Teams that will surprise (in a good OR a bad way)

[e_blazer]

The West will completely dominate the East. Oh, that's not a surprise.

And yet it's likely that a team from the East will have the best record in the league. The Warriors look invincible on paper, but they have to play some really good teams in the West twice as many times as the Cavs, Bucks or Celtics will.

 

[blue9]

We're looking for a potential surprise. That would be my pick.

Thibs coached the Bulls to the league best record in 2010-11, even over that Bosh/Wade/LeBron super team, and with a worse roster (IMO). Certainly a worse starting 5 (it was DRose and not much else help). And again the next season with almost the same roster and the Heat with a season to add players to their core.

But back then he only had one team to compete against. Now that he's in the WC he has to compete against half the league! Eastern Conference accomplishments mean nothing to me. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather have Thibs than Stotts. And I think they might have a better roster than we do. But best record in the NBA? I say we have just as good a chance as the Wolves to have the best record.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't think HOU will get to 50 wins like everyone says

 

[Scalma]

I will say this though; Dallas should be pretty good this year. Smith could make a Lillard type impact as a rookie. Good coach. Dirk has always been one of the most likeable "superstars." I miss Wes. Should be interesting to see how they play Noel given his contract situation.

 

[Denny Crane]

But back then he only had one team to compete against. Now that he's in the WC he has to compete against half the league! Eastern Conference accomplishments mean nothing to me. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather have Thibs than Stotts. And I think they might have a better roster than we do. But best record in the NBA? I say we have just as good a chance as the Wolves to have the best record.

We're talking about "team that will surprise," no? Seems like you'd be surprised if my suggestion comes true.

 

[blue9]

We're talking about "team that will surprise," no? Seems like you'd be surprised if my suggestion comes true.

LOL! Touche!

 

[SIeepwalker]

I think OKC will be very good, but Houston, not so much. They're wildly overhyped

 

[BlayZa]

i assume OKC has talked about how this is all gonna work, if they have, and the key players are willing to play team bball, that team could be very enjoyable to watch.

interested in how minny, pacers and pelicans will go

 

[THE HCP]

I think it possible Minny contends for best record in the NBA.

I wouldn't go that far, but I'm glad somebody finally sees the amount of talent they have built up and the quality coach they have to lead them.

 

[andalusian]

We're looking for a potential surprise. That would be my pick.

Thibs coached the Bulls to the league best record in 2010-11, even over that Bosh/Wade/LeBron super team, and with a worse roster (IMO). Certainly a worse starting 5 (it was DRose and not much else help). And again the next season with almost the same roster and the Heat with a season to add players to their core.

I am not saying it is impossible - but I think this is very unlikely. In 2010 the average 3 point attempts per team in the league was 17. Last year, the T-Pups had the least amount of 3 point attempts per game at 21. They have lost 3-point shooting since.

Just for reference - the teams that made the finals averaged more than 30 3 point attempts per game. I would say that the pups have the highest variance in my estimate. I have no idea if they will be really good because of all that talent they collected - or a lot worse than expected because they lost their best play-maker (Rubio) - and just about anyone that matters on this team other than Butler needs to be set-up - while also losing their floor spacers.

Will be interesting.

 

[dviss1]

I will say this though; Dallas should be pretty good this year. Smith could make a Lillard type impact as a rookie. Good coach. Dirk has always been one of the most likeable "superstars." I miss Wes. Should be interesting to see how they play Noel given his contract situation.

I think they're gonna be garbage. They don't make the playoffs IMO. That would definitely surprise me.

 

[dviss1]

i assume OKC has talked about how this is all gonna work, if they have, and the key players are willing to play team bball, that team could be very enjoyable to watch.

interested in how minny, pacers and pelicans will go

All will go fishing once it's playoff time IMO.

 

[Denny Crane]

I am not saying it is impossible - but I think this is very unlikely. In 2010 the average 3 point attempts per team in the league was 17. Last year, the T-Pups had the least amount of 3 point attempts per game at 21. They have lost 3-point shooting since.

Just for reference - the teams that made the finals averaged more than 30 3 point attempts per game. I would say that the pups have the highest variance in my estimate. I have no idea if they will be really good because of all that talent they collected - or a lot worse than expected because they lost their best play-maker (Rubio) - and just about anyone that matters on this team other than Butler needs to be set-up - while also losing their floor spacers.

Will be interesting.

Thibs' teams shot a lot of 3s. Whenever asked what his Bulls team needed, his answer was "more shooting."

That said, if his team isn't quite good enough, they'll make up for it with defense. If he can convince the young guys to play balls out.

The Cavs won it the year before with 2 guys taking about ~6 a game. I think LeBron and his .309 3pt shooting won that championship, not having to do with taking/making 3s.

 

[andalusian]

Thibs' teams shot a lot of 3s. Whenever asked what his Bulls team needed, his answer was "more shooting."

As I said, last year - his team was the last in the league in 3PA. Not having great 3P shooters is a problem - and their best and most prolific 3P shooter from last year (Levine) is no longer on the roster. FWIW - Thibs team from 2010 made 6.2 3P per game while his team from last year made 7.3 . The problem is that the NBA game has moved on - and while Chicago in 2010 was 13th in the NBA, the Pups were dead last in the past season.

That said, if his team isn't quite good enough, they'll make up for it with defense. If he can convince the young guys to play balls out.

I have no doubts about him trying that - but last year's team was 27th in defensive efficiency. The Blazers who had crap defense finished 24th. The T-Pups gained Butler (excellent upgrade at the #2 or #3 position) but lost their best defensive player (Rubio) at the #1 position. Are they going to be better? Maybe, but it is impossible to declare it as a sure thing.

The Cavs won it the year before with 2 guys taking about ~6 a game. I think LeBron and his .309 3pt shooting won that championship, not having to do with taking/making 3s.

In the year CLE won the 'ship - they made more 3 points per game (11) than any team not called GSW.

The point is that the T-Pups defense was awful last year - and I am not certain it will be a lot better this year (better at the #2 or #3 position, worse at the #1 position) - while their offense did not address the biggest problem they had for a modern offense in today's NBA - spacing. KAT needs space on the block - he needs shooters around him, instead they brought a couple of slashers that also want to get to the block.

I still say that there is as big a chance that they continue to suck as there is for them to be very good.