8th seed in the West will only need 43-44 wins IMO

[ShowTimeERA]

Lakers have a bunch of road games upcoming. Thats the key issue with them. They have gotten through the easier part of their schedule.

If they get in though, it wont be fun for the top 1 or two seed facing them.

Exactly. At this point seeding is irrelevant. Its about playing well going into the playoffs...I'm positive no team out West wants to play LA in the first round...

That's the difference between the East/West. Out East, you have a 1st and 2nd round bye while out West you play LA, Dallas, Denver, etc. in the 1st round...

[Durant 35]

Won't that get like 3rd seed in the east?

[anish23]

i wish the mavs were in the eastern conference

[torotoe]

Lakers have a bunch of road games upcoming. Thats the key issue with them. They have gotten through the easier part of their schedule.

If they get in though, it wont be fun for the top 1 or two seed facing them.

Exactly. At this point seeding is irrelevant. Its about playing well going into the playoffs...I'm positive no team out West wants to play LA in the first round...

That's the difference between the East/West. Out East, you have a 1st and 2nd round bye while out West you play LA, Dallas, Denver, etc. in the 1st round...

Denver's probaby going to be the 4 seed this year, watch out.

In response to the part I bolded: yeah, no team wants to be at the mercy of the refs. It's sad that the refs do so much for the lakers.

[9abovetherim]

Lakers have a bunch of road games upcoming. Thats the key issue with them. They have gotten through the easier part of their schedule.

If they get in though, it wont be fun for the top 1 or two seed facing them.

Exactly. At this point seeding is irrelevant. Its about playing well going into the playoffs...I'm positive no team out West wants to play LA in the first round...

That's the difference between the East/West. Out East, you have a 1st and 2nd round bye while out West you play LA, Dallas, Denver, etc. in the 1st round...

Denver's probaby going to be the 4 seed this year, watch out.

In response to the part I bolded: yeah, no team wants to be at the mercy of the refs. It's sad that the refs do so much for the lakers.

Yeah watch out, they just lost to the Wizards. They will finish 5th and gonna lose to the Grizzlies in 6.

[KDgoat]

Why is everyone assuming you need 48 wins to make it in the WC this year. Last year means nothing. The current 8th seed has 21 wins with the season halfway done. No offense to either team but Houston is collapsing and I don't see Utah making it with their schedule.

/rant

There's already been an article 2 or 3 weeks past on NBA.com where the author explained his case on the 8th seed most likely needing 43-44 wins (I think the article was about Lakers struggles).

Next time, provide a link to your source when making claims.

[torotoe]

Yeah watch out, they just lost to the Wizards. They will finish 5th and gonna lose to the Grizzlies in 6.

Typical George Karl loss that was. But I'd change your tune if you think the Griz are better than the nuggets. They aint.

Here's the main reason you need to change your opinion: the nuggets are quite likely to improve at the deadline via trade. The Griz will either stand pat, downgrade in a small way or downgrade by trading away a starter. None of which make them better.

[HotrodBeaubois]

Why is everyone assuming you need 48 wins to make it in the WC this year. Last year means nothing. The current 8th seed has 21 wins with the season halfway done. No offense to either team but Houston is collapsing and I don't see Utah making it with their schedule.

/rant

There's already been an article 2 or 3 weeks past on NBA.com where the author explained his case on the 8th seed most likely needing 43-44 wins (I think the article was about Lakers struggles).

Next time, provide a link to your source when making claims.

That article didnt take into account

Houston plays a heavy Western conference schedule against playoff teams on the road -Houston will not get 43-44 Wins

Portlands lack of a bench will keep them from getting to 43-44 wins

Minnesotas injuries to Love and other players will keep them from getting to 43-44 wins

I wouldnt be suprised if the 8th seed this year got in with 40 wins.

[SFour]

Lakers aren't making the playoffs. Watch them lose to the Raptors tomorrow.

[Jon1798]

Hornets for the 8th seed.

[Zubby]

your sig is hilarious

[Angry Jimmy]

Why do people think the Lakers will even finish over .500?

They have been a model of consistency all season with their play. They win the majority of their games against bad teams, and they lose almost every game they play against the good teams.

They have done nothing at all to indicate that this is going to change.

[blazersbucs40]

Let's see where teams are after the trade deadline

[daschysta]

Won't that get like 3rd seed in the east?

What's with this kind of ignorant stuff? There are 5 teams with .600 or above records in the East. there are 5 teams with .600 or above teams in the West.

The 8th seed in the West is 1 game above .500. The 8th seed in the East is 1 game above .500.

2 of the .600 or above teams in the East are doing so without their top guys all year (Danny Granger and Derrick Rose). The 9th seed in the East is missing a superstar talent that will return.

The playoff teams in the West outside of the top 2 or 3 aren't really better than their counterparts in the East.

[aal04]

Lakers have a bunch of road games upcoming. Thats the key issue with them. They have gotten through the easier part of their schedule.

If they get in though, it wont be fun for the top 1 or two seed facing them.

If the lakers make the finals, they would be my favourites for the ring even if they scratch in at 8th seed.

To get in they need to play consistent good team ball. They have the talent, they just need to gel.