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From the Kevin Pelton chat today:

Tate (DC)
I gather you don't think too highly of the Pistons. Where do you see them coming in at this year?

Kevin Pelton
I think they're in the mix for the playoffs, but more likely to end up in the lottery than in the playoffs. That seems to be about the consensus from people I've talked to.

I know I have the potential to be a homer, but I'm really, really surprised at that comment. I think we could have made the playoffs last year before Drummond got hurt. I'm going to Vegas next week and see what the odds are on us making the playoffs.

I love it, the more people doubt us the more awesome it's going to feel when we prove everyone wrong.

To be honest, I don't think we make the playoffs with the horrible start to the season we are going to have. Its going to take at LEAST 20 games to figure out all these players roles, and who should start, and who should play what minuets.

We are going to lose a TON of close games.

He could be right for all I care, but generally, I haven't enjoyed reading Pelton. I thought Hollinger was much much better.


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Well I do care, actually. A lot. We need to be the worst (unlikely) or a playoff team.


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Who's Kevin Pelton?

Bulls, heat, Knicks, pacers, & nets are the only "locks" for the playoffs. That leaves 3 spots open. Cleveland *should* take one if they all stay healthy. That leaves 2 open spots & 9 "possible" teams. Philly and Boston are definitely tanking, that cuts it down to 7 teams for 2 spots. The bucks have gotten worse, the raptors haven't gotten better by much, and Charlotte should still be a piece away, that leaves us with 4 teams and 2 spots. Orlando, Detroit, Washington, and Atlanta. Orlando has not made any strides to get better and into playoff contention. That leaves Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington for the final 2 spots. Atlanta lost josh smith and replaced him with Paul Millsap, which should be a downgrade. Washington has stood pat, but could be dangerous if nene & John wall stay healthy. That leaves us with Detroit, they will have some growing pains, but they should make the playoffs. They could place as high as 6th, but should not fall any lower than 8th in this weakened eastern conference which is filled with teams that want to tank.

We've got a solid chance at the playoffs but I don't think anyone should be arguing that we're locks. I don't know what the exact odds would be of us making the playoffs but I don't think its absurd to say they're below 50%, which is really all that was said here.

theBigLip wrote:I know I have the potential to be a homer, but I'm really, really surprised at that comment. I think we could have made the playoffs last year before Drummond got hurt. I'm going to Vegas next week and see what the odds are on us making the playoffs.

I think a lot of people don't understand how the pieces are going to fit, as currently constructed. Which casts a lot of doubt.

And, I can understand a lot of critics logic. The back court is still a mess. Billups will bring some stability, but I don't anticipate him to average 18 & 8 ever again.

I think this team is a still a trade or signing (next summer) away from everything really fitting and beginning to seriously contend in the East.

The real question is would missing the playoffs be enough to fire Joe?

I've read just as many credible "experts" say we're a playoff team. Sticks and stones, let's prove this bastard that probably never even played basketball wrong..

He's a sabr nerd that started off as a "fan club"..

He's been "on the job" for less than a year.

http://www.sonicscentral.com/kevinpelton.html

Celebrating the 2004 Storm



Kevin Pelton, storm.wnba.com

Six and a half months ago, most of the players from the 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics NBA Championship team gathered at KeyArena to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their championship. They did so with both players and fans knowing full well that in the intervening 25 years, Seattle had not won a major professional sports title.

When the Sonics gathered in March, no one, not even Wally Walker, a forward on that '79 team who is now President and CEO of the Sonics and Storm, could have known that only half a year later, the Sonics sister squad would win a WNBA title.
Who knew?

Back then, the Storm lineup that took the court Tuesday night was just a gleam in Coach Anne Donovan's eye. Forward Sheri Sam and center Janell Burse were members of the Minnesota Lynx. Guard Betty Lennox was the player who couldn't find a home in the WNBA and was merely being counted on to provide scoring punch off the bench. And Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, while undeniably successful, still hadn't been enough to lead the Storm into the playoffs in 2003 as Bird battled injury.

b]Impressive writing by a fantastic Bleacher Report Caliber writer... His best work in my opinion. -[/b]

http://www.wnba.com/storm/news/Celebrat ... 2-426.html

3 paragraph minimum

- ajax

I wouldn't be surprised if we missed the playoffs. We have a new coach, are very young and have a lot of new pieces to fit together. If one of Monroe or Drummond misses a significant amount of time then we are very shallow in the front court. I think we'll make the playoffs but I wouldn't be shocked to see three of Cleveland, Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Toronto or even Charlotte end up better than us.

Expecting a lot of early adjustments with new players and system... could miss the playoffs due to this but the finish could be amazing.

We're going to make the playoffs - sig that. I don't see us being an 8th seed either.

There is really only 5 locks for the playoffs. Miami, Brooklyn, New York, Chicago, Indiana.
No reason we shouldn't be one of the final 3.
No excuses.

Man hasnt it been shown to you over the years that writers dont know Shi*t more than us from the sense of evaluating W's and L's?


They have insider info and are needed for trade discussions and rumors and he say she say girl talk issues, but that's worthless when it comes to on court eye test.


and who is Kevin Pelton?!