Predict the West

[Ickey Shuffle]

Agree with BKS.....to early.

But, on paper as is.....

1. Golden State
2. San Antonio
3. Houston
4. Wolves
5. OKC
6. Denver
7. Clippers
8. Blazers

Just missed out: New Orleans, Memphis

1. Golden State
2. Oklahoma City
3. Houston
4. San Antonio(probably will look foolish having them this low)
5. Minnesota
6. Clippers
7. Denver
8. Portland

Just missed: Utah, New Orleans.

1. Golden State
2. Houston
3. SA
4. OKC
5. Minnesota
6. Clippers
7. Denver
8. Portland

I'm also gonna say 6 thru 12 are basically gonna be logjammed, with only a couple of games separating them. So like NO, Utah, possibly even Sacramento will be in the hunt. It'll be even more jammed up in the East

Warriors
Rockets
Spurs
Thunder
Timberwolves
Blazers
Grizzlies
Nuggets

^.

I think 1-5 is pretty straight-forward with 6-8 being a toss up.

I'm tempted to replace Portland with Utah because I don't trust Nurkic having a healthy season, but we'll see.

 

[wildturkey]

^.

I think 1-5 is pretty straight-forward with 6-8 being a toss up.

I'm tempted to replace Portland with Utah because I don't trust Nurkic having a healthy season, but we'll see.

It's basically tiered as well. GS is on top all by themselves with no one really close. Hou,SA, OKC are in tier 2. Minny SHOULD be next in a tier by themselves but could easily be in the next tier of those 6-12 teams where everyone is hovering around .500 battling for playoff spots.

 

[tlance]

It's basically tiered as well. GS is on top all by themselves with no one really close. Hou,SA, OKC are in tier 2. Minny SHOULD be next in a tier by themselves but could easily be in the next tier of those 6-12 teams where everyone is hovering around .500 battling for playoff spots.

I agree with this mostly.

But, I think Minny and OKC are more on tier 3 together. Either is capable of moving up, or down, but most likely will finish top 5. I think there is some decent separation between those two teams and SA/HOU.

There is always one team that performs better than expected and rises up to a higher seed than expected. Last year it was Houston. Two years ago it was Portland. I think the Nuggets have a shot to be that team this year. But, it also would not shock me if they are battling for an 8 seed.