The 2022-23 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season — division by division — asking two very important questions for each team:

What’s the case for the Over?
What’s the case for the Under?

5. Sacramento Kings — 34 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

If anything else, the Kings are due. And they definitely want to win.

This is a bolstered roster compared to years past and with a legit potential game-changing rookie.

A common theme amongst Young Surprise Teams is a strong finish from the season before. That was definitely De’Aaron Fox last season. Fox found his way after the All-Star Break, averaging a shade under 30 points per game.
Did you see Keegan Murray at Summer League!? Dude looked smooth as can be and should be a perfect floor-spacing compliment for the Fox and the Ox. He plays like an experienced vet and he’s confident as hell.
Domantas Sabonis had a torrid start in the Sac and at the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Let’s not forget he’s a previous All-Star. (And Skills Challenge Champ!)
A ferocious defender and explosive player despite being undersized, Davion Mitchell is somebody to keep an eye on in Year 2.
There are professional veterans on this team: Harrison Barnes and… Kent Bazemore. (Chop wood, carry water.) [Update: Kent Bazemore was waived.]
Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk will provide shooting. Maybe not of the most consistent variety but they are capable of catching fire.

Mike Brown is certainly no Puke Walton.

The prophecy was foretold at Summer League.

What’s the case for the Under?

For starters, this is the KANGZ that we’re talking about.

Trading away Halliburton is bad juju of the worst variety.
Sabonis has been trending in the wrong direction in terms of durability. He missed 20 games last season and it seemed like more.
This roster doesn’t have a whole lot of size. That could be a problem.

Defensively, no matter how good Davion Mitchell is, it is hard to see a road map where this defense is anything but bottom-10, just like they have been for nine out of the last 10 years.

Final Prediction: Like the Magic, hammering this Over and taking the Kings to make the play-in. Over 34 wins.

4. Los Angeles Lakers — 45 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

A healthy LeBron and AD is still one of the most powerful 1-2 punches in the league.

In Year 20, LeBron is still in unbelievable shape, showing no signs that he can’t replicate his 30 points per game effort from last season.
AD’s shot has looked better in the preseason, a better rhythm to it. He made all eight of his free throws in one game. Hell, he even appears to be moving better on the court.
Even Westbrook’s shot has legit looked better…
New head coach Darvin Ham will hold players accountable. He’s a players coach and has their respect.
The Lakers actually have some youth this season. This is a young man’s game after all.
There should be more shooting and defense here than last season. Pat Bev is the exact type of hard-nosed enforcer that the Lakers need.
Austin Reeves is ready. Lonnie Walker has had some big games in the NBA.
Some big men that aren’t Dwight ought to be a breath of fresh air in Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones.
Matt Ryan was drilling 3s against the Warriors in the preseason.
Dennis Schroder is back for unfinished business!

What’s the case for the Under?

Will there be enough shooting and defense?

Can LeBron and AD actually stay healthy for a full season?
Can they close out games? Everybody will always stay gunning for the Lakers.
The fit with Westbrook… we know it is so unideal.
The preseason was a precarious look, getting trounced once again.

Final Prediction: After going through last year, and with Westbrook still on the roster… thought this was going to for sure be an Under, but fuck it. Laaaaakers. LAKERS! Over 45 wins.

3. Phoenix Suns — 52 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Suns won 64 games last season which allows for an 11-win drop off.

Nine of the Suns top 11 players based on Win Shares from last season return, including each of the top 5.

Chris Paul doesn’t want to go out like this. A highly motivated Chris Paul has a track record of success (in the regular season).
Devin Booker is still one of the game’s premier bucket getters. Three years ago, cookouts with Book were fun and cute, but then CP3 showed up and no team in the NBA has won more games since.
Mikal Bridges is THE resident Iron Man in the NBA. He’s never missed a game in his four-year career. (He somehow never missed a game in college either.) Bridges is also one of the most versatile defenders in the game.
Hey, at least the Suns did not lose Deandre Ayton for nothing. Remember how he dominated in the playoffs just two years ago?
Cam Johnson just had his best season yet, trending upward.
Dario Saric is back. Jock Landale was ballin’ in the preseason.

The Suns showed resilience in the face of adversity last season.

What’s the case for the Under?

The vibes are no bueno. And that’s being polite.

This Suns team feels a lot like the Jazz team of last year: a broken team from a catastrophic playoff failure, dealing with internal strife and on the precipice of a complete collapse.

In the first preseason game, the Suns lost to a team that’s not even in the NBA. Not only that, but the Adelaide 36ers are supposed to be the seventh-best team in their league.
CP is 37 years old and has 17 years of point-guard miles on the tread. He looked cooked in the last few games of that Mavs series.
The bench is more than concerning. Not only is Jae Crowder’s toughness going to be missed, but he forces Cam Johnson into the starting lineup, leaving the bench without that jolt.
Cam Payne is not the same guy he was two years ago. Shamet is the Shamster.

Final prediction: Can’t trust an Over with these vibes. Under 52 wins.

2. Golden State Warriors — 52 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Winning Cures Everything.

The Warriors sure know this better than most.

By his standards, Steph had a down season last year. He is easily capable of playing much better, especially if he has to.
A full season of Klay Thompson? Yeah buddy! Captain Klay is going to keep getting better with more reps.
Draymond will be as motivated as ever to prove his worth.
Jordan Poole continues to improve from a poor man’s Steph Curry to looking like a possible clone of the real thing.
Kevon Looney is back and Loon Goon was a vital and somehow still underrated part of the Warriors Finals run last season.
Wiggins confidence is higher than it’s ever been. He’s in the perfect situation to succeed here.
Healthy at long last, 7-footer James Wiseman can provide a size and verticality element that the Warriors have never really had.
Having the talented young guys (Wiseman, Kuminga, Moody and PBJ) gives this team a rare blend of a clear bridge to the future.

Don’t sleep on DiVincenzo and even JaMychal Green.

Strength in Numbers?

What’s the case for the Under?

The Warriors are used to Draymond’s distractions, but not like this. This one is different.

If they trade him, there goes the heart and soul and backbone of this team. His missing presence would be felt significantly. You can’t exactly run the Steph and Dray two-man game without Draymond.
The defending champs are always the most hunted and bring out the best in their opponents.
No GP2 or OPJ creates a void and forces trusting the young unproven guys.

The Warriors might just not take the regular season that seriously, knowing the real winning is needed in the late spring and early summer.

Final prediction: Rollin’ with the Champs on their quest for back-to-back. Over 52 wins.

1. Los Angeles Clippers — 52.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Clippers are deep DEEP.

They have legit 14 players who could be included in any rotation.

Kawhi and PG are back. They still have business to take care of.
- Kawhi looks like the same ole robot, ready to turn into a terminator at any moment.
- PG Revenge Tour Round III? The healthy version.
Ty Lue is one of the best X’s and O’s coaches in the game, and he has a full arsenal of players at his disposal.
John Wall has been itching to play ball for years now. The dude should be rested.
Norman Powell as a sixth man gunner.
There is continuity and familiarity here now. Zubac is the longest-tenured Clipper, and Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann and even Batum have been here with Kawhi and PG through it all since the Bubble.
Has there ever been a vast collection of wings on one roster like this before? The 12th man is Amir Coffey, the Brewmaster! The foldier soldier!

What’s the case for the Under?

There might just be too many guys.

Juggling the minutes and keeping everyone happy could be challenging.

Neither Kawhi or PG have ever played more than 57 games in a Clippers uniform. It’s hard to get in a good rhythm when guys are load managing and constantly in and out of the lineup.
The Clips are deep, but they did lose Isiah Hartenstein, one of their best bench guys last season and a key cog in one of their best 3-man lineups, the LIT lineup with Luke Kennard, Isaiah Hartenstein and Terence Mann.

Final Prediction: The depth here is just too strong. Over 52.5 wins.

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2022-23 Division Season Previews

WEDNESDAY NIGHT is OPENING NIGHT RD. II.

A glorious 12-game slate awaits!

We love this game!