NBA Predictions: What's Considered a Successful Season for All 30 Teams?
Ok folks, time for a look at each and every NBA team, and discuss what exactly do these team have to accomplish for it to be a successful season.
This could mean many different things for each franchise, as some may see playoffs are a successful season, while others have higher aspirations in mind, such as the NBA title.
Whatever it may be, I'll do my best to interpret it.
The teams are in alphabetical order, instead of rankings.
So without further ado, here we go...
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Eastern Conference Finals
The Hawks have consistently been one of the top teams in the east for the past half-decade. While that in itself is quite an accomplisment, as they have been able to rack up numerous 40-50+ win seasons, it isn't enough.
The Hawks need to take the next step and get past the second round of the playoffs, where they have been consistenly knocked out year by year. The problem with the team is that, as currently constructed, they are nothing more than a second round team and for them to move past the semifinals, they would need to add a significant piece to their team who would allow them to get to the next level.
Unfortunately, that doesn't look like it's going to happen as the Hawks locked up Joe Johnson this year for an albatross contract of $116 million, and now have Al Horford's extension coming up soon. Not to mention, they extended the contracts of Mike Bibby, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
The Hawks will once again look to make it past the second round but with other east teams re-loading this summer, it doesn't look too good for the ATL.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
NBA Championship
No ifs, ands or butts for the Celtics. When they brought together three hall of famers in Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, their one goal was to win an NBA title and they did that. Now three seasons and an NBA finals appearence later, the Celtics goal still remains the same.
Bring title number 18 to Boston.
With the emergence of Rajon Rondo and the added spectacular bench play of Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Marquis Daniels and Nate Robinson. As well as shoring up the frontline with Shaquille and Jermaine O'neal, the Celtics have all the tools and look poised to make another deep postseason run.
A new enemy stands in their way called the "Miami Heat," as well as their western conference foe, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics better be ready for some stiff competition this season for the Larry O'brein trophy.
Charlotte Bobcats
3 of 30
Playoffs (7-8 seed)
Just one year removed from making the postseason for the first time in franchise history, the Bobcats will look to repeat their success from a season ago and make it back to the playoffs. However, this time around won't be nearly as easy.
The Bobcats were one of the few teams in the east to actually downgrade from a year ago. First of all, they let their starting PG in Raymond Felton walk and sign with the Knicks for a very cheap and affordable contract they themselves could have afforded. Next, they become thin in the front court when they traded Tyson Chandler.
The rest of the East got better in Boston, Chicago, New York, Milwaukee and most notably Miami, while the Bobcats went backwards. That can't bode well for their chances to make the postseason this year.
Chicago Bulls
4 of 30
Conference Semifinals (2nd round)
The Chicago Bulls made a lot of noise this off-season with their pickups. Outside of Miami, they acquired the most talent, which included All Star PF Carlos Boozer, sharpshooter Kyle Korver, defensive specialist Ronnie Brewer and role players in CJ Watson, Keith Bogans and Kurt Thomas. Added to that, the team already has Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.
The Bulls have a lot of expectations of them this season, even though Boozer won't accompany them for the first 15 games or so. Even still, this Bulls team is a surefire playoff team and should win their respective division. However, over half the players on this team are new, including the head coach in Tom Thibadeou, so it's going to be tough for them to accomplish everything in one season.
The Bulls will look to take baby steps and hopefully eliminate their first round opponent, then put up a major fight against their second round opponents. The eastern conference finals and the NBA finals seem a little premature for the Bulls right now. Like I said, baby steps.
Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 30
Playoffs or Near playoffs (8-10 seed)
Believe it or not, but Lebron's former team will in fact be fighting for a playoff spot this season. After all, they lost just one player in Lebron James. Oh wait, he was the 2x MVP of the NBA, and he just walked out on the Cavs. Well, whether Dan Gilbert likes it or not, he will have to move on.
The Cavs have the exact same core intact that they had with Lebron, in Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, JJ Hickson and etc. They certainly have some talent, and aren't ready to just trade away their veterans for draft picks and become a lottery team. No, the Cavs will diligently fight for a playoff spot and allow their young talent to shine, to hopefully fill the glaring hole Lebron left.
Dallas Mavericks
6 of 30
NBA Championship
Every year, we see this. The Mavs finish with a 50+ win regular season, but fail to go far in the playoffs. But I'll tell you this, as long as they have Dirk Nowitzki, they're championship contenders.
They may be the year, everything falls in place. With the west getting weaker through the departures of Amar'e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and eventually Carmelo Anthony. It may pave way for the Mavericks to come up and challenge the Lakers. After all, the Thunder still seem to young after just making the playoffs the year prior as an eight seed and the Blazers consistently dealing with injuries.
Dirk Nowitzki will once again take a stab at the chance to add the one accomplishment lacking from his resume, a championship ring.
Denver Nuggets
7 of 30
Western Conference Finals
This Carmelo Anthony situation has really put a damper on the Nuggets future, as well as their present. However, they will control Anthony's fate for the time being, and with Carmelo on their team, they're a solid playoff team.
Just two years removed from making a deep playoff run, the Nuggets will once again look to make it back to the playoffs and challenge the Lakers with Anthony leading them. And if the Nuggets can convince Anthony that with him, they're title contenders, then it may change Carmelo's stance of leaving the mile high city.
However, if Melo gets trades, its back to square one for the Nuggets as you can soon expect Chauncey Billups to follow Melo out the door.
Detriot Pistons
8 of 30
Near playoffs (10-12 seed)
After signing their so called "mega" free agents in Ben Gordon and Charlie Villenueva two years ago, the Detriot Pistons have gone no where but downhill.
This season, they'll look to bounce back and come close to a playoff seed, with a core of Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon and Charlie Villenueva. However, until they do away with their veterans in Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton, it's hard to see the Pistons going anywhere.
They've got some young pieces in Greg Monroe and Jonas Jerebko, so lets see if they can rebuild up in mo'town.
Golden State Warriors
9 of 30
Near playoffs (9-11 seed)
The Warriors are a team that has already shown signs of improvement this year, especially on the defensive end of the floor, thanks in part to their new head coach Keith Smart. It has resulted in a surprising winning record, and should lead to a couple of nice wins this year.
However, don't expect much more. The Warriors still have too many offensive minded player on the floor (Monta Ellis) to keep up their improved defensive play, and should cool off mid-way through the year. But the Warriors should still expect a slight improvement in their record and may approach a playoff seed with their great PG-PF nucleus of Stephen Curry and David Lee (assuming they stay healthy this year, which they haven't).
Playoffs this year seems unlikely, but next year is very possible.
Houston Rockets
10 of 30
Playoffs (6-8 seed)
The Rockets are an interesting team, as their entire season has now been in the hands..or shall I say foot of one particular player, Yao Ming. The uncertainty of Yao Ming's healthy has put the Rockets long term and short team plans on hold, as they are nothing more than a solid playoff team without Yao Ming.
With news coming that Yao will miss an additional 2 weeks with the leg injury, the Rockets need to just realize that Yao Ming is in their past, they will have to forget about him being their franchise player, because he may never return or regain his All-Star play (even if he is voted in by fans at the All-Star game).
The Rockets have a solid group of guys in Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and should compete for a playoff spot this year, even though they've gotten off to a slow start.
Indiana Pacers
11 of 30
Playoffs (7-8 seed)
The Pacers are tired of being overlooked as a team, and they should be. But they should also know that winning cures all, and the Pacers have a legitimate chance to make it back to the playoffs this year, since god knows how long.
Things weren't looking too bright for the Pacers, until they snatched up Darren Collison from the disgruntled New Orleans Hornets. Now with their point guard of the future in Collison, their incumbent All-Star Danny Granger, and the arrival of their man in the middle Roy Hibbert, the Pacers have solidified themselves a bright future and possibly a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Clippers
12 of 30
Playoffs (7-8 seed)
Yes, I know the Clippers have been terrible to start the year, but I'm still not losing hope in them...yet. They've got too much talent not to succeed. With the arrival of Blake Griffin this year, the Clippers have found their franchise player to build around, as Griffin has been a stud to start the year, averaging about 16 points and 11 boards a game. They've also got their other young stud in Eric Gordon, who has been nothing short of terrific this year, averaging well over 20 points a game.
Heck, the Clippers even have an All-Star in Chris Kaman. Now, all they need to do is find a way to get Baron Davis into shape or find a taker for his albatross contract (easier said than done). But there's no reason for the Clips to not improve and compete for a playoff spot this year. If they don't, then I'm convinced that the Clippers just have bad luck.
Los Angeles Lakers
13 of 30
NBA Championship
No more, no less for the defending champs.
Pau Gasol has really come into his own, and established himself as the premier power forward in the game (with all due respect to Dirk Nowitzki). The Lakers have been rolling, having no trouble implementing their new pieces. Oh, and they've still got Kobe. I would never bet against Kobe.
The Champs are looking to three-peat, and who can stop them?
Memphis Grizzlies
14 of 30
Playoffs (6-8 seed)
Similar to the Clippers, the Grizzlies have some great pieces established and should a formidable playoff team for years to come. Rudy Gay has emerged as one of the best scorers in the league, while Zach Randolph is a double double machine on a WINNING team. Mike Conley has also shown improvement, OJ Mayo has been solid and they've got one of the most underrated centers in the league in Marc Gasol.
The Grizzlies should hopefully be competing for a mid-low playoff spot in the oh-so-talented west.
Miami Heat
15 of 30
NBA championship
I shouldn't even need to say much.
Lebron, Wade, Bosh came together for one reason, and one reason only: to fill their fingers with rings.
They've gotten off to a slow start but will be an elite team nonetheless. Yes, the stats have taken a major hit for all three (just ask Chris Bosh), but for now it's a working progress. The Heat better hope they gel soon because they've got just this season and the next before they're considered failures for attempting a add a title to their ring-less resumes (except Dwyane Wade of course).
Milwaukee Bucks
16 of 30
Conference Semifinals (2nd round)
Another one of those solid, but not spectacular teams.
The Bucks will be a tough match-up for any one on any night, with their stars Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings.
They've bulked up this offseason with their additions in Drew Gooden, Keyon Dooling, Chris-Douglas Roberts. As well as extending John Salmons, who was a critical part of their success a year ago.
Playoffs should be a given, but how far they will go, varies greatly. If all goes well, they could make it to the second year, but that's a best case scenario. More likely is another first round exit for the Deer.
Minnesota Timberwolves
17 of 30
12-13 seed
Boy, they really got something going on up their in 'sota.
Kevin Love introduced himself to the world outside of Minny with his record game of 31pts/31rbs. Micheal Beasley is really coming into his own, averaging over 20 points per game so far this season. Even Darko Milicic has stepped up his game. But, will these improvements translate into wins?
Maybe
The Wolves should expect minute improvements this year and continue to take baby steps in their current rebuilding project.
New Jersey Nets
18 of 30
12-13 seed
Yes, it's that team that finished with a humongous 12 wins last year.
They were the losers in this summer's free-agency bananza, as they got shut down more times than a broken computer. However, they scraped up some decent pieces with their 30 million dollar in cash.
However, they haven't shown much improvement other than starting out the season with 2 straight wins (which may seem like 10 games to Nets fans). They've got solid pieces in Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and Derrick Favors but are nothing more than a lottery team.
New Orleans Hornets
19 of 30
Western Conference Finals
Ah, the Hornets. After all the turmoil that surrounded this team over the past summer in regards to Chris Paul's displeasure with the franchise and his request for a trade, they've bounced back in a big way. With their amazing start to the year, the Hornets should know that they've got suddenly high expectations placed upon them. Chris Paul isn't going to stay on a team that isn't going to compete for a championship, and so the Hornets realize that their success this season will determine their future with Paul going forward.
If the Hornets are able to put it all together and some how make the Western Conference Finals, then that will be enough to convince Chris Paul to stay with the team, rather than head to an already established powerhouse (i.e. Orlando, Miami).
A lot is riding on the Hornets this season.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Playoffs (6-8 seed)
This summer didn't go exactly as planned for the Knicks, as they were able to bring All-Star PF Amar'e Stoudemire, but weren't able to bring another superstar player through Stoudemire. Still, the Knicks roster has improved vastly from what it was since the Isiah Thomas era.
Stoudemire alone should give the Knicks a chance to compete in the East, but without significant help around him (Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler aren't enough), The Knicks can only go so far. The Playoffs seem like a real possibility for the Knicks, even with their slow start to the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
2nd round playoffs
Ah, The Oklahoma City Thunder, the team everyone loves. After their "magical" season last year in which they took the defending champs Lakers to six games in the first round, they're back with higher expectations. However, I'm not one of those that believes the Thunder are a championship contender....atleast not yet.
Not until they find a big man who can crash the boards and give them some scoring down low. For now though, the Thunder will continue to improve and take the next step by advancing past the first round. Anything more is unlikely.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
NBA championship
Just a year removed from making the NBA finals, the Orlando Magic seem to be the forgotten team. They still have the same core players that made the finals against the Lakers, outside of a few minor changes.
The Magic possess arguably the deepest team in the league, and will once again give it a go at an NBA title. But they've got two huge roadblocks in the way in Miami and Boston. And even if they are able to get past those two, the Lakers will be waiting once again.
Still, anything less than a title and the season will be considered a failure. Dwight Howard's contract is coming to an end soon, just thought I'd put that out there.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Playoffs (8th seed)
The Sixers are an interesting team. After failing to make the playoffs last year, everyone assumed the Sixers would go into rebuilding mode, but instead they've hired a new coach, in Doug Collins, and drafted Evan Turner with the 2nd overall pick in last year's draft.
Now they've got a new system in place and their pieces are starting to come together. Elton Brand is finally living up to his contract (almost), Jrue Holiday has emerged as one of the best PGs in the east, and Evan Turner is showing flashes of star potential.
As of right now, they're nothing more than a playoff team, but they've got the right pieces into building a contender moving forward.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Playoffs (7-8 seed)
The Suns lost their All-Star big man Amar'e Stoudemire this summer to the New York Knicks, and he's left a big hole in the middle for the Suns that isn't going to be that easy to fill (sorry Hakim Warrick).
As Steve Nash continues to age, the Suns management has debated whether it would be wise to deal the 2x MVP in order to start their rebuilding mode. They've got some decent pieces in Goran Dragic, Channing Fyre, Jared Dudley etc. But anything outside of a low playoff seed is asking for too much.
Portland Trailblazers
25 of 30
2nd round playoffs
I feel for the Blazers, I really do. They've got so much potential as team to do damage in the West, only to be limited by nagging injuries, year after year.
After news of Greg Oden came, that'd he'd be missing the entire season once again, it was nothing new for Blazer fans. But now, their franchise player in Brandon Roy is suffering from knee problems, which have led some experts in the league to say that he'll never regain his All-Star form, due to no meniscus in his knees.
Now all the Blazers can hope is that their current group can hold down the fort until Roy is back and then hopefully make the noise in the playoffs. But any chance of them being contenders went out the window.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Near playoffs (12-13 seed)
The Kings are one of the up and coming team in the league, but they'll need some time to grow before they have a chance at making the playoffs. They've got great building pieces in their franchise player Tyreke Evans, as well as their recent draftee Demarcus Cousins.
However, the West is too stacked for the Kings to have any chance of even sniffing the playoffs. So for now, they should continue to improve and build around their young talent, and in time will follow suit of what the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to do with their young roster.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
NBA Championship
The Spurs don't have a lot of time. Sure, they just extended Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker to multi-year contracts. However, Tim Duncan is on his last legs and a shell of his former self. One injury to either of the big three will crush any chances the Spurs have of a title.
This may be the last year the Spurs can legitimetly compete for a championship so they better take advantage of it, as teams like Miami, LA Lakers, Chicago, Orlando will only get stronger.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
12-13 seed
The Raptors are bad, but just how bad, we don't know. They've just lost their franchise player in Chris Bosh and received nothing outside a trade exception in return.They don't have the right pieces for a bright future, outside of Andrea Bargnani.
They just give Amir Johnson an unnecessarily bloated contract, but were able to trade away Hedo Turkoglu and his monstrous contract. Now, they've got some decent talent in DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems and Andrea Bargnani. But they certainly aren't enough to make the playoffs in the east.
Look for the Raptors to be in the cellar of the east, as their potential is just a couple spots higher.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
2nd round playoffs
The Jazz had an interesting summer to say the least. Their lost their All-Star PF Carlos Boozer to the Chicago Bulls, but were able to snatch up Al Jefferson from the Minnesota Timberwolves for two cents on the dollar. They also replaced Kyle Korver with defensive specialist Raja Bell.
The one constant for the Jazz was their All-Star franchise point guard Deron Williams, who is still running the show in Salt Lake City. They will now look to make another deep run in the playoffs, but their potential is limited to the second round.
Deron Williams may have to think twice about the future of the Jazz before extending his contract again.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
11-12 seed
The Wizards had possibly the most up-n-down year out of any team in the NBA. They received the number one pick in the 2010 draft, and chose PG John Wall, to no one's surprise. On the flipside, they had to deal with the Gilbert Arenas guns saga, which put a dent in the team's image.
Now with a new direction, the team has handed over the reigns of the franchise from Gilbert Arenas to John Wall. They've got some young pieces in Andray Blatche, Javale McGee and etc. However, playoffs are too early to discuss for the young wiz, who are just in year one of their rebuilding mode. It will take them some time.
