<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Demise of Phoenix, Portland has opened door for others SPOTLIGHT BEFORE THE SEASON began, the Western Conference seemed predictable enough. You had your Big Five -- the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio, Sacramento, Minnesota and Dallas -- all considered a notch above the rest. Most figured Phoenix was right behind, with Portland likely having enough to make what would have been a league-tying 22nd consecutive trip to the playoffs. Some team, obviously, had to replace Utah, minus John Stockton and Karl Malone, and Houston seemed a logical choice. Now that early season has turned to midseason, it's official: There are playoff spots up for grabs. First off, there are only four top-shelf teams. Subtract Dallas. The Mavericks are not elite. They still look like a playoff team, but they've proven quite beatable on the road. After them, it's come one, come all. The short version on what's changed is that Phoenix and Portland aren't as good as most thought, and Denver, Memphis and Utah are better than most thought.</div> Full Article
With Amare going down in Phoenix it put a big hurt on them in terms of having a capable big man in the West. I think thats what hurt them the most and the reason they have such a bad record. Looks like he went down again so it could look like Phoenix is in the running for the Dwight Howard/Emeka Okefor lottery. With Portland...their problems from the past just caught up to them and its biting them in the @ss now. Especially with Rasheed being such a distraction, countless arrests, players that are high....on life, they need to shape up and bring some players that are responsible and smart. I always thought memphis had a talented team, I even think they should be doing better than their record now...if they make the playoffs they could do some major damage
^Amare is only out for two games I expected Rockets and Sonics to be in the playoff seeding before the season.No one knew Nuggets would be as good as they have been so far.They show the true meaning of team basketball,just like the Grizzles.Both share the ball so well.There are always different players who can hurt you on those two teams.Which is a big factor on why they both have winning records.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">^Amare is only out for two games I expected Rockets and Sonics to be in the playoff seeding before the season.No one knew Nuggets would be as good as they have been so far.They show the true meaning of team basketball,just like the Grizzles.Both share the ball so well.There are always different players who can hurt you on those two teams.Which is a big factor on why they both have winning records.</div> I agree with the Nuggets but sometimes I think that Carmelo does take some ill advised shots...especially when his team is down. I guess that will come in time, but biggest surprise in the West has to be the Nuggets. But not all of that is due to Carmelo coming over, its also because of developing Nene and a health Camby plus Jeff Bdzelik having a strong system in place with the right assistant coaches.
western conference is extremely hard to predict right now. Kings are first, but I don't think good enough to say on top. Lakers are inconsistent with injury probs and stuff. Yeah, nuggets and Grizzlies are a surprise ... I say right now, eastern is easier to predict than western.
My prediction of the West standings goes something like this... 1. Kings 2. Lakers 3. Spurs 4. T-Wolves 5. Mavs 6. Nuggets 7. Rockets 8. Sonics I don't think Jazz will be able to win enough down the stretch in the 2nd half of the season, especially with the loss of Harpring, same with Memphis. They don't play well on the road, and it will be tough for them to continue their winning, though they have been a nice suprise. Then the Warriors, Clippers, Blazers, could also have a chance, but it looks slim as of now.
The Nuggets turn around has more to do with Andre Miller Earl Boykins Jon Barry Voshon Lenard Elson Anderson Those guys were all signed (In Anderson's case re-signed) Carmelo is a great talent that will improve any team he is on.However adding these quailty players was the factor on why the Nuggets have a winning record.It's not purely down to Anthony as some like to think.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nuggets turn around has more to do with Andre Miller Earl Boykins Jon Barry Voshon Lenard Elson Anderson Those guys were all signed (In Anderson's case re-signed) Carmelo is a great talent that will improve any team he is on.However adding these quailty players was the factor on why the Nuggets have a winning record.It's not purely down to Anthony as some like to think.</div>True but I also think a lot of people don't give Anthony enough credit. The guy is a winner. He took Syracuse to the National Championship and won in his first year. Ain't really a suprise that the Nuggets are having success as well.
1. Sacramento 2. Minnesota 3. LA Lakers 4. San Antonio 5. Dallas 6. Houston 7. Denver 8. Seattle thats how I think it'll end up, and in that particular seeding as well...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">True but I also think a lot of people don't give Anthony enough credit. The guy is a winner. He took Syracuse to the National Championship and won in his first year. Ain't really a suprise that the Nuggets are having success as well.</div> I can't say I agree with that,People always give Carmelo credit,maybe too much.Many people overlook his other-mates and come to the conclusion he is getting all these wins by himself,when thats not the case.
1. Kings 2. Spurs 3. Wolves 4. Lakers 5. Mavs 6. Houston 7. Memphis 8. Denver that's what I think...I have a feeling Utah and seattle will struggle the second half of the season....I'm basing that on nothing, just my gut feeling
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't say I agree with that,People always give Carmelo credit,maybe too much.Many people overlook his other-mates and come to the conclusion he is getting all these wins by himself,when thats not the case.</div>People would have to be stupid to think Carmelo does it all by himself. Give me their names so I can ***** slap them. Here's how I see it: 1. Kings 2. Spurs 3. Wolves 4. Lakers 5. Mavs 6. Rockets 7. Nuggets 8. Sonics
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">People would have to be stupid to think Carmelo does it all by himself. Give me their names so I can ***** slap them. Here's how I see it: 1. Kings 2. Spurs 3. Wolves 4. Lakers 5. Mavs 6. Rockets 7. Nuggets 8. Sonics</div> Come on Rudeezy, no faith on a turnaround by your warriors??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Come on Rudeezy, no faith on a turnaround by your warriors?? </div>None whatsoever.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">My prediction of the West standings goes something like this... 1. Kings 2. Lakers 3. Spurs 4. T-Wolves 5. Mavs 6. Nuggets 7. Rockets 8. Sonics I don't think Jazz will be able to win enough down the stretch in the 2nd half of the season, especially with the loss of Harpring, same with Memphis. They don't play well on the road, and it will be tough for them to continue their winning, though they have been a nice suprise. Then the Warriors, Clippers, Blazers, could also have a chance, but it looks slim as of now.</div> I just dont see the lakers finishing ahead of the spurs and t wolves, because of their inconsistency and injury problems
You think the West is hard? Try prediction the last 4 in the East wiht those records under 500. For the West, it's gonna be... 1. Kings 2. Minnesota 3. Spurs 4. Lakers 5. Dallas 6. Denver 7. Houston 8. Memphis If you really think the Sonics can get in, simply playing 500 basketball while there is still a Midwest division, think again. That entire division is 500 plus.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't say I agree with that,People always give Carmelo credit,maybe too much.Many people overlook his other-mates and come to the conclusion he is getting all these wins by himself,when thats not the case.</div> Definitely, look at how Voshon Leonard has stepped up and the strength of the defensive combination of Camby and Neene. Melo isn't even as good as he's going to be, his shots are so inconsistent, but soon enough, 2 or 3 years, he's going to be an offensive monster. Not forgetting Miller with some great offensive provisions and of course the explosive Earl Boykins. Such a great player up against such great odds. As for whether they're championship material, right now they're among the elite underdogs, Jazz and the Grizzlies. Hopefully soon enough they'll become so when they get more then 6 "key" players. I have faith in the Kings for taking it this year, that and either my Timberwolves and the Spurs. I don't really have faith in the Lakers, but I'm probably being bias since I don't really like them.
