Western Conference Standings Prediction
Time for the fun side of the NBA! I really don't understand why the West seems to always be a way tougher conference than the East, but at this point I actively dock accomplishments on the East side. Lebron is awesome for sure but does he really make 8 straight finals appearances playing in the West? Would the Pacers have made the playoffs last year if they had to play the Western conference? (no). Zach Lowe (the godfather of NBA analysis and talk) even said that Eastern conference all-star appearances should be weighrd at like 0.6 times a Western appearance, he wasn't even joking. I expect nothing to change this season so the win totals in the West will be higher overall. I also really wish that the NBA would adopt the 1-16 format for the playoffs. There is no way that Houston-Golden State should have been a conference final last season.
1. Warriors, Record prediction: 63-19
This team is broken. They have so many weapons and ways to beat you that its not even fun to pick them to lose games. Gambling on or against this team is the absolute worst. You have no idea whether or not they even give a fuck on some nights. I'm banking on the Rockets series scaring them enough last season and Lebron's presence in the conference to maybe have them try to get the one seed? I love and hate this pick.
2. Houston Rockets, Record prediction: 56-26
I really wanted to dock them more but I mean... They still have the reigning MVP and a top 5 point guard all time backing him up. Sure they added the black hole that is Melo but is it going to affect them? This dude just has to stand still and hit open shots, Harden and Paul wont pass to him for iso ball situations. They still have Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, Clint Capella, and two or three G-League guys that they can groom to play at a decent level. There's a slight chance that they get Jimmy Butler as well. I feel good about this pick.
3. Utah Jazz, Record prediction: 54-28
I am going to be extremely high on this team. Donovan Mitchell had one of the best rookie campaigns of all time and once Gobert came into the fold, this team played at a top-5 level. They embarrassed OKC in round 1, Joe Ingles in particular really carved Paul George apart. The big question for this team is whether or not they can produce enough offence to compete with the league's elite. If Mitchell makes a leap they just might.
4. Denver Nuggets,Record prediction: 52-30
They've brought back essentially the same team but they shed Wilson Chandler (who was awful for them, ball stopping, bad shooting, zero impact on games) and are hoping to get a full season out of Paul Milsap. Jamal Murray is a year better and Jokic has had a year to get into better shape. One area of concern is coach Mike Malone. This Nuggets team blew way too many leads and way too many games to inferior opponents last season (costing themselves a playoff berth). I think that this team is too talented and will overcome coach Malone's deficiencies, but I am on full guard.
5. OKC, Record prediction: 51-31
Never has a guy who absolutely cannot shoot affected a team so much. Andre Roberson's injury woes somehow hurt the Thunder every time they happen. They have nice pieces and a very good top three and they should push for a high seed this year. One thing that concerns me is how well Westbrook and George will play together. They've had a year to figure it out and they've gotten rid of Carmelo "Hey P They want me to come off the bench" Anthony, so I can't imagine their offence not improving, but Westbrook's stat pushing style hurts this team a lot. Its not healthy for a team to cater their playing style towards helping one guy put up empty numbers as it is a hard habit to break once the games start mattering.
6. New Orleans, Record prediction: 50-32
This pick is out of pure respect for Anthony Davis. He is good enough to win 50 games by himself.
7. Portland, Record prediction: 45-37
The Blazers won 2 more games than the Denver nuggets and finished as a 3 seed while Denver missed the playoffs. Last season they benefited from continuity and familiarity that allowed them to manoeuvre through a ridiculous conference. I think that advantage shrinks enough for them to plummet this season.
8. Lakers, Record prediction: 44-38
No way a team with Lebron on it misses the playoffs. If they win 10 more games than my prediction, Lebron could even win MVP.
9. San Antonio, Record prediction: 43-39
I hate this pick. They won 47 last year and didn't have Kawhi, so in theory having DeRozan for most of the games should be enough. They also have the best coach in the league, the best organization, and 21 years of success to lean on. I just think the West is too tough and their roster too battered to compete enough to make the playoffs.
10. Dallas Mavs, Record prediction: 41-41
Rick Carlisle is a wizard and finally has a decent team. It would not shock me if Dallas snuck into the playoffs.
11. Minnesota, Record prediction: 41-41
The Jimmy Butler saga throws everything here into flux. I am going to lean on the fact that Wiggins is not that good, Jeff Teague is the most overrated PG in the league, KAT can't play D, and Thibs will run these poor guys into the ground.
12. Clippers, Record prediction: 36-46
This Clips team will be quirky and fun to watch, but they have no talent that can propel them to the playoffs. I would pick this team to finish 5th in the East by the way.
13. Memphis Grizzlies, Record prediction: 36-46
Healthy Conely and healthy Gasol. I suspect Memphis plays them enough to show off trade value and then sells high.
14. Phoenix Suns, Record prediction: 24-58
This team has the worst Point Guard situation in the league.
15. Sacramento Kings, Record prediction: 23-59
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1. Warriors, Record prediction: 63-19
This team is broken. They have so many weapons and ways to beat you that its not even fun to pick them to lose games. Gambling on or against this team is the absolute worst. You have no idea whether or not they even give a fuck on some nights. I'm banking on the Rockets series scaring them enough last season and Lebron's presence in the conference to maybe have them try to get the one seed? I love and hate this pick.
2. Houston Rockets, Record prediction: 56-26
I really wanted to dock them more but I mean... They still have the reigning MVP and a top 5 point guard all time backing him up. Sure they added the black hole that is Melo but is it going to affect them? This dude just has to stand still and hit open shots, Harden and Paul wont pass to him for iso ball situations. They still have Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, Clint Capella, and two or three G-League guys that they can groom to play at a decent level. There's a slight chance that they get Jimmy Butler as well. I feel good about this pick.
3. Utah Jazz, Record prediction: 54-28
I am going to be extremely high on this team. Donovan Mitchell had one of the best rookie campaigns of all time and once Gobert came into the fold, this team played at a top-5 level. They embarrassed OKC in round 1, Joe Ingles in particular really carved Paul George apart. The big question for this team is whether or not they can produce enough offence to compete with the league's elite. If Mitchell makes a leap they just might.
4. Denver Nuggets,Record prediction: 52-30
They've brought back essentially the same team but they shed Wilson Chandler (who was awful for them, ball stopping, bad shooting, zero impact on games) and are hoping to get a full season out of Paul Milsap. Jamal Murray is a year better and Jokic has had a year to get into better shape. One area of concern is coach Mike Malone. This Nuggets team blew way too many leads and way too many games to inferior opponents last season (costing themselves a playoff berth). I think that this team is too talented and will overcome coach Malone's deficiencies, but I am on full guard.
5. OKC, Record prediction: 51-31
Never has a guy who absolutely cannot shoot affected a team so much. Andre Roberson's injury woes somehow hurt the Thunder every time they happen. They have nice pieces and a very good top three and they should push for a high seed this year. One thing that concerns me is how well Westbrook and George will play together. They've had a year to figure it out and they've gotten rid of Carmelo "Hey P They want me to come off the bench" Anthony, so I can't imagine their offence not improving, but Westbrook's stat pushing style hurts this team a lot. Its not healthy for a team to cater their playing style towards helping one guy put up empty numbers as it is a hard habit to break once the games start mattering.
6. New Orleans, Record prediction: 50-32
This pick is out of pure respect for Anthony Davis. He is good enough to win 50 games by himself.
7. Portland, Record prediction: 45-37
The Blazers won 2 more games than the Denver nuggets and finished as a 3 seed while Denver missed the playoffs. Last season they benefited from continuity and familiarity that allowed them to manoeuvre through a ridiculous conference. I think that advantage shrinks enough for them to plummet this season.
8. Lakers, Record prediction: 44-38
No way a team with Lebron on it misses the playoffs. If they win 10 more games than my prediction, Lebron could even win MVP.
9. San Antonio, Record prediction: 43-39
I hate this pick. They won 47 last year and didn't have Kawhi, so in theory having DeRozan for most of the games should be enough. They also have the best coach in the league, the best organization, and 21 years of success to lean on. I just think the West is too tough and their roster too battered to compete enough to make the playoffs.
10. Dallas Mavs, Record prediction: 41-41
Rick Carlisle is a wizard and finally has a decent team. It would not shock me if Dallas snuck into the playoffs.
11. Minnesota, Record prediction: 41-41
The Jimmy Butler saga throws everything here into flux. I am going to lean on the fact that Wiggins is not that good, Jeff Teague is the most overrated PG in the league, KAT can't play D, and Thibs will run these poor guys into the ground.
12. Clippers, Record prediction: 36-46
This Clips team will be quirky and fun to watch, but they have no talent that can propel them to the playoffs. I would pick this team to finish 5th in the East by the way.
13. Memphis Grizzlies, Record prediction: 36-46
Healthy Conely and healthy Gasol. I suspect Memphis plays them enough to show off trade value and then sells high.
14. Phoenix Suns, Record prediction: 24-58
This team has the worst Point Guard situation in the league.
15. Sacramento Kings, Record prediction: 23-59
Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber, Please let Harry Giles be the next Webber.
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