With the 2015-16 NBA season beginning, we are going to project the final standings come playoff time. Last season was a huge surprise with the Golden State Warriors winning a franchise high 67 games. They also won the NBA finals for first time since 40 years. Steph Curry, not surprisingly, won the Most Valuable Player award, averaging 24 ppg and 7 apg.

1. Eastern Conference

Now we’ll go into our 2015-16 previews. Starting at the top of the east, we have the Cleveland Cavaliers. We feel the Cavs have more chemistry and have signed some key missing players. They went out and picked up Mo Williams, a veteran point guard who could help depth perception. One thing they need to do is sign Tristian Thompson, a 6’11 forward that has help them on defense and on the boards. LeBron is on a mission this year to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland.

2. Miami Heat
The reasons why we think the Heat will finish in second are because of some key additions like Justise Winslow, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Gerald Green. With a healthy Chris Bosh returning and the 33-year-old Dwayne Wade who has little left in the tank, Miami should be a dangerous team in the east.

3. Chicago Bulls
Assuming Derrick Rose can be healthy and back to his MVP play, the Bulls can be very dangerous. Lacking offense from seasons in the past, they signed a new head coach, Fred Hoiberg, to help the offensive struggles. Jimmy Butler will be a key player for the Bulls and he will have to put up big numbers in order for them to compete with the cavaliers.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Coming off a fantastic year that no one expected, we think that this won’t happen again. The Hawks haven’t done anything to improve from last season and losing Demarre Carroll will definitely hurt them defensively. If the Hawks don’t make any changes soon then we see them progressively getting worse as the season goes on.

5. Washington Wizards
The young back court, filled with speed and lots of energy, includes John Wall and Bradley Beal. We feel that this could be one of the biggest threats to the Cavs. If the Wizards can get to the conference finals with all the confidence in the world, they could be a scary team to face. Losing Paul Pierce is a big blow to them; he was a big part in the nice playoff run last year and was a big voice in the locker room. His absence will be an enormous loss.

6. Toronto Raptors
Adding Demarre Carroll will help them on the defensive end, where they struggled last season. According to sources, Kyle Lowry is healthier and in the best shape of his life. They’re going to need him to be a lethal weapon on the offensive side, putting up huge numbers. If the Raptors can stay healthy for most of the season they can be a dangerous team in the playoffs.

7. Milwaukee Bucks
Second year Head Coach Jason Kidd did a great job last year by taking his young and depleted Bucks team all the way to the playoffs. In the offseason they got something they really needed – a big man. Greg Monroe, the 6-foot-11-inch forward who averaged 15 ppg a year ago. Looking to be the “go-to guy,” Jabari Parker needs to be healthy in order for them to be a dangerous playoff team.

8. Indiana Pacers
Paul George coming into his first full season in about two years looks to get off to a great start. The Pacers will need him to be a big factor on leading the team now that David West is gone. They aren’t the same team as they once were. Losing both of their big men can hurt them, but also adding Monte Ellis brings plenty of offensive upside.

9. Boston Celtics
10. New York Knicks
11. Brooklyn Nets
12. Charlotte Hornets
13. Orlando Magic
14. Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference

1. Houston Rockets
Key addition Ty Lawson should help them lead the way at point guard. The sneaky 5-foot-11-inch guard, who averaged 15 ppg and 10 apg, could turn Houston into the most complete overall team in the NBA, certainly in the west. James Harden and Dwight Howard are both all-stars ready to take this team deep into the playoffs and make a serious run. As long as Dwight Howard stays healthy and Harden continues playing at an MVP caliber level this team can be dangerous.

2. Golden State Warriors
Not making any major changes shouldn’t affect them in a bad way, nor should it help them. We see them regressing a little this season just because they shoot so many threes. Coming off a 67 win season will be hard to top but with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in the back court they still will be “the team to beat.”

3. San Antonio Spurs
A combination of seasoned vets and young talent could be a very dangerous team. Bringing in the biggest free agent, Lamarcus Aldridge, will be their main scorer and go-to guy. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobli will have limited roles but will be key guys when times get hard and the team is struggling. We think this team could be very good but you never know, the Spurs could just be too old and worn out.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Missing the playoffs for the first time in a couple years could give them motivation to be a dangerous team this coming season. Coming back off a leg injury Kevin Durant is healthier than ever and ready to get back into the MVP run. Hopefully, getting production from their bench this year could be a huge contribution to the team.

5. L.A. Clippers
This is a very dangerous team making a ton of positive offseason moves. Adding Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, Wesley Johnson and Josh Smith should make them a serious contender. If everyone stays healthy and plays together this team could potentially be the best team in the playoffs. Having the most depth in league will help them because guys will be rotating and nobody should be worn out by playoff time. Signing Deandre Jordan was a huge move for this franchise, due to the fact that he is a great defensive center and could finish smoothly around the rim.

6. Phoenix Suns
Picking up Tyson Chandler will definitely help them with defense and rebounding. If Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight could play together in the back court watch out for the Suns. The Suns put up a lot of threes every night. Picking up Mirza Teletovic will help them spread the floor and increase their 3-point percentage.

7. New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis leading the way needs to be in the MVP discussion in order for them to be a dangerous. Last season he took a huge jump and surprised everyone by taking them to the playoffs, losing a tough series to Golden State. We don’t see them making much noise in the playoffs but could shock teams if they take the Pelicans lightly.

8. Memphis Grizzlies
This eight seed could be a battle for a couple teams in the mix but we feel the Grizzlies’ defensive presence will push them in front. Arguably one of the best centers in the league, Marc Gasol needs to have a big year once again. Lack of bench play and scoring could hurt the Grizzlies if they want to make a run for the title.

9.Los Angeles Lakers
10. Sacramento Kings
11. Dallas Mavericks
12. Portland Trail Blazers
13. Utah Jazz
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Denver Nuggets