***2012-13 NBA THREAD!!! New Season/New Thread - LET'S GO!!!!!***

[RonArtest15]

Other thread served it's purpose, so let's get a fresh one for the upcoming season. We're about 3-4 weeks away from the opening of training camps, so the season is [chris traeger] literally [/chris traeger] right around the corner.

We're going a full 82, and the Heat are coming off an impressive Finals run from last year. We'll have some contenders...pretenders...and those in between.

I can't wait for the discussion that's going to happen here in this thread as we have some real knowledgeable b-ball minds on the site.

Without further ado....

Here's to a GREAT NBA season!

[FanboyOf91]

Lakers
Heat
Thunder

See you in the Conference Finals.

[RonArtest15]

Oh yeah...if Adrian Peterson can look this good 9 months later after blowing up his knee, I'd have to say Derrick Rose will be just fine come the 2nd half of the season. Bulls fans should rest easy.

[MLSKINS]

The West
Lakers
Thunder
Spurs
Mavs
Nuggets
Blazers
Clippers
Grizzlies, T-Wolves, or Rockets. (Probably the Grizzlies)

The East
Heat
Celtics
Pacers
Bulls
Knicks
Wizards
Bucks
76ers

My playoff teams as of right now in no order....

[stevemcqueen1]

Oh yeah...if Adrian Peterson can look this good 9 months later after blowing up his knee, I'd have to say Derrick Rose will be just fine come the 2nd half of the season. Bulls fans should rest easy.

I don't know. AP can still rumble for his production but a PG really needs to be able to scoot around. I think you're right that he'll come back by the second half of the season, but I don't think he'll look the same.

But as good as he is, he could still be productive just shooting and passing without all of the driving.

---------- Post added September-11th-2012 at 04:29 PM ----------

My playoff teams as of right now in no order....

Nice. You think the Wiz can do it? I'm torn. My heart is saying yes but my head is telling me to wait and see. They've got the players to do it this year, but they still have to figure out how to win.

For the West, you've only got seven teams, who is your eighth? I'm with you on those picks except I'm not sold on the Blazers yet. They've got some talent, but you're going to need Lillard to be good early and Wesley Matthews bounce back strong this year to have a shot at the playoffs. I doubt Meyers Leonard is ready to start yet, but he's going to have to or the Blazers will be playing Aldridge at the 5 a whole bunch.

I'll go:

West
1.) Lakers
2.) Thunder
3.) Spurs
4.) Clippers
5.) Mavericks
6.) Nuggets
7.) Jazz
8.) Kings

The Warriors are my odd man out if Bogut is healthy. If not, the Wolves or the Grizz are my odd man out.

East:
1.) Miami
2.) Knicks
3.) Bulls
4.) Celtics
5.) Pacers
6.) Nets
7.) 76ers
8.) Wizards

The Raptors and Bucks are my odd teams out.

[RonArtest15]

My predictions:

Miami
Indiana
Boston
New Jersey
Chicago
Philadelphia
New York
Washington

OKC
LA Lakers
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Memphis
Denver
Utah
Minnesota

[stevemcqueen1]

My predictions:

Miami
Indiana
Boston
New Jersey
Chicago
Philadelphia
New York
Washington

OKC
LA Lakers
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Memphis
Denver
Utah
Minnesota

You don't think the Mavs make it? I think they're better than they were last season.

[RonArtest15]

You don't think the Mavs make it? I think they're better than they were last season.

I went back and forth about the Mavs...I could see them in that 7/8 seed, battling it out with Utah/Minny. I think any 2 of those 3 teams will be in those spots.

[nuposse87]

With normal recovery times expected, expected player improvements/decay and no other catastrophic injuries occurring I see the seeding playing out like:

EAST:
1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Knicks
5. Nets
6. Wizards
7. Bulls
8. 76ers
9. Raptors
10. Pistons
11. ATL
12. Bucks
13. Cavs
14. Lolcats
15. Orlando

WEST

1. OKC
2. SAS
3. LAL
4. MEM
5. DEN
6. POR
7. MINN
8. UTAH
9. LAC
10. SAC
11. MAVS
12. GSW
13. PHX
14.NOLA
15.HOU

I expect seeds 6-11 in the west to be tightly contested.

[ixcuincle]

Good things for Lakers this season

[RonArtest15]

ESPN is revamping its NBA studio show for the upcoming season, SportsbyBrooks reports via Twitter. Grantland editor-in-chief Bill Simmons and former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy are in; Chris Broussard and Jon Barry are out, according to SbB.

http://www.masslive.com/sports/index..._gundy_to.html

I actually like Barry...Broussard, not so much.

That being said, I still scratch my head as to how Magic Johnson keeps his gig. Yes, I know he's a legend, but he's an absolute idiot when it comes to breaking down games while on the set. Producers must have never seen him on the Magic Hour. SMH

[MLSKINS]

You aint right RA.

I thought I had 8 in the West. I am going with Memphis. I could see the T-Wolves or Jazz getting there, but I think Memphis is the better of the three.

As far as the Wizards goes, the East is weak. They were playing good last year and I think this is the year where wall takes it up to the next level. If we can get 50-60 games out of Nene, I think we at least get an 8th seed. Might mess around and flirt with the fourth.

[stevemcqueen1]

I went back and forth about the Mavs...I could see them in that 7/8 seed, battling it out with Utah/Minny. I think any 2 of those 3 teams will be in those spots.

I think they're better than those teams by a good margin. They're a team with a brilliant coach that knows how to win. I like the addition of Darren Collison at point and I think he's an upgrade over Kidd from last year. I like the addition of OJ Mayo and think he's an upgrade over Vince from last year. And I like adding Elton Brand and Chris Kaman, both of whom will be tremendous fits for Carlisle.

I also think Dirk had an off year because he came in out of shape and unprepared for the season. I think he bounces back into old form, and just over a year ago, he was an unstoppable force. His game isn't one that will be effected much by declining athleticism.

I think they're better than last year's team and get back into the mid seeds.

The team from the West I have trouble placing is the Clippers. Great PG and a lot of talent to work with but they're so poorly coached, what's their ceiling?

[Warhead36]

Lakers vs. Heat in the Finals guaranteed.

I hate NBA.

[stevemcqueen1]

http://www.masslive.com/sports/index..._gundy_to.html

I actually like Barry...Broussard, not so much.

That being said, I still scratch my head as to how Magic Johnson keeps his gig. Yes, I know he's a legend, but he's an absolute idiot when it comes to breaking down games while on the set. Producers must have never seen him on the Magic Hour. SMH

Yeah Magic needs to go. He's got good charisma I suppose. Ok, not really.

I like Van Gundy's analysis a lot but he's arrogant and his voice is so annoying.

I think Bill Simmons is an inspired addition and I think he'll be good by midseason. The thing about Simmons that people underrate is he's a glue guy. He can work with anybody and is genuinely likable. He'll provide a nice offbeat take.

But you can't have Simmons just working with Van Gundy IMO. You need to get a player in there for something, other than Magic of course.

You know what I'd like to see? ESPN poach C-Webb from TNT and set him up with a really vet anchor who can help him articulate his ideas. C-Webb actually has a brilliant basketball IQ and is a good analyst, he just doesn't communicate that well. I'd like to see him in a more prominent role than he has at TNT.

---------- Post added September-12th-2012 at 07:11 PM ----------

Lakers vs. Heat in the Finals guaranteed.

I hate NBA.

Already down on the Thunder? I think OKC is still better. Remember, their key guys are still years away from their prime and will keep getting better every year.