It looks to me as if two Western Conference lottery teams from last year, the Rockets and the Clippers, will be making the jump to the playoffs this time around. That means two of last year's playoff teams will get bumped. Who will they be? My money's on Utah and Seattle. These are both essentially 2-man teams now, and I see them headed only downward. As a Rox fan, there's going to be nothing more joyous than watching the Jazz stumble toward the finish line, finally collapsing out of old-age exhaustion a few feet short of the playoffs.
Unlike most people, I don't see the Clipps as a sure thing. I've yet to see them play as a true team and alot of players will be playing for contracts this year. I think they have a good shot at it but I don't think it is a given. I hope its Utah that falls out. I hate the Jazz.
I've learned my lesson about Utah, never count them out, until they are out. I wouldn't surprised if Portland finished around .500 and didn't make it.
Well, as long as Utah has John and Karl healthy, they'll make the playoffs...most likely. There are the Lakers, Kings, Mavs, and Spurs...after that, there really is no lock for a playoff spot.
utah will still make it as long as those 2 a$$holes are there. i don't see seattle in it and if lac can overcome their chemistry problems they can replace minnesota. i don't see that either though. we got a legit shot anywhere from 5-8.
I agree that the clips are not a lock. With all their injuries and player issues, they have the makings for a classic meltdown. Seattle seems like the team that drops off this year, Rashard may be injured, GP wants out, and losing Vin Baker is bigger than it seems.
Why would the Jazz be better than Seattle this year? All the Sonics did was get rid of Baker (they were 19-8 without him last year), while the Jazz lost Bryon Russell, Donyell Marshal, and Raul Lopez. Seattle was better than Utah last year. Why would that change? Utah is finished. They are only better than Denver, in the west.
My money's on the Wolves. Losing so many #1 picks would have to catch up with a franchise eventually.
I think the two most likely teams to miss the playoffs are the Sonics, and Clipps. The Sonics have chemistry issues with Payton, they lost Baker, and Lewis is hurt and will be hurt again this season. As for the Clipps, they are still too young, and they are injured (at least most of their key players are). Unfortunately the Jazz will make it again.
You know its not just the injuries with the Clippers. The fact that the owner hasnt signed anybody for an extention will play a big fact. Players will be showcasing their talent for a contract next year rather than playing team ball. Add to that their youth, the injuries, and the fact that they are the Clippers, and thats enough.
I see the follwing teams falling off: Utah: They should come down some because Malone and Stock are one year older. However, I think Borchardt's potential and and the further development of Kirilenko may help alleviate that. I can easily see them fighting for 7th or 8th in the West and and as long as Stock and Malone are around, they should keep close to 500. Portland: Maybe Sabonis will bring what little stability there was before last season, back for the season. Their roster is deep. But in the end, too many headcases. I think the Blazers have the potential to fall the farthest based on the fricked up chemistry. Seattle: Its makes it hard to win when the best player on your team, who is also the one running it, doesnt want to be there.
I see potentially two out of Settle, Utah and Wolves failing to make the playoff. Let the season begin.
I'll chime in agree with everyone but pick the Jazz and Wolves because I think they lost better players than they obtained in the off-season. Injuries are always important, but they're going to be huge this year beacause the Western Conference will be even tougher - Memphis and even Golden State are going to win more games against West opponents than many think. The result will be fewer wins for even the "top" teams (of course, the Rockets factor into this big-time). I really see the conference "bunching up" record-wise and I don't think there will be a clear top four because significant injuries will, of course occur. I think the 8th seed might have a 41-41 record and get in on a tiebreaker. All the experts disagree, of course, but the 5th or 6th seed this year might be hell in a handbasket once the playoffs start. I've seen many posts of guys believing we'll win 50 or more games this year. No matter what you think of the East I'm sure all of us have a few other teams in the West that we think will improve upon their record from last year. That (with Rockets improvement) alone mangles up two, maybe three Western team records (even assuming Denver loses 70). At the very least I think all 8 West. Conf. teams from last year get beat up more this year. The Lakers will hate that and pretend they don't care, of course.
If any two are eliminated I think it would have to be jazz and t-wolves. But I think most of u agree that jazz will b eliminated and I have to agree with that but t-wolves will join them
Honestly I don't think the Rockets or the Clippers are a lock for the playoffs. Like posted earlier, there are for certains inthe West....Kings, Lakers, Mavs, and Spurs. After that who knows... Rockets....playoff backcourt if Franchise is healthy. Who will score on the low block? If Yao Ming or Maurice Taylor can answer this question then the Rockets move up. Clippers...a ticking time bomb. Top 5 roster but it is only a matter of time before 'self' is everyone's teammate. If they play like a team they will make the playoffs. Blazers...chemistry, smemistry. Too much talent here not to make the playoffs. Should be the 5th lock. Suns...Marbury is on bad ankles and Penny is on bad knees, however if Amare develops fast they will be a force because they have two superstars and a decent bench. Sonics....GP is still there so they are in the playoff hunt. Rashard Lewis looks to be expanding his game and Mason is up and coming. If they can get their centers to rebound and defend they have a chance. Jazz....I think luck is going to run out on this team. No way Malone AND Stockton stay healthy this season. If Malone goes down or slows down, this is possibly the worse team in the West. T'Wolves....Garnett is a big factor here. The Wolves lost a lot this summer but the big lineup is going to bbe hard for most teams (especially in the East) to deal with and they should get enough wins to make it in the playoffs Grizzlies....probably a year away unless Drew Gooden has a Gasol type rookie season. How far they go depends on if J Will becomes a dependable PG. Warriors....This team will score and has decent Bigs. If they can get something from the PG position they might make a run at the #8 spot. The talent is there. Nuggets...Well they will have $20 million under the cap this summer!!!
Never underestimate veteran savvy. Alot of people said the same thing about Hakeem and Barkley a few years back.
I don't like Jazz's chance this year, nor do I last year. But the performance of John Stockton in last year playoff proved that not many players could do the same. After TWolves' consecutive early exits in playoffs, I tend to believe they are run of gas this year.... KH
