Did the NBA preseason change our minds about anything?

This fall, we previewed every NBA team in a long string of FLANNS & ZILLZ correspondence as part of the SB Nation NBA preview. Since then, the preseason happened. So, let us change our minds about things we wrote over a month ago and, in some cases, renew our faith in our opinions. Enjoy.

ZILLER: Now that we’ve opened ourselves up to criticism by sharing our preseason opinions on every NBA team, it’s time for second thoughts. Also known as: let’s give Paul a chance to walk back his Clippers title pick.

I’m feeling differently about a couple of teams. First, I underrated the Celtics and think now there are seven sure East playoff teams barring injury. The C’s could win the Atlantic. But I’m also higher on the Wizards than I had been, and think they are a top bet to make the conference finals if they can avoid Cleveland in the second round.

I’m also a bit down on the Pacers. I underrated how difficult such a monumental sea of change in style would be, and I think I gave Myles Turner a bit too much credit coming off of Summer League. I’m far less confident in their playoff bid than I was previously, mostly because the East looks quite improved on the shallow end. The Pistons and Magic are going to be tough outs for Indiana.

Any East teams you have buyer’s remorse on?

FLANNERY: Miami is such a boom or bust pick, I could see that one blowing up in my face. Outside the Cavaliers finishing first and the Sixers bringing up the rear, all of the predictions in the East require a leap of faith. The general consensus has settled on the Bulls as the second-best team in the conference and that’s the one that makes the most sense. But I’m still confused as to why Fred Hoiberg isn’t pairing an offensive big with his defensive counter. Seems strange. The Hawks are hanging around, and the Wizards, too. I still don’t really know what to make of any of them right now, so this is all guesswork, even more than usual.

I think the Pistons might be the surprise team out there. I debated moving them ahead of Milwaukee for that last playoff spot. My doubts about the Bucks remain, but I do think they’ll figure themselves out by the middle of the season and that defense will be enough to get them 40 or so wins. The Celtics are the weirdest.

What I’m saying is, I still don’t have a great feeling about how the East will shake out, but I think we both agree that it ultimately won’t matter as long as Cleveland is relatively healthy.

How about the West? (No, I’m not changing my Clippers pick).

ZILLER: This is your last chance to change the Clippers pick, Paul. Time is running out!

Whatever optimism I had for the Lakers has dissipated substantially. I’ve read enough arguments (yours included) to feel my pick of the Suns over the Jazz is on real shaky ground. Can I be a homer for a second? The Kings have really impressed me in preseason. As long as DeMarcus Cousins stops shooting threes, they could actually, legitimately be in that race for No. 8.

I’m worried about these Pelicans injuries, and I think Portland could be better than the Mavericks. I remain a touch more skeptical of the Spurs than most, but my Memphis love is slacking a little.

FLANNERY: I’m riding with Doc till death or a torn ACL do us part.

It’s funny you mention that Suns/Jazz pick because I’m leaning the other way now. You’re very persuasive and I’m coming around on the young guys the Suns have developed, like T.J. Warren and Alex Len. I’m worried about the NOLA injuries, as well, but this is what they do. Those guys are always hurt. As long as AD is healthy they’re going to be a problem. (I am a little dismayed that Davis has turned into a popular choice for MVP.)

I’m not in on the Kings, though. I just think there’s too much potential for major disruptions and dysfunction coming from there. That said, with all of the New Orleans injuries, there may be an opening for one of our lottery teams to sneak into the field.

Are we both in agreement that the Warriors enter the season as the “best” team?

ZILLER: Oh no, we’ve made each other sway in our convictions! Except about the Clippers, apparently.

Golden State is the best team until proven otherwise. I maintain that the Thunder are knocking down that door -- especially now that we’ve seen some of the twists Billy Donovan has cooked up. We now know that Enes Kanter is going to be a bench guy despite his salary, and now that DION WAITERS LIVES. I really have drunk the OKC-oolaid.

FLANNERY: It’s between the Thunder and the Rockets for most people’s non-Warriors pick out West. Both are totally defensible, although I’m a little worried about Dwight Howard holding up throughout the season and into the playoffs. The early signs on Donovan have been encouraging, but not enough to make me change my pick.

Speaking of the Clippers, I’d like to promote the under-the-radar MVP candidacy of one Blake Griffin. He took a very small step back statistically last season, but I think there’s still room for him to improve. If LeBron-Durant-AD plus Steph Curry and James Harden represent the favorites coming into the season, is there anyone else you see mounting a challenge?

ZILLER: Other than DeMarcus Cousins, you mean? John Wall’s name belongs in these conversations. I believe Chris Paul should have been given more attention in the race last year. I’ll also plug Russell Westbrook to complete the point guard trifecta.

We didn’t cover leaguewide issues in our previews. I’d like to go on record as being skeptical that everyone is going to play a bunch of small ball.

FLANNERY: It feels like an over-correction doesn’t it? I did find it interesting that while everyone was loading up on wings and smallish forwards, the Spurs went out and got bigger. The key thing is being able to play multiple ways. The Warriors are obviously the best at this, but there’s a reason they start Andrew Bogut. Not every team has an Andre Iguodala to bring off the bench or a Draymond Green who can guard multiple spots.

The beautiful thing about basketball is that the sport always evolves and adapts. Teams played super fast in the 70s and 80s and then slowed way down in the 90s and into the last decade. We’re only now catching back up to speed. It’s only been a few years since the three-ball gained such league-wide acceptance and currency. There will be a new trend and a new, ugh, “market inefficiency” for smart teams to exploit and then everyone will be playing catch-up all over again.

We’ve gone this far and we haven’t talked about collective bargaining. That seems like a good omen. I’m an optimist and have been since the huge television money became real. You’re one of the most pessimistic people I know on this sort of thing, so how are you feeling about a potential work stoppage?

ZILLER: The fact that you and other smart people are optimistic makes me more optimistic. Maybe there is a deal that avoids a stoppage. But the cynic in me notes that the players think they got railroaded by bad leadership last time, so they may want to claw back some territory. New leadership on both sides has something to prove.

We haven’t had an NBA labor agreement in decades that didn’t at least go down to the very last minute. And I tend to think the extra money makes a tough fight more likely, actually: every half-percent matters even more. With the gaudy contract numbers we’re seeing, the league’s less fortunate franchises are going to feel nonplussed about small profits or breaking even. I think we’re still on the path to a war here. I’d love to be proven wrong.

The good news is that we still have two full seasons of basketball before we even get to that point. I say we revel in that a while longer before letting the gloom overcome us.

FLANNERY: Now is definitely the time for revelry. Let’s revel.

ZILLER AND FLANNERY: Let’s basketball!

[high-five]

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