Has an entire division ever made the playoffs? Cause it will happen this year-HOUSTONMEMPHISSADALLASNOwill all make the playoffs, not in that order, lol. But this might be the first time... is it?
Suns, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers. I think those 4 teams will at least edge out the 5 team in that division but that really is a possibility. That would be pretty cool.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (val_modus @ Oct 6 2006, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Has an entire division ever made the playoffs? Cause it will happen this year-HOUSTONMEMPHISSADALLASNOwill all make the playoffs, not in that order, lol. But this might be the first time... is it?</div>Well in recent history, it happened last year when the Pistons, Cavs, Pacers, Bucks, and Bulls all made the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Oct 7 2006, 01:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Suns, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers. I think those 4 teams will at least edge out the 5 team in that division but that really is a possibility. That would be pretty cool.</div>The Nuggets play in the Northwest, The other 3 play in the Pacific Division....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (val_modus @ Oct 7 2006, 01:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Has an entire division ever made the playoffs? Cause it will happen this year-HOUSTONMEMPHISSADALLASNOwill all make the playoffs, not in that order, lol. But this might be the first time... is it?</div>Memphis won't make it this year. They have no center and Pau Gasol is out until late December/early January. What do they have down low without Gasol? Stro and Tsakalidis? Give me a break.And New Orleans has a great shot. A great shot. But it's not a definite.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ Oct 6 2006, 11:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Nuggets play in the Northwest, The other 3 play in the Pacific Division....</div>He's not saying that those teams were in the same division and made the playoffs all the same year; he's merely stating that he thinks those 4 teams will most likely have a better record then the 5th best team in that division, which in my opinion will be Memphis this year. I agree with him all the way as well. I dont think the Grizz can withstand Gasol's injury and come out with a winning record.
I dont think Memphis makes the playoffs this season. Paul Gasol is the guy who draws all the double teams,and makes iteasier for everyone else.
in 85-86 all six midwest teams made it. Houston, Denver, Dallas, Utah, Sacramento, San Antonio, in that order.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Oct 8 2006, 04:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I really don't see Memphis or NO making it. I don't think it's just me thinking this.</div>Agreed though both will be close. New Orleans has gotten better with the offseason acquisitions and once Gasol comes back Memphis will make a late season run for the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Oct 7 2006, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I really don't see Memphis or NO making it. I don't think it's just me thinking this.</div>I dont see why NO wouldnt make it. They have a good rebounding and defending center, one of the most improved players in the league, Peja Stojakovic who is getting a fresh start, thier SG isnt amazing but that is their only downspot in the lineup IMO. And oh yeah, they have already one of the best PG's in the game. They should make the playoffs with at best a #7 seed IMO.
I honestly don't see that happening for that division. The only teams that could definately make the playoffs are Dallas and San Antonio. New Orleans has a good shot of getting in but Houston is still very questionable. I'm not very sold on their ability of their players to stay healthy. Memphis is unfortunately out before this season even started and the only other team already counted out is Portland. I see 2 Northwest division teams making it(Denver,Utah) and 3 Pacific Division teams(Phoenix, L.A. Clippers and Lakers or Kings). I don't see it happening this season.
I think it could only happen again in the East, unless a power shift comes along. The West is way too competitive, and only the top three or four teams have a guaranteed spot. In the East, anyone and everyone could potential be in the playoffs.
I just don't see Memphis making playoffs this season, I predict less than 35 wins this season out of Memphis.
AH!! Less than 35 wins? Pau is only out till December. But I dont think we will make playoffs either, we are in the toughest division, and IMO all the 4 other teams are NBA contenders. Memphis is the worst of the best kindve, but I defiently think we'll win atleast 40 games.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Oct 7 2006, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Memphis won't make it this year. They have no center and Pau Gasol is out until late December/early January. What do they have down low without Gasol? Stro and Tsakalidis? Give me a break.And New Orleans has a great shot. A great shot. But it's not a definite.</div>I keep telling people, Big Jake was getting about 15 and 10 after allstar break, but then again, he got all his passes from Pau.
I think that selling Memphis short would be a mistake. They may have lost Gasol for a while, but they got Damon Stoudamire back and now have Brandon Roy. I think the backcourt will be improved because of it, so that improvement may be enough to handle losing Gasol like they did. The frontcourt may have suffered obviously, and losing Battier may hit them harder than expected, but there're too many questions to definitely say they're done.I think the West is TOO competitive to really count anyone out, except for maybe Portland. Think about it, the Sonics were in the playoffs 2 years ago with almost the same team, so which one will show up, the 2004-2005 surprise NW division winners, or the 2005-2006 bottom feeders? NO is obviously better both defensively and offensively, and they already were close to the playoffs last year. Utah have a legit shot if they stay healthy (only had Boozer how many games last year?). Minnesota gave KG some more help in the form of both Mike James and Randy Foye, so they could pick up. The Rockets were considered championship contenders last year until injuries CRIPPLED them, and with the pickup of Battier and Wells could very well be championship contenders again. Don Nelson is brining a new philosophy to GS, and could somehow finally get to Baron Davis and return them to the team that blazed at the end of the 2004-2005 season (let's not forget they picked up Wagner, who could be an AMAZING sleeper pickup). And of course all the teams in the playoffs this past season are in the running. With the exception of Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio I don't think any teams are really locks to make the playoffs (and those three COULD potential crash and burn, you never know).So with all that in mind you COULD see the Southwest all make the playoffs. I personally don't think it'll happen (Houston is a question mark till I see them stay healthy and gel together, so they better start strong; Memphis has the possibility but definitely has a lot going against them; NO SHOULD make it but they added enough people where gelling together could be an issue) but we'll see.
