RealGM

So in a recent thread concerning the next 11 games it dawned on me;

"Why does it feel like there are zero gimmes on the entire schedule?"

So I sat down and took a really good look at the standings and came to the conclusion that in terms of truly bad teams that I have zero concerns about winning (a gimme) there are only three teams where I don't bat an eye.

Philly, brooklyn, and the Lakers.

In the upcoming group of games we go on a west coast swing and even though every single one of those games are against .500 or under teams, they are still super competitive with really fine players. No "easy win if the guys play hard". This is not a symptom of finally having a good team to root for, the NBA is just super competitive right now in my opinion.

Milwaukee, despite their terrible record has a pretty decent home record (10-7) with a victory over Golden State to show for it. At 15-24 that should feel like an easy game but it just isnt.

Is this the most balanced and competitive the NBA has been in a really long time or is it just me?

Balanced? It's a three team league. Cleveland, SA or GW will win the title. Safe enough to bet your life on that really.

^Yeah, I have to agree with Kilo. If I was a betting man, those 3 would be in my top to take the title pretty easily.

But with the Western implosion from being too top heavy and the Eastern teams somehow getting better, it has created this environment which is more competitive in just regular playoff standings.

Of course, the year the Pistons got better, the East as a whole also had to get better too. You have to be almost a masochist to really love the Pistons at this rate.

Kilo wrote:Balanced? It's a three team league. Cleveland, SA or GW will win the title. Safe enough to bet your life on that really.

Well, that's the opposite of what I meant. Most of the teams are competitive instead of being road meat.

Your focusing to much on the top which I should have figured.

From top to bottom is the NBA at its most competitive? Not a two tough games in the next 11 but all tough really in the next 11.

Kilo wrote:Balanced? It's a three team league. Cleveland, SA or GW will win the title. Safe enough to bet your life on that really.

Well, that's the opposite of what I meant. Most of the teams are competitive instead of being road meat.

Your focusing to much on the top which I should have figured.

From top to bottom is the NBA at its most competitive? Not a two tough games in the next 11 but all tough really in the next 11.

I'm kinda leaning towards no simply based on the insane run that GS went on to start the year.

There is a lot of parity. You have a clear cut top 3, a clear cut bottom 3 and then 24 teams in the middle all battling it out every night.

Zeeb, it's more likely a matter of personal perspective. You, self-admittedly, had taken a step back from the Pistons for a number of years because you were tired of getting kicked in the crotch by our inept management and on-the-court product. Now that we're (at least kinda) back, the NBA looks like a friendlier, more competitive place. It probably is, too, but perception plays a large part in that.

Cowology wrote:There is a lot of parity. You have a clear cut top 3, a clear cut bottom 3 and then 24 teams in the middle all battling it out every night.

This - and it's not all by design.

Lebron determined the Cavs fate when he went home.

GSW & Spurs have quality management & despite having stars play more team ball (in my eyes)

Spreading the wealth allows teams to function at a higher level - as the 8th or 9th man for GSW or SA you know you're gonna get your shine at some point...for a lot of dudes in those slots elsewhere you're not viewed as being all that important in the grand scheme of things.

That impacts a dude mentally and at the NBA level the mental aspect makes a massive difference

Cowology wrote:There is a lot of parity. You have a clear cut top 3, a clear cut bottom 3 and then 24 teams in the middle all battling it out every night.

This - and it's not all by design.

Lebron determined the Cavs fate when he went home.

GSW & Spurs have quality management & despite having stars play more team ball (in my eyes)

Spreading the wealth allows teams to function at a higher level - as the 8th or 9th man for GSW or SA you know you're gonna get your shine at some point...for a lot of dudes in those slots elsewhere you're not viewed as being all that important in the grand scheme of things.

That impacts a dude mentally and at the NBA level the mental aspect makes a massive difference