2014-15 NBA Team Previews

Shamrock32 · Oct 3, 2014

Shamrock32 · Oct 6, 2014

Today, I took a look at the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.

Hawks snippet:

X-FACTOR - Al Horford's Health
As mentioned above, Horford has suffered two torn pectoral injuries within the last three seasons and has missed a combined 98 regular season games because of it. With Horford in the lineup over the last three years, Atlanta is 65-49 (.570). Without him, they are 57-59 (.491). Over the last two seasons, which may be more fair to say without Joe Johnson in the picture, they are 58-45 (.563) with Horford and just 24-37 (.393) without him. Past rosters may not have much impact on the present and future, but those numbers go to show you just how much of an impact Al Horford has on winning.

Horford is Atlanta's undisputed leader. It is no secret that if they want to progress, they need their top gun on the floor. If he can stay healthy, especially around playoff time, the Hawks may have a chance to compete in the East. Without him... well, good luck.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
The general consensus is that Cleveland and Chicago will be at the head of the Eastern Conference this coming season, while the rest of the pack is generally wide open. If the Hawks are gifted good health, there is absolutely a chance that they could make a little more noise in the playoffs and perhaps even earn homecourt advantage in the first round if all goes well. Best case scenario for the Hawks, Derrick Rose isn't quite Derrick Rose anymore and Cleveland's Eastern Conference Finals competitor is completely up in the air.

However, I don't think we're looking at a contender here. If I had to put money on it, I would predict a second round exit for Atlanta at best unless key injuries occur around the league to shift the landscape. This will be a good squad, but I still think they are one piece away from contending for an Eastern Conference title.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
3rd - Southeast Division
6th - Eastern Conference

FULL ARTICLE --- ATLANTA HAWKS 2014-15 PREVIEW - CELTICSBLOG.COM

Mavs snippet:

X-FACTOR - Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler missed a lot of time last season while dealing with fractured ribs, but he is back at full strength and will be as important of a piece as anyone to Dallas' success in 2014-15. A healthy Chandler is one of the best pick n' roll defenders and overall defensive anchors in the game, as proven by that ring on his finger, and he still has a lot of good basketball left in him at age 31. If he can avoid the injury bug, he changes everything in terms of the Mavericks' chances of advancing in the postseason.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
With as tight as the Western Conference is in terms of win-loss separation, your guess is as good as mine when trying to predict where the Mavericks will end up in the standings. However, you can expect them to compete in the playoffs and perhaps even earn the second-best record in the Southwest Divison (good luck beating out San Antonio).

The 2014-15 Mavericks will be a matchup nightmare for a lot of teams and if they're clicking once late-April rolls around, nobody is going to want to draw them as a first round opponent, especially after what happened vs. San Antonio last season. This year's Mavericks squad is stronger, and they've got a chance to make some noise.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
3rd - Southwest Division
7th - Western Conference

FULL ARTICLE --- DALLAS MAVERICKS 2014-15 PREVIEW - CELTICSBLOG.COM

On deck for tomorrow - Charlotte Hornets & Houston Rockets

tremonthustler1 · Oct 6, 2014

I'll read it when I get a chance.

Shamrock32 · Oct 21, 2014

2014-15 NBA Team Previews

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