ESPN has us projected as a 5 seed in the East with 44 wins.

[nctarheel0619]

5. Charlotte Hornets
Projected wins: 44.1

The Hornets are primed to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Despite going 36-46 a year ago, Charlotte outscored opponents by 0.2 points per game, which typically would translate to a 41-41 record. The Hornets also went 3-17 in the 20 games starting center Cody Zeller missed. Adding Dwight Howard should help Charlotte deal with any Zeller absences this season.

6 seed are the Raptors

7 seed is the Heat

8 seed is Pistons.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20225286/projected-records-win-totals-standings-every-nba-team-2017-18-season

[Shocker]

Sounds about right...assuming Howard plays hard and Monk gives us some scoring off the bench.

[Cary Kollins]

oh sweet, sweet NBA purgatory

[MechaZain]

50 wins this year beelieve

[bLACKpANTHER]

1 or 2 injuries to key players would really make it tough for us BUT if it all clicks - i think we can crack the top 4.. Wiz and Bucks are not that much better than us..

I quickly gave each player a grade from 1-10 and added them up starters and benches (very technical, i kno..)

WIZ
PG - Wall (10) - Frazier (3)
SG - Beal (8) - Meeks (5)
SF - Porter (7) - Oubre (5)
PF - Morris (7) - Smith/Scott (4)
C - Gortat (7) - Mahinmi (5)
------------------------------------
Starters (39) - Bench (22) = 61

 

BUCKS
PG - Dellavadova (6) - Payton (2)
SG - Middleton (7) - Brogdon (3)
SF - Antetokounmpo (10) - Snell (5)
PF - Jabari (8) - Hensen/Teletovic (5)
C - Monroe (6) - Hawes (4)
------------------------------------
Starters (37) - Bench (19) = 57

 

HORNETS
PG - Kemba (9) - MCW (5)
SG - Batum (7) - Monk (4)
SF - MKG (6) - Lamb (4)
PF - Marvin (6) - Frank (6)
C - Howard (8) - Zeller (6)
------------------------------------
Starters (36) - Bench (25) = 61

 

The Wiz might have one of the worst benches for a playoff team - but their starting 5 is pretty good.. the Bucks are trying to ship out Monroe and Hensen as we speak.. Doubt they net anything worth what they give them.. We can hop them but have to have a few things click for us..

[nctarheel0619]

1 hour ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

1 or 2 injuries to key players would really make it tough for us BUT if it all clicks - i think we can crack the top 4.. Wiz and Bucks are not that much better than us..

I quickly gave each player a grade from 1-10 and added them up starters and benches (very technical, i kno..)

WIZ
PG - Wall (10) - Frazier (3)
SG - Beal (8) - Meeks (5)
SF - Porter (7) - Oubre (5)
PF - Morris (7) - Smith/Scott (4)
C - Gortat (7) - Mahinmi (5)
------------------------------------
Starters (39) - Bench (22) = 61

 

BUCKS
PG - Dellavadova (6) - Payton (2)
SG - Middleton (7) - Brogdon (3)
SF - Antetokounmpo (10) - Snell (5)
PF - Jabari (8) - Hensen/Teletovic (5)
C - Monroe (6) - Hawes (4)
------------------------------------
Starters (37) - Bench (19) = 57

 

HORNETS
PG - Kemba (9) - MCW (5)
SG - Batum (7) - Monk (4)
SF - MKG (6) - Lamb (4)
PF - Marvin (6) - Frank (6)
C - Howard (8) - Zeller (6)
------------------------------------
Starters (36) - Bench (25) = 61

 

The Wiz might have one of the worst benches for a playoff team - but their starting 5 is pretty good.. the Bucks are trying to ship out Monroe and Hensen as we speak.. Doubt they net anything worth what they give them.. We can hop them but have to have a few things click for us..

You're forgetting Thon Maker for the Bucks, he's actually pretty solid.  

[pantherphan96]

Raptors at 6 is too low. Though I could see seeds 3-6 all being within a couple wins like 2 years ago.

[ECUPantherFan]