My full Western Conference over/under projections for each team. Reposted now that I have pro and don’t have to break it up. Again, written in one go while holding a new born. Let me know what you think.
Dallas Mavericks 41.5
Lotto gods (commish conspiracy)? gave them the number one pick. Flagg ROY lock? Kyrie is out for how long? AD at PF and healthy for how many games? Klay's knees gonna hang in there? Even with Kyrie out for at least a while I feel like they are an above 500 team - Over
Denver Nuggets 53.5
Joker is the best player in the world. Can Jamal get off to a better than normal start? My boy Bruce is back! Love Cam Johnson (Tar Heel duh) and Hardaway as shooters. A better back up center than Deandre Jordan? Braun got paid. A jump from Watson? Maybe even Strawther? A high number but f it - Over
Golden State Warriors 47.5
They were really damn good last year after getting Butler. Steph is still the best shooter in the league. Love Horford to space the floor. Will Kerr hate Kuminga less publicly? Can the old men stay healthy? A few games over .500? I don't feel good about it but I can't go over on everyone - Under
Houston Rockets 52.5
KD is still a top 10 player. Sengun was insane during Eurobasket. Amen is getting a lot of love around the league to take another leap and is already a top 3 perimeter defender in the league. They're going to play huge lineups but will they survive without FVV? - Over
Los Angeles Clippers 47.5
This roster is stacked 7 years ago! It's still really good but they're def old. I def paid a bit more attention to the tree scandal than I thought this offseason. How many games will Kawhi play? Brook Lopez is a fun addition but is older (as is CP3) and didn't have a great one last year. Zubac just keeps getting better and adding John Collins made me happy. Harden still does Harden things in the regular season which is all that matters. We'll see what we get from Beal. Could he be washed? Dunn and Jones Jr can defend. Make it rain from 3 Bogi, I miss you. Lets see if they stay healthy - Over
Los Angeles Lakers 46.5
LeBron is out to start the year but Luka doesn't need a ton to make things work. Will everyone hate Ayton by the middle of the season? Reaves is good and Rui is ok. Is Knecht already a bust? I don't know, I have never in the last 45 years doubted a LeBron team and I think they'll be in the play-in. Going - Under
Memphis Grizzlies 39.5
Ja is healthy to start the season (I think)? And when he and JJJ play they win games. Losing Bane will hurt especially from 3. They added Ty Jerome, who had a nice season last year but he's already hurt. I like Jaylen Wells and will KCP remember how to shoot? I really want to take the over but all of their centers are already out to start the year. The west is so good that sadly, I've got to go - Under
Minnesota Timberwolves 49.5
Ant is a superstar and just gets better every year. They've stayed at the top of the Western Conference the last couple years and I think the trend continues. Randle had a nice season for them last year and you know Rudy will protect the rim. Hopefully he can get out of Ant's way for him to keep destroying the rim. Mike Conley is awesome for them out there but he is, like the rest of us, another year older. They'll probably need to rely a bit more on Dillingham which will be interesting to see. Jaden McDaniels is an incredible defender and DiVincenzo plays great in his role for them. Didn't even mention 6MOY Naz Reid yet. - Over
New Orleans Pelicans 30.5
Insane trade with the Hawks giving up their 1st next season so I'm biased and HOPE they lose. Zion is undoubtedly a top player in the league when he plays but will he? He's looked good this offseason but I just can't hop off past trends yet. I am a huge Trey Murphy fan and love Herb Jones on the defensive end but Dejounte Murray won't be back until later this season. I'm not a Poole guy at all and am wondering how much they're going to play Fears. Honestly, mostly because I pray they are bad and only some because I believe it, I'm going - Under
Oklahoma City Thunder 62.5
Top 3 player in the league. Another all nba-er in J Dub. Another season of Chet. Insane defenders from Dort to Caruso to Wallace. Hart fit in so nicely. I'm sure even more guys will step into more solid roles like Joe and Wiggins did. It's a really big number but I just don't see these guys being complacent. I don't have any reason to not take the - Over
Phoenix Suns 30.5
They have no reason to intentionally lose but I think they're going to lose a lot. Booker is obviously a stud and Green should put up shots. Will they like to play together? Can Mark Williams stay healthy? Who is going to play point guard? I just can't get on board with this team yet. I won't be surprised if I'm way wrong but - Under
Portland Trail Blazers 34.5
Dame is back for the vibes and I am officially a member of the Yang Gang! I'm not on the superstar Sharpe train but I like him and the extension he got. I am, however, a huge Deni guy. Him and Toumani and if Thybulle plays are insane defenders. I like Jrue being there but he had a down year last year. Was probably most pumped to see what Scoot was going to do this year but sadly he is going to miss quite a bit of time. I really want to take the over but I'm not confident in the offense - Under
San Antonio Spurs 44.5
Wemby trained with monks AND Hakeem this offseason. DPOY incoming and how do you even guard this guy? A full season with Fox will be great for them and I think Dylan Harper is really damn good. Stephon Castle is overrated but still a good player. Will Vassell be who they need him to be? Kornet is a good backup and they have 2 Harrison's that are Tar Heels (1 will play). Can Sochan and Keldon Johnson give them what they need to get into the playoffs. Will we get some point Olynyk? This team is deeper than it seems. I can't bring myself to not take the - Over
Sacramento Kings 33.5
Westbrook with Derozan, Lavine and Sabonis? Schroeder? Will Monk (and maybe every player on this team) be subject to trade talks all season? Keegan Murray is already hurt. They're good players but are they going to make 3's? Sadly I don't see the beam being lit very often this year. - Under
Utah Jazz 18.5
Ace Bailey is going to get to do whatever he wants and I'm pumped for that. How long will Lauri be on this team? Kessler can protect the rim but could he get traded? Didn't get an extension that he wanted. I think Filipowski will have a good year. Why do they have Nurkic and Love? 18.5 games is low but the young guys are going to play and I don't think management even wants to win games - Under
