Assuming no significant injuries (except Houston), I think it's something like Home Court Lock 1) Lakers Playoff Locks 2) New Orleans 3) Jazz 4) Blazers 5) San Antonio 6) Denver In the fight 7) Houston 8) Phoenix 9) Dallas Why single out Houston? Their stars have ongoing injury problems. The chances of injuries derailing them is much higher than other teams.
I think Phoenix falls off this year, they are in some serious turmoil right now. Last night's loss wasn't any kind of nail in the coffin, but they are clearly at odds with Terry Porter's wishes for how to play the game; it's like they are pining for D'Antoni and his free wheeling ways, but also trying to at least give a nod to the defensive style that Porter wants them to run. The result is a team playing half assed at both and unsure of how to do either well. I expect they'll probably still be over .500 at season's end on talent alone, but I think they will miss out on the post season.
The Nugs are playing well, but they're likely not going to make the playoffs. That team will decide to quit listening to Karl sometime during the year.
I kind of disagree. Billups seems to have some credibility with Carmella and has really put his stamp on that team. I don't think they will win the NW division, but I see them as a 6th-8th seed.
Actually, Blazers and L*kers are the only "locks" in Playoff Predictor for the Western Conference. At least 4998 of the 5000 simulations run through the predictor had us in the playoffs. The lowest record we had in any of the 5000 was 41-41. FWIW.
Providing they stay healthy, I believe San Antonio will still be that team. Phoenix is going to blow up. Dallas lost a lot of talent over the last few years making bad personnel moves.
Why are Hornets likely? They made the playoffs once last year, and had a long drought before that. It appears as though they have tuned their coach out. Peja is not exactly durable. The Spurs are far more likely to make it then even the Jazz. As long as Tim Duncan can walk, they will make the playoffs. The Suns are in really bad shape. They hate their new coach. Amare is complaining about not being the man while not doing any of the little things the man has to do. Dallas will probably make the playoffs, though Stackhouse is currently complaining about playing time and may derail things. The Rockets are more shacky then you have listed, due to chronic injury problems their two best players have. If Artest is your only consistent dude, you aren't making the playoffs. I believe the playoffs will have the Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Portland, Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans and the Rockets in no particular order. The North West division will be the toughest in the NBA this year, with the South West not far behind. The Pacific is weak right now.
It's interesting that Adrian Dantley disagrees. He still thinks the Nugs are a longshot to make the playoffs, and he's an assistant coach for them. He doesn't expect his guys to stay healthy.
.. and if this does not work - Carmella will get her husband Tony to help. He has connections. Bada-Bing.
they've won 12 of their last 16. I doubt they'll quit, but they might get run down by injuries as has happened in the past STOMP
I'm of the opinion that none of the 9 teams are locks. I think the Lakers will come down into the pack and we'll have about 9 teams all playing about the same, about a 3-4 game difference between the 1st team and the 9th team.
