Fansided

Picking every NBA over/under win total

By Brad Rowland

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) takes the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) takes the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the third quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Raptors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the third quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Raptors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Clippers – Over/Under 56.5 wins

The Clippers have more talent than they did a year ago, and given that, it is easy to see why they would improve on a 56-26 record. However, there are some potential roadblocks in the way of that regular season improvement.

Chris Paul appeared in all 82 games last season and, well, that isn’t likely to repeat itself. This is not me predicting injury for the game’s best point guard, but Paul has already suffered a broken left index finger in preseason, and given his age (30), it would be quite aggressive to assume that he repeats an 82-game performance. In addition, the talent that Los Angeles added to this year’s team includes Paul Pierce (who doesn’t care about the regular season), Lance Stephenson (who was one of the worst players in the NBA last year) and Josh Smith (who is Josh Smith).

There is a scenario in which everything clicks for LA and they reel off a 60-win season, but there are too many “ifs” for me to project 57-plus wins, even with two of the top ten players in basketball in Paul and Blake Griffin.

The Pick: Under (55-27)

Los Angeles Lakers – Over/Under 28.5 wins

This is a decision about Kobe.

The Lakers finished with 21 wins a year ago, and they are certainly better on paper. The additions of players like Roy Hibbert, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle should help Los Angeles a great deal, even if two of those players are in their first seasons with Hibbert as a lightning rod for criticism given his style of play. However, the biggest question about the Lakers is what they can extract from Kobe.

Personally, I believe Kobe can be a helpful commodity, but my confidence level in that happening under Byron Scott’s leadership is minimal. Bryant has shown no willingness to cede control on the court, and his athletic limitations at this point make him untenable as a primary option. As such, Scott’s tendencies that lead him toward the 1980’s aren’t the best match for this roster, and the talent influx can only help so much.

There is certainly a scenario in which things come together, Kobe plays more efficiently and the Lakers win 30+ games, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

The Pick: Under (25-57)

Next: Grizzlies and Heat

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