RuffnReadyOzStyle
10-30-2006, 10:57 PM
Okay, so let's have a go at ranking the divisions and then call up this thread again in April!
Here are my predictions (then number of wins, and rank in the conference in brackets):
NORTHWEST
Jazz 48 (7)
Nuggets 45 (8)
Wolves 40
Sonics 27
Blazers 18
Why? Deron Williams will make the leap to solid starter and get the ball to the very talented frontcourt of Kirilenko, Boozer and Okur. The Nuggets seem unbalanced with 5 PFs and a lack of quality swingmen (let's hope JR is a bust!), and it is in year 2-3 that George Karl teams usually start rebelling. The Wolves are also a strange mish-mash and have too much baggage in Blount, Griffin, Hudson and Jaric for harmony. the Sonics and Blazers are rebuilding.
PACIFIC
Suns 59 (2)
Clippers 54 (4)
Kings 50 (5)
Lakers 40
Warriors 25
Why? The Suns are deep and have done what they do very successfully for two seasons now, plus they have added Banks to keep the tempo up when Nash sits. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Clips take the division either - it will be a close run thing and Sean Livingston will be a starter sooner rather than later. The Kings lack a post game but could be a force with the improved defensive mindset Artest brings, a lighter Bibby, and watch Kevin Martin blossom!. Too many question marks over the Lakers and Warriors, and the latter let me down in my pre-season predictions last year... :lol
SOUTHWEST
Mavs 60 (1)
Spurs 58 (3)
Rockets 49 (6)
Hornets 29
Grizz 19
Why? It's about time the Mavs pipped us at the post. Also, they have a deeper team and injuries are de riguer in the NBA, but both teams will win over 57 games. The Spurs are blooding quite a few new players but will peak at the right time in April and take the Mavs in the WCFs. The Rockets should be vastly improved, but can Alston play in a Jeff Van Gundy system? Past evidence says not very well, and it all starts with the PG. Yao and Bonzi will have big years, but T-Mac will break down again. The Hornets will impress and make big steps forward. The Grizz will suck until Pau comes back, then they will improve a little but may as well treat this year as an opportunity to blood young talent.
CENTRAL
Bulls 55 (2)
Cavs 54 (3)
Pistons 53 (5)
Pacers 41 (8)
Bucks 35
Why? Big Ben was a win-now acquisition, and he and PJ should steer the youngsters to an excellent season. They are deep and versatile, but could do with a post scorer. The Cavs don't have much of a bench, but Pollard, Varejao and David Wesley will plug the holes Jones and Marshall were meant to plug a year ago. The Pistons will sorely miss Ben, and Sheed will be sorely affected by the new rules. Chauncey and Rip will carry them a lot of the time. The Pacers will struggle into 8th again, out in the first round again, and it will be rebuilding time. The Bucks will struggle early but come out late as one of the best running teams in the East.
SOUTHEAST
Heat 56 (1)
Magic 48 (6)
Wizards 42 (7)
Bobcats 33
Hawks 21
Why? The Heat will coast again, but well enough to top the conference. The Magic will be the league's big improvers as Nelson, Howard and Milicic come of age, although their bench is a bit thin. The Wiz still have no inside presence, but Arenas will score over 30ppg then miss the two most crucial FTs in the first round (I like him tho - he's weird, but good peeps). The Bobcats will make strides, the Hawks won't.
ATLANTIC
Nets 54 (4)
Celtics 38
Raptors 30
Knicks 26
76ers 22
Add Krstic's continued improvement and rookie stud Marcus Williams to the big 3 and Jersey will win in the 50s, although their bench is still weak. Look for Williams to average 25-30 minutes at both guard positions as the 6th man. Looks like Telfair and Rondo are here to play, and all they need to get to 40 wins is improvement from Perkins or Jefferson, one or the other will do. The Raps will give their fans something to cheer about, although it will take them a while to gel. The Knicks will improve but still suck. Also, the 76ers who changed very little over the offseason. Poor AI.
Here are my predictions (then number of wins, and rank in the conference in brackets):
NORTHWEST
Jazz 48 (7)
Nuggets 45 (8)
Wolves 40
Sonics 27
Blazers 18
Why? Deron Williams will make the leap to solid starter and get the ball to the very talented frontcourt of Kirilenko, Boozer and Okur. The Nuggets seem unbalanced with 5 PFs and a lack of quality swingmen (let's hope JR is a bust!), and it is in year 2-3 that George Karl teams usually start rebelling. The Wolves are also a strange mish-mash and have too much baggage in Blount, Griffin, Hudson and Jaric for harmony. the Sonics and Blazers are rebuilding.
PACIFIC
Suns 59 (2)
Clippers 54 (4)
Kings 50 (5)
Lakers 40
Warriors 25
Why? The Suns are deep and have done what they do very successfully for two seasons now, plus they have added Banks to keep the tempo up when Nash sits. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Clips take the division either - it will be a close run thing and Sean Livingston will be a starter sooner rather than later. The Kings lack a post game but could be a force with the improved defensive mindset Artest brings, a lighter Bibby, and watch Kevin Martin blossom!. Too many question marks over the Lakers and Warriors, and the latter let me down in my pre-season predictions last year... :lol
SOUTHWEST
Mavs 60 (1)
Spurs 58 (3)
Rockets 49 (6)
Hornets 29
Grizz 19
Why? It's about time the Mavs pipped us at the post. Also, they have a deeper team and injuries are de riguer in the NBA, but both teams will win over 57 games. The Spurs are blooding quite a few new players but will peak at the right time in April and take the Mavs in the WCFs. The Rockets should be vastly improved, but can Alston play in a Jeff Van Gundy system? Past evidence says not very well, and it all starts with the PG. Yao and Bonzi will have big years, but T-Mac will break down again. The Hornets will impress and make big steps forward. The Grizz will suck until Pau comes back, then they will improve a little but may as well treat this year as an opportunity to blood young talent.
CENTRAL
Bulls 55 (2)
Cavs 54 (3)
Pistons 53 (5)
Pacers 41 (8)
Bucks 35
Why? Big Ben was a win-now acquisition, and he and PJ should steer the youngsters to an excellent season. They are deep and versatile, but could do with a post scorer. The Cavs don't have much of a bench, but Pollard, Varejao and David Wesley will plug the holes Jones and Marshall were meant to plug a year ago. The Pistons will sorely miss Ben, and Sheed will be sorely affected by the new rules. Chauncey and Rip will carry them a lot of the time. The Pacers will struggle into 8th again, out in the first round again, and it will be rebuilding time. The Bucks will struggle early but come out late as one of the best running teams in the East.
SOUTHEAST
Heat 56 (1)
Magic 48 (6)
Wizards 42 (7)
Bobcats 33
Hawks 21
Why? The Heat will coast again, but well enough to top the conference. The Magic will be the league's big improvers as Nelson, Howard and Milicic come of age, although their bench is a bit thin. The Wiz still have no inside presence, but Arenas will score over 30ppg then miss the two most crucial FTs in the first round (I like him tho - he's weird, but good peeps). The Bobcats will make strides, the Hawks won't.
ATLANTIC
Nets 54 (4)
Celtics 38
Raptors 30
Knicks 26
76ers 22
Add Krstic's continued improvement and rookie stud Marcus Williams to the big 3 and Jersey will win in the 50s, although their bench is still weak. Look for Williams to average 25-30 minutes at both guard positions as the 6th man. Looks like Telfair and Rondo are here to play, and all they need to get to 40 wins is improvement from Perkins or Jefferson, one or the other will do. The Raps will give their fans something to cheer about, although it will take them a while to gel. The Knicks will improve but still suck. Also, the 76ers who changed very little over the offseason. Poor AI.