Cinco de Mayo

Well, with New Orleans' adding of Peja Stojakovic, the Southwest Division just got that much tougher.

I think this could be the season where we see all five teams from the Southwest make the playoffs. All it depends on is Houston's overall health and how quickly and how much Rudy Gay can contribute. Another big question is where the Grizzlies finish in that race.

Right now, Dallas and San Antonio are better than us (and they probably will stay that way for at least a couple more seasons). Houston, assuming a healthy Yao and a healthy TMac, should be better especially now with Battier. He'll add a certain level of chemistry that was lacking last year even when TMac was dressed out. Much like he did in Memphis, except he didn't have two 20+ ppg scorers to carry the team when the postseason rolled around. In New Orleans, another year's experience for Chris Paul plus David West and now Peja's 16+ points per game.

As for Memphis, while I loved the draft night trade, we've lost our "glue" guy and added two high-profile rookies. We'll very likely be much better than we have been the past three seasons when they develop, but it might be a slight step back until they do develop.

We need to make some more moves to keep up.

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MemphisX

I think the next chip to fall will be Eddie Jones being dealt with some combination of fodder we have on our roster. Right now I would say the we are probably running even with New Orleans after the Peja signing. We are both 41-45 win teams at this time. I doubt all five make it with Phoenix being a lock and at least one team from the NW being a lock. That would mean Sacremento or the Lakers don't make the playoffs and I can't see that happening.

I am anticipating the lottery in 2007 and hope we can clear some cap room. If we can get a high lottery pick in 2007 and clear some cap for 2007 or 2008 then we can have 4 (5 if we can keep Mike Miller) significant players on our team and will be ready to start making deep playoff runs in 2007-08.

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HKF

Going to write something up about this, but I really think Houston is going to miss the playoffs again. The reason why is because McGrady will get hurt again.

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My favorite NBA players: Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Deron Williams * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Jamont Gordon (undrafted), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (SAC)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

bwell

I actually can see all five making the playoffs. The Lakers and the Nuggets will fall off and if Bonzi's not staying, the Kings won't make either.

nffl

agreed.

I have to admit your guys in Memphis knew what they were doing in Wednesday's draft. I just wish we had Jerry West instead of Robert Sarver (penny pincher from Phoenix that passed on Marcus Williams for money).