Better chance to make playoffs: Mavs, Lakers or Pelicans

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

I want a legit discussion here. No "fux da lakurz"..

I think this is a good discussion. The Pelicans have a VERY solid line-up, and definitely can make some noise. Even though Kobe will be out until November, they still have Pau and Nash. With Nash running the offence, I think he can go back to his former self. You cannot ever count out Dirk, and with VC, Ellis and Calderon, I think they could be solid too.

More than likely these will be the three teams going for an 7-9 seed. Which team has the best chance of making the playoffs?


EDIT: FUCK I FORGOT TO ADD A POLL

[td4mvp2k]

TGYs lakers n sux to say dat

[TXstbobcat]

Will go with the pelicans.

[DPG21920]

I will say the Mavs, Pelicans, LA.

[DesignatedT]

Pelicans - Mavs - Lakers but I say all three miss out and two of DEN,MIN and POR finish 7-8

[dallasmaverickslose]

Pelicans

[Strategic]

I didn't know the mavs still had a team?

[Leetonidas]

Mavericks

[DPG21920]

I didn't know the mavs still had a team?

Calderon/Monta/Marion/Dirk/Dalembert

Bench: Devin Harris Possibly/Carter/Crowder/Wright/???

[Leetonidas]

Adding Calderon is a very underrated move. He's a turnstile on defense but the Mavs desperately needed a PG that could just run the offense. Monta and Dirk should be an interesting combination as well. Not sure how useful Marion is at this point though, same with Dalembert

[Vash StampedE]

I like Pelicans' chances of making if their players, particularly Davis and Gordon, could stay healthy all-season long. They look good on paper but chemistry, as with all teams, is still an area that needs to be addressed.

Lakers, despite losing an all-star center, is again still a contender... for that 8th spot and the chance to be swept by the Spurs, OKC, or whoever goes 1st seed.

[Jodelo]

Calderon/Monta/Marion/Dirk/Dalembert

Bench: Devin Harris Possibly/Carter/Crowder/Wright/???

Ellington, Mekel.

[mudyez]

LAK: depends on how many games Kobe plays...its not like they should make them if Kobe was healthy all season long
NO: a lot odf question marks (Evans, Davis improvement etc.) but right now I'd give them the best chaces
DAL: Calderon would have to become Steve Nash 2.1 and finish top 5 in MVP voting to make the playoffs

[hater]

IMO a run n gun lakers will be a borderline playoff. it will help that they don't have Coward slowing them down

Kobe might not need to destroy his achilles to achieve 8th seed either

[ColinB]

Mavs. Dirk is a warrior.

[callo1]

I will say the Mavs, Pelicans, LA.

Agreed. The Mavs really have assembled a decent team. If they can develop some chemistry, I think they have a legit shot. I expect a better Dirk this year as well, a full year removed from his knee surgery.

[hooperflash]

P, L, & M.

[racm]

Blazers. :downspin:

[LarryDavid]

Mavs, Pelicans, Lakers.

[Darkwaters]

Pelicans

[Chinook]

I like the Mavericks. They still have a star player, and that alone is enough even in the West. Add in a solid defensive center and an explosive scorer with Marion and Carter already on board, and I think they can be pretty good going forward. My only complaint is how poorly they've handled their young players the last few years. You'd think they'd have more to show than Crowder.

The Pelicans can be a good team, but I am curious to see how their rotation works out. I honestly just don't think Gordon and Evans will be able to coexist. I could see a big mid-season trade in their future, and if the Pelicans win it, they could make noise for years to come.

[exstatic]

Will go with the pelicans.

[barakz21]

Pelicans, they have some good, young pieces to go along with some nice FA signings. If those FA signings pan out and those young pieces make a leap, then I see them making the playoffs. Aside from that, among the 3 teams, they seem to be the only one that's got a well rounded roster - on paper, at least.

[xmas1997]

That's too easy: Pelicans, especially if they get Oden.