Finally, it's time for the 2015-2016 NBA season. Here are the preseason Team Chemistry Rankings. The primary contenders from the Western Conference are the Spurs, Warriors, Clippers, Thunder, and Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the primary contenders from the Eastern Conference are the Cavaliers, Hawks, Bulls, and Wizards.
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Atlanta Hawks
8. Chicago Bulls
9. Washington Wizards
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Houston Rockets
12. New Orleans Pelicans
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Miami Heat
15. Phoenix Suns
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
17. Boston Celtics
18. Los Angeles Lakers
19. Portland Trail Blazers
20. Milwaukee Bucks
21. Charlotte Hornets
22. Utah Jazz
23. Sacramento Kings
24. Brooklyn Nets
25. Indiana Pacers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. New York Knicks
28. Detroit Pistons
29. Philadelphia 76ers
30. Orlando Magic
Western Conference:
The Spurs remain the model franchise for building a championship-caliber team that plays well together and gets along off the court. New additions LaMarcus Aldridge and David West combine with Tim Duncan to make arguably the strongest post rotation of the 21st century. With Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker nearing retirement, the Spurs look to win one more championship with them while solidifying Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, and Danny Green as their new cornerstone players.
The defending champion Warriors retain most of their core players and continue to show tremendous team chemistry. They retain a high-powered offense but face the challenges of a healthier Western Conference on the road to defending the championship.
The Clippers add strong contributors Paul Pierce, Pablo Prigioni, Josh Smith, and Lance Stephenson to a deep roster. They are well-coached and look to fight for the top spot in the West.
A model of gritty defense and consistency, the Grizzlies remain a strong contender in the West. They can control game tempo and score enough to win, but they may be at the end of their run with their current group.
With health hopefully on their side, the Thunder look to make it or break it with their current core group. They have been together for a long time, but they must win big and contend to be able to retain Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Other strong Western Conference teams are the Mavericks, Rockets, and Pelicans. The Mavericks continue to replenish a competitive roster under good coaching. Meanwhile, the Rockets seem to have as much talent as anybody, but their chemistry down the stretch has not seemed to measure up with the other Western powers. As for the Pelicans, they are a young, emerging team with a budding superstar in Anthony Davis.
Eastern Conference:
The Cavaliers are the clear team to beat in the East. Injuries to start the season will make the first half of the regular season difficult. If they can get healthy, the combination of stars LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving with role players such as Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, and Tristan Thompson should power their way to the NBA Finals.
The Hawks have the influence of the Spurs and established themselves as a Grizzlies style team in the East. They retain most of their core group and should again contend for the Eastern Conference championship.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have changed coaches but continue to run with a strong core group with good chemistry. Injuries and a lack of offensive fire power remain hindrances in their chase for the East.
The Wizards are a young, exciting, emerging team that had enough talent and firepower to beat the Hawks last year if John Wall did not get injured. They may supplant the Hawks and Bulls and challenge the Cavaliers head on for the conference championship.
The Raptors and Heat both bring toughness and talent to the mix, with the Celtics, Bucks, and Hornets close behind.
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Atlanta Hawks
8. Chicago Bulls
9. Washington Wizards
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Houston Rockets
12. New Orleans Pelicans
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Miami Heat
15. Phoenix Suns
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
17. Boston Celtics
18. Los Angeles Lakers
19. Portland Trail Blazers
20. Milwaukee Bucks
21. Charlotte Hornets
22. Utah Jazz
23. Sacramento Kings
24. Brooklyn Nets
25. Indiana Pacers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. New York Knicks
28. Detroit Pistons
29. Philadelphia 76ers
30. Orlando Magic
Western Conference:
The Spurs remain the model franchise for building a championship-caliber team that plays well together and gets along off the court. New additions LaMarcus Aldridge and David West combine with Tim Duncan to make arguably the strongest post rotation of the 21st century. With Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker nearing retirement, the Spurs look to win one more championship with them while solidifying Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, and Danny Green as their new cornerstone players.
The defending champion Warriors retain most of their core players and continue to show tremendous team chemistry. They retain a high-powered offense but face the challenges of a healthier Western Conference on the road to defending the championship.
The Clippers add strong contributors Paul Pierce, Pablo Prigioni, Josh Smith, and Lance Stephenson to a deep roster. They are well-coached and look to fight for the top spot in the West.
A model of gritty defense and consistency, the Grizzlies remain a strong contender in the West. They can control game tempo and score enough to win, but they may be at the end of their run with their current group.
With health hopefully on their side, the Thunder look to make it or break it with their current core group. They have been together for a long time, but they must win big and contend to be able to retain Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Other strong Western Conference teams are the Mavericks, Rockets, and Pelicans. The Mavericks continue to replenish a competitive roster under good coaching. Meanwhile, the Rockets seem to have as much talent as anybody, but their chemistry down the stretch has not seemed to measure up with the other Western powers. As for the Pelicans, they are a young, emerging team with a budding superstar in Anthony Davis.
Eastern Conference:
The Cavaliers are the clear team to beat in the East. Injuries to start the season will make the first half of the regular season difficult. If they can get healthy, the combination of stars LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving with role players such as Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, and Tristan Thompson should power their way to the NBA Finals.
The Hawks have the influence of the Spurs and established themselves as a Grizzlies style team in the East. They retain most of their core group and should again contend for the Eastern Conference championship.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have changed coaches but continue to run with a strong core group with good chemistry. Injuries and a lack of offensive fire power remain hindrances in their chase for the East.
The Wizards are a young, exciting, emerging team that had enough talent and firepower to beat the Hawks last year if John Wall did not get injured. They may supplant the Hawks and Bulls and challenge the Cavaliers head on for the conference championship.
The Raptors and Heat both bring toughness and talent to the mix, with the Celtics, Bucks, and Hornets close behind.