2013-14 NBA Preview: Projected Standings

By Michael Schneid
 
The NBA season begins tomorrow!  Here are the MotleySports predictions for each conference from top to bottom in the final standings.


Eastern Conference

1. Heat

Miami is still the best team. Lebron and Wade will likely sit more throughout the season. Expect Bosh to play like an all-star.

2. Pacers
Paul Georgie just signed a new max extension. Indiana improved significantly, from a team who was one win away from the NBA finals last season. If Danny Granger is healthy he will be a huge asset going forward. They improved their bench adding Luis Scola, Chris Copeland, and CJ Watson.


3. Nets

Nets certainly went all in for 2013-14, mortgaging their future to acquire two future Hall of Famers. Pierce's numbers were down a little last year but Garnett is certainly still playing at a high level. Nets no better than third in east.

4. Bulls

Derrick Rose should be an upgrade at PG over Nate Robinson. Rose should also re-enter MVP conversation.

5. Knicks

Knicks have the same team and more that won 56 games and finished second last year. But the Heat, Pacers, Nets, Bulls are all improved.

6. Wizards

John Wall is ready to break out. The Wizards have a solid mix of veterans and young players and if Wall is healthy and plays to potential he can guide Washington back into the playoffs. The trade to get Gortat is a big move.

7. Pistons
Detroit hired vet coach Mo Cheeks and than signed Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith. Detroit has some unusual pieces that may or may not fit together. One thing is for sure, this team will be fun to watch - for good or bad reasons.


8. Cavs
Anthony Bennett, Jarrett Jack, and perhaps Andrew Bynum plus the continued development of Kyrie Irving should be enough for the Cavs to push for the 8 seed

9. Hawks

Losing Josh Smith will hurt and the Hawks will miss playoffs.

10. Raptors

Jonas Valanciunas has a chance to be next big international star

11. Magic

Fun young team with Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic. Still 1-2 years away from contention.

12. Celtics

Will play hard for Brad Stevens and defend well but simply aren't talented enough

13. Bobcats

Kemba, MKG, Cody Zeller and addition of Al Jefferson makes Bobcats somewhat watchable

14. Bucks

One of worst, most random, poorly assembled rosters in NBA. OJ Mayo replaces Monta Ellis, Brandon Knight replaces Brandon Jennings and Caron Butler replaces Mike Dunleavy

15. 76ers

Worst roster in NBA. With Noel out for season, Philly essentially has three lottery picks in 2014 (Noel plus two first round picks)

Western Conference

1. Spurs

Still the best as long as Tony Parker is healthy and Kawhi Leonard continues to develop into a star

2. Clippers

Coaching matters and Doc Rivers is > Vinny Del Negro. A point guard like Chris Paul helps too

3. Rockets

Dwight Howard will have a big impact with James Harden but it will be the role players like Chandler Parsons, Patrick Beverly, and Francisco Garcia that determine how far this team can go.

4. Thunder

Always a contender with Kevin Durant. With Westbrook out need Jeremy Lamb to step up as #2 scorer

5. Warriors

West is loaded or they would be higher. Curry, Thompson, Barnes great nucleus plus addition of Andre Iguodala adds another dimension to already good, deep team.

6. Blazers

Starting 5 can compete but bench was major problem last year. CJ McCollum, Mo Williams, Dorrell Wright, Thomas Robinson help ensure that bench will be improved.

7. Wolves

Health of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love are most important and addition of Kevin Martin an underrated addition

8. Pelicans

Additions of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans expedited rebuilding process and Anthony Davis ready to take next step. Front court depth a question mark still.

9. Grizzlies
Firing Lionel Hollins was risky after Grizzlies got swept out of Western Conference Finals. Team will go as far as Gasol and Z-Bo take it.


10. Lakers
Lakers get close but early season losses without Kobe doom them. Team plays more D'Antoni style offense though without having to appease Dwight Howard

11. Mavs

2012 off-season goal was Deron Williams and 2013 goal was Dwight Howard. Mavs settled for Monta Ellis. Terrible consolation prize

12. Jazz

Lottery-loaded lineup took a hit with Trey Burke out a month. Rebuilding year as Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors develop on the job

13. Nuggets

Loss of George Karl and Andre Iguodala is a big deal. Gallinari missing first few months is also a big deal

14. Kings

Trending upward but still need time and players

15. Suns

Eric Bledsoe gets a chance to be a star out of the shadow of Chris Paul and with Alex Len Suns have two most important pieces moving forward in rebuild