2021-2022 AROUND the NBA: GSW Champs [ARCHIVED]

[michaeltex]

Another way to look at Mavs position in the West is to just separate the 50 win teams from everyone else.

Here’s who I predict/think can win 50;

Lakers
Clippers
Denver
Utah
Phoenix
Dallas
Golden State
Portland
Memphis

Woah; that’s 9 teams. 

Which teams do I think Mavs will finish ahead of?

Memphis
Portland
Clippers(Kawhi out)

Which teams could Mavs potentially finish ahead of?

Lakers(old team/remember 2004-05?)
Golden State(Lots of ??????)
Denver(they good, but not much better than us)
Phoenix(Can they do it again?)
Jazz(Hey I said ‘potentially’)

Who does that leave?

Just Mavs. A team building on 2 years of growth. With arguably the best player.

IMO...
LAC are a 1-horse show with a questionable lead horse. Success depends on KL coming back late season, but even that might be too late.
LAL are a bucket of nuts and bolts without any framework for attachement. Your 04-05 analogy is right on.
DEN is still a challenge, but without Murray???
UTA still has their 3pt shooters, and Gobert in middle. Kind of what DAL aspires to?
PHX success depends on CP3 staying healthy and involved.
MEM is poised to make a big jump in competitiveness.
POR is just waiting on the other shoe to drop and either Dame or CJ leaving.
GSW is a wildcard. If Klay comes back (after 2 years!) close to his old self then they could be a favorite, but I wouldn't expect much until mid-season.

I see DAL as possibly top 4 with UTA, PHX, MEM and LAL being the competition. LAL because LBJ and AD are a lot, but I'm expecting one or both to miss time with injuries.