i honestly doubt phx or dal will fall out of the playoffs. 1 or 2 losses could drop you from top 4 to 8th place.
I can't take Dallas or Phoenix seriously as contenders, but I do think they're making the playoffs. EVERYONE in the West is facing 10+ tough games in their respective schedules. It's not likely that anyone is going to do much better than 0.500 in those games. Evan
Dallas is still a very good basketball team. I believe that the trade for Kidd does not make them any worse than they were. The Mavs will make the playoffs, although I doubt that they are a contender for the championship this year.