Official West Conference Prediction Thread - updated 10/25/16

[bondom34]

I may cry if the Kings are better than OKC and they win 37 games.

[Catchall]

I may cry if the Kings are better than OKC and they win 37 games.

Yeah, I'm probably too low here. Maybe more like 41 or 42 wins? But the situation is very similar to two years ago where the Thunder barely missed the POs, and there's more parity in the league now. Basically, the Thunder are dropping by 15 - 18 wins and dolling out about 10 of those wins to other WC teams.

I'm interested to see how Westbrook and Oladipo play together. Neither is a stellar outside shooter, but they're athletic as ****.

[bondom34]

I may cry if the Kings are better than OKC and they win 37 games.

Yeah, I'm probably too low here. Maybe more like 41 or 42 wins? But the situation is very similar to two years ago where the Thunder barely missed the POs, and there's more parity in the league now. I'm interested to see how Westbrook and Oladipo play together. Neither is a stellar outside shooter, but they're athletic as ****.

They won 45 then, and I don't see the parity. GSW got better, but that decreased parity. They should reasonably be top 5-6 at worst. Vegas has them like 4th but I kinda think that's generous.

[Catchall]

Well, by parity I mean that Portland, Utah, Minnesota and Sacramento are all better than they were 2 years ago, while Houston, Memphis and Dallas have stagnated. So you've got more teams bunched into the 38 - 45 win range. The Thunder is probably in that group too. Plus the Eastern Conference has more parity as a few of those teams have improved.

Last year, the scheduled losses to the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder skewed everyone else's win total in the WC by an extra 5+ games. Those teams were all dominant and head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference. The Thunder losing Durant is probably going to give other WC teams an extra win or two compared to last year right off the bat.

[Catchall]

I also think losing Ibaka is going to be a step back defensively in the near term. You're going to have to play Kanter more minutes.

[bondom34]

But Oladipo is better than Waiters on the perimeter. On offense too. And Ibaka missed over a month 2 years ago. Adams missed time too, they were top 1-2 in the league in missed games that year. Everyone was out.

Edit: Yeah, Serge missed 18 games, Roberson 15, Adams 12, Collison 16, Westbrook 15. The rest are weird because there were a ton of trades.

[Catchall]

But Oladipo is better than Waiters on the perimeter. On offense too. And Ibaka missed over a month 2 years ago. Adams missed time too, they were top 1-2 in the league in missed games that year. Everyone was out.

Right. Westbrook missed significant time too that season. I think what's most likely to happen this year is that Westbrook gets traded to a team he'll re-sign with, and the Thunder will try to get whatever haul they can for him. It's very likely they'll hit the reset button if they don't think they can realistically compete this year. Just guessing. But I can't see them losing Westbrook and KD for nothing in return. At least get some extra picks and cap relief.

[bondom34]

Well, by parity I mean that Portland, Utah, Minnesota and Sacramento are all better than they were 2 years ago, while Houston, Memphis and Dallas have stagnated. So you've got more teams bunched into the 38 - 45 win range. The Thunder is probably in that group too. Plus the Eastern Conference has more parity as a few of those teams have improved.

Last year, the scheduled losses to the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder skewed everyone else's win total in the WC by an extra 5+ games. Those teams were all dominant and head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference. The Thunder losing Durant is probably going to give other WC teams an extra win or two compared to last year right off the bat.

Portland is worse than 2 years ago. They just exceeded expectation last year, but still won fewer games. The Jazz are a bit better, Denver and Minnesota are slightly improved but too young to be very good.

[Catchall]

Well, by parity I mean that Portland, Utah, Minnesota and Sacramento are all better than they were 2 years ago, while Houston, Memphis and Dallas have stagnated. So you've got more teams bunched into the 38 - 45 win range. The Thunder is probably in that group too. Plus the Eastern Conference has more parity as a few of those teams have improved.

Last year, the scheduled losses to the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder skewed everyone else's win total in the WC by an extra 5+ games. Those teams were all dominant and head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference. The Thunder losing Durant is probably going to give other WC teams an extra win or two compared to last year right off the bat.

Portland is worse than 2 years ago. They just exceeded expectation last year, but still won fewer games. The Jazz are a bit better, Denver and Minnesota are slightly improved but too young to be very good.

I think Portland will be within a few games of where they were two years ago (51 wins in 2015). The teams that have slipped are Memphis and Houston compared to two years ago. Those were 55+ win teams. Mavericks are basically a .500 team now, down from 50+ wins. There are going to be a bunch of teams in that 38 - 45-win range. I see OKC in that pack if they don't make a significant move, but time will tell.

[jeromyisceltics]

1. Golden State
2. LA Clippers
3. Portland
4. San Antonio
5. Houston
6. Utah
7.Oklahoma City
8. Memphis
9. Minnesota
10. Denver
11. New Orleans
12. Dallas
13. LA Lakers
14. Sacramento
15. Phoenix

[bondom34]

Well, by parity I mean that Portland, Utah, Minnesota and Sacramento are all better than they were 2 years ago, while Houston, Memphis and Dallas have stagnated. So you've got more teams bunched into the 38 - 45 win range. The Thunder is probably in that group too. Plus the Eastern Conference has more parity as a few of those teams have improved.

Last year, the scheduled losses to the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder skewed everyone else's win total in the WC by an extra 5+ games. Those teams were all dominant and head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference. The Thunder losing Durant is probably going to give other WC teams an extra win or two compared to last year right off the bat.

Portland is worse than 2 years ago. They just exceeded expectation last year, but still won fewer games. The Jazz are a bit better, Denver and Minnesota are slightly improved but too young to be very good.

I think Portland will be within a few games of where they were two years ago (51 wins in 2015). The teams that have slipped are Memphis and Houston compared to two years ago. Those were 55+ win teams. Mavericks are basically a .500 team now, down from 50+ wins. There are going to be a bunch of teams in that 38 - 45-win range. I see OKC in that pack if they don't make a significant move, but time will tell.

38 should be way low, I put 42 as way low end, if they get a decent forward 50 is workable to me. Close w Houston,Memphis, Utah, Portland, maybe Dallas is there. We'll see though as you said, but 37 felt way low. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[SouthernFried]

This dude really wrote that the Nuggets are going to win 11 games. I don't even know what to say.

If you disagree, then I'd love to be refuted. Not everyone can be the Spurs or the Mavs. The Nuggets are in a rebuilding phase that's looking to last for a while. They have bright spots in Murray and Gallo, but 2 men can only do so much.

[SouthernFried]

But Oladipo is better than Waiters on the perimeter. On offense too. And Ibaka missed over a month 2 years ago. Adams missed time too, they were top 1-2 in the league in missed games that year. Everyone was out.

Edit: Yeah, Serge missed 18 games, Roberson 15, Adams 12, Collison 16, Westbrook 15. The rest are weird because there were a ton of trades.

Your team should invest in better training staff/doctors. I think a lot of the last 5 years' headaches can be solved through that.

[bondom34]

But Oladipo is better than Waiters on the perimeter. On offense too. And Ibaka missed over a month 2 years ago. Adams missed time too, they were top 1-2 in the league in missed games that year. Everyone was out.

Edit: Yeah, Serge missed 18 games, Roberson 15, Adams 12, Collison 16, Westbrook 15. The rest are weird because there were a ton of trades.

Your team should invest in better training staff/doctors. I think a lot of the last 5 years' headaches can be solved through that.

[wablty]

1. Golden State
2. San Antonio
3. LAC
4. Memphis
5. Oklahoma City
6. Minnesota
7. Portland
8. Utah

9. Denver
10. Dallas
11. Houston
12. New Orleans
13. Sacramento
14. Phoenix
15. Los Angeles

I think this is the year we start to see some cracks in the old guard with Dallas and Houston starting to fade from age and roster depletion. Memphis seems a bit high but I think they've got another year or two in them if they can get healthy for a decent stretch.

[Riko]

This dude really wrote that the Nuggets are going to win 11 games. I don't even know what to say.

If you disagree, then I'd love to be refuted. Not everyone can be the Spurs or the Mavs. The Nuggets are in a rebuilding phase that's looking to last for a while. They have bright spots in Murray and Gallo, but 2 men can only do so much.

Denver won 33 games this year without chandler and with a roster full of young player. And yes, denver have only two men but not in the roster, in every single position:
Mudiay-murray
Harris-barton
Gallinari-chandler
Faried-arthur
Jokic-nurkic

Denver will win 11 games... in the first 25 games overall (at worst)

[Cornbread]

This dude really wrote that the Nuggets are going to win 11 games. I don't even know what to say.

If you disagree, then I'd love to be refuted. Not everyone can be the Spurs or the Mavs. The Nuggets are in a rebuilding phase that's looking to last for a while. They have bright spots in Murray and Gallo, but 2 men can only do so much.

11 wins would put them on the list of historically bad teams. They have enough talent to prevent that, and it goes way beyond Murray and Gallo. Jokic and Nurkic are one of the best young center combos in the league. Jokic especially has all NBA upside. Mudiay is a really good young player, as is Harris. Faried can do enough at the four to win a few games.

I can see them struggling at times because they are so young and I don't suspect they make the playoffs, but 11 wins is like a first percentile projection. They almost certainly exceed that.

[nakiki]

This dude really wrote that the Nuggets are going to win 11 games. I don't even know what to say.

If you disagree, then I'd love to be refuted. Not everyone can be the Spurs or the Mavs. The Nuggets are in a rebuilding phase that's looking to last for a while. They have bright spots in Murray and Gallo, but 2 men can only do so much.

Nikola Jokic. Remember the name.

[hedo15]

Warriors
Spurs
Clippers
Blazers
Jazz
Rockets
Thunder
Wolves

Grizzlies
Mavs
Lakers
Nuggets
Pelicans
Suns
Kings

[ken6199]

This dude really wrote that the Nuggets are going to win 11 games. I don't even know what to say.

If you disagree, then I'd love to be refuted. Not everyone can be the Spurs or the Mavs. The Nuggets are in a rebuilding phase that's looking to last for a while. They have bright spots in Murray and Gallo, but 2 men can only do so much.

Nikola Jokic. Remember the name.

It's not about the salary. It's all about reality and making some noise.