lets assume 2 things. 1. lewis signs with the mavs. 2.the clipps trade miles for miller the west would look something like this: 1. kings 2. mavs 3. lakers 4. spurs 5. clippers 6. rockets 7. blazers 8. t'wolves does this seem right? or will the west top eight remain unchanged except for LAC replacing seattle? this would mean that we miss the playoffs again. the jazz may still be able to make another push at the playoffs. the have 2 good centers now. 3, if you count ostertag. i say we still need to make one more move to asure us that we make the playoffs. i think we should sign either russell or bell as a back-up 2 for a portion of the MCE. then look into a rice and kt for a sf trade later on in the season. thoughts?
Whats with these horrible predictions that we barely make the playoff?!?!?!?! It aint't happening 3 or 4th is what we're really lookin' at.....get it right
I believe that we will be better than both the Mavericks and the Spurs this year. I do not think that the Spurs will be too good they are too old and will be injury hit. As far as the Clips they might be better with Brand playing for a contract and all. It might happen, however if they give Kandi the max I think that he'll go back to his lazy ways, all in all we can do better than 6 I believe that we can grab the 4th spot
There should be a FAQ section for every playoff thread like this. We have 2 rookies who should be major role players in our rotation. And we're breaking in two starters who had season ending injuries from the last season. And if the Rockets are still busy, probably another vet to break in as well. That's four or five people in a rotation where Rudy likes to primarily use 9 people in a game. I think 51 wins would be a great start for us.
What are you guys smoking? Top 5 in the West? Umm...ok, if we are injury free, we could hit up the 6th spot. Thats a big IF. Lakers, Kings, Spurs, and Mavs are no doubt the top 4 teams in the west. This shouldnt even be questioned. The clipps, if they get Miller, will be 5th in the west. The blazers have the talent to be 6th, but we may be able to take that spot IF everything goes smoothly. Most likely, we will be fighting for the 7th spot with Minnesota, Seattle, and Utah. You also cant forget about the Suns. They were horrible last year just like we were. 48 wins and the 7th spot.
The Blazers are going to get a good spot again. They always have good runs during the season but can't put it together in the playoffs because they play the Lakers. I don't see them falling past 6. I think the Mavs, Kings, Lakers, Spurs, and Blazers are locks for the playoffs with us, the Clipps, Utah, and Seatle all fighting for those last two playoff spots. The Clippers and us are the most talented but for some reason I see the Jazz fighting their way into the playoffs.
I predict that the Lakers will not make the playoffs next year. You can mark that down and let me know that I had amazing site of the future when it happens. Thanks, Don Grahamleone
There is a difference between optimism and sheer stupidity. Look at your post, then look at mine. Its obvious which is which. My 48 win prediction is optimistic.
I hope nobody is dissapointed when Yao doesn't immediately lead us to a top 5 record in our conference. I am as pro-Yao as they come (I think he's going to be a SICK player) but he is a rookie and will take some time to adjust to the American pro game. His five years of pro Chinese ball will help him immensely, but I think the 7th or 8th spot is more realistic than a top 5 finish. Also... everyone counts out the Jazz every year. I HATE (multiply that word by 100 right here) the Jazz, but every year they somehow nut it up enough to have a top 8 record in the conference. Until Karl the child molester (he impregnated a 14 year old while in college) and the dirtiest point gaurd in the league (who shall remain nameless) stop squeezing into those painted on shorts, I won't bet on them being left out come playoff time.
playoff? we talkin bout playoffs? Na.jk. don't forget that other teams have players that get injured. You never know what will happen. What if shaq, and duncan were injured for the rest of the season. That will change a lot in the nba. We shouldn't act like we are the only team that ever gets players injured. We don't have old injury prone players anymore. So last year won't happen for a long time.
If the Clippers deal goes through, look for this: Kings Mavs Lakers(Champs of course) Spurs Blazers(Even if they dont trade, but i still think they will) Clippers (50 wins) Rockets (50 wins, lose head-to-head vs. Clippers) Minnesotta This is actually better for us. I'd rather play the Mavs than the Lakers. The only really unstoppable player on the Mavs is Nowitzki. We saw how much Griffin frustrated him while he was in his ROOKIE year. Imagine after 2 years of experience? Forget this "no one can contain the Mavs" stuff. They can't contain us. Nowitzki can't defend worth a lick, and our backcourt is yet to be contained. If they succesfully lock up the backcourt and the 4, then Ming and Nachbar or Rice can have more open shots than they could have in a Golf game. I really like our chances against the L:akers and Mavs. The Spurs and Kings are who I'd dread facing. In this order I'd like to face the top 4: Mavs Lakers Spurs Kings We're definitely in the playoffs though. Seattle blew it. They have no one decent at the 4, but they have 4 C's that can't play O. Lewis and payton just isn't enough. Phoenix were out o it last year, and are further down this time. They will make time for the young Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudamire. Re-building.
i think people may be forgetting that ming and nachbar will hit the wall after all-star break. after 41 games we should have won 27. the second half, without ming and nachbar playing to thier potential, i would expect 23. 50 wins. 6th or 7th seed.
am i the only one that doesn't think highly of the clippers? i mean we're talking about the clippers man. the clippers. even if they trade for baron davis or andre miller i'm not convinced they'd have a better record than us (if both teams equally with only minor injuries).
48 wins I think not we almost did that on a year where we did not have even have of this talent. 2 years ago do you have any clue as to what kind of difference EG, Ming and Nachbar will make. Even if they are only solid role players and they will be. Hell the last few years have seen rookies step right in esp European ball players. 48 that's it that's pretty weak.
I also don't think highly of the Clip Crew, and think that their talent is over-rated. Miles is nice and they're trying to ship him, they should have let the Magic take him. Kandi isn't that good, Brand gone soon and Q. Richardson is mediocre but teams like the Jazz aren't impressive either, and this is why it is believed that the Clip Joint may succeed in making the playoffs. I don't blame Sterling for being reluctant to pay up the Clips usually don't show anything.
I understand that you want to be optimistic but how about being realistic. Guys cmon. Saying that you guys will beat the Mavs and the Spurs is close to crazy. I realize that you guys have improved drastically, but even if you guys double your win total from last year, you would still only be in fifth place. To top the Spurs and Mavs you will need close to 60 wins. That is a 30 game improvement. I do not see how you can classify that as realistic. I am willing to give you guys a chance at fifth, but that is hard to do because Minnesota and the Blazers are always competitive during the regular season. It is hard enough to put you in front of the Clippers who with a lineup of Miller Richardson Odom Brand Olowakandi would be very competitive. To get 60 wins you guys will have to lose less than 22 games and you guys might lose 22 games against the west alone. I understand having team spirit, but don't let it blind you
Have you failed to realize that most teams have improved from 2 years ago? Just because we had a good record back then and we've added talent does not mean our record increases. Most teams have improved or kept the talent they have had since 2 years ago. 48 wins is a good bet. We are not better than the Mavs or Spurs. Get over it.
