I think there are 4 real title contenders this year. Bucks and Celtics from the east and Nuggets and Suns from the west. Every other team is at least a tier lower.
Heat - Had a nice Cinderella story last year but with the upgrades that the bucks and celtics made, they wont be close this year.
Sixers - Can God even get them out of the 2nd round?
Lakers- still no where near the nuggets and barely beat a hobbled Suns. They have 0 chance
Clippers - always a threat IF they can stay healthy which is basically no chance.
warriors - too old and small
Mavs- Kyrie will mess things up somehow
Pelicans - always looks good on paper but never works out
Kings - Probably make some noise but not really a threat
4 real title contenders (2 from each conference) is great parity. I think we will see a bucks vs nuggets finals.
Anyone counting out Steph or Lebron is nuts.
I’m not counting Steph or Lebron out, I’m just counting in Jokic and that impacts my equation in the West to the point where I barely consider anyone else.