2023-2024 Western Conference Regular Season Prediction Contest

[Handlogten's Heros]

Yeah, I get SGA, but for them to reach a top 6 status in teh West Chet would have to have an insane season. Coming off an injury as a rookie, with his body, I think he will struggle more than people think.

Part of it though is they basically punted at center last year... so if he gives them 20-25 solid minutes over 50-60 games I think it is better than what they had.

Obviously they are factoring in a bunch of internal development with Willaims and Giddy. I still think they need to brink in some veteran help to make the leap some are projecting. Likely a play-in team with us.

 

[sip]

I still want to know why anyone thinks OKC is better than Utah.

They got no depth and Chet is coming off foot surgery as a rookie.

Let me break it down for you.

1. For me SGA is clearly the best player between the 2 teams and is knocking on the door of being a top 5 player in the league.
2. I'm a huge Jalen Williams fan and expect a big year from him. Right now it is probably a toss between he and Giddey but as of right now I like both guys better than whoever is considered to be our 2nd and 3rd best players. So basically I like their big 3 better than whoever we would put in our big 3.
3. They have one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in Dort. For us hopefully Ochai progresses in that department but as of now we don't have anyone close to Dort.
4. I really like the addition of Vasilije Micic as a backup guard. He should be solid from the get go.
5. Tre Mann looked amazing in the summer league and we probably see a breakout season from him. If not Tre Mann then they also have Cason Wallace who I think is already an nba level defender and has nice upside offensively.
6. They have some solid role player wings in Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams
7. Their bigs are 100% a concern though and I think they made a mistake not trying to bring in a vet big. With that being said I love Chet's potential and wouldn't be surprised to see him top 3 in ROY voting this season. Jaylin Williams showed some potential as a rookie last year and looked even better in the summer league. If I had to guess I would think Giddey plays most of his minutes at the 4 spot as well. As the season goes on I think they are the team to look out for if we see some solid bigs hit the market. They have the assets to outbid anyone for any player.

 

[David Hume]

DEN
PHX
MEM
LAL
MIN
UTA
GSW
LAC
SAC
DAL
NOP
OKC
SAS
TOR
HOU

I guess it could be an inside joke I’m missing, or a typo, but you apparently have Toronto as your 14th worst WC team.

 

[David Hume]

I guess it could be an inside joke I’m missing, or a typo, but you apparently have Toronto as your 14th worst WC team.

My mistake, 2nd worst team.

 

[Brsn]

Lot's of competition in the West again. I wouldn't be surprised to see teams like the LAC, NOP, and MIN blow up their teams if they underperform. So it's hard to guess the rankings. But I imagine something like this:

GSW
LAL
DEN
PHX
MIN
SAC
LAC
MEM
OKC
DAL
UTA
NOP
POR
SAS
HOU

 

[One Brow]

My mistake, 2nd worst team.

He's missing POR, so I'm guessing typo. @Brsn is giving a 15-point handicap to everyone else.

 

[David Hume]

DEN
PHX
SAC
OKC
GSW
LAL
LAC
MIN
MEM
DAL
NOP
UTA
HOU
SAS
POR

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

DEN
PHX
MIN
MEM
SAC
LAC
GSW
NOP
LAL
OKC
UTA
SAS
DAL
HOU
POR

Jazz should be competing for the Play-in. Utah's weakness is figuring out the PG position and on-ball creation in general. Without Mike Conley orchestrating last year, the offense got bogged down. Jazz probably also need Ochai to emerge as a volume shooter--like 8 3PAs a night with 3 makes. Jazz have a log-jam in the backcourt. If Keyonte starts to emerge, look for a trade to happen sooner rather than later, probably involving either Sexton or THT. Also, see if there are trade rumors involving Brandon Ingram this year and if the Jazz are mentioned.

 

[Ron Mexico]

PHX
DEN
MIN
UTA
GSW
SAC
LAL
OKC
SAS
LAC
DAL
MEM
NOP
HOU
POR

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I'm curious if Houston could surprise this year. They certainly have a bunch of talent on their roster. Reading more about the KPJ situation, that will be an addition by subtraction. FVV might be the vet they need to pull the talent together.

I doubt it, but will not be surprised if they are better than I think.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'm curious if Houston could surprise this year. They certainly have a bunch of talent on their roster. Reading more about the KPJ situation, that will be an addition by subtraction. FVV might be the vet they need to pull the talent together.

I doubt it, but will not be surprised if they are better than I think.

The KPJ situation really really hurt them. Too many young dudes. No proven bench. Poor big man depth.

 

[sip]

I'm curious if Houston could surprise this year. They certainly have a bunch of talent on their roster. Reading more about the KPJ situation, that will be an addition by subtraction. FVV might be the vet they need to pull the talent together.

I doubt it, but will not be surprised if they are better than I think.

We certainly could be underrating them. Jabari Smith was the best player in the summer league by a pretty good margin so he could be in for a big sophmore year improvement. Dillon Brooks had an awesome World Cup on both ends of the court so maybe that confidence can spring board him into a really good year. They have really lacked veteran leadership over the last few years so Fred VanVleet should be a huge upgrade for them. Then they have a bunch of solid looking young players in Jalen Green, Sengun, Eason, Amen and Whitmore. They are moving in the right direction but probably have some growing pains with those young guys.