[Pan Mengtu]

Just a few things have changed for me since the preseason. Here's what I think:

1. San Antonio - Well oiled machine. Would be very surprised if they weren't at least top 2.

2. Minnesota - Despite the grumpy old men, they are too deep in the wing positions (and they have KG) to drop below 4th. Second most likely.

3. Sacramento - It's getting harder and harder to put them here instead of Phoenix. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because of experience.

4. Dallas - Will have a better record than Sac and Phoenix. If they pop up into the top 2, Dirk is a legit MVP candidate.

5. Phoenix - Here or 3rd, most likely. Probably here.

6. Los Angeles Lakers - Feels like a good spot for them.

7. Utah - I still think they'll struggle offensely at times. Would be very shocked if they didn't make the playoffs, though.

8. Memphis, Houston, or Denver - I think these three will be battling for the final playoff spot. I'll give the edge to Memphis as of now. They kept all their players and were better than the other two last year. Denver didn't make major upgrades, and don't look very cohesive. Houston play too restrictive offensively and don't have many good roleplayers at all. I wouldn't be shocked if any of the three took the eighth, though.


Won't make the playoffs (order of finish):

Portland
Seattle
Golden State
LA Clippers

[MJG]

I'm waiting on Phoenix. They've come out of the gates strong, but they also haven't been playing what I'd call the cream of the crop -- Atlanta, Philly, New Jersey. I want to see how they play against some better teams before I move them anywhere from my preseason prediction of tied for 9th at 42-40.

[RP McMurphy]

I had Phoenix in the playoffs, but in principle, I agree with MJG. It makes very little sense to change your preseason predictions after two games, unless you're doing so because a key player got injured.

[Eatinthepudding8]

There is no way in hell that the Lakers will finish above the Griz, the Rockets or the Nuggets. The Lakers will NOT make the playoffs, in fact i see them 9th or 10th in the west. Kobe is not a leader, only a selfish scorer with no leadership skills, Chris Mihm cant keep putting up the big numbers all year, Lamar Odom doesnt have a position in the west, he was a power forward in the small east, hes out of position in the west. They dont have a great point guard, in fact i dont see 1 area they are real good at, they arent great at jumpers and are terrible in the paint. I think we all think they are gonna be alright b/c of Kobe but he can only do so much, plus, hes not gonna make everyshot and there is no way he will average 40 points a game. Lakers are in real trouble not to make the playoffs.

[Pan Mengtu]

Originally posted by <b>RP McMurphy</b>!
I had Phoenix in the playoffs, but in principle, I agree with MJG. It makes very little sense to change your preseason predictions after two games, unless you're doing so because a key player got injured.

I had Phoenix up that high during preseason.

The only thing that has changed for me is that I'm slightly more impressed with Utah than I thought I would be, and I'm even more disappointed with Denver than I thought I would be. It hasn't really effected their placements much, if at all.

All that has changed is how firm I think those spots are.

[Debt Collector]

the lakers right now are on the outside looking in i think, but once they are healthy and if they can strike a deal for either a PG, or a frontcourt player that brings defense, they will be in there. that being said, even though its early its easy to tell that Nash is going to change the whole dynamic of that phoenix team so i dont think its stretching to say they will be that good because they have that pure playmaking PG that is rare in the west

[EHL]

Pan, we're 5 days into the regular season. You'll be singing a different tune next week, if you go simply by what you see the first week of the season.

[Pan Mengtu]

Originally posted by <b>EHL</b>!
Pan, we're 5 days into the regular season. You'll be singing a different tune next week, if you go simply by what you see the first week of the season.

When did I say I did?

[EHL]

Originally posted by <b>Pan Mengtu</b>!


When did I say I did?

Well maybe I misunderstood. Aren't you making these rankings based on what you've seen the first week of the season, in addition to what you projected in your preseason rankings?

[BG7]

Didn't know 27 wins would get the Lakers into the playoffs in the West.

[Half-aMAziNg]

After 1 week where the Kings start off 0-2, he already haas them winning the division? And the Lakers above Utah? I would probably have the Lakers 8th