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2016-17 NBA Pacific Division Preview
Golden State Warriors (–10,000)
Have an extra $10,000 lying around? How about wagering that on the Warriors, and win a guaranteed $100! Golden State is an obscenely huge favorite to reclaim the Pacific Division, especially now that Kevin Durant is set to join the core of last season’s historic 73-win team which includes two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andre Iguodala.
Barring a catastrophic injury to at least two of the Warriors’ four superstars, it seems virtually impossible for the Dubs not to come out on top in the Pacific. The better question is not if, but by how much they win the division this year. Their projected over/under is 66.5 regular season wins. While they certainly won’t be going all out to win as many games like last year, there’s just too much talent in that roster that they may go over anyway.
Los Angeles Clippers (–750)
The Clippers are not only the Warriors’ one and only legitimate challenger in the division, they’re also one of two teams who look to have a realistic shot at stopping the Dubs in the entire Western Conference.
Head coach/team president Doc Rivers has decided to keep the Chris Paul/Blake Griffin/DeAndre Jordan/JJ Redick core intact for one last run, and will be hoping for better health from Paul and Blake this time around. The supporting cast around them is still a bit suspect, although the additions of veterans Brandon Bass, Marreese Speights, Alan Anderson, and Raymond Felton do look pretty savvy on paper.
If healthy, this Clippers team has all the talent needed to go well over 54.0 regular season wins. But for this franchise, the real success this season will have to come during the postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers (+7,500)
The rebuilding Lakers are still far, far away from contending with the Warriors and Clippers for Pacific Division supremacy, but a third-place finish over the Kings and Suns could be a realistic goal for the purple and gold this year.
Rookie head coach Luke Walton won more games in a row filling in for Steve Kerr (24) last year than the Lakers had wins all season (17), but he does have the talent to top 25.5 regular season wins in this campaign.
D’Angelo Russell will now get the keys to the offense now that Kobe Bryant is gone, and the likes of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram should all get their chances to shine under Walton’s Warriors-esque system.
Sacramento Kings (+7,500)
Another year, another head coach for the Sacramento Kings. After the disaster that was the George Karl tenure, it’s now Dave Joerger’s turn to turn this dysfunctional team around. It starts with star big man DeMarcus Cousins, who’s fresh off a gold medal run with Team USA in the Rio Olympics. Joerger has a lot of experience (and success) running a post-oriented offense from his time with Memphis, which is a promising sign.
The rest of the roster remains a mishmash of odd pieces, though, so Joerger will have his work cut out for him to top 33.0 regular season wins, much less contend for a playoff spot as Kings ownership expects.
Phoenix Suns (+7,500)
It looks like they could be tearing things down in Phoenix. The Suns are clearly looking to the future after grabbing two highly-touted (but very raw) big men in rookies Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender. They join the sweet-shooting Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis as the franchise’s potential new cornerstones.
Their other (and older) all-Kentucky backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight will likely be on the trade market all season long. If/when either/both of those two are dealt, the Suns will be well on their way toward their likely goal this season, which is to tank and get another top draft pick. Hello, under 29.0 wins!
Writer’s Prediction
Predicted Order of Finish of the Pacific Division
- Golden State Warriors (65-17) – under 66.0 wins
- Los Angeles Clippers (55-27) – over 54.0 wins
- Los Angeles Lakers (32-50) – over 25.5 wins
- Sacramento Kings (30-52) – under 33.0 wins
- Phoenix Suns (26-56) – under 29.0 wins
Create a betting account now just in time for the 2016-17 NBA regular season’s tip-off!
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