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Golden State Warriors
Yet another real prediction that is really real: Assuming health, the still undefeated Warriors will break the 1995-96 Bulls’ record 72 wins. Chew on that. |
Last Week (1)
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San Antonio Spurs
There is still so much work to be done in San Antonio, it’s not even funny. Well, maybe it’s a little bit funny because, despite being a work in progress, THE SPURS ARE THE SECOND-BEST TEAM IN THE NBA. |
Last Week (3)
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert need to come back soon. Otherwise, the Cavaliers will continue to lord over the rest of the Eastern Conference while clawing their way through tightly contested games that don’t afford LeBron James any sort of rest. |
Last Week (2)
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Los Angeles Clippers
Consider this a gift. The Clippers haven’t been playing well, and they’re complaining about everything ranks as even more insufferable than usual. Still, the Mavericks and Suns are enjoying easy schedules, and the Clippers are, admittedly, battling injuries. |
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Miami Heat
Remember when I said, repeatedly, that the Heat were one of the most overrated teams in basketball? This is me, admitting I may have been wrong, while actually being too stubborn to admit I’m totally wrong less than 20 games into the season. |
Last Week (9)
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Atlanta Hawks
Paul Millsap and Al Horford are the business, Kent Bazemore is still fun, and the Hawks need to start winning more games. |
Last Week (5)
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Chicago Bulls
Have the Bulls ever thought about dangling one of Taj Gibson and Joakim in hopes of trading for another starting point guard? Just some food for thought. |
Last Week (10)
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Boston Celtics
The Celtics beat the Thunder and upended the shitty Rockets back-to-back. This team is super deep, its rotations are weird, its offense is disjointed and, most importantly, it’s fucking awesome. |
Last Week (17)
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Dallas Mavericks
Enjoy this reflexive rise up the rankings now, Mavericks fans. Dallas’ schedule has been super easy, so logic would dictate this placement won’t last for long. Then again, who am I to doubt Zaza Pachulia? |
Last Week (20)
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Oklahoma City Thunder
This whole “Kevin Durant being injured” thing better not become an Oklahoma City staple. Russell Westbrook unchained is a sight to see, but the Thunder need KD healthy and on the floor if they’re to reclaim contender status. |
Last Week (6)
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Utah Jazz
Someone, anyone needs to fix the Utah Jazz’s offense. Their spacing is mostly bad, they don’t have enough shooters and the absence of a playmaking point guard will curb what should be an incredibly high ceiling all year. |
Last Week (11)
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Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are balling. If the Rockets and Pelicans keep sucking, it looks like the Suns will be a playoff team after all. |
Last Week (19)
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Toronto Raptors
The Raptors defense is soooooooooooo much better than it was last season. But their offense really needs a boost. |
Last Week (12)
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Indiana Pacers
George Hill is shooting better than 60 percent on spot-up threes, according to NBA.com. Let’s talk about that. |
Last Week (16)
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Memphis Grizzlies
Life is being breathed into Memphis. The Grizzlies have regained some of their beautifully ugly swagger, even showing, at times, that they can hang with faster-paced systems. |
Last Week (22)
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Charlotte Hornets
Talk about exceeding expectations. The Hornets are so much worse defensively without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but their offense is hitting its stride, Jeremy Lamb is playing like an NBA player, and the team is winning games. |
Last Week (23)
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Detroit Pistons
Much like the Jazz, the Pistons need help on the offensive end. More shooters is a must, as is better play from Reggie Jackson. |
Last Week (7)
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New York Knicks
I will not call Kristaps Porzingis a future Hall of Famer.
I will not call Kristaps Porzingis a future Hall of Famer.
I will not call Kristaps Porzingis a future Hall of Famer.
I will not call Kristaps Porzingis a future Hall of Famer. |
Last Week (14)
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Washington Wizards
Was really high on the Wizards entering this season. Now, after watching their mediocre showings on both ends of the floor, I’m starting to think I may have been force-fed stupid pills. |
Last Week (18)
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Milwaukee Bucks
Greg Monroe has fixed the Bucks offense!*
*Just kidding. |
Last Week (21)
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Well, the Timberwolves couldn’t play like a postseason squad forever, right? Here’s to Sam Mitchell fighting the currently prevailing impulse to play his old heads more than his young guns. |
Last Week (15)
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Orlando Magic
If nothing else, the Magic can be fun to watch. And, whatya know, with no discernible identity, there is nothing else. |
Last Week (25)
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Sacramento Kings
DeMarcus Cousins, still good.
Sacramento Kings, still bad, but a little less bad after winning three straight. |
Last Week (26)
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Denver Nuggets
Will Barton fever is making its way through Denver. Don’t bother inoculating yourself against its ubiquity. It’s not at all dangerous to your health—unless you hate fun. |
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Houston Rockets
[Insert flaming poo emoji.] |
Last Week (8)
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Portland Trail Blazers
Portland’s early-season Cinderella run was fun while it lasted. |
Last Week (13)
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Los Angeles Lakers
“We’ve got to man up,” -Lakers coach Byron Scott on basketball, solving global warming, finding life on other planets, and everything else ever. |
Last Week (28)
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New Orleans Pelicans
Sad Pelicans are sad. |
Last Week (27)
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29
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Brooklyn Nets
The crowning achievement of Brooklyn’s 2015-16 season will be almost, but not actually, beating the Warriors. |
Last Week (30)
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Philadelphia 76ers
#TrustTheSlopFest |
Last Week (29)
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