My list
WEST
1. GSW
2. Spurs
3. Blazers
4. Clippers
5. Grizzlies
6. Wolves
7. Thunder
8. Jazz
EAST
1. Cavs
2. Raptors
3. Celtics
4. Pacers
5. Pistons
6. Hawks
7. Bucks
8. Bulls
I'll do this a bit differently because well, I cannot even pretend I know the final order.
East(I put the teams in each category in order of strength as I perceive it)
Teams that almost certainly make it to the playoffs
for sure: Cavs, C's, Pacers, Raps, Hawks. (behind the Cavs, the other four teams are really close, I still made a ranking just for the sake of it, but it doesn't have much value.)
Teams that should make it to the playoffs:Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando
Teams that should not make it to the playoffs: Milwaukee, Washington, Chicago, NYK
Teams that almost certainly won't make the playoffs:Miami, Philly, Nets
WestTeams that almost certainly make it to the playoffs
for sure: GSW, SAS, Portland, LAC
Teams that should make it to the playoffs: Houston, Memphis, Dallas, OKC
Teams that should not make it to the playoffs:Utah, NOP
Teams that almost certainly won't make the playoffs: Minny, Denver, Phoenix, LAL, Sacramento
Like last year, more teams are in the game of playoff contention in the East than in the West.
The other thing is I feel I am being too harsh on Utah. Rosterwise, they should make it. But I feel they lack experience star leadership compared to the other West Conference teams. Moreover, Hayward might get traded mid-season.
So,
East1. Cavs
2.C's
3. Pacers
4. Raps
5. Hawks
6.Detroit
7.Charlotte
8.Orlando
_______________
9. Milwaukee
10.Washington
11. Chicago
12. NYK
13.Miami
14.Philly
15.Nets
West1.GSW
2.SAS
3.Portland
4.LAC
5.Houston
6.Memphis
7.Dallas
8.OKC
______________
9.Utah
10.NOP
11.Minny
12.Denver
13.PHX
14.LAL
15.Sacramento
ESPN's predictions for the East:
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17131133/2016-summer-forecast-east-standingsESPN's predictions for the West:
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17131591/2016-summer-forecast-west-standingsEDIT: strikethrough typos. And gave the numerical order of the team's seeding so that I can laugh with it around x-mas.