Category Archives: Predictions

Predicting the Top 8 in the Western Conference in 2013/14

by in 2013 - 14 NBA Season, Basketball, Grizzlies, JamesO, National Basketball Association, NBA, Nuggets, Predictions, Spurs, Top 8 | Leave a comment
  The Western Conference Predicted Top 8.

(Assuming all players projected to be healthy by the start of the season are healthy and play well) *As of 08/09/13




8. Denver Nuggets

Initially I wanted to keep the #3 from last year out of the Western Conference playoffs this year. They lost their coach and best player. Usually that does not bode well, but Denver solved this problem. Brian Shaw was the best available coach and they went out and got him. They also signed Nate Robinson and JJ Hickson, two high energy solid players. Denver is still a young, athletic team, that can run 12 deep. Also there home court advantage cannot go on noticed. Look for Denver to get it to the playoffs this season.

New Sheriff in Town, Brian Shaw looks to implement his philosophies on the exciting Nuggets squad. (via CBSDenver)

 

7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Look for the T-Wolves to make the playoffs since Kevin Garnett left. Last season was decimated by injury. Love and Rubio to start the season healthy. Minnesota has a great balance of size inside, shooters and point guard play. If they can play some defense look for them to make the playoffs this season.





DPOY, Marc Gasol, helped lead the Grizz to the WCF last season


6. Memphis Grizzlies


It is really hard for me to put Memphis this low, but I cannot put them any higher. I do not understand firing your head coach after making it to the conference finals. This Grizz remain virtually the same team, while the top 5 teams all improved. Memphis may be the 6th seed, but they are far from an easy out in the playoffs.

5. Golden State Warriors

Many people want to put the Warriors in the top 4 in the West this season. Golden State is the trendy pick to make the finals, I see it a little different. The lose of Carl Landry and Jared Jack cannot go unnoticed, but they did sign Andre Igoudala.  With the addition of A.I. Barnes will be moved to the bench. Look for Barnes to excel as a 6th man and Kent Bazemore grow up before our eyes. I like Golden State this year and see them battling with Houston in the first round.

Steph Curry and Andre Iguodala, now teammates in the Golden State. (via smimg)


4. Houston Rockets

Did signing Dwight Howard make the Rockets the over-whelming favorites to win the West? No – but it did make them a legitimate contender. Look for Harden and Howard to develop a great inside-out game. Houston will be the same run and gun team, but now they have brought an elite defender, to help slow down there opponents.

VIDEO: Rockets’ Rank In Western Conference?


3. San Antonio Spurs
Look for the defending Western Conference Champions to be a legitimate contender again. Look for Pop to expand Kahwi Leonard’s role on offense and Tim Duncan to be the same steady Tim Duncan. Ginobli will play less minutes and stay fresh for the playoffs. You can never count out San Antonio as long as Pop is the coach and Tim Duncan is on the Roster.

SO CLOSE: The Big Fundamental will be looking for vindication, and Ring #5. (via NBA)



2. Oklahoma City Thunder


OKC has the best player in the Western Conference, Kevin Durant. Look for KD and Westbrook to come out firing next season. Jeremy Lamb and Reggie Jackson will both have expanded roles and be key to their success. The Thunder are the most balanced team in the NBA. They can run with anyone or grind out a win against anyone. Look for them to battle for the Western Conference Championship.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

This is my most controversial pick. The most under-rated and best move of the off-season was the LA Clippers bringing in the 2nd best coach in the league, Doc Rivers. The Clippers re-signed CP3 and surrounded him with shooters. Blake Griffin has taking a lot of criticism this off-season, look for him to have his best season as a pro. I am going out on a limb, but I really like The Clippers winning the west this year.


The West has always been a strong conference, and that will not change come 2013-14 season.

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Predicting the Top 8 in the Eastern Conference in 2013/14

by in 2013 - 14 NBA Season, Basketball, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference, Indiana Pacers, JamesO, Miami HEAT, National Basketball Association, NBA, Predictions, Top 8 | Leave a comment
  The Eastern Conference Predicted Top 8.

(Assuming all players projected to be healthy by the start of the season are healthy and play well) *As of 02/09/13


 8. Detroit Pistons

One of the most active teams this off-season, definitely got better, but I don’t know how much better. I am very interested how Monroe, Smith and Drummond play together. Also how Jennings and Smith play together. Who’s team is this, who is the leader? I have a lot of questions about Detroit, but they have too much talent to miss the playoffs.

LEFT TO RIGHT – Brandon Jennings, Chauncey Billups, J Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond (via wbexclusive)
7. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are the most over looked team this off season. They were the 6th seed last season, and swapped Millsap for Smith. I don’t think this is a huge downgrade. Also, Lou Williams is coming back, he is a top 3 6th man in the league. I think Teague will have a breakout season and Atlanta is a lock for the playoffs




With Andrew Bynum on board, things are looking up in Cleveland.


6. Cleveland Cavaliers


This is my riskiest pick, but I am assuming Bynum will be healthy and playing as a top 3 center in the East. Kyrie is a rising SUPERstar in this league and this is the year he finally gets the Cavs into the playoffs. The Cavs have a balance of young talent, veterans and a great coach looking to redeem himself.

5. New York Knicks

I understand this is a big drop from last year, but everyone above them got better this summer. Adding Andrea Bargnani was not a great move. They have lost 2 great shooters (Novak and Copeland) and that is their bread and butter, shooting 3s. Look for New York to have somewhat of a disappointing season.

The No. 1 pick in the 2006 joins the NY Knicks, but many question the trade. (via GMS)


4. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn took advantage of a Celtics team in dire need of change. Adding KG, Pierce and Terry makes the Nets one of the most interesting teams in the league. My biggest question for BK is Jason Kidd. Can he be successful in his first season ever as a coach?

  VIDEO: KG, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry officially introduced as Brooklyn Nets. (via NBA.com)



3. Chicago Bulls
With Derrick Rose coming back look for Chicago to compete for the NBA title this season. Jimmy Butler is a talent on the rise and Dunleavy was an under-rated pick up. I like Chicago as a lock for the top 3 seed in the East.
 

#TheReturn




Luis Scola lands in Indiana (via JFace5)

2. Indiana Pacers


A Superstar was born this past playoffs in Indiana. Look for Paul George to emerge as a legitimate star this season. Getting the elite talent of Danny Granger back and adding Copeland and Scola gives them the depth they need last season. I have Indiana winning the Central division by 3 games over Chicago.

1. Miami Heat


Miami has done nothing this off-season to drop from number 1. They still have LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. They want to prove they are one of the best teams in NBA history. In order to do that they need to complete the 3-peat. This could be the final run for the Heat as we know them with the 2014 free agency around the corner.

Look for the Eastern Conference to be the most competitive it has been in 10+ years.

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