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Originally posted by <b>Dragnsmke1</b>!
Reason 1: Kings
Reason 2: Mavs
Reason 3: Lakers
Reason 4: Spurs
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These are the class of the western conference. Portland has a chance but is unlikely to join this group. No other team is going to join this group.
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Reason 5: With the trade for Miller (a starter for a 2nd string player) Even though They are hurt right now the Clippers. the NBA season is 82 games long.
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Yes. They have more talent and Miller was a great acquistion. I think they will be a 7 or 8 seed. They are injured, inexperienced and have several new players to integrate. The other question is how much of their talent will be there all season? They can't resign everyone so they will probably trade someone. Who will they trade, who will they recieve and will they be better or worse after the trade? I think experience is a big issue. Last year on Mar 15th the Clippers were 34-31, the Jazz were 34-30 and they were fighting for the last playoff spot. The Jazz went 10-8 but the Clippers folded going 5-12. Why will this year be different?
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Reason 6: Portland. They always make the playoffs with thier talent. They just cant play in the playoffs.
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I will give you this one. I think they are the #5 seed.
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Reason 7: Minnesota. KG by himself is better than 4 of Utahs any given 5 starters.
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They lost guards Terrell Brandon, Chauncey Billups and Felipe Lopez who were replaced with Troy Hudson, Rod Strickland and Kendall Gill. Does that make them better? Would you do that trade on talent alone? The TWolves were 30-11 at the halfway point last season and over the second half were only 20-21. Which team will show up this season? Will they be consistant?
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Reason 8: Rockets. With a healthy Francis Mobley and Griffen The rockets are better than Utah and we havent even seen what Ming can do yet.
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With a Francis they were 26-31. That is hardly playoff material. That is a pretty big jump but it is possible. Without him they were a woeful 2-23. Is he really healthy and will he stay healthy. If he is healthy I see them as last years Clippers.
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Reason 9: Pheonix. Dont sleep on this squad. Marion, Marbury, Hardaway, Johnson, Googs and Stodimire. Please...
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Maybe but I doubt it. I think they are a couple of years away. I don't think they are any better than last year.
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Reason 10: Seattle. Hey they werent supposed to make the playoffs last year but GP wouldnt be denied.
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They only finished one game better than the Jazz and they lost the season series 3-1 to the Jazz. The loss of Baker will affect them some. They have little at the PF to replace him. It is probably not going to be a huge drop but is still a drop.
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That makes Utah cellar dwellers. After 20 years of playoffs the run had to end.
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That is 5 teams (LAL, Sac, SA, Dal and Port) I think are guaranteed to finish above the Jazz and 3 other teams (Minn, Sea and LAC) that are at the Jazz' level. I think the Sonics and the TWolves will drop some this year. I think the Clipper will move up. Houston and Phoenix will probably be in the hunt at least for a while. I have TWolves #6, Jazz #7, LAC #8. Seattle #9, Houston #10 and Phoenix #11. I don't think any of those teams will be far out of the playoffs. Memphis as #12 and GS in the cellar will not be in the playoff hunt. Utah will not be in the cellar unless they have major injuries.