Post by BrazilianDude on May 7, 2014 18:17:22 GMT
A lot has changed since the opening week of the season when my last article was published making predictions. Some teams have surprised everyone with their play while other teams have severely disappointed. Some teams even made trades that changed the landscape of their team forever. Going forward the questions are: Which is better the West or the East? Who will come out of the West to win it all and What the hell is happening in Texas?!
Contenders
Timberwolves
The Wolves are doing exactly what was expected from them this season. Elton Brand is turning it up with a 25 and 11 season with Brandon Roy earning his contract this season getting 23 ppg. When you look at Marc Gasol’s initial stat sheet some may call it disappointing since he is not averaging a double double but right now he is doing exactly what the team wants from him. He is being a consistent role player day in and day out. In the last year of his rookie contract Gasol only hopes to improve. Meanwhile from the PG spot Derrick Rose is nothing short of phenomenal almost averaging a triple double this season. There have been rumors of a new gm in Minnesota so lets hope if that’s the case he can maintain the greatness presented by the current squad.
Predicted record 52-30 (same)
Lakers
La is currently5th in the west and they proved last season they do not need a 1 seed to make it all the way to the finals. This team is doing what it has to get done after a quiet offseason. The strategy seems to be keep the core intact and possibly get a better bigman if the option presents itself. Could LA be a landing spot for Yao? Rumors are swirling. Tj ford also could potentially be on the move which would potentially pave the way for highly anticipated PG Rubio to get the minutes he was promised when drafted. A core of Deng and Joe Jesus as some call him could be enough to bring the team back into the playoffs but with out an upgrade at big man could they go all the way?
Predicted record 47-35 (same)
Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets fate relies solely in the skill and health of superstar Carmelo Anthony. The team literally lives and dies by his jump shot. Now that he has been injured the team has been on sort of a skid. Devin Harris has been stepping up with 27 ppg but Melo’s 29 ppg is first in the NBA. As stated in the preseason article this team doesn’t have much past Melo and Harris but that could be enough to get them a playoff birth this season.
Predicted record 38-44
Updated Prediction 42-40
Trailblazers
Portland Trailblazers are an interesting team still…Their best players this season are their biggest guy in Tyson Chandler and their smallest in Chris Paul. These two are leading the team in all major categories leaving them with the current 6 seed in the west. Roll players like Bonzi and Varejao are doing what needs to get done to win games but their record of 22-17 doesn’t reflect their potential. I feel this team will get hotter as the days go on and finish with the 4 seed in the West.
Predicted record 48-34
Updated Prediction 44-38
Clippers
Perhaps one of the best young teams in the league the LA Clippers look to reclaim LosAngeles in these next couple years. This team has surpassed all of my expectations. They even recently strengthend up their only weakness by acquiring Andrew Bogut from the Sonics. Now with a blend of youth and Kirlinko this team looks to hold onto that 2 seed this year and chase the Timberwolves to be the best in the west. I had high expectations for this team going in but I think they finish even better. This is a team of the future for sure.
Predicted record 50-32
Updated Prediction 54-28
Grizzlies
The Grizzlies may be considered the NBA’s most consistant team. They seem to have many good players but in some ways lack a true superstar. In waiting for Cousins to develop into the stud he should be the Grizzlies hold a 26-13 record going into the ASG. This team should only get better with time. Each player on this team is doing its part to get the W and no one is demanding more shorts then they deserve or being a jock. This teams emergence of Yi has been huge since he fills in when Pau and Cousins get tired. He is averaging a near double double off the bench. This team is very deep and could very well make a nice run if they stay healthy.
Predicted record 54-28 (same)
SuperSonics
How could the Sonics not turn it around with a team like that. They are currently 7 games over .500 going into the allstar game holding the 4 seed in the West. They are scary to play because no one can seem to stop the likes of Durant and Bosh. Bosh is looking like an MVP averaging 28 and 11. The team just made a huge move moving Bougut and his contract for Baron Davis’s replacement in Avery Bradley. This move was sure to shape up the future for Seattle. The team’s next big move will be to dump the salary of Davis somewhere after many seasons of hard work. I feel this team would be one of the scariest to face in a 7 game series in the playoffs.
Predicted record 50-32 (same)
Rockets
Two words JOHN WALL. Not only is he probably going to win rookie of the year but this guy is also in line for MVP. With a rookie stat line of 23 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, nearly 8 assists and a little over 2 steals per contest Wall is the future of the NBA. The rockets must feel blessed to have him. It seems that they are trying to win games this year and most likely will lock up atleast the 8 seed in the playoffs. They have a good mix of vets and youth and a bright future going forward.
Predicted record 41-41
Updated Prediction 45-37
Sorry not this year
Kings
If you look at the kings the first thing you see is offseason faker. Not the worst in the west but after a predicted record of 43-39 the team currently is sitting at 15 and 26 with nothing going right for them. This season they were forced to rely on a lot of young talent to keep them moving. With young players like DeAndre Jordan and Nando De Colo this team may have a bright future depending on this upcoming draft but it seems that the ships have sailed in Sacramento unless there is a wild turn around post ASG.
Predicted record 43-39
Updated Prediction 30-52
Jazz
The Utah Jazz have decided to jump into rebuild mode for next season which is rather odd considering they have the 8 seed and one of the best bigman tandoms in the league. It seems that the GM is going to go all out in rebuild after being tired of settling for a middle of the pack spot year after year. It will be exciting to see where Yao goes in a trade that is bound to happen soon. This team desperately needs some guard help and could possibly acquire a young talent in return for Ming. This teams future after the ASG depends on what they can do before day 100 trade deadline.
Predicted record 44-38
Updated Prediction 34-48
Suns
Let the suns be an example of an average team. No player on this team is a stand out superstar to me but no one in their starting lineup would be considered bad at the same time. This team is borderline .500 with an 18-19 record. I do not see them getting any better or worse unless Horford and Bargnani really turn it up in the last games of the year. This team should make a move to get a lot better or a lot worse soon because no one wants to be in the middle of the pack.
Predicted record 41-41 (stays same)
Spurs
Perhaps my favorite team in the west this coming year is the San Antonio Spurs. Is how I started the last article. What the hell happened here. The team is currently sitting on the worst record in the NBA with one of the most talented rosters. The GM traded his young center for Amere. Could be a good trade for both teams if the spurs get any better but they also swapped picks with the Bulls. It is scary knowing the bulls could be a serious playoff threat and somehow wind up with a top 3 pick this offseason. What move will San Antonio make next to try and turn things around. We are all waiting to see.
Predicted record 56-26
Updated Prediction 26-56
Warriors
The Warriors fans actually have some players on the court who they would want to go watch now. Zbo is only getting older but he will be good to teach the young bigs how to work the post. I think Green could be the future of the team despite the owner trying to move him elsewhere. It is clear this team is still in rebuild mode but the future looks better then it did before the season started.
Predicted record 30-52 (same)
Mavericks
The Dallas GM is pulling his hair out. The team has won 9 games too many. The future looks good in Favors who is averaging 13 and 8. This team is obviously trying to tank so lets hope for them they can do that successfully. If they can draft a nice piece to put next to Favors the team will be set to start building their future. Can you say Irving?
Predicted record 13-69
Updated Prediction 18-64
Thank you again for reading! Till next season
Contenders
Timberwolves
The Wolves are doing exactly what was expected from them this season. Elton Brand is turning it up with a 25 and 11 season with Brandon Roy earning his contract this season getting 23 ppg. When you look at Marc Gasol’s initial stat sheet some may call it disappointing since he is not averaging a double double but right now he is doing exactly what the team wants from him. He is being a consistent role player day in and day out. In the last year of his rookie contract Gasol only hopes to improve. Meanwhile from the PG spot Derrick Rose is nothing short of phenomenal almost averaging a triple double this season. There have been rumors of a new gm in Minnesota so lets hope if that’s the case he can maintain the greatness presented by the current squad.
Predicted record 52-30 (same)
Lakers
La is currently5th in the west and they proved last season they do not need a 1 seed to make it all the way to the finals. This team is doing what it has to get done after a quiet offseason. The strategy seems to be keep the core intact and possibly get a better bigman if the option presents itself. Could LA be a landing spot for Yao? Rumors are swirling. Tj ford also could potentially be on the move which would potentially pave the way for highly anticipated PG Rubio to get the minutes he was promised when drafted. A core of Deng and Joe Jesus as some call him could be enough to bring the team back into the playoffs but with out an upgrade at big man could they go all the way?
Predicted record 47-35 (same)
Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets fate relies solely in the skill and health of superstar Carmelo Anthony. The team literally lives and dies by his jump shot. Now that he has been injured the team has been on sort of a skid. Devin Harris has been stepping up with 27 ppg but Melo’s 29 ppg is first in the NBA. As stated in the preseason article this team doesn’t have much past Melo and Harris but that could be enough to get them a playoff birth this season.
Predicted record 38-44
Updated Prediction 42-40
Trailblazers
Portland Trailblazers are an interesting team still…Their best players this season are their biggest guy in Tyson Chandler and their smallest in Chris Paul. These two are leading the team in all major categories leaving them with the current 6 seed in the west. Roll players like Bonzi and Varejao are doing what needs to get done to win games but their record of 22-17 doesn’t reflect their potential. I feel this team will get hotter as the days go on and finish with the 4 seed in the West.
Predicted record 48-34
Updated Prediction 44-38
Clippers
Perhaps one of the best young teams in the league the LA Clippers look to reclaim LosAngeles in these next couple years. This team has surpassed all of my expectations. They even recently strengthend up their only weakness by acquiring Andrew Bogut from the Sonics. Now with a blend of youth and Kirlinko this team looks to hold onto that 2 seed this year and chase the Timberwolves to be the best in the west. I had high expectations for this team going in but I think they finish even better. This is a team of the future for sure.
Predicted record 50-32
Updated Prediction 54-28
Grizzlies
The Grizzlies may be considered the NBA’s most consistant team. They seem to have many good players but in some ways lack a true superstar. In waiting for Cousins to develop into the stud he should be the Grizzlies hold a 26-13 record going into the ASG. This team should only get better with time. Each player on this team is doing its part to get the W and no one is demanding more shorts then they deserve or being a jock. This teams emergence of Yi has been huge since he fills in when Pau and Cousins get tired. He is averaging a near double double off the bench. This team is very deep and could very well make a nice run if they stay healthy.
Predicted record 54-28 (same)
SuperSonics
How could the Sonics not turn it around with a team like that. They are currently 7 games over .500 going into the allstar game holding the 4 seed in the West. They are scary to play because no one can seem to stop the likes of Durant and Bosh. Bosh is looking like an MVP averaging 28 and 11. The team just made a huge move moving Bougut and his contract for Baron Davis’s replacement in Avery Bradley. This move was sure to shape up the future for Seattle. The team’s next big move will be to dump the salary of Davis somewhere after many seasons of hard work. I feel this team would be one of the scariest to face in a 7 game series in the playoffs.
Predicted record 50-32 (same)
Rockets
Two words JOHN WALL. Not only is he probably going to win rookie of the year but this guy is also in line for MVP. With a rookie stat line of 23 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, nearly 8 assists and a little over 2 steals per contest Wall is the future of the NBA. The rockets must feel blessed to have him. It seems that they are trying to win games this year and most likely will lock up atleast the 8 seed in the playoffs. They have a good mix of vets and youth and a bright future going forward.
Predicted record 41-41
Updated Prediction 45-37
Sorry not this year
Kings
If you look at the kings the first thing you see is offseason faker. Not the worst in the west but after a predicted record of 43-39 the team currently is sitting at 15 and 26 with nothing going right for them. This season they were forced to rely on a lot of young talent to keep them moving. With young players like DeAndre Jordan and Nando De Colo this team may have a bright future depending on this upcoming draft but it seems that the ships have sailed in Sacramento unless there is a wild turn around post ASG.
Predicted record 43-39
Updated Prediction 30-52
Jazz
The Utah Jazz have decided to jump into rebuild mode for next season which is rather odd considering they have the 8 seed and one of the best bigman tandoms in the league. It seems that the GM is going to go all out in rebuild after being tired of settling for a middle of the pack spot year after year. It will be exciting to see where Yao goes in a trade that is bound to happen soon. This team desperately needs some guard help and could possibly acquire a young talent in return for Ming. This teams future after the ASG depends on what they can do before day 100 trade deadline.
Predicted record 44-38
Updated Prediction 34-48
Suns
Let the suns be an example of an average team. No player on this team is a stand out superstar to me but no one in their starting lineup would be considered bad at the same time. This team is borderline .500 with an 18-19 record. I do not see them getting any better or worse unless Horford and Bargnani really turn it up in the last games of the year. This team should make a move to get a lot better or a lot worse soon because no one wants to be in the middle of the pack.
Predicted record 41-41 (stays same)
Spurs
Perhaps my favorite team in the west this coming year is the San Antonio Spurs. Is how I started the last article. What the hell happened here. The team is currently sitting on the worst record in the NBA with one of the most talented rosters. The GM traded his young center for Amere. Could be a good trade for both teams if the spurs get any better but they also swapped picks with the Bulls. It is scary knowing the bulls could be a serious playoff threat and somehow wind up with a top 3 pick this offseason. What move will San Antonio make next to try and turn things around. We are all waiting to see.
Predicted record 56-26
Updated Prediction 26-56
Warriors
The Warriors fans actually have some players on the court who they would want to go watch now. Zbo is only getting older but he will be good to teach the young bigs how to work the post. I think Green could be the future of the team despite the owner trying to move him elsewhere. It is clear this team is still in rebuild mode but the future looks better then it did before the season started.
Predicted record 30-52 (same)
Mavericks
The Dallas GM is pulling his hair out. The team has won 9 games too many. The future looks good in Favors who is averaging 13 and 8. This team is obviously trying to tank so lets hope for them they can do that successfully. If they can draft a nice piece to put next to Favors the team will be set to start building their future. Can you say Irving?
Predicted record 13-69
Updated Prediction 18-64
Thank you again for reading! Till next season
