Check out Hoopsworld. I know that some Power Rankings have us out of the playoffs. Here's one that has us in.
Missing half our team in a preseason game - the first preseason game after installing a new offense and a new defense, really important data point.
Yea because it means so much. Couple that with Summer League and the Suns should be a lock for the playoffs!
I think that you could argue that since it's later it's more accurate, but of course they're all inaccurate. The point is that the opinion that we won't make the playoffs is not universal and indeed not the pervailing theory.