The Bucks are probably the most surprising team this year.

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Man, I wish I would have seen this a few weeks ago. Wouldn't be right to post my predictions a month in to the season...

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We'll put you down for Knicks v. Lakers in Finals, and Carmelo for MVP, and Julius Randle for ROY.

Pretty happy with my predictions so far.

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MVP
Harden

COY
McFail

ROY
Black

DPOY
Howard

Improved
Bev

6th Man
Terry

ECF
Cavs & Raptors

WCF
Rockets & Clippers

Champions
Rockets

Final MVP
Ariza (sets record for finals 3s and shuts down Bron)

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Yup, nailed it!

with the conclusion of the ASG, is it OK to start forecasting what teams will emerge from the West?

I know it is popular to say that there are 8-9 teams that could emerge from the West, but there aren't

Clearly, the Spurs and the Thunder have shown the ability to it. The Warriors as the #1 seed could.

The Suns can't do it.
I have grave doubts that the Clips can win two series. I almost feel like they are regressing under Doc, but maybe it is just the continued growth of the West.

How about the Grizzlies, Rockets, Blazers and Mavs?

Until the Rockets make it past the first round, I'll have doubts about their ability to win the west.

Clippers are too inconsistent to win three series in the west.

Grizzlies/Blazers can't beat the Spurs, so whoever can avoid them in round 1 may go far.

And I have pretty big doubts that OKC can -- a) beat the Warriors in round 1, b) jump to the 7th spot. It's just too late in the season, and they are 6 losses behind everyone else.

So I would say these are the contenders, in rough order:
1. Warriors
2. Spurs
3. Mavs
4. Grizzlies (If they can avoid SA)
5. OKC (If they get past round 1)
6. Blazers (Dark horse)

Mavs have the championship experience and the coach but will they be able to get the chemistry with their new additions like Rondo, Stoudamire and Parsons.

The Rockets have the player (Harden) but don't have the coach.

The Spurs need to hit their open shots and they have a great chance.

Warriors are doing well in the regular season but can they keep it up in the playoffs? I don't know.

Grizzlies standard lack of outside shooting will hurt them also.

The Clips are intriguing. I don't watch their hands but I've read that they are simultaneously great to watch and terrible to watch.

OKC can do it with Durant and Westbrook but I don't think Ibaka is the 3rd piece they need because his offense is lacking.

I think I would sleep much better at night if Warriors, OKC, and Spurs all end up on the 1,4,5, and 8 seed side. Barring injury, the Spurs will jump the Clippers, and the Warriors will end up at 1, and Thunder at 8. However, although I think the Spurs could get to the 5 spot, strategically, I'm not sure why they would want to get to the 4th or 5th seed. I could also see the Spurs getting to 3rd spot.

Again, barring something stunning, I feel like 3-7 seedings are up in the air.

I also hope for 1 first round series involving 2 Texas teams.
It makes it much more interesting, and would prefer at least on of the teams to be Houston, since I got to watch Dallas-SA last year.

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Mavs have the championship experience and the coach but will they be able to get the chemistry with their new additions like Rondo, Stoudamire and Parsons.

The Rockets have the player (Harden) but don't have the coach.

The Spurs need to hit their open shots and they have a great chance.

Warriors are doing well in the regular season but can they keep it up in the playoffs? I don't know.

Grizzlies standard lack of outside shooting will hurt them also.

The Clips are intriguing. I don't watch their hands but I've read that they are simultaneously great to watch and terrible to watch.

OKC can do it with Durant and Westbrook but I don't think Ibaka is the 3rd piece they need because his offense is lacking.

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Championship experience doesn't mean a lot in the playoffs, IMO

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MVP
Harden

COY
McFail

ROY
Black

DPOY
Howard

Improved
Bev

6th Man
Terry

ECF
Cavs & Raptors

WCF
Rockets & Clippers

Champions
Rockets

Final MVP
Ariza (sets record for finals 3s and shuts down Bron)

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Nailed it.

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But I'll give it a shot:

West:
Spurs
Thunder
Clips
Blazers
Mavericks
Rockets
Warriors
Grizz

East:
Cavs
Bulls
Miami
Toronto
Indiana
Atlanta
Charlotte
Wizards

Worst West: Lakers

Worst East: 76ers

MVP: LeBron

COY: Derek Fisher

ROY: Wiggins

DPOY: Marc Gasol

Improved: No clue

6th man: Gibson

WCF
Thunder over Spurs

ECF
Cavs over Bulls

Finals
Thunder over Cavs (Durant missing first few months will benefit in the long run with him being healthy and rested in June)

Final MVP
KD


Should be a fun year! #RedNation

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Go thunder!

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But I'll give it a shot:

West:
Spurs
Thunder
Clips
Blazers
Mavericks
Rockets
Warriors
Grizz

East:
Cavs
Bulls
Miami
Toronto
Indiana
Atlanta
Charlotte
Wizards

Worst West: Lakers

Worst East: 76ers

MVP: LeBron

COY: Derek Fisher

ROY: Wiggins

DPOY: Marc Gasol

Improved: No clue

6th man: Gibson

WCF
Thunder over Spurs

ECF
Cavs over Bulls

Finals
Thunder over Cavs (Durant missing first few months will benefit in the long run with him being healthy and rested in June)

Final MVP
KD


Should be a fun year! #RedNation

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Go thunder!

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Haha, I like how you picked Fisher for Coach of the Year but didn't pick the Knicks to make the playoffs. Hedging your bet a little I guess. You were clearly right about one of them.

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Picked the Thunder to win it all, and didn't even pick GSW to make the playoffs

ESPN should hire me right now

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You have them at 7th brah.

And apparently now I can't read

Predictions for the Rockets

mrnegative - 7
Guitarsoup - miss the playoffs
Obi Wan Ginobili - 7
Forum Troll - same as last year = 4th
West Texan - 7
Houston Summit - 6
Iowaggie - 7
mazag08 - 6
All Star - 6
aggie16 - 7
mavsfan4ever - miss the playoffs
ATM9000 - 5
AggieSportsGuy - 6

Looks like ATM9000 is the only one that may get it right. I guess Houston could still finish 6th, but its not all that likely. Fair to say that Houston exceeded just about everyone's expectations.

Lou Williams received 6th man.
With Bud as COY

So far as a board, 0 for 2....probably like most the nation.

6 man like Lou Will

Meh

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Meh

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Who would you have gone with?

Isaiah Thomas

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Isaiah Thomas

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I'd be just fine with that. I think that who Hoopshype gave it to.

Steph & LeBron unanimous picks for 2014-15 All-NBA First Team
Curry
James
Harden
Anthony Davis
Marc Gasol

I think this thread proves one thing - we should not make predictions at the beginning of such a long season.