Greetings my peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD.
And this episode it is time for the NBA season 2 start so I will be breaking down the Eastern
Conference.
I'll tell you how each team finish and also give you my playoff teams as well.
So just sit back relax and enjoy the show.
Ok guys so it's your boy GD here at the All Things Basketball with GD Podcast and we are
in the midst of our NBA season preview.
It's that time of year guys.
It's fall season.
Fall is just about midway through and we are approaching NBA season guys.
One of my favorite times of the year where basketball begins and we go through this for
the next 9 months.
Nonetheless I am ready for it.
I am here for it so let's get right into it guys shall we.
I already covered the Western Conference.
So now time for the Eastern Conference so let us begin.
I will start with the Atlantic Division and like I did for the West I'll go in alphabetical
order first.
I'll tell you the starters some of the key players.
I'll give you the upside and then I'll give you the downside for each team and then I
pose a question at the end.
And then once the division is done I'll tell you my predicted order of finish.
So that's how we will do that and once we culminate all of that I'll tell you the 8
teams I'm predicting to make the playoffs and the 2 playing teams as well.
Let's get into it guys.
Starting with the Atlantic Division we'll start with the Boston Celtics first.
Boston has as their starters Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, Kristal Porzingis who they acquired
from Washington in a multi-team deal, Drew Holiday who they got from the Blazers, it
cost them Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon but they did need that point guard
so they have that.
I think it could fluctuate guys.
I think you could even go Al Horford.
This way you can kind of ease the burden on Porzingis a little bit.
The Al can play a bit of the center and Porzingis slides to the 4 or you can just go Porzingis
at the 5, maybe slide Al Horford to the 4 or you can even go Horford coming off the
bench and starting probably Derrick White so you can do that as well.
So it's a variation of ways that Joe Missoula can go here.
Then coming off your bench it'll be either one of those guys there as well as Sam Hauser,
also Peyton Pritchard and Luke Cornette, also O'Shea Brissette who they got from the Pacers
as well.
Your upside for Boston, of course it begins and ends with Tatum and Brown and then your
acquisition of Christophe Porzingis and you basically replacing Drew Holiday with Marcus
Smart which is an upgrade I would say that.
As beloved as Marcus Smart was and as valuable as he was I think Drew Holiday he's a championship
point guard who brings a lot of playoff experience, a lot of moxie to that position.
I think if you were to lose a Marcus Smart to replace him with a Drew Holiday I don't
think you can actually anything better than that to be honest with you.
Your downside, Christophe Porzingis' health is always an issue with him and also he's
kind of got an unproven playoff record.
He got a slight taste of it with the Dallas Mavericks but that was the first round exit
so you don't really know in terms of Porzingis as far as how he'll perform in the playoffs
and then Mench-Depth that could be an issue as well guys.
So the question for Boston is can they challenge Milwaukee for the number one spot in the east?
I'll talk about Milwaukee a little bit so that's the question for them.
The Brooklyn Nets, a far different team than how they started last year with KD and Kyrie
in the fold.
Now you blew that all up.
Now you have a new nucleus.
Jock Vaughn is now the head coach.
Previously you had Steve Nash.
Now you have Jock Vaughn as the coach here.
But nonetheless your starters, Mikhail Bridges who when he came in the Kevin Durant deal
I mean he was an absolute stud for them.
Also in the Kyrie deal you got back Spencer Didwitty, he'll start.
Cam Johnson he came in the KD deal.
Ben Simmons, Ben Simmons I think will get back into this lineup.
He'll be the power forward but he also be the one who can dish the ball.
I think he could end up being the guy with the ball in his hands.
And Nick Claxton who had a very good year last year.
I think there's definitely room for growth with him.
In fact on my upside Mikhail on the cups of stardom and Claxton a young big on the way
up.
Which I think he is.
I think he's a young big who's got plenty of talent and lots of room ahead of him for
improvement.
On your bench you got guys like Dennis Smith Jr. who you got from the Hornets.
You also have Lonnie Walker from the Lakers that you brought in.
Cam Thomas who can light it up with the best of him young player.
And Dearon Sharp also he's your big over there as well.
And also Dory and Finney Smith who you got from the Mavericks in that Kyrie deal.
Question for the Nets?
Can Coach Vaughn get them back among the top six?
My New York Knicks.
That lineup will look like Jaylen Brunson again an absolute godsend.
One of the best free agent signings the Knicks have had in their history.
I don't think that's hyperbole guys.
Julius Randall who regained his All-Star status last year.
Also all NBA.
But there's a certain segment of the fan base that's still not thrilled with the guy even
though he gives you a 2010 and about four or five which is great for a big man.
My boy Deeg called me the other day said he saw him in the mall.
He gave him a shout out and told him look.
The real fans know what you bring to the tables.
And I agree wholeheartedly.
The real Nick fans know that this guy is going to be out there.
He's going to deliver.
He had the bad ankle in the playoffs last season try to play through it.
If they're playoff bound again of course the hot lights are going to be on him again.
I think he's somebody who knows that you know my last two appearances in the playoffs didn't
look all that good.
I have to bring it next time I'm in there.
I think he will.
I think he's built for this and we'll see how it goes with this team.
But the combination of Brunson and Randall is a must for the Knicks to have them healthy
throughout the season.
RJ Barrett.
He baffles me sometimes guys.
He has the talent.
He has everything going for him.
It's just the efficiency.
The efficiency.
It should be better at this point.
I mean he's coming on.
What is this year four or five now?
I mean we got to see you bring it consistently RJ.
Love the guy.
I think he's built for here but it's just a consistency.
We have to see it in order for this team to take the next step forward.
Mitchell Robinson.
If you were to Nick say he's one of the most important Knicks on this roster and I wholeheartedly
agree.
He's a guy who doesn't demand the ball although there were points.
So one point last season where he kind of made a little bit of noise about that but
he quickly set that aside.
But he's a guy.
You need his interior defense.
You need his rebounding and oh my gosh in that Cavalier series if it wasn't for his
rebounding man we'd be in a world of hurt.
In mind you he had to go against two tall trees over there in Jared Allen and Evan Mobley.
You get this guy at least 60 or so games from him.
You're in good shape although you have solid depth.
I'll talk about that in a minute.
Quentin Grimes.
Quentin Grimes is a guy I would love for him to see more touches because he's a 3 and
D guy who this team needs desperately.
His defense.
You saw a bit of it in the playoffs.
You saw it during the season as well.
He's a guy I may get in trouble saying this but I'm gonna say it anyway.
I think he's a guy who probably should be the third option.
I know it sounds crazy.
You got RJ there and so forth.
His defense is nowhere near Grimes defense.
In my perfect world Quentin Grimes would be the third option in this offense but it's
not my call.
But a guy like that could really really help this team if he got the proper looks.
That's all I'm saying so called me crazy but that's my take on that.
In terms of the bench, Emmanuel Quickly who was in the running for 6 man of the year.
He's actually heading towards restricted free agency.
They didn't sign the deal in time so I am curious to see.
I think he's gonna ball out.
I think he's a kid who stays locked in.
He stays focused.
The restricted free agency I think that's gonna loom over the season some but I think
at the end of the day this kid will deliver and we'll just see how it goes.
Josh Hart who when he came in the midseason deal last year was an absolute perfect fit
here and he'll be that again.
He'll be a guy who could play the two.
He could play the three.
You could slide him to the four if you're going small.
He's a guy who at his size rebounds the ball very well and he's just a dog man and you
need those kind of guys on your squad and I'm glad he's here.
They signed him to the bag thankfully.
Like I said you make a promise to a player.
You keep that promise.
That shows the rest of the league that you're serious and you mean business.
So I like the fact that they were able to get him and at a reasonable price as well.
Isaiah Hartenstein I tell you what man it's not too many teams that has a such a solid
tandem when it comes to centers.
Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein man played every single game last year was
so valuable to this team and he will continue to do so especially given the Mitchell Robinson
injury history so it's good to have a guy like Hartenstein Dante DiVincenzo part of
that Villanova Wildcat alumni.
He came over from the Warriors.
He's a guy who can defend who can knock down the three round six four ish so he's a guy
I think we'll see some valuable minutes Jericho Sims it seems like they slotted him now as
the backup for think he's kind of out of position seems like Tim's is experimenting with him
at that position.
If that's the case you could have experimented with Obi-Toppin at the three last year but
who am I to say that's water under the bridge anyhow.
That is pretty much your story in terms of the Knicks also you got a Miles McBride on
your bench as well.
Upside Jalen Brunson again better than advertised a lot of people thought the Knicks overpaid
a lot of people are still cleaning up their mess after that one and depth all over but
the downside Randall's ankles you want to make sure those are healthy and good to go
it seems like it is so that's a good thing lack of a three and deep small forward slash
power forward.
I think that situation bears watching there's guys out there that I think could end up being
free.
I know Toronto has a glut of those guys there.
I think Indiana is another team with a glut of guys who could play the power forward position
so I would keep an eye on those situations over there if I'm the Knicks.
With that said my question for the Knicks can they climb up to the third or fourth spot
in the east.
They finished in the fifth spot last year is their room for improvement.
The Philadelphia 76ers now they have to transition from Doc Rivers to Nick Nurse Nick Nurse is
the coach now coming from the Toronto Raptors for the Sixers.
Everything starts with Joel and B. Right now I have James Hart and Pencil into the starting
lineup.
Pencil so I got the race on there just in case Tyrese Maxie who everybody is saying is
going to have a stellar year coming up.
PJ Tucker is a guy Tobias Harris is someone who he's like vanilla ice cream guys.
I mean if it's there you'll eat it you'll enjoy it but there was some mango flavor some
chocolate swirls you would go for that more but Tobias Harris is vanilla ice cream take
it for what it's worth.
You know on your bench the Anthony Melton somebody who could probably move into that
starting lineup if James Hart and Werder depart.
Also you have a Paul Reed solid big there who can fill in for MB when you want to low
manage him of course.
Patrick Beverly, Forcon, Corsamot you still have him as a 3 and D guy.
Old Bombug you were able to get him acquire him from the Lakers and Free Agency.
And Kelly Ubrey I think this is kind of a steal guys especially given the heart and
situation if you were to lose heart and I think Kelly Ubrey is a guy who can kind of
step up not be a playmaker like him but give you a score in that lease.
Kelly Ubrey I think on the low that was a sneaky good signing for the Sixers.
Upside of course MB as your reigning MVP and also I mentioned Tyrese Maxi seemed like
his game is on the rise and then the downside of course the 800 pound gorilla in the room
that's James Hart in situation the fallout with Daryl Maury over there and then also
the transition from a Doc Rivers team to a Nick Nurse team and how would that look.
So with that said what will become of the heart and matter.
Right now he hasn't reported in.
I don't think his wife's decision for him to sit out he's not exactly in his prime
he's towards his mid 30s now I think it's incumbent upon him to play I think Daryl Maury
has to just fall on the sword and just make a deal just sometimes when you let a guy like
that go that kind of clears the air in the room and kind of makes things more palatable
for the guys in that locker room and then the Toronto Raptors now they have a new coach
over there Darko Rajakovich I'll talk about him in a minute your starters Pascal Siakam
always a guy who's solid can fill up the stat sheet Scottie Barnes is a player I think is
on the rise Oji Anu Nobi your 3 and D guy who many teams clamor for Dennis Schroeder
who you got in free agency from the Lakers and Jaquib Polter who you got midseason from
the Spurs but he's been solid for them in the middle on your bench Gary Trent Jr. you
drafted Grady Dick a guy who can light it up from three Chris Boucher precious a Chua
Willie Barton still there the upside you have three talented front court players in Pascal
Scottie and Oji your downside is you still have a glut of big stare outside of Pascal
Siakam you still have Chris Boucher who I mentioned you got precious a Chua you have
Christian Colucco that is young is still on the squad as well so you got a glut of big
guys so that's something that I thought would get straightened out but just seems like you
still have that as well so the question is how will the coach Darko era begin with him
as the coach he has a lot of experience in Euro ball he's coached over there for 16 seasons
he comes over here as a assistant he has plenty of experience as a coach he's a guy who likes
to empower the players last successful Euro coach we saw was David Black for the Cavaliers
so can he have that kind of impact because right now David Black is still the best coach
Cavalier coach in terms of percentage wise he won 67.5% of his games so can he have that
sort of effect we'll see and oh by the way they went for an O in the preseason very good
and then Patrick Beverly this guy man on his podcast he basically said that Scotty Barnes
and Pascal Siakam they're in a dark alley they're not going to scare you something to
that effect I'm like really what are we talking about here but nonetheless that's Patrick
Beverly being Patrick Beverly so with that said order of finish here's how I'm looking
at it guys I think Boston will be atop of the Atlantic but I'm saying it I'm saying
it with my full chest guys the New York Knicks I think will finish second in this division
the reason I say that they have the stability there you got a Brunson spearhead in the attack
Julius Randall there love to get more consistency from RJ love to see Grime step up you still
have Mr. Robinson patrolling that paint you have a very deep bench and for all the flak
that Tibido takes being the coach here he has them in the right direction guys I really
can't knock it to be honest with you so I'm picking them second guys I'm picking Philly
third because of the turmoil the whole heart situation I think even if you deal him you
will not get a player of the caliber of a James Hart who such a playmaker such a scorer
that guy isn't out there I mean I understand I get it you got guys there that will probably
have to fill his shoes but they're not James Hart they're just not I think they take a
step back you still have a MB there you have a maxi but I think they take a step back followed
by Brooklyn and then in fifth place I think the dark old situation I think his transition
coaching in the NBA could be a little turbulent so I'm picking them to finish fifth to the
central division Chicago Bulls will start there your starters DeMar DeRosin Zach Lavigne
Nicola Vosovic Patrick Williams you got Javon Carter who looks like he's going to end up
being the point guard there your bench will look like Alex Caruso Andre Drummond is there
or your do some more and Kobe White as well your upside you still got a solid big three
of DeMar Zach and Nicola but your downside you need a healthy Patrick Williams who come
in training camp he looks good he looks like he's pretty much back right so we'll see
the question for them how far will they go without approving floor general and I was
wanting people said if anything they should have tried to get drew holiday but you got
to give to get and I don't think they had the necessary pieces to get a drew holiday
unless you gave up Zach Lavigne which for what I hear they didn't want to do that that's
the Chicago story Cleveland your starters Donovan Mitchell of course we know it was overtures
about him wanting to come to the Nixon it seemed like it was a fader complete then he
ends up going to Cleveland that was before last season with that Darius Garland Jared
Allen Evan Mobley and I think your four starter could end up being Matt Streuss who you got
in free agency from the heat upside terrific back court an all-star caliber back court you
got very good bigs there and Evan and Jared your downside you need better depth among
the bigs it seems like if somewhere to go down with Eva guy the scrambling to kind of
make up here I mean on your bench you have Karris Leverde Isaac Acaro who I think will
lose his starting job to Matt Streuss Ricky Rubio who's still recovering from the torn
ACL so you want to be cautious with him question for them will they use last year surprising
first round exit as motivation because remember they lost to the Nixon the first round last
year JB because staff has to use that as fuel for these guys I know expectations were high
but they kind of fell short in that regard but we'll see if they can use this to motivate
them moving on to the Detroit Pistons your starters K Cunningham he'll be back he missed
all of last season pretty much all of last season Chaitan Ivy who had a decent rookie
season would have been better if he had K there to kind of take the pressure off him
a little bit Jalen Durham your center there who was solid last season I think this year
there's room for improvement that's for sure Bojan by Donovitch he'll be your power forward
there he's a stretch for who can knock it down from deep and I think your fifth starter
ends up being old saw Thompson the young rookie his twin brother is with Houston our men Thompson
but old saw he is more defensive minded than his brother but I think he's somebody who
Marty Williams who oh by the way he's the coach over there now he was given a five year deal
over there so he's there for the long haul I think he sees old saw as a McHale bridges
tight who will be kind of a defensive small forward but in time as his game develops he
can develop his offense as well on your bench James Wiseman who you got from the Warriors
midseason trade also Marvin Bagley the third solid player but injury riddled also Alex
Burks there's rum lends about him being the starter over Ivy I don't understand that
talk I really don't Joe Harris who you got from the Nets also Marty Morris who you signed
in free agency from the Wizards and Isaiah Stewart as well who had stints as a starter
but I think now he comes off the bench your upside you got a young talented backcourt
there and Kate and Jaden your downside you got a log jam at the bigs I think this was
the other team I was thinking about had bit of a log jam amongst their big guys so Detroit's
another team the next should be I am the question is how will they do and Marty Williams first
season as coach the Indiana Pacers their starters Tyrese Holly Burton their all world point guard
Ben Maferin also buddy healed although he's been talking about wanting to be traded Obi
Toppin I think ends up being the starting power forward over there and Miles Turner
as your center on your bench TJ McConnell who did a great job filling in for Holly Burton
when he missed a glut of games over there also Aaron Naysmith a guy who can launch it
from three also Andrew Nim hard is another guy who can fill it from deep Daniel Thice
Isaiah Jackson a guy who's a four they want to make him a stretch for see how that works
also Jarray Walker a guy who's kind of pushing in terms of power forward he's a young promising
big and Jalen Smith another guy who last year started but eventually ended up going to the
bench with that said the strengths you have a do it all point guard and Holly Burton also
I think Maferin in the second season I'll be very curious to see how his game has grown
he's a guy who I think can take the next step forward and then your downside a glad among
the big guys and then the question for them will they end up dealing buddy he'll they
want to but you need takers so that remains the issue and then Milwaukee Bucks who just
recently signed Yonis onto to Kumpo to a contract extension at three more years 186 million
good gracious break in the bank Yonis stays this is what Milwaukee fans have been dreaming
of once they consummate it the Damian Lilith trade now they can breathe a sigh of relief
that Yonis wants to stay there and it's obvious here he does he signs a three year extension
with them so you have Yonis there Damian Lilith who you got in the three team deal also Chris
Middleton Brooke Lopez and then I think your fourth start will be Pat Connitan on the bench
Bobby Portas who does a excellent job filling in for Yonis when he misses some games also
for Brooke Lopez when he misses out as well Robin Lopez his brother his here is a backup
Malik Beasley who you got from the Lakers Jay Crowder who I think will be given a new
lease on life with a new coach here and Andre Griffin and also you have Yonis's brother
the honest also you have Cameron Payne I think this is like a sneaky good pickup for them
also Marshawn Bolsham who was a rookie last year I want to see how he has grown in his
second season in the league the strengths for them of course the acquisition of Damian
Lilith them swooping in and getting Damian I think could go a long way for them and
their playoff experience guys so everything's boating well in that regard the downside you
do have a rookie coach and Adrian Griffin you're not sure how that's going to shake
out and you need a healthy Chris Militant you need him to be that number three guy now
that you have Damian in the fold he's a number three guy which I think is less pressure and
you probably still have to load manage him a bit with him coming off that injury I expect
to see guys like Beasley swing in there maybe a Jay Crowder as well when he sits and the
question is how will the Yonis name pairing go I could also went how will Adrian Griffin
fair inheriting a team that's coming off a disappointing playoff loss last year and
now you have a Damian Lilith that you have to incorporate in there so it's a lot to
ask for a rookie coach but nonetheless let's talk about the finish in that division I see
it as Milwaukee on top obviously followed by Cleveland I think Cleveland will be the
second team in that division followed by Indiana I think Indiana kind of takes a leap forward
this year Chicago I think is a fourth place team that if they had a better point guard
situation I feel better but I'm picking them forth and then Detroit I think will be the
fifth place team then we go to the South Division we start off with Atlanta you have
Trey Young Dejante Murray also Clint Capella Sadiq Bay and Deandre Hunter as your fifth
starter on your bench of course you have Oneka Akangu the solid big who is kind of in tandem
with Clint Capella also you got Bogdan Bogdanovich Jalen Johnson love to see how his game has
grown in this next season here you have Patty Mills who seemed like he's been around to
bend him back again West Matthews is another guy in that same situation and AJ Griffin
is a guy who I would keep a watch on to see how he has grown this is his second year in
the league so I would pay close attention to that and then you have a full season now
with Quinn Snyder that leaves the question there was a lot of rum lends about Trey Young
whether you deal him or not what will we see in the second season of him together with
Dejante it seems like last year they were still trying to feel each other out but the
second season I think is very important how they start I think will play a part in what
this team does going forward next is the Charlotte Hornets your starters you got Lamello Ball
back you got him starting the season now Terry Rose who did yo men's work filling in when
Lamello was out for the season also Gordon Haywood right now I think he ends up being
the starter there I'll explain the situation PJ was a guy who be the power forward and
Mark Williams who really came on towards the end of last year now he'll start the year
as the starting center there promising young big on your bench you have the old Maladin
who can play well in spurts also you have Brandon Miller who you got second in the draft
where they play him I'll be interested to see you can play him at the three at the four
maybe at the two miles bridges he's suspended for the first two games because of the domestic
violence incident also as of recently he violated a court order so we'll see if the suspension
gets extended but right now is that 10 games but he's a guy who we last saw had a very
good year Nick Richards another promising young big who's right behind Mark Williams
and also James boat night who's been a bit of a disappointment so you'd like to see him
step up upside terrific back court and Rose here and Lamello obviously and Mark Williams
I think again he I think he's on the rise guys as a young big who could take a leap
forward question for them is coach Clifford on the hot seat right now Michael Jordan has
sold his majority stake in the team so he still has a stake but as a minority owner
with that being the case he was more of a Steve Clifford advocate the majority owners
now may not see it that way so how they fare could play an important role in terms of Steve
Clifford's future so I'll just put it like that the Miami Heat your starters of course
Jimmy Butler who arrived at his initial press conference for the season in that emo hairdo
oh my gosh what was he thinking anyway but you know Jimmy Butler has to think outside
the box but he's your starter there along with Bam out of bayou Tyler hero he's back
now he's back healthy also Josh Richardson looks like he'll end up being the starter
and Kevin Love on your bench Khalid Martin who did so well in the playoffs last year
Thomas Brian is a big that you brought in also Duncan Robinson a guy who's gonna light
it up from three your rookie Hamey Jocz out of UCLA he's somebody that the organization
is high on so we'll see how they'll incorporate him Nicola Jovic their young European player
that they got into draft last year the upside for them the duo of Jimmy and Bam always
a solid combination and the coaching of Eric Spolstra few episodes ago I've been singing
the praises of Eric Spolstra so much so I think he should be the next Olympic coach
and not Steve Kerr but I digress but Eric Spolstra is a guy who can squeeze blood out
of a turn up this guy can get maximum effort from guys on draft the guys gives him all
out efforts so Eric Spolstra is a guy I don't bet against that's for sure and then the downside
you need a healthy hero and a healthy love and a healthy but look sometimes he misses
games here and there so you need these guys healthy I think that's what kind of hurt them
last year with so much so they ended up in the play in I think this year you can't mess
around especially with all the improvements in the east so I think you'll see more games
play from Butler provided he stays injury free but you need those two guys as well the question
will be how will they manage after losing out on Damian Lillard now remember they were
the leader in the clubhouse on getting Dame and I mentioned when I talked about the Dane
trade they should have did their due diligence and found a third party maybe Phoenix maybe
talk to Phoenix because Phoenix ended up being the one that really pushed the envelope in
terms of the Dane trade I think there was kind of late to the party with that how will
they manage with that and then also how will they manage losing in the finals to the Denver
Nuggets what do they do as an encore after that because remember they made it as a eight
seed moving on to Orlando Orlando magic your starters Paulo Boncaro also friends Wagner
who I'm expecting to have a big year window Carter Markel Faults who's back now he's
healthy and Gary Harris and on your bench Cole Anthony who you just resigned you just
resigned him also Jalen Suggs we're still waiting on him to see what he has Joe Ingalls is a
guy you signed in free agency John event Isaac who you got a taste of him he made his return
last season about February or so but he ended up getting hurt and then missing the rest
of the season again so his health is imperative I'm not even sure what to make of what we
seen of him so if they were to get anything from him that would be a plus that's for
sure Moe Wagner the brother of Franz also Chuma or Kike Anthony Black who you got via
the draft also jet Howard the son of Joanne Howard also another rookie then how they get
incorporated into the mix remains to be seen but Jamal Mosley he's hanging in there as
the coach right now the upside you got solid building blocks and Paulo and Franz definitely
guys you want to build around also they need sucks to step up question for them can they
take the next step forward like maybe play in tournament perhaps and then the last team
I'll talk about is the Washington Wizards they have now Kyle Kuzma starting Jordan
pool who they got through a trade with the Golden State Warriors because they acquired
Chris Paul and up flipping him for Jordan pool also Titus Jones who you got in that multi
team deal that sent Chris that poor thing is to Boston he was included in that and he
ends up with the Wizards Daniel golford promising big man defender of the paint can block shots
and Danny Avigia this one forward there he's the I think he ends up being the fifth starter
it could also be Corey Kitspert and then your bench besides those two guys are mentioned
Danilo Galanari you can have him healthy for the season memory towards ACL he'll be a plus
for them and Landry Chomet also Mike Mascala Johnny Davis a young player who you want to
see what the deal with him is and the rookie the law Kula Bali also that you got in the
draft upside of course the additions of Jordan pool and Titus Jones so you now have a new
back court now as opposed to what you started with last season with a Bradley Beal also
on the downside you need Corey Kitspert and you need Johnny Davis to kind of mature and
grow their game the question will be can coach West on cell Junior Mel these talents together
to be competitive with that said or to a finish in the south right now I see Miami is the
cream of the crop in the south there I think again I don't think Butler misses too many
games if that's the case I see them doing much better than the eighth place finish from last
year following them is the Lana Hawks I think as long as you got Trey and John T you have
a chance there coming in third I think will be I think Orlando Magic guys I think you
got guys that are healthy now faults is there Wagner like I said is on the way up on Carol
I like to his rookie season I'm liking what they're putting down guys so I'm picking them
third above Washington and above the Hornets so the rest of the finish would be Washington
Wizard and then the Charlotte Hornets with that said playoff teams I think it goes like
this Milwaukee will be on top in the east I believe the honest Dean pairing will be
too much to bear for the rest of the conference second Boston I think Boston will be right
there breathing down the next of the Milwaukee Bucks third I'm going with my next guys my
next will be the third seated team in the east number four Cleveland Cavaliers I can't
rule them out especially when you have a Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the
mix over there fifth I'll say you know what I'm calling the audible here fifth will be
the Miami Heat I think Miami Heat will be the fifth team in that conference and six
will be the Philadelphia 76ers again all the heart and talk in the situation I still think
they're formidable but I think the cloudiness of what's going on with heart and I don't
think that situation ends too kindly so we'll see what happens there seventh I think the
Lana Hawks will be in the seven seat there and they'll be followed by the Chicago Bulls
with that said guys I think your playing teams I think Indiana will be amongst the play in
teams I think having Holly Burton healthy will go a long way for that ball club the
other playing team I am caught between Brooklyn and Orlando I think I'm gonna say Orlando
I think Brooklyn just misses out I think they just miss out guys so I'm going with Orlando
alright guys so that's gonna do it for that I did want to do an episode on the postseason
awards my predictions there also one a tie a bow on the WNBA want to do that as well
so anyway that's it guys and thank you for listening as always and we'll talk soon take
care hello my peeps thank you for listening and supporting the all things basketball with
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