How do you feel we stack up against the west?

[DLaren]

I can't put this core in the top-tier when up to this point they have proven themselves to be 2nd-tier.

Pierce is nice, Lance is nice, & I'm sure whoever else we sign will be nice...but we re-arrange the chairs on this Titanic every season and the results continue to be the same...early exits in the playoffs.

At some point we have to stop putting all of our hopes in whatever new players we acquire and realize we're only going as far CP3/Blake/DJ will take us. So, does our core belong up there with the other cores? Well, the core players for Golden State, San Antonio, Memphis, Houston, & OKC have all made it beyond the 2nd-round.

Based on talent, we're a top-tier team...based on results, we're probably not even in the 2nd-tier.

[nickhx2]

I can't put this core in the top-tier when up to this point they have proven themselves to be 2nd-tier.

Pierce is nice, Lance is nice, & I'm sure whoever else we sign will be nice...but we re-arrange the chairs on this Titanic every season and the results continue to be the same...early exits in the playoffs.

At some point we have to stop putting all of our hopes in whatever new players we acquire and realize we're only going as far CP3/Blake/DJ will take us. So, does our core belong up there with the other cores? Well, the core players for Golden State, San Antonio, Memphis, Houston, & OKC have all made it beyond the 2nd-round.

Based on talent, we're a top-tier team...based on results, we're probably not even in the 2nd-tier.

You're just falling prey to the narrative if you believe it's core based. Last year was the prime example. In fact, it was ALL that people talked about. I don't get how you can believe that it's all on cp3/blake/dj.

No core can do it alone. They are the foundation upon which you're built around. Teams that win it all have depth, and we had none. Doc let the team hang out to dry when he went after guys like mullens/jamison/granger/farmar/hawes, etc, when there were a plethora of guys who would have helped this team to a championship.

You are right, based on results this team doesn't belong in the top tier. But successful results are a function of the players you have on your roster from top to bottom. It's extremely unfair to say they don't belong otherwise.

[mttwlsn16]

I'd say 3rd, behind SAS and GSW.

[wassuphomeboy]

Very bullish. We can easily win as many games as the Warriors did last season. We not only upgraded the bench with quality, but we also filled the exact needs on the team as well.

[Goner]

Frankly, I don't understand all of the intrigue with San Antonio. The beauty and strength of their system-based play is that a no-namer can be plugged in and they will function just fine. The only problem with that is that Aldridge is the only square peg on that team. His ball stopping inefficiency seems to be strikingly opposed to what the Spurs have built over the years; albeit the West signing is a completely different story.

[Ranma]

While I think there are legitimate concerns as to how LaMarcus Aldridge's tendency to stop ball-movement will fit into the Spurs' system, I have to think Gregg Popovich will find a way to make it work with Aldridge's cooperation. This isn't at all like Carmelo Anthony's situation. Melo was primarily concerned with maximizing his monetary vaue while hoping for a fresh start in a new situation. Even as he was saying that he wanted to win, he hasn't been motivated to stray from his iso style of play where he cruises on his offensive talent.

Aldridge, on the other hand, sought out a winning organization while spurning the most money on the table in Portland. He thumbed his nose at the Lakers' pitch of worldwide exposure and extra-curricular opportunities and kept coming back to the Spurs, who only sold him on how their no-nonsense plan to win. I'd have to think that LMA is open to changing his game to fit the Spurs even as he transitions into breaking old habits. Plus, we all know Popovich is demanding of all his players to adhere to his system, so Aldridge will not be the exception.

Of course, there is a possibility this won't work, but given how everyone involved seems to be on the same page, I think San Antonio will find a way to have things running smoothly in short order. Even if things don't work out, the Spurs will be quick to identify the mismatch and trade him away just like they did with Tiago Splitter, but for an obviously higher return.

[Goner]

Well, I fully acknowledge the possibility of Aldridge falling into line, however I am still left with, what I believe to be, a healthy sense of skepticism regarding the situation actualizing. *If* Aldridge does play a more selfless style of basketball, then he wouldn't really be such a significant signing, as he made his name by being an inefficient and volume-style scorer. There is very little evidence, in my mind, that Aldridge can be a beneficial contributor without being such a player. What we do know is that he is a post player with a career sub 50% fg rate, a mark very poor for a big. The desire and willingness to be something different doesn't exactly imply the likelihood of becoming it.

[Ranma]

That's fair. Aldridge's FG% does seem to suffer from operating too much from the perimeter. Maybe he'll go through a Bosh-like experience where he'll have less of an impact (and lower stat numbers) but be a part of a more effective team. I don't expect him to totally change who he is, but maybe having Duncan operate primarily from the post will afford Aldridge more room to get more open shots, which may boost his FG% just a bit even as his total numbers across the board go down. We'll just have to see how this plays out.

[madmaxmedia]

For starters I want to refer people to this thread: http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=6&start=25#start_here

basically it's asking people who, out of LAC/MEM/HOU, deserves to be in the top tier with SA/GS/OKC.

To me I think we clearly already are in the top tier with the moves we made this offseason. I think pierce fixes a huge exploit where teams would cross match their SF onto our cp3 since matt barnes couldn't punish their PG. If we had pierce last year i think we take SA in 5 or 6. And obviously we break into the WCF in 4-5 games.

Now lance. To me, lance is gonna be our gamechanger. I know i'm just making an unfounded prediction but i just don't see how he doesn't find himself again with cp3/pierce/doc setting him straight. Pierce will go a loooooooooooooong way with him. With lance, wes johnson, and hopefully an improving austin rivers (who will now not exclusively have to play PG) I don't see our bench as a weakness anymore, which was what did us in all season long. I don't want to say our bench is a strength just yet but it sure looks a hell of a lot better than before. I think we're elite. And we can improve substantially if we sign darrell arthur/trade jamal.

But clearly, reading that thread, not everyone agrees, though to me, putting us on the same tier as houston is a complete joke. What do you guys think?

I think we are in the mix at the top, by the end of the season there will be surprises, injuries, and whatnot so I'm not worried about where we stand EXACTLY in relation to the other teams.

I am also hoping for really good things from Lance, that he might rejuvenate his career here. I think he needs both structure AND a leash, sorta like JR Smith. He's a very dynamic player for sure, and I think the combo of both him and Pierce fills out that wing scorer/creator that we've needed for the last few years. I love Redick but you can't have spot up shooter types at BOTH 2 and 3.

Every team has their hopes and ideal scenarios for the new season just like us, so who knows how it will all pan out. Last year we were all excited about Spencer Hawes, but I do think PP and Lance will work out for us.

[LACtdom]

A lot of 'what-ifs' but I'm optimistic that Lance, Pierce and Smith could be found money.

[og15]

Theoretically the team should be able to defend much better while still maintaining a high level offense, so that gives me more hope.

[Dynamix]

We 'bout to own the west...and the rest.

[mattd13]

I am optimistic especially with pierce and now josh. I think josh will respond to doc and the team. my only concern is the threesome of lance, Austin, and jamal. they look like an accident waiting to happen. I also like dawson. i hope he gets to play and replace one of the other three.

[Ranma]

Projecting the NBA Standings for the 2015-16 Season Using Win Shares

[og15]

In the West, any coasting through the regular season will hurt you. The Clippers as well as all other Western contenders will be fighting for the best playoffs spot possible, while obviously still trying to be healthy. Getting a 4th seed for example is a terrible place to be as you get possibly the hardest first round matchup, then you get to play the #1 seed in round 2.

[LACtdom]

In the West, any coasting through the regular season will hurt you. The Clippers as well as all other Western contenders will be fighting for the best playoffs spot possible, while obviously still trying to be healthy. Getting a 4th seed for example is a terrible place to be as you get possibly the hardest first round matchup, then you get to play the #1 seed in round 2.

If Doc is smart, he'll stagger our starters minutes and can give slightly more rest to our starters without sacrificing performance since we finally have bench players who can slot into the starting unit and not be a liability on defense. If we can build some team chemistry, we shouldn't even notice a drop in production if for example we play 3 starters and 2 bench guys on the court.