2017-18 NBA Season

[darthseinfeld]

So now that the draft, free agency, and summer league are done lets move on to the season and what we see happening this season and how we think our teams will fair

 

[darthseinfeld]

For Boston:

- I think 60 wins is reasonable if they stay healthy. Haywards addition improves the team, but it does come at the cost of Avery Bradley. However they did get a guy in Morris that could wind up starting amd bring some of the toughness they lost in Johnson

- Outside of IT, Hayward and Horford, its hard to predict the starting lineup. My best guess would be IT, Hayward, Crowder, Morris, Horford. However I think a strong preseason defensively and Brown could be the starting 2 with Hayward at 3. I also think they lineup could change game to game with certain players getting starts due to matchups.

-Tatum had a very strong Summer League, but I dont expect him to be in serious consideration for a starting job. I do think he could have a sizeable role on the bench as the second team scorer. 20-25 minutes a game seems reasonable.

- Aron Baynes was a very good under the radar signing. Very good per minute rebounding production and decent rim protection. I could see him being a 20 minute a game guy and an upgrade over what we had on the boards.

- Dont see them making a major trade. With Bagley III possibly reclassifying there is no way they are giving up Nets pick

- As far as stash players go, I'm more interested now in seeing what the Dancing Bear has more then Ante Zizic. Yabusele has more upside, particularly on offense. Yabusele has potential as a stretch 4, whereas Zizic is more of a rim protector/rebounder/energy player

 

[Manwiththeplan]

For the Knicks

-I think I'm cooled on the Kyrie Irving trade rumors...I didn't realize he was literally the worst defensive PG in the league.

-We should trade Melo, for nothing but picks, no players in return, to literally tank and hopefully get a either Marvin Bagley III, or Michael Porter Jr., so...go Knicks.

 

[darthseinfeld]

For the Knicks

-I think I'm cooled on the Kyrie Irving trade rumors...I didn't realize he was literally the worst defensive PG in the league.

-We should trade Melo, for nothing but picks, no players in return, to literally tank and hopefully get a either Marvin Bagley III, or Michael Porter Jr., so...go Knicks.

Bagely makes next years draft inticing. Porter is a worthy #1 but he isnt the prospect Bagley is. Even Doncic is considered a #1 worthy player. Next year is going to be a good year to get a cornerstone

 

[Fizziksman]

irrelevant. Unless the Warriors get "We Are Marshall'd" no team designed a roster that could beat them in a seven game series. Durant absolutely destroyed what little parity the NBA had left.

 

[visionary]

irrelevant. Unless the Warriors get "We Are Marshall'd" no team designed a roster that could beat them in a seven game series. Durant absolutely destroyed what little parity the NBA had left.

Agree
The gap between the warriors and the rest of the NBA is just huge and practically insurmountable

Can't see any reason fans of other teams would watch

 

[John813]

Can see the Heat between 45-48 wins and getting a mid seed in the East.
Other than that, Warriors with another Championship.

 

[jwooten15]

Injuries not a factor, the Warriors are a lock to win it again.

Basically all "contenders" from last year (with the exception of the Celtics) have gotten worse and/or older.

Cavs are about to implode. But they will still probably make it out of the East.

Spurs are another year older and have only added Rudy Gay. They need front court help and someone to take Aldridge off their hands.

Toronto is a pretender.

Washington will be the same as last year.

Clippers are rebuilding.

OKC will be better, but don't have enough shooting or rebounding to contend.

 

[Biggems]

The Spurs will probably win 60 again, then lose in the WCF to the Warriors, unless Softridge does the impossible and grows a pair.

 

[Vintage]

Bulls will suck. Hopefully suck enough to land a top 3 pick.

Will be interesting to see the horrid PG play out. Dunn was crap last year, but has all the physical tools. At the worst, he can be a a solid piece as a combo guard who can defend. Not sure if he becomes anything more than that. Payne just sucks period. There literally is no redeeming quality about him. Grant isn't a starter. If it were me, I would start Dunn. He's the only one who could be potentially something. What is problematic about that is offensively, neither he nor Wade can shoot. So it brings spacing into issue, again. Which, for the tank, is fine. From a watching the game standpoint, not so much.

There is a glut in the frontcourt. Not from a talent standpoint, but from a minutes standpoint. Mirotic will be brought back. He will start because he's the best option and for spacing. Lopez will start at center. You need to get minutes to Portis to see what you have going forward. They brought back Feliciano. And then, there's Markkenan who needs developmental minutes.

Who knows when Lavine will be back... But when he is, they need to buy out Wade. Lavine can guard the weaker defender, Dunn the offensive player, and Lavine can provide spacing.

It's going to be a bad, bad season.

Mainly, I want to see improvement from Dunn, Lavine healthy, Markkenan play, and get clarity on Portis (which likely will be that he's a role player).

 

[darthseinfeld]

Bulls will suck. Hopefully suck enough to land a top 3 pick.

Will be interesting to see the horrid PG play out. Dunn was crap last year, but has all the physical tools. At the worst, he can be a a solid piece as a combo guard who can defend. Not sure if he becomes anything more than that. Payne just sucks period. There literally is no redeeming quality about him. Grant isn't a starter. If it were me, I would start Dunn. He's the only one who could be potentially something. What is problematic about that is offensively, neither he nor Wade can shoot. So it brings spacing into issue, again. Which, for the tank, is fine. From a watching the game standpoint, not so much.

There is a glut in the frontcourt. Not from a talent standpoint, but from a minutes standpoint. Mirotic will be brought back. He will start because he's the best option and for spacing. Lopez will start at center. You need to get minutes to Portis to see what you have going forward. They brought back Feliciano. And then, there's Markkenan who needs developmental minutes.

Who knows when Lavine will be back... But when he is, they need to buy out Wade. Lavine can guard the weaker defender, Dunn the offensive player, and Lavine can provide spacing.

It's going to be a bad, bad season.

Mainly, I want to see improvement from Dunn, Lavine healthy, Markkenan play, and get clarity on Portis (which likely will be that he's a role player).

A top 3 pick in this draft if Bagley is in it = franchise player. Possibly even top 4 depending on how you feel about the two bigs

 

[Vintage]

A top 3 pick in this draft if Bagley is in it = franchise player. Possibly even top 4 depending on how you feel about the two bigs

Ayton and Bamba are intriguing. Reserving judgement until I see them play in college. The 2001 draft taught me that.

 

[darthseinfeld]

With the Kyrie trade done, does anyone else see the Wizards or even Bucks surprising people and taking the East?

 

[LocimusPrime]

NBA is boring now.

 

[casmith07]

With the Kyrie trade done, does anyone else see the Wizards or even Bucks surprising people and taking the East?

I don't think I would be surprised if any one of the Celtics, Wizards, Raptors, or Bucks win the Eastern Conference.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I don't think I would be surprised if any one of the Celtics, Wizards, Raptors, or Bucks win the Eastern Conference.

Bucks really intrigue me. For whatever reason they went on a big role once the made Thonn a starter. They get Jabari back in February, and come playoff time he should have confidence in his knee. Parker Giannis, with a combo of Monroe/Maker could be a nasty front court come playoff time.

 

[jterrell]

As a Mavs fan I am very excited to watch Dennis Smith Jr. and the tail end of Dirk.
Think they are a low end playoff team and first round victim but one with upside and a future.

Overall should be a simple GSW march to a title which may reduce viewership and attendance.

 

[darthseinfeld]

As a Mavs fan I am very excited to watch Dennis Smith Jr. and the tail end of Dirk.
Think they are a low end playoff team and first round victim but one with upside and a future.

Overall should be a simple GSW march to a title which may reduce viewership and attendance.

I dont think Lebron is gonna have a compelling enough team around him to make it at least seem interesting either. With IT being out a good chunk of the season and the Celtics shuffling almost there whole roster, I could see a scenario where no team in the East wins 50

 

[jterrell]

I dont think Lebron is gonna have a compelling enough team around him to make it at least seem interesting either. With IT being out a good chunk of the season and the Celtics shuffling almost there whole roster, I could see a scenario where no team in the East wins 50

Really just depends on LeBron. If he decides he wants to essentially take the year off as semi-protest to Dan Gilbert CLE may win 35-45 games.
If LeBron wants to gather pieces throughout the year and challenge to own the East he probably could.
Lotsa quality vets available in trade or for cheap prices as a shot at getting to Finals.

But he has no real shot at doing anything with GSW. That team is simply loaded.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Really just depends on LeBron. If he decides he wants to essentially take the year off as semi-protest to Dan Gilbert CLE may win 35-45 games.
If LeBron wants to gather pieces throughout the year and challenge to own the East he probably could.
Lotsa quality vets available in trade or for cheap prices as a shot at getting to Finals.

But he has no real shot at doing anything with GSW. That team is simply loaded.

Ya its really impossible to tell how Clevelands season is going to go. Its going to be interesting how far they are willing to go to make a run this year