GSW
SAS
OKC
Houston
Portland
Nuggets
Wolves
Pelicans
Remember, we added a lot of new pieces as well. There will be a learning curve. Portland and Denver are returning mostly the same rosters while adding a full year of Nurkic and Millsap.
LAC, Utah, and Memphis just miss out this year.
Who Drops in the West?
Re: Who Drops in the West?
I can see Portland, New Orleans and Utah fighting is out for 8th spot.
Re: Who Drops in the West?
Butler is a massive upgrade to this roster. Massive.
I'll add a bit of thoughts about the Clippers. Nate Duncan think one problem is that he doesn't think Doc Rivers although a good coach will be a good coach for that group. The problem with that team is that the most important players sand Deandre Jordon don't stay healthy
Griffin
Gallo
Beverly
On top of that they flat out lost talent
CP3 one of the best all around players in the game.
Redick
LUC
Crawford
Felton
Speights
Now they added
Gallo
Beverly
Lou Williams (big upgrade from Crawford)
Teodosich
Harrall
Willie Reed (legal issues)
Sam Decker
I'd take Redick and CP3 over any player they have added this season when you consider health. I think the Clippers could be a team that falls apart u less a couple guys step up. They have a couple guys in Rivers and Decker that could do it but if they are guys you have to lean on a lot...that could be too much. The Wolves SHOULD ABSOLUTLY be better than the Clippers because Butler is better than any player the Clippers have.
I'll add a bit of thoughts about the Clippers. Nate Duncan think one problem is that he doesn't think Doc Rivers although a good coach will be a good coach for that group. The problem with that team is that the most important players sand Deandre Jordon don't stay healthy
Griffin
Gallo
Beverly
On top of that they flat out lost talent
CP3 one of the best all around players in the game.
Redick
LUC
Crawford
Felton
Speights
Now they added
Gallo
Beverly
Lou Williams (big upgrade from Crawford)
Teodosich
Harrall
Willie Reed (legal issues)
Sam Decker
I'd take Redick and CP3 over any player they have added this season when you consider health. I think the Clippers could be a team that falls apart u less a couple guys step up. They have a couple guys in Rivers and Decker that could do it but if they are guys you have to lean on a lot...that could be too much. The Wolves SHOULD ABSOLUTLY be better than the Clippers because Butler is better than any player the Clippers have.
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AbeVigodaLive
- Posts: 10272
- Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Who Drops in the West?
For a season that most pundits and fans see ending up with a clear-cut best team from beginning to end (GSW)... the West should be interesting.
I think there are only 4 teams without a legit shot at the playoffs:
- Phoenix
- Sacramento
- LAL
- Dallas
What happens beyond those 4 near the bottom and GSW at the top is anybody's guess. As noted, health will be key for a team like the Clippers -- and many others. There's not much wiggle room to work through injuries. For example, what if Kawhi Leonard gets hurt for 20+ games. Or Lillard. Or Jurkic. Some potential playoff teams might struggle with injuries and change directions during the season and even tank.
Memphis seems like the most likely candidate for a slip, but they seem to surprise with more wins than expected nearly every year. New Orleans when/if it becomes clear that the Big Man pairing isn't going to work? Clippers? Portland in a team shake-up?
The good news is that the Wolves SHOULD remain competitive even if an injury hit Butler, Wiggins, Teague or any other player not named Towns. But I'm with Q... I'm not entirely sold on a surefire playoff spot just yet.
I think there are only 4 teams without a legit shot at the playoffs:
- Phoenix
- Sacramento
- LAL
- Dallas
What happens beyond those 4 near the bottom and GSW at the top is anybody's guess. As noted, health will be key for a team like the Clippers -- and many others. There's not much wiggle room to work through injuries. For example, what if Kawhi Leonard gets hurt for 20+ games. Or Lillard. Or Jurkic. Some potential playoff teams might struggle with injuries and change directions during the season and even tank.
Memphis seems like the most likely candidate for a slip, but they seem to surprise with more wins than expected nearly every year. New Orleans when/if it becomes clear that the Big Man pairing isn't going to work? Clippers? Portland in a team shake-up?
The good news is that the Wolves SHOULD remain competitive even if an injury hit Butler, Wiggins, Teague or any other player not named Towns. But I'm with Q... I'm not entirely sold on a surefire playoff spot just yet.