Pre Season Picks
EAST WEST
1. Miami Heat 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Indiana Pacers 2. LA Clippers
3. Chicago Bulls 3. San Antonio Spurs
4. New York Knicks 4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Brooklyn Nets 5. Houston Rockets
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 6. Golden State Warriors
7. Detroit Pistons 7. Denver Nuggets
8. Washington Wizards 8. Portland Trail Blazers
9. Milwaukee Bucks 9. New Orleans Pelicans
10.Toronto Raptors 10.Dallas Mavericks
11.Orlando Magic 11.Minnesota Timberwolves
12.Atlanta Hawks 12.LA Lakers
13.Boston Celtics 13.Sacramento Kings
14.Philadelphia 76ers 14.Utah Jazz
15.Charlotte Bobcats 15.Phoenix Suns
Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
Miami Heat def. Indiana Pacers Oklahoma City Thunder def. LA Clippers
NBA Finals
Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 NBA CHAMPIONS
MIAMI HEAT
Injuries can obviously impact these standings. In my current picks, I considered the injuries
we already know about i.e. Rondo, Kobe, etc. The West was especially hard to figure out. I had
a really hard time deciding between Golden State and Memphis at 4 & 6. Denver was also really
difficult to place. Normally, I could see them in the 5-8 range, but this conference is just so
deep at this early stage. I wanted New Orleans in around 7, but it became impossible to ignore
Denver and Portland. I feel like 7-12 or 13 could easily be bunched up if health isnt a factor,
and these teams can end up in any order. Obviously, in season moves will effect the outcomes. In
the West, I have 1-3, 4-6, 7-12 or 13 bunched up in their respective groups, as long as injury and
tanking dont become factors, which we all know always do. This is the NBA. Just as they did last
year, injuries will effect the outcome of the season. Also, we have to understand that these are based on the understanding that guys are going to make their open shots. We saw from the Heat in the Eastern Finals last year that missing shots can really have a big effect. Once you get into the playoffs, really anything can happen. I would think that this is an instance where we can say that making predictions on paper doesnt mean anything. The games still have to be played. There are at least 6 teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the NBA championship this year. For now though, I'm sticking with the back to back champions b/c they have the best player on the planet and I'm not counting them out until someone beats them.
The East was harder to figure out once I got to 6. 1-3 will be bunched up, with 4-5 likely right behind them. I think Cleveland has a chance to be a pretty good team, but their upside is going to be based on Andruw Bynum, and Kyrie Irving's health. I think any one of 6-8 could easily be in any of those spots in the East. For Washington, I'm looking at improvement in John Wall's jumpshot, and if he can remain healthy. I think Orlando can easily surprise some teams this season. They have some really nice young pieces in place. Atlanta could probably be anywhere from 9-13. They dont have much depth, but have a couple of good experienced core pieces. In the end, Orlando, Boston, and Atlanta are probably interchangeale. I think Boston is better than what some others may think, but we dont know when Rajon Rondo will be coming back, nor do we know how Avery Bradley has improved offensively. I think Philly has some interesting pieces as well, with Carter-Williams joining Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes, Jason Richardson (coming off ACL injury), James Anderson, Lavoy Allen, Arnett Moultrie, Daniel Orton, and Nerlens Noel. Noel is, of course, also coming off an ACL injury, but it remains to be seen when he will return. If Evan Turner can show the talent that got him drafted #2 overall, this team is obviously better than people expect. I think that a lot of people are expecting the 76ers to start trading off pieces like Young, Turner, and Hawes. If they do in fact tank like that, they'll obviously end up at the bottom, but it will be self induced, not based on the talent level of their roster at the beginning of the season. Charlotte also has a much better looking roster than they did 2 years ago, with Al Jefferson and the young pieces they have, but they will likely be fighting it out with the 76ers for last place. The same can be said for the East as I said for the West. Injuries and tanking will likely play a factor in the outcome.
Regardless of what happens, it should be a really fun NBA season, with a deep talent pool and a lot of fun stories to follow, whether it be returning stars, players on new teams, or player development. I think the MVP race should be fun, though in reality, someone other than Lebron James or Kevin Durant winning it is kind of counter productive. Its likely going to be the media clamoring for someone else who lead their team to a high playoff seed like Derrick Rose (who I think is going to be a lot better player than his previous MVP season all around), Chris Paul, Paul George, etc. In the end, I expect a 2-3 player race between Lebron, Durant, and Rose
Monday, October 28, 2013
Preseason 2013-2014 NBA Predictions
Pre Season Picks
EAST WEST
1. Miami Heat 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Indiana Pacers 2. LA Clippers
3. Chicago Bulls 3. San Antonio Spurs
4. New York Knicks 4. Golden State Warriors
5. Brooklyn Nets 5. Houston Rockets
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Detroit Pistons 7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Washington Wizards 8. Denver Nuggets
9. Milwaukee Bucks 9. Portland Trail Blazers
10.Toronto Raptors 10.Dallas Mavericks
11.Atlanta Hawks 11.Minnesota Timberwolves
12.Boston Celtics 12.LA Lakers
13.Orlando Magic 13.Sacramento Kings
14.Charlotte Bobcats 14.Utah Jazz
15.Philadelphia 76ers 15.Phoenix Suns
Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
Miami Heat def. Indiana Pacers Oklahoma City Thunder def. LA Clippers
NBA Finals
Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 NBA CHAMPIONS
MIAMI HEAT
Injuries can obviously impact these standings. In my current picks, I considered the injuries
we already know about i.e. Rondo, Kobe, etc. The West was especially hard to figure out. I had
a really hard time deciding between Golden State and Memphis at 4 & 6. Denver was also really
difficult to place. Normally, I could see them in the 5-8 range, but this conference is just so
deep at this early stage. I wanted New Orleans in around 7, but it became impossible to ignore
Denver and Portland. I feel like 7-12 or 13 could easily be bunched up if health isnt a factor,
and these teams can end up in any order. Obviously, in season moves will effect the outcomes. In
the West, I have 1-3, 4-6, 7-12 or 13 bunched up in their respective groups, as long as injury and
tanking dont become factors, which we all know always do. This is the NBA. Just as they did last
year, injuries will effect the outcome of the season.
The East was harder to figure out once I got to 6. 1-3 will be bunched up, with 4-5 likely right
behind them. I think Cleveland has a chance to be a pretty good team, but their upside is going
to be based on Andruw Bynum, and Kyrie Irving's health. I think any one of 6-8 could easily be in
any of those spots in the East. For Washington, I'm looking at improvement in John Wall's jumpshot, and if he can remain healthy. I think Orlando can easily surprise some teams this season. They have some really nice young pieces in place. Atlanta could probably be anywhere from 9-13. They dont have much depth, but have a couple of good experienced core pieces. In the end, Orlando, Boston, and Atlanta are probably interchangeale. I think Boston is better than what some others may think, but we dont know when Rajon Rondo will be coming back, nor do we know how Avery Bradley has improved offensively. I think Philly has some interesting pieces as well, with Carter-Williams joining Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes, Jason Richardson (coming off ACL injury), James Anderson, Lavoy Allen, Arnett Moultrie, Daniel Orton, and Nerlens Noel. Noel is, of course, also coming off an ACL injury, but it remains to be seen when he will return. If Evan Turner can show the talent that got him drafted #2 overall, this team is obviously better than people expect. Charlotte also has a much better looking roster than they did 2 years ago, with Al Jefferson and the young pieces they have, but they will likely be fighting it out with the 76ers for last place. The same can be said for the East as I said for the West. Injuries and tanking will likely play a factor in the outcome.
Regardless of what happens, it should be a really fun NBA season, with a deep talent pool and a lot of fun stories to follow, whether it be returning stars, players on new teams, or player development. I think the MVP race should be fun, though in reality, someone other than Lebron James or Kevin Durant winning it is kind of counter productive. Its likely going to be the media clamoring for someone else who lead their team to a high playoff seed like Derrick Rose (who I think is going to be a lot better player than his previous MVP season all around), Chris Paul, Paul George, etc. In the end, I expect a 2-3 player race between Lebron, Durant, and Rose
EAST WEST
1. Miami Heat 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Indiana Pacers 2. LA Clippers
3. Chicago Bulls 3. San Antonio Spurs
4. New York Knicks 4. Golden State Warriors
5. Brooklyn Nets 5. Houston Rockets
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Detroit Pistons 7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Washington Wizards 8. Denver Nuggets
9. Milwaukee Bucks 9. Portland Trail Blazers
10.Toronto Raptors 10.Dallas Mavericks
11.Atlanta Hawks 11.Minnesota Timberwolves
12.Boston Celtics 12.LA Lakers
13.Orlando Magic 13.Sacramento Kings
14.Charlotte Bobcats 14.Utah Jazz
15.Philadelphia 76ers 15.Phoenix Suns
Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
Miami Heat def. Indiana Pacers Oklahoma City Thunder def. LA Clippers
NBA Finals
Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 NBA CHAMPIONS
MIAMI HEAT
Injuries can obviously impact these standings. In my current picks, I considered the injuries
we already know about i.e. Rondo, Kobe, etc. The West was especially hard to figure out. I had
a really hard time deciding between Golden State and Memphis at 4 & 6. Denver was also really
difficult to place. Normally, I could see them in the 5-8 range, but this conference is just so
deep at this early stage. I wanted New Orleans in around 7, but it became impossible to ignore
Denver and Portland. I feel like 7-12 or 13 could easily be bunched up if health isnt a factor,
and these teams can end up in any order. Obviously, in season moves will effect the outcomes. In
the West, I have 1-3, 4-6, 7-12 or 13 bunched up in their respective groups, as long as injury and
tanking dont become factors, which we all know always do. This is the NBA. Just as they did last
year, injuries will effect the outcome of the season.
The East was harder to figure out once I got to 6. 1-3 will be bunched up, with 4-5 likely right
behind them. I think Cleveland has a chance to be a pretty good team, but their upside is going
to be based on Andruw Bynum, and Kyrie Irving's health. I think any one of 6-8 could easily be in
any of those spots in the East. For Washington, I'm looking at improvement in John Wall's jumpshot, and if he can remain healthy. I think Orlando can easily surprise some teams this season. They have some really nice young pieces in place. Atlanta could probably be anywhere from 9-13. They dont have much depth, but have a couple of good experienced core pieces. In the end, Orlando, Boston, and Atlanta are probably interchangeale. I think Boston is better than what some others may think, but we dont know when Rajon Rondo will be coming back, nor do we know how Avery Bradley has improved offensively. I think Philly has some interesting pieces as well, with Carter-Williams joining Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes, Jason Richardson (coming off ACL injury), James Anderson, Lavoy Allen, Arnett Moultrie, Daniel Orton, and Nerlens Noel. Noel is, of course, also coming off an ACL injury, but it remains to be seen when he will return. If Evan Turner can show the talent that got him drafted #2 overall, this team is obviously better than people expect. Charlotte also has a much better looking roster than they did 2 years ago, with Al Jefferson and the young pieces they have, but they will likely be fighting it out with the 76ers for last place. The same can be said for the East as I said for the West. Injuries and tanking will likely play a factor in the outcome.
Regardless of what happens, it should be a really fun NBA season, with a deep talent pool and a lot of fun stories to follow, whether it be returning stars, players on new teams, or player development. I think the MVP race should be fun, though in reality, someone other than Lebron James or Kevin Durant winning it is kind of counter productive. Its likely going to be the media clamoring for someone else who lead their team to a high playoff seed like Derrick Rose (who I think is going to be a lot better player than his previous MVP season all around), Chris Paul, Paul George, etc. In the end, I expect a 2-3 player race between Lebron, Durant, and Rose
Preliminary note on Preseason 2013-2014 NBA predictions
I'm going to do something different here and post 2 slightly different copies of my preseason NBA predictions for this upcoming season that starts tomorrow night. You will notice that they are essentially the same except for a couple of small differences and most everything is explained in the paragraphs below the predicted standings. I would generally refer to the 2nd one that is uploaded as the main one
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