1
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Golden State Warriors
Real prediction that is really real: The Warriors are unreal, and because they’re so unreal, no one will displace them from the No. 1 slot all season. |
Last Week (-)
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2
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Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers already have a stronghold on the Eastern Conference throne, and they’re still playing without Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. Hot damn. |
Last Week (-)
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3
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San Antonio Spurs
Even though the Spurs don’t look nearly as dominant as they should, and probably will, two, three and four months from now, they’re already contending for one of the Western Conference’s two best records. As the saying goes: Spurs gonna Spurs. |
Last Week (-)
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4
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Los Angeles Clippers
Without Chris Paul, the Clippers offense would be ____.
Acceptable answers include: bad; really bad; really, really ridiculously bad; and totally, wholly, completely and utterly fucked. |
Last Week (-)
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5
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Atlanta Hawks
Oh, hey, the Hawks will just be chilling over here, with a top-five offense, winning games like losing DeMarre Carroll ain’t no thang. |
Last Week (-)
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6
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Oklahoma City Thunder
This is only because the Thunder’s five-man combination of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter, Dion Waiters and Russell Westbrook has, against most outside perception, been an absolutely terror. |
Last Week (-)
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7
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Detroit Pistons
There’s a chance the Pistons don’t belong this high now, and they almost certainly won’t place here indefinitely, but damn, they’re carving out victories. They have the East’s third-best record yet have played the league’s second-toughest schedule. Go figure. |
Last Week (-)
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8
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Houston Rockets
After four straight victories, it looks like there’s life in Houston after all. |
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9
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Miami Heat
As far as title contention goes, the Heat are a collective maybe. But the early returns are mostly good, and if Dwyane Wade stays this healthy all year, they’ll have a chance to do something special. Also: The defense, at least for now, is coming together quite nicely. |
Last Week (-)
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10
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Chicago Bulls
Somewhat surprisingly, it’s the Bulls offense, not the defense, that has struggled under head coach Fred Hoiberg. Not surprisingly, I’m still inclined to blame Tom Thibodeau. Consider this top-10 ranking a gift. |
Last Week (-)
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11
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Utah Jazz
The Jazz are playing elite opponents tight, and their stingy defense from the latter part of last season was no mirage. So long has Rudy Gobert never, ever, ever, ever gets hurt again, they’ll be fine. |
Last Week (-)
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12
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Toronto Raptors
Three straight losses catapulted the Raptors outside of the top 10, but they’ve still never been more balanced and, for now, are scary on both ends of the floor. |
Last Week (-)
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13
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Portland Trail Blazers
Even though the Blazers’ run of playoff-level basketball will prove temporary, they are gradually, and definitely, reminding us that we don’t know shit. |
Last Week (-)
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14
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New York Knicks
I’m feeling pretty damn good about my decision to predict a playoff berth for these Knicks. I’d even put them higher after their win over Toronto if it wasn’t for the fact that the offense cannot yet be trusted. |
Last Week (-)
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15
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns, a rookie, is playing like an All-Star; Andrew Wiggins looks as if he’s finally ready to unleash the beast and never look back; the defense is real; and Ricky Rubio’s hair game is strong.
And by the way: Consider this a second reminder that we don’t know shit. |
Last Week (-)
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16
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Indiana Pacers
This just in: Paul George is still good. |
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17
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Boston Celtics
Maybe I was wrong to think the Celtics would win almost 50 games (I was). Nevertheless, their defense is daunting, and they remain a scrappy bunch with enough depth to remain a fixture in the East’s playoff discussion. |
Last Week (-)
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18
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Washington Wizards
Through their first seven games, the Wizards rank in the bottom seven of offensive and defensive efficiency. This is still no time to panic, but, ya know, we’re getting there. |
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19
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Phoenix Suns
Here’s to the Suns holding strong as either the ninth- or 10th-best team in the West once more. |
Last Week (-)
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20
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Dallas Mavericks
It looks like Dallas will be too good to keeps its top-seven protected pick, but too bad to make the playoffs. Fun times. |
Last Week (-)
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21
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Milwaukee Bucks
My word, the Bucks have been disappointing. Their offense is mediocre, which is an upgrade over last season, but their defense is B-R-O-K-E-N. |
Last Week (-)
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22
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Memphis Grizzlies
Scary but inevitable thought: The Grizzlies’ days of flirting with title contention around this core are over. |
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23
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Charlotte Hornets
Credit the Hornets for reinventing themselves. Without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, they’re now an offensive team, and they’re trotting out one of the 10 best attacks in the league.
Is that enough to keep them in the playoff conversation all year? No. |
Last Week (-)
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24
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Denver Nuggets
Emmanuel Mudiay is the real freaking deal. |
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25
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Orlando Magic
Good lord this team is fun. Maybe too fun. I can’t help but wonder if Tobias Harris trade rumors will be a thing by January. |
Last Week (-)
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26
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Sacramento Kings
DeMarcus Cousins being healthy should help the Kings climb out of the gutter. But we’re still in for another season that sees them struggle to win 30 games. |
Last Week (-)
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27
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New Orleans Pelicans
Injuries are hurting the Pelicans. The years-long impulse they’ve had to rush their rebuild around Anthony Davis, though, is what’s killing them. |
Last Week (-)
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28
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Los Angeles Lakers
Still trying to figure out if the Lakers are actually blissfully unaware of how crappy they are, or if general manager Mitch Kupchak is sly enough to deliberately assemble a team this bad so that Los Angeles can keeps its top-three protected pick. |
Last Week (-)
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29
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Philadelphia 76ers
Sixers fans are now divided into two contingents: Those who trust the process, and those who want to see the process burn. |
Last Week (-)
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30
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Brooklyn Nets
Poison for thought: The Nets might finish with the worst record in the NBA only to send their first-round pick, wherever it lies, to Boston. |
Last Week (30)
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