Has there ever been a time in NBA history where 7 teams in one conference can legitimately make a case for contending? Where the teams are so good that every team is loaded with three marque stars? and former all-stars coming off the bench? Plus an 8th seed that is good enough to pull off the biggest upset in NBA playoff history the prior year? Not to mention finally an east division that boasts two super powers, both of which may be better than any of the monster out west...and a third lead by the best player in the game? And whereas every playoff team except detroit and boston have upgraded their teams prior to the deadline (with boston still pursuing players) leaving us having no idea who the best team is????? I mean, it's insane: Cleveland - major changes to roster Suns - Added Shaq Lakers - added Gasol SA - added Kirk Thomas NO - added wells/james Houston - added Jackson GS - added Webber Mavs - added Jason Kidd Utah - added Korver Boston and Detroit may not be done Folks, take out GS, and that's 10 teams that has some shot at the title. Ridiculous. And these teams are stacked. This is going to be fun.
With only 5 1/2 games between 1st and 9th, it would be a minor upset at best. No one in the top 10 is guaranteed a playoff birth right now. This will be the greatest stretch run in NBA history. Every team in the West race will have to play every game until the bitter end...only to go straight into the playoffs where there are no weaklings. In the meantime, the #8 team in the East is 25-32 and 18 games out of the conference lead.
I think the East has a better chance of upsetting this year just because the 10 teams fighting for spots and positions will wear each other down in the regular season and then have to turn it on in the playoffs. If those series end in 6-7 games, yikes...
While I'm sort of excited about the playoffs, this regular season has gotten my attention like few others. I can't look forward to the playoffs yet.
I can't remember so many teams competing for just a SPOT in the playoffs. Look at the Hornets. In just a few days they fell so far in the pecking order. Every team has to be absolutely -locked- in right now going at least 7-3 over 10 game stretches to stay in the hunt.
Looking back, I'd have to say the last great playoffs were the 94-95. You had San Antonio, Seattle, Utah, Phoenix, and the Rockets out West all as legitimate contenders (actually the Rockets were written off), and Chicago, Orlando, and the Knicks out east. That's 8 contenders, compared to today's 9 or 10. In fact, 1995 might be the most storied run. hard to think....the years with Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, L.A, and Portland were also good
