LUKE23 wrote:Max Green wrote:We have our best record to start the season through 20 games in 7 years and some are diminishing it on purpose or not by talking about how bad the East is while overrating the West. The top 6 teams in the West are good, but the rest are average to slightly above average teams. A .500 record gets you the 8th seed in the West right now...
Denver
Portland
Lakers
Phoenix
Sacramento
New Orleans
Dallas
All have below .500 records against the East. The Mavs are currently .500 against the East.
I'm looking at more the talent of the rosters. The 12th seed in the West right now contains Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard. The 12th seed in the East is the Detroit Pistons. A team like Portland starts Lillard/Matthews/Batum/Aldridge and would make the playoffs in the East. Denver is the 9th seed and they start Lawson/Iggy/Gallinari/Faried.
Basically, the top of the West is much stronger (homecourt seeds) and it's much deeper with talent throughout the top 12 teams. Atlanta, who was building for next offseason this summer, is the current #3 seed in the East. Where does Atlanta finish in the West by the time we look at everything at seasons end? 7th or 8th?
Portland are rubbish outside of 4 players. They wouldn't sniff the playoffs.