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ESPN Western Conference Predictions: Pels 10th
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:46 am
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:46 am
LINK
1. GSW
2. HOU
3. SAS
4. OKC
5. MIN
6. DEN
7. LAC
8. UTA
9. POR
1. GSW
2. HOU
3. SAS
4. OKC
5. MIN
6. DEN
7. LAC
8. UTA
9. POR
quote:
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Projected record: 41-41
Last season: 34-48
First, the good news: The panel projects a seven-win improvement for the Pelicans, which would result in just their second non-losing season in the past nine. The bad news? Those 41 total wins aren't projected to be enough to get the Pelicans into the playoffs for what would be the first postseason action of DeMarcus Cousins' career. This means New Orleans might have a tough decision to make when the trade deadline arrives.
This post was edited on 8/17/17 at 9:48 am
11
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:48 am to LesGeaux45
I just don't think Utah is better than us. Or Portland. Jrue and Rondo will be good enough to shut down some of these guards enough for the best front court in the league to dominate.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:56 am to whatiknowsofar
I think a .500 record would be a disappointment.
Your top 4 seeds you pretty much know they will finish there.
The next 4 are really up for grabs. No one knows how the Pels are Minny are going to gel. For either team to make the playoffs they will have a huge increase in victories over last year.
No one knows how the Clippers or Utah will perform after losing their best player. How are those two teams that much better than Memphis, who's not in the top 10 after losing just Randolph?
I would say that both Denver and Portland are heading in the right direction from last year, and both finished the year strong after trades were made.
I don't think there will be a big difference between the team that finishes 5th and the team that finishes 11th. The records might be 8-10 games off, but the talent of the team that finishes 10th or 11th, is there with the team that will finish 5th. Injuries and coaching will play huge roles in the 5-11 spots.
Your top 4 seeds you pretty much know they will finish there.
The next 4 are really up for grabs. No one knows how the Pels are Minny are going to gel. For either team to make the playoffs they will have a huge increase in victories over last year.
No one knows how the Clippers or Utah will perform after losing their best player. How are those two teams that much better than Memphis, who's not in the top 10 after losing just Randolph?
I would say that both Denver and Portland are heading in the right direction from last year, and both finished the year strong after trades were made.
I don't think there will be a big difference between the team that finishes 5th and the team that finishes 11th. The records might be 8-10 games off, but the talent of the team that finishes 10th or 11th, is there with the team that will finish 5th. Injuries and coaching will play huge roles in the 5-11 spots.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:58 am to LesGeaux45
quote:
This means New Orleans might have a tough decision to make when the trade deadline arrives.
This is exactly what ESPN is hoping for..
Posted on 8/17/17 at 9:59 am to LesGeaux45
Pretty sad considering we have 2 of the best bigs in the league.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:02 am to MrPel
It's ok. They thought the Rox would be average last year. They don't always get stuff right.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:12 am to LesGeaux45
I like NO and Portland better than Denver, Utah, and the Clippers.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:16 am to TeddyPadillac
quote:
How are those two teams that much better than Memphis, who's not in the top 10 after losing just Randolph?
Look at Memphis' roster. Who is their third best player? Their team is pretty bad after Conley and Gasol. I guess their 3rd best player is Green, if he re-signs with them.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:20 am to LesGeaux45
good
i love nobody thinking we have a shot to make the playoffs
i love nobody thinking we have a shot to make the playoffs
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:24 am to LesGeaux45
I feel like there is a tier that starts after the top 4, that is about 7 teams deep.
Denver
Los Angeles (Clippers)
Memphis
Minnesota
New Orleans
Portland
Utah
It wouldn't surprise me if any of these teams miss the playoffs, or if any of them make the playoffs, depending on how the season breaks for them. 4 of them will make it, 3 will miss.
Denver
Los Angeles (Clippers)
Memphis
Minnesota
New Orleans
Portland
Utah
It wouldn't surprise me if any of these teams miss the playoffs, or if any of them make the playoffs, depending on how the season breaks for them. 4 of them will make it, 3 will miss.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:33 am to whatiknowsofar
after OKC throw them all in a hat
it will come down to road record, record in close games, and health
there is no predicting health
it will come down to road record, record in close games, and health
there is no predicting health
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:35 am to LesGeaux45
Both Utah and Portland are absolutely not better than us. I can see us being better than the Clippers or Nuggets, but I can see the other way around too. Pels will get between the 5-8 seed if healthy. But as long as that's the case I can pretty much guarantee the Pels will make the playoffs.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 10:35 am to Epic Cajun
Memphis has been hovering just over .500 the last two years. Randolph played 24mpg this last year. two years ago he was at 34mpg. He's getting old. Losing him isnt' that big of a deal. yeah their roster doesn't look good, but somehow they keep winning.
I don't expect them to make the playoffs, but my point was why are they dropped so low and not teams like Utah, who lost their two best players, and have been a sub .500 team the last few years, except this past year?
Utah is slightly ahead of Memphis.
The clippers being that high is a joke.
They lost one of the best players in the league. Losing him makes you lose your allstar center, b/c he can't play at that level without CP3. they added a scorer in Gallinari who has played 63, 53, and 27 games in the last 3 years. Griffin has missed almost 70 games the last two years, and more importantly, missed the playoffs. Even if they stay healthy, that team isn't that good b/c they are built to have a PG like CP3, not Beverly.
The Clips/Jazz/Grizz are all heading downward, but I could see the Jazz maybe being better than expected.
The Wolves/Pels/Nuggets/Blazers are heading upward, but I could see the Blazers take a step back.
There are 7 teams vying for 4 spots. You could make a case for any of them to make the playoffs.
I don't expect them to make the playoffs, but my point was why are they dropped so low and not teams like Utah, who lost their two best players, and have been a sub .500 team the last few years, except this past year?
Utah is slightly ahead of Memphis.
The clippers being that high is a joke.
They lost one of the best players in the league. Losing him makes you lose your allstar center, b/c he can't play at that level without CP3. they added a scorer in Gallinari who has played 63, 53, and 27 games in the last 3 years. Griffin has missed almost 70 games the last two years, and more importantly, missed the playoffs. Even if they stay healthy, that team isn't that good b/c they are built to have a PG like CP3, not Beverly.
The Clips/Jazz/Grizz are all heading downward, but I could see the Jazz maybe being better than expected.
The Wolves/Pels/Nuggets/Blazers are heading upward, but I could see the Blazers take a step back.
There are 7 teams vying for 4 spots. You could make a case for any of them to make the playoffs.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:18 am to TeddyPadillac
I can't decide what to expect from Utah this year. Their defense should be nasty this year, but I don't know who is going to score it for them. Donovan Mitchell is going to have to grow up quickly or Exum will have to take a big, big step in his game.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:21 am to kadillak
Keep in mind too that Blake is likely out until December. Will the Clips be able to stay afloat long enough without him to still make the playoffs?
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:27 am to LesGeaux45
quote:
Keep in mind too that Blake is likely out until December. Will the Clips be able to stay afloat long enough without him to still make the playoffs?
That report seems to be very bogus. Likely is a very strong word used here where more sources have said this is likely more wrong than right, and he'll be good to go to start the season.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:37 am to MrPel
quote:
Pretty sad considering we have 2 of the best bigs in the league.
Its sad that some yayhoo predicts us to be bad? This isnt even reality.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:45 am to LesGeaux45
quote:
1. GSW
2. HOU
3. SAS
4. OKC
These 4 are the only playoff locks
I think MIN is being super overrated. Denver should be solid. Clippers lost their best player, but they have enough talent, if healthy, to be around .500 or slightly better. UT lost their best player. POR will be OK.
If New Orleans had made the trade for Boogie during the summer I guarantee people would have the Pels as a playoff lock. But, it happened during all star break last season, people saw a very small sample size, and they assume it won't work. The Pels went from Frazier to Rondo, that is an improvement. They went from Galloway to Ian Clark, who is also an improvement, IMO. It definitely depends on Cousins, and how he will play, but him losing weight makes me optimistic. Pelicans aren't a contender, but they are going to be better than a lot of people think. 41 wins is the floor. I still think they'll win anywhere from 45-52.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:48 am to CocoLoco
Yeah the only way we end up at 41 wins IMO is if the injury bug bites again. I saw enough in that stretch at the end of the season to know that Boogie and AD can thrive together, especially with a full offseason together and an upgraded supporting cast. I expect a top 6 seed and 45-50 wins.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 2:40 pm to CocoLoco
can we at least agree that if the pels win 45-52 or whatever, and if the pels make the playoffs, that they will have exceeded the expectations of nation media and analysts?
because there seems to be a clear consensus that this team is a fringe 8th seed contender, at best
because there seems to be a clear consensus that this team is a fringe 8th seed contender, at best
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