This is not a top 8 predictions thread. But what teams have playoff spots virtually locked up this season?West (in no specific order)DallasSan AntonioPhoenixHoustonDenverLA ClippersI think the last 2 spots will be battled out between the Lakers, Kings, and Hornets.EastMiamiChicagoDetroitClevelandNew JerseyIndianaWashingtonI think the #8 spot is up in the air between Milwaukee, Boston, Orlando, and Philly.Who do you think have spots "locked up?"
WESTDallasPhoenixSan AntonioDenverEASTMiamiDetroitClevelandChicagoI really only think those 8 have playoff spots locked. Of course I see the Nets, Clippers, Wizards, and Houston making the playoffs, but I dont think they are locks. They could easily fall out of contention in my opinion. I also think teams like the Worriors, Magic, Hornets, and the Bucks could easily bring thier A games into the season and be better than any of us imagined. I can also see the Clippers, Rockets, Wizards, and Nets having drop offs. I really think those 8 are the only locks. I'm not giving any other teams my endorsment saying that they are locks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts? @ Oct 3 2006, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>WESTDallasPhoenixSan AntonioDenverEASTMiamiDetroitClevelandChicago</div>Mine is exactly the same, unless you are a proven playoff worthy team you can't consider them a lock. Locks to me are even if injuries of players that would kill another team or something to that degree happens, they are still good enought to become contenders and have the roster power to pass the first round.
I wouldnt put Denver in the West, or Indiana in the East.I would put the Hornets instead of Nuggets. They have alot more talent. Chris Paul will be even better, if they were so close last year, they have to make it this year with such improved talent.
Actually I can see how Denver was up there; they are in a weak division and as we saw last year... that with less than usual wins than a 3rd spot the Nuggets could very well just win the division title and get a free ticket to the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Lefty @ Oct 3 2006, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lakers.</div>Wow what's with the one word and meaningless posts? Do you want to get banned/suspended or what?
The question was who has a playoff spot locked up..I put the Lakers. There's no rules in having to explain why I picked something
12% chance the lakers make the playoffs.Suns, Rockets, Mavs, Spurs, Hornets, Grizzlies, and winner of the NW(nuggets or sonics IMO) should have the west pretty secure.In the East, Cavs, Heat, Pistons, Pacers, Bulls.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Oct 3 2006, 09:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>12% chance the lakers make the playoffs.Suns, Rockets, Mavs, Spurs, Hornets, Grizzlies, and winner of the NW(nuggets or sonics IMO) should have the west pretty secure.In the East, Cavs, Heat, Pistons, Pacers, Bulls.</div>I really don't think the Grizzlies are a lock to be in the playoffs, with Gasol being hurt for a while, and the rest of this team looking kind of ordinary without him. I am not totally sure how long he will be out for, but I see a alot of teams that are better or just as good as the Grizzlies with them having Gasol. Without the Grizzlies having Gasol, I see a good 9 or 10 teams that may be better in my eyes.The locks I am picking are the Suns, Mavs, Spurs and Nuggets from the west, and the Heat, Nets, Cavaliers, Bulls and Pistons in the East.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts? @ Oct 4 2006, 08:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>WESTDallasPhoenixSan AntonioDenverEASTMiamiDetroitClevelandChicagoI really only think those 8 have playoff spots locked. Of course I see the Nets, Clippers, Wizards, and Houston making the playoffs, but I dont think they are locks. They could easily fall out of contention in my opinion. I also think teams like the Worriors, Magic, Hornets, and the Bucks could easily bring thier A games into the season and be better than any of us imagined. I can also see the Clippers, Rockets, Wizards, and Nets having drop offs. I really think those 8 are the only locks. I'm not giving any other teams my endorsment saying that they are locks.</div>When your right your right.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Oct 4 2006, 09:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and winner of the NW(nuggets or sonics IMO)</div>Dude :rock: the sonics FTW I dont agree with those saying Houston- they should if healty but IMO thats a big if.
Oh, yeah I forgot about Gasol. And I forgot to mention if the teams I listed stay healthy then they're in. -.-Sonics still don't have any big men other than Wilcox, and he's questionable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Oct 3 2006, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This is not a top 8 predictions thread. But what teams have playoff spots virtually locked up this season?West (in no specific order)DallasSan AntonioPhoenixHoustonDenverLA ClippersI think the last 2 spots will be battled out between the Lakers, Kings, and Hornets.EastMiamiChicagoDetroitClevelandNew JerseyIndianaWashingtonI think the #8 spot is up in the air between Milwaukee, Boston, Orlando, and Philly.Who do you think have spots "locked up?"</div>How do you think Houston has a playoff seed locked up? People would have said the same thing about last year but guess what.....? Tracy was injured for a great majority of the season and Yao missed a decent amount of time as well. If there entire team can stay healthy, then yes, they will make the playoffs. But, I guarantee you that Tracy will not play all 82 games and I highly doubt that Yao will either.And Indiana as well. Once again, Jermaine O'neal gets injured alot. I dont think you can say a team is guaranteed a playoff spot when they lose one of their best bench players and Peja who is equal with Al Harrington. They might make it, but they arent a lock.
Absolute locks:WestDallasSan AntonioPhoenixEastMiamiChicagoDetroitClevelandNew JerseyOther teams, like LAC, are close to being locks, but you never know with teams like that whether the season before was a fluke. And Houston would be a lock if it wasn't for the injuries they sustained last year.
