Bill Simmon's NBA Preview: Ranking the Teams

[SamuraiSWISH]

I get what Simmons is doing saying the Heat will have a challenge three peating. And it is a prediction, not how things stand now. But it is kind of disrespectful not to put them in the number 1 spot until they're officially defeated. They will probably coast in the regular season, much like Bulls in '93, '98, and Lakers in 2002, 2011. They will see the other teams best every night.

I disagree with Simmons that LeBron will have to produce at Cleveland like levels this year. Wade looks in great shape, seems motivated, and him and Bosh are in contract seasons. They will turn it on when necessary. Even if at the very least not for a 3 peat, but to get paid.

Wade and Bosh will be better this year than they were in 2013, or even 2012. Mark my words. I've seen it already in preseason. Both those guys look healthier, and way more aggressive.

I disagree with my Bulls being ranked #1. I love D-Rose, and Jimmy Butler. But people still don't understand that without a game changing, shot creator in the half court who can be relied upon next to Rose. They're not winning a ring unless they catch absolute fire and teams either get injured or are on a massive slump.

At the end of the day they are 1 superstar, recovering from ACL tear, and a bunch of defensive role players ... or inconsistent offensive threats, like Boozer. They play well in the regular season because Thibs is a brillaint defensive coach, who pushes his players hard and burns them out in the regular season. Without another superstar to pair with Rose, they don't have the extra gear these teams do:

Heat
Thunder
Clippers
Spurs

I personally would rank my Bulls in the 5th spot, right above the Pacers. I think that is a much more accurate gauge. I just can't overlook the superstar tandems, or trios on those other teams. Squads with multiple people who can consistently score or create for themselves and others in the half court.

[hawkfan]

Hawks at no. 22? :wtf:

I guess no one has any respect for Paul Millsap.

And people are forgetting that Dennis Schroeder was sensational in the summer league, especially on defense.

And hopefully we can get some solid play from Jenkins and Carroll.

[Dro]

Hawks at no. 22? :wtf:

I guess no one has any respect for Paul Millsap.

And people are forgetting that Dennis Schroeder was sensational in the summer league, especially on defense.

And hopefully we can get some solid play from Jenkins and Carroll.
I honestly thought they should be a bit lower. More like 24-25 ish...

[hawkfan]

Teague has improved every season and should improve again.
Hopefully Jenkins will improve.
Shroeder should be a solid rookie, especially on defense. We'll have two ballhawks at point guard in Teague and Schroeder.
Korver is still a very solid veteran (even if his contract isn't great).
Millsap is efficient on offense, and we won't see those stupid Josh Smith 3 pointers.
Brand is a solid veteran.
Horford will get more touches and is a very capable player.
When Louis Williams is healthy, he is another scorer off the bench.
Hopefully Carroll can add something.

We have solid veterans who will work every night and be competitive. It remains to be seen whether Washington, Cleveland, Toronto and Detroit will have that toughness and fight to win and get in the playoffs. Those 4 teams have track records of players who only care about empty stats and don't know how to win.

[NumberSix]

Lol. Bill Simmons literally ALWAYS picks AGAINST Miami. I'm surprised they weren't like, 6th on his list.

[KyleKong]

No way in my mind the Bulls are better than the Heat right now.

Simmons just hates the Heat for becoming a super team to destroy his Celtic's super team.

[Meticode]

No way in my mind the Bulls are better than the Heat right now.

Simmons just hates the Heat for becoming a super team to destroy his Celtic's super team.
Simmons's just knows how hard it is to three peat. It has nothing to do with hate since he's picked them #1 in the past before.

[NumberSix]

Simmons's just knows how hard it is to three peat. It has nothing to do with hate since he's picked them #1 in the past before.
Last year he picked both the Pacers and the Spurs to beat Miami. The year before, he picked the Celtics and OKC to beat them. In 2011 he picked Boston and Chicago to beat them. Dude ALWAYS picks against the Heat.

[AI Thornton]

Last year he picked both the Pacers and the Spurs to beat Miami. The year before, he picked the Celtics and OKC to beat them. In 2011 he picked Boston and Chicago to beat them. Dude ALWAYS picks against the Heat.

U mad?

[no pun intended]

Last year he picked both the Pacers and the Spurs to beat Miami. The year before, he picked the Celtics and OKC to beat them. In 2011 he picked Boston and Chicago to beat them. Dude ALWAYS picks against the Heat.
Gotta give him props for such a bold prediction. No one expected the Pacers or Spurs to come that close to the Heat last year.

[Meticode]

Last year he picked both the Pacers and the Spurs to beat Miami. The year before, he picked the Celtics and OKC to beat them. In 2011 he picked Boston and Chicago to beat them. Dude ALWAYS picks against the Heat.
And he was 5 seconds from being right. It was a miracle the Heat won.

[NumberSix]

And he was 5 seconds from being right. It was a miracle the Heat won.
Yeah, he was 5 seconds away from being 1-5 in his anti-Heat picks. Not exactly great picking. I guess it would have been better than his current 0-6, but it didn't happen.

[poido123]

Yeah, he was 5 seconds away from being 1-5 in his anti-Heat picks. Not exactly great picking. I guess it would have been better than his current 0-6, but it didn't happen.


What would you care?

You don't have a team you go for, you root only for Lebron :lol

[TheBigVeto]

haha can't believe Jalen mention Geist Reservoir. I'm 1 minute from there.


anyway good Pacers preview, perhaps a little heavy on the Legend clips :lol

The way the Pacers played in pre-season, I don't think they deserve this high ranking.

[NumberSix]

What would you care?

You don't have a team you go for, you root only for Lebron :lol
You molest children.

[stax]

Bulls!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTGxzAaAk5M

[TheReturn]

Bulls!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTGxzAaAk5M
:hammertime: :hammertime: :hammertime:

[Shade8780]

And he was 5 seconds from being right. It was a miracle the Heat won.
You're probably the only Cav fan left who hates on LeBron. Let it go, you got Kyrie now.

[kshutts1]

Finally finished the previews. Some gems:

"No team has come closer to beating the Heat". Uh.... Pacers took them to 7. Bulls lost in 5, and lost pretty handily.

Then I forget the exact quote(s), but every other team in the top 5, and I'm paraphrasing... Best way to beat Miami is to rain 3s. Bulls? No mention of their completely lackluster shooting, much less 3s.

Fact is, Pacers have the best chance of beating then Heat... but when you run a gimmick called "Miami's Vice" you kinda need to have Miami ranked first. Or else call it "Chicago's Vice".

Just lots of inconsistencies. I don't care what his opinion is, but at least be consistent.