Oldmangrouch

I agree. Oden, Rudy, and Bayless all have the chance to be tremendous players - but give them time to develop! Just getting from 41 wins to 50 would be a major step forward.

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We enter this life naked, wet, and hungry - and it only gets worse!

NateBishop3

1. New Orleans
2. Los Angeles
3. Utah
4. San Antonio
5. Portland
6. Houston
7. Dallas
8. Phoenix

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andalusian

I think that on average, a #1 selection adds 10 wins to a team. (I saw that statistic somewhere).

Oden is so good that he was worth 9 wins as a cheerleader. Now put him on the court, add Rudy and Bayless, substract Jack and add a year of experience for the rest of the crew.

I think this team (with no major injuries) will flirt with 55 wins.

NewAgeBaller

I'm predicting #6-7 seed.

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NewAgeBaller

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andalusian

I actually liked Jack - the only reason I wrote that you subtract him was to keep a correct list - I think that Bayless will give us about Jack's production in his rookie year.

So my reasoning is that Oden = 10 more wins, Rudy + Experience an extra 4 or 5.

NewAgeBaller

I think thats pretty reasonable, except personally I'm gona say the improvement is only about 10 rather than 15, because;

- I think somewhat like last season, Portland will be a very talented team but go through stretches (eg. a month) where the overall play just drops for whatever reason. Happens with a lot of teams, but I think theres a good chance this'll stop them from reaching that roughly 55 win mark.

- The West is so tough (I know it sounds lame but if you think about it, a lot of teams will be able to compete with Portland still, making 55 a very hard target).

- Not all that big of a worry from me, but the doubt surrounding Oden (injury/surgery, rookie), Rudy (European transition, rookie) and Bayless (rookie).

Anyway not saying you're wrong, just imo, these background issues will prevent them from reaching 55 wins.

My guess is 50 wins, give or take a couple.

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andalusian

You might be right, I may be crazy...

I said flirt with 55 - which means that this is the upper hand of where I really think they will end - could be 50 as well...

MAS RipCity

pre-free agency top 8
1-lakers
2-hornets
3-rockets
4-blazers
5-jazz
6-spurs
7-suns
8-warriors

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PDX Fan Since '90

RW#30

I say 51 wins

We will be #4 seed

with the improvement of the east and the balance of the west wins will be tougher to come by. I believe 50-53 wins will get us the HC in the first round.
1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Utah
4. Portland
5. Houston
6. Warriors
7. Spurs
8. Dallas

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"I want Greg Oden to tuck us in and read us bedtime stories about the "old days"

~Will Farrell 2008 ESPYs

DaRizzle

1. Lakers
2. Utah
3. Spurs
4. Hornets
5. Rockets
6. Mavericks
7. Blazers
8. Clippers (amendment due to Clippers/ Nuggets moves/transactions)

PorterIn2004

Wow, lots of folks really seem to have the Suns falling off this year, some out of the playoffs altogether. That might well be accurate, given how deep the west is and that they'll be getting used to a new coach but it still surprises me.

nikolokolus

I have to believe that the Nuggs are going to use that huge trade exception from the "Camby dump" before the season starts ... If not ... then wow! Just wow.

My gut tells me next year will shake out something like this:
1. lakers
2. Hornets
3. Jazz
4. Spurs
5. Rockets
6. Suns
7. Mavs
8. Blazers

MrJayremmie

that is very close to mine. I can't choose a number 8 yet. Its up in the air with Denver, Portland, GS and the Clips for now.

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Jerryd Bayless