Lol...I like that "teams like this".

After that trade...it's going to be a big time battle to see who can do the better tanking job the rest of the year. Should be extremely competitive between the Sixers and Suns. Noel supposedly sitting out the entire year even though he should be ready to go sometime during the season.

I'm liking the Pistons...the more I look the more I like their team. They brought in enough shooters to open things up inside, and I see Drummond being one of the most improved players in the league this year. No chance to contend with the top teams like the Heat and Pacers but they are much better than last years 29 win team.

They certainly have increased the overall talent level there. The issue IMO is that Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings are kind of players that accumulate stats on flawed teams guys as opposed to filling a role that leads to making others around them better. Smith is best as a small ball 4 and Jennings would be best as an off the bench scorer like Jamal Crawford. Casting them as a wing 3 and PG with their typically poor shot selection is going to be interesting. They will surely win more than 29 though I'm not seeing them as being as good enough to finish in the top 8

Chuck...who are your top 8 in both the East and the West?

1.Chicago
2.Miami
3.Indiana
4.Brooklyn
5.Knicks
6.Atlanta
7.Washington
8.Cleveland
9.Toronto
10.Detroit
11.Charlotte
12.Orlando
13.Boston
14.Milwaukee
15.Philly

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

The West is really tough to figure out. Obviously injuries play a big factor. You could make a case for any of the top 5 teams. GS is going to be overrated after last years run and with Barnes beginning the year injured, Curry always a risk, Lee coming off an injury and Bogut, they are easily the team that could drop right out of the playoffs with a few bad breaks. If MN stays healthy they will make the playoffs. I like Portland to sneak in though Dallas, Denver or even New Orleans would not be a surprise.

In the East the top 4 are clearly a cut above. While unlikely the 1st round may be 4-0, 4-0, 4-0, 4-0. I think Miami does a SA and rests their stars more and allows Chicago to sneak by them for the best record. The Knicks have big issues and are 5th by default. You can throw a blanket over 6-10. Charlotte may be a bit better than you'd think and I hope Orlando will be a little better than expected.

Pretty much agree with you..we'd just differ with the Cavs and Pistons in the East and the T-Wolves and Nuggets out West as far as potential playoff teams go.

I wouldn't argue with either one of those.

Should be a great NBA season. I'm just hoping to see the Blazers back in the playoffs.

Here's mine

Miami
Indiana
Chicago
Brooklyn
Cleveland
New York
Detroit
Toronto

Houston
Golden St
Clippers
ThunderThunder
Spurs
Minnesota
New Orleans
Lakers

Only 5 teams can realistically win it. Heat huge favorite then Indiana, Houston, Golden St and Spurs assuming they don't fall right apart. Age scares me with them.

MVP Lebron 1/5. Harden 9/2 George 8/1 no one else can win it

Rankings, not by record though, but where I see them at season's end :

Indiana, Miami, Chicago, Cleveland, Brooklyn, NY, Detroit, Washington, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Charlotte, Toronto, Orlando, Philadelphia, Boston

LA Clippers, OKC, Houston, SA, GS, LA Lakers, Minnesota, Memphis, Dallas, Portland, Denver, NO, Sacramento, Utah, Phoenix

The Clippers have major issues on defense.

Definitely need to switch Philadelphia and Boston...Sixers look like they're in full tanking mode.

You saw that one coming a mile away

While the Lakers scrubs probably wont repeat that performance the rest of the year the Clippers defensive matchup issues are going to be a real problem for them. Basically their best defender by far is 6'0"

They are up like 56-9 or something

Carter-WIlliams with an impressive opening 9min to his career

Who do you think will finish with the better record Sixers or Celtics?

What's wrong with Wade that he's not playing?

I think both teams will be really bad. I would think Philly will be 4-8 games worst. Best players Young and Turner could be traded. I think Young is 100% gone. Boston still has Rondo and Green. They will win a few games.

They aren't playing him on occasion the 2nd night of back to backs on road. Said knee is sore.

That can't be good this early in the season...certainly wasn't good for the Heat tonight lol. 114-110 Sixers