Predicting Eastern Conference Playoff seeding

[tankcity!]

I don't get the optimism for the Bulls and Pacers.

Pacers have Paul George who carried a bunch of scrubs last year to game 7 against Toronto. The team is better this year and Paul is only getting better as a player. He is now two years removed from his injury, expect him to be a monster this year.

I don't get the Bulls hype. Jimmy Butler is overrated. His team didn't even make the playoffs last year and the roster was deeper last year.

[RJ87]

I don't get the optimism for the Bulls and Pacers.

For the Pacers: Paul George is a top 10 player. Myles Turner was impressive as a rookie and will likely improve. Jeff Teague is an upgrade over George Hill. Thad Young is an upgrade over Jordan Hill. They also added Big Al to bolster the 2nd unit which was basically Solomon Hill last year.

[Moranis]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 wins
3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

[Celtic Fan Forever]

1: Cavs
2: Raptors
3: Celtics
4: Pacers
5: Bulls
6: Knicks
7: Hornets
8: Pistons

I'm from New York and want us to play the hobbled Knicks in the first round so badly and rub it in the face of all my Knick fan friends 

[max215]

I don't get the optimism for the Bulls and Pacers.

For the Pacers: Paul George is a top 10 player. Myles Turner was impressive as a rookie and will likely improve. Jeff Teague is an upgrade over George Hill. Thad Young is an upgrade over Jordan Hill. They also added Big Al to bolster the 2nd unit which was basically Solomon Hill last year.

Paul George- I can't argue with that, he's a stud.
Turner- He was impressive...for a rookie. He's still a year or two away from being really great.
Teague- I'm not so sure he's an upgrade.
Young- He's pretty good, and helped the Nets a lot last year, but he's an average starter, at best.
Big Al- He was absolutely atrocious last year, and his play style doesn't fit the system that Indiana claims it wants to run.
Ellis- You didn't mention him, but he's a starter and plays major minutes for them; he sucks.

I think they're a 4-6 seed, which is a testament to how great PG13 is, but I don't agree with the argument that they're on our/Toronto's level.

[justice]

As things currently stand, I think we are 3rd- but could see anything from 2-6 based on our current roster.

1. Cavs
2. Raptors
3. Celtics
4. Pacers
5. Pistons
6. Hornets
7. Hawks
8. Knicks

[jpotter33]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 wins
3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

Seems absolutely counterintuitive to say that we will not win as many games as last year when we added a legitimate All-Star at our weakest position and a #3 pick, while only losing Turner.

[Ilikesports17]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 winsO3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

Seems absolutely counterintuitive to say that we will not win as many games as last year when we added a legitimate All-Star at our weakest position and a #3 pick, while only losing Turner.

Chicago, New York, Indiana, Milawaukee and Orlando should be way better. Only Miami, who we swept last year, and Atlanta figure to take substantial steps back.

Also, we lost Sully too. He was Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. in the playoffs but he was really important for much of the season.

[saltlover]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 winsO3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

Seems absolutely counterintuitive to say that we will not win as many games as last year when we added a legitimate All-Star at our weakest position and a #3 pick, while only losing Turner.

Chicago, New York, Indiana, Milawaukee and Orlando should be way better. Only Miami, who we swept last year, and Atlanta figure to take substantial steps back.

Also, we lost Sully too. He was **** in the playoffs but he was really important for much of the season.

The difference in Horford and Sully will be night and day.  Boston wins at least 53 games this year unless Horford goes down.  Book it.

[Ilikesports17]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 winsO3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

Seems absolutely counterintuitive to say that we will not win as many games as last year when we added a legitimate All-Star at our weakest position and a #3 pick, while only losing Turner.

Chicago, New York, Indiana, Milawaukee and Orlando should be way better. Only Miami, who we swept last year, and Atlanta figure to take substantial steps back.

Also, we lost Sully too. He was **** in the playoffs but he was really important for much of the season.

The difference in Horford and Sully will be night and day.  Boston wins at least 53 games this year unless Horford goes down.  Book it.

Id peg us at 52 or 53 wins barring major injury. I am worried about the lack of rebounding.

[Moranis]

Here is where I was at on July 7th (there is a thread in Around the NBA)

East
1. Cavs 55-60 wins
2. Pistons 50-55 wins
3. Hornets 48-53 wins
4. Raptors 48-53 wins
5. Celtics 47-52 wins
6. Pacers 46-51 wins
7. Bulls 44-49 wins
8. Bucks 40-45 wins
9. Hawks 37-42 wins
10. Knicks 37-42 wins
11. Heat 37-42 wins
12. Wizards 33-38 wins
13. Magic 33-38 wins
14. Nets 30-35 wins
15. Sixers 22-27 wins

West
1. Warriors 65-70 wins
2. Spurs 60-65 winsO3. Clippers 55-60 wins
4. Blazers 42-47 wins
5. Mavericks 42-47 wins
6. Jazz 42-47 wins
7. Thunder 41-46 wins
8. Grizzlies 40-45 wins
9. Pelicans 40-45 wins
10. Rockets 36-41 wins
11. Wolves 33-38 wins
12. Kings 33-38 wins
13. Nuggets 30-35 wins
14. Lakers 20-25 wins
15. Suns 18-23 wins

Only real change since then is downgrading the Nets to the worst team in the East after the loss of Crabbe and Johnson (though they could still go back up depending on rest of free agency).

Seems absolutely counterintuitive to say that we will not win as many games as last year when we added a legitimate All-Star at our weakest position and a #3 pick, while only losing Turner.

Chicago, New York, Indiana, Milawaukee and Orlando should be way better. Only Miami, who we swept last year, and Atlanta figure to take substantial steps back.

Also, we lost Sully too. He was **** in the playoffs but he was really important for much of the season.

The difference in Horford and Sully will be night and day.  Boston wins at least 53 games this year unless Horford goes down.  Book it.

Horford is better than Sully, but I don't think he will have much bearing on the won/loss record of the team and pretty much all of the same issues that were present last year are still present.  No top of the line end of game scorer (Thomas is a 2, not a 1), no rim protection, real lack of rebounding, very little front line depth, etc.  Couple that with a number of teams looking like they got better and Boston's pretty darn good health last year, and I see a team that will have roughly the same amount of wins as the prior year even though the team as a whole is probably better.  I pegged the range at 47-52 and feel pretty comfortable with the win total ending up in that range.  Wouldn't really be surprised if the team won 45 or 55 wins either, but I kept all of my win projections at a 5 win range for consistency.