This is correct. Good job, Nickkkkkkkky. Tony reported that '23-'24 is a year of development and roster strengthening, and summer of '24 is going to be the timeframe they look to make a major splash. (Which, in my read of it, sounds like an assertive push for Brown or Doncic.)
The West Conundrum
- Thread starter HermanG
- Start date
Park Bites
Well-Known Member
I see Memphis as dropping some.
framer
Well-Known Member
You should feel lucky he didn't call you a xenophobe. . .
I think:
Denver - slightly worse (championship hangover)
Memphis - worse
Sacramento - worse (because they played better than their talent last year)
Phoenix - about the same (injuries/ lack of chemistry
Clippers - strangely, I think they do better this year
Golden State - about the same
Lakers - improve
Wolves - improve
OKC - improve
New Orleans - about the same
Dallas - improve
Utah - about the same
Portland - worse
Houston - slightly better
San Antonio - slightly better
Overall I’m expecting another year of a lot of parity, with only a few games separating 3 from 12.
Denver - slightly worse (championship hangover)
Memphis - worse
Sacramento - worse (because they played better than their talent last year)
Phoenix - about the same (injuries/ lack of chemistry
Clippers - strangely, I think they do better this year
Golden State - about the same
Lakers - improve
Wolves - improve
OKC - improve
New Orleans - about the same
Dallas - improve
Utah - about the same
Portland - worse
Houston - slightly better
San Antonio - slightly better
Overall I’m expecting another year of a lot of parity, with only a few games separating 3 from 12.
I think Denver will be significantly worse, maybe not in the regular season, but I just don't see them getting that lucky with health again and they lose Bruce who was huge for them.
The Clippers and Warriors are teetering due to age and potential for injuries. Lakers still need LeBron and AD to be healthy.
nateboz
Well-Known Member
Lakers and Clippers will struggle. They both are relying on injury prone vets that are just getting older.
Spurs still have a terrible roster.
Houston has an expensive Medocre backcourt, with young guys who already play losing hero ball.
OKC should be much better, but their roster still isn't great.
Dallas has a poorly built team. Luka will probably ask for a trade sooner than later.
Denver will be solid.
Portland will be the worst team in the west.
Sacramento should be good, they usually suck so who knows.
Minnesota will miss the playoffs and probably look to either blow it up or trade Towns or Rudy to tweak the roster.
Phoenix should be solid. Booker, Beal and Durrant are going to cook when they're healthy.
Jazz will be significantly better. Every position should be better and deeper. Kessler will develop a little offense. Collins probably won't be the player he was 3 years ago, but he will be much better than Gay. The 3 rookies will be interesting. 1 will fade, and 1 will get 15 minutes, and 1 will end up being a huge piece. My guess is Hendricks will end up as best.
Spurs still have a terrible roster.
Houston has an expensive Medocre backcourt, with young guys who already play losing hero ball.
OKC should be much better, but their roster still isn't great.
Dallas has a poorly built team. Luka will probably ask for a trade sooner than later.
Denver will be solid.
Portland will be the worst team in the west.
Sacramento should be good, they usually suck so who knows.
Minnesota will miss the playoffs and probably look to either blow it up or trade Towns or Rudy to tweak the roster.
Phoenix should be solid. Booker, Beal and Durrant are going to cook when they're healthy.
Jazz will be significantly better. Every position should be better and deeper. Kessler will develop a little offense. Collins probably won't be the player he was 3 years ago, but he will be much better than Gay. The 3 rookies will be interesting. 1 will fade, and 1 will get 15 minutes, and 1 will end up being a huge piece. My guess is Hendricks will end up as best.
Its a good point about Rockets. They did allow their young guys to play very selfish quality ball last season.
While it was effective for tanking purposes I dont know how easy it is to learn out of. Habits die hard.
OP problem is also highlighted by Zach Harper doing his offseason Power Rankings. Out of his top 19 teams, 12 are from West. Utah is at #19, ranked as the best team outside the play-in/playoff tiers.
However even if we miss out which I think we wont, there are only 10 spots fir the other 11.
theathletic.com
However even if we miss out which I think we wont, there are only 10 spots fir the other 11.
NBA Power Rankings: Champs on top; one pressing question for all 30 teams
A couple of major dominoes are left to fall, but we have a pretty good idea of where every team stands this offseason.
theathletic.com