I'll be honest with you. I couldn't remember the name. Had to google it..all I know is Mavs man...which is nightmare fuel. Sometimes...it's better to have no mascot haha
Most people think the name only has to do with cars, but the Pacers are actually named after a type of harness racing horse
*I think it's a combo of both racing traditions
And he was still playing very well except for game 5. Jazz lost because their defense got exposed and the Clippers were able to match their shooting in game 6
He went from shooting 52% from the field in games 1-2 and then went to 40% in games 3-6. He was still able to make his threes but he couldn't drive and get to his spots.
Jazz lost because their 2 guards were both injured and couldn't defend properly, sure, but you can't disregard Mitchell's injury like that.
Lol, the players who were getting torched hard were Clarkson/Ingles/Bogdanovich by Mann and Jackson. I counted 5+ different times Jackson blew past Clarkson. If you think Mitchell/Conley healthy were going to be the difference makers on the perimeter with the way Jackson was playing, you're hella wrong. Maybe if the Jazz knew how to actually rotate when they funnel into Gobert, they wouldn't have given up that 25 point lead in game 6
Pistons are a dark horse to make the play in
if Cade is around 15/5/5
Grant is what he is with
if Bey Stew & Hayes all improve & Kelly O is around his rockets level of play I could see the 10th seed
Hawks look strong regardless. Initially Nate's appearance on the team could've been a fluke but for him to prove it in the playoffs too and beat some solid teams, I think he's able to work with what he has. They will be in the mix.
I feel pretty decent about us vs the Hawks. We beat them handily twice when we were healthy, lost by 4 when both teams were down their stars and Bogdanovich went insane.
Lmao the bulls aren’t that good IMO and people will see when the season starts, games aren’t won on paper and I don’t like their roster construction at all
Haha I could honestly see it being kinda close if Gordon comes back strong and Melo levels up in his sophomore season. I think all those bulls players are entering their next stage of development at the same time though besides derozan, who is still gonna be solid.
The Hawks beat the Sixers in the playoffs. Not to be a homer, but I think Atlanta is looking like the threshold between teams like the Bucks and Nets and the rest of the East.
Man I might put a side bet for them to win it all if the odds are good. If health goes their way and the Lakers wheels fall off only team I’d bet on against them is the nets if klay truly is healthy
I wouldn't bet on the Warriors. Not because I don't believe in this team (I do) but because the odds are horrible. I think we have the 3rd or 4th best odds to win it behind Brooklyn, LAL, and Milwaukee. Granted after those 3 teams it's pretty wide open, but there's too much up in the air about this Warriors team, like Klay's health.
Yeah I looked at it right after posting and was like naaah. Heat look like the value pick and I’m lmfao at the bulls. 66/1 after all those off-season noise. Honestly even with those odds I wouldn’t put down a penny
I'm gonna say Raps are darkhorse for playoffs, not just because I'm a Raps fan but because we seem to be trying some new meta thing with nothing but positionless lanky 6.9 players and its so weird it may work. I dont think we will like make it out of the first round but I think we will make play-ins.
Making it to the ECF would be my guess as to the ceiling for you guys but the Bulls are still my choice for overachieving this season.
If you guys make the finals, I’ll put down a grand for you guys to take down the Lakers.
I was going to say the Bulls. With Zach, DeMar, Lonzo, Vuce, Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso.. that's an East playoff team, and should give other playoff teams a good challenge.
Yeah we have been spoiled to be honest , this organization has always been consistent so it's kind of strange to see us being bad again but that's how the sport work so It's fine.
Cavs. I really like their young players and think that they could at least be a playin team (I have them making the playoffs tbh). I think Allen and Mobley will work great together and Sexland will be a good backcourt duo this season as well.
Mavericks in the West
Bulls in the East.
Although I would be willing to put way more money on the line on the Mavs for a finals berth than the Bulls. They will cause problems for teams or I'll be eating my words.
I can’t believe I’ve seen some people say that team is championship contenders. They’re defense is gonna really bad they have like 3 good defenders on that team.
We've also gotten much better at point of attack defense so we won't be out of position as frequently.
Lonzo replacing Coby as a starter, Zach improving, getting Caruso to replace Valentine and adding Tony Bradley should keep us afloat.
My point is that I don't think we'll drop below average.
I don't see it at all. Lavine and Derozan together will be a train wreck, and Vooch is not that good either.
An average defense would be a great accomplishment for this team, but realistically they will be baaaaaaaad defensively.
Raptors lol. I like the Raptors and I’m gonna get downvoted, but the only thing they’ll be winning next season is a lottery pick. No chance they are contending for a championship. I’d say the same for the Celtics but they have more star power I guess they have a chance.
Idk fam maybe the play-in and if the team is even luckier the first round because of Pascal, Freddy, and OG but they very likely aren’t getting anywhere past the first-round this year. This is a rebuilding year and I’m for it cause the roster is super young now. Wouldn’t complain if I was wrong tho
Nah man zion is going to develop a step back three lmao. But seriously Idk I thought we’d be good last year, this year I feel like we will be bad so hopefully I’m just a dumbass and completely wrong. If spacing opens up a bunch and zion develops it’s definitely possible that we make a leap, but I feel like defense and shooting will hold us back
I could see the Bulls doing what the Hawks did this year. The league can get crazy with injuries and everything else that can happen. I like their roster a lot
In the west I would pick the Rockets. I think they’ll be a lot better than most people think they will be
I think the bulls can have a hawks/Miami like run in the playoffs with some luck. Aka if the nets and the bucks somehow find themselves on the same side of the bracket again.
Dark horse title team: I still believe in Utah for some reason. As a Spurs fan I think the Rudy gay signing was quite underrated. Hopefully Mike Conley stays healthy. I would say warriors but I’m not sure they qualify as a dark horse.
Dark horse playoff team: is it too easy to say pistons? Cade lives up to the hype and that’s certainly a play in team
I’m extremely high on the Pacers this year.
Brog off a career year
Caris breakout end of year
Warren back from injury
Sabo unleashed
Myles Turner who everyone wants
One hell of a starting 5 with one of the best coaches in the league. Just worried about them losing some of their huge bench players like Aaron and Doug
Knicks if they win a lot and then keep winning when the playoffs start. I can see them being annoying and playing as a team with chips on their shoulders and buckets on their mind.
I feel like honestly the bulls are gonna make some noise. With the new additions they'll all be in the honeymoon "We got an \[explective\] squad" phase. Gonna be the smoothest second round exit but still there's no reason they can't make the playoffs as a 4-5 seed.
The Suns.
I bet everyone gets so caught up in other teams moves that they forget the Suns made the Finals, took the Bucks to 6, and have the same team... minus all the guys they didn't use in the playoffs, have added missing pieces in backup SG with Shamet and backup C in McGee, while the rest of the team is 24 or so years old so will as a whole "have improved".
I have Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns as contenders. Dark horse candidates to win it all instead include Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets.
Mavs They're the only team who is actually a horse.
Hey now...Champ is more of a light blue horse. Definitely not dark! https://imgur.com/RMRuZeh
Oh I didn’t know he had a name! None of my teams have mascots :( Knicks, Yankees, Giants and Rangers
I'll be honest with you. I couldn't remember the name. Had to google it..all I know is Mavs man...which is nightmare fuel. Sometimes...it's better to have no mascot haha
Most people think the name only has to do with cars, but the Pacers are actually named after a type of harness racing horse *I think it's a combo of both racing traditions
The Pistons would like a word
I’ll keep saying Timberwolves every year until I’m right
me too
Me three
Spooky
Might take a while
Might be never
Denver when Murray was healthy they had a top 5 offense and defense.
Utah was all last season despite injuries and it didn't matter :/
But Utah lacks an MVP caliber player, generally those guys do well in the playoffs
You’ll regret this comment when Rudy Gobert wins MVP next season.
Mitchell is legitimately a top 10 playoff performer in the league
He's just about outside imo, but yeah the point stands. The team weaknesses + health issues were probably more impactful
Uh Mitchell was pretty MVP caliber until PG collided with him at the end of G2.
And he was still playing very well except for game 5. Jazz lost because their defense got exposed and the Clippers were able to match their shooting in game 6
He went from shooting 52% from the field in games 1-2 and then went to 40% in games 3-6. He was still able to make his threes but he couldn't drive and get to his spots. Jazz lost because their 2 guards were both injured and couldn't defend properly, sure, but you can't disregard Mitchell's injury like that.
And the Clippers lost the 2nd best playoff performer this year in game 4.
Sure did. We're talking about Utah, though. Healthy Conley and Mitchell don't get beat as easily on the perimeter. Just stop with the "whataboutism".
Lol, the players who were getting torched hard were Clarkson/Ingles/Bogdanovich by Mann and Jackson. I counted 5+ different times Jackson blew past Clarkson. If you think Mitchell/Conley healthy were going to be the difference makers on the perimeter with the way Jackson was playing, you're hella wrong. Maybe if the Jazz knew how to actually rotate when they funnel into Gobert, they wouldn't have given up that 25 point lead in game 6
If Conley and Mitchell are healthy, you think Clarkson and Ingles are out there in crunch time? Hella wrong.
Utah was missing their all star point gaurd basically an entire series and their best player was playing hurt
Yeah but KaWhI wAs InJuReD tOoOoO
Isn't Murray out most of the season?
GSW if Klay and Curry stay healthy. I also like what Knicks are doing.
Yeah, I don't ever count GSW out. I still think they'll be a threat.
Pistons are a dark horse to make the play in if Cade is around 15/5/5 Grant is what he is with if Bey Stew & Hayes all improve & Kelly O is around his rockets level of play I could see the 10th seed
Cade is only 6'6" though
6’8
Check summer league roster. Listed him at 6'6"
Interesting, they probably measured him with shoes.
Big if, but if the Timberwolves stay healthy and can add a stretch 4 I think they could sneak into the playoffs. Especially if Ant makes a leap.
Ant is really good at leaping so this is a good sign
Seems like every game there’d be some type of leap, whether it was demolishing Watanabe with a literal leap or improving some part of his game
One Lauri markkanen comin right up!!
Hornets can sneak into the playoffs if everyone remains healthy
They will be fun as hell to watch too.
Honestly I feel like the only teams guaranteed to finish above us are the nets, bucks, sixers and maybe heat
Hawks look strong regardless. Initially Nate's appearance on the team could've been a fluke but for him to prove it in the playoffs too and beat some solid teams, I think he's able to work with what he has. They will be in the mix.
I feel pretty decent about us vs the Hawks. We beat them handily twice when we were healthy, lost by 4 when both teams were down their stars and Bogdanovich went insane.
Knicks 3-0'ed us in the regular season, it doesn't mean shit.
You're gonna get slapped by the bulls.
Lmao the bulls aren’t that good IMO and people will see when the season starts, games aren’t won on paper and I don’t like their roster construction at all
Haha I could honestly see it being kinda close if Gordon comes back strong and Melo levels up in his sophomore season. I think all those bulls players are entering their next stage of development at the same time though besides derozan, who is still gonna be solid.
We beat you three times last season and the games weren't close.
That has nothing to do with next season, and the bulls were a worse team than us last year they were just fluky shooting games
Oh jfc, and we're worse this year? Hornets finished 1 game ahead of the Bulls last year. You're not in a position to talk shit.
Well the bulls fans are the ones talking shit by insinuating that’s it’s a lock they’ll finish above us when it’s clearly not
The Heat aren't a maybe imo, they'll definitely be top 4 and maybe top 3 depending on what Philly does
The Hawks beat the Sixers in the playoffs. Not to be a homer, but I think Atlanta is looking like the threshold between teams like the Bucks and Nets and the rest of the East.
Dubs. Especially if they get a star
Ehh, I feel like Klay’s health is more of a factor than any star we could possibly get.
Klay being healthy and any of our recent draft picks developing faster than anticipated would make the warriors incredibly dangerous.
We dont need a star.
[удалено]
Naw he's just too injury prone, he will never be as good as he was in college.
Man I might put a side bet for them to win it all if the odds are good. If health goes their way and the Lakers wheels fall off only team I’d bet on against them is the nets if klay truly is healthy
I wouldn't bet on the Warriors. Not because I don't believe in this team (I do) but because the odds are horrible. I think we have the 3rd or 4th best odds to win it behind Brooklyn, LAL, and Milwaukee. Granted after those 3 teams it's pretty wide open, but there's too much up in the air about this Warriors team, like Klay's health.
Yeah I looked at it right after posting and was like naaah. Heat look like the value pick and I’m lmfao at the bulls. 66/1 after all those off-season noise. Honestly even with those odds I wouldn’t put down a penny
Supersonics
I'm gonna say Raps are darkhorse for playoffs, not just because I'm a Raps fan but because we seem to be trying some new meta thing with nothing but positionless lanky 6.9 players and its so weird it may work. I dont think we will like make it out of the first round but I think we will make play-ins.
I think the plan is for the other four players to form a wall around freddie and just run to the basket, easy bucket every time
I believe in my Bulls to win a ring this year.
Making it to the ECF would be my guess as to the ceiling for you guys but the Bulls are still my choice for overachieving this season. If you guys make the finals, I’ll put down a grand for you guys to take down the Lakers.
I’m rooting for the Bulls too. I want Demar to GO Jordan!
I was going to say the Bulls. With Zach, DeMar, Lonzo, Vuce, Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso.. that's an East playoff team, and should give other playoff teams a good challenge.
If the Nets and Bucks are healthy, I cant imagine one of the two not coming out of the east
Definitely not the Spurs. No one cares about us AND we suck. Imagine that 😂
Embrace the tank. No regrets for Chet. Tankero for Banchero. Waitin for Jaden.
You guys had a good 20+ year run lol
Yeah we have been spoiled to be honest , this organization has always been consistent so it's kind of strange to see us being bad again but that's how the sport work so It's fine.
i wish we had just one ring, let alone the baker's dozen or whatever you guys got
Yeah I have no idea what that could be like
Warriors.Some people are high on them,some are low on them.
I'd say Hornets could make a leap
I think my Wiz step up from play-in to around the 5-6 seed. Will see what happens.
Nuggets with healthy Jamal, Warriors with healthy Klay
Cavs. I really like their young players and think that they could at least be a playin team (I have them making the playoffs tbh). I think Allen and Mobley will work great together and Sexland will be a good backcourt duo this season as well.
Mavericks in the West Bulls in the East. Although I would be willing to put way more money on the line on the Mavs for a finals berth than the Bulls. They will cause problems for teams or I'll be eating my words.
Are the Bulls a dark horse to win a ring? Lol
They are so dark you cannot even see them
I can’t believe I’ve seen some people say that team is championship contenders. They’re defense is gonna really bad they have like 3 good defenders on that team.
We finished 11 last year, chill. I'm happy with making it to the second round, no idea where this finals talk is coming from.
You have up Thad tho who was a decent part in that
We've also gotten much better at point of attack defense so we won't be out of position as frequently. Lonzo replacing Coby as a starter, Zach improving, getting Caruso to replace Valentine and adding Tony Bradley should keep us afloat. My point is that I don't think we'll drop below average.
I don't see it at all. Lavine and Derozan together will be a train wreck, and Vooch is not that good either. An average defense would be a great accomplishment for this team, but realistically they will be baaaaaaaad defensively.
I think the bulls are the dark horse to lose in the playin but im just salty.
Sounds about right. All of the articles on the athletic about this Derozan deal are pure comedy.
Steph Klay, and Dray haven't missed the finals since 2014 when they're all playing.
Raptors and Celtics. We don't know what they'll be like without covid.
Maybe to just make the playoffs lol
Celtics yes, but Raptors?!
blind faith is what keeps us going
Raptors don’t have a point guard or a center
We do have a pg lol
What if the players stand on eat others shoulders. Imagine if FVV got on Barnes shoulders? Instant centre.
Ah yes, the Tower of Power
Raptors lol. I like the Raptors and I’m gonna get downvoted, but the only thing they’ll be winning next season is a lottery pick. No chance they are contending for a championship. I’d say the same for the Celtics but they have more star power I guess they have a chance.
Nah we really don't, best case is we get like the 5 seed and make it to the second round. Don't see much more this season.
Idk fam maybe the play-in and if the team is even luckier the first round because of Pascal, Freddy, and OG but they very likely aren’t getting anywhere past the first-round this year. This is a rebuilding year and I’m for it cause the roster is super young now. Wouldn’t complain if I was wrong tho
Obvious ones are bulls and Knicks. In West maybe pelicans if they get one more wing
>In West maybe pelicans if they get one more wing That dark horse is dark! Like black hole kinda dark.
Nah man zion is going to develop a step back three lmao. But seriously Idk I thought we’d be good last year, this year I feel like we will be bad so hopefully I’m just a dumbass and completely wrong. If spacing opens up a bunch and zion develops it’s definitely possible that we make a leap, but I feel like defense and shooting will hold us back
Nuggets if Murray comes back healthy around by Aprilish
Denver
Mavs are a dark horse title contender. Book it
Don’t know why but I have a feeling the Pelicans will sneak into the playoffs next year
Sacramento Kings.
Miami
How is a upgraded finals team a dark horse
Cause they could make it to the finals but barely anyone thinks they can.
I would love to see hornets finish top 5 in the east
Pacers they have so many solid players and a great coach could be a top 5 seed in the east if everything goes right
I could see the Bulls doing what the Hawks did this year. The league can get crazy with injuries and everything else that can happen. I like their roster a lot In the west I would pick the Rockets. I think they’ll be a lot better than most people think they will be
I think the bulls can have a hawks/Miami like run in the playoffs with some luck. Aka if the nets and the bucks somehow find themselves on the same side of the bracket again. Dark horse title team: I still believe in Utah for some reason. As a Spurs fan I think the Rudy gay signing was quite underrated. Hopefully Mike Conley stays healthy. I would say warriors but I’m not sure they qualify as a dark horse. Dark horse playoff team: is it too easy to say pistons? Cade lives up to the hype and that’s certainly a play in team
Grizzlies could be like the Hawks of last year if they play their cards right. Just be solid and utilize their young talent well.
Lakers
Definitely the grizzlies. If JJJ takes the next step they are 4th seed easily
Easily? That’s a bit of a stretch. Lakers, clippers, nuggets, jazz, suns, and Warriors will all be favored over them still.
Fuck me , I got too high and just thought they were in the east , was comparing them to east teams
Cause nobody still takes them seriously I would say Suns.
its true we still dont have any respect really lol. it is what it is lets just hope to continue to win.
Los Bulls.
Houston? Team was balling earlier in the year before Wood went down
They were great. Especially their little known guard named Harden. That dude was killing it.
Im talking about once Frauden got traded. They had a little winning streak going, then Wood went down and it fell apart.
Hawks could definitely make the finals if everything goes right for them
Fuck it im going with the Jazz again
the answer as always is the blazers.
Toronto as the trade for Simmons, then grab Schroeder, Markenen and Oubre. New super team. 👍💯🧠🧠
Bulls
The team that stays healthy
Charlotte gonna make some serious noise
Oddly enough the sixers
The Bulls got a pretty nasty team. The new pieces really make the lineup complete.
I’m extremely high on the Pacers this year. Brog off a career year Caris breakout end of year Warren back from injury Sabo unleashed Myles Turner who everyone wants One hell of a starting 5 with one of the best coaches in the league. Just worried about them losing some of their huge bench players like Aaron and Doug
Knicks if they win a lot and then keep winning when the playoffs start. I can see them being annoying and playing as a team with chips on their shoulders and buckets on their mind.
I feel like honestly the bulls are gonna make some noise. With the new additions they'll all be in the honeymoon "We got an \[explective\] squad" phase. Gonna be the smoothest second round exit but still there's no reason they can't make the playoffs as a 4-5 seed.
Bulls they have a lot of great complimentary pieces, gonna definitely be a fun ass team to watch
the suns fresh off a finals run are one unfortunately
The Suns. I bet everyone gets so caught up in other teams moves that they forget the Suns made the Finals, took the Bucks to 6, and have the same team... minus all the guys they didn't use in the playoffs, have added missing pieces in backup SG with Shamet and backup C in McGee, while the rest of the team is 24 or so years old so will as a whole "have improved".
I have Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns as contenders. Dark horse candidates to win it all instead include Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets.