West Watch Wolves Version

TaylorTag · Post #1 » by **TaylorTag** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:52 pm

Figured we could have a running thread devoted to the West teams.

My first take of the season on the Western Conference: I don't think the Mavericks have it. Think they are fighting for a play-in spot at this point.

I would also say I think we are better than Memphis, but I always feel that way and they seem to have our number the past half decade. Clippers are also in big trouble.

To start the year, my power rankings would look something like...

Phoenix
Lakers
Nuggets
Jazz
Golden State
Timberwolves
Memphis
Dallas
Portland
Clippers
Sacramento
Spurs
New Orleans
Houston
Oklahoma City

winforlose · Post #2 » by **winforlose** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:20 pm

MPLSwolves wrote:Figured we could have a running thread devoted to the West teams.

My first take of the season on the Western Conference: I don't think the Mavericks have it. Think they are fighting for a play-in spot at this point.

I would also say I think we are better than Memphis, but I always feel that way and they seem to have our number the past half decade. Clippers are also in big trouble.

To start the year, my power rankings would look something like...

Phoenix
Lakers
Nuggets
Jazz
Golden State
Timberwolves
Memphis
Dallas
Portland
Clippers
Sacramento
Spurs
New Orleans
Houston
Oklahoma City

I think the Pels actually go further down that list. Josh Hart having quad tendinitis, Zion missing a chunk of games then being on a minutes restriction. I see them having a similar situation to the Wolves last year. By the time they get healthy they have nothing left to play for. However, they own their own pick so they have incentive to tank. I also predict the Pacers are going to implode this season. Losing Melo and replacing him with Nance is basically the only real change. But Portland has motivation issues and with all the trade talk about moving CJ and other players in different packages, I see them starting badly and falling out of contention. Beyond that, I think a ton of it is who stays healthy and who plays who while people are out.

TaylorTag · Post #3 » by **TaylorTag** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:51 am

The Mavs look really bad. I am beginning to think Cuban hired Kidd just to have him tank for a year and then he will go and hire the coach he is actually targeting…

shrink · Post #4 » by **shrink** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 1:08 am

MPLSwolves wrote:The Mavs look really bad. I am beginning to think Cuban hired Kidd just to have him tank for a year and then he will go and hire the coach he is actually targeting…

If the Mavs start selling off assets, I think Maxi Kleber would look good here.

I could see the Blazers possibly falling apart too, and Nance or Covington would help.

Neeva · Post #5 » by **Neeva** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 1:12 am

You have phoenix way too high last year was a fluke.

winforlose · Post #6 » by **winforlose** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 1:55 am

Neeva wrote:You have phoenix way too high last year was a fluke.

CP3 sold his soul and most of his State Farm fortune to revive his career last season. That deal has clearly expired and he has turned back into an overpriced pumpkin. Without CP3 playing at an elite level they are doomed.

Post #7 » by **Calinks** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 2:02 am

Mavericks are very questionable and I have no faith in Kidd. Porland also seems suspect but they always do to me and they always make the playoffs. Kings might figure it out this season though I still think Walton is a bad coach.

Tukkerwolf · Post #8 » by **Tukkerwolf** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:24 am

Im not closely following the rest of the league (yet), but whats wrong with the Mavs, their records says they're ok?

BlacJacMac · Post #9 » by **BlacJacMac** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:49 pm

MPLSwolves wrote:The Mavs look really bad. I am beginning to think Cuban hired Kidd just to have him tank for a year and then he will go and hire the coach he is actually targeting…

He's making the mistake of letting Luka influence all his decisions.

Post #10 » by **Calinks** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 4:12 pm

Tukkerwolf wrote:Im not closely following the rest of the league (yet), but whats wrong with the Mavs, their records says they're ok?

In the games I have seen, they look like they are struggling hard, they have pulled some wins out, but I'm not confident that they will be a good team. At least not as good as they have been. I think we may be in the same league as them this season, maybe better. It's too early to know for sure but I like how our talent stacks up.

winforlose · Post #11 » by **winforlose** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:04 pm

So the Clippers without Leonard are looking very vulnerable right now. If we can win both and they lose a couple other tough games (Hornets and Blazers,) they could begin to adopt a tanking mindset (going 2-8 is not a great start.) Meanwhile the Spurs lack of star power is making them look like a dark horse for the western conference cellar.

If 11-15 are some version (not in order) of these teams, then the Wolves are looking at play in at least and much more likely a top 6 spot.

11. Spurs
12. Clippers
13. OKC
14. Rockets
15. Pelicans

Neeva · Post #12 » by **Neeva** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:16 pm

The west looks bad this season, which is good for the wolves. Even if Chet or Paolo would solve the biggest need.

life_saver · Post #13 » by **life_saver** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:07 pm

winforlose wrote:So the Clippers without Leonard are looking very vulnerable right now. If we can win both and they lose a couple other tough games (Hornets and Blazers,) they could begin to adopt a tanking mindset (going 2-8 is not a great start.) Meanwhile the Spurs lack of star power is making them look like a dark horse for the western conference cellar.

If 11-15 are some version (not in order) of these teams, then the Wolves are looking at play in at least and much more likely a top 6 spot.

11. Spurs
12. Clippers
13. OKC
14. Rockets
15. Pelicans

Clippers won't tank...OKC owns their draft pick and it's unprotected

winforlose · Post #14 » by **winforlose** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:42 pm

life_saver wrote:
winforlose wrote:So the Clippers without Leonard are looking very vulnerable right now. If we can win both and they lose a couple other tough games (Hornets and Blazers,) they could begin to adopt a tanking mindset (going 2-8 is not a great start.) Meanwhile the Spurs lack of star power is making them look like a dark horse for the western conference cellar.

If 11-15 are some version (not in order) of these teams, then the Wolves are looking at play in at least and much more likely a top 6 spot.

11. Spurs
12. Clippers
13. OKC
14. Rockets
15. Pelicans

Clippers won't tank...OKC owns their draft pick and it's unprotected

I didn’t know it was unprotected.

Post #15 » by **Calinks** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:56 pm

I suspect teams will figure it up in a month but yea, to start, the west is really shaky. I'd say there are only 2-3 teams that look really good. Everyone else is in a jumble. If the west stays like this and we keep up our strong play we could be looking at a top 5 seed.