohannPaddl: ESPN has Kings dead last. Still 7 more Ws than last year. Can't believe I managed to put a positive spin to that... #HowBadAreWe #NBApicks Join the discussion » * -- Teams tied in win totals ordered by decimal rankings from our experts' predictions.
Hey roxxy, try embedding these URLs into the OP in order: http://i.imgur.com/aJTzL.png http://i.imgur.com/VHwoc.png http://i.imgur.com/RFeLz.png
I see us as being better than both Portland and GS. I feel like 12th in the west is our absolute floor.
Golden State is a very good team and a possible 8th seed provided Bogut and Curry are healthy. The problem is its unlikely that their players stay healthy.
Seeing as the season hasn't started yet and there aren't any standings, and you didn't provide a link, it wasn't obvious at all.
Well since it wasn't clear before, it should be clear by now what is going on. Here is the link: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8273800/2012-nba-summer-forecast-west-standings
33 wins might be a bit ambitious? But then again it might be a bit conservative?!? We've got a lot of unknown variables in our lineup, and if enough of them pan out we might be close to 40 wins. If none of them pan out we'll be lucky to make 20.
Looks about right. I might move a couple of teams a spot up or down, but overall I think this is about accurate.
I agree with this. The only thing that I am wondering about is Phoenix, Dragic, Gortat, Scola, Beasley should challenge for 40+ wins if not more.
33 wins is what I have been thinking all along. Good but unproven players in the starting rotation, high potential rookies on the bench... but unproven. I think there will be serious growing pains initially but I think they will come on strong at the end of the season.
I don't disagree with too much. **I think Minnesota will challenge for the 6-8 seed, IF healthy. Maybe I'm giving them too much credit though? **30 wins for Phoenix? Beasley, Brown, Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Johnson, Morris, O'Neal, Scola...I don't know if that's a playoff team but surely better than 30 wins.
