Around the League: 2018 Offseason

[Indy]

Jalen Brown may be right but he just put a big target on their backs.

Why is that a bad thing? You have a target on your back once the playoffs start anyway, might as well get used to it during the season.

And pretty sure they already are seen as the team to beat. Doesn't hurt them at all.

[Superbone]

Jalen Brown may be right but he just put a big target on their backs.

Why is that a bad thing? You have a target on your back once the playoffs start anyway, might as well get used to it during the season.

I guess if you want to be the best, you want teams giving you their very best during the season and they are going to get it. Hopefully for them, they’re not worn out come playoff time.

[ShelC]

If Kyrie and Hayward and healthy and can be incorporated back into the mix successfully, the Cs are obviously a lot more dangerous. But if Kyrie starts playing hero ball and they can't figure out roles/minutes for Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Morris it could get tricky.

[Split T]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

Toronto was the one seed last year, so not much different is still really good. I think people underestimate them because they choked in the Cavs series. They were the best team in the East last year and got better.

[In2ition]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

[Split T]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

You're right, they are a phenomenal defensive team. #2 in the NBA. Behind Boston. Utah is good, but they're not better than Boston.

[specialsauce]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

Utah is destined for a second round exit. They’re good but they didn’t improve much this offseason and everyone around them got better.

[Split T]

The East is really short on depth, but their top teams are not weak.

Tier 1 - Golden State
Tier 2 - Houston, Boston, Toronto, and maybe Philly
Tier 3 - Philly, Utah, New Orleans, Indy, Denver, OKC, Minny, SA, LAL, Portland, and maybe Milwaukee
Tier 4 - Milwaukee, Washington, Miami,
Tier 5 - LAC, Dallas, Memphis, Phoenix, Detroit, Cleveland
Tier 6 - Orlando, Brooklyn, Chicago, New York, Charlotte
Tier 7 - Atlanta, Sacramento

[Shabazz]

I don't see it with the Clippers. I think they have the worst or second worst team in the West.

[Mori Chu]

Jalen Brown may be right but he just put a big target on their backs.

Why is that a bad thing? You have a target on your back once the playoffs start anyway, might as well get used to it during the season.

It fires up the other team even more. I think a good recent example is the Warriors, where Ws players talking trash, bragging, acting entitled/cocky, etc. contributes to a negative energy or backlash toward the team. It also makes every opposing team and fan base really want to give it to you and could lead you to be more wiped out by the end of the season.

If I were Jaylen, I wouldn't brag and boast until my team had made it to the Finals at least once. But that's just me.

[Mori Chu]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

I agree with this. I think Houston may take a step back this year. Harden looks chubby and they feel like they're due for a letdown year or some classic D'Antoni wear-and-tear-accumulation injuries. Could see Houston slipping to #3 or #4 behind a surging Utah or others.

[Mori Chu]

I am being super lazy by not taking the 2mins to double check this but just off the top of my head I'm fairly certain that Celtics have played a bunch of close games against Warriors the last two seasons. Seems they do a solid job on the defensive end but as for Jaylen's quote, I do expect them to be the team to beat in the East.
As talented as Ben is I just have my reservations about their playoff success. Sixers were awesome when they got to get out on the break but struggled in half court which we Suns fans know a lil about that dilemma back in the day. Although they could go to Embiid, he was forcing things albeit his first playoffs so he will be better next time but Ben not willing to shoot I still feel really will be still the issue especially with the defenders Boston would be able to throw at him

I like Philly but don't love Philly. I think they could have a disappointing season this coming year. For one thing, they have had such bad luck with injuries, I don't know that I would want to bet on both of Simmons and Embiid making it through the whole year and staying on the court. Second, it feels like they may have some latent unresolved chemistry issues about whether it is Simmons' or Embiid's team. Embiid seemed to enjoy the games where Simmons was out just a little too much, and that worries me that he sees himself as the alpha dog who needs the ball in his hands. I also don't know if they have enough shooting to really contend. Everybody wants to put Philly as #2 in the East, but they still feel like they're 1-2 years of maturing away from that. I'd much rather look to a more balanced veteran team like Toronto, or maybe Indy or Washington.

[In2ition]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

You're right, they are a phenomenal defensive team. #2 in the NBA. Behind Boston. Utah is good, but they're not better than Boston.

Weren't they only behind Boston by .1? And that's even with Gobert missing 26 games this past year? I'm saying they are a better defensive team with everyone healthy than Boston and it's not even close.

[In2ition]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

Utah is destined for a second round exit. They’re good but they didn’t improve much this offseason and everyone around them got better.

Houston got worse and it would have been a better series last year if Rubio doesn't get hurt in the previous series. You could contend that GSW took a tiny step back after losing a few FAs and only signing an injured Cousins that will be out for at least half the season before coming back from an Achilles rupture. They got better just by having continuity, bringing everyone back and getting everyone healthy. This is why I'm saying many are sleeping on these guys.

[ShelC]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

Toronto was the one seed last year, so not much different is still really good. I think people underestimate them because they choked in the Cavs series. They were the best team in the East last year and got better.

The #1 seed was fool's gold. Kyrie and Hayward were out the entire year. LeBron was on cruise control the entire year as well. The Raps may be a very good regular season team, but they're not scaring anyone in the playoffs. And, did they really get better? Is Kawhi going to be fully engaged? Lowry had a down year last year, can he/will he bounce back?

[In2ition]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

Toronto was the one seed last year, so not much different is still really good. I think people underestimate them because they choked in the Cavs series. They were the best team in the East last year and got better.

The #1 seed was fool's gold. Kyrie and Hayward were out the entire year. LeBron was on cruise control the entire year as well. The Raps may be a very good regular season team, but they're not scaring anyone in the playoffs. And, did they really get better? Is Kawhi going to be fully engaged? Lowry had a down year last year, can he/will he bounce back?

All good points and questions. We don't know if Kawhi is going to be engaged or healthy and come back the same Kawhi. But if he is healthy and engaged, they definitely got better, imo.

[Split T]

I know I'm repeating myself, but you guys are sleeping on Utah. This team is really really good. I'm jealous as hell as a Suns fan. Gobert is a phenomenal defensive anchor at center. When he's healthy, everyone else looks better on the floor with him. Gobert, Rubio, Ingles, Favors, Mitchell, Exum, etc.

You're right, they are a phenomenal defensive team. #2 in the NBA. Behind Boston. Utah is good, but they're not better than Boston.

Weren't they only behind Boston by .1? And that's even with Gobert missing 26 games this past year? I'm saying they are a better defensive team with everyone healthy than Boston and it's not even close.

Fair point, I wouldn't say it's not close, but they might be better defensively. They're both elite defenses. The difference is Boston has elite offensive talents as well. Unless Mitchell becomes Wade 2.0 really quickly, Boston has much more offensive talent.

[Split T]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

Toronto was the one seed last year, so not much different is still really good. I think people underestimate them because they choked in the Cavs series. They were the best team in the East last year and got better.

The #1 seed was fool's gold. Kyrie and Hayward were out the entire year. LeBron was on cruise control the entire year as well. The Raps may be a very good regular season team, but they're not scaring anyone in the playoffs. And, did they really get better? Is Kawhi going to be fully engaged? Lowry had a down year last year, can he/will he bounce back?

Hayward was out the entire year...Kyrie didn't get hurt until the end.

LeBron was not on cruise control, he put up crazy numbers, he just had zero help.

Kawhi is significantly better than Derozan. Sure, I guess he could play half heartedly, but that's a dangerous move in a contract year.

Lowry struggled at the start of the season, but he turned it around. He is getting older though.

Still, I think you're vastly underestimating Toronto. They're really good.

[In2ition]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

Toronto was the one seed last year, so not much different is still really good. I think people underestimate them because they choked in the Cavs series. They were the best team in the East last year and got better.

The #1 seed was fool's gold. Kyrie and Hayward were out the entire year. LeBron was on cruise control the entire year as well. The Raps may be a very good regular season team, but they're not scaring anyone in the playoffs. And, did they really get better? Is Kawhi going to be fully engaged? Lowry had a down year last year, can he/will he bounce back?

Hayward was out the entire year...Kyrie didn't get hurt until the end.

LeBron was not on cruise control, he put up crazy numbers, he just had zero help.

Kawhi is significantly better than Derozan. Sure, I guess he could play half heartedly, but that's a dangerous move in a contract year.

Lowry struggled at the start of the season, but he turned it around. He is getting older though.

Still, I think you're vastly underestimating Toronto. They're really good.

I get and acknowledge that Hayward and Irving are better than their replacements, but it's not on the defensive end. In Hayward's case, it might not be all that big of an improvement on Tatum or Brown and some would argue it's a little downgrade and he only improves the bench. It's certainly going to be interesting though to watch this season. So many story lines to watch across the league.

I agree with you about Toronto.

[bajanguy008]

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1027910403798589441

If he was Healthy and went Top 5 along with Doncic this might have been interesting to follow during the season but....
As much as I like his game this is a "at least get back on the court fore throwing shade" for me