Take a look at my ranking of the top 8 teams of both conferences. East 1. Miami Heat 2. New Jersey Nets 3. Indiana Pacers 4. Detroit Pistons 5. Cleveland Cavaliers 6. Washington Wizards 7. New York Knicks 8. Chicago Bulls West 1. San Antonio Spurs 2. Houston Rockets 3. Denver Nuggets 4. Dallas Mavericks 5. Phoenix Suns 6. Seattle Sonics 7. Los Angeles Lakers 8. Sacramento Kings Top eight teams in the league 1. Miami Heat 2. San Antonio Spurs 3. New Jersey Nets 4. Denver Nuggets 5. Indiana Pacers 6. Detroit Pistons 7. Dallas Mavericks 8. Phoenix Suns I think it's going to be a close race, but see, I have the East and West even up until 5 and 6 where I have the Pistons and Pacers... It could go either way! Although the Western Conference still has the upper hand, if they continue trends like the T-Wolves and Lakers going from contenders to posers, and follow in the footsteps of GM's like Jerry West who's sole determination in life is to totally dismantle a playoff callibre team, then in a matter of a year or two, you'll see a huge trend of an Eastern Conference teams bringing home championships.
The West is deeper and more talented. The East is stil closing the gap, but it's the West, no doubt about it. Also you think New Jersey is a top 3 team in the league?
The east has really caught up although i still feel the west is a little stronger from top to bottom. And whats up with putting the Bulls behind the knicks at 8th lol.
The East looks stronger to me this year because they have a lot of great teams like Miami, Detroit, New Jersey, and Indiana. The West has lost some players to the East so they aren't as good, so I'd take the East. However I disagree with showtyme that NJ is the thrid best teams in the league. I put Detroit and Indy over them, along with SA and Phoenix.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">The East looks stronger to me this year because they have a lot of great teams like Miami, Detroit, New Jersey, and Indiana. The West has lost some players to the East so they aren't as good, so I'd take the East. However I disagree with showtyme that NJ is the thrid best teams in the league. I put Detroit and Indy over them, along with SA and Phoenix.</div> Well, depending on the SAR situation, New Jersey could go back to just 'good', though I wouldn't consider them great anyway, but your opinion. Anyway, I still don't see how anyone could say the East is stronger. The East 3 powerhouse's, and the West has 5-6.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">The West is deeper and more talented. The East is stil closing the gap, but it's the West, no doubt about it. Also you think New Jersey is a top 3 team in the league?</div> Well yeah. The Rockets are a close second, but if the Nets can just put the finishing touches on that deal with SA Rahiem, I believe they will have the third best record in the NBA. Kidd is an excellent PG who doesn't care about his shots. Vince Carter is an all around good player, offensively at least. Jefferson is an athletic SF who likes to drive to the basket. If those three stay healthy all season, NJ will turn heads, believe me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">The East's powerhouses are aruably better though</div> They have 3, and the West has 5. If your going to say that, how about the bottom parts of the WC compared to the EC. The West put's them to shame.
Okay... Now to keep this discussion going let's break it down even more... Let's discuss which division is the strongest in the NBA. SOUTHWEST... WEST In my opinion, this has been, and still will be the strongest division in the entire NBA. You have the defending world champion San Antonio Spurs, who will win at least 55 to 60 games next season. You have the Dallas Mavericks who are also capable of winning 60 games. There is the Houston Rockets who have improved, and will probably be a 60 win team too! Memphis Grizzlies has a new look, adding Hakim Warrick from the draft and Eddie Jones from the Heat, they look ready to win 50 games. Then there is New Orleans who really would be happy to win 20 games this season... Still the strongest division in the NBA. CENTRAL... EAST The Northwest and Pacific divisions were close, but when you have four teams that can win 50 games or more... That's tough to beat. The Indiana Pacers still won over 40 games last season and made the playoffs, even without there star SF, Ron Artest. I am going out on a limb and saying 61 wins for Indiana this season. Detroit Pistons are going to come out on a tear. You can bet that they are disappointed they didn't win the NBA championship last season. Look for them to be a 50 win team again. Cleveland Cavaliers will win at least 50 games this season. LeBron James will have a Jordan like season putting up 30, 10, and 10. Chicago Bulls will need to play there tails off all season. They have a young talented team, and are also capable of 50 wins next season. Milwaukee Bucks will most likely be the last place team in the division once again. They have a pretty good team, that could win 35 games, but the division is just too strong. PACIFIC... WEST In my opinion the Pacific division is a hair better than the Nortwest division. The Pacific has all five teams that believe that they could be playing into May. Look for the Phoenix Suns to take this division again this season. 52 wins. I know JJ and Richardson are gone, but the still have Nash and Amare. Los Angeles Lakers will make the playoffs this season. Look for Kobe and Lamar to put up Jordan and Pippen numbers. 50 wins. Just behind them are the Golden State Warriors who I do not believe will make the playoffs. I think they will be better though... They will be around a 44 wins. Sacramento Kings will be a decent team, I predict a 44 win team. And last place, those good ole' Los Angeles Clippers will have a solid year and win 36 games. NORTHWEST... WEST This is a pretty solid division. The top three teams are very good. I think that the Denver Nuggets will be improved from last year, under coach Karl. 60 games isn't too far fetched for them. Seattle Sonics won't be as good as they were a season ago, but I see no reason why they can't win 49 games. Ray Allen is back, key! I predict the Minnesota Timberwolves NOT making the playoffs, and having a 41 win season. Portland Trailblazers won't be much better, 28 wins. They need to hold on to Miles. Utah Jazz have Greg Ostertag back... 28 wins also. ATLANTIC... EAST The New Jersey Nets have separated themselves from the rest of the Atlantic division this summer, with there acquisition of SAR. I believe the Nets will have a far better record than last year and will win 62 games. The rest of the Atlantic division; New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Philadelpia 76ers, Toranto Raptors will win on average of 38 games, about the same as last year. SOUTHEAST... EAST Yeah, there are two strong teams in the SE division. Miami Heat will be a fantastic team. I predict they will win at least 65 games this season! The Washington Wizards lost a decent player in Kwame Brown, but there big loss is there PG Larry Hughes. larry came up big on defense last season, so Arenas will need to step up. I believe they can win 45 games this season. I don't believe the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats, or Atlanta hawks will win over 28 games, therefore, I gave the southeast the worst division. ________________________________________________________ Dividing the conferences into divisions, you can see that the west has the advantage.
Your ranking is garbage.You have the Spurs as 2nd best.You also have New Jersey in the upper half.Does it matter if teams like the Twolves and Lakers are going downward if you have teams like the Warriors and Sonics replacing them?Houston got better.Denver got better Sac has a chance to start another season and stay healthy.Other than the top 3 teams in the east none of the teams in the east are too impressive.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Your ranking is garbage.You have the Spurs as 2nd best.You also have New Jersey in the upper half.Does it matter if teams like the Twolves and Lakers are going downward if you have teams like the Warriors and Sonics replacing them?Houston got better.Denver got better Sac has a chance to start another season and stay healthy.Other than the top 3 teams in the east none of the teams in the east are too impressive.</div> Your post makes no sense to me... I have the Sonics making the playoffs, I have them 6th in the west... Yeah, Houston got better, I gave them a better seed, second in the west... Yeah, Denver got better as well, I gave them a better seed too... And I also have the Kings making the playoffs... You have a problem with my ranking, but from your post above... all I can see is that you think my ranking is "garbage???"
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Showtyme:</div><div class="quote_post">Your post makes no sense to me... I have the Sonics making the playoffs, I have them 6th in the west... Yeah, Houston got better, I gave them a better seed, second in the west... Yeah, Denver got better as well, I gave them a better seed too... And I also have the Kings making the playoffs... You have a problem with my ranking, but from your post above... all I can see is that you think my ranking is "garbage???" </div> You said Sacramento will be a 41 team. Then you said Minnesota will win 43 games and not make the playoffs. That doesn't make sense.
The New Jersey Nets ahead the Detroit Pistons? The New York Knicks above the Chicago Bulls? I don't understand some of your rankings and I would like some reasoning behind them. The Nets are a good team but the Pistons have went to the Finals two years in a row and don't show any signs of slowing down. The Knicks will just be lucky if they can make the playoffs, let alone be ahead of a team like the Bulls that has a lot of young talent and will only get better. Then in the Top 8 NBA teams list, you have the Denver Nuggets ahead of the Detroit Pistons and I strongly disagree with that. The Nuggets are a good team but Detroit was one game away from winning the Finals last season and they haven't made any huge roster changes. Another thing I noticed about your Top 8 NBA teams list is you left out the Houston Rockets, who are ranked 2nd in your Western Conference rankings.. How can teams like the Mavericks, Suns and Nuggets be in your Top 8 NBA list but your #2 seed in the West is left out. It doesn't make sense. Don't get me wrong, it was a good post and I'm glad to have you here at JBB, but I just didn't agree with some of the rankings and don't understand how your #2 seed Rockets didn't make the Top NBA Teams list.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">You said Sacramento will be a 41 team. Then you said Minnesota will win 43 games and not make the playoffs. That doesn't make sense.</div> Mistype, at least i know someones reading my posts! Thanks
You say the Bulls will win around 50 games next season, yet you put the Knicks who you said would win around 38 and the Wizards who you said would win around 45 over them.
Lol, okay, I think we should (including myself) just take it easy a bit on ST. He's new here, and getting used to the place. At least he doesn't write one liners with terrible grammar like our recent new members. I can tell he will contribute to debates in the future. Just make sure to preview your longer post's first, ST, so you can check for mistake's.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">The New Jersey Nets ahead the Detroit Pistons? The New York Knicks above the Chicago Bulls? I don't understand some of your rankings and I would like some reasoning behind them. The Nets are a good team but the Pistons have went to the Finals two years in a row and don't show any signs of slowing down. The Knicks will just be lucky if they can make the playoffs, let alone be ahead of a team like the Bulls that has a lot of young talent and will only get better. Then in the Top 8 NBA teams list, you have the Denver Nuggets ahead of the Detroit Pistons and I strongly disagree with that. The Nuggets are a good team but Detroit was one game away from winning the Finals last season and they haven't made any huge roster changes. Another thing I noticed about your Top 8 NBA teams list is you left out the Houston Rockets, who are ranked 2nd in your Western Conference rankings.. How can teams like the Mavericks, Suns and Nuggets be in your Top 8 NBA list but your #2 seed in the West is left out. It doesn't make sense. Don't get me wrong, it was a good post and I'm glad to have you here at JBB, but I just didn't agree with some of the rankings and don't understand how your #2 seed Rockets didn't make the Top NBA Teams list.</div> It's just my opinion, that if the New Jersey Nets stay healthy, which I believe they will, they will be one of the best teams in the NBA. Their talent from one to 5 is unbelieveable. Their starting center Kristic, was a key part of them making the playoffs next season. The Pistons are still a good team, I take nothing away from them, but they are loosing a hall of fame coach. Larry Brown gave that team a lot, they will still be talented, but Saunders in no brown, ya feel me? I have the knicks ahead of the Bulls because the Knicks have a lot of young talent as well. They are bringing in a couple of probable starters who will help the Knicks be a quality run and gun team this season. Quieten Richardson is an unbelieveable athlete. He will be the core of the Knicks high flying offense. I also believe Channing Frye will be a good pick. he is very athletic for a center, and could be a Marcus Camby like player. Remember, the knicks now have the HOF coach too, Larry Brown. i am not going to say that the Bulls over achieved last year, for they got pretty far without Curry... But, I can't see them doing it again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MiamiBalla12:</div><div class="quote_post">You say the Bulls will win around 50 games next season, yet you put the Knicks who you said would win around 38 and the Wizards who you said would win around 45 over them.</div> Wrong, I said on average the 4 teams in the atlantic other than the Nets would win 38 games... The division standings I made in my second post I made kinda quick, I didn't look over each and ever detail. My bad. Remember, it's just my opinion. I am interested in hearing other peoples opinions. And Bobcats, I am used to the heat, I love tough love! Thanks for having me here guys!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Showtyme:</div><div class="quote_post">Wrong, I said on average the 4 teams in the atlantic other than the Nets would win 38 games... The division standings I made in my second post I made kinda quick, I didn't look over each and ever detail. My bad. Remember, it's just my opinion. I am interested in hearing other peoples opinions. And Bobcats, I am used to the heat, I love tough love! Thanks for having me here guys! </div> It's alright man, welcome to JBB
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MiamiBalla12:</div><div class="quote_post">It's alright man, welcome to JBB </div> Thanks, I came from NBAwire. I left that site because I got in my disagrements with the admin. I was a moderator with just over 2,500 posts. Do they have moderators on this site?
