Reply With Quote
I'm also going with Dallas, or MAYBE Utah if they don't get healthy..I can't really imagine any of the other teams missing out at this point..
Roundtable: West race a dogfight
SI.com NBA writers analyze the latest news and address hot topics from around the league each week. (All stats and records are through Monday's games.)
1. The Lakers lead the Western Conference by six games. The next eight teams -- San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, Portland, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Utah -- are separated by five games. The trade deadline could change some fortunes, but as of now, which team is most likely to miss the playoffs?
Ian Thomsen: Dallas (24 road games played) and Houston (26) have the most accommodating schedules over the latter half of the season. At the other end are the Spurs, who play 10 of their next 11 games on the road, including the annual eight-game trip (which starts next Monday and stretches past the All-Star break) they use to bond and define their team in a boot-camp kind of way. They're used to that rhythm, so don't worry about their schedule.
We can talk all we want about all of the different reasons one or another team will fail, but injuries and trades will define the race. Utah has been hurting all season, and for the moment I'm thinking the Jazz without Carlos Boozer are the most likely outsiders among the contenders.
Jack McCallum: The Spurs, Hornets and Rockets are too good not to make it. In the old days, meaning last season, the Nuggets would've been a mortal lock for the "out" spot, but Chauncey Billups has solidified that team. The Jazz will get going when they get healthy. Brandon Roy won't let the Trail Blazers just miss this time. And the Suns' old pros -- Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Grant Hill -- won't allow them to slide to the dreaded ninth spot. That leaves the Mavs to lose out to the Suns or Jazz by a narrow margin.
Chris Mannix: I'm going with the Mavericks. If blowout losses like the ones to Milwaukee and Boston last week begin to add up, look for owner Mark Cuban to pull the trigger on a deal (perhaps for Josh Howard) and begin the process of retooling the Mavs for next season.
Steve Aschburner: Dallas. This team's expectations have been so lowered over the past two years that scraping into the postseason won't provide much in the way of inspiration down the stretch. Phoenix could be in trouble, too, but the Suns seem more stubborn about making things work, while the inconsistent Mavs look more ready for a thorough overhaul.
I'm also going with Dallas, or MAYBE Utah if they don't get healthy..I can't really imagine any of the other teams missing out at this point..
Still sticking with Houston.
Recall there was an enormous amount of trade deadline drama last year. Moves and counter-moved up through the end-of-day deadline. I believe this year will be even more dramatic.
I go with Portland!
They are the less experienced team and this factor will be far much important in the last 10 games of the season...
All the other teams have "been there done that..." players...
Houston and Portland will be there. Suns mavs or Jazz
Scary thought:
What if several other western conf teams make substantial moves before the trade deadline and we are left to "stand pat?"
This could be a nightmare scenario for us.
Phoenix, Portland, Dallas, and Utah will be fighting for the 6th 7th and 8th seeds. One of those teams will be out.
Are the rockets that bad to fall into lottery? I still think the rockets have a slim chance to get into the first round this year if they can get rid of tmac soon enough, though they are definitely gonna fall again in the first round.
i'm going with houston. someone is always out on sick leave. and with mcgrady back, their offense goes to the outhouse.
I can't see Houston missing out, they just have way too much talent..Yao is playing too well to let them miss out as well..
You seem to assume that substantial moves are always beneficial. Ask the Mavs and the Suns about that.Scary thought:
What if several other western conf teams make substantial moves before the trade deadline and we are left to "stand pat?"
This could be a nightmare scenario for us.
I definately think that if Minnesota ends up with more wins than the 9th seed, they'll be in the playoffs. Book it.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
