Preseason:
Projected Eastern Conference Standings
Andrew:
1. Miami Heat
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Boston Celtics
4. New York Knicks
5. Brooklyn Nets
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Philadelphia 76ers
8. Chicago Bulls
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Washington Wizards
12. Detroit Pistons
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Charlotte Bobcats
15. Orlando Magic
Greg:
1. Miami Heat
2. Boston Celtics
3. Chicago Bulls
4. Brooklyn Nets
5. Indiana Pacers
6. Washington Wizards
7. Philadelphia 76ers
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. New York Knicks
10. Toronto Raptors
11. Detroit Pistons
12. Milwaukee Bucks
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
14. Charlotte Bobcats
15. Orlando Magic
Projected Western Conference Standings
Andrew:
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Memphis Grizzlies
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Utah Jazz
10. Golden State Warriors
11. Portland Trailblazers
12. Sacramento Kings
13. Houston Rockets
14. Phoenix Suns
15. New Orleans Hornets
Greg:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Dallas Mavericks
9. Golden State Warriors
10. Utah Jazz
11. Houston Rockets
12. Portland Trailblazers
13. Sacramento Kings
14. New Orleans Hornets
15. Phoenix Suns
We'll start in the East where things are pretty much as expected. We both were right on about Miami, although they have been struggling on the road recently. Andrew was more accurate on the Pacers and Knicks, but Greg was correct in saying that Chicago would be okay without Rose. We both missed that Milwaukee would be relevant and Philly would not, and we both over-seeded Boston. They are old!
So how will things shake out? The focus for me is on players returning from injury. Three of the best players in the East should return in the coming months: Rose, Granger, and Bynum. All three would provide huge impacts, but I think Rose and Granger are the bigger factors here because their teams are already in good positions. Both have real shots at the two seed behind Miami.
The Knicks are currently in that spot and injuries have played a role there too. Amare and Anthony have been injured already this year, so can they stay healthy and play well together? We say yes, but that doesn't mean the two seed.
Out West we missed on 3 teams. We both had the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Mavericks in the playoffs. The three teams who are in there instead are the Warriors, Jazz, and Rockets. Based on our rankings, we're most confused by the Lakers' failures and the Rockets' success. The funny thing is that the explanation lies within the trades they made.
The Lakers don't have chemistry, heart, desire, defense, a bench, coaching, etc. Most thought the moves and trades they made could overcome that (Nash and Howard to be exact), but they haven't. Nash was injured for a while and Howard is obviously still ailing from his back surgery. Even further, they aren't a good team together because they are all used to being the stars. The Heat pulled it together a few years ago when they had the same problem, but I don't think the Lakers can. They need to make a move for depth.
The Rockets hit it big on their moves in the offseason. Lin and Harden form a great backcourt and are making Houston an elite offensive team. That has them in the playoffs for now, but I also think they need to make a move up front. In fact, maybe the Rockets and Lakers should make a deal with each other... The Rockets could use a guy like Gasol in their lineup... and they Lakers could use a lot of the depth of talent that Houston possesses. It won't happen though, so don't get excited.
Continuing enjoying the year!
By: The Sports Guys
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