They have the same team that won 48 games last season, and just added two 2way top 10 players.
Harrell, Lou Williams, Beverly, Gallinari, Alexander, etc, etc. They are deep as . They aren't the Lakers.
With more of a balance of power in the West I think depth will play a bigger role for teams this coming season. Less resting of players due to more tougher games, increased chance for injury for less deep teams or injury prone players, and risk of fatigue in the playoffs.
They have the same team that won 48 games last season, and just added two 2way top 10 players.
Harrell, Lou Williams, Beverly, Gallinari, Alexander, etc, etc. They are deep as . They aren't the Lakers.
Overrating the Lakers a bit. But they do have a higher ceiling than last season. Still, I’m not convinced they’re gonna be a top 5 team next season.
Like this breakdown.
Maybe I am a prisoner of the moment but I tend to think Spurs will do well in the RS now that they have depth and Pop manages his oldest guys well.
Come the playoffs stars are supposed to take you home and that is where I have trouble with Demar and LMA. Still anything is possible. I don't think the other teams are all that much superior at this point so it's not like they can't get lucky. I do feel better about this team than I did last year and that's![]()
Yeah, I totally forgot the Clippers had to give something up to get George.
They're still deep as , tbh.
Clippers are in a tier of their own. They should easily have the best defense in the league and eclipse 60 wins. Similar to the Toronto situation Kawhi is going to a team that would already be WC contender without him, and his presence will make them clear cut favorites. They have either more talent or more experience than any other contender at the moment.
Tier 2 would be the 76ers Bucks Rockets Post-Klay Warriors. Even though they might win the east, Bucks got worse overall imo. I think losing brogdan is being understated. If Simmons gets some kind of jump shot this season, I think the AL Horford addition could very well put them slightly over the Bucks next year...barring any other moves being made, injuries etc.
Tier 3 are the teams with potential that could make the jump...Jazz, Nuggets, Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, Pacers, Blazers (add heat if they get WB)
Nobody else matters.
If I had to pick a sleeper team that surprises each conference I'd say Nets in the East, Thunder in the West(if they dont blow it up and send WB to MIA).
Gallinari went to OKC.
Clips current roster:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/cap/
May not be totally up to date
This. ^
They can get lucky though as you said in a different post.
Or someone could have a career year (hoping for one of the young guys to have a breakout season). One always has to hope as a fan.
Agreed. I hope the Spurs stay healthy. Otherwise there's always going to be an excuse.
Gallo and Alexander are gone in the PG trade but the guys they added more than make up for the loss.
+1 on your post regarding the Regular Season, depth will be massive, which is why I think the Spurs could get a top 4 seed..
Problem is the playoffs, where nothing has changed, it's virtually always required to have a superstar..
Clippers have plenty of talent outside of Kawhi/George, they're essentially bringing back the same team with 2 collosal upgrades..
I think their defense will be overrated, though..Kawhi rarely plays defense anymore and George is declining on that end, as well..
I don't have the Spurs better than the Lakeshow right now, tbh... maybe just about the same tier...
As much as we like Murray and White, it's almost unimaginable either turns into a superstar next year, or at any point their career tbh. So we're left holding out hope that LMA or Demar take it to another level, at this late stage in their career. Tough predicament.
Why is it "unimaginable"?
Tier 1--Mil, LAC, maybe Hou
Tier 2--Hou if not Tier 1, Phi, LAL, GSW
Tier 3-Den Utah Bos
The Clippers amazed everyone because they had a bunch of young players, without superstars, and they excelled at playing together as a team. That dynamic is definitely changed.
The biggest name player they had was Gallinari, and he's gone in the trade. The best young talent they had was G-Alexander, and he's gone in the trade. Those two were responsible for 40 PPG.
You can't call that essentially the same team. They got two big talents, but lost two pretty big talents. And they still have to make the pieces work. The two superstars both require a LOT of touches. Those other guys who were important parts of a team last season are gong to have to be content being afterthoughts. We'll see, but I don't think you can automatically anoint that team as the WCF champs.
knew the bucks were fake this past season. could see philly or boston beating them.
tier 1: clips
I like this but would break it down even further:
Tier 1: Clippers, Bucks
Tier 2: Nuggets, Pacers, 76ers, Blazers, Spurs, Jazz
Tier 3: Warriors, Rockets, Celtics, Lakers
Tier 4: Nets, Heat, Raptors
Tier 5: Hawks, Mavs, Pistons, Grizzlies, Wolves, Pelicans, Thunder, Magic, Suns, Kings, Wizards
Tier 6: Hornets, Bulls, Cavs, Knicks
- Rockets and Warriors will finish in the bottom half of the West 5-8. I don't consider either team to be a threat to advance to the WCF.
- I prefer the Bucks, Pacers, and 76ers all over the Celtics both from a talent and chemistry standpoint.
- Unless LBJ and Davis each play 65+ games and combine for 55+ each night, I too think they finish in 5-8 seeds.
- Spurs are borderline Tier 2/3. Depth, high IQ players, and coaching system are major factors.
The Clippers are beatable S well stop it.
They dont need need to be superstars
This year's version of the Lakers is possibly the most overrated NBA team in history.
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