Season Preview 14-15

DJT

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Here is a little season preview. Every team, how they did last season, what they lost, what they got over the offseason and predictions for the season. Inf helped a bit on some of the East teams.
 
East:
 
Atlanta Hawks:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, DeMarre Carroll
Additions: Gary Harris, Jason Thompson, Nick Young,
Predictions: Miss playoffs
 
The Hawks have had a lackluster off-season that's for sure. They did manage to add rookie Gary Harris, as well as Jason Thompson and Nick Young, but with not much on the team aside from Curry, Gay and Horford, they really seem to be lacking. Not sure these additions are enough to catapult them into the playoffs for the 2nd time in 4 seasons.
 
Boston Celtics:
Record: Missed Playoffs
Losses: Scrubs
Additions: Nikola Jokic, David Lee, Glenn Robinson III, Nate Robinson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Shaun Livingston, Jimmer Fredette, Tayshaun Prince
Predictions: Miss playoffs
 
The tank lives on for the Celtics, they missed out on Embiid but got arguable the next best player in the draft in Jokic. With Jokic, Beal and tank commander McElmore look for another season of losing from the Celtics.
 
Brooklyn Nets:
Record: Playoffs, first round exit
Losses: Kyle Lowry, Kobe Bryant, Trevor Ariza
Additions: Zaza Pachulia, Festus Ezeli, Dejuan Blair, Anthony Randolph, Joe Ingles, Paul Pierce, Ramon Sessions
Predictions: Miss playoffs, maybe sneak into 8th
 
The Nets have Tyreke Evans and Jameer Nelson, losing Kyle Lowry, Kobe Bryant and Trevor Ariza will really hurt. They do have some solid bigs in Dorsey, Thompson and additions Zaza and Blair, but do they have enough to take a step forward from last year? Seems doubtful from what they are losing.
 
Charlotte Hornets:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Mason Plumlee
Additions: Jonas Valanciunas, Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Evans, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Clarkson,
Predictions: Playoffs 5-8 seed
 
The Hornets still have Derrick Rose and Amar'e Stoudemire, the question has always been 'and what else?' They landed Clarkson in the draft, and added Valanciunas, Boozer, Evans and Johnson who all could jump into the rotation. They have a lot of decent players, but will any of them make a name for themselves as one of the go-to guys to help out Rose and Stat?
 
Chicago Bulls:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Jonas Valanciunas, Shaun Livingston
Additions: Greg Oden, Mason Plumlee, Andrew Wiggins, Wayne Ellington,
Predictions: Miss playoffs, might sneak into 8
 
The Bulls will expect a leap from Anthony Davis, who averaged 15, 9, 1.6, 1, and 1.3bpg his rookie year to go to 18, 9, 2.3, 1 and 2 this past season. Him along with John Wall will look to try to get this team into the playoffs. Wiggins is a nice addition from the draft but do they have enough around AD and Wall to be a playoff team?
 
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Record: Playoffs, 2nd round exit
Losses: N/A
Additions: Eric Moreland, Luol Deng, Bruno Caboclo,
Predictions: Make playoffs 1-4 seed
 
The Cavs made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs last year before being bounced even though they were one of the top teams in the East record wise. And with basically the same team coming back with a couple rookies in Eric Moreland and Bruno Caboclo and veteran Luol Deng, its easy to say they'll probably be back to winning with Holiday, Ibaka, and Whiteside holding things down while they strive to be towards the top of the eastern conference again, but can they make a run in the playoffs and go deeper?
 
Detroit Pistons:
Record: Playoffs, 8th seed, first round exit
Losses: Otto Porter, JJ Hickson
Additions: Wilson Chandler, Tyson Chandler, Kwame Brown, Ian Mahinmi, Michael Beasley, Nate Robinson,
Predictions: Playoffs 6-8 seed
 
The Pistons brought in some nice pieces, but its looking like it will be a long season for them. They managed to sign Kyle Lowry away from the Nets but shipped him out quickly for Wilson Chandler. Will Chalmers, Chandler, Beasley, and whichever bigs they decide to throw out there get this team higher than an 8th seed?
 
Indiana Pacers:
Record: 2013 NBA Champs
Losses: George Hill, Andrew Bynum, Danilo Gallinari, Chris Kaman,
Additions: Nicolas Batum, Andris Biedrins, Dante Exum, Willie Reed,
Predictions: Playoffs 1-4 seed
 
The reigning NBA champs, with Kevin Durant, came away with Nicolas Batum in the offseason which should be a very nice complementary piece next to KD. They did lose a lot of key pieces from that championship team with the losses of Hill and Bynum. We'll see if they added enough in Batum and Ellis to see if they can remain at the top of the standings in the east.
 
Miami Heat:
Record: Playoffs, 2nd round exit
Losses: Derrick Favors, Luol Deng, Daniel Orton, Delonte West
Additions: Trevor Ariza, Tyler Johnson
Predictions: Playoffs 4-7 seed
 
Jimmy Butler has yet to bloom, but if he does this season, watch out. Good thing they also have Kevin Love who put the team on his back and carried them into the playoffs and into the 2nd round of the playoffs. If this team is going to get anywhere in the post season they will need every bit of Jimmy Butler and Kemba Walker to use their potential after so-so seasons from each of them. Losing Favors will be a pretty big blow for them though.
 
Milwaukee Bucks:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Tobias Harris, Kwame Brown, Jordan Hill, Lamar Odom
Additions: Kenneth Faried, Dario Saric, Ben Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Andray Blatche,
Predictions: Miss playoffs
 
The Bucks were able to track down Dario Saric and Elfrid Payton in the draft, while also snagging Kenneth Faried for Tobias Harris who has struggled so far early in his career. Drummond, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, and Brandon Knight all return for another season. Is this team starting to rise or continuing to flounder hoping to sneak into the playoffs?
 
New York Knicks:
Record: Playoffs, lost in conference finals
Losses: Nate Robinson, Jonathon Simmons, Darko Milicic,
Additions: Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Morris, Mareese Speights
Predictions: Playoffs 1-4 seed
 
The two-time NBA champs have still the same core with Melo, Boogie and Ty Lawson. Adding in Gallinari will only help. And with no big losses, this team will look to stay competitive yet again and go for their 3rd title in 5 seasons.
 
Orlando Magic:
Record: Playoffs, first round exit
Losses: Anthony Randolph, Mareese Speights,
Additions: Chris Kaman, Daniel Orton, Alex Abrines, Joe Harris
Predictions: Playoffs 6-8 seed
 
The Magic had an extremely successful offseason by resigning Lebron James to a max 5 year deal while crushing the hopes of many teams who thought they might lure him away from Disney World. Aside from Lebron, its about business as usual for the Magic with Lebron and Bledsoe. Is there enough around Lebron to make this team relevant in the post season?
 
Philadelphia 76ers:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Marcus Morris, Patty Mills,
Additions: Zach LaVine, Monta Ellis, Mitch McGary, Tarik Black, Jonathon Simmons,
Predictions: Miss playoffs
 
The 76ers are plum full of ok players. Adding LaVine and Biedrins should help, but unless someone like Mirotic, Covington, Waiters, Crabbe or Mills heats things up this season may be looking cold in Philly.
 
Toronto Raptors:
Record: Playoffs, first round exit
Losses: Eric Gordon, Wayne Ellington,
Additions: Jeff Adrien, Jordan Hill, DeMarre Carroll, Avery Bradley, Randy Foye, Matt Barnes, Delonte West,
Predictions: Playoffs 4-7 seed
 
The Raptors return with CP3 at the helm and if they can get more out of Kawhi Leonard, they will be just fine. Adding in some nice pieces to surround them like Bradley, Foye, Barnes, and Adrien should help this team hopefully make it past the first round.
 
Washington Wizards:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Marcin Gortat, Carlos Boozer, Greg Oden,
Additions: Derrick Favors, Al Jefferson, Devin Harris, Brandon Bass, Dorell Wright, Lamar Odom, Jared Dudley, KJ McDaniels, Aaron Brooks
Predictions: Playoffs 4-7 seed
 
The Wizards had a really good offseason and Dwade must be thrilled. Getting Derrick Favors, Al Jefferson, Devin Harris, Dudley, Wright and even Brandon Bass is huge and they all should have a significant role on this team as they attempt to get back into the playoffs.
------------------------------------------------------------
WEST:
 
Dallas Mavericks:
Record: Lost in Finals
Losses: Jared Dudley, Jeff Adrien
Additions: Nikola Pekovic, Toney Douglas, Rodney Hood, Dwight Powell
Prediction: Playoffs top 4 seed
 
The #1 team in the west last season who was neck and neck as one of the top teams in the league last season. After injuries to both Jeremy Lin and Paul Millsap this team managed to beat the Lakers in the conference finals but ended up losing to the NBA champs the Indiana Pacers in the finals. With most of the same team returning, the new additions of Pekovic, Hood and Powell will look to help Westbrook and co. get back to the finals yet again.
 
Denver Nuggets:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: David Lee, Boris Diaw, Nick Young, Matt Barnes
Additions: Kevin Garnett, Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson
Prediction: Possible playoffs 6-8 seed
 
The Nuggets narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, and brought in several vets in KG, Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson who should help this team improve. Can Brandon Jennings, and JaVale McGee lead this team into the post season, with a lot of teams improving this year, it be enough to make the playoffs. Or possibly the Nuggets will have to re-think some things and make some changes.
 
Golden State Warriors
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Robin Lopez, Trevor Booker, Zaza Pachulia, Brandon Bass, Devin Harris, Aaron Brooks, Wesley Johnson
Additions: Nobody, maybe the CPU will hook them up
Prediction: Worst team in the league
 
With the owner calling it quits on this team, the outlook in Golden State is bleak at best. Luckily, they still have Victor Oladipo and their own draft picks for the foreseeable future. They should be the worst team in the league with only 5 players on their roster as of now. 
 
Houston Rockets:
Record: 8th seed, first round playoff exit
Losses: Nicolas Batum, Dejuan Blair, Al Jefferson, Dewayne Dedmon, JR Smith, Mo Williams, Jae Crowder, Chris Singleton, Jason Thompson, Ben Gordon
Additions: Andrew Bynum, Lou Amundson, Ronnie Brewer, Reggie Evans, Otto Porter Jr, Kyle Anderson, Eric Gordon, George Hill, Julius Randle
Prediction: Playoffs seed 2-6
 
As you can see by the massive lists in the losses and additions fields, the Rockets had one of the busiest and most productive off-season's of any team and just about replaced them all with some very encouraging players. George Hill, Eric Gordon, and Bynum look to lead this team with much better positioning in the playoffs this year. Look for them to not be close to the eighth seed this year.
 
LA Clippers:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Jeremy Evans,
Additions: Joel Embiid, Jusuf Nurkic, Jabari Parker, Al-Farouq Aminu, Alec Burks, Jared Sullinger, Dennis Schroder, Willie Reed
Prediction: Barely miss playoffs, possible 8th seed
 
The Clippers are another team that really stockpiled this offseason, mainly in the draft by racking up Joel Embiid with the number 1 pick, while also adding Jusuf Nurkic and Jabari Parker. With Stone Cold Steven Adams already on the team they Clippers have a monopoly on young talented big men. Will this new group be able to reach the playoffs in an arguably improved western conference? Will the young bigs be able to carry this team to the post season? Or will they take a year to develop and accumulate before making a splash next season?
 
Los Angeles Lakers:
Record: Lost in conference finals
Losses: Michael Beasley, Toney Douglas
Additions: Jae Crowder, Samuel Dalembert, TJ Warren
Prediction: Playoffs seed 5-7
 
Kevin Martin was a huge addition to the team during the season and helped James Harden and Jose Calderon reach the conference finals. The team managed to set a record with 142 points in a game last season behind Kevin Martin and James Harden. With Martin and Calderon getting older will Harden step up to keep this team on the winning path?
 
Memphis Grizzlies:
Record: Knocked out in conference semi-finals
Losses: Kwame Brown, Ian Mahinmi, Jimmer Fredette, Shelden Williams, Festus Ezeli,
Additions: CJ Miles, Rodrigue Beaubois, Damion James, Chris Singleton, JJ Hickson
Prediction: Playoffs 5-8 seed
 
The Grizzlies rallied behind Andre Igoudala and Deron Williams last season and made it to the conference semi-finals. With Giannis Antetokounmpo having a year under his belt he looks more ready to contribute this year, will he help enough to push this team to the top? JJ Hickson and CJ Miles also should help this team especially if Vucevic and the Greek Freak aren’t quite ready yet.
 
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Rudy Gobert, Nerlens Noel, Dennis Schroder, Jared Sullinger
Additions: Demar DeRozan, Trevor Booker, Hamed Haddadi, Robin Lopez, Goran Dragic
Prediction: Playoffs 2-5 seed
 
One of the biggest trades of the offseason, the Timberwolves shipped out Rudy Gobert, Nerlens Noel, newly drafted Aaron Gordon, and recently signed Gordon Hayward to the Thunder for Demar DeRozan. Not only bringing in DeRozan, they also nabbed Goran Dragic. Will the Wolves see blood and get back into the playoffs with Kyrie and Demar or will a few more trades need to happen for this team to return to the top in the standings?
 
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Record: Missed Playoffs
Losses: Demar DeRozan, Timofey Mozgov, JJ Redick
Additions: Rudy Gobert, Nerlens Noel, Aaron Gordon, Thaddeus Young, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, Cole Aldrich
Prediction: Miss playoffs barely, possible 8th seed
 
The Thunder decided the package of young talent in Rudy Gobert, Nerlens Noel, Aaron Gordon and Gordon Hayward was too much to pass on and shipped out Demar DeRozan. With the influx of youth and bigs, could more trades be coming for the Thunder or will they sit tight and work on development this season?
 
Phoenix Suns:
Record: Round 1 exit
Losses: Avery Bradley, Monta Ellis, Alec Burks, Danny Green, Ramon Sessions
Additions: Kobe Bryant, Marcin Gortat, Roy Hibbert, Raymond Felton, Doug McDermott
Prediction: Playoffs top 1-4 seed
 
The Suns have retooled their roster a good deal this offseason, bringing in Kobe Bryant to play alongside IT and Granger. The Suns had a good year last year, and their team looks even scarier now. Adding Kobe and Gortat are huge additions for this squad. The Suns should make a bigger splash this year.
 
Portland Trail Blazers:
Record: Round 1 exit
Losses: Tyson Chandler, Reggie Evans, Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright, Willie Reed, Randy Foye
Additions: Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Mehmet Okur, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Prediction: Playoff seed 5-7
 
The Portland Trail Blazers had a great free agency, signing Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol and bringing back Udoh, Frye and Stephenson. The Blazers set team records in points, fewest points allowed, assists and steals last season on their way to a playoff run. Adding in Bosh and Gasol to this team should help them out and cover the loss of Chandler.
 
Sacramento Kings:
Record: Lost in 2nd round of playoffs
Losses: Thaddeus Young, Jeremy Tyler
Additions: JJ Redick, Thabo Sefolosha, Kenyon Martin, Elton Brand, Cory Joseph
Prediction: Top 4 seed in west
 
The Kings bring back their main core of Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard and Dwight Howard, and should look to remain afloat in the western conference by making the playoffs again. Will shooters, Dame, Redick, Matthews, Marco and Ersan be enough or will the balance with the bigs not be enough?
 
San Antonio Spurs:
Record: Missed playoffs
Losses: Raymond Felton, Paul Pierce, Andray Blatche
Additions: Marcus Smart
Prediction: Miss playoffs
 
The other of the two teams to be abandoned by their owner, which happen to be related, is also in rough shape, but not quite as rough as the Warriors. The Spurs at least have more than 5 guys on the roster, and have some nice young players in Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and draftee Marcus Smart to go along with DeAndre Jordan. This team at least has some hope or some pieces of hope to turn the ship around.
 
Utah Jazz:
Record: Round 1 exit
Losses: Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Anderson Varajao, Manu Ginobili, Lou Amundson
Additions: Kyle Lowry, Clint Capela, Jerami Grant, Noah Vonleh, Chris Anderson, Shelden Williams, Tobias Harris, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Johnson
Prediction: Playoffs
 
The Jazz were fighting with the Mavs all season long on the top seed in the west. With a not so great end to the season the Jazz found themselves the 3 seed and lost to the Grizzlies in round 1 of the playoffs. After the defeat, moves were made and Kenneth Faried was turned into Tobias Harris. The Jazz used their deep pockets to buy up not 1 but 3 picks in the draft landing Clint Capela, Jerami Grant and Noah Vonleh to replace Anderson Varajao, Amundson and Faried. To further mix things up this team abruptly shipped out Wilson Chandler for another point guard in Kyle Lowry. Will a Conley/Lowry backcourt work for the Jazz or will they be singing a different tune this season?
 

Bozo The Clown

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Nice article, can't blame you for not diving deeper into any team when you covered all of them (and ahead of an index upload to sort out all the offseason nonsense).
 

DJT

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Yeah some were a little shorter than I wanted.
 

Mexi

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Nice article

Glad you're high on the clippers. I think we aren't close to playoff ready but if we are, I'm flexible enough with my payroll to be able to add
 

Mentch

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Great read.  I'm also high on the Suns but I think the Grizzlies are a dark horse serious contender given their backcourt
 

Pugz

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this was a good read. just enough to keep us entertained.
 

kdogg

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Very good read DJT. If you want to make this a yearly article I could help you out in the future.
 

DJT

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kdogg said:
Very good read DJT. If you want to make this a yearly article I could help you out in the future.
Lets do it.
 
Thanks everyone for the comments.
 

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