ESPN predict OKC Thunder finish sixth in West

Diving into ESPN’s odd predictions including dropping an improved OKC Thunder squad to sixth in the Western Conference.

ESPN’s latest playoff prediction pits the OKC Thunder as the sixth seed against the Houston Rockets, along with several other head-scratching match ups.

Now that most of the dust has settled from free agency, the outlook of the foreseeable future in the NBA has become more in focus. The NBA has never had much parity to begin with, but nevertheless, here we are again debating who will end up where by the end of the 82-game season.

Stats, analytics, opinions and common sense all come into play when predicting the outcome of a season. However, in ESPN’s case, the numbers appear to be at odds with rational thinking.

The Wild, Wild West

There are several surprises with ESPN’s prediction. None greater than the absence of LeBron James and the revamped Lakers. After you rubbed your eyes or cleaned your glasses, you will also notice the Thunder drops to the six-seed battling the Rockets who finish behind the Jazz.

No matter how you slice it, the Warriors will almost certainly finish at the top of the West followed by the Rockets barring injury. Houston brings back mostly the same group, albeit without Trevor Ariza, but should be accompanied by Carmelo Anthony. Maybe there is an argument to be made that Houston slips a little, just remember this team finished ahead of Golden State last season.

After the Warriors and the Rockets, things get a bit tricky when trying to predict the outcome of the West. Several teams shook up the roster, and few, somewhat surprisingly, forwent the opportunity to tank with the Warriors super team looking stronger than ever. One of those teams pushing all in was a small-market team with big dreams in Oklahoma City.

With a sky-high luxury tax, Sam Presti wasn’t messing around this off season. His effort was enough to keep Paul George and Jermi Grant, along with dumping Melo and beefing up the bench with Dennis Schroder and Nerlens Noel. Those moves, along with the return of Andre Roberson. should add up to a more successful season which should warrant better than dropping down two spots.

Seeing as how this prediction has OKC, Portland, Houston and San Antonio all dropping, ESPN appears to be putting a lot of stock in playoff performance. And as any seasoned fantasy basketball player would know, wearing the playoff goggles can be dangerous. Rotations get tighter, players are more likely to persevere through injuries and the pace changes.

Regardless of how ESPN pieced the prediction together, it’s hard to believe Utah will leapfrog Houston. What’s even more difficult to believe is LeBron James missing out on the playoffs after eight straight Finals appearances. And it’s best not to sleep on San Antonio either. Perhaps a team like Denver or Minnesota come out of nowhere this season, but don’t replace a LeBron James led team with them.

Last, but not East

For the first time in over a decade, the East feels like a free-for-all. LeBron James has finally joined the dark side and there are four teams who have a legitimate shot at coming out on top. Those teams (in order) are: Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and a dark horse in Milwaukee.

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It makes some sense why ESPN believes Toronto will be a good team. Adding Kawhi Leonard to an already talented roster should make them better. At the same rate, it’s hard to believe the Raptors finish in front of a blossoming Celtics team. We all saw what they did despite the injuries last year. And with the return of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, they will be a scary team. With everyone healthy, the Celtics have the best chance among their Eastern Conference peers at dethroning the Warriors.

Philadelphia and Milwaukee are intriguing teams, but still seem a bit unpolished to be giving the Warriors a run for their money. Toronto may have an outside chance of doing something special this season, but as Thunder fans know all too well, it’s hard to adjust following a big change. As for now, we will have to wait and see what the Raptors become under the direction of their new head coach Nick Nurse.

Other than some debates to be had among the top teams, ESPN left the East untouched. The prediction has every team aside from the Cavaliers returning and expects Detroit to take their place in the eighth seed. Regardless, the East has less parity than the West, and is clearly divided between the contenders and pretenders.

So welcome to another predictable season. Let the debates begin.