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6th in conference? I think not....
12th is towards the "worse end" of POR record prediction, but not implausible at all. I'd say it is more likely that POR finishes around 10th.
But even if POR doesn't make the playoffs and I do not think they will, they should be fun to watch.
San Antonio
Minnesota
Dallas
Sacramento
LA Lakers
Housten
Denver
Memphis
Phoenix
Utah
Portland
Golden State
Seattle
New Orleans
LA Clippers
I think that puts POR battling with a UTA team that has improved itself significantly, and finished with a better record last year (Do I need to mention their coach?)
A Phoenix team that is vastly improved with the additions of Nash and Q-Rich. They have a lng way to go, based on their record last year, but so far they have looked very impressive.
A Golden State team that beat us twice in the preseason, one being a real beatdown. I think POR SHOULD beat out GS, but I do not think it is a given that POR will finish ahead of them at all.
Both MEM and DEN should definitely finish ahead of POR as they did last year. DEN in particular with K-Mart, has a chance at very high playoff seed. MEM finished with 50 wins last year and I see no reason why they wouldn't be up there again.
HOU and the Lakers will also make the playoffs IMO. T-MAC and Yao are not as good as some think IMO, nor is their team, but I do think they are a lock to make the playoffs. My guess is they will be a 6th-8th seed. As for the Lakers, yeah they lost Shaq, but this talk of them not making the playoffs is WAY to pessimistic or optomisitc depending on who you talk to. As long as the Lakers have Kobe, they will in all likelyhood make the playoffs, and frankly the supporting cast is not as weak as many are saying, I still think they will be a 5-8th seed, but missing the playoffs? Nah, it isn't going to happen. BTW is Chris Mihm for real?
SA, MIN, DAL and SAC are locks for the playoffs, I don't think there is any chance that any of these teams (barring injury) misses the playoffs, it is just not feasible IMO. I know some people mention DAL and SAC but I again I think that is unrealistic. Actually, I think DAL is a BETTER team than they were last year, and that SAC is being speculated at being worse, when their is no sound reason to. They played extremely well during the regular season, and I see NO reason for that not to continue.
And don't forget about New Orleans, who with Baron Davis and Jamal Magliore, could surprise and finish better than many people think. I don't think they will make the playoffs, nor do I think they would finish ahead of POR, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that they do either. Same can be said, albeit to a much lesser extent IMO for SEA. The Clips? They underperform every year, they have the talent, but history tells a much different story.
Anyway that is how I see it. My prediction, POR finishes 10th in the WC and misses the playoffs.
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Quit the Webster hate
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