Here's my issue with the popular OKC predictions. The narrative seems to by and large be "they were first last year, and they got even better, so they're gonna dominate", however the top seed last year was as marginal as it gets. Not only was it a tie on wins, but they even got a free win handed to them by the Mavs at the end of the season (you could even argue they got another one a month earlier). If Mavs had been in a slightly different situation OKC could've easily ended up second or third last year, and then the whole narrative kinda starts to crumble. Having that said, I still think they're probably gonna end up first, but I don't think it's gonna be nearly as dominant as most people seem to be predicting.
They still played dominantly over the course of last season to be in the position to be the first seed. Marginal or not, they earned it while being considered a fringe playoff team because of their age. Now they’re a year older and have a playoff run under the belt. I think they should be in a tier of their own in the west this year. The team is basically as put together as you’d like a basketball team to be. The question is execution by coaches and players, and of course the health of key contributors.
Tbh I don't think people are factoring some tough losses that are just bound to happen in west if i remember correctly one wemby game jumbled up the 1-3 besides okc I think nuggets fell to 3 cause of that . There's are gonna be some random losses and the standings might get jumbled up crazy with the last few games
@@Ares42 they were also the healthiest team in the league last year by a decent margin atleast out of the playoff teams, I feel like they could be equally as healthy this year but that’s not something I would bet on since their starting 5 played like 75 games together or close to it last season
I mean, he finished second last year and his team got even better I think it’s pretty obvious between them both like is Jokic still the best player in the world yes but no matter how good he does they’re not going to give him any more awards. I don’t think voter fatigue is something that should exist, but I’m a fan so obviously I want SGA to win but yea
25:23 Well mathematically, you’re biased, and I’m biased for the Celtics, so the biased part cancel out and the Thunder and Celtics will be on the top of their conferences 😅
Shai ain't winning the scoring title this year. Luka is definitely averaging 32+ ppg at least again, Giannis, Embiid if healthy etc. And unless JDub and Chet make an all nba typa leap, they are not beating Boston in the finals.
the thing is there is always a team that is going to suprise us. Last year it was dallas. Its hard to make standings simply based on last year. For all we wizards will go 72-0 lol im joking but you get what im saying. You never know who might improve. My cinderella team is the warriors but who knows Miami could jump to a 1 seed or the spurs could go crazy and finish 4th.
@growtopiafan8974 bro they were the 1st seed last year and are gonna have tons of interior development while acquiring arguably the 2 of the best role players in the league😂 not that bias
I don’t really understand how people can say he is bias like it’s very obvious that Boston and Oklahoma City are by far. The two best teams in the NBA like if he was a Celtics fan picking Boston would you still call him bias? Like for me unless something goes horribly wrong I would be shocked if both of those teams aren’t in the finals.
Hey bro love ur content u really go into detail about everything and you are very knowledgeable and ur content is very entertaining I was surprised when I saw that u had 50k subs I was expecting you to at least have a Millie but I’m sure u will get there soon keep up the good work!
Klay Thompson was just simply not a good second option for warriors last season. I love Klay and he will go down as one of the greatest warriors player of all time with this core. Last season he took soo many unnecessary shots, force shots, took contested 3’s. He was bad at defense, and he was emotionally not well. It drain the team that season because it made the team to rice him to get out his slump and coated so many wins and it became About Klay more than the team. It took Kerr until February almost 5 months into the season and more then halfway to the season to basically bench Klay and start rookie Brandin Podzmienski who was a better defender, better facilitator, better handles, better scorer by attacking the basket and he was good at shooting too and he was top 5 in drawn fouls in the league and made all nba rookie. So far watching Klay in two games for mavericks you get the same thing. He’s missing and is in a slump. Wish Klay his best but last season was struggle and so far Naji Marshall, Hardy and even Grimes look better sadly 😢
The Thunder are at least 2-3 years away from contending simply cuz they’re too young. Regular season doesn’t mean anything, just ask the 2021 Jazz & 2022 Suns.
Hmm mavs got 5th seed without kyrie for 30 games without lively 30 games without PJ & Gafford for 50 games, and they just solved all their issues so that means they will have a worse record than the nugs who just straight up got worse…idk bout that one mavs were what 18-4 after the deadline? Idk what a “knock teams out of the playoffs but can’t win regular season games” type of team is, you either have a bunch of injuries then get healthy for playoffs or you’re just always good idrk what team has ever been just bad regular season then good in the playoffs without one of those nuanced situations
@@alexanderhillier3831 Luka has had only one season playing under 65 games (61) and two of the seasons he played over 70, Luka gets injured but usually plays through it injury prone means that they don’t play brother
Every year it's something new on anti luka.... and every year he proves everyone wrong regardless of how his team is... now he has an absolutely fantastic squad behind him for once comparatively to others... they going second or first in the west
Always look forward to a new ThreeCone video, keep up the good work! I'm feeling good about my Timberwolves this year, and feeling a little better about their future now that I've really given the KAT trade some thought.
@TheMilitiaGuy well, 1 unprotected first round pick and 1 pick swap that's top 1 protected so the Wolves still get a pick in 2030. But you're welcome man, this team is trying to build with the next few years at the forefront, the wolves might not need that pick very much if they keep most of their young guys that are developing well. I'm just excited to see how this year plays out, and how Rob does this year. I don't have championship expectations.
@@patrickmartin2382 / In 2030-31 the Spurs will have several titles and still be picking ahead of TWolves b/c of those picks. I predict Ant will be walking in a few years when the TWolves are worse than that are now and there is no hope to get better. The NBA is about $$ and parity. You have to have 1-2 superstars to compete.
Am I the only one who thinks it’s like really crazy to give the DPOY to Wemby if his team doesn’t even end up making the playoffs? Like I know those two things don’t exactly correlate but I mean come on I know he’s gonna be a monster on defense this year but it would have to be to like an absolutely historically insane degree like 5 blocks per game for him to get it with his team at that seed.And while I’m not saying he can’t do that it’s definitely not something I’d bet on. Also if he does end up having ridiculous defensive stats like that then I feel like there’s no way the Spurs don’t at minimum make the play in.
I think the one main issue I have is not having boston repeating. Yeah repeats are hard but Boston is the only team that retained all their talent of the last 5 champions and apart from Jrue and Horford their entire core isn't in their prime. I love Jdub but ppl forget he's 23 he's getting better but the jump won't be as substantial imo. The big thing is when you talk about drive I think boston has the single most drive of any team, partially because in my opinion Mazzulla is the best coach in the league at player motivation. He loves seeing his guys get snubbed and fail so they can use that to really drive them in a way most coaches don't, and because of that I think they're actually hungrier than a Thunder team not used to the spotlight and probably assuming they have 5+ more years of top contention. Boston knows the time is now and just like last year they have to get it done, especially since they're by far the least respected champion maybe ever with nobody really treating them with the level of prestige they deserved. I think boston will complete the repeat and be the first team to do so since GSW.
@@RobertJandrueDenver used to have one of the best starting 5 but even now losing KCP. Westbrook won’t be elite on defense. He replace more Reggie Jackson. Jamal Murray already is missing games with knee issues. MPJ is good but on a terrible contract. Jokic and Gordan are basically the two main guys somewhat keeping that team good. Bench is too young and inexperienced. Shooting wise they give up soo many threes a game. Jokic is an elite and the best offensive system but defensive wise he’s not closing out the three and teams will still hunt him down. They still have the best player in the nba but he will need to stay healthy and big ask to be consistent.
I would swap around Denver and Dallas. Denver keeps getting worse every off season while the Mavs got better. Also i would take the Mavs and Celtics in a series over the thunder.
My issue with these prediction videos (all of them btw not just cones) is that everybody picks a 1seed vs 1seed final. I get that if you’re predicting them to be the best in their conference then you can’t predict against them winning it all but we haven’t had a 1seed match up since 2016. Hard to predict an upset I know but historically an upset is more likely than not.
top 5 trades Trade 1 Hawks - T. Herro (Heat) J Kuminga (Warriors) M Moody (Warriors ) Draft Pick (Heat) Warriors - J Butler (Heat) Heat - T Young (Hawks) G Payton (Warriors) Trade 2 Nets - Russell, G Vincent, J Schifino, C Reddish Lakers - C Johnson, D Schroder Trade 3 Bulls - R Hachimura, A Reaves, J Vanderbilt Lakers - Z Lavine Trade 4 Bucks - B Beal Suns - D Lillard Trade 5 Grizzlies - B Ingram, J Robinson-Earl Pelicans - M Smart, B Clarke
I've seen the opinion that the Mavs don't try in the regular season a couple of places, but it doesn't hold water. They won at a consistent mid to high 50s pace when healthy (Luka/Kai/Lively in the lineup) last year before the trade, and were a 60+ win team afterwards. I fully expect them to get the one seed and go back to the Finals.
Loved the longer video style today! Super in depth Raptors might tank more cause their players and Masai himself admitted on media that they wont be very good this year, however Im also super excited for year 2 of Gradey dick as well
When Trey Murphy is back, I'd be shocked if he didn't start. CJ will accept coming off the bench because that's the kind of guy he is. The Zion-Murphy combo has destroyed opposing teams. I don't care who the "center" is, you've got to get Zion, Herb, Trey, and Dejounte out there together eventually. Trey starting is two years overdue.
For mvp my prediction is that Luka will have significantly better counting stats and comparable team success but the Media will find a narrative to give it to Shai.
Agreed he is biased because he is an OKC fan. Thunder could very well lose in the 2nd round again. West is stacked and it is not an easy road to the finals
I was wondering if Cone was capable of putting his Thunder homerism to the side and call 1+1=2. Instead he just went on splainin about how 1+1 actually equals 9.
Oklahoma City was top five in both last year without having a actual back up big man and a defensive and scoring black hole in Josh giddy both of those problems have since been fixed with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein I’m not going to sit here and say they would beat Boston but I think they are one of the only teams that could beat Boston because just like Boston they do everything great and don’t have a weakness just like Boston doesn’t
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with most of this, but I’m just wondering what you’re smoking to have Golden State so high like unless Curry has a ridiculous carry job. I would be surprised if they even touch the play in tbh
Lakers are decent. It will take time for Reddick transitioning there offense. They play good on offense and Reddick wants shooters to shoot but AD and Bron slows it down. D-Lo doesn’t fit in and needs to go. Warriors have more depth and a better squad so far. Lakers got to do better on not giving up second chance points in the season.
if the cavaliers are healthy this season, get garland back to his best and feed mobley the way they have in preseason, there’s no way they’re only 2-3 wins better than last year. that teams was on its way to breaking the phil jackson 40-20 rule before spida went down. garland and mobley will look like different players this season. there’s no way they dont get homecourt.
Like 90% of "analysts" you underestimate VW's second year leap and his Jordanesque competitive fire. You should have watch ESPN Shams video. If VW and the team stay healthy, then the Spurs will be a play-in team and have two lottery picks in 2025...theirs and the Hawks. If the Hornets and Bulls do well, Spurs could have 4 picks in the lottery. P.S. A possible trade deadline move for a SF all star would make Spurs a 6th seed or better. This is all b/c of how great VW is. GOAT if he plays 10+ seaons.
Doesn’t matter how great Vic is this year, they won’t be a 6th seed. At best they would be a play in team and he’d have to be playing like a top 5 player which I can’t see happening just yet.
The Spurs will be an eight seed this year. The guy who's doing this video is saying they're going to be a 13 seed and I have no idea why they would be so low. Wendy is a top 10 player and the surrounding pieces have played with each other for a little bit so I think that will elevate them
@@superQman600 / You, everybody and their grandmother are underestimating the monster year VW is going to have. He has Jordanesque competitive fire that will get him in the GOAT conversation in 10 years.
Clippers look solid in pre season. They also have depth. No Paul George or Kahwi and guys like Kevin Porter Jr and in fact Zubac have shown they got that extra in there bag to replace the buckets. Kai Jones is there X factor. Guy is a menace. He’s everywhere and James Harden has shown he can be the first option still 👍 that’s without Kahwi. They will be fine.
I mean, obviously there is some bias being a fan, but there’s also actual credibility because SGA finished 2nd last year and on paper, Oklahoma City is just as well built and talented as Boston as they are both are head and shoulders above everyone else in the NBA the only two teams that come even close to them would probably be Dallas and the Knicks potentially Denver if they make some trades somehow, but that’s it really
Finished 2nd last year purely because of team success, Luka is a better player in almost every facet, that 30 point free throw merchant is not making top 2 in mvp voting this year and he'll get bounced out of the playoffs by dallas again 😂😂@@sadmarinersfan8935
I would be shocked if they were better than the Rockets and clippers the only way that happens is if Steph Curry just has one of the best seasonings of his career then maybe he could carry them to close to the play in
you didnt even rtied to hide your bias on this one and i respect it. Shai as a 1st seed, MVP and FMVP at 26 yers old and on his second year as a top 5 player it is not believable at all.
That’s what I’m saying. I don’t understand why people are just accusing him of being biased like he finished second in MVP voting last year Oklahoma City was having two big weaknesses away from probably making the finals last year like it’s not like he’s out here as a fucking pelicans fan saying oh, they are going to the finals and Zion going to an MVP both of his opinions are very logical.
Regarding the grizzlies, if you’re gonna assume health for all these other teams than you have to for the grizzlies as well. Makes no sense to be like oh well they’ll be injured so write them off but other teams don’t have injuries too? Never understood that argument. Just assume all teams healthy and go from there…
I mean, there’s always a chance that Miami could sneak into the playoffs and just get hot, but I can’t see a world where Golden State actually makes the playoffs even if Curry has a ridiculous carry job. It’s going to take a lot for them to even be a play in team
West will be OKC. Minnesota Dallas Mavericks Denver. Memphis Phoenix lakers Sacramento golden state spurs. East Boston New York Knicks Bucks. 76ers. Pacers. Cleveland Miami Atlanta Charlotte. And Milwaukee Bucks will win the championship. Or Boston. Or. Oklahoma or minnesota. Or Denver
I really think people are overrating Klay and underrating Hield and the depth pieces. I dislike the Warriors, but I think they're going to be far better than last year. They've looked very good in the preseason so far while Klay has looked terrible. Hield has never gotten to play in a system like this, plus who cares that his defense sucks? So does Klay's at this point. At least Hield won't take terrible shots. And the depth pieces like Anderson and Melton can help defensively. Plus, presumably Draymond won't be suspended for 25 games again.
I truly think warrior will beat the lakers and kings in the standings pre-season showed that even when buddy and Steph have a bad game the bench unit will destroy any other teams the warriors bench unit is extremely slept on the out scored the lakers bench something g like 61 to 35
its hard to take preseason serious but when your 4-0 that means you have a good bench for the most part. I personally think they will be a top 5 team not because of the preseason but just because they are way deeper than last year. With klay gone kuminga is going to go crazy.
@@fresnoniijiBench is deep. I think they do have the best bench in the league or at least one of the best bench. They lost Klay but they got absolutely 5+ shooters who can shoot to compliment Curry. Added more defenders, guards and wings. They play really fast as well. They gas teams out. They want Kuminga Nd Wiggins to set up the offense by attacking the paint and run teams out in the fast break.
@@javierlandaverde4108 thank u someone else that sees what I’m seeing if there buckets drop it’s gg but they will live and die by the 3. Luckily they have the best 3 point shooter of all time
Grizzlies is weird, in a tricky situation where it all depends if Ja stays healthy. They have a decent bench. Starting lineup is good. 👍 I think you are too high on Banes as a second option. More like a third option or fourth option. Hasn’t really develop with ja out last year. He reached his ceiling and limited with speed.
No issues with any of this. Except, if Dallas is gonna be the #3 seed, wouldn’t they play the Thunder in the 2nd round? Given if both teams win first round.
Because they were one of the best teams in the NBA last year top five in offense, top five in defense an MVP runner up. And the teams two big weaknesses they solved in the off-season with getting rid of giddy and replacing him with Alex Caruso. And getting an actual quality second big man with Isaiah Hartenstein like for me the only way they don’t at the very least make a deep playoff run if not make the finals is if the team gets injured and even then they can still be pretty good because they have such a ridiculous amount of depths just like Boston does that’s why both of these teams should be inseparable in championship talk because they both have all it all
They are the kings from 2 seasons ago, benefitted from basically no injuries, they'll get humbled this season tho the same way sacramento did, just watch
@@ArkhamDeluxe I definitely disagree even if they have some injuries like they already do this year outside of the center position, which of course is what they right now lol they also got a fuck ton of depth. And unlike the kings that year who were bad defensively if I remember right. OKC is at worst top 5 probably top 2 or 3 defensively this season I feel like the people who are underestimating them didn’t watch them last year or what they did this offseason just giving my opinion
Nuggets will not be a #2 seed they should be swapped with Suns. Kings don’t have enough depth and Derozan fit isn’t good. The should be swapped with Rockets.
how tf you gonna say Bam’s team is not gonna be good enough for him to win dpoy but wemby is the favorite to win it even with his team having a losing record smh make it make sense i hate that the media decides who wins individual awards it should be the players and coaches voting and wtf is the criteria like what qualifies you cus it’s literally different for every player
1. The Knicks look good on paper, but I think injuries will derail their season. You did not even consider that. 2. Picking OKC because "it's hard to repeat" is a weak rationale. The Celtics are intact from last season, even better chemistry. And they seem to be even hungrier to make a statement after being dissed last season. The majority of "pundits" and "analysts" picked Dallas to win last season, and we know how that worked out. I do see Boston and OKC in the finals tho.
Pels have a good center in Theis. They could use a backup though. GSW has a way deeper roster than last year no way get worse lol its not that dallas isnt the type of team that wont grab a top seed. They made a trade mid season and thats when they got hot. Klay is exactly what they needed kcp is overrated imo. He avg 10pts a game. They got braun and they added russ and saric. they have definitely improved
I still despise the play in. Been what 4 years of it now and has a 9 or 10 seed done anything? Lakers as a 7 and heat as an 8 in 2023 going to the WCF and the finals was cool but those teams would’ve been in there anyway with the normal format. Just such a dumb hype trick to me
all his predictions are horribly wrong and for a team that didn’t even make it to the conference finals idk why people are so high on the thunder i get that they’re young and talented but they’re not beating the nuggets, mavs or the lakers in the playoffs.
I don't really like your Warriors prediction. I understand that their defense is lacking but with the amount of decent shooters they have on the team along side Steph Curry I'm saying that they make the playoffs this year or at least get very close. Maybe they even go far in the playoffs, have to see if their defense improves. But 12th spot is very low in my opinion. Same for Spurs, I think they won't make the playoffs but at least be like 9th or 10th seed with a good Wemby plus Paul. Also, no way clippers and lakers and sac are above warriors. Furthermore, I think you placed suns and nuggets too high, especially the suns.
Here's my issue with the popular OKC predictions. The narrative seems to by and large be "they were first last year, and they got even better, so they're gonna dominate", however the top seed last year was as marginal as it gets. Not only was it a tie on wins, but they even got a free win handed to them by the Mavs at the end of the season (you could even argue they got another one a month earlier). If Mavs had been in a slightly different situation OKC could've easily ended up second or third last year, and then the whole narrative kinda starts to crumble.
Having that said, I still think they're probably gonna end up first, but I don't think it's gonna be nearly as dominant as most people seem to be predicting.
They still played dominantly over the course of last season to be in the position to be the first seed. Marginal or not, they earned it while being considered a fringe playoff team because of their age. Now they’re a year older and have a playoff run under the belt. I think they should be in a tier of their own in the west this year. The team is basically as put together as you’d like a basketball team to be. The question is execution by coaches and players, and of course the health of key contributors.
they were projected 40 wins last yr and ended up with 57
Tbh I don't think people are factoring some tough losses that are just bound to happen in west if i remember correctly one wemby game jumbled up the 1-3 besides okc I think nuggets fell to 3 cause of that . There's are gonna be some random losses and the standings might get jumbled up crazy with the last few games
@@Ares42 they were also the healthiest team in the league last year by a decent margin atleast out of the playoff teams, I feel like they could be equally as healthy this year but that’s not something I would bet on since their starting 5 played like 75 games together or close to it last season
The thunder arent ovrrateed the overrated team is the knicks
This video came out at the right time, boutta be on the road for an hour
I got you covered!
30 min drive home from work today, but that new cone vid got a fella covered 🔥
@@three_cone I’m a Celtics fan the thing is is with thunder is them getting out to kp
You should do a video about how many predictions you got right in last year’s video.
I wouldn't say u r delusional...but u r definitely biased. Luka winning MVP this year
I mean, he finished second last year and his team got even better I think it’s pretty obvious between them both like is Jokic still the best player in the world yes but no matter how good he does they’re not going to give him any more awards. I don’t think voter fatigue is something that should exist, but I’m a fan so obviously I want SGA to win but yea
Having the clippers, rockets, lakers and even the kings above the warriors is WILD imo but I guess we’ll see!
Love your vids, keep em coming
cone gives off the most immaculate vibes
25:23 Well mathematically, you’re biased, and I’m biased for the Celtics, so the biased part cancel out and the Thunder and Celtics will be on the top of their conferences 😅
This logic is sound 🍀
Shai is in contention of:
- scoring title
- steals title
- MVP
- 1st team all nba
- WCF MVP
- FMVP
he could very well win all of these which is crazy
He would have to get to the CF and the finals first. I’m not so sure they even make it to the CF this year
Shai ain't winning the scoring title this year. Luka is definitely averaging 32+ ppg at least again, Giannis, Embiid if healthy etc. And unless JDub and Chet make an all nba typa leap, they are not beating Boston in the finals.
@@kjjr3270 ayy i jus said he COULD win, not that he WILL 🤷♂️ anyways, he ranks high among alot of these ranks
@@superQman600 aight
He could also lose out on all of them
Imma come back to this video and laugh when they get eliminated.
the thing is there is always a team that is going to suprise us. Last year it was dallas. Its hard to make standings simply based on last year. For all we wizards will go 72-0 lol im joking but you get what im saying. You never know who might improve. My cinderella team is the warriors but who knows Miami could jump to a 1 seed or the spurs could go crazy and finish 4th.
He’s so bias lol
@growtopiafan8974 bro they were the 1st seed last year and are gonna have tons of interior development while acquiring arguably the 2 of the best role players in the league😂 not that bias
I don’t really understand how people can say he is bias like it’s very obvious that Boston and Oklahoma City are by far. The two best teams in the NBA like if he was a Celtics fan picking Boston would you still call him bias? Like for me unless something goes horribly wrong I would be shocked if both of those teams aren’t in the finals.
@@sadmarinersfan8935 Boston won the finals of course they are favorites, thunder are overrated and will get exposed again in the playoffs
Hey bro love ur content u really go into detail about everything and you are very knowledgeable and ur content is very entertaining I was surprised when I saw that u had 50k subs I was expecting you to at least have a Millie but I’m sure u will get there soon keep up the good work!
Been waiting on this video! Excited to see it, thank you Cone!
Klay Thompson was just simply not a good second option for warriors last season. I love Klay and he will go down as one of the greatest warriors player of all time with this core. Last season he took soo many unnecessary shots, force shots, took contested 3’s. He was bad at defense, and he was emotionally not well. It drain the team that season because it made the team to rice him to get out his slump and coated so many wins and it became
About Klay more than the team. It took Kerr until February almost 5 months into the season and more then halfway to the season to basically bench Klay and start rookie Brandin Podzmienski who was a better defender, better facilitator, better handles, better scorer by attacking the basket and he was good at shooting too and he was top 5 in drawn fouls in the league and made all nba rookie. So far watching Klay in two games for mavericks you get the same thing. He’s missing and is in a slump. Wish Klay his best but last season was struggle and so far Naji Marshall, Hardy and even Grimes look better sadly 😢
Thunder Up⚡️🧡💙 this is the year we will finally succeed!!!!
Foh lmaooooo
The Thunder are at least 2-3 years away from contending simply cuz they’re too young. Regular season doesn’t mean anything, just ask the 2021 Jazz & 2022 Suns.
@@Joeshiesty286none of those teams have the talent that okc has
Like you did with Durant and Westbrook 🤣
@@aggghgaabk The 2022 Suns had. Okc will be very good but they are not set to win the chip.
Love your content greetings from turkey
I love your content Mr cone. I wish my bulls had Sam presti
I hope things change for your bulls soon
Hmm mavs got 5th seed without kyrie for 30 games without lively 30 games without PJ & Gafford for 50 games, and they just solved all their issues so that means they will have a worse record than the nugs who just straight up got worse…idk bout that one mavs were what 18-4 after the deadline? Idk what a “knock teams out of the playoffs but can’t win regular season games” type of team is, you either have a bunch of injuries then get healthy for playoffs or you’re just always good idrk what team has ever been just bad regular season then good in the playoffs without one of those nuanced situations
3 words to support his mavs third seed prediction "luka injury prone"😂😂
@@alexanderhillier3831 Luka has had only one season playing under 65 games (61) and two of the seasons he played over 70, Luka gets injured but usually plays through it injury prone means that they don’t play brother
Every year it's something new on anti luka.... and every year he proves everyone wrong regardless of how his team is... now he has an absolutely fantastic squad behind him for once comparatively to others... they going second or first in the west
I will cry tears of happiness if the thunder win it all this year
Always look forward to a new ThreeCone video, keep up the good work! I'm feeling good about my Timberwolves this year, and feeling a little better about their future now that I've really given the KAT trade some thought.
Appreciate you taking Dillingham and giving us two FRP in 30 and 31.
@TheMilitiaGuy well, 1 unprotected first round pick and 1 pick swap that's top 1 protected so the Wolves still get a pick in 2030. But you're welcome man, this team is trying to build with the next few years at the forefront, the wolves might not need that pick very much if they keep most of their young guys that are developing well. I'm just excited to see how this year plays out, and how Rob does this year. I don't have championship expectations.
@@patrickmartin2382 / In 2030-31 the Spurs will have several titles and still be picking ahead of TWolves b/c of those picks. I predict Ant will be walking in a few years when the TWolves are worse than that are now and there is no hope to get better. The NBA is about $$ and parity. You have to have 1-2 superstars to compete.
You made this video without mentioning Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons’ returns. The Bulls and Nets will easily be the 1 and 2 seeds in the East
don’t forget Jonas Valenciunas immediately taking the wizards from tanking to 82-0 contention
@@jacksonminton6513 the East is gonna be stacked this season
Easily
Am I the only one who thinks it’s like really crazy to give the DPOY to Wemby if his team doesn’t even end up making the playoffs? Like I know those two things don’t exactly correlate but I mean come on I know he’s gonna be a monster on defense this year but it would have to be to like an absolutely historically insane degree like 5 blocks per game for him to get it with his team at that seed.And while I’m not saying he can’t do that it’s definitely not something I’d bet on. Also if he does end up having ridiculous defensive stats like that then I feel like there’s no way the Spurs don’t at minimum make the play in.
As a thunder fan myself, I can’t wait for the season to start
I wish teams would stop this tanking nonsense. Over the last few years, we’ve seen that the worse team usually doesn’t get the #1 pick.
Do you want to become the Chicago bulls 😊
SHHH!! what? Are you trying to give him a heart attack? You don't say things like that without a warning. I'm still shivering 😣
I think the one main issue I have is not having boston repeating. Yeah repeats are hard but Boston is the only team that retained all their talent of the last 5 champions and apart from Jrue and Horford their entire core isn't in their prime. I love Jdub but ppl forget he's 23 he's getting better but the jump won't be as substantial imo.
The big thing is when you talk about drive I think boston has the single most drive of any team, partially because in my opinion Mazzulla is the best coach in the league at player motivation. He loves seeing his guys get snubbed and fail so they can use that to really drive them in a way most coaches don't, and because of that I think they're actually hungrier than a Thunder team not used to the spotlight and probably assuming they have 5+ more years of top contention. Boston knows the time is now and just like last year they have to get it done, especially since they're by far the least respected champion maybe ever with nobody really treating them with the level of prestige they deserved. I think boston will complete the repeat and be the first team to do so since GSW.
As a heat fan you gave me ptsd when you said “he’s locked in”
Nuggets at 2 is a terrible take
Fax it’s clearly dallas
@@ebuka7hoopsdallas isn’t that clear to be a top 2 lock, could be anyone.
@@RobertJandrueDenver used to have one of the best starting 5 but even now losing KCP. Westbrook won’t be elite on defense. He replace more Reggie Jackson. Jamal Murray already is missing games with knee issues. MPJ is good but on a terrible contract. Jokic and Gordan are basically the two main guys somewhat keeping that team good. Bench is too young and inexperienced. Shooting wise they give up soo many threes a game. Jokic is an elite and the best offensive system but defensive wise he’s not closing out the three and teams will still hunt him down. They still have the best player in the nba but he will need to stay healthy and big ask to be consistent.
I agree Apart from Jokic Nuggets really got nothing Murray is a huge question mark.
@@ebuka7hoopsThunder, Wolves, Dallas, Denver, Lakers.
I would swap around Denver and Dallas. Denver keeps getting worse every off season while the Mavs got better. Also i would take the Mavs and Celtics in a series over the thunder.
I am a bit disappointed you took a gambling sponsorship but it is what it is.
Gotta get his money! Can’t blame him
@@liamgraham4245. That’s a slippery slope …
He really thinks spurs will win 20 games again😂😂
They will win 37 games is my prediction which is around the 12th seed in the West they wouldn't be better than that.
@@emilfrederiksen.1622 so the 12th seed in the west could make the eastern play in is crazy
Tank battle is crazy
My issue with these prediction videos (all of them btw not just cones) is that everybody picks a 1seed vs 1seed final. I get that if you’re predicting them to be the best in their conference then you can’t predict against them winning it all but we haven’t had a 1seed match up since 2016. Hard to predict an upset I know but historically an upset is more likely than not.
Friendly reminder that the Thunder are 2-5 against a healthy Mavs squad since February 10th.
top 5 trades
Trade 1
Hawks - T. Herro (Heat) J Kuminga (Warriors) M Moody (Warriors ) Draft Pick (Heat)
Warriors - J Butler (Heat)
Heat - T Young (Hawks) G Payton (Warriors)
Trade 2
Nets - Russell, G Vincent, J Schifino, C Reddish
Lakers - C Johnson, D Schroder
Trade 3
Bulls - R Hachimura, A Reaves, J Vanderbilt
Lakers - Z Lavine
Trade 4
Bucks - B Beal
Suns - D Lillard
Trade 5
Grizzlies - B Ingram, J Robinson-Earl
Pelicans - M Smart, B Clarke
First ur thunder is very scary mr cone
🫡
I’d definitely be scared of them if I didn’t root for Boston
I've seen the opinion that the Mavs don't try in the regular season a couple of places, but it doesn't hold water. They won at a consistent mid to high 50s pace when healthy (Luka/Kai/Lively in the lineup) last year before the trade, and were a 60+ win team afterwards. I fully expect them to get the one seed and go back to the Finals.
Loved the longer video style today! Super in depth
Raptors might tank more cause their players and Masai himself admitted on media that they wont be very good this year, however Im also super excited for year 2 of Gradey dick as well
They just said they are prioritizing development over contending. Which is true. They are not gonna lose any more games than they would before.
My commute to the office is blessed now
When Trey Murphy is back, I'd be shocked if he didn't start. CJ will accept coming off the bench because that's the kind of guy he is. The Zion-Murphy combo has destroyed opposing teams. I don't care who the "center" is, you've got to get Zion, Herb, Trey, and Dejounte out there together eventually. Trey starting is two years overdue.
I wouldn't ride on the trey train this hard,He has only shown to be a specialist
If you don’t see Knicks champions I will cry
For mvp my prediction is that Luka will have significantly better counting stats and comparable team success but the Media will find a narrative to give it to Shai.
The gambling ads finally got Cone
Cone i seen the editing flaws @32:29 cant hide that from me
Celtics going back to back
No one thought say was the real MVP, other than Shaq.
Thunder aren’t beating Boston man cut it out
i agree. Im not sold on okc just yet
Agreed he is biased because he is an OKC fan. Thunder could very well lose in the 2nd round again. West is stacked and it is not an easy road to the finals
Just watch them play
@@SpecOpsCMyeah. Just watch Boston play too. They're not taking their foot off the gas.
I was wondering if Cone was capable of putting his Thunder homerism to the side and call 1+1=2. Instead he just went on splainin about how 1+1 actually equals 9.
Magic not top 4 in the east is insane lol
pacers and cavs got nothing on us lol
No way OKC beats Boston in a 7 game series if both teams are healthy. Celtics are top 2 in offense and defense. The definition of a powerhouse.
Oklahoma City was top five in both last year without having a actual back up big man and a defensive and scoring black hole in Josh giddy both of those problems have since been fixed with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein I’m not going to sit here and say they would beat Boston but I think they are one of the only teams that could beat Boston because just like Boston they do everything great and don’t have a weakness just like Boston doesn’t
1. Dallas
2. Okc
3. Denver
4. GSW
5. Wolves
6. Pels
7. Grizz
8. Kings
9. Suns
10. Lakers
11. Clippers
12. Rockets
13. Jazz
14. Spurs
15. Blazers
1. Celtics
2. Knicks
3. Bucks
4. Philly
5. Cavs
6. Indy
7. Magic
8. Heat
9. Hornets
10. Raptors
11. Hawks
12. Nets
13. Wizards
14. Pistons
15. Bulls
@@fresnoniiji but you got the rockets fucked up
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with most of this, but I’m just wondering what you’re smoking to have Golden State so high like unless Curry has a ridiculous carry job. I would be surprised if they even touch the play in tbh
Lakers are decent. It will take time for Reddick transitioning there offense. They play good on offense and Reddick wants shooters to shoot but AD and Bron slows it down. D-Lo doesn’t fit in and needs to go. Warriors have more depth and a better squad so far. Lakers got to do better on not giving up second chance points in the season.
if the cavaliers are healthy this season, get garland back to his best and feed mobley the way they have in preseason, there’s no way they’re only 2-3 wins better than last year. that teams was on its way to breaking the phil jackson 40-20 rule before spida went down. garland and mobley will look like different players this season. there’s no way they dont get homecourt.
Like 90% of "analysts" you underestimate VW's second year leap and his Jordanesque competitive fire. You should have watch ESPN Shams video. If VW and the team stay healthy, then the Spurs will be a play-in team and have two lottery picks in 2025...theirs and the Hawks. If the Hornets and Bulls do well, Spurs could have 4 picks in the lottery. P.S. A possible trade deadline move for a SF all star would make Spurs a 6th seed or better. This is all b/c of how great VW is. GOAT if he plays 10+ seaons.
Doesn’t matter how great Vic is this year, they won’t be a 6th seed. At best they would be a play in team and he’d have to be playing like a top 5 player which I can’t see happening just yet.
The Spurs will be an eight seed this year. The guy who's doing this video is saying they're going to be a 13 seed and I have no idea why they would be so low. Wendy is a top 10 player and the surrounding pieces have played with each other for a little bit so I think that will elevate them
San Antonio looks good. That whole Texas teams look scary good.
@@fkp1692 / 7-10 seeds are in the play-in to play for the 7th 8th seeds, yes?
@@superQman600 / You, everybody and their grandmother are underestimating the monster year VW is going to have. He has Jordanesque competitive fire that will get him in the GOAT conversation in 10 years.
Clippers look solid in pre season. They also have depth. No Paul George or Kahwi and guys like Kevin Porter Jr and in fact Zubac have shown they got that extra in there bag to replace the buckets. Kai Jones is there X factor. Guy is a menace. He’s everywhere and James Harden has shown he can be the first option still 👍 that’s without Kahwi. They will be fine.
Jeez i wonder who he has winning the finals and being mvp, def not bias 😂
I mean, obviously there is some bias being a fan, but there’s also actual credibility because SGA finished 2nd last year and on paper, Oklahoma City is just as well built and talented as Boston as they are both are head and shoulders above everyone else in the NBA the only two teams that come even close to them would probably be Dallas and the Knicks potentially Denver if they make some trades somehow, but that’s it really
Finished 2nd last year purely because of team success, Luka is a better player in almost every facet, that 30 point free throw merchant is not making top 2 in mvp voting this year and he'll get bounced out of the playoffs by dallas again 😂😂@@sadmarinersfan8935
Warriors will be top 6 this year because they got better while a few teams got worse
As a Celtics fan , I thought better of you. I really did.
in my opinion the KAT trade actually made them a worse regular season team, worse depth and casual play but definitely better for the playoffs
I think the thunder are very good but in my opinion won’t make west finals. I don’t think Mavs will either.
C's in 6 over everyone, always
Lowkey hating on warriors they gonna be better then the rockets and clippers for sure
I would be shocked if they were better than the Rockets and clippers the only way that happens is if Steph Curry just has one of the best seasonings of his career then maybe he could carry them to close to the play in
Knicks in 7. I got them winning & go to the finals
Celtics back to back. No one is beating Boston
They want the warriors to be bad. So bad
you didnt even rtied to hide your bias on this one and i respect it. Shai as a 1st seed, MVP and FMVP at 26 yers old and on his second year as a top 5 player it is not believable at all.
That’s what I’m saying. I don’t understand why people are just accusing him of being biased like he finished second in MVP voting last year Oklahoma City was having two big weaknesses away from probably making the finals last year like it’s not like he’s out here as a fucking pelicans fan saying oh, they are going to the finals and Zion going to an MVP both of his opinions are very logical.
Regarding the grizzlies, if you’re gonna assume health for all these other teams than you have to for the grizzlies as well. Makes no sense to be like oh well they’ll be injured so write them off but other teams don’t have injuries too? Never understood that argument. Just assume all teams healthy and go from there…
the finals could be so random like Heat vs Warriors
Heat maybe Warriors no way i have them as the 13th seed
Most random comment ever lol.
@@emilfrederiksen.1622 I think we're overdue for a "who could have predicted this" type of season.
I mean, there’s always a chance that Miami could sneak into the playoffs and just get hot, but I can’t see a world where Golden State actually makes the playoffs even if Curry has a ridiculous carry job. It’s going to take a lot for them to even be a play in team
Pretty good list. Memphis gonna be around 6 to 3.
West will be OKC. Minnesota Dallas Mavericks Denver. Memphis Phoenix lakers Sacramento golden state spurs. East Boston New York Knicks Bucks. 76ers. Pacers. Cleveland Miami Atlanta Charlotte. And Milwaukee Bucks will win the championship. Or Boston.
Or. Oklahoma or minnesota. Or Denver
I really think people are overrating Klay and underrating Hield and the depth pieces. I dislike the Warriors, but I think they're going to be far better than last year. They've looked very good in the preseason so far while Klay has looked terrible. Hield has never gotten to play in a system like this, plus who cares that his defense sucks? So does Klay's at this point. At least Hield won't take terrible shots. And the depth pieces like Anderson and Melton can help defensively. Plus, presumably Draymond won't be suspended for 25 games again.
Nobody is beating the Celtics in a 7 game series, healthy or not. NOBODY!
Spurs will make the play in for sure cone 😴😴😴
Luka mvp
I truly think warrior will beat the lakers and kings in the standings pre-season showed that even when buddy and Steph have a bad game the bench unit will destroy any other teams the warriors bench unit is extremely slept on the out scored the lakers bench something g like 61 to 35
its hard to take preseason serious but when your 4-0 that means you have a good bench for the most part. I personally think they will be a top 5 team not because of the preseason but just because they are way deeper than last year. With klay gone kuminga is going to go crazy.
@@fresnoniiji they’re 5-0 now there bench has been great and they have way more decent defense then people give them credit for
@@fresnoniiji not saying they will win it all but I think they will be in the play off picture this year fs
@@fresnoniijiBench is deep. I think they do have the best bench in the league or at least one of the best bench. They lost Klay but they got absolutely 5+ shooters who can shoot to compliment Curry. Added more defenders, guards and wings. They play really fast as well. They gas teams out. They want Kuminga Nd Wiggins to set up the offense by attacking the paint and run teams out in the fast break.
@@javierlandaverde4108 thank u someone else that sees what I’m seeing if there buckets drop it’s gg but they will live and die by the 3. Luckily they have the best 3 point shooter of all time
Bucks for 2025 champs
Imagine If they choose Shai for the Netflix show the starting five 💯
You’re not even mentioning OG anuoby for defensive player of the year finalist.
I think the king can be right there in the 2nd teir of the west I like them about as much as the suns
Actually try having a based opinion that isn’t bias
This guy loves OKC and dogs Mavs every chance he gets
@@TheMockedyhe's still traumatised from okc getting bounced by dallas last year 😂😂
west: OKC, Mavs, Minn, Kings, Dev, Phx, Pels, LAL, Hou, Mem
east: Bos, NYK, Cavs, 76er, Mil, Orl, Pac, Mia, Atl, Char
Wait is this in order
Idiotic
I agree on most but the Pacer's are insanely low.
@@ScottySkilz1 Houston is better than the Pels dev phx and lakers , they are neck and neck with kings Memphis
Grizzlies is weird, in a tricky situation where it all depends if Ja stays healthy. They have a decent bench. Starting lineup is good. 👍 I think you are too high on Banes as a second option. More like a third option or fourth option. Hasn’t really develop with ja out last year. He reached his ceiling and limited with speed.
If Shai isn't MVP, FMVP, the OKC doesn't win the West, That means he is a world class choker.
No issues with any of this. Except, if Dallas is gonna be the #3 seed, wouldn’t they play the Thunder in the 2nd round? Given if both teams win first round.
Giannis MVP
Why is everyone D riding OKC
Because they were one of the best teams in the NBA last year top five in offense, top five in defense an MVP runner up. And the teams two big weaknesses they solved in the off-season with getting rid of giddy and replacing him with Alex Caruso. And getting an actual quality second big man with Isaiah Hartenstein like for me the only way they don’t at the very least make a deep playoff run if not make the finals is if the team gets injured and even then they can still be pretty good because they have such a ridiculous amount of depths just like Boston does that’s why both of these teams should be inseparable in championship talk because they both have all it all
They are the kings from 2 seasons ago, benefitted from basically no injuries, they'll get humbled this season tho the same way sacramento did, just watch
@@ArkhamDeluxe I definitely disagree even if they have some injuries like they already do this year outside of the center position, which of course is what they right now lol they also got a fuck ton of depth. And unlike the kings that year who were bad defensively if I remember right. OKC is at worst top 5 probably top 2 or 3 defensively this season I feel like the people who are underestimating them didn’t watch them last year or what they did this offseason just giving my opinion
Most improved
Duece McBride
Also for 6th man of the year
Boston does not repeat
OKC is one year away
It’s between Dallas and New York
All I want is one of two scenarios:
- Wemby and C Flagg
- OKC Flagg + Russ Returns and stays til retirement.
Nuggets will not be a #2 seed they should be swapped with Suns. Kings don’t have enough depth and Derozan fit isn’t good. The should be swapped with Rockets.
Pels below the Lakers ☠
Nah dude, Nuggets are too high on this list and Thunder could make finals but they won't beat the team from East
how tf you gonna say Bam’s team is not gonna be good enough for him to win dpoy but wemby is the favorite to win it even with his team having a losing record smh make it make sense i hate that the media decides who wins individual awards it should be the players and coaches voting and wtf is the criteria like what qualifies you cus it’s literally different for every player
1. The Knicks look good on paper, but I think injuries will derail their season. You did not even consider that.
2. Picking OKC because "it's hard to repeat" is a weak rationale. The Celtics are intact from last season, even better chemistry. And they seem to be even hungrier to make a statement after being dissed last season. The majority of "pundits" and "analysts" picked Dallas to win last season, and we know how that worked out.
I do see Boston and OKC in the finals tho.
And injuries couldn’t derail any other team especially Boston? KP is injury prone and imo they won’t go back to back if he doesn’t play.
It’s just baseless to play the injury game when every team is susceptible to it.
Pels have a good center in Theis. They could use a backup though.
GSW has a way deeper roster than last year no way get worse lol
its not that dallas isnt the type of team that wont grab a top seed. They made a trade mid season and thats when they got hot. Klay is exactly what they needed
kcp is overrated imo. He avg 10pts a game. They got braun and they added russ and saric. they have definitely improved
I still despise the play in. Been what 4 years of it now and has a 9 or 10 seed done anything? Lakers as a 7 and heat as an 8 in 2023 going to the WCF and the finals was cool but those teams would’ve been in there anyway with the normal format. Just such a dumb hype trick to me
all his predictions are horribly wrong and for a team that didn’t even make it to the conference finals idk why people are so high on the thunder i get that they’re young and talented but they’re not beating the nuggets, mavs or the lakers in the playoffs.
LMAOOOOOOO BOZO JUST CURSED US RIP 🪦 💯
MVP doncic
Celtics repeat. No more discussions
I don't really like your Warriors prediction. I understand that their defense is lacking but with the amount of decent shooters they have on the team along side Steph Curry I'm saying that they make the playoffs this year or at least get very close. Maybe they even go far in the playoffs, have to see if their defense improves. But 12th spot is very low in my opinion. Same for Spurs, I think they won't make the playoffs but at least be like 9th or 10th seed with a good Wemby plus Paul. Also, no way clippers and lakers and sac are above warriors. Furthermore, I think you placed suns and nuggets too high, especially the suns.
Everyone beat the clippers! Plz last place would be sooooooo gooood . Obviously im a thunder fan.
Hot take, Kings are a 3 seed
No was Shai is the MVP. No where near as good as Luka.