As far as the Heat are concerned, I could see them getting an 8th seed and possibly better (with the addition of Boozer or another big-time player).
However, Wade needs to play 80 games again and the odds of that happening are likely at least 10:1. Jermaine O’Neal staying on the court is even more of a longshot.

If Miller gels with the team and Oden gives them something more than 6 rebounds and 6 fouls a game then Portland could be a #4 seed. Until that happens, I’m going to stick with the Nuggets…even though I don’t think their record will be nearly as good this season.

I hope I’m right about your Clips. It will be a lot more fun watching the games!

I’m with others in thinking that the Raps are a 7-8 seed at best. I’m with you though in saying that da Bulls will definitely win more games than Detroit and that toasterhands might as well start writing right now. My question, toast, is are you gonna write an article for each of those teams that ends up doing better than Detroit, or just one article no matter how many of ‘em outdo the Pistons? That being said, I could easily see them doing better than Indy & Philly. But I could also see ‘em doing worse.

But back to you Drew — Miami as 11th? Sure they didn’t improve, but they didn’t really lose anyone semi-decent except Jamario Moon. Shouldn’t they do as well as last year when they were 5th? Or do you think Wade’s not gonna make it through the year without getting injured? ‘Cuz that’s the only way I see them not making the playoffs.

I also think the Blazers should be one spot up and ahead of Denver. Only a few games separated them last year, and between Kleiza being gone, Billups being a year older, and on the other side Andre joining the Blazers, Oden having another year under his belt, and all their key players actually improving by being a year older, I think that’ll be enough to edge out the Nugs. But I do think all them teams in the middle will be tightly packed and separated by one a few games here and there.

Oh, one other question mark is the Knicks since they still haven’t signed Nate, David Lee or potentially Ramon Sessions to even 1-year deals. With the players who actually are currently signed, the Knicks’d be lucky to be 13th. I mean who’s the young talent otherwise? Chris Duhon? Al Harrington? Jared Jeffries? Eddy “I Eat Gallons Of” Curry? Darko? The only one they’ve got is Wilson Chandler. Maybe Gallinarionnioni might be good but he’s yet to show it in the NBA.

Lastly, of course, me at FullyClips.com thanks you for putting my boys at 8. I think you might be right about them. And I am in no way biased.