Official Predictions: East and West Standings

[kingfish]

1. Thunder

2. Lakers

3. Clippers

4. Memphis

5. Nuggets

6. Blazers

7. Mavericks

8. Spurs

 

I dont see the Spurs or Mavs fairing well in a compressed schedule. Back to backs and even back to back to backs are going to be tough for the teams with older guys on it. Lakers will surprise some with their talented young 1st and 2nd year players. Kobe shows he still has plenty of athleticism, Bynum realizes his potential and rivals D12 as best center, Pau plays well despite trade rumors desperately hoping to stay in LA. Durant and Westbrook steamroll through everyone. However the seeding ends up I do think these are definitely the 8 teams that will make the playoffs.

 

1. Heat

2. Knicks

3. Bulls

4. Pacers

5. Celtics

6. Hawks

7. Nets

8. Bucks

 

I dont see the Magic getting in, for however long they have Dwight it wont be enough to carry a team full of awful defenders. Bucks have enough to get in with Jennings-SJax-Bogut. Knicks will leap frog the Bulls now that they have a legit center, who fits perfectly in their system. Pacers emerge as a contender in the East.

Edited December 22, 2011 by kingfish

[Gooner]

East

 

1. Bulls

2. Heat

3. Celtics

4. Pacers

5. Knicks

6. Magic

7. Hawks

8. Sixers

 

West

 

1. Thunder

2. Mavs

3. Clippers

4. Blazers

5. Spurs

6. Grizzlies

7. Lakers

8. Rockets

[Finch23]

I agree that the Grizzlies may be better the Portland but honestly I don't think that the Nuggets are that much better than the Rockets, give us a quality center and were about even and lets not forget the Nuggets will possibly be without Wilson Chandler, J.R Smith, and Kenyon Martin for most of the season which were big parts of their team last season. Portland's a pretty damn good team if they can stay healthy I just doubt that they will happen.

 

Old ass Duncan and Manu led the Spurs to win 61 games last season. Btw Parker is not "old". Anyway the Spurs won't really compete for a title, but they will still be a very good regular season team.

Edited December 23, 2011 by Finch23

[Finch23]

East:

1. Miami

2. Chicago

3. Boston

4. New York

5. Philly

6. Indiana

7. Orlando

8. Atlanta

 

I don't trust New York's depth right now so I'm skeptical of putting them over Boston right now. Celtics are known for starting the season off strong, with a shortened season and a veteran team, I think their record will be fine. I also have faith that Rondo will have a monster season. I really like the Sixers coming into the season, they have 2 starter worthy players coming off the bench (Thad Young and Evan Turner) and one of the better scorers off the bench in the league in Lou Williams. They are a young, disciplined team that plays great defense. I like Indiana as well, but not they're not as well rounded as Philly is. Orlando is an interesting story, I fully believe Dwight will be traded by the deadline, so they should maintain a solid record that takes them to the playoffs. Atlanta is probably the team I could see falling out of the playoff, but they do have quality depth and some solid stars still on the roster.

 

West:

1. Oklahoma City

2. Memphis

3. Dallas

4. Clippers

5. Lakers

6. Portland

7. Denver

8. San Antonio

 

Clips should look good this season, but their defense is still relatively suspect. I don't trust Chauncey as a 2 guard, he's not quick enough to guard opposing SG's, nor is he capable of playing the position to the level he did when he first came into the league. Dallas, Memphis, and OKC are the three elite teams in this division, they have quality depth, and established starting lineup, and great coaching. I may be underrating the Lakers, I predict Bynum to have a great year, but outside of him, there's a lot of question marks. Pau's state of mind will be in doubt up until the trade deadline, Kobe's health is already taking a hit, and their depth is garbage for the most part. A huge problem last year for Portland when I watched them was that when LMA went out of the game, the offense suffered massive scoring droughts because they couldn't run the offense through anyone else. I think with the addition of Jamal Crawford, they will be much stronger in that regard. However, you gotta fear the depth they have at the center position. Denver is very deep, and I expect Lawson to continue to improve, but they still lack that go to scorer. And lastly, the Spurs, who are only getting older, still lack a good wing player, I just do not trust them coming into the season. The schedule contains multiple back to backs, as well as emphasizing conference play. The West is stacked, San Antonio is not built for this rigorous season.

 

 

If anything this "rigorous" season will help San Antonio. Pop is known for not giving the "young guys" a chance. Well with B2B's Pop will be forced to play some of the young guns more than he would normally like to. The major thing that the Spurs are lacking is a big. They still have one of the best (if not the best in the West) back courts. They have young guys like James Anderson, Kawai Leonard, Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter, and Cory Jospeh. People also forget that Dick Jefferson was actually really good in the regular season (it's the playoffs where he sucks). Barring any injuries the Spurs will finish 3-6th seed.

[Blazed49]

Old ass Duncan and Manu led the Spurs to win 61 games last season. Btw Parker is not "old". Anyway the Spurs won't really compete for a title, but they will still be a very good regular season team.

Parker is 29 with ankle problems. That's old. There's no way all three are gonna be able to handle back to back to backs. Duncan was barely playing back to backs last year. Not saying they won't be a good team but I'll take Portland's depth and better power forward right now over the spurs.

[Cleveland's Finest]

Regular Season Predictions

 

East:

1. Miami - No reason they shouldn't have the best record in the NBA this year. Wade will take more control of this team and it should help LeBron gain confidence in key situations. Cole could be a big time player off the bench.

2. Knicks - Addition of Chandler was huge, and Shumpert has looked good in the preseason. When Baron comes back, watch out. This team has a stacked starting lineup that looks like the Clippers in terms of completeness.

3. Bulls - Getting Rip Hamilton was great, but this team still doesn't have someone who can get their own shot besides Rose. Unless Boozer has a turn around season, I don't see this team getting a better record than NY/Mia.

4. Celtics - I like the new bench with the two experienced Purdue rookies, a healthy Marquis Daniels, and Brandon Bass.

5. Pacers - David West brings much needed dependability in the Pacers front court.

6. Atlanta - Interested in seeing how McGrady can affect this team. A full year of Hinrich at point will make this team look much different.

7. Orlando - I see this being like Denver last year. Dwight will be traded mid-season, but this team will still have enough talent to keep the record good enough to make the playoffs.

8. Cleveland - I have to put my team in the playoffs to keep me looking forward to the season. Besides, is there that much competition for the 8 seed? Milwaukee and Philly look solid, but are too questionable.

 

West:

1. Mavericks - They lost a lot but reloaded in a different way with Delonte, Odom, and Carter. Add to that a healthy Roddy and the improved Ian Mahinmi, and the fact that this team is getting little to no respect for a defending champion, and I like this team to get the one seed.

2. Spurs - Again, like the Mavs, this team is being underlooked big time. Manu is healthy, Splitter should be improved, and they should have a solid regular season.

3. Thunder - They could get the one seed, but I don't trust Westbrook and his jump shots. They'll still be great, and Durant will most likely win MVP.

4. Lakers - This is a big question mark. I can see LA winning the West, or getting upset in the first round, and it all depends on the play of World Peace and Bynum. Kobe and Gasol will get their numbers, but Bynum has to be healthy and World Peace has to get his head straight. He was the x-factor in their 2010 title run.

5. Clippers - It's too hard to give them home-court advantage after the record they had last year. They'll probably upset a team in the playoffs, but for the whole regular season, they'll have some problems getting adjusted together.

6. Grizzlies - In a tight western conference, the Grizzlies still need another year before they become one of the West's elite.

7. Nuggets - The addition of Andre Miller will be good for Lawson. Gallo and Nene played awesome post-Melo trade. Despite the losses overseas, this team is still talented. Shoe-in for the playoffs.

8. Blazers - I don't expect Aldridge to be as good this year, but if he is, look out. If Felton can play as well as he did last year, this team could be very good. If Oden can start at center, watch out for this team.

Wild Card: Rockets - Terrence Williams is going to have a big time impact on the rest of the team. Lowry will have all year as a starter and could get this team to the playoffs.

 

Playoff Predictions

 

1st Round

Heat over Cavs in 5

Knicks over Magic in 6

Bulls over Hawks in 7

Pacers over Celtics in 7

---

Mavs over Blazers in 5

Spurs over Nuggets in 5

Thunder over Grizzlies in 7

Clippers over Lakers in 6

 

2nd Round

Heat over Pacers in 5

Knicks over Bulls in 6

---

Mavs over Clippers in 6

Spurs over Thunder in 6

 

Conference Finals

Knicks over Heat in 7

Mavs over Spurs in 6

 

NBA Finals

Knicks over Mavs in 6

 

The addition of Chandler by the Knicks was huge, and it will be the reason I see them getting past Miami, and furthermore beating Dallas. Dallas has more depth, but the overall star power/weapons that New York has is just too good.

Edited December 23, 2011 by Cleveland's Finest

[AboveLegit]

If anything this "rigorous" season will help San Antonio. Pop is known for not giving the "young guys" a chance. Well with B2B's Pop will be forced to play some of the young guns more than he would normally like to. The major thing that the Spurs are lacking is a big. They still have one of the best (if not the best in the West) back courts. They have young guys like James Anderson, Kawai Leonard, Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter, and Cory Jospeh. People also forget that Dick Jefferson was actually really good in the regular season (it's the playoffs where he sucks). Barring any injuries the Spurs will finish 3-6th seed.

I'm not one to underrate the Spurs because I know how well Popovich can coach under any circumstance. And if I remember correctly, I had them being a lower seeded playoff team in the West before the 2010 season only to see them become the #1 seed.

 

However, there's just too much to be skeptical about in San Antonio. Kawhai Leonard is extremely raw offensively, and will struggle early on finding his niche on defense. Pair that with the aforementioned fact that Popovich's teams rarely produce high impact rookie players, and it leaves very little hope for him this year. You guys lost George Hill too, who was an important piece coming off the bench. He was the perfect player alongside Manu, and was capable of playing with Parker. Can you really expect Gary Neal to assume that role effectively? Bonner, Tiago and Blair are good backups, but they're abysmal on defense, if you see them playing extended minutes, expect to be outscored.

[AboveLegit]

8. Cleveland - I have to put my team in the playoffs to keep me looking forward to the season. Besides, is there that much competition for the 8 seed? Milwaukee and Philly look solid, but are too questionable.

Are you serious? Philly made the playoffs last year, and only got better and more experienced this year. To say they are questionable in an otherwise weak playoff race is asinine.

[htownborn]

Old ass Duncan and Manu led the Spurs to win 61 games last season. Btw Parker is not "old". Anyway the Spurs won't really compete for a title, but they will still be a very good regular season team.

 

Bro what are you talking about I didn't even say anything negative about the Spurs, out of anything I credited them by saying their old but still relavent.

Edited December 23, 2011 by htownborn

[Cleveland's Finest]

Are you serious? Philly made the playoffs last year, and only got better and more experienced this year. To say they are questionable in an otherwise weak playoff race is asinine.

 

I think Iggy could be traded, they don't have a big man, and they have too many guys who handle the ball...

 

Logically though, I'd pick Philly or Milwaukee at the 8 seed over the rest. However, I just picked my team bc I have a hard time not seeing them there.

Edited December 23, 2011 by Cleveland's Finest

[AboveLegit]

I think Iggy could be traded, they don't have a big man, and they have too many guys who handle the ball...

 

Logically though, I'd pick Philly or Milwaukee at the 8 seed over the rest. However, I just picked my team bc I have a hard time not seeing them there.

Trading Iggy would only mean more time for Thad Young and Evan Turner, who could turn out to be better all around players than Andre.

 

And if you have a hard time picturing the Cavs not in the playoffs, I do not know what to tell you.

[Cleveland's Finest]

I have a hard time in that I have to be optimistic lol.

 

I saw some analysts actually had Philly winning the division. Maybe I am underestimating them, but they really didn't do anything to get better in the offseason. At least Milwaukee got better with Jackson, Udrih, and Bogut returning.

[fish7718]

Regular Season Predictions

 

East:

1. Miami - No reason they shouldn't have the best record in the NBA this year. Wade will take more control of this team and it should help LeBron gain confidence in key situations. Cole could be a big time player off the bench.

2. Knicks - Addition of Chandler was huge, and Shumpert has looked good in the preseason. When Baron comes back, watch out. This team has a stacked starting lineup that looks like the Clippers in terms of completeness.

3. Bulls - Getting Rip Hamilton was great, but this team still doesn't have someone who can get their own shot besides Rose. Unless Boozer has a turn around season, I don't see this team getting a better record than NY/Mia.

4. Celtics - I like the new bench with the two experienced Purdue rookies, a healthy Marquis Daniels, and Brandon Bass.

5. Pacers - David West brings much needed dependability in the Pacers front court.

6. Atlanta - Interested in seeing how McGrady can affect this team. A full year of Hinrich at point will make this team look much different.

7. Orlando - I see this being like Denver last year. Dwight will be traded mid-season, but this team will still have enough talent to keep the record good enough to make the playoffs.

8. Cleveland - I have to put my team in the playoffs to keep me looking forward to the season. Besides, is there that much competition for the 8 seed? Milwaukee and Philly look solid, but are too questionable.

 

West:

1. Mavericks - They lost a lot but reloaded in a different way with Delonte, Odom, and Carter. Add to that a healthy Roddy and the improved Ian Mahinmi, and the fact that this team is getting little to no respect for a defending champion, and I like this team to get the one seed.

2. Spurs - Again, like the Mavs, this team is being underlooked big time. Manu is healthy, Splitter should be improved, and they should have a solid regular season.

3. Thunder - They could get the one seed, but I don't trust Westbrook and his jump shots. They'll still be great, and Durant will most likely win MVP.

4. Lakers - This is a big question mark. I can see LA winning the West, or getting upset in the first round, and it all depends on the play of World Peace and Bynum. Kobe and Gasol will get their numbers, but Bynum has to be healthy and World Peace has to get his head straight. He was the x-factor in their 2010 title run.

5. Clippers - It's too hard to give them home-court advantage after the record they had last year. They'll probably upset a team in the playoffs, but for the whole regular season, they'll have some problems getting adjusted together.

6. Grizzlies - In a tight western conference, the Grizzlies still need another year before they become one of the West's elite.

7. Nuggets - The addition of Andre Miller will be good for Lawson. Gallo and Nene played awesome post-Melo trade. Despite the losses overseas, this team is still talented. Shoe-in for the playoffs.

8. Blazers - I don't expect Aldridge to be as good this year, but if he is, look out. If Felton can play as well as he did last year, this team could be very good. If Oden can start at center, watch out for this team.

Wild Card: Rockets - Terrence Williams is going to have a big time impact on the rest of the team. Lowry will have all year as a starter and could get this team to the playoffs.

 

Playoff Predictions

 

1st Round

Heat over Cavs in 5

Knicks over Magic in 6

Bulls over Hawks in 7

Pacers over Celtics in 7

---

Mavs over Blazers in 5

Spurs over Nuggets in 5

Thunder over Grizzlies in 7

Clippers over Lakers in 6

 

2nd Round

Heat over Pacers in 5

Knicks over Bulls in 6

---

Mavs over Clippers in 6

Spurs over Thunder in 6

 

Conference Finals

Knicks over Heat in 7

Mavs over Spurs in 6

 

NBA Finals

Knicks over Mavs in 6

 

The addition of Chandler by the Knicks was huge, and it will be the reason I see them getting past Miami, and furthermore beating Dallas. Dallas has more depth, but the overall star power/weapons that New York has is just too good.

This would be awesome but then again you had Cavs > Knicks last year so...

[fish7718]

1. Miami Heat

2. Chicago Bulls

3. Orlando Magic

4. New York Knicks

5. Boston Celtics

6. Indiana Pacers

7. Atlanta Hawks

8. Milwaukee Bucks

 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Dallas Mavericks

3. Los Angeles Lakers

4. Portland Trailblazers

5. San Antonio Spurs

6. Los Angeles Clippers

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

8. Utah Jazz/Golden State Warriors

[Warren2ThaG]

They're also not an old team though. Do you really think old ass Duncan, parker, and ginobili can hold up better than Portland? The only real injury prone guys we have are camby and oden(who we don't expect much from anyway). We have some younger guys in wes and elliot williams (who looked really good against the jazz, granted it was preseason). We have guys ready to run in felton, batum, and crash. I see us no higher than a 4 seed but I don't think we'll go lower than a 7 seed.

 

maybe higher then 4th, even 1st is possible actually. If they keep playing hard and tough with chemistry like right now they are scary.