RealGM

Was listening to a Lowe post this morning and this was one of the topics they discussed. I think its a really interesting question. With Milwaukee and Philly being the clear best two teams who has the best chance of being the 3rd?

Boston, clearly.

But next season Brooklyn will dump them with KD.

This season to be competitive with Celtics Indiana need fast Oladipo comeback with his 2017-18 shape since early start, which is not realistic. Miami can be competitive if they trade for Beal.

It's between Boston, Indiana and Toronto.

THE J0KER wrote:Boston, clearly.

But next season Brooklyn will dump them with KD.

This season to be competitive with Celtics Indiana need fast Oladipo comeback with his 2017-18 shape since early start, which is not realistic. Miami can be competitive if they trade for Beal.

I see nothing clear about Boston. They were a sub 50 win team last year that exchanged Kyrie and Horford for Walker. The hope, is that they have better chemistry. I see no reason that it's clear though

If Oladipo comes back healthy (which it looks like he will from everything I've seen), he'll be the 2nd best SG in the NBA like I said before and I'll take my Pacers. If not, I'll go with Toronto. I think they're being underrated here.

I really want to vote for Orlando as a Magic fan, but I can't do that.

Boston might be 3rd, but they lost not only Irving, but Horford as well. They replaced Irving with another great PG who won't cause locker room problems, but they haven't addressed losing Horford as well. Don't trust them as much as others do.

If Oladipo was healthy from the start, I'd say they're easily the 3rd best team. With him being out though, it's gonna be really tough for them on the standings.

The Raptors are the only other team I'm really thinking about here, but losing not only Kawhi, but Danny Green as well really hurts. Lowry and Gasol are getting up there in age as well. Siakam will have to be that star that they're hoping he can become for them to have a chance at 3rd.

It's actually a much tougher choice than I thought. I guess I'd have to go Boston by default, but don't sleep on the Raptors.

I have to say Boston as well... Pacers are always battling injuries and Raptors may also compete for HCA.

Heat, Nets, Magic and Pistons battle for 5-8.

It’ll be great to see what Kemba can achieve now that he’s left his Washington Generals situation.

Raptors are second best regular season team and 3rd best playoff team. Went 17-5 without Kawhi last year, Siakam’s improving at a very fast rate, will have full season with Gasol, and Anunoby will be 22 and healthy. They’re definitely more talented than Boston.

Lowry > Kemba
Powell < Brown
Siakam >> Tatum
Ibaka = Hayward
Gasol >>> Kanter

Van Vleet < Smart
Anunoby > Ojeleye

Toronto. Still have a good bench and fairly good starting 5 even when losing Kawhi and Danny Green.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Indiana's ceiling is not as high as Boston or Toronto's, but their floor is not as low either. I voted Boston, but I could see Toronto as 3, Indy 4, and Bos 5 just as easily.

I’m biased as an Indy fan, but I really believe the only thing holding us back is questions about Vic’s health.

There have been some rumors he might be ahead of schedule and could be ready to go at the start of the season, which could make or break the Pacers standing here.

MeestR wrote:Indiana's ceiling is not as high as Boston or Toronto's, but their floor is not as low either. I voted Boston, but I could see Toronto as 3, Indy 4, and Bos 5 just as easily.

Do Tatum/Brown really have a demonstrably higher ceiling than Turner/Sabonis?

I’m starting to feel that Tatum is a tad overhyped.

Raps, but a healthy Pacers team is quite formidable on paper

iggymcfrack wrote:Raptors are second best regular season team and 3rd best playoff team. Went 17-5 without Kawhi last year, Siakam’s improving at a very fast rate, will have full season with Gasol, and Anunoby will be 22 and healthy. They’re definitely more talented than Boston.

Lowry > Kemba
Powell < Brown
Siakam >> Tatum
Ibaka = Hayward
Gasol >>> Kanter

Van Vleet < Smart
Anunoby > Ojeleye

I'll take FVV over Smart any day of the week.

Celtics, but who knows, they might flop again. Raptors maybe

LoveMyRaps wrote:

iggymcfrack wrote:Raptors are second best regular season team and 3rd best playoff team. Went 17-5 without Kawhi last year, Siakam’s improving at a very fast rate, will have full season with Gasol, and Anunoby will be 22 and healthy. They’re definitely more talented than Boston.

Lowry > Kemba
Powell < Brown
Siakam >> Tatum
Ibaka = Hayward
Gasol >>> Kanter

Van Vleet < Smart
Anunoby > Ojeleye

I'll take FVV over Smart any day of the week.

I was trying to give the Celtics the benefit of the doubt thinking they must have the edge somewhere, but an = sign is probably more fair for those two.

I personally wouldn’t rule out any of these 6 teams finishing 3rd. Boston might have the edge but I think it’s going to be a dogfight all season. Orlando and Miami are both going to be better than last season while Boston, Toronto and Indiana look worse to me.

Based on how they've performed in the past, under Stevens, as underdogs, I'd say the Celtics are likely #3. But talent wise, the Raptors are easily as good as the Celtics.

IMF wrote:I’m biased as an Indy fan, but I really believe the only thing holding us back is questions about Vic’s health.

There have been some rumors he might be ahead of schedule and could be ready to go at the start of the season, which could make or break the Pacers standing here.

Where did you hear that. I'm a Pacers fan and really hoping VO can come back as soon as possible.

I don't know why people believe 76ers are a lock to finish top 2 in the East, especially when you consider Embiid's durability.
They have ZERO depth. Arguably one of the worst benches in the league. Embiid's gonna be forced to play big minutes and if he goes down, who's gonna step up? Kyle O'Quinn? LOOOL.

I honestly believe the Raptors and Celtics will finish with a better regular season record than Philly.

Add Philly to the poll if you're serious OP.