HofstraBBall wrote:1. Nets. Some forget how good KD is. Simmons was. Irving missed a lot of games. Harris back
2. Cavs. DM adds a top player to a team coming in with high expectations.
3. Hawks. Murray is really good. Makes them even tougher.
4. Bucks. Always strong and have Chris back.
5. Sixers
6. Celtics. New coach will make a difference
7. Heat
8. Bulls Like the roster mix.
9. Raptors
10. Detroit
11. Knicks

Low expectations for my Knicks. Rather be surprised than disappointed.
Cavs is my big surprise team.

Nets definitely have the ability and talent to be #1. I discounted them based on health mostly -- mentality to a lesser degree. In terms of health, Patty Mills is the only person on the team to play in more than 67 games last season (then Cam Thomas). After that, Kevin Durant was their most durable at 55 games. If they are healthy they are a force to be reckoned with. Especially with a defensive stopper like Simmons now on the roster. They are deeper with Joe Harris coming back and adding Markieff Morris. Solid squad while healthy and sane. But if I had a powder keg icon to give to one team this season...

Edit: forgot about the Cavs

Edit 2: Fogot that Sexton was traded, and Garland Never make a list at 2am. Will try again later...

Uptown wrote:Preseason and "content day" usually breeds optimism within each fan base as we look forward to the season. Much has been made about how strong the east is supposed to be this year so I'm curious to see where we feel the Knicks fit it.

As much as I hate the nyets, I think they are set up to take the east. Lots of question marks, but they still have the best player in the east and arguably the bets offensive team in the east. I think Simmons is a seamless fit with his ability to guard the oppositions best wing, as well as his vision and ability to allow Kyrie to focus on scoring. Harris is back and I thought O'neal was a sneaky good signing. They also added Warren who will have a chance to recapture the buzz he had during the bubble. Kyrie is the wild card, but he is seeking a contract extension athletes tend to be on their best behavior and in the best shape in contract years. But, it is Kyrie, so it can go either way.

1. nyets
2. Bucks
3. 76ers
4. Celtics
5. Heat
6. Cavs
7. Raptors
8. Hawks
9. Knicks
10.Bulls

GustavBahler wrote:I like the top of the list. I'd change 6-10.
6. Detroit- They drafted well, and Noel and Burks gives them a deep bench
7. Knicks- Defense and Brunson running the offense, will get us there.
8. Hawks- All Trae's whining about the Knicks, and who plays on Christmas will bite them in the butt.
9. Cavs- Injury prone backcourt. Not so sure they will click.
10. Raptors- Get the feeling, that they will not be as good as they have been.

Edit: forgot about the Cavs

Edit 2: Fogot that Sexton was traded, and Garland Never make a list at 2am. Will try again later...

Uptown wrote:Preseason and "content day" usually breeds optimism within each fan base as we look forward to the season. Much has been made about how strong the east is supposed to be this year so I'm curious to see where we feel the Knicks fit it.

As much as I hate the nyets, I think they are set up to take the east. Lots of question marks, but they still have the best player in the east and arguably the bets offensive team in the east. I think Simmons is a seamless fit with his ability to guard the oppositions best wing, as well as his vision and ability to allow Kyrie to focus on scoring. Harris is back and I thought O'neal was a sneaky good signing. They also added Warren who will have a chance to recapture the buzz he had during the bubble. Kyrie is the wild card, but he is seeking a contract extension athletes tend to be on their best behavior and in the best shape in contract years. But, it is Kyrie, so it can go either way.

1. nyets
2. Bucks
3. 76ers
4. Celtics
5. Heat
6. Cavs
7. Raptors
8. Hawks
9. Knicks
10.Bulls

....If Evan Mobley is as good as I think he is and will be, I think Cavs have a chance to be top 4. If the Raptors are healthy, they will be top 8 for sure. Their length (pause) and athleticism makes them difficult to match up with.