Now that the T-Wolves seem dead in the water, OKC, LAC, SAS, MEM & DEN remain the 5 playoff locks. I still believe GS will have a hard fall eventually because of their C position. So, 3 teams out of the Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, Blazers & Jazz will make the playoffs. My bet is one of them will be the Lakers.
I think the loss of Brandon Rush is bigger than the loss of Andrew Bogut for them. He's their best perimeter defender and a 41% 3pt shooter that rebounds well. Bogut's absence is mitigated by the addition of Carl Landry. They are actually at their best when Lee and Landry are on the floor together. They do a number on other teams' front lines.
not that I disagree about the Lakers, but why does Denver get your 5th slot and not, say, Houston? that's, if, the Warriors fall.
Im going to make a bold prediction today and say there's too many egos on the Lakers team and they arent going to make the playoffs this season.
Denver's opening season schedule was crazy hard. Never seen anything like it. The Rockets' was easier than average. When things evens out, Denver will end up with a better record. I still have doubts about the Rockets' ability to maintain their current winning %. There is little doubt in my mind Denver's final winning % will be better than it is now. But you have to play out the season. I'm enjoying the ride so far. :grin:
Woj: "We know what those code words are for(re: Dwight's words): Kobe isn't passing me the ball. Dwight's problem with this team is earning the trust of those guys. This organization needs him to be dominant on D, which he hasn't been, and Dwight is saying if you want me to be great on D, I want the ball more on offense. How close to this team having to make a significant move? Only one significant move they can make and that's Gasol. Clearly he doesn't fit in Mike D'Antoni's system. Mike isn't adjusting his system for anyone. They're using him as a stretch four. That's not where he's going to be effective. He's one of the great post players in the last decade. If they won't find a way to get him the ball there and they're keeping the coach, no question they have to trade him."
"You want ball? Get my rebounds." "I don't pass you the ball because there's no trust." I don't blame the Dwight. I would hate running up and down the court just for the same player to jack up a contested shot.
God why do they think this is the players' fault? The Lakers have hired 2 freaking incompetent coaches (one doesn't know a lick about offense, and now one that doesn't know a lick about defense). D'antoni makes Gasol looks like a walking scrub, and Dwight like a Ben Wallace, while Steve Nash looks like a tiny bit version of DFish. Watching game right now, how does D'antoni even get the reputation that he can coach? This dude looks lost out there.
