The dust has pretty much settled at this point Clippers Warriors Rockets Blazers Lakers Jazz Nuggets Spurs Truly, though.....there are about 36+ permutations of this set. I mean, placing Denver @ 7 almost seems ridiculous. The West is gonna be a bloodbath.
This is not in order: Blazers Lakers Clippers Utah Denver Houston Golden State (San Francisco) Sacramento
Clippers Blazers Denver Golden State Lakers Utah Houston Dallas Kings Spurs Minnesota Pels Grizz Suns OKC
FWIW... https://ripcityproject.com/2019/07/13/portland-trail-blazers-play-nbas-toughest-division/ The Portland Trail Blazers still play in the NBA’s toughest division With the Northwest Division stacking up talent this offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers will have their hands full next year. NW Division Utah Jazz - FanDuel projected win total: 53.5 Denver Nuggets - FanDuel projected win total: 50.5 Blazers - FanDuel projected win total: 44.5 OKC Thunder - FanDuel projected win total: 39.5 Minnesota T-Pups - FanDuel projected win total: 37.5
I agree with KJIronman as well; I despise the Lakers as much as the next guy, but they’ve got Lebron, AD, Boogie, Avery Bradley and lets not forget the most important piece to that puzzle - Rondo(don’t forget how amazing of a facilitator this dude is). Im also not sold on the chemistry between Kawhi and PG-13 1. Blazers 2. Lakers 3. Nuggets 4. Rockets 5. Warriors 6. Clippers 7. Spurs 8. Jazz
1. Lakers 2. Clippers 3. Blazers 4. Rockets 5. Nuggets 6. Warriors 7. Utah 8. Dallas I think the two LA teams are obvious front runners. I think the Rockets are a lot like last season's Thunder. Nuggets are still the Nuggets. The Warriors will be dangerous in the playoffs but will have a rough regular season. Utah isn't that much better. Dallas will be the biggest turn around team from last season to this season. We are better than we were last season. We have pieces that fit. Our defense is going to be much better. Our offense will still be the same (potent). I think we'll take the third seed again and at least win our first round match up, even if it is against the Warriors.
1. Clippers 2. Nuggets 3. Warriors (Klay's injury is not serious from what I've seen, still the team to beat with the additions of Willie Cauley-Stein and Russel.) 4. Jazz 5. Rockets (Ugly playoffs basketball, works during regular season). 6. Blazers (Nurkic is out, not enough rebounding and a weak bench). 7. Lakers (just because AD and Lebron's injuries and apathy towards regular season). 8. Kings WCF: Warriors vs Clippers
1. Portland 2. Ptown 3. Blazers 4. The Portland Trailblazers 5. Portland, Oregon 6. The Blazers 7. Blazermania 8. The rose city warriors The rest of the west will be feasted upon by my top 8.
Nice! They just missed the playoffs with the 9nth seed. Not only do the blazers win it all but the also get a lottery pick!!! A season for the ages is about to commence!!!!
According to these guys (UK?), so much for my placement of Denver @ 7th seed. https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/27189056/league-best-teams-now
I don't think the Blazers got significantly worse, but I also dont think they got much better. I think NO made good decisions this summer. The only two transactions that I quibble with are letting Aminu walk (although I understand that due to the lux tax issues) and signing Tolliver (I think there were better options on the table at that point). Here's how I see it: 1) Clippers - Two MVP caliber players in their prime backed with a full team of excellent roll players who fit. 2) Denver - aquiring Grant is a very underrates move. Last year was the first year most of their team had been to the playoffs. Lots of valuable lessons learned. Their young guys are goid & still have lots of room for growth. 3) Utah - amazing off-season with aquiring Conley, Bogdanovic, Jeff Green, & Ed Davis. These guys are under-rated in their contributions. Conley & Gobert duo is going to be deadly. I also think Mitchell will be primed for a bounce-back year. 4) Warriors - there are 3 reasons they're this low. 1) Clay's injury, 2) Green's missing jumpshot, & 3) loosing Igudalla. They could easily be higher at the end of the season. 5) Houston - I don't think the Harden/Westbrook pairing is going to work out so well. Both players like to dominate the ball.... I'd love for this to blow up in their face. 6) Portland - I think the team is slightly worse than last year's version. I'm extremely worried about the SF & PF positions... there's just too many question marks there. I like Collins & hope he does well... but the season really depends on how he develops next season. 7) Lakers - They've pieced together a nice team around AD & LeBron. I just think injuries are going to keep them from being able to climb any higher. The rest shouldn't be of major concern.