NBA Preview

The NBA season kicked off last night (3 games), and is set to explode onto the scene this evening (12 games). There are so many teams we are excited to watch, particularly because the offseason was so dramatic. Lebron is back in Cleveland. Kevin Love joined him. Deng replaced Lebron in Miami. Stephenson joined the Hornets. Parsons plays for Dallas now, and Ariza took his spot in Houston. Wiggins and Parker are representing a great rookie class this year. And Rose returns to a loaded roster, Kobe though, not so much…

Anyways, today we’ll project the standings in each conference. We’ll add playoff predictions on Friday. Feel free to comment if you disagree (or agree) and post your standings if you’d like.

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – I don’t care that they haven’t all played together or that they have a new coach or that many of their contributors are still young… This team is loaded and has the best core in the league. Irving, James, and Love could be the best “Big 3” in the history of the NBA.  I bet they’ll figure out how to play together quickly.

2. Chicago Bulls – Not only do the Bulls get Derrick Rose back to bolster the backcourt, but the addition of Pau Gasol gives their frontcourt even more pop. Mirotic could be another great signing, and I love their youth with McDermott, Snell, and Butler on the perimeter. Noah and Taj still anchor them defensively as well. They are loaded.

3. Washington Wizards – The Wizards smoked the Bulls in the playoffs last year, opening our eyes to their potential. Beal is a little beat up right now, but once healthy, he and Wall will make up one of the best backcourts in the league. The change this year is Paul Pierce, as he was signed when Ariza moved on. Otto Porter is a second year player to watch off the bench.

4. Charlotte Bobcats – Charlotte’s playoff appearance last season was just the start. They’ve added Lance Stephenson and Marvin Williams to their squad, and drafted a talented forward in Noah Vonleh. This team will be tough defensively, and should have enough contributors to be good enough on offense, especially if they feed Al Jefferson inside.

5. Miami Heat – There is a big drop-off from Lebron James to Luol Deng, but that’s really the only change to this roster. In fact, McRoberts and Granger could make this team even deeper than the last couple of seasons. Bosh should thrive as the top option again. I have them fifth because their age concerns me, particularly with Wade. I bet he misses plenty of time this season.

6. Toronto Raptors – Seeing as Toronto finished third last season and have essentially the same roster, this is a pretty low ranking. I believe they overachieved last year though, and may come down to earth a bit. They’ll still make the playoffs, but only as a lower seed. Good thing they kept Kyle Lowry.

7. Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks will do what they’ve done for years now… Be a decent team that makes the playoffs but isn’t a real threat to win once there. Horford’s return from injury makes them somewhat dangerous, but they whiffed on all their efforts to bring in a marquee free agent to really help out.

8. Brooklyn Nets – I have Brooklyn edging New York for the final playoff spot. And if this team could stay healthy, they could finish higher in the standings. That’s a tough ask though with Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, and Joe Johnson on the team. Injuries are bound to hold this team back. That could mean more time for Mason Plumlee though, which is a great thing.

9. New York Knicks – Carmelo stayed so they’ll be a playoff contender simply because of that. I also think adding Jose Calderon was very smart. But they lack depth and don’t have much inside (unless you count Amare and Bargnani, which I don’t). I think they just miss out on the postseason.

10. Detroit Pistons – I expected some movement in their jammed frontcourt over the summer, but it didn’t happen. Once again, I think they’ll be held back as Drummond, Monroe, and Smith can’t all play together. This is a talented team, but they aren’t well put together.

11. Indiana Pacers – This is a team I’m expecting a big drop from. They lost Lance in free agency and Paul George to injury. Hibbert also struggled closing out last season, and who knows how he’ll bounce back.

12. Boston Celtics – If Rondo stays healthy (and with the team), the Celtics can finish this high. If not, they will plummet in the standings. They still are too young and raw to challenge for the playoffs.

13. Orlando Magic – I love this team’s potential in the years to come. They have a nice youthful core, but it’s a core that won’t be ready to contend for a while. They’ll have some great wins, but won’t be consistent in their results.

14. Milwaukee Bucks – Jabari Parker is my Rookie of the Year choice, and I also love the Greek Freak. Similar to Orlando, they have nice pieces, but it will take a couple years until they contend.

15. Philadelphia 76ers – This squad still has plenty of holes, and their top draft choice (Embiid) will be out for a while (maybe the season). Another selection (Saric) still plays overseas. Needless to say, they’ll be in the running for another top pick.

Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs were the best team in the league last season, won the NBA Championship, and returned 14 guys from that team. That’s crazy. That’s also why they have to be the favorite once again in the loaded West.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – I rank the Thunder at #2 because of Durant’s injury to start the season. If he were healthy, they may have been ranked above the Spurs. On the flip side, if they fall into a huge hole, I could see the Clippers and others passing them up.

3. Los Angeles Clippers – The Clippers were a major contender a year ago, and they added much needed depth in the offseason, particularly inside. Year 2 of Doc Rivers in LA could be magical. CP3 and Blake Griffin will be MVP candidates again.

4. Golden State Warriors – Steve Kerr is coaching for the first time, but he takes over a team ready to win right away. The Splash Brothers will be a force in the backcourt, but the real key will be if Lee and Bogut can stay healthy inside.

5. Houston Rockets – This is another very good team that could win the West. We know about Harden and Howard, but the key will be getting consistent production from the rest of the squad. They won at the Lakers last night, so that’s a good start.

6. Dallas Mavericks – Yes, another team that I really like. By adding Parsons and trading for Chandler, they will be a serious contender as they have been in the past. Can Dirk find his old form though?

7. Portland Trailblazers – Last year’s surprise squad should be ready for another playoff run. Lillard and Aldridge make them go, but they have solid contributors all over this roster. I really like Batum as their glue guy.

8. New Orleans Pelicans – I wanted to rank this team higher, but they are still so young and that will lead to some inconsistency. They struggled with injuries a year ago too, so that’s worrisome. But Anthony Davis should be a monster, Ryan Anderson is currently healthy, and Omer Asik will help inside.

9. Denver Nuggets – I’m floored that this isn’t a playoff team in my projections, but that’s how deep the West is. Faried had a great summer, and the team welcomed back Afflalo who will help at the guard spot. Danilo’s return from injury is a big bonus as well.

10. Phoenix Suns – They key for Phoenix is interior play, as they are loaded at guard. Not only should Bledsoe and Dragic dominate again, but they added Isaiah Thomas, who averaged over 20 points last year. They’ll be tough to hang with in the open floor.

11. Memphis Grizzlies – Memphis just doesn’t have the firepower to compete with the teams above. They would be a playoff team in the East though. This will end a nice era, as I’m sure Marc Gasol will leave in the offseason (I’m guessing to the Knicks).

12. Los Angeles Lakers – I rank them this “high” simply because of my respect for Kobe. The rest of the roster doesn’t warrant them to be here though. Julius Randle also broke his leg last night in their opener. Ouch.

13. Sacramento Kings – I think Cousins makes his first All-Star Game, but that will be the lone highlight during another long season. If only they weren’t in the West…

14. Utah Jazz – I feel as if the Jazz had a great offseason. They kept their young talent together and added some great draft picks. But they still don’t have enough to challenge for the playoffs. Their young players still need more development.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves – After their trade of Kevin Love, they became a rebuilding team. They have great young pieces now, along with draft picks, and could get more by trading Budinger. But Wiggins and company will need a couple years until they make noise.

By: The Sports Guys