With a healthy team for the season and playoffs: 53+ wins 2nd - 4th seed, 2nd round or WCF. With a chance for 58+ wins and a finals appearance. Without Yao or an unhealthy team: 43+ wins and barley missing the playoffs or barley making the 8th seed. With an outside shot at 47+ wins. (Yao goes down, but Kmart or our bench players have breakout years etc.)
With the team as currently constructed, and no injuries, I predict 48-50 wins. 50/50 as to whether they get to the 7th seed or whether they're the 9th seed and watching the playoffs from their couch. Supposedly, the Warriors have greatly improved---one group of statisticians likes them for 45 wins+ this year---and Portland may yet get everyone healthy. I love the Jefferson acquisition for Utah. Never mind that the Kings will have another year to get Evans used to the pros, the Clippers will have improved, etc... Not a good conference to stand pat in. And so, I find it far more likely is that there's still a blockbuster trade up Morey's sleeve for one or more of the following: Igoudala, Anthony, Paul. It will be incredibly disappointing if Morey doesn't make a move with all of the trade-able assets he's stockpiled so far.
I'm a realist. Maybe you get off working yourself into a panic and kicking yourself in the nuts in despair over the sky falling or monsters coming out of your closet or other random **** that's not going to happen but 50-56 wins for this squad is absolutely realistic with Yao at 24 minutes and no major moves. Have you even looked at the schedule? Or are you too busy throwing yourself off the cliff with the other lemmings.
wow u got the prediction spot on!! u should start and state ur prediction for next season when the time is right. way to go!!
