Dallas Mavericks (43.5)
Can Kyrie Irving and Luca Doncic make it work? Both guys are GREAT players. I think Kyrie is the most offensively gifted point guard to every play. On that side of the ball he is a savant, nobody can handle/create/finish like him. Luka is also great offensively. He, slowly and methodically, creates from the perimeter and bullies defenders down low. I also love his beef with the Suns. The problems I see for this team center around if these two can gel and make their teammates better. Its definitely possible but will take sacrifice. This is a low number though. 48 wins. Over.
Denver Nuggets (53.5)
The champs. Nothing bad to say about this team. They have the best player in the world and brought almost everyone back. Losing Bruce Brown hurts but they have other young players who should step up (i.e. Christian Braun). This is an easy over. 59 wins.
Golden State Warriors (47.5)
If Chris Paul stays on this team the whole season this is the easiest over of all time. I’m calling my bookie as soon as this article is done to put money on it. 56 wins. Over.
Houston Rockets (31.5)
The Rockets seem to be in that phase of their rebuild where adding veterans to mentor a young core sounds wise. And it probably is. Dillon Brooks, Reggie Bullock, Jeff Green, Victor Oladipo, Fred Van Fleet are all positive additions, but don’t push them over this number. I see them winning 30 games. Under.
Los Angeles Clippers (46.5)
Its hard to get a read on this team. If healthy, they are a threat in the western conference. If injured they have no shot. I do love Russell Westbrook. That guy plays hard and does not care what you think (looking at you Bill). Kawhi Leonard needs to be available all season for this team to eclipse this number. Hard to bet on that with his track record. 45 wins. Under.
Los Angeles Lakers (47.5)
Late last season the Lakers found a recipe that worked and tried to re-sign everyone involved. I think they continue that momentum but deal with injuries all year. I love the Gabe Vincent pickup. I think he’s better than D’Angelo Russell and makes them tougher. Look for former Wizard Rui Hachimura to be a major contributor, Anthony Davis to be pretty to very good, and Lebron to prove that almost 40 year old’s can be dominant (a sentiment I tell myself when I lace em up). This is another easy over (text your bookie). 54 wins.
Memphis Grizzlies (45.5)
What will the culture of the team be as they deal with the fallout from Ja Morant? Color me not worried. Signing Derek Rose and Marcus Smart was genius. I don’t think Memphis misses a beat and the culture improves because of these two. They steady the ship until Morant returns and this team takes off. In the interim I see Desmond Bane becoming a borderline all star. 50 wins. Over.
Minnesota Timberwolves (44.5)
This is my favorite western conference team. The have the talent with a budding superstar and two all stars. I also love Mike Conley. He brings a needed steadiness. The question here is do they have the depth? I believe they do, but woudn’t be surprised if they bring in a mid level veteran mid season. I see this team making a push for the conference finals. Easy over. Call bookie. 54 wins.
New Orleans Pelicans (44.5)
This is a middling team without Zion. If he plays the majority of the year I see them going past the number. But he’s the biggest/fastest person I’ve ever seen and don’t trust that his joints can hold up over 82 games. I love Jose Alvarado and look forward to him sneaking up on people in the back court, but don’t see this team making a push. 43 wins. Under.
Oklahoma City Thunder (44.5)
The Thunder might be the best organization in the NBA. The way they are rebuilding is amazing. Hitting on draft picks left and right and developing talent, I see this team being a serious threat in the western conference next year. This will be another year of growth. 44 wins. Just under.
Phoenix Suns (51.5)
The easiest team to root against in the NBA. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal should dominate right? Right? Talking about how good these three are would be redundant, particularly Durant and Booker. On paper they should have a shot to win it all, but I don’t trust the chemistry or bench of this team. I see them being a threat and winning games but losing in the second round of the playoffs. Look for Jusuf Nurkic to have a big year. 52 wins. Over.
Portland Trailblazers (28.5)
I’m happy for this team. Getting the 2nd pick in the draft, amicably finding the perfect landing spot for their homegrown superstar, and getting a bounty of assets in return is a great start to year 1 of a proper re-build. This team should struggle in a healthy way. 28 wins. Under.
Sacramento Kings (44.5)
After watching Kevon Looney dominate the Kings/Domantas Sabonis on the offensive glass in last years playoffs I refuse to jump on the their bandwagon. A teams best player simply cannot, consistently, get beat with hustle plays, and Sabonis could not box Looney out. Unacceptable. I was rooting so hard for the Kings in that series and was so mad watching them get outworked. After the surprising success of last season (light the beam!!!) this team will be a popular pick to make a run. I’m hesitant and see this being close to the number. 44 wins. Under.
San Antonio Spurs (29.5)
This season will be about the development of Victor Wembanyama. I think he will be a great player and should bring the Spurs back to relevance in years to come. I’m rooting for him. This is a high number and the Spurs go under. 27 wins.
Utah Jazz (35.5)
Utah is the Toronto of the western conference. Talented enough to be competitive but lacking the star power to make a deep run. They will beat some great teams and lose to some bad ones. I see them topping out as a 7 seed. Just over. 36 wins.
The Weekly Snooze 