1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Is the Southwest division going to be the best division in sports next year?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by bmd, Jun 28, 2014.

Tags:
  1. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,747
    Likes Received:
    3,517
    The only bad team in the division last year was the Pelicans. And now they are going to be healthy AND have Asik.

    They won 34 games last year and were DECIMATED by injuries. They could have probably won at least 6 more games if not for injuries last year, and they will probably win a few more next season just from Davis being improved and the team playing together last year and being more familiar with their coach's system. PLUS, they now have Asik. He should add at least 5 wins by himself.

    There is no reason why they can't be a 45-50 win team.

    Spurs
    Rockets
    Grizzlies
    Mavericks
    Pelicans



    Those are all solid top to bottom.

    Toughest division in sports?
     
    #1 bmd, Jun 28, 2014
    1 person likes this.
  2. TheRealist137

    TheRealist137 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Messages:
    33,384
    Likes Received:
    19,246
    Yes, sadly. I can see New Orleans making the playoffs. But I see Mavs sucking more so there's that.
     
    #2 TheRealist137, Jun 28, 2014
  3. photojoe

    photojoe Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Messages:
    3,175
    Likes Received:
    3,313
    Luckily the NBA doesn't determine who goes to the playoffs the same way that the NFL does.
     
    #3 photojoe, Jun 28, 2014
  4. Scolalist

    Scolalist Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2010
    Messages:
    3,590
    Likes Received:
    57
    I don't think New Orleans will make the playoffs but I can see them (healthy) winning 40-45 games.

    Rockets need to push for Lowry now. Im not high on Carmelo as a player or waiting for him to (slim to none) choose the Rockets over the Knicks, Bulls.

    Build the team with Lowry, the MLE, BAE and then try and package Lin, Parsons, Jones, picks for Love or another big time player.
     
    #4 Scolalist, Jun 28, 2014
  5. Roc Paint

    Roc Paint Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2001
    Messages:
    22,329
    Likes Received:
    12,438
    Are three of the teams from Texas? I would say yes.
     
    #5 Roc Paint, Jun 28, 2014
    1 person likes this.
  6. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,747
    Likes Received:
    3,517
    Really? You only see them winning 40-45 games?

    They won 34 games last year and were decimated by injuries more than any team in the league.

    Anthony Davis missed 16 games.
    Jrue Holiday missed 48 games.
    Jason Smith missed 51 games.
    Ryan Anderson missed 60 games.
    Tyreke Evans missed 10 and played injured a lot.

    I mean, their whole starting line-up was injured for a good part of the season.

    Now, they are all going to be healthy and they now have a legitimate center in Asik.


    I think all of that is worth more than only an increase of 6 to 11 wins.

    I'd say the bottom is +11 wins. so 45-50 is probably more accurate in my opinion.
     
    #6 bmd, Jun 28, 2014
  7. J.R.

    J.R. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    107,677
    Likes Received:
    156,820
    Already is the best division in basketball.

    Pelicans still on the outside looking in.

    San Antonio
    Oklahoma City
    LA Clippers
    Portland
    Houston
    Golden State
    Memphis
    Dallas
    Phoenix

    Minnesota
    Denver
    New Orleans
    Sacramento
    LA Lakers
    Utah
     
    #7 J.R., Jun 28, 2014
  8. RocketsJumer

    RocketsJumer Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Messages:
    13,677
    Likes Received:
    1,920
    It's been the best division in basketball for years now.

    Spurs and Mavericks being the two top dogs in the past with Memphis and Houston now challenging. New Orleans looks formidable now as well.

    Could a whole division make the playoffs? That would be a sight to see and maybe possible this next season and in the recent future.

    Spurs
    Thunder
    Clippers
    Rockets
    Grizzlies
    Blazers
    Mavericks
    Pelicans
     
    #8 RocketsJumer, Jun 28, 2014
  9. Pieman2005

    Pieman2005 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2009
    Messages:
    4,070
    Likes Received:
    188
    Good thing divisions don't matter in the NBA, but would be interested to see all the SW teams make the playoffs.
     
    #9 Pieman2005, Jun 28, 2014
  10. Kam

    Kam Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2002
    Messages:
    30,476
    Likes Received:
    1,322
    Could be wrong, but I don't think an entire division has made the playoffs together.
     
    #10 Kam, Jun 28, 2014
  11. DrNuegebauer

    DrNuegebauer Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2000
    Messages:
    11,919
    Likes Received:
    8,504
    It has been the best division in sports for about 10 years now....
     
    #11 DrNuegebauer, Jun 28, 2014
    1 person likes this.
  12. Nick

    Nick Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 1999
    Messages:
    48,192
    Likes Received:
    14,424
    NBA divisions don't matter... not sure why they still have them, and not sure why people make a big deal about them.
     
    #12 Nick, Jun 28, 2014
  13. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,747
    Likes Received:
    3,517
    Well they do matter a little.
     
    #13 bmd, Jun 28, 2014
  14. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,747
    Likes Received:
    3,517
    To elaborate, the 3 division winners in each conference automatically get a top 4 playoff spot.
     
    #14 bmd, Jun 28, 2014
  15. jordnnnn

    jordnnnn Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Messages:
    11,027
    Likes Received:
    12,019
    That and you without a doubt have to play the rest of your division 4 times each, while you generally play the rest of the leagues teams either 2 or 3 times. Great when you are in the east or the rest of your division sucks, not so great when you are in the southwest division.

    NO was already 7 games better than any other team at the bottom of their division last year and with Asik and some better injury luck should improve quite a bit.
     
    #15 jordnnnn, Jun 28, 2014
  16. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,747
    Likes Received:
    3,517
    Yep, good point. Playing in the SW division can hurt playoff seeding which means a tougher match-up in the first round.
     
    #16 bmd, Jun 28, 2014
  17. crash5179

    crash5179 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2000
    Messages:
    16,465
    Likes Received:
    1,290
    I can see the Pelicans being the worst team in the division, winning 48 or 49 games and still missing the play-offs! This division is going to be damn tough!
     
    #17 crash5179, Jun 28, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
ClutchFans Original

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now