Top 3 teams predicted to have an awful season

[Full Surface]

My list (in no particular order):

1. Utah Jazz - It doesn't really take someone smart to figure this out. They lost two hall of famers and the heart of the team stood in both of those guys -- Malone and Stockton. Let's face it, Kirilenko and Harpring are good, but not good enough to lead the team to the playoffs. Clark might be able to add some offense to the team (that was a great trade they received from the Kings). They failed to sign Brad Miller and Maggette. I don't expect too much from the Jazz this season, unless a miracle happens.

2. LA Clippers - Almost every year, we've always said that the Clippers are finally going to make it to the playoffs. This off-season, they lost three important players in their core from last year: Olowokandi, Odom, and Miller. They did a smart and obvious move by matching both Brand's and Maggette's offers. They don't have a pointguard capable enough of bringing in a solid performance each game. Jaric may be able to fill in that position for a while as long as he continues to improve his skill.

3. Atlanta Hawks - They're in rebuilding process.. once again. They only have two players they still have that can give a decent performance are Terry and Abdur-Rahim. However, their bench looks to be a bit weak. They're planning on landing some big time free agents next season but money isn't the only factor to consider when signing getting a player to sign with your team.

How about your list?

[Vins15]

GS..They were so close to playoffs but losing arenas and jamison is just too much they did however get an unhappy Van Exel which is probably not gonna make them much better i predict they'll be the top four pick in the next year's draft

Jazz..losing perhaphs two of NBA's greatest players in one offseason...no luck signing high profile fa...itz woes for Jazz and back to the lottery after serval years of making the playoffs...

Hawks..once again back to rebuilding mode after promising the fans they would make the playoffs...going for the top pick in next year's draft..

[Jackal]

Bucks, Jazz and Hawks :
Reasons: Known.

[Bill Russell]

1 - Jazz: losing Karl & Johnny is too much...

2 - Hawks: bad curse on them... When Reef is your core player, you are on trouble.

3 - Dunno, prolly Golden State, dunno.

[Andrew]

1. Hawks

Traded away the Big Dog for Terell Brandon's contract. They weren't good enough to make the playoffs with last year's roster, so anything other than "top five pick in 2004" is wishful thinking.

2. Jazz

Lost two superstars, biggest offseason acquisition was Keon Clark. Unless Mark Jackson re-signs, they'll be left with a young, inexperienced point guard running the team. Jerry Sloan's a great coach, but without Stock and Malone, the team is a shell of its former self.

3. Warriors/Clippers/Bucks

The Clippers lost three starters, the Warriors lost two, and Milwaukee is definitely rebuilding. The Warriors had the furthest to fall though - they were actually in the playoff race for a while late last season. They've lost their best scorer and floor general, and gained a veteran who doesn't want to be there.

As for Los Angeles' "other team"...say what you will about Olowokandi, he's one of few legitimate centres left in the league. Odom has baggage, but plenty of talent too. Dre Miller couldn't duplicate his 2001/2002 form, but he was too good to let go without any compensation. They kept Brand and Maggette, but that's not enough.

Milwaukee is finally trying to get rid of Anthony Mason (whom they never should have signed in the first place), but it's too late. Ray Allen is gone and GP didn't re-sign. Glenn Robinson was shipped last offseason and Sam Cassell has been dealt to Minnesota. Like Utah, talented young players remain, but even in the Eastern Conference the Bucks have a very slim chance of even competing for the 8th spot late in the season.

[mcbiggins]

1) Jazz: they've got a bunch of backups and nobodies. And playing Stevenson at the point will just make matters worse.

2) Bucks: When your top 2 players are both 2nd option wingmen and everybody else is a pg or a big stiff, you're like the Knicks without the payroll.

3) Cavs: LeBron will be good. They'll be fun to watch. But 12 guys does not a team make.

[.]

Jazz - for the reasons what have been posted already
Hawks - for the reasons what have been posted already
Clipshow - for the reasons what have been posted already

[thaKEAF]

Bucks, Wizards and Jazz

All of them lost good players (Jordan, Payton/Allen, Malone/Stockton) and I really don't like the direction they'll be going in.

[Scary Hedo]

bucks - payton and cassel
jazz - lost there 2 franchise players
warriors - there 2 best players left, only real good player left is van exel and he can't make sure there winning by himself

[Full Surface]

Bucks, Wizards and Jazz

All of them lost good players (Jordan, Payton/Allen, Malone/Stockton) and I really don't like the direction they'll be going in.

I may be biased but I don't see the Wizards falling anywhere to the "worst teams" category. They lost MJ, that's true but they found players to make up for him. But they're your predictions I guess..

[wangster]

Bucks - basically lost all its star players in a matter of months

Utah - with their franchise players gone, officially starting the rebuilding phase

Clippers - still as bad as ever

[thaKEAF]

Well, now that I look at it I might agree with you.

If Stackhouse and Kwame can do something this season along with Arenas they won't be bad but it depends on what they do.

[TamuraBR]

Jazz, Hawks and Bucks.

And now without Collison, GP(for entire season), i put Sonics in list.