The SUPER Early Conference Projections Thread

[Otsego Mar]

I will also pay you ten thousand dollats to find a quote that says I don't watch Many games. Legally binding contract, right here.

If you don't fund it, you admit you don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about and aimlessly follow me around like an idiot puppydog and never reply to another post I make.


Take the bet.

Personally Cassity, I would not take that legally binding contract unless you are contempt with that amount of dollats.

 

[Cassity14]

Getting on to the topic of the thread: I see the East shaping up something like:

Cleveland
Atlanta
Miami
Chicago
Milwaukee
Toronto
Washington
Boston
Indiana

I think Atlanta is getting a lot of hate, but they will only build upon that system further. They'll post another strong regular season record.

Chicago and Miami are interchangeable depending on health, IMO.

I'm rooting for Milwaukee. I like that they are buildling a team based on length and defensive versatility. I also like Jabari Parker's game a lot. Greg Monroe remains a question mark to me, though.

Toronto got a bit better on paper. I don't think they got better enough to make much of a difference, and I'd argue the core of their roster peaked last season. They'll be around, and could make a round 1 series interesting.

I'm not a fan of Washington. They lost their leader, Wall appears to have leveld off, and Beal is struggling to find legitimate star status. Not a fan of their youth, and Nene isn't getting younger.

Boston and Indiana round it out. Boston builds on their second half success, and Paul George puts the Pacers on his back.

 

[davedugan43]

West will be unbelievable next season.

As far as the East, Cleveland is the only elite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blommen]

I'm really interested in seeing how the Bucks do next season, they could be a big surprise team if that defense really clicks and Jabari actually produces for them.

 

[gourimoko]

Now you're making it personal. I don't follow you around. I don't respect your basketball acumen or maturity enough to consider it, to be honest. This sort of response validates that even more. I'm not on this site for EAYOR. Nothing wrong with those of you who are, particularly when the Cavs were awful, but it's not my primary thing.

You've touted the Spurs for nearly a month, and they added two players. One of whom is great, as I pointed out.

You just said they added "studs." Ergo, you just said David West is a stud. No? This isn't 2012, but apparently you didn't watch basketball then either (your words this time, not mine). Don't call me names for making an interpretation of a stance, and then reinforce said interpretation.

The Spurs offseason acquisitions don't even compare to what the Cavs did a year ago. That's why it's silly to bitch and moan about this summer. If I were a Spurs fan, and somebody were complaining a year ago that the Cavs had a better offseason than the Spurs, I'd have made the same sort of comment.

The Cavs lost nothing from a team that went to game 6 of the NBA finals without its 2nd and 3rd best players. That is a soon-to-be fact.

The Spurs lost in round 1 to a team we can all agree is tier 2 in the NBA at best (I hope) after blowing a 3-2 lead.

The Cavs are the favorite to win the NBA title. That's another fact.

This offseason is, "underwhelming," to the casual fan who tunes in for free agency and waits for new names. The Cavs made their acquisitions over the last twelve months, and have retained them assuming JR comes back.

Is it, "underwhelming," to re-sign 6 free agents (again, assuming JR, Delly, and Tristan do in fact sign)? Take out LeBron, and you have 5 guys re-signing, including one of the summer's top 2 thought-to-be-attainable FA's in Kevin Love, who admitted he wasn't all-in on returning until his meeting with LeBron paired with the feelings he had during the finals.

And the Cavs added a piece that fills a hole in their roster to boot.

I don't need caps lock to make that point clear. I don't need to attack you to make that point clear.

I disagree with your stance. I posted about it on a message board in a tactful manner. No need to be an ass.

I have to say Cassity, I am forced to agree with @David. , the Cavaliers front office has not done as well as expected this offseason.

Kevin Love resigning for 5-years was really his own decision; he chose to take less money overall, it wasn't because of anything Griffin did.

James still took a 1+1 contract, which again, was expected.

Iman Shumpert's contract was good though.. But did anyone expect him to walk?

The Mo Williams signing was good, but.. our biggest area of need was not point guard, and Williams is anything but a plus-defender.

There has been quite a bit of movement this offseason, and the Cavaliers really haven't been involved.

Starting with our baffling decisions during the draft, I think @David. makes a fair point, our offseason, while good (we had a great team to begin with) is a bit underwhelming.

I also think this speaks to LBJ's comments about definitely not wanting to return to the same team; that essential changes were necessary to retool and continue to compete at the highest levels.

We haven't really made any of those changes yet, we simply added Mo Williams.

Haywood, our draft picks, and any potential offseason trades we could have had on the table will be resolved in two weeks, so I'm still willing to take a wait and see approach (as I have since the draft), but it's not looking like we're going to add any major pieces, just more near-retirement aged vets praying for a ring.

I think this is also the same point that Chris Parker has been making, fairly consistently.

So, I don't think you can say it's just "casual fans" who might take such a view.

 

[Cassity14]

I have to say Cassity, I am forced to agree with @David. , the Cavaliers front office has not done as well as expected this offseason.

Kevin Love resigning for 5-years was really his own decision; he chose to take less money overall, it wasn't because of anything Griffin did.

James still took a 1+1 contract, which again, was expected.

Iman Shumpert's contract was good though.. But did anyone expect him to walk?

The Mo Williams signing was good, but.. our biggest area of need was not point guard, and Williams is anything but a plus-defender.

There has been quite a bit of movement this offseason, and the Cavaliers really haven't been involved.

Starting with our baffling decisions during the draft, I think @David. makes a fair point, our offseason, while good (we had a great team to begin with) is a bit underwhelming.

I also think this speaks to LBJ's comments about definitely not wanting to return to the same team; that essential changes were necessary to retool and continue to compete at the highest levels.

We haven't really made any of those changes yet, we simply added Mo Williams.

Haywood, our draft picks, and any potential offseason trades we could have had on the table will be resolved in two weeks, so I'm still willing to take a wait and see approach (as I have since the draft), but it's not looking like we're going to add any major pieces, just more near-retirement aged vets praying for a ring.

I think this is also the same point that Chris Parker has been making, fairly consistently.

So, I don't think you can say it's just "casual fans" who might take such a view.

I think LeBron's comments were as much about his, "We're getting better every day," approach to the team and game as anything, JMO.

Reports surfaced that Shump took less money to stay with the Cavs. For an RFA to do that on day one, to me, is a big deal. It speaks to the culture and roster already in place here.

The same really goes for Kevin Love. He, as you mentioned, left potential money on the table by resigning long term, but that again speaks to what is already in place here.

When Kevin has said that the Finals were his 'epiphany' moment, that tells me that the Cavs had to do a lot of work in resigning Love, they just did most of it midseason when they acquired the players that morphed a toiling team into a true championship contender.

I wouldn't gloss over that fact as much. I don't think that expected is synonymous with underwhelming when it comes to building a championship contender. Aldridge the Spurs was an expected signing as well.

My major point, when reframed, is this:

If the Cavs had added Shumpert, Smith, Mozgov, and Mo this summer, knowing what the former 3 would add to the team ahead of time, wouldn't we be ecstatic?

Haywood contract a bit of a let down so far? Definitely. I also wasn't around day-by-day during the Joe Johnson saga, so I can understand feeling bummed out that we aren't getting him.

 

[Cashius X]

I believe that the actual comment you have made was that you didn't watch "any games." Something that you have said on this site. I never understood how someone could be so opinionated on this team, and yet not watch their games.

@David. was in almost every game thread last year making valid and evidenced comments about not only the game but also the team.

He may have said that he doesn't watch many games but that was a long time ago. He couldn't discuss the issues relating to our team in such detail without doing so.

...He watches the games.

 

[Rich]

Reviving this after free agency is now fully over and reseeding the East. I'm a big believer in Indiana now.

1. Cleveland
2. Atlanta
3. Indiana
4. Chicago
5. Miami
6. Toronto
7. Milwaukee
8. Washington

Gonna leave the West the same.

In the conference Finals I've got Cleveland vs. Indiana and Golden State vs. OKC.

 

[Kevin Ollie]

Reviving this after free agency is now fully over and reseeding the East. I'm a big believer in Indiana now.

1. Cleveland
2. Atlanta
3. Indiana
4. Chicago
5. Miami
6. Toronto
7. Milwaukee
8. Washington

Gonna leave the West the same.

In the conference Finals I've got Cleveland vs. Indiana and Golden State vs. OKC.

That's interesting. How do you feel about Indiana's collection of bigs? Personally, I don't think they have a center or true power forward that I'd be comfortable with playing a lot of minutes in a playoff series.

 

[mhi]

There is just no way MIA doesn't make a change to their current starting lineup.

I mean the best three point shooter in that lineup is Chris fuckin Bosh. In today's NBA, that just wont cut it.

 

[Jordan]

I'm revising my previous predictions a bit. The playoff teams in both conferences are pretty much the same.

In the East there will be some competition for the eighth spot. Orlando, Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit, and Boston will all make a run for the eighth seed. Ultimately I think all of these teams have problems. Orlando lacks consistent shooting (although Hezonja could change this); Indiana is in midst of a paradigm shift in the style of basketball they play; Charlotte lost MKG, now they are going to be reliant on their rotation of big men to win games; Detroit is really good but inexperienced, I think they get the ninth seed; and Boston is the exact same team as last year and their best player comes off the bench. I ultimately went with Boston's coaching (which I believe is amongst the best in the league) and experience.

The West is interesting because I think the top five teams are elite. After that, though, it gets confusing. That eighth seed is going to be interesting. Not sure the team that gets it has many wins over .500. I think it is a competition between Utah, Dallas, LA Lakers, Sacramento, and Phoenix. But like the East, all of these teams have serious issues. Utah is an atrocious team on offense; Dallas just doesn't have the depth, especially in the big man rotation, to win games, and unless Wes Matthews becomes an all-star they probably miss the playoffs by a decent margin; the Lakers will be competitive later in the season as Randle and Russell get comfortable in the NBA, still probably not enough firepower to make the playoffs; Sacramento is interesting because they lack shooting and are filled with enough headcases that they can blow up at any minute, but, their going to be an elite defensive team and Karl is an offensive savant, thus I would not be surprised if they really compete this year; finally, Phoenix is always going to be able to score due to the system, but their best players are Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler (?) and I just ultimately think it will fall apart. Ultimately I believe the eight seed will come down to a competition between Utah and Sacramento and I went with the Jazz because they have proven to be elite on defense. If Karl can figure out how to work this group of individuals into becoming a team then Sacramento can very well make the playoffs.

Thus, this means there are a few teams with no shot. These teams are: New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Denver, Portland, and Minnesota.

Ultimately I think the "Most Improved Team" in the East is Miami and, in the West, is OKC. Even with the injuries I think Cavs get the first seed, and pretty handily. Spurs have a very "Spurs-esque" season and get the third seed. Meanwhile, LAC, OKC, Houston, and Golden State have very good seasons.

East:
1) Cleveland
2) Miami
3) Atlanta
4) Milwaukee
5) Chicago
6) Washington
7) Toronto
8) Boston
9) Detroit
10) Orlando
11) Indiana
12) Charlotte
13) New York
14) Brooklyn
15) Philadelphia

First round: Cleveland over Boston (4-0); Miami over Toronto (4-2); Washington over Atlanta (4-3); and Milwaukee over Chicago (4-3)

Second round: Cleveland over Milwaukee (4-1); Miami over Washington (4-1)

ECF: Cleveland over Miami (4-2)

East playoffs are pretty straightforward. Miami and Cleveland are clearly the best teams in this side of the bracket. Milwaukee continues to play well, and gives teams trouble, but not enough firepower yet to get to the conference finals. Washington wins the revenge match against Atlanta only to get creamed by Miami. Come conference finals, I think Lebron continues to struggle in Miami and that leads to a 2-2 split going into game five. Cavs win game five handily and, in game 6, LBJ finally figures out how to win in Miami resulting in a six-game win.

West:
1) LA Clippers
2) OKC
3) Spurs
4) Houston
5) Golden State
6) New Orleans
7) Memphis
8) Utah
9) Sacramento
10) Phoenix
11) Dallas
12) Lakers
13) Portland
14) Minnesota
15) Denver

First round: LAC over Utah (4-0); OKC over Memphis (4-2); SAS over Pelicans (4-1); Houston over Golden State (4-3).

Second round: LAC over Houston (4-3); SAS over OKC (4-2)

WCF: SAS over LAC (4-2)

The West is, yet again, a shootout. The only "easy" series is Clippers over Utah. Here the matchup is just really bad for Utah. The best series in the first round is Houston over Golden State. A healthy Houston team with Ty Lawson coming back gives Golden State trouble. Demonstrating the toughness of the WC, Golden State looses in the first round. In the second round, Paul Pierce is able to stabilize the Clippers and they win a tough series against Houston. Additionally, the rivalry between SAS and OKC leads to a great series, but one where SAS ultimately handles OKC's limited depth. Finally, the Spurs win a revenge match against the Clippers because Aldridge gives them frontcourt strength they did not have last year.

Finals: Cavs over Spurs (4-3)

Cavs finally win it all. I've flipped back and forth about this matchup. Pops wins the coaching battle, because as good as Blatt is, Pop is one of the best in NBA history. Ultimately, though, Cavs have two things that lead to the series win: the two best players in the series and more depth. It's not that the Spurs aren't deep, but if the Cavs stay healthy we have the best depth in the league.

Both teams win one on the road. Cavs take a 3-2 lead but Spurs win by ten at home in game six. Cavs win game seven behind a huge performance from the big three. Lebron gets a triple-double and Love and Kyrie both get double-doubles. Finally, Lebron gets finals MVP and Cleveland has a championship.

 

[Expensive Jet]

Am I the only one who just doesn't believe the new hype around Miami? I just don't see it... Yeah it's a good starting 5, but old man Wade has to preserve his fossils of knees until May and besides Winslow, your bench consists of Gerald Green and Josh McBob? Idk maybe I still have some lingering hatred for them but I just don't see this "Miami can knock off Cleveland" talk... Stephen A. is a douche

 

[Otsego Mar]

Knicks still makin' playoffs.

 

[randymoss1881]

Clippers won't make the WCF again not when you have no wing defender (no cp3 doesn't count). And not when you have players like Crawford-Rivers-Smith jacking up shots.
Can't see them beating Houston, OKC, GS, and the spurs.

 

[Kevin Ollie]

Am I the only one who just doesn't believe the new hype around Miami? I just don't see it... Yeah it's a good starting 5, but old man Wade has to preserve his fossils of knees until May and besides Winslow, your bench consists of Gerald Green and Josh McBob? Idk maybe I still have some lingering hatred for them but I just don't see this "Miami can knock off Cleveland" talk... Stephen A. is a douche

I think they'll be good because they have plenty of talent, but I'm hearing way too many people talking about how they match up well with the Cavs. They beat the Cavs a couple of times last year and both games were on national TV, I think, and people are putting too much credence in that.