OT Utah

[Rastapopoulos]

I think Utah has quietly had a great offseason to add to a terrific young core. They picked up oldies Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson and added perhaps the most underrated PG in the league in George Hill. Plus they get Dante Exum back and Trey Lyles is looking great in Summer League. I think they should actually be favorites in our division now.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Over minnesota?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think Utah has quietly had a great offseason to add to a terrific young core. They picked up oldies Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson and added perhaps the most underrated PG in the league in George Hill. Plus they get Dante Exum back and Trey Lyles is looking great in Summer League. I think they should actually be favorites in our division now.

Nope. we are young, so we'll improve

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Doesn't Hayward want out though? If not now, eventually he will.

 

[BonesJones]

Lol all aboard the Utah hype train SMH

 

[andalusian]

They still lack a go-to scorer, unless you are willing to have old man Joe Johnson as that guy - but I agree, they have the potential to be a very good team.

 

[BonesJones]

Our top 2 players are better than anyone they got.

 

[HolyBackboard]

You gotta score more than 85 points a night to win games. They don't even have a 2nd option on offense, let a lone a go-to player (Hayward is a perfect 3rd option, imo).

 

[TBpup]

Our top 2 players are better than anyone they got.

Offensively that is very true. What we struggle with has been their size, defense and shot-blocking ability when they are healthy.

 

[GDiama]

For their offense Hood is getting better and better and Hayward is really good+They have a scoring big guy-Favors and this is really important nowadays. If Lyles keeps improving they'll also have a second one too while we have none.

In my opinion they have done some really solid moves, they'll increase ball pressure with Hill and Exum while now they'll also have some veteran leadership and improved playmaking with Diaw and J.Johnson. I couldn't imagine a better offseason for them really. Solid!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yes they will be a very deep team, and improved. Hill is a solid addition. Boris and Joe will provide good solid leadership off the bench. They have as good of a chance an anyone to win the division. Not sure I could adequately pick a favorite. It will be pretty even IMO.

 

[Denny Crane]

I'd watch out for the TWolves. They finally have a coach and GM that has a clue. Their roster has at least two of the more talented young players in Towns and Wiggens. They added a great draft pick in Kris Dunn. They have a quality backup C. Rubio will fit Thibs' system as a defender quite nicely. Zach LaVine is solid, too. They added Cole Aldrich via free agency.

I've seen Thibs basically win with girls. He's going to have these guys winning lots of games.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah, I think the Nuggets are probably the only NW division team that doesn't have a realistic shot at winning the division.

 

[BonesJones]

Offensively that is very true. What we struggle with has been their size, defense and shot-blocking ability when they are healthy.

Yeah, still though. Just not that impressed by their team. Don't think they'll be as good as us. We'll be right their with the Clippers and Grizzlies and the Jazz/Thunder/Rockets will be in that next tier.

 

[Chris Craig]

Yeah, I think the Nuggets are probably the only NW division team that doesn't have a realistic shot at winning the division.

Yeah I'm glad they didn't get wade

 

[drexlersdad]

Wait, they got Joe Johnson too? Shit!

They will probably go undefeated.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

Sorry, not to sacrilegious, but I also think Utah just got better than our beloved Blazers this offseason.
Damian is clearly the best player. CJ and Hayward are about equal IMO. Favors and Hood really good players. Impactful.
I've got them 7th in our Conference. We get the 8th.

* Early prediction - rosters not fully set - season hasn't begun yet.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Sorry, not to sacrilegious, but I also think Utah just got better than our beloved Blazers this offseason.
Damian is clearly the best player. CJ and Hayward are about equal IMO. Favors and Hood really good players. Impactful.
I've got them 7th in our Conference. We get the 8th.

* Early prediction - rosters not fully set - season hasn't begun yet.

But...........Internal development?

 

[Chris Craig]

The Timberwolves are going to be good, they have a lot of talent, and Thibs is going to turn them into gold....I think they have a good chance at winning the NW, and making the playoffs, if they can get their ducks in a row.

The Jazz too should not be underestimated. They have a lot of pieces and have been on the outside looking in of the playoffs several years in a row, and intend to make a push again. I hear alot that they don't have go to guys. They have nearly gotten away with an everyone contributes offense, and with Johnson, Diaw, and Hill, added to the mix, not mention an up and coming Rodney Hood, things will be a bit easier for Hayward and Favors. Plus Gobert inside...damn. Don't count the Jazz out

The Nuggets......


The Blazers with a Durantless OKC, are the favorites to lead the NW, if Olshey can finish the offseason wisely...Still, it's going mean a lot of hard work to keep the Jazz and Timberwolves off our backs.

Projected 2016-17 NW Division standings

1. Portland Trail Blazers
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Utah Jazz
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Denver Nuggets

 

[Mediocre Man]

Honestly, as it stands now, other than Denver I can see it being a tight race the entire season.

OKC got worse, while Portland, Minny and Utah all improved. If everyone stays relatively healthy, it should be fun

 

[e_blazer]

Honestly, as it stands now, other than Denver I can see it being a tight race the entire season.

OKC got worse, while Portland, Minny and Utah all improved. If everyone stays relatively healthy, it should be fun

Yeah, I agree. I think the Blazers, T'Wolves and Jazz are too close to call. Probably will be decided by health more than talent.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Over minnesota?

For a year or so. Minny is still very young.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

They still lack a go-to scorer,

Rodney Hood is pretty damn good.

 

[Natebishop3]

What did the Pelicans do? They lost Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson.

 

[KingSpeed]

Honestly, as it stands now, other than Denver I can see it being a tight race the entire season.

OKC got worse, while Portland, Minny and Utah all improved. If everyone stays relatively healthy, it should be fun

Right on!

 

[KingSpeed]

What did the Pelicans do? They lost Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson.

Who said anything about the Pelicans?

 

[Natebishop3]

Who said anything about the Pelicans?

Me. I said something about the Pelicans because other people were talking about the Jazz and TWolves.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Me. I said something about the Pelicans because other people were talking about the Jazz and TWolves.

What do the Pelicans have to do with the Jazz, TWolves and us? Not in our division if that is what you were thinking.

 

[Minstrel]

I think the Jazz and Blazers will vie for the conference title. As things stand right now, it seems to be a very close battle.

I think Minnesota will be in the mix for the eighth seed, but they still have big holes in their team, Rubio still can't shoot or finish at the hoop, which allows defenders to play off him and in his passing lanes (he's a passing genius, so he's still effective, but sometimes it can cause their attack to grind to a halt) and while Thibodeau is a great defensive coach, he still only has two playable defensive pluses (Towns and Rubio) with defensive potential in Wiggins and Dieng. I think they'll struggle too much to be in the mix for the top of the conference.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think that both Utah and Minnesota will be better than the Blazers. Turner is a nice addition but I'm not that impressed at our offseason moves so far. Still need to find that dominant big. Let's see if Neil can bring it home & WOW us!