Heard KD fractured his foot... glad he gets this out the way early. I'm even more glad that now WESTBROOK gets to show EVERYONE his true value AGAIN!!! (AS IF THE PLAYOFF INJURY WASN'T ENOUGH)! "Russ...man...That boy got mamba blood in his veins" -24
Steve Adams is really showing he's improved so far! Potentially another great draft pick to add to Presti's resume
It looks like OKC will get the fourth seed or so, which means a possible matchup with the Spurs in the second round, after a potential seven game series against GSW, Portland, or Houston. And if they survive the Spurs they'll run into a hungry Clippers team, and potentially the Cavs or Bulls in the finals. My point? The Thunder need a top three seed at least, to make a deep playoff run. KD will most likely will be 100 percent come playoff time, so they have that going for them.
It depends just how much OKC struggles without Durant. A slow start can really cost them in the seeding race. I believe it will be Spurs as the top seed followed by the Clippers. I think Houston takes a step backwards, Dallas takes a step forward. Blazers and Golden stay the course. I dont know where Memphis is but I dont think we will see all 8 teams back in the playoffs again, Pelicans should be on the rise. So im gunna say: 1) Spurs 2) Clippers 3) Thunder 4) Mavericks 5) Warriors 6) Blazers 7) Rockets 8) Pelicans......?
In my opinion, Memphis will be a top 6 seed. They won fifty games last season, with Gasol missing two months, so they should be good for fifty two wins. Regardless of where they end they are not a team I'd want to see in the playoffs.
Um yes it does, because it means you'll have to play a game 7 on the road against one the three top teams in the West.
We ARE a top team in the west.. Spurs are the champs so i'll give them the #1 spot but were without question the 2nd best. Even though we usually get the best of them anyway but again i cant talk bc they are the champs... i hate saying that.
OKC loss of Durant will hurt them early on. I am expecting a big regular season from Los Angeles now that the Sterling Drama is gone and they are in year two of Rivers. I think they take the next step and get to the WCF and fall to the Spurs.
Did you miss the point of my post? I think the Thunder the third best team in the West and regardless that isn't what I was trying to get across. My point is if OKC struggles they may have to play GSW, San Antonio, and the Clippers in route to an NBA Finals. That's murders row, and if they don't get a top three seed, they may have to play three straight game seven road games. So if they don't start off well with Westbrook they'll be in deep trouble in my opinion, in regards to their championship aspirations.
Just cant see OKC winning it all, they would be underdogs against LA and San Antonio imo. If they managed to get through them, I would still pick the Cavaliers over them in the finals. Its just not happening in OKC, and might not ever happen with the Thunder as we know em now.
You guys serious? Durant is set to miss up to 19 games... theres 82 games in a season. Say we win only half those games.. we'd be 10-9 or 9-10... no big deal, if anything this is our chance for everybody to get there game up instead of watching the KD show. Theres a whole 60 games left to play after that.. We'll be a top 3 seed regardless. I also don't know why people are talking about LA like they got OKC's number.. We'll beat them in 6 again i'd put any amount on that. What have they done so special to significantly improve? I know OKC did their selves a favor by cutting Sefolosha (expect more scoring) and Steve Adams looks like he is ready for a break out season the way he's balling in the preseason as a starter. Ibaka shall be back healthy i like our chances. Not saying LA isn't good but they have absolutely nothing for KD and thats a big problem. One adjustment killed their little trap scheme they did to slow him down in game 4 last year. Ibaka vs Blake Griffin is one of the most underrated match ups in the NBA btw, i love watching them go at it.
Lol basically everybody here thinks OKC is one of the weaker good teams in the west... A healthy OKC will NOT be stopped. We were due for a ring at least one these last two seasons but got fucked over by an injury that we weren't prepared to adjust for. Plus brooks handed the series to the Spurs, but whatever. If everybody stays healthy i like our chances at meeting Cleveland or Chicago in the finals. (We'd whoop the HELL out of Chicago too)
Oh i know. It completely baffles me too. Soxxx bud sorry to use you as an example, but here we go. He has said he thinks okc is really good, and to be taken seriously, but also says in more recent times that okc would get crushed by teams obviously not as good. It's so left and right.
lmaoo! it's gonna be an awesome year in the NBA! Cant wait to see OKC vs CLE! The match-ups are heaven sent!!! KD vs Bron, Kyrie vs Russ, Love vs Ibaka. Mike Miller vs Morrow trading 3's off the bench, niceee
