RealGM

Watching the "Real Training Camp" broadcast of the Lakers practice on Saturday, October 4, 2014 on NBA TV/livestream, hosts Reggie Miller and Rick Fox both predicted that the Houston Rockets will miss the playoffs following the 2014-15 season.

Fox believes that the Nuggets will make the playoffs in the West, and Miller thinks that the Pelicans will take the final spot instead.

Will they be proven correct? I'm not so sure, but we'll see.

They might. The west is crazy.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised they miss the playoffs.

Not surprising to hear those two say that. Rick Fox has been butthurt ever since Dwight chose us.

But Id rather people doubt us than over hype us like last year. I know we will make the playoffs so this is just some pointless insight.

They might, the Southwest division is crazy good and all 5 of them can't make the playoffs

I would lean towards us NOT missing the playoffs, but in the West you just never know

Rick Fox, Reggie Miller? No one has ever accused them of being intelligent before, no need to listen now.

I don't know ...

I know Harden and Dwight are often the butt of jokes but I have a hard time seeing them miss the playoffs with two all-stars.
That said, someone in the West will be missing out with a good record. I can see a team towards the end of the season with 48-49 wins fighting just to get the 8th seed. I think it was 2010 when the Thunder made it in the 8th seed with 50 wins - it might be another year like that.
Injuries will likely have a big impact on who misses out.

Only if one of their big two get injured

People forget how good Dwight is

The west... wild wild west... on paper, they should'nt, but i would'nt be surprised.

Well, they were 4th last season. The 4 teams behind them and the Phoenix Suns all got significantly better, while Houston lost Lin/Asik/Parsons and just added Ariza
.
It's not absurd for them to be out of the playoffs. And LOL at the 'Rick Fox is butthurt'. Really? That's the only reason someone has for putting Houston at 9th? Being butthurt?

Harden and D12 alone are playoff material.

But if Phoenix and Pelicans hit a hot streak, who knows? So many good teams somebody's gotta get left out.

I think Asik will make a massive difference for NO. And Phoenix was hot on LAC GS's heel until Bledsoe went down.

Leon Black wrote:Not surprising to hear those two say that. Rick Fox has been butthurt ever since Dwight chose us.

But Id rather people doubt us than over hype us like last year. I know we will make the playoffs so this is just some pointless insight.

It was a joy to watch Howard clang freethrows and even more fun to watch his lack of low post moves.

Now you can experience what Orlando and LA has.

It's not that crazy, especially if Dwight has an injury plagued season like his Laker season. The West is ridiculously stacked. There's literally only 3 playoff locks: Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers.

I can see PHX replacing them.
They had a way Better offseason and now a healthy bledsoe

I think Houston implodes this season and most of us will be loving every minute of it.

Out of the top 10 teams in the West, the 8 with the best health will make the playoffs.

DeBlazerRiddem wrote:Out of the top 10 teams in the West, the 8 with the best health will make the playoffs.

Yup, 2 very good teams will miss out and a lot depends on injuries.

I think one of Houston and Portland will miss the playoffs, but I'm not set on which one.

It certainly is possible..

I'd say Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Blazers and Warriors are pretty much locks to make it in.

Then you got the Suns, Grizzlies, Rockets, Mavericks as serious contenders for the final 3 spots (and the Pelicans and Nuggets as less-likely options)..

I'd probably wager that the Suns will bubble once again. I feel they over achieved last season and didn't do much to improve their front court.