In order to be elite you need 40 wins before 20 losses

[LakersSquad]

i know miami was mentioned but other than that anyone know the number of champions in the last 10-15 years that indeed reached 40 before 20?

Championships from 2000- 2007

2000 Lakers

40-11


2001 Lakers

40-19


2002 Lakers

40-17


2003 Spurs

40-17

2004 Pistons

36-20


2005 Spurs

40-11

2006 Heat

30-20


2007 Spurs

40-18

what this list shows is anything can happen in the east.

[sarah42]

-= original quote snipped =-



And air could be water. Now please give us an example as it relates to the NBA. Which teams have done that?

Anyway, people make such a big deal out of these quotes. They get dozens of questions a day from the media. This quote was taken out of context. It's not a rule of thumb. It probably related specifically to the Lakers at that time, and Phil was just saying his team was for real. And they were. They won 3 in a row.

i think maybe houston this year. maybe they did that. they are on a 15 or 16 game win streak and lost their starting star center.

i think houston is elite, btw. for now anyways. they still have a lot to do while yao is hurt. frankly, most team probably would rather face the nuggets than houston with how great they are currently playing. such a shame for their fans.

[GilArenas88]

Well when your speaking about the 2004 Pistons you have to remember they got Rasheed Wallace early mid season if I remember right. But like another one posted I think its a pretty good rule to go by, but their are exceptions to rules...

[mudyez]

made me wonder if the spurs usualy do that, as they always have these late season surges!

so my answer has to be: no, not really! ...but most of them do so and I had to agree if you said "twice as much wins as losses afte 82games!"...coz thats what I'm looking for all the season!

[KobeFarmarEra]

-= original quote snipped =-



^ It's obviously a good indicator, but definitely not the only one. Considering the last two championship teams from the east didn't manage to reach 40 before 20, I'd say it's not %100 accurate.

And coincidentally, both those finals were complete and utter fix jobs. The post-Donaghy era should be different though. Hopefully.

[tyguy]

-= original quote snipped =-



And coincidentally, both those finals were complete and utter fix jobs. The post-Donaghy era should be different though. Hopefully.

Nice sly jab at Lebron.