Western Conference - who misses the playoffs?

Post #41 » by **dockingsched** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:30 am

kingsfan10 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Yeah, IMO that will be their downfall if they dont correct that mental error...

i think they'll get that corrected as the season moves on but another thing to think about is that other teams aren't going to be overlooking the kings now. those quality wins they just pulled off gave notice to the league that they deserve everyone's A game.

Post #42 » by **KF10** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:32 am

dcash4 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

i think they'll get that corrected as the season moves on but another thing to think about is that other teams aren't going to be overlooking the kings now. those quality wins they just pulled off gave notice to the league that they deserve everyone's A game.

Agreed. (Im actually agreeing with a Laker fan :lol:

)

Ballings7 · Post #43 » by **Ballings7** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:42 am

Locks: Spurs, Suns, Mavs, Hornets, Lakers, Jazz

Battling for last two: Blazers, Warriors, Nuggets

On the bubble: Rockets, Kings

I think Denver or Portland won't make it.

The irony for Denver and Houston (each in a different way) is pretty amazing. Blazers, Lakers, Warriors, and Hornets have all really come on. Each in their own way, being better than thought.

Injuries will play a significant part in things.

Seeding is too variable to do.

Jsun947 · Post #44 » by **Jsun947** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:56 am

Portland still gets no respect. 5th Hardest schedule so far. Just finished 7 road games in 12 days, then had to travel coast to coast to come back and play Houston less then 48 hours later. Don't forget Portland is on their home stretch and we are 18-4 there. We own the tie breaker with the Jazz and very may well with Denver when its all said and done.

That Nicka · Post #45 » by **That Nicka** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:13 am

I see the Blazers and Rockets not making it...

But it wouldnt surprise me if the Rockets made it and the Warriors fall out

Ballings7 · Post #46 » by **Ballings7** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:14 am

I give Portland respect, but are they a lock to make the playoffs? I don't think so, that's kinda overboard.

rutheredfox · Post #47 » by **rutheredfox** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:44 am

why are people saying jazz and lakers are locks. before tonight jazz weren't even in the playoffs. and could esaily give up their division spot to the nuggets. not saying they won't make it, but they are not locks. and lakers are struggling also. last year they had the same record to start the season and injuries hit them samething as this year.

realfung · Post #48 » by **realfung** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:31 pm

Lakers will drop since they are runnign the Kobe show again.

Portland will fall

dingclancy · Post #49 » by **dingclancy** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:11 pm

Right now Lakers at 6-7-8 is not so bad at all knowing that we have a chance to beat every West team with Bynum.

Of course that can be said with any other West team.

Lovin it!!!

Post #50 » by **INKtastic** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:52 pm

TMACFORMVP wrote:I think Phoenix, SA, Dallas, New Orleans and Utah should be locks for the playoffs (though the team your having the most doubts about is oddly enough SA lol).

I wouldn't say I have the most doubt over them, I was just pointing out reasons there should be at least some concern.

I also wouldn't say any team in the west is a lock. Just look at how fast the lakers have fallen from the #1 spot.

Charlie78 · Post #51 » by **Charlie78** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:12 pm

If you look at the remaining strength of schedule for the teams on the bubble. Portland and Utah have the 2nd and 3rd easiest of all the western conference. This boads well for both of their playoff chances. Portlands recent struggles have been during the hardest part of their schedule. Every loss except for Houston was to a playoff team, and I think everyone can agree that they are as good as one. I think denver is going to have the hardest time due to a hard schedule and some injuries affecting them. Lakers should be all right even with the injuries. But it is going to be a dogfight the rest of the way and realistically any team can fall out with a five or six game losing streak.

1. NO
2. PHX
3. DAL
4. POR
5. UTAH
6. SA
7. LA
8. GS

T.Duncan21 · Post #52 » by **T.Duncan21** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:19 pm

Locks IMO
1. DAL
2. PHO
3. SA
4. UTA

Any of these team could finish between 5-9
5. NO (Sorry but they will come back down to earth)
6. HOU
7. GS
8. LAL
9. DEN

No Chance
10. SAC (Only if they keep all their guys)
11. POR (Good season and watch out next year)
12. LAC
13. MEM
14. SEA
15. MIN

kandiking · Post #53 » by **kandiking** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:11 pm

meanwhile atlanta makes the playoffs

SabasRevenge! · Post #54 » by **SabasRevenge!** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:32 pm

T.Duncan21 wrote:
No Chance
10. SAC (Only if they keep all their guys)
11. POR (Good season and watch out next year)
12. LAC
13. MEM
14. SEA
15. MIN

IF (and that's a big if) Sacramento goes .500 the rest of the season, Portland would have to go 12-26 (.316) over the second half of their schedule, which is the second easiest in the WC to finish behind them.

As I said earlier, if Portland goes even .500 over the rest of the year(38 games) after going .778 in their last 27 games, they'll be at 45 wins.

Basileus777 · Post #55 » by **Basileus777** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:55 pm

Why is everyone saying that Utah is a lock for the 4 seed?

3inakey · Post #56 » by **3inakey** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:06 pm

Basileus777 wrote:Why is everyone saying that Utah is a lock for the 4 seed?

Those saying it are of the opinion that Utah will their division.

Dtown84 · Post #57 » by **Dtown84** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:12 pm

I agree with the people wondering how Utah is a lock, at the moment I wouldn't put anyone from the Northwest as guarenteed to make the playoffs.

Locks (barring serious injury)
Dallas
Phoenix
San Antonio (they might not get the high seed they're used to, but no way they miss the playoffs.)
New Orleans

Right now I'm leaning toward Portland and Houston missing out. Portland's youth costing them in a close a Northwest race, and Houston continuing to underachieve.

carrottop12 · Post #58 » by **carrottop12** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:14 pm

Basileus777 wrote:Why is everyone saying that Utah is a lock for the 4 seed?

Considering they had a 5-11 December, and are still in first place of their division, not to mention the aquisition of Korver and the impact it has had, it seems pretty safe to say the Jazz's worst basketball is behind them and they are still leading the Nortwest Division.

Charlie78 · Post #59 » by **Charlie78** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:23 pm

Batronuj wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Considering they had a 5-11 December,

So for the jazz this is a badge of honor. Yet the Blazers 5-12 start is the reason they stink.

and are still in first place of their division,

by only half a game and their competition in POR and DEN have had a seven game road trip and injuries to key players respectively.

not to mention the aquisition of Korver and the impact it has had,

Im not sure korver has as much to do with it as their schedule seriously lightening up. In there recent streak they have had 8 home and 4 away. There two losses both came to division opponents, and only three of there wins in january came against playoff teams.

it seems pretty safe to say the Jazz's worst basketball is behind them and they are still leading the Nortwest Division.

I dont think that is safe to say at all. Certainly they have an easy schedule to finish the year but they havent had a challenging schedule since they made their "Big move". I fully expect Utah to make the playoffs but it is by far a lock. Especially if it is close look for utah to fade in april with one of the most brutal finishes to the season you could have.

T.Duncan21 · Post #60 » by **T.Duncan21** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:30 pm

SabasRevenge! wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

IF (and that's a big if) Sacramento goes .500 the rest of the season, Portland would have to go 12-26 (.316) over the second half of their schedule, which is the second easiest in the WC to finish behind them.

As I said earlier, if Portland goes even .500 over the rest of the year(38 games) after going .778 in their last 27 games, they'll be at 45 wins.

I'm expecting POR to start sucking soon. They will not go .500 for the rest of the season. I just ranked SAC ahead of POR because I think they are a better team and will finish the season on a better note than POR. But my predictions aren't set in stone... after the trade deadline... I'll prolly change my rankings.