re: Rank your NBA title contenders from most likely to least likely

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Spurs
Warriors

Everyone else.

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Yeah I don't believe this at all. This seems like the most wide open the championship race I can recall in a long time.

It is why you see so many WC teams already making trades trying to bolster their lineups.

1. Warriors
2. Spurs
3. Grizzlies
4. Hawks
5. Blazers
6. Clippers
7. Mavs
8. Cavs
9. Thunder
10. Bulls
11. Raptors
12. Suns
13. Wizards
14. Heat
15. Pelicans
...
N/A Rockets...

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Think people are underrating the Mavs. They're like 6th in defense overall since the Rondo trade.

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They have very few good wins all season.

Currently...

Spurs(missing Leonard for so long has effected the record)
Warriors
Grizz
Hawks

are the top tier as of today

Rockets
Bulls
Blazers
Mavs
OKC if they can get in

Cavs
Clipps
Wiz
Raptors

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OKC if they can get in

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They are so hard to figure out because even with Durant and Westbrook back they've struggled at times.

I was amazed by just how shitty their clutch time numbers were when they went over them last week on the Grantland basketball show.

they are 14-7 when durant and westbrook both play. Or in other words a 56 win team roughly. I agree they aren't deep, but once you get into a 7 game series, they will be tough to stop.


I just dont think San Antonio will have the gas to go deep. I know we say that a lot, but this year is different with the parity in the west. They barely got by Dallas last year in the 1st round. They are currently the 7th seed, and in all likelihood will draw a team like Memphis, Portland, or even HOU.

1. Spurs - I think they will be the team to beat come playoff time. They are my pick if healthy.

2. Warriors - Best team in the league by far. Best home court advantage too. Kerr has been a massive upgrade over Mark Jackson.

3. Memphis - Excellent defense and depth. Conley, Gasol and Z-Bo are as good as any top 3 in the league the way they complement each other.

4. Dallas - I hate putting them here but they have the 2nd best coach (IMO) in the NBA and they have tons of playoff experience. I could see them making a run.

5. Hawks - No superstar, no freaks given. They play beautiful basketball. Just not sure if they can make a run in their first real year as a contender.

6. Cleveland - I don't think they are the 6th best team, but they are going to have a better opportunity to get to the finals than the teams in the West.

7. Houston - Harden has stepped his game up and is having an MVP season. Morey has decided to stop chasing stars (for now) and has quietly put a deep team around him. Dwight needs to rest up and perform like he did in the playoffs last season.

8. Chicago - Great team on paper and they play in a weak conference. I don't see them winning a 7 game series with the teams out west, but Butler and Gasol have been much better than expected.

9. OKC - I am just not a believer in this team. Westbrook and KD don't have many complementary pieces and seem like they are wore down by the end of games. Ibaka looks slower than years passed and isn't a reliable 3rd scoring option. Brooks will be fired after the season.

10. Portland - I have Portland lower because of the Aldrige injury. I don't think he will be able to play at the same level and their bench is weak. Lillard is a stud. I'd probably have this team 4th or 5th if not for injury concerns.

11. LA Clippers - Not sure what is wrong with this team. Paul has been a beast. Griffin has turned into a jump shooter, and he is good at that, but they need solid post play. Crawford as their best wing scorer is not a good thing.

12. Washington - The East is weak so they have a chance but I can't see them winning it all.

13. Toronto - Basically no shot.

Durant and Westbrook have no help they won't win it all unless they get a different coach or get a lot more help from their bench

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frick this thread.

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Y u so md

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2. Cavs

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stopped reading here

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You and everyone else who are putting the Cavs 6 or lower must have been asleep for the last week and a half or so. This team has been absolutely rolling since the win over the Lakers.