Which team will make a huge jump this year?

[kamikazi_player]

Which team do you guys think will surprise everyone? I'm talking about teams that were in a low seed like 7-8 or not in the playoffs last year.
Two years ago it was the Hornets. Last year, you can argue the Blazers. Who is it going to be if any this year? My pick would be the Toronto Raptors. I think Chris Bosh, Hedo, and Calderon will lead the team for 48 wins. And I kinda think that Demar Derozan can be something special if given the minutes.

[tlongII]

If you consider losing in the first round to winning the championship to be a big jump it will be the Blazers.

[Findog]

If you consider going from 23 wins to 30 a big jump, then the Zombie Sonics.

[cobbler]

If you consider losing in the first round to winning the championship to be a big jump it will be the Blazers.

All talk no walk.

[ginobili's bald spot]

The Thunder

[djohn2oo8]

Give the Thunder a couple of years, not ready yet

[kamikazi_player]

Good choices, but do you guys see any team that was not in the playoffs last year make it this year?

[Findog]

Good choices, but do you guys see any team that was not in the playoffs last year make it this year?

Phoenix as the 8 seed

[mystargtr34]

I would say Toronto or Washington. Both could win 45+ games.

[Culburn369]

Phoenix as the 8 seed

How's come, Fin? Seriously, I ain't out to bust yer snuts.

[Findog]

How's come, Fin? Seriously, I ain't out to bust yer snuts.

I think Houston drops out of the playoffs w/o Yao. Somebody has to replace them.

[Finperro]

GSW and LAC are also cadidates for the 8th seed IMHO, and I'd rather pick either of them over the faded suns.

[carrao45]

The Thunder

Great sig

[Allanon]

Clippas in the West, Wiz in the East

[dirk4mvp]

I would say Memphis, but any team Iverson is on but he's gonna drag the ship down, no matter how many good young pieces they may have.

[21_Blessings]

The Clip Show

[Riverwalkman]

If you consider losing in the first round to winning the championship to be a big jump it will be the Blazers.
All right but the last word.

Spurs.

[timtonymanu]

West - Clippers
East - Raptors

[dirk4mvp]

Aren't the Clippers the sexy pick every preseason and something ends up happening?

[Findog]

Aren't the Clippers the sexy pick every preseason and something ends up happening?

They didn't play hard for their coach last year. Griffin will beast though.

[sook]

West - Clippers
East - Raptors

How do you manage to slip on the same banana peel twice?

:lol

I can't count how many seasons I've expected these two teams to be sick, and them coming back and making me look stupid.

[IronMexican]

Clippers are like the Raiders of the NBA. Analyst and people always pick them as a team that could do something in the off-season. The season starts and they still suck. That said, I'll go with the Clippers.

[sook]

Aren't the Clippers the sexy pick every preseason and something ends up happening?

exactly. Last seasons clippers have ot be the WORST team ever. No lie. Take a look at their roster, close to championship calibur, and take a look at their record.

It is embarrassing.

[Darthkiller]

I am pretty worried about the thunder though, so far in preseason they have been getting killed by 3s. Houston, SA and Kings all shot like 50% against them

[LakasRool4eva]

Its wierd to say cuz their already the best but the Lakes are actualy going to be even better this year.

[ooshmay]

If you consider losing in the first round to winning the championship to be a big jump it will be the Blazers.

Naive Blazers fans..

Washington Wizards... last place to top 8.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Clippas in the West, Wiz in the East

Me too.

And if the Clippers got a real coach they'd be a real danger.

Would say the Zombie Sonics, but they lack a go to post presence, and their bigman stocks in general are quite poor. They'll beat some teams they weren't meant to though, like they did in the second half of last season.

[23LeBronJames23]

griffin will beast though.

+1

[cobbler]

They didn't play hard for their coach last year. Griffin will beast though.

Baron was shit last year too... he dropped like 15-20 lbs. If he steps up, along with the addition of griffin, they could contend for a spot.

[Cry Havoc]

If you consider losing in the first round to winning the championship to be a big jump it will be the Blazers.

http://www.nba.com/media/playoffs2004/elliott_99_450.jpg

[Indazone]

Rockets Baby!

If Boy Genius Daryl Morey is to believed, on paper and computer models, he has assembled the 2nd best NBA team in Houston.

[sonic21]

bobcats.

Last year after the trade they won half of their games.

[Culburn369]

bobcats.

Last year after the trade they won half of their games.

Radmo had something to prove, and nothing to win.

tee, hee.

[21_Blessings]

exactly. Last seasons clippers have ot be the WORST team ever. No lie. Take a look at their roster, close to championship calibur, and take a look at their record.

People were mostly picking them to do well with Brand. After all that drama Baron went into pout mode and the Clippers tanked the rest of the season. No way were they "close to championship caliber".

Considering they drafted Griffin and he looks legit, it's probably better this way for them. Blake > Brand.


It is embarrassing.

The Clippers have had worse and more embarrassing seasons than that. I assure you.

[21_Blessings]

Of course Griffin probably suffers a career ending injury and Baron gains 20 pounds and "back" problems.

The Clippers will always be the Clippers.

[JamStone]

Clippers are like the Raiders of the NBA. Analyst and people always pick them as a team that could do something in the off-season. The season starts and they still suck. That said, I'll go with the Clippers.

Which Raiders are you talking about? The Red Raiders?

People haven't been picking the Raiders to do shit for several years now, but people "always" pick them as a team that could do something? Other than delusional Raider fan, when's the last time that was an accurate statement?