This is the eighth version of this column -- our last big preseason tradition -- and I almost scrapped it. How can you predict anything in this league after the summer that just happened? Is any prediction too insane?
The goal here is to sift through all the trend lines and intel to make some reasonable off-the-beaten-path calls, and go out on some crazy, ultra-specific limbs.
I'd love if all of these turned out right! At least half will go bust. But where's the fun in playing it safe?
Golden State wins 70 games
I know all the reasons this shouldn't happen: malaise; exhaustion from their preseason China trip; Steve Kerr squeezing in several DNP-Rests for his stars; the Western Conference gauntlet; the proverbial bull's-eye on the back.