Jazzfan1971's Preseason Commentary

[EvanZ]

Well, Denver won 10 more games last season. So, it's not that much of a stretch is it?

One of the main reasons they won 10 more games is they added Iguodala, who was their best player. Their second best player, Gallinari, is probably out until January.

So yeah, I think it's quite a stretch.

But they have Hickson now and they'll be playing McGee heavy minutes.

Nothing can go wrong there

Wait a second, two jazz fans disagreeing?

[jazzfan1971]

It's always a good idea when writing an article like this to have at least one controversial opinion. It'll generate some conversation. Plus if you end up right you have something to hang your hat on. I guess GS is my controversial opinion. I've looked hard at it, and I'm just not willing to backpedal. For the reasons I stated, loss of Jack and Landry and probable injuries to Bogut and possible injury to Curry, I believe that the Ws are going to have a similar record in the regular season this year as last.

I feel a little like the captain of the titanic with this opinion, but, this opinion is unsinkable, right?

[EntropyPR]

I can't believe a healthy Dirk for a full season gives Dallas 4 more wins according to the OP. He may be "old" but his shot is still there, at the tail end of last season Dirk got his shot back and was getting to the Dirk we knew offensive wise, his averages were down because 29 missed games, about 10-20 getting back in his groove. He only got better right after the All-Star break. Sure the West is deep as hell but this is Dirk we are talking about and him = 4 more wins, with a slightly better roster than last year is bad.

[jazzfan1971]

Last game I watched Dirk I was very unimpressed. It was the final game against Houston I believe. The season was on the line. If Dallas lost that game they were virtually if not mathematically eliminated. And Dirk was nearly invisible coming down the stretch in that game. He didn't want to shoot. He didnt' want the ball. He just let his team slip into a loss with hardly a struggle.

I've seen Dirk go beast mode more times than I have phalanges so it was very disheartening to watch him be so passive in such a meaningful game.

But, long story short, only 3 teams in the West are going to be out of the playoff run. That means 4 teams are going to be disappointed come the end of the season. And I have Dallas as the very last team to not quite get there.

[EvanZ]

For the reasons I stated, loss of Jack and Landry and probable injuries to Bogut and possible injury to Curry, I believe that the Ws are going to have a similar record in the regular season this year as last.

I don't believe injuries should play a role in predictions unless you know for a fact that a player is already injured. The fact is Curry and Bogut are coming into this season as close to 100% as they've been in several seasons. If anything, this should boost predictions of GSW's win total, not lower it. Just doesn't make any rational sense.

[jazzfan1971]

Well, when you've got an injury history like Bogut, I think you make exceptions.

I don't think it'll make too much difference either way. Even without injuries factored in I still wouldn't bump your slot in the standings beyond switching places with Denver. So, even in a best case scenario I'd still put San Antonio, OKC, LAC, Memphis, and Houston in head of you. So, we're really arguing about a 6th or 7th seed.

[EvanZ]

So, even in a best case scenario I'd still put San Antonio, OKC, LAC, Memphis, and Houston in head of you. So, we're really arguing about a 6th or 7th seed.

Denver is going to struggle mightily just to make the playoffs, even if they're completely healthy.

BTW, can you honestly tell me you don't have a grudge against GSW?

[jazzfan1971]

I don't think I have a grudge as much as want your draft pick to be high as possible.

I've never been one that was bothered by your tank last year, I thought it was smart.

[ImSlower]

I am enjoying coming back to this thread. Thanks for putting the work in.

The GSW degrading is an interesting opinion. I would not be surprised if it happened - the West is just really tough this year, looks like.

Now, Ricky Rubio? Dude sure is fun to watch, I'll give you that. But that is one healthy mancrush you have to put him above what I consider the strongest position in the league right now.

[E-Balla]

I should have watched the Knicks play more last year. The only game I remember was the Knicks came to Utah on the tail end of a 5 game Western Conference swing on the back end of a back to back missing 3 of their starters and handed the Jazz (or as I like to call them the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked) a loss. And to be honest I don't remember how the Knicks managed to beat us. It's like they had some smoke over here and some mirrors over there and when it was all over with they walked out with a win.

It was Cope. He killed that game.



Also 11 teams over 50 wins? No way. Also I think you kinda shorted the Knicks. Last season went horrible for them and they still won 54 games. 51 games is a good estimate but considering you have them 10th they're still a bit short.

[jazzfan1971]

10th in the league tho. Which of the following teams do you figure they'll get more wins?

Chicago?
Brooklyn?
Miami?
Indiana?
San Antonio?
OKC?
Memphis?
Clippers?
Houston?

Seems to me they are clearly behind those 9 teams.

[Trader_Joe]

10th in the league tho. Which of the following teams do you figure they'll get more wins?

Chicago?
Brooklyn?
Miami?
Indiana?
San Antonio?
OKC?
Memphis?
Clippers?
Houston?

Seems to me they are clearly behind those 9 teams.

I could see them winning more games than Memphis or Chicago.

Memphis - lost Hollins, didn't really get better, Prince and Randolph could decline.

Chicago - wants to focus on the post-season so I can see Thibs taking it easy during the regular season..or he rides them again and everyone is banged up post all star break. I know Rose is coming back but they had the best record 2 seasons back with him missing half the season. I'm not sure he's going to equate to a large spike in regular season wins. Chicago is the better team, but I can see NY winning more RS games.

Plus, the pressure will be on NY (and BK) to keep up with each other. The last thing Dolan wants is to get overshadowed by the Nets.

But, I'm not saying they will, and I think you have them ranked appropriately.

[floppymoose]

I don't believe injuries should play a role in predictions unless you know for a fact that a player is already injured. The fact is Curry and Bogut are coming into this season as close to 100% as they've been in several seasons. If anything, this should boost predictions of GSW's win total, not lower it. Just doesn't make any rational sense.

I just don't have any reason to think Bogut can last, even if he's 100% now. And I doubt GS gets more games out of Curry this year, so there is no more upside there, only downside. Add in having fewer healthy bodies to run out there at center and I think GS will tread water, and maybe even get worse.

They'll still be able to beat anyone at home though, on whatever nights Curry and Bogut are healthy. If they are healthy in the playoffs, no team is safe.

[Ugly0598]

I disagree with 1971's opinion on the Warriors, but I think it's funny everyone uses the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card.

[NuWarriors]

I disagree with 1971's opinion on the Warriors, but I think it's funny everyone uses the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card.

Who pulled that card? I don't see that anywhere in this thread. I think it's funny that you pulled out the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card, Card.

[Blount]

10th in the league tho. Which of the following teams do you figure they'll get more wins?

Chicago?
Brooklyn?
Miami?
Indiana?
San Antonio?
OKC?
Memphis?
Clippers?
Houston?

Seems to me they are clearly behind those 9 teams.

I could see them winning more games than Memphis or Chicago.

Memphis - lost Hollins, didn't really get better, Prince and Randolph could decline.

Chicago - wants to focus on the post-season so I can see Thibs taking it easy during the regular season..or he rides them again and everyone is banged up post all star break. I know Rose is coming back but they had the best record 2 seasons back with him missing half the season. I'm not sure he's going to equate to a large spike in regular season wins. Chicago is the better team, but I can see NY winning more RS games.

Plus, the pressure will be on NY (and BK) to keep up with each other. The last thing Dolan wants is to get overshadowed by the Nets.

But, I'm not saying they will, and I think you have them ranked appropriately.

They also had 62 wins when he played the full season 3 years ago.

[Trader_Joe]

10th in the league tho. Which of the following teams do you figure they'll get more wins?

Chicago?
Brooklyn?
Miami?
Indiana?
San Antonio?
OKC?
Memphis?
Clippers?
Houston?

Seems to me they are clearly behind those 9 teams.

I could see them winning more games than Memphis or Chicago.

Memphis - lost Hollins, didn't really get better, Prince and Randolph could decline.

Chicago - wants to focus on the post-season so I can see Thibs taking it easy during the regular season..or he rides them again and everyone is banged up post all star break. I know Rose is coming back but they had the best record 2 seasons back with him missing half the season. I'm not sure he's going to equate to a large spike in regular season wins. Chicago is the better team, but I can see NY winning more RS games.

Plus, the pressure will be on NY (and BK) to keep up with each other. The last thing Dolan wants is to get overshadowed by the Nets.

But, I'm not saying they will, and I think you have them ranked appropriately.

They also had 62 wins when he played the full season 3 years ago.

In a much weaker East, with a much better bench when Noah, Boozer, Deng had a lot less miles on them and Thibs had a defense that hadn't been seen or scouted yet.

[Ugly0598]

I disagree with 1971's opinion on the Warriors, but I think it's funny everyone uses the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card.

Who pulled that card? I don't see that anywhere in this thread. I think it's funny that you pulled out the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card, Card.

A couple posters earlier in the first couple pages mentioned that he's a Jazz fan so of course he wanted/put the Warriors lower.

[Blount]

I could see them winning more games than Memphis or Chicago.

Memphis - lost Hollins, didn't really get better, Prince and Randolph could decline.

Chicago - wants to focus on the post-season so I can see Thibs taking it easy during the regular season..or he rides them again and everyone is banged up post all star break. I know Rose is coming back but they had the best record 2 seasons back with him missing half the season. I'm not sure he's going to equate to a large spike in regular season wins. Chicago is the better team, but I can see NY winning more RS games.

Plus, the pressure will be on NY (and BK) to keep up with each other. The last thing Dolan wants is to get overshadowed by the Nets.

But, I'm not saying they will, and I think you have them ranked appropriately.

They also had 62 wins when he played the full season 3 years ago.

In a much weaker East, with a much better bench when Noah, Boozer, Deng had a lot less miles on them and Thibs had a defense that hadn't been seen or scouted yet.

All hearsay

[NuWarriors]

I disagree with 1971's opinion on the Warriors, but I think it's funny everyone uses the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card.

Who pulled that card? I don't see that anywhere in this thread. I think it's funny that you pulled out the "OH HE'S A JAZZ FAN & WE HAVE THEIR UNPROTECTED DRAFT PICK" card, Card.

A couple posters earlier in the first couple pages mentioned that he's a Jazz fan so of course he wanted/put the Warriors lower.

Nope, didn't happen. Only one poster mentioned that the Jazz fan was holding a grudge... twice, but that was because of the tank. You made the other part up.