On paper how many teams..

[Lipoli390]

Cam's list is very close to my current projection. However, I see the the Wolves finishing 8th ahead of the Clippers if, as expected, Kawhi misses most of the season.

[Monster]

Cam's list is very close to my current projection. However, I see the the Wolves finishing 8th ahead of the Clippers if, as expected, Kawhi misses most of the season.

I have to admit I had completely forgotten about Kawhi's injury.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Cam's list is very close to my current projection. However, I see the the Wolves finishing 8th ahead of the Clippers if, as expected, Kawhi misses most of the season.

I could see that if certain things break right for the Wolves, but I still think the Clippers have a very competitive team full of veterans even without Kawhi Leonard. I'll give them the nod for right now. I don't hate the thought though, Lip. You could certainly be right about this later on.

[kekgeek]

1) Lakers
2) Suns
3) Jazz

4) Mavs
5) Nuggets

6) Blazers
7) Warriors
8) Wolves
9) Clippers

10) Kings
11) Grizzlies
12) Pelicans
13) Rockets

14) Thunder
15) Spurs

So I did this in tiers of where I think people are going to finish. I think it is hard to doubt the Jazz, Suns and Lakers. Obviously if these teams hit big injuries it could be a killer but I think these 3 teams are virtual locks to make the playoffs. The Next 2 teams of the Nuggets and Mavs I think are really good, both have massive MVP candidates but the reason I have these 2 together they are both 1 injury away to Luka or Jokic where their season is just over (Murray also going to miss a big part of the season.

Now with the next tier I think the Blazers just always do just enough to make the playoffs but I think their upside is really low. The Warriors in my opinion had the most overrated offseason there can be. This team did not make the playoffs last year, you can say it was a funky with the play-in but they did not make the playoffs. They are adding Klay but he is not expected to play until 2022 and that is 2 plus years without playing, can I please see it first. Then they added 2 rookies where rookies usually don't make positive impacts in terms of winning and their other FA moves I enjoy but Porter hasn't played injury free ball in like 3 years and Belly was not in the heat rotation last year. Then I have the Wolves I am going off their 13-11 record last year when our 2 max players played together, that would be equivalent to the 8 seed last year. I like the Wolves upside and for a guy who almost always bets the under for the Wolves I am hammering the over this year. Then we have the clippers, they are without Kawhi, I just don't think they have much top tier talent, I also don't think Reggie Jackson can repeat when he did last year.

Next tier is the Kings, who I just really like this year. Think they are close to being very solid. I went with the Grizzlies, they traded arguably best player last year in Valancunis and they have also made multiple future moves instead of win now moves. I do think they can make the play-in though. So why should I like the Pelicans. Terrible defending team, who lost their best 2 defenders in Ball and Adams and replaced them with bad defenders in Grahmn and Valuncunis (I do love him as a player though) Rockets: were good before Wood and Wall got hurt last year.

Thunder and Spurs: Don't hate either team just think they don't have the consistency to win at a high level.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

[Coolbreeze44]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

Way too low on the Nuggets

[kekgeek]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

I just put them both in the same tier because they both have MVP stars. With those 2 I think they are both top 5ish teams. Just think if either Jokic or Luka get hurt neither would make the playoffs

[kekgeek]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

Way too low on the Nuggets

They won't have Murray for the majority of the season that is why I am low on them. Im not loving they will have Campazzo/Rivers etc.. being their PG. Ya I like MPJ but we'll see. Once again I like the Nuggets just think they are legit 1 injury away from a non-playoff team in my opinion.

[Lipoli390]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

Way too low on the Nuggets

They won't have Murray for the majority of the season that is why I am low on them. Im not loving they will have Campazzo/Rivers etc.. being their PG. Ya I like MPJ but we'll see. Once again I like the Nuggets just think they are legit 1 injury away from a non-playoff team in my opinion.

Kek - Nice job. I like your list and your tier approach. You have the Wolves and Clippers where I would have them. I would have had Denver higher until you reminded about Murray being out. When is he expected back? He had his surgery well before Kawhi's. Nevertheless, the Nuggets are still talented even without Murray.

Like Cam, I think the Mavs overachieve last season under a great head coach. I'm skeptical of Jason Kidd as a head coach. And they haven't done anything this off-season to significantly upgrade their roster. So I actually see the Mavs in your third tier.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Solid list, kek. Obviously, I think you're too low on the Nuggets and a bit too high on the Mavericks. The latter of which did little to improve, in my opinion, and were the five-seed last year. I felt like they overachieved a bit and will see some regression. I assume you're banking on a bounce back season from Kristaps Porzingis?

Way too low on the Nuggets

They won't have Murray for the majority of the season that is why I am low on them. Im not loving they will have Campazzo/Rivers etc.. being their PG. Ya I like MPJ but we'll see. Once again I like the Nuggets just think they are legit 1 injury away from a non-playoff team in my opinion.

I know I'm nitpicking here, kek, but you're forgetting Monte Morris and Markus Howard came on strong in the playoffs. Additionally, Jamal Murray will likely be back before the All-Star break assuming there's no setbacks in his recovery. There's more than enough talent in Denver to stay afloat and then get a boost from Murray's return.