Its always difficult to predict how a team will fare before a ball is even bounced , especially when winning and losing aren’t the only determining factors when judging a successful offseason anymore.

In the NBA you are either a ‘winner’, or a ‘loser’, and there isn’t any room for those teams stuck in the middle. This year, it gets even more complicated as the lower ended teams are trying to get as many lottery balls in anticipation for one the most talented draft classes coming through in 2014.

This has lead to many of those ‘in-between teams’ to go for broke – ‘blow the team up’ – a basketball expression used by teams are starting over again in-order to rebuild through the draft.

We’ll take a look and analyse all 30 teams and discuss whether they made the right moves – either to enter the contention race, or the draft race. There are also some ‘in-between teams’ and we’ll address what is expected of them.

I’ll get some wrong and probably have this article used against me by the end of the season, however, that’s what makes for an enthralling 2013-14 season.

We’ve included Grantland’s annual league pass ranking to each team. This will rank which teams will be the most entertaining the to watch this season.

Also, each team will have the Grantland video preview – Bill and Jalen’s 2013 NBA Preview – so we can compare the differing views on each team.

Let the games begin!

Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Additions: Paul Milsap (free agent), Jeff Teague (re-sign), Kyle Korver (re-sign), Dennis Schroeder (draft), Elton Brand (FA), DeMarre Carroll (FA), Gustavo Ayon (waiver claim) Lucas Nogueria (draft), Jared Cunningham (trade), Pero Antic (FA), Mike Muscala (draft), Mike Budenholzer (coach)

Subtractions: Josh Smith (Pistons), Larry Drew (Bucks), Zaza Pachulia (Bucks)

Atlanta are one of those teams that have put in a plan B to their building plan.  Although they were aiming to make a big name signing this free agency, they’ve still been able to free up cap space while also acquiring assets.

The Hawks lost their best player in Josh Smith, but picked one the biggest bargains of the summer (Kierlenko excluded) – Paul Milsap, whose two year $19 million deal is a much cheaper option to Josh smith.

Atlanta decided to match the Bucks’ offer sheet for Teague, however, if the German point guard – Shroeder, lives up to the Rondo comparisons, Teague could find himself in a deal that assists the team in the rebuilding process.

Overall, the Hawks didn’t shake things up completely. They are trying to remain somewhat competitive while still trying to rebuild. The acquisition of the former Spurs assistant, Budenholzer as coach has been regarded as another step in the right direction. However, with other teams improving in the East, I don’t see the Hawks making the playoffs this season, and could possibly be involved in a mega deal that will help them move up the draft board.

ATLANTA HAWKS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:22)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: I had Atlanta nine spots higher than you. You had them 27th! I’m a sucker for Horford’s defense, passing, and all-around good judgment, and there’s a ton of shooting here — Horford, Millsap, Korver, Jeff Teague, and John Jenkins is tough to defend. Mike Budenholzer’s San Antonio pedigree suggests good things.

Bill: This team enables you to tap into your full-fledged basketball nerd — I get it. For me, the Horford-Millsap combo will be fun for about 20 minutes. Then I’m going to be on the Trade Machine figuring out deals for both of them. Danny Ferry could blow this thing up, build a war chest of assets and improve his Riggin’ For Wiggins chances in two phenomenal steps: Paul Millsap straight-up for Omer Asik, then Al Horford for Carlos Boozer, Chicago’s first-round pick in 2014, the rights to Charlotte’s future first-rounder (unprotected in 2016) and the rights to Nikola Mirotic. Wiggins, Asik, Mirotic, Nogueira, Schroeder, Ayon, Antic … who’s up for the all–Foreign Guy Hawks???????

Zach: A big trade or two is definitely possible. This roster is built to trade. But I like this team. Fans are going to enjoy Pero Antic.

Bill: Whoops, you just came up with another marketing slogan: “BUILT TO TRADE … THAT’S RIGHT, BUY TICKETS NOW FOR THE 2014 ATLANTA HAWKS!”

Boston Celtics

Additions: Gerald Wallace (trade), Kelly Olynyk (draft), Kris Humphries (trade), Marshon Brooks (trade), Keith Bogans (trade), Phil Pressey (FA), Vitor Faverani (FA), Brad Stevens (coach), Nets’ first-round draft picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018 and the right to swap first-round picks in 2017

Subtractions: (This is the where it gets ugly!) Kevin Garnett (Nets), Jason Terry (Nets), Doc Rivers (Clippers), D.j. White, Kris Joseph, Terrence Williams

It’s clear that the Celtics are tanking and while it may be painful for fans to watch them lose after so many years of competitive play, the sacrifice needed to be made.

Although the Celtics didn’t get immediate expiring contracts, they were able to acquire four first round draft picks from the Nets. The 2014 pick isn’t expected to help in the rebuilding process, however, with Danny Ainge sending over an aging roster, the 2016, 2017 and 2018 picks from the Nets will be of much greater value.

The departure of Doc Rivers was expected to be an even bigger blow to the team, but the signing of Brad Stevens, who is considered one of the brightest young minds in the college hoops, is tipped to make a successful transition to the NBA game and help in rebuilding process.

Draft pick Kelly Olynyk is a sleeper for rookie of the year, and mixed with Jeff Green and Rondo (when he returns), the fans could still have some decent games to cheer about.

Overall, the Celtics will struggle to execute their offence whilst Rondo is out, and no matter how many times Ainge wants to deny it, this team is clearly entering the Wiggins sweepstakes.  They have a tremendous amount of future draft assets to build around and cap space in the next few years to match. However, Brad Stevens will get this team to play hard and at least look like they’re not trying to lose.

BOSTON CELTICS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:22)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: And now we’re at the classic NBA franchise on which we disagreed strongly. You had them higher than the Spurs! The freaking Spurs! What’s wrong with you?

Bill: I’ll watch way too much of them only because it’s my team. I can’t shut off my fan faucet like you can, Zach Lowe. You’re Spock, I’m Captain Kirk.

Zach: Do you realize how bad this team’s offense is going to be before Rondo comes back? Heck, it was bad with Rondo and three Hall of Famers. There just isn’t anyone here who can create an efficient shot, or even really come close to doing that, on a consistent basis.

Bill: Two words: BRAD STEVENS. If he can take Butler to within a half-court shot of the NCAA title, he can figure out how to run an efficient offense with Avery Bradley, Courtney Lee, MarShon Brooks and … God, you’re right, we are so screwed.

Zach: Brad Stevens is exciting — precise, humble, demanding, creative. And the Cs do bring the league’s best uniforms and court design. But Tommy Heinsohn (and I know this is sacrilege) requires at least five mutes per game. He might lead the league in Mute Efficiency Rating (MER).

Bill: Our biggest disagreement of the column. I love living in Tommy’s world — a world in which every official has it out for the Celtics, Avery Bradley is the next Joe Dumars, and Kelly Olynyk is the next Dirk Nowitzki. I don’t want to live in anyone else’s world. THAT … IS … BOGUS!!!!!!!!!

Brooklyn Nets 

Additions: Kevin Garnett (trade), Paul Pierce (trade), Andrei Kirilenko (FA – check under the table), Andray Blatche (re-sign), Jason Terry (trade), Shaun Livingston (FA), Alan Anderson (FA), Mason Plumlee (draft), Jason Kidd (coach) 

Subtractions: Gerald Wallace (Celtics), Kris Humphries (Celtics), MarShon Brooks (Celtics), Keith Bogans (Celtics), C.J. Watson (Pacers), P.J. Carlesimo (coach)

Out with the old and in with the…OLD?

That’s what’s happened in Brooklyn with the Nets going for it all. They want to win, and win now – at all costs!

Adding Garnett, Pierce, Kirilenko (wink, wink) provides the Nets with one of the most deepest and talented teams in the league. Should they remain healthy, and should the coaching staff manage the minutes of the older guys well, the Nets will boast one of the most star studded starting fives in the league.

Normally a team needs one season together when assembled like this (see Miami), but the Nets’ window is now and they don’t have 12 months to get this together.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth”

That is a phrase that could well be applicable to the Nets’ roster, with too many alpha dogs on the one team. Will a rookie coach be able to handle all these egos and be able to bring them together in time to knock off some of the other Eastern heavyweights?

Overall, the Nets look terrific on paper and they should be able to get at least one title challenge out of this roster. But if they struggle to come together or even keep themselves on the floor, the Nets will be stuck paying the pensioners club for a long, long time.

BROOKLYN NETS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:4)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: I’m honestly surprised they came in this high.

Bill: It’s a tribute from two hoop junkies who spent way too much time watching/appreciating/respecting no. 34 and no. 5 over these last few years. I’m riding with KG and Pierce for life. Even when they’re playing with Deron Williams.

Zach: I learned more about team defense from watching KG than from any other player, and it’s not close. And I like watching D-Will, too! Jason Kidd is talking about pace and unselfishness, and he’ll instill some of that into this team. The bench is fun; Shaun Livingston looks fantastic, and Andrei Kirilenko will annoy the other 29 teams. But the core is mostly set up to be a plodding bunch without an explosive, can’t-change-the-channel scorer, right?

Bill: On paper, you’re right. But people are sleeping on the impact of limited minutes for Pierce and Garnett. They’re shifting to the Duncan schedule now — 24 to 28 minutes a night, the occasional “fourth game in five nights” off, maybe even a week off in February or March to rest whatever nagging injuries pop up. So when they do play, you’re getting the very best of them; that makes up for the lack of a can’t-change-the-channel guy. (At least for me.) Also, if they can’t bring out the very best from Deron Williams, then that dude is hopeless. I like Brooklyn’s team more than most. My biggest question mark is Kidd, and leadership issues in general — Pierce and Garnett (along with Doc Rivers) owned that Boston locker room, and Rondo had a difficult time dealing with that. How will the notoriously moody Williams handle it? Will Kidd be able to exert authority while also deferring to the Boston guys? And will Williams crack the first time KG makes fun of his spray-painted hair? Fascinating all the way around.

Zach: The mixture of KG and Brook Lopez will be interesting in that sense, too. But again: The talent is there, and it will be fun to watch how the parts mesh — especially Pierce and Joe Johnson on the wing. The Barclays Center looks great, in person and on TV, and the Nets have the single best broadcast crew, top to bottom, in the entire league. Now, if we could just find a way for the Brooklyn Knight to disappear …

 

Charlotte Bobcats

Additions: Al Jefferson (FA), Cody Zeller (draft), Gerald Henderson (re-sign), Josh McRoberts (re-sign), Steve Clifford (coach)

Subtractions: Tyrus Thomas, Byron Mullens (Clippers), Reggie Williams (Rockets), De Sagana Diop, Mike Dunlap (coach)

We have good news/bad news Charlotte fans-which one do you want hear first?

Okay, okay, we’ll start off with the good news. It’s been a while.

1. You’re going back to the Hornets, and your arena may finally look like a place worth watching basketball
2. Your team has signed a marquee player in Al Jefferson, and
3. It looks like Michael Jordan may have finally drafted a player that can give your team an immediate impact.
4. And Michael Jordan may come back for ONE GAME!! (see Bill and Jalen’s preview video, below)

Bad news:

1. You’ve improved in a year in which you should be attempting your hardest to tank
2. You still haven’t improved enough to make the playoffs and there’s a chance that you may be one of those ‘in between teams’.
3. You’re still the Bobcats.

It is so hard for me to be so critical of a team that has Michael Jordan’s input all over it, however, it seems that for once, Jordan has made the mistake of trying to win.

Adding Al Jefferson to combine him with a high post guy in Cody Zeller looks like a very good combo on paper, and should trouble some teams in the East. But that won’t put the Cats into playoff contention and may take away some Ping-Pong balls from the Wiggins sweepstakes.

There’s no doubting that the Bobcats/Hornets need a star to build around and with free agents not rushing to move to the area, the only way that may seem possible is through the draft.

Overall, this is a season in which losing is probably the best thing that could happen to the Bobcats/Hornets, and for the first time in Jordan’s career, it seems like the only choice he has.

CHARLOTTE HORBOBNETCATS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:25)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: I was on an airplane recently watching some seemingly awful Nic Cage movie calledStolen and thinking about how Nic Cage has probably been watched on more airplanes than any other actor ever. But guess what. I realized around the 35-minute mark thatStolen wasn’t so bad; we landed with 15 minutes left in the movie, and I was 12 percent pissed off that I didn’t get to see the ending, although the movie wasn’t quite good enough to pay-per-view so I could finally see the ending, either. That’s kind of how I feel about the 2013-14 Horbobnetcats. We’ll flip over expecting them to be unwatchable and realize they’re more entertaining than we expected, only we won’t go out of our way to watch them, either.

Zach: Last movie I saw on a plane that finished before we landed: Boiler Room. How does it end? I’ll never find out. Do they make a lot of money in a way that benefits the economy as a whole, just like what happens on Wall Street in real life? I’ll never find out!

Bill: This ranking climbs if Al Jefferson makes a run at the scoring title (shooting 30 times a game, but still) and/or if MKG learns how to make a 15-footer. And I’m kind of excited for the Cody Zeller–Big Al high-low game. (Thinking.) This score might be too low.

Zach: I had them dead last in my own rankings, which surprised me. I think it’s residual malaise from the last two seasons, and the fact that their court design contains an orange shade that distracts me with images of Creamsicles.

Bill: I hate you for planting this court-design subplot that’s in your head — now I’m going to be watching League Pass studying the court designs. Damn you.

Zach: And those Charlotte crowds are so, so dead. But Kemba Walker made a leap last season, and Jeff Taylor has secret fun potential. If Al Jefferson makes a run at the scoring title, I’ll eat my laptop. Very good offensive player, but hard to score at that level without 3s or free throws.

Bill: Yeah, but still.

Chicago Bulls

Additions: Mike Dunleavy (FA), Tony Snell (draft), Erik Murphy (draft), Nazr Mohammed (re-sign)

Subtractions: Marco Belinelli (Spurs), Nate Robinson (Nuggets), Richard Hamilton (FINALLY!)

The Bulls were never going to make a splash in free agency, but the ‘RETURN’ is like a marquee signing for them.

No doubt Derrick Rose is going to make this team so much better – how much better? Time will only tell, but if the preseason is anything to go by, the sky is the limit for both Rose and this team.

Derrick missing an entire season has brought about plenty of criticism his way, but there were some positives to take from it. Not only did the time off allow Rose to get his feet underneath him, but it also allowed the Bulls to strengthen other parts of their game.

Coming into this season they finally have an offence that is used to playing without Rose. Guys like Noah and Jimmy ‘BUCKETS’ Butler seemed to be the biggest beneficiaries from his absence, and their development will only make this team even stronger and deeper.

But they do have question marks surrounding them.

1. Deng has made it public that he is upset contract extension talks have been put on hold. The uncertainty around such an important piece may disrupt the harmony of this team. I believe that a trade for Love should be on the cards and the team certainly has the assets to pull such a deal off.
2. The Gar Forman and Thibs tension has the potential to turn into the Phil Jackson, Jerry Krause feud very quickly, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.
3. HEALTH!!

Can this team stay healthy and will their coach not run them into the ground? Such a question would be fair to ask, no matter how good Thibs is at getting the best out of any roster he puts out on the court.

Overall, the Bulls appear to have a greater balance in their roster and their depth is something that will be tested, yet again.

Derrick Rose looks like he will be in MVP form again-if not better, and this team seems determined to knock off the Heat. If they can block out all the outside issues and put it together in the playoffs, this team seems poised for deep a run.

CHICAGO BULLS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:2)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: Derrick Rose is back.

Bill: WOO-HOO! Derrick Rose is back!!!!

Zach: Yup, Derrick Rose is back. And he’s one of just a few players — maybe a half-dozen — who earn their teams an easy “10” in the “star power/can’t change the channel” category. And he was gone all last season, so we’ve missed him. I mean, how much more do I really need to say?

Bill: You could say this:

Zach: What the heck is going on in that clip? And have female fans at Eminem concerts always acted like Beatles fans from 1964? I am so clueless. Back to the watchability of the Bulls: They’re contenders, they’re nasty, Carlos Boozer is yelling all the time, Joakim Noah is a lock to piss off at least one opposing player every night, and Tom Thibodeau sounds like a baritone musical instrument emitting various noises along the sidelines. They don’t run the sexiest offense, but their defense is super-sexy (if you’re into that kind of thing). And Rose’s presence changes everything.

Bill: And you forgot Jimmy Butler’s “breakout star” potential — if there were a basketball blogger summit and someone took a shot at either Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard, the other bloggers would jump him and beat him to death.

Zach: Some of them/us would be off to the side arguing about Jeff Green, and the Utah guys would just be screaming about how Gordon Hayward is secretly as good as Paul George — only no one realizes, because NO ONE CARES ABOUT UTAH. Sorry. Go on.

Bill: I ranked the Bulls this high for two reasons: because of Rose, and because they’re going to be a borderline great regular-season team. Just a must-watch army of possessed ass-kickers laying the smack down night after night after night. People are gonna hate playing the Bulls this year.

Zach: Just be careful with the minutes, Coach Thibs. Please. Please?

Bill: For the next six months, this is our best professional basketball team. We’ll see about May and June.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Additions: Anthony Bennett (draft), Andrew Bynum (FA), Jarrett Jack (FA), Earl Clark (FA), Sergey Karasev, (draft), Carrick Felix (draft), Mike Brown (coach)

Subtractions: Shaun Livingston (Nets), Wayne Ellington (Mavericks), Marreese Speights (Warriors), Omri Casspi (Rockets), Kevin Jones, Chris Quinn, Byron Scott (coach)

For the second time in three years, Dan Gilbert’s son and the Cavs had the No.1 pick in the draft, but this time, they shocked everyone with their selection.

Bennett looks like a good selection, but his fit in a team that is already loaded with power forwards and centers has left a few critics wondering where he will exactly play.

Dan Gilbert went for immediate results and is desperate to make the playoffs. He seems like he has put together a roster that will certainly contend whilst still have enough cap space next season to make a play for the homecoming of Lebron James.

The Andrew Bynum move is a low risk deal with only part of his deal guaranteed—he and Anderson Varejao combined with Tristan Thompson and Bennett should give the Cavs a very tough and versatile front court.

Jarrett Jack joins one of the most exciting backcourts in the league and provides the team with the veteran stability to help get this team into the playoffs. He also gives the Cavs a very good back up if Kyrie Irving continues to have injury problems.

Overall, Mike Brown will have this young and talented team playing defense. They should make the playoffs after acquring some low risk moves, and could possibly offer Lebron an even better supporting cast that he may get in Miami next season.

Could Lebron really be taking his talents back to Ohio?

Only time will tell – until then, the Cavs should be playing in the postseason and Dan Gilbert’s son may have some free time on his hands.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:8)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: My God! It’s a League Pass explosion of things I’m interested in! I feel like I’m gonna pass out! The Cavs are living proof that there’s hope even after one of the best 10 players of all time rips your heart out and defecates on it.

Zach: It seems ridiculous to have Cleveland at no. 8, ahead of a few title contenders, but Kyrie Irving + Andrew Bynum’s hair + Anderson Varejao bouncing around + a bevy of trade assets + an impatient owner = potential gold (as long as you hit the mute button on their home broadcasts).

Bill: I want you to rank the following things in order of “Things That Will Fascinate You The Most About The 2013-14 Cavs On League Pass,” and add any additional thoughts in parentheses as you give your answers: Kyrie Irving, Year 3 … Those 20 Games When Varejao Is Healthy Before He Gets Hurt Again … Anything & Everything Andrew Bynum (whether he’s playing or he’s on the bench sporting weird hairdos) … Tristan Thompson’s free throw shooting … Anthony Bennett: Steal or Bust? … Kyrie Irving in Crunch Time … every Dion Waiters Heat Check … Mike Brown’s return to coaching (and Mike Brown’s return to not running an offense) … the Shadow of LeBron … God’s hatred of Cleveland and how this factors into everything.

Zach: (1) Anything Kyrie-related — Year 3 and crunch time. I gave the Cavs a “10” in the “star power” category, because when this guy is on, crossing dudes up and canning 25-footers, there really isn’t anything quite like him in the league. (2) Anthony Bennett. Mike Brown hasn’t exactly said flattering stuff in preseason, and the Cavs gambled a bit with this pick.

Bill: That’s an understated understatement. Let’s decide a date when we’re officially no longer allowed to say the word “Oladipo” to a Cleveland fan. I vote for November 27. Keep going.

Zach: (3) Tristan Thompson’s hand switch. (4) Andrew Bynum’s hair/play/health/suits/etc. It’s old now, but it’s still entertaining. (5) Dion Waiters heat checks. He becomes an interesting trade chip if the Cavs start poorly, panic, and seek veteran help. He’s explosive and long, with a clear skill set, but he also has very shaky judgment.

Bill: Sounds like the perfect match for Sacramento! Sorry, I interrupted you again.

Zach: (6) Mike Brown. He can coach defense! And (7), LeBron and divine hatred. There’s no question the Cavs think they have a shot, and they’re set up so that Plan B — not getting LeBron — isn’t so bad, provided they don’t do anything dumb between now and then, or after striking out on him (if that’s what ends up happening). But I’m just not stoked to live through this again.

Bill: I am utterly and completely amazed by how many people around the league believe that LeBron will be a Cavalier next season. Depends on the 2014 Finals, in my opinion. We’ve never seen the best player on an NBA title team leave that team for another team — it has never happened. By the way, we didn’t play up how captivatingly freaky Bynum’s season-long cameo might end up being for Cleveland, but that’s OK — we’re headed for 25,000 words right now.

Detroit Pistons

Additions: Josh Smith (FA), Brandon Jennings (S&T), Chauncey Billups (FA), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (draft), Will Bynum (re-sign), Luigi Datome (FA), Tony Mitchell (draft), Maurice Cheeks (coach)

Subtractions: Brandon Knight (Bucks), Jose Calderon (Mavericks), Jason Maxiell (Magic), Slava Kravtsov (Bucks), Kris Middlelton (Bucks), Klim English, Lawrence Frank (coach)

This was the summer that the Pistons should’ve had four years ago, with Joe Dumars finally acquiring all star caliber players.

Both Jennings and Smith are blessed with remarable athletic talent, however, they can often lack maturity and aren’t consistent shooters to help keep the floor spaced for their two young big men.

The idea is that Jennings has the talent around him and the mentor in a former point guard – Maurice Cheeks to improve his game and crack into the upper echelon of point guards in the East.

The upside of their frontcourt is enormous with both Andre Drummond and Greg Munroe expected to take the next step in 2013-14, and give the Pistons a presence down low they have lacked since the Wallace boys were in town.

Joe Dumars will hope that Italian sharpshooter – Datome can reproduce his MVP form from the Italian league to the NBA, while Caldwell-Pope is also a sharp shooter that will be counted on to knock down some open looks as well.

Overall, It makes sense to make this run for the playoffs this year, as next year’s draft pick is owed to the Bobcats/Hornets. They also have some young talent to build around and I believe they will make the playoffs. They will struggle at times with spacing and shooting looking like it may be an issue. However, there is just too much frontcourt talent on the roster to not cause problems for most teams in the Eastern conference.

DETROIT PISTONS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:7)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: Let’s face it — the Pistons already won this season. Look at this ranking, Zach! Look at it! Get up! (Everybody’s gonna move their feet.) Get down! (Everybody’s gonna leave their seat.) You gotta lose your mind in Dee-troit Rock City!!!

Zach: It’s going to be fun watching Mo Cheeks work out the Brandon Jennings–Josh Smith–Greg Monroe–Andre Drummond core four. Is Joe Dumars right that talent, and passing talent in particular, overcomes spacing issues and positional overlap? I’m optimistic, but part of that optimism is based on Detroit getting quality outside shooting from at least three of the following four guys on the wing: Chauncey Billups, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Singler, and Luigi Datome. This could work, and Drummond alone is worth a lot of League Pass Watchability points.

Bill: However it goes for Detroit, it’s going to be fantastic for League Pass purposes. I personally think they’re a no. 6 seed in the East, maybe even a no. 5 seed if the Knicks regress … but I wouldn’t be shocked if Drummond’s back issues flare up again, Jennings and Josh become embroiled in a Bad Body Language contest, their bench guys don’t come through and everything goes south. Can you think of two players who needed new fans more than Jennings and Josh? I’m not even talking about a change of scenery — I’m just talking about new fans. They burned out the old ones. This can work with them. Or maybe I just have a soft spot for a team that’s 60 percent left-handed … we’re only two more lefties away from my dream of an all-lefty starting five, Zach!

Zach: Wait, did Marc Stein hijack this thread? Are we going to start dropping Man City references here?

Bill: I hate that Marc Stein hoards the lefty-loving corner from everyone else.

Zach: It’s always nice when a team with a good League Pass product gets good League Pass players. Detroit has all the essentials — very good announcing crew, nice court, nice jerseys, great team name. Let the midrange bricks fly!

 

Indiana Pacers

Additions: David West (re-sign), Luis Scola (trade), C.J Watson (FA), Chris Copeland (FA), Solomon Hill (draft), Donald Sloan (FA), Larry Bird (President, and probably the most important acquisition)

Subtractions: Tyler Hansbrough (Raptors), D.J. Augustin (Raptors), Gerald Green (Suns), Miles Plumee (Suns), Jeff Pendergraph (Spurs)

I’ve been a fan of what the Pacers have been doing since they pushed the Bulls in the opening round of the 2011 playoffs. And coming off a series in which they pushed Miami to the brink of elimination, the Pacers have gone out and improved one of their biggest weaknesses last season – their bench.

Replacing the offensively challenged Hansbrough and the ineffective Gerald Green with Luis Scola and Chris Copeland, coach Vogel now has a reason to go his bench.

A question mark still remains over whether Granger will make a full recovery, and expect for him to be in some trade rumours up until the deadline.

Paul George made huge strides last season and he is expected to continue his stellar play. No doubt he is a stud but he will need help from Granger and Stevenson if they are to not only push the Heat, but the Bulls and Nets as well.

Overall, the Pacers got stronger, but so did a few other teams in the East. Larry Bird has returned and the ‘Legend’ seems to have a knack of pulling off some great deals, but even if he doesn’t, this Pacer team should still have enough talent to challenge the other big boys in the East.

INDIANA PACERS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:13)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: Seems appropriate we’ve lumped Memphis and Indiana right next to each other, right?

Bill: Why, because it’s Adam Silver’s worst-case scenario for his first Finals?

Zach: Competitive balance, baby! These are two defense-first teams with slow, unglamorous offenses that will be pretty stinky for large portions of the season. But the Pacers have one guy who looks like a potential ballhandling, wing-scoring superstar in Paul George, so they’re a more conventionally appealing team to watch. And George is already an elite defender, if you enjoy such things.

Bill: I’m thoroughly intrigued and can’t wait to see if PG24 makes a second leap. Were the Pacers a fluke contender along the lines of, say, the 2007 Jazz, 2009 Nuggets or 2004 T-Wolves — a team that took advantage of injuries/upsets/timing and outkicked their coverage for one season? Or did they build something a little more lasting? I want to find out.

Zach: And we’d never before seen Roy Hibbert play 35 to 40 minutes of inspired two-way ball over an extended stretch. He needs to do that full-time in the playoffs for these guys to come out of the East. That’ll be fun to monitor. Plus, Luis Scola, and Luis Scola’s flopping hair, make any team more watchable — especially when he’s taking Tyler Hansbrough’s old minutes. It’s hard to top a bench watchability upgrade like the one from Hansbrough to Scola, and that doesn’t even factor in how much better the Pacers might be with a real bench.

Bill: We know Chicago and Brooklyn will be MUCH better, and we know the Clippers, Rockets and maybe even the Warriors are contenders now. I liked the Scola/Watson additions, and you can’t underestimate the worth of Larry Legend’s return karma. But they’re not going to seriously contend unless they can flip Danny Granger’s expiring into one more asset. Jalen went on that Philippines trip and came away thinking Granger was D-U-N done playing at an All-Star level (or close to that). What’s your ideal Granger trade?

Zach: I just don’t think there’s a killer deal out there. I mean, you’d want a wing player with some shot-creation juice — what they thought they were getting in Gerald Green, basically — but there’s just not a big market for an expiring deal linked to a player in decline. You’re not getting a first-round pick, and the Pacers can’t just swallow someone’s unwanted long-term salary — not with well over $60 million already committed for next season (and Lance Stephenson due a new contract). You can find some workable deals, but not many that move the needle for Indy.

Bill: So I guess you’re not biting on my “Gerald Wallace and Courtney Lee for Granger’s expiring” idea.

Zach: You don’t want to make the Legend mad, do you?

Miami Heat 

Additions: Chris Andersen (re-sign), James Ennis (draft), Michael Beasely (FA), Greg Oden (FA)

Subtractions: Mike Miller (Grizzlies)

The Miami Heat were one freethrow away from having this team torn apart. Instead, they were able to have the ball bounce their way, win back to back titles and keep a championship team relatively intact.

Questions over their interior defense and rebounding remain, and critics were somewhat surprised that Pat Riley wasn’t more active in addressing some their weaknesses from last season.

But as we’ve seen over the last three seasons, critics tend to be harsh on the Heat, and they continue to prove them wrong.

Lebron James is chasing history and his never ending quest to be the best ever, is driving this team. Even with Wade slowing down, the Heat are still favourties to reach their 4^th consecutive NBA Finals.

Overall, the additions of both Beasely and Oden are considered low risk moves. The Heat were able to win a title without those two and anything they can get from them will be an added bonus. Instead of being reactive, Riley elected to go with the safe route and bring most of the core back, and will spend most of the year trying to convince Lebron to keep his talents in South Beach beyond 2014.

MIAMI HEAT (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:3)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: It’s going to be a sad day when LeBron falls from the top five in the League Pass rankings. And lemme tell you something … that day ain’t coming anytime soon.

Zach: And what’s not to like about the basketball product? We’ve got the world’s best player, adding new stuff every year, executing a scheme that emphasizes misdirection, a ton of 3s, and impeccable spacing. They play a helter-skelter style of defense that is going out of vogue across the rest of the league.

Bill: My only fear: They never added that one hungry-for-a-title veteran who might keep them focused during the dog days this season. (Sorry, Michael Beasley, you don’t qualify.) It’s tough to stay motivated/healthy/happy after playing 310 games over 32 months, which is really what we’re asking from the Heat here. Our recent three-peat history in the regular season isn’t great: The ’02 Lakers underachieved, and MJ single-handedly prevented the ’98 Bulls from becoming a mess. Maybe LeBron can do that for this Heat team, but I worry about their day-to-day intensity. You’re not capturing my attention on League Pass by going through the motions. Then again, LeBron is kind of incapable of going through the motions. (Thinking.) I just talked myself out of this. Forget I said anything. Nothing to see here. What else do you like about Miami other than the faint possibility of a D-Wade laying-the-smack-down season?

Zach: Their crowds have always offered comedy potential — white T-shirts masquerading as fans until there are four minutes left in the first quarter, overtanned people of both sexes making lewd gestures at players, people leaving a Finals game early. It’s all pretty hilarious, just as long as you turn the volume down on your League Pass broadcast.

Bill: Miami’s announcer couldn’t be a nicer guy. I’m a little worn out on his style, though. I might break up with him this year. It’s not him, it’s me. We forgot to mention that Miami plays three random games a year against shitty teams who treat them like playoff games and throw the kitchen sink at them, then LeBron gets pissed off and goes into MJ mode and it’s all kinds of awesome. Only four texts can get me to drop everything: “(Fill in the player) is going for 50,” “Steph Curry heat check,” “Turn on Durant” and “Turn on LeBron.”

Zach: That’s the essence of the “star power” category: Does this team have a player who can regularly command the attention of the entire League Pass/Twitter crowd on a moment’s notice? As for their hunger, I asked Erik Spoelstra, Chris Bosh, and a couple of other guys at Heat practice the other day if they’d dial it back at all this season after gunning for the winning streak last season. They unanimously said they wouldn’t. It’s just not how they operate. But I sort of don’t believe them, at least in terms of minutes, practice, rest, etc. But let’s wait and see.

Bill: Not including the preseason, they’ve played 313 games together in the past three seasons — 246 regular-season games, 49 playoff games and 18 Finals games. That’s basically four seasons in three. If they rip off another 27-game win streak, I’m going to need to see this entire team pee in the same cup.

Zach: We forgot to mention — Greg Oden! (Fingers crossed.)

Bill: (Fingers crossed.)

Milwaukee Bucks

Additions: O.J. Mayo (FA), Brandon Knight (trade), Giannis, Antetokoumpo (draft), Gary Neal (FA), Zaza Pachulia (FA), Carlos Delfino (FA), Luke Ridnour (trade), Slava Kravstov (trade), Kris Middlelton (trade), Miroslav Raduljica (FA), Nate Wolters (draft)

Subtractions: Monta Ellis (Mavericks), Brandon Jennings (Pistons), J.J Reddick (Clippers), Samuel Dalembert (Mavericks), Mike Dunleavy (Bulls), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Kings), Drew Gooden, Gustavo Ayon (Hawks), Jim Boylan (coach)

The Bucks are the prototypical ‘in-between team’ that was discussed in the intro. They’re barely good enough to make the playoffs while being in position to rebuild.

They had a fantastic chance to blow last season’s team up and start all over again, however, owner Herb Kohl hates the rebuilding process and has insisted that this team make the playoffs every year.

Problem is, I don’t even think they’ll make the playoffs anyway.

They need a star, and unfortunately for them, the only way that seems possible is through the draft. Free agents aren’t exactly flocking to go to one of the smallest markets in the NBA, and one of the coldest places to live.

They have lost a backcourt that was great to watch in promos on NBATV, but they were never going to work together. The combination of Ellis, Jennings and Reddick gave the Bucks nothing on the defensive end and too many erratic shots on the offensive end.

What they do have is a deep frontcourt, with Larry Sanders showing he is one of the most promising double, double players in the league, and Henson Hammound and Antetokoumpo capable of combing to become one toughest frontcourts in the league.

Brandon Knight is a decent player but had problems running the point in Detroit, and Mayo dropped off significantly towards the back end of last season.

Overall, the Bucks will be tough defensively and will subsequently pull off some upsets from time to time; however, other teams in the East have more star power and talent to oust them for that 8^th spot. The decision to not rebuild will prove to be huge mistake on the part of Kohl, and it will be a long time before we see the Bucks relevant again.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:18)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: The funniest subplot of the Bill & Jalen NBA Preview series was everyone’s daily reaction to the Bucks NOT being ranked yet. From no. 23 through no. 18, the volume of WTF comments from YouTube commenters/e-mailers/Redditors increased exponentially. When we picked Minnesota no. 17, people lost their minds and actually started to wonder if we had just forgotten about the Bucks altogether. The good news: Today doubles as Bucks Day, Zach Lowe! Your no. 15 team in the NBA … the Milwaukee Bucks!!!!

 

New York Knicks 

Additions: J.R. Smith (re-sign) Andrea Bargnani (trade), Metta World Peace (FA), Kenyon Martin (re-sign), Tim Hardaway Jr (draft), Pablo Prigioni (re-sign), C.J Leslie (FA)

Subtractions: Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby (Rockets), Steve Novak (Raptors), Chris Copeland (Pacers), Quentin Richardson (Raptors), James White

The Knicks are locked in with team for this 2013-14 season whether they like it or not. They have been committed to his high payroll for a number of years now and don’t have any assets available to change it any time soon.

Their roster still suggests that they are a contender, however, their performance in last season’s playoffs demonstrated that some of pieces just do not fit.

The combination of both Amare’ and Melo was bad idea from day one as they’re both ball stoppers and have played below .500 ball when on the court together.

They had to over pay for Smith as there was no way of replacing him on the open market, and now have to wait for him to recover from a patellar injury for the first 3-4 months of the season.

The acquisition of World Peace adds another player on the decline to the roster, along with his wackiness.

Overall, they have spent the money; but that cash wont bring them the results that their fans have been craving for so long.

No doubt they will be in the playoffs, but they wont knock off any of the other real contenders.

NEW YORK KNICKS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:9)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: Ranked this high solely out of respect to MSG, the floor, the uniform, the announcers, your twice-a-season Carmelo three-week hot streak, J.R. Smith doing J.R. Smith things, and the real possibility that this season could be something of a disaster. Anything less than 48 wins is a letdown for Knicks fans, and that’s where I think we’re headed here — they’re soooooooooooooooooo bad on paper defensively, I just don’t see how you can finish more than 10 games over .500 with this roster.

Zach: I’ve written enough about the Knicks in the last week. But in terms of watchability, this is an all-around powerhouse — no. 4 on my list. They’ve got a telegenic scorer, a top-three overall broadcast crew, two of the wackiest dudes in the league (and that doesn’t include Kenyon Martin!), and a 3-point-happy attack. What’s not to like? Have you seen Mike Woodson’s proto-beard this week? Huge upside!

Bill: The potential of an unhappy season scared me off a little. I don’t want my 2013-14 League Pass experience to be unhappy; my Celtics season will be unhappy enough as it is. Like you, I am VERY dubious of this Knicks team. How will their lineups work? How do you ever play Bargnani and Stoudemire at the same time without just creating a layup line for the other team? Shouldn’t we be worried that they lost two of their best 3-point bombers when that was such a big part of last year’s arsenal? What if J.R. Smith looks more like Indiana Series J.R. Smith than Borderline All-Star J.R. Smith? What if Chandler looks like Breaking Down Chandler (like he did last spring)? Will Amar’e play even 50 games? So many red flags here, and we haven’t even mentioned what Frank Vogel did to poor Woodson in Round 2. The good news: We’re only one year away from the words “Amar’e’s Expiring Contract.”

Zach: The default assumption on Amar’e at this point has to be that he doesn’t play at all, or that he plays so little as to not be very relevant. If he’s healthy, he can prop up bench lineups, sans Melo, that would otherwise have very little scoring punch. Anything more than that and you’re inviting an opponent bucket-fest.

Orlando Magic

Additions: Victor Oladipo (draft), Jason Maxiell (FA), Ronnie Price (FA), Romero Osby (draft)

Subtractions: none

The Orlando Magic are tanking and have the talent to look good while doing so. That is exactly where a GM would want his team to be if they’re not in the upper echelon of their conference.

Drafting Oladipo with the No.1 pick, gives the Magic a potential star for the future, to go along with a few other young good pieces. They wanted to be bad enough to put themselves in a position to draft high next year, while also developing their young core, and they’ve been able to achieve that.

That Magic have been lucky by acquiring No.1 picks during years in which a superstar is coming through, and will be hoping the next lottery is no different.

Overall, It’ll be interesting to see what they do with their roster and where they play Oladipo, as they seemed to be stacked at the wing position. Managing the minutes of Harkless and Harris along with Oladipo may prove to be difficult, but with Magic not looking to win, who cares?

ORLANDO MAGIC (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:27)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: It’s hard NOT to enjoy Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo. I’ve already been sucked into one of Orlando’s preseason games: Oladipo jumped eight feet into the air to block a Donatas Motiejunas four-footer to the dismay of both Houston announcers, one of whom said, “Come on, DoMo!” That’s when I learned that it’s much easier to call Donatas Motiejunas “DoMo.” Anyway, I kinda like the young and frisky vibe of the 2014 Magic — it’s rare when you can find a team that’s tanking while also remaining entertaining/promising/likable (and yes, young and frisky). Is it just me or would this be a fun Jimmer home? I’m not giving up on Jimmer, Zach Lowe! You can’t make me!

Zach: Stay tuned on the Houston announcing crew as we go through these rankings. But, yeah, Jimmer will be in the league as long as he can shoot from 3. Teams are trying to buy low on him, and have been all summer. I’m with you on the young-guy intrigue here, but I docked the Magic several points for canning Matt Guokas as their TV analyst. I might be most excited about Mo Harkless among all the young dudes. Serious Swiss Army Knife potential on both ends.

Bill: We may have ranked these guys too low. You brought this one up in your Orlando cameo for “Bill & Jalen’s NBA Preview” — can they figure out how to keep Oladipo, Harris and Harkless on the floor at the same time? If so, they have my attention.

Zach: Yeah. You can go Jameer Nelson–Oladipo-Harkless-Harris-Vucevic in a small-ball lineup that would be really fun, or shift Harris up to small forward, stick Big Baby in there, and let Oladipo play the point. Or, even better: Use Andrew Nicholson, now sporting a 3-point shot, in Big Baby’s spot there. Good times, lots of losses.

 

Philadelphia 76ers

Additions: Nerlens Noel (trade), Michael Carter Williams (draft), Royce White (trade), James Anderson (FA), Tim Ohlbrecht (FA), Sam Hinkie (GM), Pelicans’ 2014 draft pick 

Subtractions: Jrue Holiday, (Pelicans), Andrew Bynum (Cavaliers), Nick Young (Lakers), Doug Collins (coach), Tony Dileo (GM)

Has a team ever tried to tank so much and been commended for their effort like the 76ers?

I can’t remember one, and if the lottery balls end up bouncing their way, most people around the league will hail GM Sam Hinkie as a genius.

Since draft night, the 76ers have given away their All Star point guard; let their center walk (limp) away, prevented their draft pick from taking the court, and took their time to hire a coach.

Great moves!

Overall, the 76ERS have drafted the point guard with the most upside – Michael Carter Williams, out of any other player in his position in the draft. They have their own lottery pick (most likely in the top 4), the Pelicans’ pick (likely to be in the top 15), and could use those to add two other young pieces to their young core, whilst still having $30 million in cap space next summer.

They will look awful this season, but the future hasn’t looked this good for a while.

Note: It’ll be difficult to shake off the images of Brett Brown pacing down the sidelines coaching the Nth Melbourne Giants while watching the 76ERS this season. (NBL Fans from the 90s will know what I’m talking about.

PHILLY 76ERS: (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:29)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Zach: I had the Sixers a couple spots higher than you did, because Brett Brown is gonna try some fun stuff, I have a soft spot for Thad Young, and this is an all-around pleasing League Pass experience.

Bill: I’m secretly excited to watch Evan Turner run a team and become 2014’s fantasy mega-sleeper. Couldn’t you see him unleashing a slew of Rondo-type box scores of the 17-9-13 variety as they lose by 15 every night? DO YOUR THING, VILLAIN!

Zach: If Turner does put up those numbers, the Sixers will hope some team coughs up a first-rounder for him.

Bill: My Sixers League Pass ranking could climb if they make a legitimate run at 73 losses. The key will be Jason Richardson — if he can come back this winter and jog around for 38 minutes a night while being woefully out of shape, they could finish 8-74. I’d love to see a 265-pound, out-of-breath shooting guard deciding games in March and April — it’s always been a dream of mine. And we didn’t even mention Nerlens.

Zach: That’s because we have no clue when the team will let him play. He might help them win a couple of extra games! This Philly season is as much about the Pelicans as it is about the Sixers, since Philly has that protected first-round pick coming in the draft.

 

Toronto Raptors

Additions: Tyler Hansbrough (FA), D.J. Augustin (FA), Steve Novak (trade), Dwight Buycks (FA), Quentin Richardson (trade), Masai Ujiri (GM), Knicks’ 2016 first-round draft pick

Subtractions: Andrea Bargnani (Knicks), Linas Kleiza, Alan Anderson (Nets), John Lucas III (Jazz), Bryan Colangelo (GM)

The Colangelo era is over and the Masai Ujiri begins.

Based on the very little that Ujiri has done in the offseason; it doesn’t appear that winning any time soon is on the agenda. They currently have a roster that really doesn’t fit together and will most likely be broken up before the trade deadline.

Overall, It’ll be interesting to see what the new GM does as he has a few trade chips to play with, namely Gay’s expiring deal – Surely a GM out there that will ignore all the metrics on Gay and will take a punt on him.

The problem is that the Raptors aren’t bad enough to generate enough Ping-Pong balls to gain anything in the 2014 draft, but they do have enough time to change that.

TORONTO RAPTORS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:28)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: If Jonas Christ Superstar makes the leap, or even a semi-leap, I could see myself getting roped into a couple of crunch times. That’s about it. I’m allergic to DeRozan’s game and Rudy’s game.

Zach: They are generally boring to watch, with DeRozan and Rudy curling around screens, catching, dribbling five times while they stand still, and then launching bad shots. But there’s some potential here.

Bill: That would be a fun marketing campaign for the Raptors: “SCREEN CURLS, FIVE STANDING-IN-PLACE DRIBBLES AND AWFUL JUMP SHOTS … COME SEE YOUR 2014 RAPTORS!”

Zach: “ALSO: DOES KYLE LOWRY HAVE THE BIGGEST ASS IN THE LEAGUE? WATCH HIM GLARE ANGRILY AT RUDY GAY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FRIENDS!” You and Jalen need to pour one out for the Raptors mascot, though.

Bill: Done.

Zach: In all seriousness, Jonas is going to be fun, Amir Johnson is a hoop nerd favorite, and the coaching staff has hard work ahead of it maximizing the Lowry-Gay-DeRozan combination. Gotta get rid of that 3-D logo under the basket, though. It still freaks me out.

 

Washington Wizards 

Additions: Otto Porter (draft), Martell Webster (re-sign), Eric Maynor (FA), Glen Rice Jr. (draft), Garett Temple (re-sign), Marcin Gortat (Trade)

Subtractions: Emeka Okafor

I was high on the Wizards coming into last season, but that was before I realised how long it was going to take John Wall to recover from a leg injury.

They played .500 ball after Wall returned to the lineup, and that was with Beal missing significant time towards the back end as well.

They drafted a player in a need position, but there are questions marks whether Porter can give them enough this season. They also slightly overpaid to keep Webster, but they have that stability and upside, which should see them, make the postseason.

The Gortat for Okafor deal improves the team on a variety of fronts as Gortat’s contract is also an expiring one, provides the Wiz with a more potent offensive option, and allows Nene to switch back to his preferred position at power forward.

However, there are some issues with their frontcourt with Vesely and Seraphin needing to improve on their performances last season if the Wizards hope to get any higher than the 8^th seed.

Overall, Wall seems determined to see his team take part in the postseason, as he recently stated he would be writing the word ‘playoffs’ on his shoes throughout the season. Bradley Beal is a stud and is quickly emerging as one of the best two guards in the league. Also, Ariza comes off the books at the end of this season and the Wiz could very well use his contract as a bargaining chip to acquire some frontcourt help immediately, or just simply wait till next year to re-stock.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (GRANTLAND’S LEAGUE PASS RANKING:11)

Via ESPN and Grantland.

Bill: I will be brief … if the next six months of Wizards League Pass games surpass what happened in March and April of 2013 with Wizards League Pass (and the John Wall era in general), then we botched this ranking.

Zach: See, and I’m worried we’re irrationally exuberant. Wall and Beal are so, so exciting — and they complement each other perfectly. You should be able to carve a league-average small forward out of Martell Webster and Trevor Ariza, even though Ariza will take three shots every game that make you want to flip over to the Tony Allen cam.

Bill: You’re starting to talk me into the Tony Allen cam. Sorry, keep going.

Zach: But beyond that? Okafor is already hurt, Nene is making noise about logging too many minutes, and you might want to avert your eyes if any of the other bigs get extended minutes. Al Harrington might be our salvation. But there’s upside here if things break right. This is a playoff roster when healthy.

Bill: And if Bradley Beal makes anything remotely approaching The Leap (and I think he can), if Otto Porter isn’t a bust (I’m worried), and if they can flip Emeka Okafor’s expiring into one more chess piece, then LOOK THE F— OUT. And we didn’t even mention Jan Vesely trying to finish with more fouls than points again. He almost did it last season, Zach! VIVA CHOCOLATE CITY!!! I’m so happy for Joe House, Gheorghe Muresan and the great philosopher Andrew Sharp.

Zach: They can at least afford to be patient with Porter. The Granger Expiring Contract caveats apply to Okafor here, too. But this should be a fun team … and a potential panic-trade candidate.

Bill: Come on, Zach — when Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld are running your team, you’re ALWAYS a potential panic-trade candidate. (Cut to Mike Miller, Randy Foye and Ricky Rubio all nodding.)

Zach: I remember liking that trade when it happened, or at least not hating it. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and the league has learned a lot about the value of first-round picks.

Bill: I liked it when I thought Rubio and Curry were both going to be gone before the fifth pick. Whoops.

My Eastern Conference predictions:

1. Miami Heat
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Brooklyn Nets
4. Indiana Pacers
5. New York Knicks
6. Detroit Pistons
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Washington Wizards