2nd best team in 2023

[Dr Positivity]

Who is 2nd best in a vacuum? Who would have won the title if Jokic went down with injury before the season?

[Colbinii]

Where is Boston?

I have them clearly better than Phoenix.

[eminence]

'Vacuum' - I like Boston. Championship is a different question, having injuries/trades play out similarly.

I'm not really sure the Heat were the 'best' squad in the East (certainly not clearly), but I'll leave it the same, so Miami is waiting in the Finals for our new look West:

1 Memphis vs 8 OKC - I've got Memphis here, even with all of their issues, JJJ looked good in the playoffs and OKC is lacking down low.

4 Clippers vs 5 GS - I don't see GS blowing it with LA imploding with injury.

3 Phoenix vs 6 Lakers - This is the toughest one, with Phoenix relatively healthy in round 1 I think they get this one.

2 Sacramento vs 7 Minnesota - Interesting one here, I'll give Sacramento the benefit of the doubt, but I see decent upset potential here.

Round 2:

1 Memphis vs 5 GS - I'm going GS similarly to last year, though I don't think either is as strong as their '22 versions.

2 Sacramento vs 3 Phoenix - CP3 goes down and Ayton is dinged, I can see it going either way. My gut tells me Phoenix has the experience to get by them.

WCF:

3 Phoenix vs 5 GS - Oh boy, a grudge match. I've got GS here, think their defense is more likely to disrupt Booker/KD than the Warriors more balanced attack.

Finals:

5 GS vs 8 Miami - I was pretty underwhelmed by Miami in the Finals, I think GS gets the repeat here.

[SK21209]

Milwaukee had the best record in the league but their net rating/SRS were like 5th best and they didn't look great even with Giannis against Miami. Boston had the best regular season metrics but their defense fell off a cliff after the first two Hawks playoff games. Suns, I don't know. Booker and KD are awesome but the rest of the roster isn't very good and Denver beat them comfortably in the 4 wins. The Lakers played the Nuggets tougher than the Suns but didn't win any of the games. I'm a homer so I'll say its the Lakers or the Celtics.

[Doctor MJ]

Who is 2nd best in a vacuum? Who would have won the title if Jokic went down with injury before the season?

I'll say Lakers because I'd favor them against the Nuggets' other opponents.

I think the 2nd best team over the course of the year was the Celtics, but since Jokic didn't actually stop them from winning the title, doesn't seem like they're really what you're thinking about.

[Doctor MJ]

'Vacuum' - I like Boston. Championship is a different question, having injuries/trades play out similarly.

I'm not really sure the Heat were the 'best' squad in the East (certainly not clearly), but I'll leave it the same, so Miami is waiting in the Finals for our new look West:

1 Memphis vs 8 OKC - I've got Memphis here, even with all of their issues, JJJ looked good in the playoffs and OKC is lacking down low.

4 Clippers vs 5 GS - I don't see GS blowing it with LA imploding with injury.

3 Phoenix vs 6 Lakers - This is the toughest one, with Phoenix relatively healthy in round 1 I think they get this one.

2 Sacramento vs 7 Minnesota - Interesting one here, I'll give Sacramento the benefit of the doubt, but I see decent upset potential here.

Round 2:

1 Memphis vs 5 GS - I'm going GS similarly to last year, though I don't think either is as strong as their '22 versions.

2 Sacramento vs 3 Phoenix - CP3 goes down and Ayton is dinged, I can see it going either way. My gut tells me Phoenix has the experience to get by them.

WCF:

3 Phoenix vs 5 GS - Oh boy, a grudge match. I've got GS here, think their defense is more likely to disrupt Booker/KD than the Warriors more balanced attack.

Finals:

5 GS vs 8 Miami - I was pretty underwhelmed by Miami in the Finals, I think GS gets the repeat here.

Fascinating and plausible.

[DQuinn1575]

I took Bucks over Celtics

[MyUniBroDavis]

If Jokic is hurt Lakers would have destroyed Miami lol, Miami made it through ridiculous shooting and beat the bucks through a jimmy miracle but jimmy being hobbled + that shooting being gone means they’re basically playing on heart lol

Suns went way more monty with everything than Young so I’m not too worried about them either.

Celtics were the second best team though I think they’re by far the most talented the roster is ridiculous

Bucks healthy are the best team including the Nuggets imo

[One_and_Done]

If everyone was healthy? Denver has a good case.

[OhayoKD]

Who is 2nd best in a vacuum? Who would have won the title if Jokic went down with injury before the season?

I'll say Lakers because I'd favor them against the Nuggets' other opponents.

I think the 2nd best team over the course of the year was the Celtics, but since Jokic didn't actually stop them from winning the title, doesn't seem like they're really what you're thinking about.

series point-differential would support you there, though it feels wrong not to give this to miami given they took a game from the champs and beat the two best regular season teams to get there.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Oh also healthy Clippers would absolutely and utterly wash everyone but they make us seem healthy in comparison lmao

[OhayoKD]

Oh also healthy Clippers would absolutely and utterly wash everyone but they make us seem healthy in comparison lmao

Westbrook still a certified playoff-riser. Love to see it.

[OhayoKD]

'Vacuum' - I like Boston. Championship is a different question, having injuries/trades play out similarly.

I'm not really sure the Heat were the 'best' squad in the East (certainly not clearly), but I'll leave it the same, so Miami is waiting in the Finals for our new look West:

1 Memphis vs 8 OKC - I've got Memphis here, even with all of their issues, JJJ looked good in the playoffs and OKC is lacking down low.

4 Clippers vs 5 GS - I don't see GS blowing it with LA imploding with injury.

3 Phoenix vs 6 Lakers - This is the toughest one, with Phoenix relatively healthy in round 1 I think they get this one.

2 Sacramento vs 7 Minnesota - Interesting one here, I'll give Sacramento the benefit of the doubt, but I see decent upset potential here.

Round 2:

1 Memphis vs 5 GS - I'm going GS similarly to last year, though I don't think either is as strong as their '22 versions.

2 Sacramento vs 3 Phoenix - CP3 goes down and Ayton is dinged, I can see it going either way. My gut tells me Phoenix has the experience to get by them.

WCF:

3 Phoenix vs 5 GS - Oh boy, a grudge match. I've got GS here, think their defense is more likely to disrupt Booker/KD than the Warriors more balanced attack.

Finals:

5 GS vs 8 Miami - I was pretty underwhelmed by Miami in the Finals, I think GS gets the repeat here.

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

[SHAQ32]

Other (Bucks)

[eminence]

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

KD is 'only' 34.

But anywho, it was comparing the Suns to the 2nd series Suns where CP3 isn't there at all. I don't think Minnesota/Miami's missing dudes were any more important than CP3. Lakers certainly could win it.

[rk2023]

Other was my vote, in favor of Boston

[MyUniBroDavis]

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

KD is 'only' 34.

But anywho, it was comparing the Suns to the 2nd series Suns where CP3 isn't there at all. I don't think Minnesota/Miami's missing dudes were any more important than CP3. Lakers certainly could win it.

I don’t know if I agree with this to be honest, Miami had a big issue in the halfcourt with Jimmy having no lift and no herro, the wolves certainly aren’t better even if they are healthy but I’d definately say mcdaniels over cp3 at this point

In any case I don’t think we take out injuries here lol, if we did Clippers wipe everyone

[rk2023]

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

KD is 'only' 34.

But anywho, it was comparing the Suns to the 2nd series Suns where CP3 isn't there at all. I don't think Minnesota/Miami's missing dudes were any more important than CP3. Lakers certainly could win it.

As Ohayo alluded to, I also personally think that two compromised superstars (of course James more-so than Davis) is eating at added value more than 4.25 games of no CP3

[OhayoKD]

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

KD is 'only' 34.

But anywho, it was comparing the Suns to the 2nd series Suns where CP3 isn't there at all. I don't think Minnesota/Miami's missing dudes were any more important than CP3. Lakers certainly could win it.

I don’t know if I agree with this to be honest, Miami had a big issue in the halfcourt with Jimmy having no lift and no herro, the wolves certainly aren’t better even if they are healthy but I’d definately say mcdaniels over cp3 at this point

In any case I don’t think we take out injuries here lol, if we did Clippers wipe everyone

Doubt

[MyUniBroDavis]

"Relatively healthy" is a pretty odd caveat for the suns given they were playing two 35+ year olds more minutes than nearly anyone.

The Lakers best two players were carrying-surgery demanding injuries. The Clippers were without their 2 best players for most of their matchup. The Suns did win the most games vs Denver, but they were also outscored by a higher margin than any other team(suns lost by 8.9 points, min lost by 8.8 points, miami lost by 8.2 points, Lakers by 6 points). Possible that's closer if Chris-Paul is there, but Minesotta and Miami had more significant absences and the Lakers best offensive and defensive players were playing on a typical season-ender and something you're supposed to get surgery for respectively

KD is 'only' 34.

But anywho, it was comparing the Suns to the 2nd series Suns where CP3 isn't there at all. I don't think Minnesota/Miami's missing dudes were any more important than CP3. Lakers certainly could win it.

As Ohayo alluded to, I also personally think that two compromised superstars (of course James more-so than Davis) is eating at added value more than 4.25 games of no CP3

I don’t think the original question was if everyone was healthy or that Em was saying that though


While I’m currently hating on AD it’s worth saying the stress reaction showed no signs of healing or improvement awhile after he was back, and he kind of started putting up stinkers in a row near the end there