I believe Houston will be 4 seed next year's playoff even without any big move in the summer. Our starters and benches have come a long way since the start of the season. Beverely has proved that he can be a quality backup and he's defense is just overwhelming. Next season I think there will be a few teams just like this year's Houston. Teams like New Orlean, Washington, and Sacramento (maybe) will shock people. New Orlean is deep. Washington has all the talent. I remember they lost all the games earlier but when they won, they beat those best teams. John Wall has been doing great getting the best out of the supporting cast. Sacramento just needs a new management if they don't move and a new coach. If they can get a good PG to run the team, Sacramento will be scary. Anyway, if D-Mo improves his D or we acquire another big man, Rockets can be one of the top teams IMO.
Not unless we bring in Dwight, Josh Smith, Millsap, etc. The current group of DMo, Parsons, Asik, etc. has some talent, but isn't athletic enough to be a dark horse.
Passing who? The Spurs? The Grizzlies? I think we will be significantly better, but I can't figure who we could pass up.
how can you realistically look at next season without having a playoff to objectively measure this team...
Not so sure that we will no 4 seed mainly because there are 3 or 4 teams behind us in standings that have grossly underachieved. Lakers, Blazers, Mavs and Jazz. No reason to think that they won't improve next year also. We will also be better and I truly hope that your prediction holds true but it will be tougher as we will be marked team next season.
I could see Wizards coming especially NYK will face age and injury issues the next year. Kings seems figuring out their rotation after the trade! Yes, they needs a good management in order to prevent wasting their picks and drafting the duplicated position. New Orleans would be depending on what are they going to do with Eric and development of their rookies. Davis and Rivers missing lots games due to injury is not a good sign therefore I don't see them as dark horse IMo
The j*zz could be a dark horse next year if they cut ties with Millsap and Jefferson and 2 of the following players (Hayward, Favors, Kanter) takes the next step up in their games.
Not sure I agree with us jumping up to the 4 spot unless we make a move for a stud, but it's possible I suppose... As for possible dark-horses or surprise teams, I'd probably go with.... -Washington -Philadelphia -Portland -Minnesota
It depends on the draft, really. I could see either the Wiz or Cavs moving up. If the Bucks make a big move (I think they will) I could see them being about a 5th seed. I think the East Standings will look like this: Miami Chicago New York Indiana (who will have the better record than NY, but will get screwed by the rules) Milwaukee Brooklyn Boston (or Atlanta) Wiz (or Cavs) Philly will blow it up, and be near the bottom. I think Portland might make the playoffs next year, at the expense of us or golden state.
"Teams 1 to 4 in each conference are the three division winners and the team with the next best regular-season record, with the seeding of these four teams determined by regular-season record"
Milwaukee has been darkhorses since the Glenn Robinson days... I think they're due a bump in seeding to about 6th..... and then become road kill in the 1st round
