The West

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Rastapopoulos

Rastapopoulos

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While OKC might look slightly worse this year (and it sounds like Reggie Jackson is making James Harden noises) the West looks just overall better. There isn't an obviously awful team. I guess Utah would have to be the worst, but I was really impressed with Gobert this summer and I think Dante Exum is going to be a star, although probably not this year. Minny lost Love, but I think they'll actually flourish, and they're certainly crazy athletic and much more tailored to Rubio's strengths this year. If New Orleans can stay healthy, they've got a very solid starting five, and everyone is now touting Anthony Davis as #3 player in the NBA. Even the Lakers could be surprise - in fact, I think they'll be the surprise team this year. They've done what Dallas always does - pick up very solid mid-price veterans to put round their aging star. Only, of course, Dallas has done it better, and could even be a top 4 team. And then there's Memphis, Houston, the Clippers, Golden State... Even Sacramento look much improved. The Blazers could be a much better team and still end up with a worse record.
 
I think this probably more than ever injuries (or rather staying healthy) is going to be huge in teh West. Any lengthy injury to a key player could basically put that team out of the running. More and more our bench is looking important to preserve our starters.

This may also be a year of lower seed upsets with the way the West is stacking up. The playoffs are going to be amazing.
 
Hate to say it but I think the Lakers are a bit of a dark house in the west. Seems like everyone is just writing them off. I think Julius Randle going to be a good player and as long as Kobe can stay healthy they should be just fine. Don't forget about PHX.
 
And whats crazy is there are going to be 2, 3 or maybe even 4 pretty good teams that wont make the playoffs and have a lottery pick which means the west is only going to be even better next year. SMH

Of course there could be a few teams that fall off due to losing FA's or retired players but I dont think those team will have a drastic drop.
 
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The Lakers are going to suck ass. They are horrible.
 
NOP and PHX will be knocking on the door, I'm actually kinda scared if we start off slow. We had an unusually healthy season last year.
 
We say this every year it seems. I think we'll still have terrible teams (multiple 20 win teams) and i think 46 wins will get you in the playoffs. It all evens out in the end.
 
The teams maybe stronger, but the coaches are where I see the true issue. Of course the great coached teams like Chicago, Miami, SAS, Clippers, and OKC will always be good because their coach is good and they have a star to play in their system. The mid level coached teams will be Portland, Indiana, Dallas, and Houston. They will be fighting for the 3rd-8th spots.

I really don't like GS and Phx because their coaches aren't that great. No matter how good their players are, you need a coach to direct you. Look at NJ and NY for reference.
 
OSUBlazerfan said:
We say this every year it seems. I think we'll still have terrible teams (multiple 20 win teams) and i think 46 wins will get you in the playoffs. It all evens out in the end.
Click to expand...

This is true. We do say this every year. But this feels a little different. It is inevitable that some teams will get hit with major injuries and fall behind. Just not sure which teams. Every teams seems like they will be better until that injury occurs.
 
You just can't write Kobe off. You also have to remember Steve Nash is still there and he just might make a difference.
BigGameDamian said:
Hate to say it but I think the Lakers are a bit of a dark house in the west. Seems like everyone is just writing them off. I think Julius Randle going to be a good player and as long as Kobe can stay healthy they should be just fine. Don't forget about PHX.
Click to expand...
 
kjironman1 said:
You just can't write Kobe off. You also have to remember Steve Nash is still there and he just might make a difference.
Click to expand...

You can when he's on his last leg. Kobe is a shell of his "kobe self". He definitely has the heart, but as we've seen with Roy, that can only get you so far.

People forget he's been in the league for soooo long. And... Unlike Duncan, he relies on his athleticism to be great.
 
But he has essentially been resting for most of 2 years now. And if he is actually healed he can and still will ball with the best of them. This goes for Nash also. These guys are savvy veterans that know how to play and win. Last leg or not I just don't think they can be overlooked just yet. You might be right by the end of the year when all is said and done but reports are coming out that they both look really good and are in great shape. Jeremy Lin was quoted saying he has never seen two guys with as much drive and a robot like system of pushing themselves to get the most out of everything they do.
 
The west isn't intimidating as it seems. There are a lot of average teams, nothing truly special. There are only 2-3 teams better than the Blazers that would be OKC, LAC and maybe SA if they aren't on a honeymoon hangover.
 
Who in the west actually improved?

Portland should still be a top 5 team.
 
Remember- 2 seasons ago when Kobe was healthy (Kobe has missed 1 season, not 2) they were awful. And they had Pau and Dwight.
 
The west is going to be a dog fight top to bottom this year. Last year there were really 9 teams contending all year but the east got a little better overall so I don't think it is going to take 50 wins to get into the playoffs again just because there are going to be so many good but not great teams that will take a few wins away. After OKC/SA/Clippers It seems like any team can just as easily be 4th or 10th. Blazers/Memphis/Houston/GSW/Dallas/Phx/NO will all be within 10 games by the end of the year and you can argue any of those teams will finish 4th just as easily as you can argue they will finish 10th.
On top of how close I think 3-10 are then you will have teams like Lakers/Sacromento that will see no reason in giving up any game and will steal quiet a few games from those 10 on off nights. Plus the east shouldn't be so godawful after the top 3, a lot more teams that looked to improve rather then tank this off season which should lead to a stronger east.
 
[TWEET]517357410118139904[/TWEET]

And they predicted 38.5 last year ... keep sleeping on Rip City Vegas odd makers
 
magnifier661 said:
The teams maybe stronger, but the coaches are where I see the true issue. Of course the great coached teams like Chicago, Miami, SAS, Clippers, and OKC will always be good because their coach is good and they have a star to play in their system
Click to expand...

Hold on. Did you just say that Scott Brooks is a great coach? That puts you in a company of 1. I would argue the same with Spoelstra in Miami - let's see how he fares without the King leading things.
 
BlazerBeav said:
Hold on. Did you just say that Scott Brooks is a great coach? That puts you in a company of 1. I would argue the same with Spoelstra in Miami - let's see how he fares without the King leading things.
Click to expand...

You can say what you will about brooks, but he's had great success, even when Westbrook went down. Also, they are a decent defensive team as well.
 
Number of wins will come down to each team's assassin. Those are the difference makers for so many games, since so many games are close in the 4th.

OKC has two IMO,
Dallas has Monta.(Maybe still Dirk)
Houston has Hardin,
Clippers have CP3,
Blazers have Dame.
GS has Curry
Lakers: Is Kobe still Kobe?
Does Memphis have one? Not really IMO as much as I like Conely
Denver? Ty Lawson
N.O : Gordon?
Minnesota?
Phoenix: Gordon Dragic
Sac: Rudy Gay
Utah: ?

SA is the exception. But I would still consider Parker one.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Number of wins will come down to each team's assassin. Those are the difference makers for so many games, since so many games are close in the 4th.

OKC has two IMO,
Dallas has Monta.(Maybe still Dirk)
Houston has Hardin,
Clippers have CP3,
Blazers have Dame.
GS has Curry
Lakers: Is Kobe still Kobe?
Does Memphis have one? Not really IMO as much as I like Conely
Denver? Ty Lawson
N.O : Gordon?
Minnesota?
Phoenix: Gordon Dragic
Sac: Rudy Gay
Utah: ?

SA is the exception. But I would still consider Parker one.
Click to expand...

But Conley for Dame?!?!?! :MARIS61:
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Number of wins will come down to each team's assassin. Those are the difference makers for so many games, since so many games are close in the 4th.

OKC has two IMO,
Dallas has Monta.(Maybe still Dirk)
Houston has Hardin,
Clippers have CP3,
Blazers have Dame.
GS has Curry
Lakers: Is Kobe still Kobe?
Does Memphis have one? Not really IMO as much as I like Conely
Denver? Ty Lawson
N.O : Gordon?
Minnesota?
Phoenix: Gordon Dragic
Sac: Rudy Gay
Utah: ?

SA is the exception. But I would still consider Parker one.
Click to expand...

Portland has 3 assassins. Dame, Batum and matthews
 
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