Can OKC miss the playoffs?

Basketballefan · Post #1 » by **Basketballefan** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:08 pm

I heard Jalen Rose talking about it...he expects them to squeeze in as an 8th seed.

With Westbrook and KD out for 15-20 games can this put them in position to possibly miss the playoffs all together?

Hero · Post #2 » by **Hero** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:12 pm

It's very possible.

Scalabrine · Post #3 » by **Scalabrine** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:13 pm

Its totally possible with the West being so competitive.

Look at the the Grizz last year. Gasol went down and the barely snuck into the playoffs.

Post #4 » by **Sixerscan** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:14 pm

SlowPaced · Post #5 » by **SlowPaced** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:15 pm

Possible but I expect them to make it as a lower seed.

Ben-N1ce · Post #6 » by **Ben-N1ce** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:17 pm

I think it's more possible than not possible..you can't fall way behind in the West.

Volcano · Post #7 » by **Volcano** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 8:36 pm

If they go around 4-11 in the next month and win close to the same percentages as last year when KD/WB get back, that'll put them in the 45-50 range.

The borderline PO teams or treadmill teams aren't pushovers either. Denver, New Orleans, Minny, Phoenix, Sacramento can beat you on any given day. Phoenix were 0.65 with Bledsoe last year. I read somewhere that they were 0.700 when both Bledsoe and Dragic played..not sure if that's true.

The wins might be more spread out because the conference is so tough, but that also makes it harder for OKC to go on a tear when WB/Durant get back.

SactoKingsFan · Post #8 » by **SactoKingsFan** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:18 pm

Wouldn't be surprised if OKC ends up missing playoffs, especially if WB is out more than a month.

Pan Jia Yuan · Post #9 » by **Pan Jia Yuan** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:30 pm

Making it as the 8th seed, knocking out the Spurs in the 1st round. Book it.

DoubleLintendre · Post #10 » by **DoubleLintendre** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:32 pm

Thunder won 59 games last year. Suns won 48 games and missed the playoffs. Durant and Westbrook could miss 20 games this year. Other players are injured as well, and the Thunder isn't known for their team depth. Is it possible that the Thunder will lose more than 10 additional games in the highly competitive West conference? It's very possible.

It's crazy to imagine, but there's a decently high chance that the Thunder miss the playoffs this year.

frothbrain · Post #11 » by **frothbrain** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:46 pm

there are at least 8 teams in the west far better than the current okc active roster.

laploutocratie · Post #12 » by **laploutocratie** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:55 pm

It's the West. They should plan on battling for 4-8 seeds.

jym85 · Post #13 » by **jym85** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 10:59 pm

Durant has to be prepared to let that happen if his body isn't ready

you never want to rush back from foot surgery. can easily become chronic

PZiv · Post #14 » by **PZiv** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 11:06 pm

Tough west. Atleast this will allow them to have a reality check and do things that have to be done.

jefe · Post #15 » by **jefe** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 11:12 pm

Scalabrine wrote:Its totally possible with the West being so competitive.

Look at the the Grizz last year. Gasol went down and the barely snuck into the playoffs.

IIRC, Gasol missed 23 games and the Grizz went 10 and 13. If Durant & Westbrook are both out for ~20 games, can the Thunder win at a similar clip? Without looking at their schedule, I doubt it.

Basketballefan · Post #16 » by **Basketballefan** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 11:34 pm

Pan Jia Yuan wrote:Making it as the 8th seed, knocking out the Spurs in the 1st round. Book it.

I would love that being i hate the Spurs.

Yoshun · Post #17 » by **Yoshun** » Sat Nov 1, 2014 11:44 pm

jym85 wrote:Durant has to be prepared to let that happen if his body isn't ready

you never want to rush back from foot surgery. can easily become chronic

Yea this is how I feel too. It seems to really hold true with any injury with the word "stress" in it. It's really not worth having a chronic foot injury.

NetsWorld · Post #18 » by **NetsWorld** » Sun Nov 2, 2014 12:06 am

A healthy low seeded OKC team can definitely knock out teams at a top seed. Sorry, but if Durant-Westbrook get healthy soon enough, do not count OKC out.

Roscoe Sheed · Post #19 » by **Roscoe Sheed** » Sun Nov 2, 2014 12:07 am

Without those two, they will struggle to win any game they play.

If they are out longer than 20 games, it will be a real test to make the playoffs. They would have to play something like .900 basketball.

youOK · Post #20 » by **youOK** » Sun Nov 2, 2014 12:21 am

I think it's possible but unlikely. As long as they can play close to .500 ball I think they will be fine. Last year's Pacers started 33-7(11-2 against west), the heat went on a 27(8 against west) game win streak the year before. High level teams go on big win streaks and if the Thunder are motivated and need it to make the playoffs I would expect them to do so as well.