Wildcats arent a lock. They've played nobody and haven't travelled.

So agree Sem and Hawks are in...Melbourne and maybe breakers from wayback.. Brissy just might be a sleeper...

Hawks, Phoenix, United and Bullets would be my (uneducated guess) followed closely by Perth, Kings and NZ.
Sixers, Taipans and JJ off pace early, but it's a long season.

Brisbane in the top 4?

Historically, not likely. Since back in the league, the Bullets have promised finals' success, especially since the arrival of LP, but hardly delivered. Had Law been healthy and in form when LP returned to the team, the promise of playing in the post-season may have been fulfilled. But Law wasn't.

Law goes to Perth and Brisbane recruit Franks in his place. So far, it looks like Brisbane did not lose as much as would be expected. We already knew that Law is a stud, Franks was mostly reputation, still to prove his worth, let alone how good he can be. And shout to LP who really did make an effort, and succeeded, in turning up ready to play. Their addition (Franks & LP) to Sobey and company have turned the Bullets prospects

This year, the main challenge to the Bullets is the quality of the teams that they have to beat to make it into the 4. Signs are excellent, so far, with early results and the way the team is gelling, but leaving Perth out of top 4 and this year's Sydney Kings is very risky. If 1 of them do make it, I fear that it will be Brisbane who misses out, again.

Shano76, I like your predictions and hope that the Bullets do make it to the finals.

PS. Reckon that if Machado comes back in top form and can work with McCall, Cairns could be a dark-horse and surprise everyone (including me).

Hold very little hope for 36ers, JJs and NZ. Adelaide the worst performer (not necessarily last), as JJs are new and NZ have special issues to deal with.

On current form looks like Hawks, Phoenix, Wildcats and Bullets.

United defence looks great but need some more scoring power to crack top4

Kings just facing too many injury setbacks, I'd put them above Bullets if the injury list was cleaner, but slow starts to seasons make it hard to reach the 4.

Breakers have the talent but slow start makes it very difficult to reach the 4.

Taipans I have no idea, I imagine their sherr tenacity will get them some upsets but dunno where they will finish.

Jackjumpers I think are doing pretty good for a new team, but don't see them making the 4.

Adelaide I swear is a cursed org, I don't see them making it.

In fairness to the Kings, their bigs are good and plenty but who gets the ball to them is the issue?
Jaylen Adams and R.J.Hampton are the guys supposed to be doing that. Hard from the bench, both carrying injuries.
Bruce, Bayles, Vasiljevic & Glover are doing a fine job but that's the end of their guard depth.

Certainly the tendency is to have several ball carriers including forwards but to lose your 2, specialist, import guards is a bit much.

Healthy, and they're a good chance at the 4 and more.

Vasiljevic and Glover don't strike me as PGs - they excel at scoring rather than passing

Yes anon, uneducated. Like I said. So what's your top 4? Enlighten us oh wise NBL guru. Post your top 4 and a username....

Every time someone doubts the Wildcats it increases their odds of making the finals, just check the last 35 years...

I'm sick of the NBL’s Final Four, it’s bullshit! :@

Its always fun making predictions! This year seems as tough to predict as its ever been with the quality of imports across the league and the evenness of the comp. SEM and Hawks will probably make it on sheer depth of talent and Goorj. Wildcats haven't given us a reason to doubt them yet and i reckon United will get through with their solid defense and experience. The kings will always crumble when it matters and ive been impressed with Duncans coaching but Brissy will be unlucky to miss out too.

I'm not high on the hawks, but they will still make it.

My prediction:

#1 Perth
#2 Melbourne
#3 S.E. Melbourne
#4 Illawarra
#5 Brisbane
#6 Sydney
#7 Cairns
#8 Adelaide
#9 Tasmania
#10 New Zealand

New Zealand is only tenth because they will be on the road nearly all season. Tasmania aren’t consistent enough, same with Adelaide.

SEM, Perth, Hawks and United

Bris 5th
Sydney 6th
Adelaide 7th
Cairns 8th
NZ 9th
Tassie 10th

I'd be very confident in the final positions of 4 teams

SEM- a 2nd half game 3 capitulation away from a likely title. Much improved roster this time. Top 4.

Hawks- GOAT coach. Reath started well. Splash brothers. Cleveland good. Top 4.

Perth- You can only beat the teams in front of you. They're travelling very nicely with Norton, Hodgson yet to suit up and Blanchfield barely. Top 4.

Tassie- last, sadly.

The other 6 teams more interesting.

But United did enough on the weekend to put them in box seat for now.

Isaac Humphries extends the gelling period.
On radio, today - new coach, new players - not gelled yet.

Wildcats
United
Hawkes
Winning cultures, winning and proven coaches
Bullets
SEM
Kings
In a dog fight for last spot
Cairns,
Breakers
36s
Tassie
To play spoilers

Perth
Hawks
United
Sydney

Phoenix
Brisbane
Breakers

The rest

Thanks, Hoopie.
[copy and paste of other thread - just to be on the same page :-)]

Mid Season (2021-2022) now and some of the pre-season predictions need reviewing (wish I could find that recent thread).

The ladder, round 10, Feb/2022

S E MELB
MELB/U
PERTH
ILLAWARRA
SYDNEY
TAS
BRIS
ADELAIDE
CAIRNS
NEW ZEALAND
[Not an even number of games, From 11 to 8]

The top four seem to still be the top four, Brisbane and New Zealand are possibly the underachievers and Tasmania the overachievers.

As it stands, ATM, and as much as I want Brisbane "up there" I can't see anyone replacing the current four. The order of the four will, no doubt, change, as will the also-rans, but not the make up of either.

[If anyone can find the latest thread which referred to this season, please use it. When it goes to the top, I can catch up]

Your thoughts, at this stage?