I was just curious, cause right now the Grizzlies are struggling and they are slowly falling down the West standings and the Rockets are starting to play pretty well. Right now the Lakers are in 8th place, and i think the Hornets are in 7th. The Wolves, Warriors, Rockets, and Kings are 4 teams that can sneak in there with a good 2nd half. The Kings, Rockets, and Warriors can sneak in there but i dont know about the Wolves, they just keep on losing and are now 22-28. Are the Hornets gonna hold on to a spot? Im praying the Rockets can sneak in, and can the Lakers hold a spot?
Don't sleep on the Sonics Don't sleep on the Sonics - why? they have a ton of offense which is great for the regular season AND they have strong on the court leadership between Ray Allen and Luke Ridnour. They are a pretty athletic team with some wiry players and a lot of gas in the tank. If they get into a positive mindframe they can go on a run and squeeze in. They are familiar with that vibe from last year. Unfortunately I think Golden State's season is already over. They are familiar with the vibe of not quite making it. Same with Utah. THey've just been hit with too many injuries to ever get a consistent system. The Rockets also could and should sneak into the playoffs. Ron Artest's dream of getting the Kings to the playoffs - also possible. Here's how I would personally rate who has the best chances of getting in (who are currently not in the first 8 of the standings: 1. HOUSTON 2. SACRAMENTO 3. SEATTLE 4. MINNESOTA 5. UTAH 6. GOLDEN STATE 7. PORTLAND As far as Memphis falling out of the top 8, two reasons why they wont: 1. VETERANS on the team Gasol Eddie Jones, etc. 2. DEFENSE they know they have the ability to get stops. 3. They've suffered through adversity losing Damon Stoudamire, the uncertainty with the recent trades etc. of JWill, Stro, etc. Here's who I think is most likely to fall out of the top 8: 1. NEW ORLEANS - promising team but do they really think they can outbattle the Grizzlies for that 8th spot in APril. 2. LAKERS - they are really a bad team. they should be a well below 500 team if not for the fact that they have the greatest individual player of this century so far. 3. MEMPHIS - they're not an offensive machine lets face it 4. DENVER - they're only 27-25 and 1.5 games ahead of Utah right now. Not exactly living up to their potential. The Kmart rumors probably don't help.
I know i know, im a Kings fan....but it seems pretty obvious to me that the Lakers are the most likely to fall out of playoff contention.When you look at their team who do you actually EXPECT them to beat? I think i like Utahs chances the best out of all the teams looking to sneak in. I believe the Kings have to finish something like 23-9 to end the season,which isnt unreasonable but it would still require consistency.
We will still make the playoffs. At times this year we've been brilliant, and even during this shocking slump we've been in winning positions late against the best teams in the league. We'll get back to our previous form.
omfg why are yall still on the rockets' balls?! Cant yall see that the Rockets arent doing ANYTHING this season?! Damn give another LEGIT team a chance... I like Memphis' chances of doing some damage in the offseason.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UnLeAsHeD:</div><div class="quote_post">1 San Antonio 2 Phoenix 3 Denver 4 Dallas 5 Clippers 6 Sacramento 7 Memphis 8 Houston</div> So much hate for Dallas...
We're still playing like rubbish but have won three straight now. Houston are rubbish, so if they can get past us like their fans seem to think they will, then we don't deserve to even contemplate playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't sleep on the Sonics - why? they have a ton of offense which is great for the regular season AND they have strong on the court leadership between Ray Allen and Luke Ridnour. They are a pretty athletic team with some wiry players and a lot of gas in the tank. If they get into a positive mindframe they can go on a run and squeeze in. They are familiar with that vibe from last year. Unfortunately I think Golden State's season is already over. They are familiar with the vibe of not quite making it.</div> Seattle is alomst guaranteed out of the playoffs as of right now, Golden State still has a chance at least. GS is known to finish their seasons strong, but usually by the all-star break they are a bottom 3 team.
The Lakers have the benefit of a soft schedule after the all star break, but they cannot afford anymore injuries to anyone the rest of the way. I'm worried about them not holding on to the 8th seed unless they get some help. I'll have to go with the Hornets as well. Chris Paul is banged up, and they have a tough schedule the rest of the way. The Rockets are pretty much done, they need to go 19-9 the rest of the way just to finish .500 on the season. I don't think a .500 record is good enough to make the playoffs in the West. Utah has a chance, it really depends on how much Boozer can give them the rest of the season. I still think Sacramento is a darkhorse to make the playoffs because of Ron Artest. I'd like to see the Warriors grab the final spot over New Orleans, it's been so long for their franchise and Baron Davis would give them a chance to pull off a 1st round victory over Dallas. Dallas Phoenix Denver San Antonio LA Clippers Memphis LA Lakes Golden State
^^^^^^ Your crazy Shape. Golden State playing Dallas would be horrible for them. Pull out the efin Brooms.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting samoan-maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">^^^^^^ Your crazy Shape. Golden State playing Dallas would be horrible for them. Pull out the efin Brooms.</div> He was implying that it would be nice for GS to get into the playoffs at all because they haavent been there in so long. Not that they are going to beat anyone in the playoffs, its just going to be symbolic, a sign of progression. Didn't GS beat the MAvs at home this season too? They may have a shot at getting a few games on the Mavs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting samoan-maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">^^^^^^ Your crazy Shape. Golden State playing Dallas would be horrible for them. Pull out the efin Brooms.</div> Why is it crazy? The Warriors are one of the few teams who match-up well with the Mavs. The Warriors can play small ball effectively and have plenty of athleticism to hang with Howard, Stack, & Daniels. Baron Davis would be the X-factor in the series, because of his ability to dominate in big game situations. He dropped 34 points in Dallas on 11-18 shooting in the Warriors win. If Baron plays his game and attacks the paint, he can really put the pressure on Dallas and get key players in foul trouble. If Baron the chucker shows up, then yes, I can see a sweep. Warriors really struggle against teams with a dominant post-scorer. Mavs don't have one, so they would definitely give the Mavs all they want in Round 1.
