The Jazz are getting better, but is there any chance they can make the playoffs this year? Last year, the 8th place team won 49 games and the Jazz finished 15th out of 15 with a 25-57 record.
Teams that are awesome:
Spurs - defending champs - 62-20
OKC 59-23 – Added Morrow, McGary, Thomas; lost Sefolosha, Fisher
Clippers 57-25 – Added Hawes, Douglas-Roberts, Farmar, Udoh; lost Collison, Dudley, Green
There is little chance any of these three teams drops significantly. The old man spurs and a KD-less OKC will not drop out of the playoffs.
Teams that are really good:
Rockets 54-28 – Added Ariza, Johnson, Terry; Lost Parsons, Lin, Asik, Casspi, Brooks
Portland 54-28 – Added Blake, Kaman; lost Molo
Warriors 51-31- Added Barbosa, Livingston – Lost Blake and Crawford
Grizzlies 50-32 – Added Carter, Stokes, Adams; Lost Miller, Prince, Davis
The Rockets lost some key role players, but Portland, GSW, and the Grizz don't look to be going anywhere unless one of their all-stars get injured for a significant portion of the season.
Teams on the brink:
Mavs 49-33 – Chandler, Parsons, Nelson – lost Calderon, Marion, Carter, Dalembert
Suns 48-34 – Added Thomas, Ennis, Tolliver, Warren; Lost Frye, Ish
The Mavs look stronger, and the Suns don't look much worse.
Teams on the outside:
T-Wolves 40-42 – Added Thaddeus, MoLo, Wiggins, Lavine, Bennett; Lost Love, Cunningham, Mbah a Moute, Shved
Nuggets 36-46 – Afflalo, Nurkic, Harris, and Gallinari is back – lost Foye, Fournier
Pelicans 34-48 – Added Asik, Jimmer, Salmons; Lost Aminu, Morrow, Stiemsma
Kings 28-54 – Added Stauskas, Collison, Casspi, Corbin; lost Thomas
Lakers 27-55 – Added Boozer, Davis, Randle, Price; Lost Meeks, Pau, Marshall, Farmar
Jazz 25-57 – Added Exum, Hood, Booker; lost RJ, Marvin, JLIII
The T-Wolves are taking a step back with the hope of stepping forward in 2-3 years. The Nuggets hope to return from injury and improve. The Pelicans front-court is imposing with Asik, Davis, and Anderson, but their back-court remains an issue. The Kings aren't going anywhere. The Lakers are a dumpster fire. The Jazz will leap forward, but I don't see them getting to 0.500, much less the 50 wins needed to guarantee a playoff spot.
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