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So who is rising and falling in the playoff race in the West?

Rising
Utah- If we're healthy we're in the playoffs
Wolves- KAT, Wiggins, Dunn, they are coming
Suns- They aren't close but they are improving
Pelicans- Hield was a steal
Lakers- Mosgov was stupid, but they got two good players in the draft. Being at the bottom there is only one way to go

Falling
Houston- Striking out in FA
Dallas- Striking out in FA... Again
Sacramento- They are just the Kings, i don't even know lol

Holding steady
GSW
OKC- Durant will go back
SAS
LAC
Portland- I see a similar record to last year from them
Memphis- Just a borderline playoff team again
Denver- baking in the oven
 
Crawlnstall said:
Rising:
Portland, Minnesota, Utah should all improve. I think Portland's younger core is gonna get better as they play more games together.
Minny is obvious, they have a ton of talent and a fantastic coach.
Utah if we can stay healthier than we did last year.

Falling
OKC is really up in the air depending on Durant, althought I'm almost positive he stays in OKC for a year, and if he does OKC is not a falling team.
Houston: The team is a trainwreck of chemistry and D'antoni isn't gonna fix their offense, I see them being an 8th seed at the very best.
Memphis: Team has had some injuries and is getting older, I really like them but I wouldn't be shocked if they missed the post season.
Dallas: They just get older and worse each year.
Click to expand...

I think jazz are better than minny, portland, dallas, and Houston.

I think okc is still better than us cause of their stars. I think memphis is still a little better than us but not by much.
 
My early predictions so far for the west next year
Warriors
Okc
Clippers
Spurs
Grizzlies
Jazz
Blazers
Pelicans
Nuggets
T-wolves
Rockets
Mavs
Kings
Suns
Lakers

That stretch from pelicans to mavs is a tough one to decide
 
Mavs have struck out hard so far. Cuban probably getting frustrated. Could a Barnes max be in their future?
 
Mavs maxing Barnes would be a great move. They need to unload their roster. Max out Barnes and make him the #1 option. He will almost assuredly struggle and they will get a top pick. Barnes has skills and a year of experimentation as a top option will really help his game while also helping the Mavs get a top pick.
 
Jazz have some quality depth now, something
they haven't had in a few years. It all fits in Quin's system too. The next step ought to be to add a 5 who can score the ball within the offense. This is why Jacob Poeltl would have been a nice pick-up, and it sounds like the Jazz were trying to trade for him in the draft.

I think the Jazz are better put together than Memphis. The Clippers are awfully thin right now. Their bench was weak last year, and they're losing some of it with Pierce basically being done.

The Jazz could have a year like Atlanta did a couple seasons ago. Maybe we make the 2nd round of the POs.
 
LOL @ Harrison Barnes getting a 4 year max. Good for Barnes, stupid for Mark Cuban. It's good to have money to throw away.
 
Qman said:
Assuming that Durant goes back to OKC

I see the West like this-

Tier 1 Contenders
1 Warriors
2 OKC
3 Spurs

Tier 2 - Pseudo contenders
4 Clippers

Tier 3 Likely playoff teams

5 Portland
6 Grizzles
7 Utah

Tier 4- not terrible but ...
Minnesota
Houston
New Orleans
Dallas
Denver

Tier 5 - Just bad teams

Sacramento
Phoenix
Lakers


I think people are underestimating how good Conley, Gasol and Parsons are when healthy. Though I worry about their coaching change.

I am assuming that Portland fills out the rest of their roster intelligently.

The Clippers still have 4 very good players. They probably need to trade someone to create some depth.
Click to expand...

Clippers need to keep Crawford or their bench will suck. Besides Crawford actually kills the Jazz every time we play them so I hope he goes back East. SA is getting old and if Gino and Duncan retire then they will drop slightly.

If OKC loses Durant then I can see the Jazz and Blazers fighting out the division.
 
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