Start of season seeding predictions

[u/uco-b]

What is your predictions for the seedings in the Western Confrence. I will start with mine:

1. Spurs
   
2. OKC
   
3. Minnesota
   
4. Lakers
   
5. Denver
   
6. GSW
   
7. Portland
   
8. Utah
   
9. Dallas
   
10. Suns

OKC and Spurs are interchangable. I just feel Spurs are going to chase that one seed harder than OKC. I really feel OKC no longer needs it they have the experience to win it on the road if needed. JUST STAY HEALTHY!!!

[u/Dar4125]

We gonna get 1st seed again

[u/CalTheRobot]

1. Thunder
   
2. Nuggets
   
3. Timber-wolves
   
4. Spurs
   
5. Does it even matter at this point?

[u/uco-b → u/CalTheRobot]

Well, only one team in history ranked 5-8 has ever won the finals. To your point… nope guess it doesn’t really matter lol.

[u/CalTheRobot → u/uco-b]

The more important point was that the Spurs aren't a top 2 seed.

[u/SupaBrunch]

I’d bump Portland below Dallas for sure

[u/AveragePodcaster]

I think SAS winning game 7 IN okc made them not care as much about 1 seed

[u/Aniketos33]

1. Thunder ⛈️

[u/FinancePro21]

I see the Warriors as a play in team at best. If Curry can play 70+ games I’d give them a shot at top 6 seed, I just don’t think it’s possible.

As always, almost everything is dependent on health.

I’ll go:

1)Spurs
2)OKC
3)Rockets
4)Nuggets
5)Wolves
6)Lakers

Utah
Suns
Blazers

Whoever is healthier between the Spurs
and Thunder get the 1 seed. Like others have said, I feel like the Spurs will want to push for it.

I really like the Rockets brining in Smart. With a healthy season out of Van Fleet they’re my dark horse to sneak into the top 2 if SA or OKC has any sort of injury issues.

If Gordon is healthy, the Nuggets can beat anyone.

The Wolves will be fun to watch, but I’m 50/50 on who it will be fun for. I could see it turning into a train-wreck.

Can Kessler stay healthy for LA? If not, I could see them falling into the play in.

All 3 of my play in teams have weaknesses, but will beat you if you aren’t on your game. Of the 3, Utah is the biggest threat to crack the top 6. Can their young talent win when they’re not tanking?

I have a hunch the Mavs trade Kyrie mid season or they’d be in the hunt as well.

[u/DoughNutSack]

Assuming full health-

Spurs
Thunder
Rockets
Nuggets
Lakers
Jazz

The rest is a pretty level playing field, but here’s how I’d rank them

Mavs
Blazers
Warriors
Suns

I think the Jazz get a top 6 spot this year, and in the next few years we will see the Mavs and Grizz replace the Lakers and Nuggets in that group. I just have 0 faith in the lakers or nuggets to ever successfully build around their stars moving forward and Flagg/Boozer are just going to be potential All-NBA guys in the next few years