Poll: Yes its early ... but is the east finally better?

Hoop Heavy · Post #1 » by **Hoop Heavy** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 8:06 pm

As of today

East is 51 - 46

West is 42 - 47

It has been a very unexpected beginning. Many things may smooth out soon. The expected "better teams" getting it together, some of the upstarts falling off, and the refs calling a few more fouls. Still, it has been a couple of decades of the west dominating.

So without too much change, if the "rules correction" between offense and defense are maintained, doesn't that favour the east as the more defensive conference. Looks like some really one-sided trades may also be at play. If Washington is real, they absolutely robbed LA (who traded defensive and hustle guys for an inefficient offensive star). Don't forget NY and Thibs, if this is how we are playing defense, they are a contender. Then, the Raptors are 8th in the league in point differential without their so called best player and while having two rookies in the rotation - they are probably getting even better soon - the new normal?

Post #2 » by **Duke4life831** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 8:49 pm

I like it. We don’t usually see this thread till Christmas/New Years time. That is usually when we get the “East has caught up to the West” and we get to see the East vs West record.

Now ya year after year the thread ends up being wrong. But I’m all for getting an early jump on making the thread this year!

RoyceDa59 · Post #3 » by **RoyceDa59** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 8:52 pm

East is definitely improved.

Right now I think all current East ranked teams 1-8 will make the playoffs…

And then I realize Bucks, Celtics and Hawks are still on the outside looking in.

It’s gonna be a battle.

chilluminati · Post #4 » by **chilluminati** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 8:52 pm

The east is getting better for sure! They're trending up.

But I feel like there are quite a few western conf teams that are starting slow and will ramp up by the all star break, equaling things out a bit. On the other side, there are some East teams that are doing well right now, but I doubt it'll last *cough Chicago*.

MeloNY · Post #5 » by **MeloNY** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 9:28 pm

East is getting better because the refs are calling the game better. There are a lot more defensive oriented teams in the East and now defenders can actually defend without ticky tack fouls being called.

2020 · Post #6 » by **2020** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 9:56 pm

RoyceDa59 wrote:East is definitely improved.

Right now I think all current East ranked teams 1-8 will make the playoffs…

And then I realize Bucks, Celtics and Hawks are still on the outside looking in.

It’s gonna be a battle.

Do you really believe the Wizards are making the playoffs :crazy:

bbalnation · Post #7 » by **bbalnation** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 10:01 pm

The East will be a little worse than the West because of climate. Players want to be in warmer cities. In an era where you can choose where you work as a player and have that agency, players have the ability to choose their preferred cities in more ways than just free agency: asking for trades, high draft picks with preferred city destinations, signing with agents with more leverage over organizations (not just rich Paul hes 1 of many, ie CAA).

Most warm cities are out west. As a Raptor fan, we just saw Kawhi leave a topnotch executive, after winning a chip, and while I think being close to LA was a factor, I think not having to put up with the cold was a factor, especially when there's an unfamiliarity to it and an inability to **** around w winter sports as per the team contracts. If given a choice- why put up with it? Everyone has their preferences.

Despite the records, no. I think the teams ranked 3-12 out west are better than 3-12 out east.

RoyceDa59 · Post #8 » by **RoyceDa59** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 11:18 pm

2020 wrote:
RoyceDa59 wrote:East is definitely improved.

Right now I think all current East ranked teams 1-8 will make the playoffs…

And then I realize Bucks, Celtics and Hawks are still on the outside looking in.

It’s gonna be a battle.

Do you really believe the Wizards are making the playoffs

Had them near the bottom but upon closer inspection, there’s a chance. They picked up Kuzma, KCP and Harrell, all 3 with championship experience. Not to mention potential scoring champ in his prime Beal.

Also, they’re 5-1. Kinda crazy honestly.

Post #9 » by **The Rebel** » Mon Nov 1, 2021 11:33 pm

Are you really using overall records? From my count the east is ahead of the west 11-8 in interconference games. It is way to early to say that trend continues and my guess is the west stays well ahead by the end of the season.

Hoop Heavy · Post #10 » by **Hoop Heavy** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 12:44 am

The Rebel wrote:Are you really using overall records? From my count the east is ahead of the west 11-8 in interconference games. It is way to early to say that trend continues and my guess is the west stays well ahead by the end of the season.

I didn't realize this was so. That's compelling ... and how is it possible given their overall records. Anyway, it sure does change the conversation.

MTJazzv3 · Post #11 » by **MTJazzv3** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 1:03 am

The EC won the chip last year which is good for the game. In general I think we're edging towards more parity between the 2 conferences than the last couple decades. This early in the season there are certainly a lot of head scratchers going on but shizz doesn't get real until after the All-star break. Competition is good.

Marrrcuss · Post #12 » by **Marrrcuss** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 1:06 am

Hmmmm, as in the the first round matchups will be dangerous? No, but then again, they werent tougher in the west.

Damn near every year, the playoffs heat up in the second round for the contenders, outside of the 4-5 matchup.

But if youve used the "the east is so weak" as a justification for one's prolonged success making it out of the east, sure. it got better.

Post #13 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 1:17 am

None of the Western Conference teams are very threatening. The East with Giannis and the Miami Heat this season should concern the West.

If Klay Thompson returns healthy and productive for Golden State during the second half I will.consider them favorites in the West.

Otherwise, which team is a true threat to a healthy Giannis team or Miami?

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Post #14 » by **og15** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 1:22 am

MeloNY wrote:East is getting better because the refs are calling the game better. There are a lot more defensive oriented teams in the East and now defenders can actually defend without ticky tack fouls being called.

Out of the 10 top teams in Drtg so far, 6 are Western teams. Sample sizes are small still, but that doesn't support your hypothesis. On the other side too, out of the top 10 teams in Ortg so far, 6 are Eastern teams.

Hoop Heavy · Post #15 » by **Hoop Heavy** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 2:05 am

The Rebel wrote:Are you really using overall records? From my count the east is ahead of the west 11-8 in interconference games. It is way to early to say that trend continues and my guess is the west stays well ahead by the end of the season.

I read your comment incorrectly before. Yes, I think we are counting the same thing but with different numbers. My summing of the total records shows +5 to the East and -5 to the West. One of us has made a small error because my count says that the difference between the two numbers should be 5 and yours so the same number as 3.

Swish1906 · Post #16 » by **Swish1906** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 2:27 am

Injuries to important WC teams, thats it

BoatsNZones · Post #17 » by **BoatsNZones** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 2:52 am

HMFFL wrote:None of the Western Conference teams are very threatening. The East with Giannis and the Miami Heat this season should concern the West.

If Klay Thompson returns healthy and productive for Golden State during the second half I will.consider them favorites in the West.

Otherwise, which team is a true threat to a healthy Giannis team or Miami?

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The Bucks were a fairly weak Finals champion, and I'd argue a host of teams can challenge them. I would not look past the Lakers just because they're starting slow with a number of injuries and integrating one of the toughest players to do so in Westbrook (if they play their cards right with him he will still be a solid asset for them). We knew they would stumble out of the blocks. The Jazz are another team that at full health I would have over them. And I would bet things break right injury wise for either the Nuggets with Murray and/or the Warriors with Klay where they could take them down as well. Miami does look great and I could definitely see them as champs this year though. Brooklyn? Who the hell knows with them.

Ultimately, far too many question marks depending on injury (more so returns from injury) and potential trades (Philly, Brooklyn and Golden State all having the potential for big shakeups mid season) to know how this season will shake out champion wise. It's completely open. As is the annual "East > West?" debate. It does feel close this season though.

Spicy P · Post #18 » by **Spicy P** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 3:03 am

West teams are missing a lot of big players like Kawhi, Jamal Murray, Zion, Klay. East has been relatively healthy.

Vampirate · Post #19 » by **Vampirate** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 3:41 am

Spicy P wrote:West teams are missing a lot of big players like Kawhi, Jamal Murray, Zion, Klay. East has been relatively healthy.

The Bucks are juggernauts in the regular season (you can call them the Milwaukee Giannisses, they are that injured) and the Celtics are too talented to not make the playoffs, same with the Nets. The Raptors are a wild card.

Chicago definitely got better. Washington I need to see a larger sample size.

We'll see which teams are for real and which teams have just had hot starts as the season unfolds.

Pennebaker · Post #20 » by **Pennebaker** » Tue Nov 2, 2021 3:49 am

Defensive oriented teams will get smoked unless they also have a killer offense.

Defense no longer wins championships and it's been that way for many years now.

Who will have the best record this year - East or West?