I would say between the 4th and 6th. Dallas and the Kings would be top 1 and 2 seeds, Spurs would be the 3rd seed. Lakers would be the 7th or 8th seed if they can sneak in, but if they do better, they might get the 6th seed. Since it is better for us to avoid the Mavericks, Kings and the Lakers, the optimal playoff spot should be between the 4th and the 6th, that way, we will play either the Suns or the Spurs. If playoff is held today, the top seeds are: 1. Mav 2. Kings 3. Spurs 4. Suns 5. Houston 6. Portland 7. Minnesota 8. Utah
Suppose we play the Suns, how do we beat them? Match up: Ming vs ? Jake EG vs. Amare Rice/Posey vs. Marion Cat vs. Penny Steve vs. Marbury
I think we have a chance to beat the Spurs or the Suns. The PF spot is going to be a problem against the Spurs, but I do not think Amare will pose too much a problem for EG.
It will be a tough game Ming vs ? Jake - edge Rox EG vs. Amare - edge Suns Rice/Posey vs. Marion - edge Suns Cat vs. Penny - slight edge Rox Steve vs. Marbury - slight edge Rox It will be a close game...
So youd rather just postpone the inevitable? What good does that do us? Why not take on the best right away? Lets see what we are made of.
Codell: If we can beat the Suns and get into the second round, we will face Mav or the Kings. At the same time, Rox fans will be happy and players get more playoff experience.
If we can get 1 or 2 series under our belt that offers more playoff experience and builds confidence. But if we make it, I'll be happy with whatever matchup we get.
We just see things differently. The experience of playing an elite team in the playoffs will serve as a better experience for our players than playing a lesser team than ours.
The Suns actually scare me because they have a pretty good blend of veteran leadership (Hardaway, Googs, Outlaw) and youth (Marbury, Marion, Amare). On paper, they are not the scariest team in the West but that also scares me because the Rockets may overlook this team. THey don't have the rep of the Lakers, Mavs, Kings, or Spurs and they don't bring out a I-hate-that-team mentality like the Blazers or j*zz. How I see the matchups: Ming vs. Jake -- Ming has to decimate Jake/Voskuhl/Williams Mobley vs. Hardaway-- Cat's a better player but has only a slight edge b/c Penny has the experience and has come up big in the playoffs before Taylor/EG vs. Amare -- will the high schooler be a deer in the headlights because if he's not, he could be a handful. I'm glad the playoffs aren't right now because we'd be in real trouble at this spot. Steve vs. Stephon -- two embattered PGs play in their first playoffs Rice/Posey vs. Marion -- can two role players stop a potential all-star. Our bench is deeper but Phoenix so we have the edge there. Maybe by playoff time, Hardaway and Googs have broken down and Amare has hit the rookie wall (and Ming hasn't). Otherwise, it's pretty even. Therefore, it would come down to who has the home-court advantage.
I seriously doubt that the Suns will finish ahead of the Rockets this year. They aren't that good. If the Rockets played the Suns in the playoffs, I would be giddy. It would be an easy four game series win. I am hoping that the Rockets finish fourth, and the Sonics finish fifth. That way, I get to cheer the Rockets on in the playoffs here in Seattle.
I think we are going to be either the 5th or the 6th seed. We will also get into the second round because EG will develop in the second half of the year. But the Kings will eliminate us from the second round
Surely the experience of being an 'elite' team and beating a 'lesser' team will do wonders for the players confidence in the playoffs? I wouldn't want the team to get swept out of the first round - but then again I think we all agree that a first round exit this year is better then no playoffs at all! So far this season we've been in the hunt for the 3-4 spots - I'd hope that we can continue to pursue the top 4 and get home court advantage for at least one series - and a second round series would be a dream (no pun!).
The sonics have some work to do to get anywhere near that 5th seed - what are they, 2-7 since their 7-2 start? I hope they get it together (for your viewing pleasure )
I see what you are saying. Id rather take my chances playing the Kings in a 1st round, 5 game series where we may catch them off guard, rather than the 2nd or 3rd round in a 7 game series. Also, I dont believe the team learns anything by beating a team it should beat. I belive a team learns something when playing a team it shouldnt beat. You only learn how to beat a team by playing them, not avoiding them.
hummmm....i think it's just a bit early maybe to be talking about playoffs and seedings...there's only 3 games between 3rd and 8th...
It is A BIT too early. The Rockets will be ranging from 3rd place to 6th place. They can't do better unless a team just dies and they can't do worse unless somebody important gets injured or Rudy doesn't make any new plays. The Suns are a good team.
marbury actually was on those t-wolves teams that we used to sweep out of the first round in the late 90s before francis was here. ahhhh good times
That's right. Thanks HAYJON02! That was also where Barkley told KG and Marbury to enjoy that playoff series (their first) because after that, the playoffs will no longer be fun. Wow, was he a prophet!
