Who falls out of West playoffs this year? Who's in?

[oarabbus]

Minnesota is no longer a playoff contender which leaves only Phoenix. I don't see the Suns displacing the Mavs after their offseason and Memphis and up are all staying strong.

The Pelicans and future HOFer The Brow are the darkhorse to make playoffs this year. That's how ****ing stacked the West is.

[Inferno]

Hmmmm

SA
OKC
LAC
GSW
POR
DAL
MEM
?

I'd say Houston has best chance of falling out for Pelicans, but IDK all 8 same teams might stay in

[raprap]

Out Memphis

In Phoenix? New Orleans? Lakers? :eek:

[livingby3's]

The nuggets adding AA will be huge, imo.

I say SA, OKC, LAC, DAL are locks

GS, MEM, HOU, POR are the next four to enter the POs, but they are also an injury to a key player away from losing their spot (Not that i wish injury upon anyone, but that's how the west stands)

Teams that might sneak in should one of the team drop. PHX, DEN, NO

[Cocaine80s]

Minnesota is no longer a playoff contender which leaves only Phoenix. I don't see the Suns displacing the Mavs after their offseason and Memphis and up are all staying strong.

The Pelicans and future HOFer The Brow are the darkhorse to make playoffs this year. That's how ****ing stacked the West is.
a team that went 34-48 last year is the dark horse to make the playoffs? :oldlol:

[thefatmiral]

pelicans are not getting in . west is too stacked. and their name is stupid. leaning toward blazers.

[blackification]

The Pelicans could very well end up like the Timberwolves did last year. Davis might beast but the rest of the guys haven't stepped up yet and their coach isn't impressive either

[NugzFan]

Minnesota is no longer a playoff contender which leaves only Phoenix. I don't see the Suns displacing the Mavs after their offseason and Memphis and up are all staying strong.

The Pelicans and future HOFer The Brow are the darkhorse to make playoffs this year. That's how ****ing stacked the West is.

Leaves only Phoenix for what?

[bdreason]

Same teams make it.

First out would be Memphis or Dallas. First in would be Denver or Phoenix.

[Marv_Albert]

Straight up I'm telling you now the sac town kings are gonna make some noise this season

[no pun intended]

Suns won't even make the playoffs.

[no pun intended]

a team that went 34-48 last year is the dark horse to make the playoffs? :oldlol:
http://www.everyjoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/omer-asik-deal-with-it.jpg

[oti]

SA
OKC
LAC
GSW
DAL
POR
MEM
HOU

with a small chance NO, i'm looking forward to Davis playing with Asik

PHX had a fluke year , Dragic wont put up the same performance , Bledsoe is unhappy, it wont be the same

It depends a lot on injuries to key players , the West is stacked. I could totally see a team from the list of 8 dropping due to a major injury like MEM almost didnt make it cause of Gasol last year.

[T_L_P]

All the same teams, Nuggets finish 9th.

[kurple]

I will bet anyone that Denver will make the playoffs

Team is built for the regular season

[BlkMambaGOAT]

Kobe leads his team to a 4th seed at least while putting up god-like numbers. Then Lakers go on to win a ring.

[T_L_P]

I will bet anyone that Denver will make the playoffs

Team is built for the regular season

Yeah, if they are fully healthy they'll make it. But it seems like half their squad is missing.

[Milbuck]

Pelicans in, Rockets out. Nuggets have a good shot as well, obviously Suns too if they retain Bledsoe.

NOLA is loaded..injuries destroyed them last year..healthy Jrue/Gordon/Tyreke/Davis/Asik with Ryan Anderson off the bench? Team has a ton of potential.

[Dragic4Life]

GSW out, PHX in.

[kshutts1]

We need to consider injury possibilities. Not that I want anyone injured but, every year, that seems to be a large determining factor.

What if Curry's ankle bothers him again?
If Dirk gets hurt, Dallas is done.
Houston is likely out if Harden or Howard is hurt.
I'm not sold on Clippers chances without Griffin.
Same with Portland without Aldridge.

Again, I don't want anyone injured, and we obviously can't plan for it. But they happen. I think that Portland or Dallas is the most likely team that made it last year to miss the playoffs this year.

[moaz]

We need to consider injury possibilities. Not that I want anyone injured but, every year, that seems to be a large determining factor.

What if Curry's ankle bothers him again?
If Dirk gets hurt, Dallas is done. If Chandler gets hurt, they are almost done, without a mid-season trade the other centers are Brendan Wright and Greg Smith. I don't know about Parson, but with Marion's and VC's input out, I think if he also gets hurt, Dallas will struggle
Houston is likely out if Harden or Howard is hurt.
I'm not sold on Clippers chances without Griffin.
Same with Portland without Aldridge.
....

:applause: Came here to post this

[kshutts1]

:applause: Came here to post this
Fair points, but beyond Dirk it's too many "if's" for me to really consider.

[Le Shaqtus]

The nuggets adding AA will be huge, imo.

I say SA, OKC, LAC, DAL are locks

GS, MEM, HOU, POR are the next four to enter the POs, but they are also an injury to a key player away from losing their spot (Not that i wish injury upon anyone, but that's how the west stands)

Teams that might sneak in should one of the team drop. PHX, DEN, NO

I'm not sure if Dallas are locks, they were battling Memphis and Phoenix for a while in the 8th seed and they managed to moved up near the end of the season.

Pelicans and the Suns are the only two teams that can push someone out of the playoffs, but it's so close they could just miss out again.

[Nastradamus]

Denver has no chance. No stars, no post scoring and who knows how healthy Gallo is.

NO's is in if healthy. When Davis-Anderson-Evans-Gordon-Holliday were on the floor they outscored the opponent by quite a bit.

[Nastradamus]

I'm not sure if Dallas are locks, they were battling Memphis and Phoenix for a while in the 8th seed and they managed to moved up near the end of the season.

Pelicans and the Suns are the only two teams that can push someone out of the playoffs, but it's so close they could just miss out again.

I think Dallas with Parsons and Chandler is a lock. They are better than Memphis and Phoenix pretty easily IMO. They have a good chance to pass up. I could see them swapping spots with someone like GS.

[Demitri98]

OKC
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Mavs

are all locks for top 4.

Golden State
Houston
Portland
Memphis

will jumble around at 5-8.

Phoenix, New Orleans and Denver could kick up some dust and maybe go on a late-season run for a playoff spot.

Minnesota and the Lakers are the unknowns. They could win anywhere from 20 to 50 games.

Sacramento and Utah are lottery bound.

[YouGotServed]

lol @ everyone overrating the Mavs.

lol @ the thought of Houston missing the playoffs.

Dat wishful thinking.

[NuggetsFan]

Denver has no chance. No stars, no post scoring and who knows how healthy Gallo is.


A similar core won 57 games just a few years ago. Denver is built for the regular season, 2 deep at every position, fringe All-Stars like Lawson. Gallo is a question mark obviously but if we can even get him for 50 games it'll go a long way.

Denver missing out is your opinion, them having no chance is just stupid.

[stalkerforlife]

If Kobe stays healthy, Lakers are a lock.

[NugzFan]

Denver has no chance. No stars, no post scoring and who knows how healthy Gallo is.

NO's is in if healthy. When Davis-Anderson-Evans-Gordon-Holliday were on the floor they outscored the opponent by quite a bit.

No stars didn't stop us two years ago

[NugzFan]

OKC
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Mavs

are all locks for top 4.

Golden State
Houston
Portland
Memphis

will jumble around at 5-8.

Phoenix, New Orleans and Denver could kick up some dust and maybe go on a late-season run for a playoff spot.

Minnesota and the Lakers are the unknowns. They could win anywhere from 20 to 50 games.

Sacramento and Utah are lottery bound.

Minnesota and the lakers could win 50?! :roll:

[NugzFan]

lol @ everyone overrating the Mavs.

lol @ the thought of Houston missing the playoffs.

Dat wishful thinking.

Is exactly what rocket fans say.

[YouGotServed]

Is exactly what rocket fans say.

Kill yourself immediately.

[NugzFan]

Kill yourself immediately.

:oldlol:

I actually respect the fact that you didn't start crying about how awesome you think the rockets would be like most homers here would. :cheers:

[hawksdogsbraves]

OKC
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Mavs

are all locks for top 4.

Golden State
Houston
Portland
Memphis

will jumble around at 5-8.

Phoenix, New Orleans and Denver could kick up some dust and maybe go on a late-season run for a playoff spot.

Minnesota and the Lakers are the unknowns. They could win anywhere from 20 to 50 games.

Sacramento and Utah are lottery bound.

Try 20-35

[qrich]

Locks: Thunder, Spurs, Clippers

All But Locks: Warriors

Should Make It With Ease: Blazers, Mavericks

That leaves two open slots to be fought between Memphis, Houston, New Orleans, Denver, Phoenix and even the Lakers.

I expect Memphis and Houston to keep their slots, though, Denver and New Orleans will make huge pushes.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Rockets wont make it
I think Stephs gonna get injured so GS might not make it either

[L.A.Hawks]

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Rockets
6. Warriors
7. Lakers
8. Mavericks

[bigt]

It's so hard to determine right now. I was going to say Memphis are the team most likely to fall out of the 8, but once they got healthy last season they were among the best teams in the league. Denver and New Orleans are both teams that are talented enough to force their way into the playoffs but it's not fair to count the Suns out either.

Dallas got better, Houston got worse but Harden/Howard is a fantastic regular season combination and it's hard to see them not lift their team into the first round. GSW are too talented to fall out for any reason other than injuries (which, yeah is their biggest fear) Portland should be even more dangerous this year and Clippers/Spurs/Thunder are still top of the league. Unfortunately it's likely going to be down to which teams lose a major piece to long term injury

[masonanddixon]

I can see the Clippers, Blazers, and/or Rockets missing the cut.

[noob cake]

Let's see what 4 sportbooks think... (protip: Rockets are one of the 6 contenders)

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/odds/futures

1. Spurs
2. OKC

GAP

3. Clippers
4. Rockets

Huge GAP

5. GSW
6. Mavs

GAP

7. Blazers
8. Grizzlies

Obviously you guys know better than the bookies. Rockets are not making the playoffs :banghead:

[oarabbus]

Let's see what 4 sportbooks think... (protip: Rockets are one of the 6 contenders)

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/odds/futures

1. Spurs
2. OKC

GAP

3. Clippers
4. Rockets

Huge GAP

5. GSW
6. Mavs

GAP

7. Blazers
8. Grizzlies

Obviously you guys know better than the bookies. Rockets are not making the playoffs :banghead:

I DO think the Rockets make playoffs but the bookies are smokin' some mighty fine crack if Rockets are right after clippers then a "HUGE GAP" for us and the Mavs :roll:

Lost Parsons, Asik, Lin, somehow the team got better/stayed the same :rolleyes:

[noob cake]

I DO think the Rockets make playoffs but the bookies are smokin' some mighty fine crack if Rockets are right after clippers then a "HUGE GAP" for us and the Mavs :roll:

Lost Parsons, Asik, Lin, somehow the team got better/stayed the same :rolleyes:

Ariza provides same production as Parsons. Harden is one year better. One more year of chemistry between Dwight and Harden.

Houston didn't lose much really. Lin didn't do shit. Asik was discontent and hurt a lot of the season. Losing Asik makes the team worse, but losing Lin makes our team better. Hopefully Motiejunas or T Jones can fill the void left by Asik. Our backup center spot really does suck, which means Dwight will be playing 40 minutes in the playoffs.

[oarabbus]

Ariza provides same production as Parsons. Harden is one year better. One more year of chemistry between Dwight and Harden.

Houston didn't lose much really. Lin didn't do shit. Asik was discontent and hurt a lot of the season. Losing Asik makes the team worse, but losing Lin makes our team better. Hopefully Motiejunas or T Jones can fill the void left by Asik. Our backup center spot really does suck, which means Dwight will be playing 40 minutes in the playoffs.

Fair enough but that does not constitute a "HUGE GAP" between your team and

Curry/Klay/Iggy/Lee or Green/Bogut
Jammer or Dev HArris/Monta/Parsons/Dirk/Chandler


Neither is there a gap between OKC and the Clippers, especially after the considerable offseason the clips have had adding depth. Those bookies are on crack.

[noob cake]

Fair enough but that does not constitute a "HUGE GAP" between your team and

Curry/Klay/Iggy/Lee or Green/Bogut
Jammer or Dev HArris/Monta/Parsons/Dirk/Chandler


Neither is there a huge gap between OKC and the Clippers, especially after the considerable offseason the clips have had adding depth. Those bookies are on crack.

Check the distance between those lines. I didn't make up the differences. Average below

SAS(447.5)
OKC(615)

Clippers(1000)
Rockets(1575)

GSW (2550)
Mavs(2750)

[NugzFan]

rocket fans LOVE to use vegas in their arguements.


Ariza provides same production as Parsons. Harden is one year better. One more year of chemistry between Dwight and Harden.

yeah that would be nice except parsons is better than ariza, every team is one year better than last year and every team has another year of chemistry.


Houston didn't lose much really. Lin didn't do shit. Asik was discontent and hurt a lot of the season. Losing Asik makes the team worse, but losing Lin makes our team better. Hopefully Motiejunas or T Jones can fill the void left by Asik. Our backup center spot really does suck, which means Dwight will be playing 40 minutes in the playoffs.

compared to the rest of the west, you lost A LOT. almost every western team improved their rosters, many did significantly. the rockets roster is worse than last year.

[Marv_Albert]

Straight up I'm telling you now the sac town kings are gonna make some noise this season

WHAT I TELL YOU, sac kings are makin playoffs this year welcome back sacramento we here back where we belong!!!!!!!!

[T_L_P]

Everyone stays.

I thought Denver would make it but I've changed my mind.

4th and 5th seed will be Memphis and Golden State. Dallas 6, Houston 7, Portland 8.

[Jlamb47]

1. Spurs
2. GWS
3. Dallas
4. Memphis
5. Clippers
6. Houston
7. Portland
8. Sacremento
9.Pelicans
10.OKC - Depends on when KD and Westbrook come back
11/Suns
12.Denver

[T_L_P]

If anyone falls out, it'll be Portland.

They were around .500 after their insane start last year. Problem is, I don't see anyone else winning enough games.

Sac/Lakers/Jazz/Minny are stone cold out of it imo. Nuggets seem less and less likely. Davis would have to go 04 KG to get them in. Suns...well, they look good.

[ArbitraryWater]

If anyone falls out, it'll be Portland.

They were around .500 after their insane start last year. Problem is, I don't see anyone else winning enough games.

Sac/Lakers/Jazz/Minny are stone cold out of it imo. Nuggets seem less and less likely. Davis would have to go 04 KG to get them in. Suns...well, they look good.

Agreed about if anyone is coming IN, it's Phoenix... I don't give anyone else much of a Chance.

Now, about who might fall out?

Well, it won't be two Teams, because Sac/Jazz/Minny/Lakers/Pelicans won't win enough to also come in behind Suns...

But if someone falls out, it will be between the Thunder, Blazers and Rockets IMO... Rockets look good right now, will have to see as the season Progresses and they face some Quality Teams.

Blazers were mediocre after all-star break, weak bench.

Thunder hurt by Durant and Westbrook's Injury.

Clippers look bad right now, but surely they will get back to their old self soon.

Although it is unusual to see a Team start the way they did after how they presented themselves last year... Its not like they have the Championship hangover right now.