The same token about ranking us as No. 4 seed applies to ranking Phoenix No. 3. It doesn't mean the writer believes they will have the 3rd best record. They are just in a not-so-good division on paper, and for now, still have the benefit of the doubt to be the best in that division. It could turn out to be another NL West of baseball (where Padres won with 82-80 record) or NFL North of football (where the division is so bad a team with 7-9 record could win in the end). Kings do look intriguing, and both Lakers and Warriors probably will improve, but still the division doesn't look too good. That's why the writer had 4 out of top 8 western teams from our division.
This is why I hate this new alignment. With the way things stand now, there is no way the Rox and Spurs can play in the WC finals if one of them finish unfavorably (like the scenario SI has up there). I wish the NBA will change this setup in the near future.
Eastern part is OK except Pacers being No.1. Western part is totally crap. 1.Sun wont be No.1 in Pacific divison without Amare. 2.Seattle and Memphis wont make playoffs this year. 3.Even his regular season prediction is correct, you wont see Spurs in finals.
I think their prediction is fairly accurate. However, why would anyone pick an Amare-less Suns to finish ahead of the Sacramento Kings? I mean, neither team really plays defense and the Kings should have a better offense. I think the Kings will be the #2 seed and will probably get to the WC Finals as long as their draw is favorable.
The East looks fairly accurate. Memphis will not make the playoffs, and I doubt Seattle will, either, but calling the West is tough. I see Golden State and maybe the Clippers or the Jazz sneaking into the last two spots (my choices wouldn't be too popular, either).
Yes I agree the three-division setup sucks big time. Seems like it penalizes teams in a powerhouse division too much, and assures that they will never meet in the conference finals.
i think it is accurate, if you consider it playoff seedings. then we will finish either 1st or 4th, and you can allow them to put the defending champs at #1. I think the playoff brackets are totally out though
I'm not sticking up for the rankings for the sake of sticking up for the rankings, and I still think the Rockets will have the second-best record in the West. They'll be the 4th seed, though.
I am just wondering why everyone seems to think it is a foregone conclusion that the Spurs are going to win the Division. Yeah, they are good, but now we are just as good, I think. I believe it will be a real shootout this year in the Division between us and the Spurs. Let's put THEM in 4th place for a change!
I think SI's predictions are pretty good. I think the Rockets have perhaps the 2nd best team in the West but with the "seeding structure" will fall behind division champs Suns and Nuggets. I think the Nuggets will win their division but I am not sold on the Suns winning theirs. I think the Kings will challenge. If the Rockets get the 4th seed (or even 5th) they will have to face the Spurs (1 seed) in the 2nd round and that's tough. The only way to get away from them is to drop to the 6th seed! It sucks that the 2nd/3rd seeded teams which could be worse than the Rockets record wise get the free ride in the 2nd round. They really should just "re-seed" after the first round.
What's wrong is that you can have the second best record in the conference and end up the number four seed. That is pure stupidity. Before at least, it didn't matter if you got the number three seed with the second best record - you still played the same team and home court advantage was determined by record - so it made no difference!
It is a bit stupid since you play the same amount of games against Conference opponents as everyone else in it does. I can understand if its like baseball with the staggered schedule, but not basketball
Amen, bro'. The 3 division winners should be guaranteed a playoff spot, but not a guarantee of the top 3 playoff seeds. Then, we could have (for example): 1) San Antonio; 2) Houston; 3) Sacramento; 4) Dallas; 5) Denver 1) Indiana; 2) Detroit; 3) Miami; 4) Cleveland; 5) New Jersey
I don't think it is total crap, just wrong in parts. Put more options in your poll. The Suns will not do as well this year. They lost some major components. The Spurs could flounder with the injury bug. It seems like Timmy has more and more injuries every year. Denver is just overrated. And, I cannot see Memphis making the playoffs after their fire sale.
Unless you can see into the future nothing is a given. Injuries can happen, teams can get hot, teams can perform better then expected, teams can perform worse then expected, etc., etc.
