With just two weeks and change to go before training camps open, The Committee (of One) is ready to unveil its 1-to-30 pulse take in the wake of an unpredictable offseason
Hope everyone remembers this is Marc’s “before the preseason starts” rankings. Your team will surely be in the Top 10 by the time the season starts....
Whatever the 'over' is on the Raptors, take it. Toronto's roster has championship experience, familiarity, and the right blend of kids and veterans. Precious Achiuwa for Most Improved Player? Get your money down.
In my blog, raptors4thewin.ca, I predicted the selection of Christian Koloko. The previous year, I expressed how much I liked Scottie Barnes, though believed Masai Ujiri should trade down to #7, as I believed either Scottie or Jonathan Kuminga would still be on the board.
Waiting for the NBA to force the jazz to change GMs after their tanking as an all star host. What a black eye for the sport. Funny how 5-6 teams are outright doing what philly did but now no one cares.
I agree on these minus the clips and nuggets. Fine, they got some great players back from injury but let's see them still perform at a high level. And still don't trust Denver to win.
Also, just finished watching winning time which, even if it is not accurate, is a great show
Remember: These are not outright predictions. The first edition of the rankings always reflect summer business and injury developments. I liked Denver’s summer. And Philly’s for that matter.
I recall last year pre-season the Raptors were not expected in the playoffs. Don’t underestimate Anunoby’s impact on this team which was shown when he missed some games last. Achiuwa was not the same player at season end as he was at the beginning. His in season development was quite something. Give the Raptors a summer of development along with Barnes and there is clear upside (or optimism?). Also with Thad Young from the start of the season could be a wild card.
I always expect Nurse to max his guys out. But securing a top-six slot means beating out three from the following eight: Milwaukee, Boston, Philly, Miami, Cleveland, Miami, Brooklyn and Atlanta. Taller order this season compared to last season.
There is no better time for this than the first day of the NFL season. Especially since the NFL is now trying to steal Christmas and MLK Day from the NBA. Time to play hardball with them! (Or is the wrong metaphor.) Only thing wrong with your timing is that the WNBA finals start today, and that deserves a day to itself.
I didn't think of it that way, but the way I see it is that these rankings will provide useful reading at any point over the next two weeks until training camps open. At least I hope so.
Here’s hoping that the Atlanta Hawks ranking is way off. Team was hammered with injuries and Covid issues last season, but that gets ignored. If a national hoops writer isn’t dismissing the Hawks, then he/she isn’t a national hoops writer.
No denying that the injuries were a significant factor last season, Dan. I'd still argue that there are a number of uncertainties with your Hawks beyond mere health.
Right…there are uncertainties all over the league, at this point. Let’s see the team finally get a season that isn’t overwhelmed by injuries. They’re more than overdue.
Hope everyone remembers this is Marc’s “before the preseason starts” rankings. Your team will surely be in the Top 10 by the time the season starts....
Much respect to your Bucks respect 🦌 🏆
Whatever the 'over' is on the Raptors, take it. Toronto's roster has championship experience, familiarity, and the right blend of kids and veterans. Precious Achiuwa for Most Improved Player? Get your money down.
Eagerly await the Vegas release of over/unders. Let’s revisit then.
Sounds good.
In my blog, raptors4thewin.ca, I predicted the selection of Christian Koloko. The previous year, I expressed how much I liked Scottie Barnes, though believed Masai Ujiri should trade down to #7, as I believed either Scottie or Jonathan Kuminga would still be on the board.
I've been doing this for a while. Regards, Brian
I thought Dubs, Nuggets and the Clippers are legit top3 in the west atm. We see eye to eye.
You’re the one who agrees with me!
Marc - dont expect access to a table at Nick and Sams anytime soon after putting Dallas at 13!
Do you want me to write the truth? Or just say Dallas will win it all cause I live there?
PS — You knew a steak taunt would sting … didn’t you?
Waiting for the NBA to force the jazz to change GMs after their tanking as an all star host. What a black eye for the sport. Funny how 5-6 teams are outright doing what philly did but now no one cares.
I agree on these minus the clips and nuggets. Fine, they got some great players back from injury but let's see them still perform at a high level. And still don't trust Denver to win.
Also, just finished watching winning time which, even if it is not accurate, is a great show
Remember: These are not outright predictions. The first edition of the rankings always reflect summer business and injury developments. I liked Denver’s summer. And Philly’s for that matter.
Yes I read that but they still are in a way, no?
It is an imprecise mixture of big-picture outlook which also factors in major developments from the summer since we last published the rankings.
I recall last year pre-season the Raptors were not expected in the playoffs. Don’t underestimate Anunoby’s impact on this team which was shown when he missed some games last. Achiuwa was not the same player at season end as he was at the beginning. His in season development was quite something. Give the Raptors a summer of development along with Barnes and there is clear upside (or optimism?). Also with Thad Young from the start of the season could be a wild card.
I always expect Nurse to max his guys out. But securing a top-six slot means beating out three from the following eight: Milwaukee, Boston, Philly, Miami, Cleveland, Miami, Brooklyn and Atlanta. Taller order this season compared to last season.
That’s why they play the games 😎
There is no better time for this than the first day of the NFL season. Especially since the NFL is now trying to steal Christmas and MLK Day from the NBA. Time to play hardball with them! (Or is the wrong metaphor.) Only thing wrong with your timing is that the WNBA finals start today, and that deserves a day to itself.
I didn't think of it that way, but the way I see it is that these rankings will provide useful reading at any point over the next two weeks until training camps open. At least I hope so.
Here’s hoping that the Atlanta Hawks ranking is way off. Team was hammered with injuries and Covid issues last season, but that gets ignored. If a national hoops writer isn’t dismissing the Hawks, then he/she isn’t a national hoops writer.
No denying that the injuries were a significant factor last season, Dan. I'd still argue that there are a number of uncertainties with your Hawks beyond mere health.
Right…there are uncertainties all over the league, at this point. Let’s see the team finally get a season that isn’t overwhelmed by injuries. They’re more than overdue.