Post by quackattack on Jun 17, 2009 12:58:18 GMT -8
The All-star break has come and gone and soon the trading deadline will be upon us. Teams are realizing who the true competitors are, and who will have to wait for next season to reach the playoffs. The Western conference looks to have 4 legit title contenders at this point. We'll get to those in a second, but first lets take a look at the teams who are going to miss the playoffs.
The Grizzles, Warriors, Clippers, and Rockets look to be too far down to make a run to get into the playoffs. The Lakers traded away some major pieces which has left them in a position to also come up short. The Seikaly/Divac combination no longer exists as the Lakers will look to bring in more talent through the draft next year. Portland is another team that was a contender until they decided to go a different direction by trading Cliff Robinson and begin a rebuilding process.
That means the current top 8 seeds in the West look to be teams that will be headed to the postseason. Here's the projected seeds:
8 seed: Dallas Mavericks
It remains to be seen what they decide to do with Dominique, if he's traded like anticipated, the Mavs should start to slip in the standings. However, with a base of Armstrong, Houston, Jackson, Baker, Outlaw, and Montross, the Mavs are still likely to remain in the playoffs.
7. San Antonio Spurs
Jordan is leading a group of veterans in Byron Scott, Johnny Dawkins, Sam Bowie, Scott Skiles, and Antoine Carr. Their experience and Jordan's talent will help them win enough games to make the playoffs, but not enough to win in the playoffs.
6. Sacramento Kings
Mitch Richmond and Glenn Robinson are a great combination on the wings. Longley and Grant bring defense and rebounding to the post along with 10+ ppg. With better perimeter defense, this team could be a lot better. They average over 105 ppg but give up over 101. With the right matchup, they could be an upset pick to win their 1st series in the playoffs.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Its hard to examine this team considering their new GM and what he'll decide to do, but with a core of Barkley, Hardaway, KJ, and Willis, they've got a dangerous squad. The trade for Barkley and KJ was recent and the team may still be trying to work out the chemistry and right lineups, but a run at the top 4 seeds is not out of the question.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Wests champion last year is not dominating as much as they would like this year. The talent still seems to be there, but being 6.5 games back from Utah, they're going to have to get hot and stay hot to earn one of the top 2 seeds. With virtually the same team as last year with Reggie Lewis and Randy White, don't be surprised if they're claiming the West championship again.
3. Seattle Supersonics
I wanted to pick them to overtake the Suns, but being so far back and the Suns still winning, I find it hard to do that. In my opinion, Payton, Harper, Kukoc, Kemp, Seikaly may be the best starting 5 in the entire league. However, Seattle's bench play will be key to their success. Led by Michael Williams and Joe Kleine, the Sonics can't afford too many injuries or foul trouble. Still, they could be the favorite in Vegas when the playoffs start, esp if they close the gap and only finish a few games back from Phoenix in the division
2. Phoenix Suns
Even without Barkley and KJ, the Suns are still rolling. The 3 M's: Manning, Majerle, and Miller are the key components now, but theres depth across the board. Rodman, Brandon, Dumas, McDaniel, and Blount play key roles that have allowed the Suns to maintain the 1 seed for now. Will they be able to maintain their success throughout the playoffs?
1. Utah Jazz
Stockton and Malone have kept the train going in Utah, but its been Brad Daugherty and Sherman Douglas that have surprised people. Their play has kept Utah in the mix for the top seed and I believe they'll earn it by season's end.
Western Conf Finals Projection: Seattle vs Denver with Seattle emerging as champs.
To me, these two teams could be the hottest teams entering the playoffs. The Suns and Jazz will be tough matchups for both, but if they're able to overcome them, it should be an entertaining Western Conference Finals series.
The Grizzles, Warriors, Clippers, and Rockets look to be too far down to make a run to get into the playoffs. The Lakers traded away some major pieces which has left them in a position to also come up short. The Seikaly/Divac combination no longer exists as the Lakers will look to bring in more talent through the draft next year. Portland is another team that was a contender until they decided to go a different direction by trading Cliff Robinson and begin a rebuilding process.
That means the current top 8 seeds in the West look to be teams that will be headed to the postseason. Here's the projected seeds:
8 seed: Dallas Mavericks
It remains to be seen what they decide to do with Dominique, if he's traded like anticipated, the Mavs should start to slip in the standings. However, with a base of Armstrong, Houston, Jackson, Baker, Outlaw, and Montross, the Mavs are still likely to remain in the playoffs.
7. San Antonio Spurs
Jordan is leading a group of veterans in Byron Scott, Johnny Dawkins, Sam Bowie, Scott Skiles, and Antoine Carr. Their experience and Jordan's talent will help them win enough games to make the playoffs, but not enough to win in the playoffs.
6. Sacramento Kings
Mitch Richmond and Glenn Robinson are a great combination on the wings. Longley and Grant bring defense and rebounding to the post along with 10+ ppg. With better perimeter defense, this team could be a lot better. They average over 105 ppg but give up over 101. With the right matchup, they could be an upset pick to win their 1st series in the playoffs.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Its hard to examine this team considering their new GM and what he'll decide to do, but with a core of Barkley, Hardaway, KJ, and Willis, they've got a dangerous squad. The trade for Barkley and KJ was recent and the team may still be trying to work out the chemistry and right lineups, but a run at the top 4 seeds is not out of the question.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Wests champion last year is not dominating as much as they would like this year. The talent still seems to be there, but being 6.5 games back from Utah, they're going to have to get hot and stay hot to earn one of the top 2 seeds. With virtually the same team as last year with Reggie Lewis and Randy White, don't be surprised if they're claiming the West championship again.
3. Seattle Supersonics
I wanted to pick them to overtake the Suns, but being so far back and the Suns still winning, I find it hard to do that. In my opinion, Payton, Harper, Kukoc, Kemp, Seikaly may be the best starting 5 in the entire league. However, Seattle's bench play will be key to their success. Led by Michael Williams and Joe Kleine, the Sonics can't afford too many injuries or foul trouble. Still, they could be the favorite in Vegas when the playoffs start, esp if they close the gap and only finish a few games back from Phoenix in the division
2. Phoenix Suns
Even without Barkley and KJ, the Suns are still rolling. The 3 M's: Manning, Majerle, and Miller are the key components now, but theres depth across the board. Rodman, Brandon, Dumas, McDaniel, and Blount play key roles that have allowed the Suns to maintain the 1 seed for now. Will they be able to maintain their success throughout the playoffs?
1. Utah Jazz
Stockton and Malone have kept the train going in Utah, but its been Brad Daugherty and Sherman Douglas that have surprised people. Their play has kept Utah in the mix for the top seed and I believe they'll earn it by season's end.
Western Conf Finals Projection: Seattle vs Denver with Seattle emerging as champs.
To me, these two teams could be the hottest teams entering the playoffs. The Suns and Jazz will be tough matchups for both, but if they're able to overcome them, it should be an entertaining Western Conference Finals series.
