<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (falconman1130 @ Oct 8 2006, 03:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>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.</div>Memphis doesn't have Brandon Roy. They have Rudy Gay...Anyways, Unless Memphis can remain around .500 while Gasol is out I dont see them making the playoffs, They dont have a decent big man, They dont have that go-to scorer anymore.
Dag nab it, this is why I should watch college ball.All these rookies are the same to me.J/K, I just suck with their names.Rudy Gay it is!
