I predict Lebron will lose another inch of hairline and Dwayne Wade will flop at least 15 times in December.

Also, Joakim Noah and Roy Hibbert will get into a Twitter rivalry.

Also#2: I don't think Doc Rivers will improve the LAc that much

Jerubaal

United States7684 Posts

October 04 2013 04:09 GMT

#1607

I think they just have to get better from whats-his-face. I don't think they'll be a serious threat in the West though this year. Frankly , I'm not sure what's going to go on in the West. It seems like everyone except the Spurs went closer to the middle. Grizzlies lost some people. Denver is dead. OKC is Westbrookless and has no outside shooters. GSW will be better but they aren't a contender. LAC and Houston will be the real mysteries. I don't even know or care wtf is going on in the East besides the Heat, Bulls and Pacers.

cLutZ

United States19571 Posts

October 04 2013 04:53 GMT

#1608

I honestly think Doc is the #1 most overrated coach in sports right now. Its because of the Bill Simmons effect.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

October 04 2013 05:13 GMT

#1609

Clippers should have had #1 in the West last year, should get it this year. Houston will look good regular season but I expect them to get broken in half in the playoffs without improvement from the young guys. FSW should be a juggernaut and the Spurs should be in the mix too.

DystopiaX

United States16236 Posts

October 04 2013 05:17 GMT

#1610

I expect the Grizz to make it past the first round this year as well.

RowdierBob

Australia12795 Posts

October 04 2013 05:18 GMT

#1611

On October 04 2013 13:09 Jerubaal wrote:
I think they just have to get better from whats-his-face. I don't think they'll be a serious threat in the West though this year. Frankly , I'm not sure what's going to go on in the West. It seems like everyone except the Spurs went closer to the middle. Grizzlies lost some people. Denver is dead. OKC is Westbrookless and has no outside shooters. GSW will be better but they aren't a contender. LAC and Houston will be the real mysteries. I don't even know or care wtf is going on in the East besides the Heat, Bulls and Pacers.

Well GSW and Houston are better. Question marks on GSW are Bogut being as healthy as he says and how losing Jack will impact the team's offence (particularly in the 4th). But there's no doubting they are better IMO. A deeper bench, adding Iguodala and Barnes+Thompson maturing will take them up a level. I'd peg them as a real shot for a top 4 spot. I'll hold back on calling them contenders but they could be with a shot if the chemistry is there.

Houston is a no-brainer. Although I'm probably not as bullish on them as other commentators are. Dwight's a big addition but I'm not sure how much he'll impact them. Will need to see him play a bit to ascertain if he really is on the downward slope of his career. They'll be there and thereabouts but I don't rate them a contender simply because their D will still be pretty horrendous.

The Clippers are a little better/deeper but still have major weaknesses in their front line. I think they'll be a formidable regular season team with their squad depth but capitulate in the Playoffs.

Book OKC in for the top 4. People are crazy writing them off. This is still the team with the second best player in the league and Westbrook should be back before Christmas.

The Grizz are meh, still lack the outside shooting which is so important nowadays.

Barring significant injuries, I think the top 6 out West will be
OKC
Spurs
Clips
GSW
Rox
Grizz

DystopiaX

United States16236 Posts

October 04 2013 05:22 GMT

#1612

Clips-Grizz again in the playoffs? lol
Still think the Grizz would win that series. They're still bad from 3 but they've been at least trying to improve from there, hopefully Mike Miller can stay healthy enough during the regular season to do the thing he did on the Heat where he'll randomly rain 3s for 1-2 playoff games.

Jibba

United States22883 Posts

October 04 2013 09:20 GMT

#1613

I don't know, I think Houston will still be extremely dangerous, even if the chemistry isn't perfectly there. There will be improvement from Parsons and Beverly, and Dwight should be healthier and have a lot less drama around him. They're just so imposing down low, they're going to be outrebounding teams by like 20 in the playoffs.

MilesTeg

France1271 Posts

October 04 2013 09:54 GMT

#1614

I just can't see OKC in the top 4 this year. It's not just who you lose (Martin isn't an amazing player), it's who you replace him with. They have no depth at all. Not only that, but even the good players they have (Ibaka, Sepholosha) aren't creators, meaning that Durant and Westbrook have to initiate everything. And one of them might not play before a little while.

I think:
Clippers (fucking hate them, but I think they'll do good in the regular season)
SA
Houston
Memphis

Will definitely be above OKC. GS might be there too, although I'm not a fan of their off-season moves.

Doctor Who

Germany21 Posts

October 04 2013 10:01 GMT

#1615

Bullshit! Houston has the same problems the Clippers have. Houston can make it into the Top5 in the west, but thats the end. I doubt they will win a playoff series.
The championship this year is between Indiana and the Heat. OKC and the Spurs just don't have it anymore.

krndandaman

Mozambique16569 Posts

October 04 2013 10:07 GMT

#1616

--- Nuked ---

Argoth.

Germany1961 Posts

October 04 2013 10:30 GMT

#1617

Looks like Kobe could miss the start of the season. Just headed to Germany for knee treatment.

AntiGrav1ty

Germany2310 Posts

October 04 2013 11:09 GMT

#1618

I actually think there haven't been as many real contenders as this year in a long time. I could see a lot of teams making it to the finals.

RowdierBob

Australia12795 Posts

October 04 2013 11:36 GMT

#1619

Yeah it's pretty crazy.

The Heat are favourites in the East but the Bulls, Pacers and Nets are all capable of pulling something off.

Out West there are six teams you could make a case for winning the WCF. As much tanking as there is this year for Wiggins, it's going to be extremely competitive at the top.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Lakers will make the Playoffs if Kobe returns by Chrissy.