Post by Brooklyn on Sept 24, 2016 15:38:27 GMT
AMERICA EAST
x - Knicks (64-18)
x - Bulls (52-30)
x - Raptors (44-38)
x - Nets (43-39)
Cavaliers (41-41)
Celtics (40-42)
Boca Juniors (22-60)
Franca BC (18-63)
AMERICA WEST
x - Grizzlies (62-20)
x - Timberwolves (56-26)
x - Warriors (48-34)
x - Supersonics (45-37)
Lakers (42-40)
Trailblazers (35-47)
Spurs (32-50)
Jazz (24-58)
1. New York Knicks (64-18) - The Knicks should cruise to another division title, and will most likely win the conference - although Vancouver could push them for that. The Knicks top 5 players are astounding (Larry Nance, Kevin Durant, Kenny Anderson, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol), but if there is any criticism of the roster its that the bench might be a little light.
2. Vancouver Grizzlies (62-20) - After ripping off the GM of the former Los Angeles Lakers franchise to the point where the organization had to be contracted, Vancouver pulled off another unbalanced trade that decimated the Buenos Aires organization for years to come. The result is that Vancouver is loaded with top-end talent. While Vancouver's starters might be a step behind New York's starters, Vancouver's bench is deeper than New York's.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) - The Timberwolves missed the playoffs last year, not because of lack of talent on their roster, but due to an inactive GM. With an active GM at the helm this season, the team will return to the playoffs and on paper could contend for the top spot - however we don't believe the current GM has the ability to do that.
4. Chicago Bulls (52-30) - A perennial playoff team (when they're not actively tanking), the Bulls should repeat on a strong season last year. The team has more than enough talent to do damage this year - the big question mark is the team's salary cap situation next year. Should management decide to make a move this year to alleviate the pressure next year, it could hurt the Bulls' chances this year.
5. San Fransisco Warriors (48-34) - The team seemed to be on a great path a few seasons ago, but their trajectory has levelled off. They have enough talent to make the playoffs, and Gail Goodrich alone will push the Warriors towards a shot at home-court advantage in round 1.
6. Seattle Supersonics (45-37) - After putting together a superstar roster 2 seasons ago, management traded away two key pieces in Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan. In return came Larry Johnson, and while the move may have set the team up better for the long run, they will probably take a step back this season.
7. Toronto Raptors (44-38) - The Raptors, also known as Team Mediocre, will once again battle it out for a lower-seeded playoff birth. In 7 seasons the Raptors have made the playoffs 4 times, never getting past the 1st round. This year will be more of the same.
8. Brooklyn Nets (43-39) - The Nets are looking to make their first playoff appearance since their new GM took over 3 seasons ago and started a rebuild. This year the team is led by a mix of vets (Charles Barkley, Arvydas Sabonis, Zoran Slavnic, Gilbert Arenas) and youth (Magic Johnson, Devin Booker, Vladimir Tkachenko)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40) - Tom Heinsohn is the team's only true star, but with a solid supporting cast around him the Lakers could sneak into the playoffs. It will take a near-MVP type season from Heinsohn for this team to do much more then that.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-41) - Cleveland is a mashup of a few solid young players (Brandon Roy, D'Angelo Russell, Rudy Gobert) and random veteran FA signings (Karl Malone, Jerry Stackhouse, Walt Frazier, Xavier McDaniel). If the GM can figure out how to make it work they could definitely make the playoffs. My guess is that he is probably outside on a swingset somewhere instead.
11. Boston Celtics (40-42) - Hard to predict Seer's teams. Since he doesn't have his pick we can rule out tanking though, so he will be going for it. With a team of Greg Oden, Flynn Robinson, Cazzie Russell, and a young Chris Webber, it would take some monster trades to see them push for a playoff spot.
12. Portland Trailblazers (35-47) - Portland is in the midst of a retooling phase, although I don't think this GM likes anything other than competing for playoffs. They don't have their pick so they'll give it their best, but will ultimately fall short.
13. San Antonio Spurs (32-50) - Spurs have the talent to win 40 games, but not enough to make the playoffs. Since they have their pick, my prediction is they'll switch to tank mode midway through the season once they realize playoffs are not likely.
14. New Orleans Jazz (24-58) - New Orleans will tank this season, and will try their best to game the "anti-tanking" policy. They'll intentionally finish in the bottom 4 to 6 range and pick top 3 in next year's rookie draft.
15. Buenos Aires Boca Juniors (22-60) - They've got some decent young pieces, but it won't be enough to be competitive at any point this season. They should probably trade Hudson for some more youth/picks and focus on the rookie draft.
16. Brazil Franca BC (18-64) - It's going to be another long season in Brazil. Their 1st round pick last year turned out to be Magic Johnson, but unfortunately they didn't own the pick. McDyess is really the only scoring option, so they'll wait this year out and continue to rebuild.
x - Knicks (64-18)
x - Bulls (52-30)
x - Raptors (44-38)
x - Nets (43-39)
Cavaliers (41-41)
Celtics (40-42)
Boca Juniors (22-60)
Franca BC (18-63)
AMERICA WEST
x - Grizzlies (62-20)
x - Timberwolves (56-26)
x - Warriors (48-34)
x - Supersonics (45-37)
Lakers (42-40)
Trailblazers (35-47)
Spurs (32-50)
Jazz (24-58)
1. New York Knicks (64-18) - The Knicks should cruise to another division title, and will most likely win the conference - although Vancouver could push them for that. The Knicks top 5 players are astounding (Larry Nance, Kevin Durant, Kenny Anderson, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol), but if there is any criticism of the roster its that the bench might be a little light.
2. Vancouver Grizzlies (62-20) - After ripping off the GM of the former Los Angeles Lakers franchise to the point where the organization had to be contracted, Vancouver pulled off another unbalanced trade that decimated the Buenos Aires organization for years to come. The result is that Vancouver is loaded with top-end talent. While Vancouver's starters might be a step behind New York's starters, Vancouver's bench is deeper than New York's.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) - The Timberwolves missed the playoffs last year, not because of lack of talent on their roster, but due to an inactive GM. With an active GM at the helm this season, the team will return to the playoffs and on paper could contend for the top spot - however we don't believe the current GM has the ability to do that.
4. Chicago Bulls (52-30) - A perennial playoff team (when they're not actively tanking), the Bulls should repeat on a strong season last year. The team has more than enough talent to do damage this year - the big question mark is the team's salary cap situation next year. Should management decide to make a move this year to alleviate the pressure next year, it could hurt the Bulls' chances this year.
5. San Fransisco Warriors (48-34) - The team seemed to be on a great path a few seasons ago, but their trajectory has levelled off. They have enough talent to make the playoffs, and Gail Goodrich alone will push the Warriors towards a shot at home-court advantage in round 1.
6. Seattle Supersonics (45-37) - After putting together a superstar roster 2 seasons ago, management traded away two key pieces in Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan. In return came Larry Johnson, and while the move may have set the team up better for the long run, they will probably take a step back this season.
7. Toronto Raptors (44-38) - The Raptors, also known as Team Mediocre, will once again battle it out for a lower-seeded playoff birth. In 7 seasons the Raptors have made the playoffs 4 times, never getting past the 1st round. This year will be more of the same.
8. Brooklyn Nets (43-39) - The Nets are looking to make their first playoff appearance since their new GM took over 3 seasons ago and started a rebuild. This year the team is led by a mix of vets (Charles Barkley, Arvydas Sabonis, Zoran Slavnic, Gilbert Arenas) and youth (Magic Johnson, Devin Booker, Vladimir Tkachenko)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40) - Tom Heinsohn is the team's only true star, but with a solid supporting cast around him the Lakers could sneak into the playoffs. It will take a near-MVP type season from Heinsohn for this team to do much more then that.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-41) - Cleveland is a mashup of a few solid young players (Brandon Roy, D'Angelo Russell, Rudy Gobert) and random veteran FA signings (Karl Malone, Jerry Stackhouse, Walt Frazier, Xavier McDaniel). If the GM can figure out how to make it work they could definitely make the playoffs. My guess is that he is probably outside on a swingset somewhere instead.
11. Boston Celtics (40-42) - Hard to predict Seer's teams. Since he doesn't have his pick we can rule out tanking though, so he will be going for it. With a team of Greg Oden, Flynn Robinson, Cazzie Russell, and a young Chris Webber, it would take some monster trades to see them push for a playoff spot.
12. Portland Trailblazers (35-47) - Portland is in the midst of a retooling phase, although I don't think this GM likes anything other than competing for playoffs. They don't have their pick so they'll give it their best, but will ultimately fall short.
13. San Antonio Spurs (32-50) - Spurs have the talent to win 40 games, but not enough to make the playoffs. Since they have their pick, my prediction is they'll switch to tank mode midway through the season once they realize playoffs are not likely.
14. New Orleans Jazz (24-58) - New Orleans will tank this season, and will try their best to game the "anti-tanking" policy. They'll intentionally finish in the bottom 4 to 6 range and pick top 3 in next year's rookie draft.
15. Buenos Aires Boca Juniors (22-60) - They've got some decent young pieces, but it won't be enough to be competitive at any point this season. They should probably trade Hudson for some more youth/picks and focus on the rookie draft.
16. Brazil Franca BC (18-64) - It's going to be another long season in Brazil. Their 1st round pick last year turned out to be Magic Johnson, but unfortunately they didn't own the pick. McDyess is really the only scoring option, so they'll wait this year out and continue to rebuild.
