Official contenders for the 2020 season... not as wide open as people say...

[Shogon]

I dunno, I think it's 4 teams, tbh...

In no order...

Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers (going to win it all imo barring injury)
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers


Golden State would make it 5 but their depth is ass.


Some of you can make arguments for Denver and a few other teams, but I won't be hearing it.

[bullettooth]

I dunno, I think it's 4 teams, tbh...

In no order...

Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers (going to win it all imo barring injury)
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers


Golden State would make it 5 but their depth is ass.


Some of you can make arguments for Denver and a few other teams, but I won't be hearing it.

So you want an echo chamber?

[1987_Lakers]

Sounds about right, although I wouldn't be shocked if the Bucks regress next season.

[MrFonzworth]

Lakers?

:roll::roll::roll::roll:

Its a tossup between LAC and Philly.

[LoneyROY7]

Harden and Russ about to slice and dice the Lakers to death.

:pimp: :pimp:

[Mask the Embiid]

Conference Finals Lock Fam


Checkin' in http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif


Buck fans get in here....WE LOCKS BOYZ! :banana:


We are going to steam roll over this weak ass conference this year :roll:


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[NBAGOAT]

Conference Finals Lock Fam


Checkin' in http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif


Buck fans get in here....WE LOCKS BOYZ! :banana:


We are going to steam roll over this weak ass conference this year :roll:


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underrated as hell show :lol

[90sgoat]

Clips are by far the most likely.

Won't count out Warriors either.

[LAmbruh]

Poor Steph


Nowhere in sight without KD and Iggy :oldlol:

[Xiao Yao You]

I dunno, I think it's 4 teams, tbh...

In no order...

Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers (going to win it all imo barring injury)
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers


Golden State would make it 5 but their depth is ass.


Some of you can make arguments for Denver and a few other teams, but I won't be hearing it.

take Denver and Utah over Lakers. Would have taken Houston too before the trade

[Smoke117]

take Denver and Utah over Lakers. Would have taken Houston too before the trade

This is a superstars league and the Jazz have none. Donovan Mitchell would have to take a massive leap for them to be better than the Lakers come playoff time. They'll probably win more regular season games, but Lakers will definitely be more dangerous in the playoffs.

[qrich]

Utah >>

[StrongLurk]

This is factually one of the most wide open years in a long time.

[fsvr54]

Pacers, most slept on team in the league. They have an electric backcourt and three great bigs. Not saying they're a contender, but they will surprise a ton of people.

[RealSkipBayless]

Add Utah and I will agree.

[Wally450]

Clippers
Rockets
Lakers
Bucks
Nuggets
Jazz
Warriors

Those are the teams that will seriously contend. The West is going to be so fun this year.

[Mask the Embiid]

Clippers
Rockets
Lakers
Bucks
Nuggets
Jazz
Warriors

Those are the teams that will seriously contend. The West is going to be so fun this year.
youre pathetic :oldlol:

https://media2.giphy.com/media/uWXpwyg2U1rQxgCcEr/giphy.gif


https://media.giphy.com/media/ycCD6qTrOX10TRnsxA/giphy.gif


all those assets for nothing.Meanwhile Elton Brand swings his dick around every year without a care in the world.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/l2JhL0Gpfbvs4Y07K/giphy.gif


keep hating

[Xiao Yao You]

This is a superstars league and the Jazz have none. Donovan Mitchell would have to take a massive leap for them to be better than the Lakers come playoff time. They'll probably win more regular season games, but Lakers will definitely be more dangerous in the playoffs.

Once aging stars start getting injured it's the beginning of the end. Davis has always had injuries and never shown he can carry a team. They aren't a good team beyond them. Defense will be an issue. Jazz have a great D and now a great O. Best Jazz team in two decades if not the best ever

[MrFonzworth]

Pacers, most slept on team in the league. They have an electric backcourt and three great bigs. Not saying they're a contender, but they will surprise a ton of people.
This. We're a year or two away:applause:

[Spurs m8]

Can we have one day without a Laker fan meltdown?

So triggered by Houston for some reason, that he starts this thread with an agenda

[Smoke117]

Once aging stars start getting injured it's the beginning of the end. Davis has always had injuries and never shown he can carry a team. They aren't a good team beyond them. Defense will be an issue. Jazz have a great D and now a great O. Best Jazz team in two decades if not the best ever

lol right. They got rid of three of their best defensive players: Favors, Crowder, and Rubio and replaced them with much weaker and awful (Bojan) defensive players. You're nuts if you think the Jazz will still be the 2nd ranked defensive team this season. They could fall out of the 10 in this regard.

[CakeorDeath]

lol right. They got rid of three of their best defensive players: Favors, Crowder, and Rubio and replaced them with much weaker and awful (Bojan) defensive players. You're nuts if you think the Jazz will still be the 2nd ranked defensive team this season. They could fall out of the 10 in this regard.

Ed Davis will replace Favors’ defense and rebounding easily. Davis had the second highest defensive plus minus in the entire NBA last year. The only guy ahead of him? Rudy Gobert.

Davis is also an elite rebounder, particularly on the offensive end. As much as I love Derrick, Davis should be a more than adequate replacement. Jazz won’t see a drop off there.

Conley easily replaces Rubio’s defense, for reasons too numerous and (frankly) obvious to discuss.

Agreed that Bojan is not the defender Crowder is, but he will provide a defensive boost merely by means of making more shots. Easier to get into your defensive set and stop fast breaks when your opponent is taking the ball out of the net each time they get the ball back. I love Jae too, but he did jack a lot of long jumpers that resulted in long rebounds and subsequently mini-fast breaks for the other team.

As for Donovan needing to take a bit of a jump, I agree but also think he will, just on the basis of who is now around him. He averaged 24ppg last year despite the fact that everyone in the world knew that he was the only Jazz player who could create his own shot. Every time he beat his man, Rubio’s/Crowder’s/Favors’ man was right there to greet him. He’s going to have more space next year than he’s ever had in his life. Give him the ball at the top of the key, stick Ingles and Bojan in opposite corners and send Rudy out to set a pick. Mitchell will FEAST because Joe’s/Bojan’s guys aren’t coming to help. Not to mention he’ll be cutting to the hoop all day whenever Conley has the ball.

25-27ppg on good efficiency isn’t out of the question for Mitchell this year. In fact, it should be the target. And those are superstar numbers.

[NBAGOAT]

I kind of like Denver

[Manny98]

Clippers
Rockets
Lakers
Bucks
Nuggets
Jazz
Warriors

Those are the teams that will seriously contend. The West is going to be so fun this year.
Have you see Westbrook and Harden in the playoffs?

They're not contending shit :lol

[Xiao Yao You]

lol right. They got rid of three of their best defensive players: Favors, Crowder, and Rubio and replaced them with much weaker and awful (Bojan) defensive players. You're nuts if you think the Jazz will still be the 2nd ranked defensive team this season. They could fall out of the 10 in this regard.

Ricky the Matador? He's a turnstile. Conley will at least play in front of his man!

They'll miss Crowder's toughness but he played too big of a role. More O'Neale hopefully if Snyder gets a clue.

Bojan defends.

They might not be as good defensively but as long as they have Gobert they will defend and their mediocre offense will now be one of the best as long as Exum isn't on the floor much

[Xiao Yao You]

Agreed that Bojan is not the defender Crowder is, but he will provide a defensive boost merely by means of making more shots. Easier to get into your defensive set and stop fast breaks when your opponent is taking the ball out of the net each time they get the ball back. I love Jae too, but he did jack a lot of long jumpers that resulted in long rebounds and subsequently mini-fast breaks for the other team.

As for Donovan needing to take a bit of a jump, I agree but also think he will, just on the basis of who is now around him. He averaged 24ppg last year despite the fact that everyone in the world knew that he was the only Jazz player who could create his own shot. Every time he beat his man, Rubio’s/Crowder’s/Favors’ man was right there to greet him. He’s going to have more space next year than he’s ever had in his life. Give him the ball at the top of the key, stick Ingles and Bojan in opposite corners and send Rudy out to set a pick. Mitchell will FEAST because Joe’s/Bojan’s guys aren’t coming to help. Not to mention he’ll be cutting to the hoop all day whenever Conley has the ball.

25-27ppg on good efficiency isn’t out of the question for Mitchell this year. In fact, it should be the target. And those are superstar numbers.

There biggest defensive problems were caused by all the bricks and turnovers by their offense which will both be greatly reduced.

Don't think Mitchell has to score more. He needs to be more efficient and play a more well rounded game. Conley and Bojan can put up 20 a game too and Gobert put up 17 a game when they benched Favors and replaced him with Joe Johnson on his last leg and the corpse of Diaw and they had Hill instead of Bricky/Dante.

[kurple]

Portland, Utah, Denver, GSW and Houston can win it easily


Clippers and Bucks is probably a tier above and Lakers a tier below

[kurple]

Once aging stars start getting injured it's the beginning of the end. Davis has always had injuries and never shown he can carry a team. They aren't a good team beyond them. Defense will be an issue. Jazz have a great D and now a great O. Best Jazz team in two decades if not the best ever
Are you talking about Conley?

Let's hope he doesn't miss games this year cause Mudiay/exum with Donovan would be horrible with no spacing

[Kidbasketball20]

76ers will not as good next year without Butler.


That man was carrying that team against the Raptors.


Embiid was "sick", how do we know its won't happen again? I'll take Bucks over them

[Xiao Yao You]

Are you talking about Conley?

Let's hope he doesn't miss games this year cause Mudiay/exum with Donovan would be horrible with no spacing

Be more worried about losing Gobert since they ha e always sucked without him

[Wally450]

Have you see Westbrook and Harden in the playoffs?

They're not contending shit :lol

Westbrook no.

Harden has gotten to the WCF twice as the man.

Also, you think the Nets are going to be contenders anyways so... :oldlol:

[Celtics 1825]

Have you see Westbrook and Harden in the playoffs?

They're not contending shit :lol
They'll be contending for turnover and missed FG records.

[AirTupac]

So many retards

[Manny98]

Lakers?

:roll::roll:
Its a tossup between LAC and Philly.
Philly swept in the first round:roll::roll:

[Doranku]

Conference Finals Lock Fam


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Buck fans get in here....WE LOCKS BOYZ! :banana:


We are going to steam roll over this weak ass conference this year :roll:


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:oldlol:

[Axe]

Also, you think the Nets are going to be contenders anyways so... :oldlol:
Wow :biggums:

[And1AllDay]

This is factually one of the most wide open years in a long time.

we always though it but nah

King bran slays all

[Stanley Kobrick]

should officially hodl off on making predicions