Getting ready for the NBA season means a couple of things: looking at win totals and setting my fantasy rosters.
First, to the win totals.
Every year, there seems to be about ten totals that are a little further off what I might project and consider these to be win totals that could provide value:
Dallas OVER 47.5: After winning 50 games last year, the Mavs have Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden in the frontcourt and if they can keep Josh Howard in the rotation, they ought to be even better this year.
Washington UNDER 41.5: If Gilbert Arenas is healthy, then the Wizards have a chance to be a winning team. Based on the past couple of seasons, who is willing to count on Agent Zero?
Charlotte UNDER 35.5: The Bobcats won 35 games last year and I'm not sure the Okafor-for-Chandler swap at centre makes them any better. Without proven scoring, the Bobcats seem destined for another lottery finish.
Minnesota UNDER 27.5: A healthy Al Jefferson might give the T-Wolves a shot at surpassing last year's 24 wins, especially once Kevin Love returns from injury, but a rookie point guard and unprovens throughout the rest of the lineup don't make for significant improvement.
New Jersey OVER 27.5: Losing Vince Carter hurts, but the Nets have enough interesting young players that, if they play a sound team concept, could be in the neighbourhood of last year's 34 wins.
Oklahoma City OVER 33.5: The Thunder only won 23 games last year, but it's a team on the rise. Kevin Durant could be a darkhorse MVP candidate and if Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green continue to improve, a mid-30s win total is certainly possible.
San Antonio OVER 54.5: This team is loaded. Even if one of the big guns gets hurt, they're still a 60-win team.
Denver UNDER 52.5: A lot seemed to go right for the Nuggets on their way to 54 wins last season. A slight dropoff or an injury or two and they fall under 50.
The Raptors are among a number of teams set at 40.5 wins, which seems like a fair line to me since I have them projected for 41 wins.
We'll get to the fantasy stuff tomorrow. Let's tip off!
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@ctv.ca