Looking at the standings it appears that the top 8 playoff spots are already locked in. Right now Minnesota is playing well, but is 3 games back. An injury could happen at any time and changed things. But aside from injuries, who is the one team that you can see fading that would open the door for any of the bottom 7 ? And does another team besides the Wolves have the players to move up? Still plenty of time before the trade deadline. Phoenix is the least experienced group. They are playing well, but if I am a Wolves fan I would be focused on every Sun's game. I don't think they have any other options.
I think dallas maybe even more so than phoenix is on the cusp of potentially slipping. minny is only one ahead in the loss column of NO and 2 ahead of Memphis. NO evans has been on fire lately after Gordon going down and could elevate their teams play with more pt for tyreke. dallas is older and is only I injury away from slipping fast.(same could be said of anyone though including us)
Did I miss a memo, or do most teams have 50 some odd games still to play? Seriously, what the fuck? Last year at this time we were 15-14 and finished 33-49.
I hope we were, but that's not the point. Saying the top 8 are locked in with 50 games left is pretty (whatever I can say here that won't get edited) IMO
Last year the top 6 was locked up by this time. It was obvious that each would make the playoffs. (Without a devastating injury) But the last 2 spots were more questionable. This year so far the top 8 are all playing pretty well. So even though Minnesota has stepped up their game, they could be left out. This year's west is much deeper. I am simply asking which team (if any) will have the wheels come off that will allow another team to get in. I get that it is a long season, but a 3 game slide right now by the Wolves could put them back 6 games.....
I bolded the word Appears specifically for that purpose. Obviously things are not locked in at this point. But things could get tough for a few teams in the next few weeks if they are not careful.
I think there are six teams that are locks to get in; OKC, POR, SAS, LAC, HOU, GS So its a fight for the other two playoff spots. I still have a hard time buying into Phoenix as a playoff team but as their 11 losses only trail three west teams they definetely are in the fight. I think Minny, Dallas, New Orleans could all make a good run and get in. Even Memphis if Marc Gasol can come back healthy could get hot and make it. The Kings, Jazz and Lakers have zero chance. I don't think the Nuggets have any realistic chance. So thats 5 teams competing for the last 2 spots. If I had to pick two teams I would go with Minny and Dallas. The Love/Pek duo is so impressive at times. Dirk is right there with LaMarcus and others as the best big man in the game.
The 8th spot is up for grabs. NO, Memphis, Minny and Denver are all talented enough to take it. I think the Suns could also easily go on a losing streak as well.
New Orleans is looking a lot better and Minnesota or Denver could easily get their shit together also. Dallas, Golden State and Phoenix could all easily slip, but for the most part I agree with the current lay out. I figured the irony of this season will be when we wrap up the #1 seed and then play Phoenix in the first round.
This whole seeding thing is basically meaningless in the West. Every team is tough. Would it really be easier to play Golden State in the 1st round than San Antonio? Or the Rockets over the Clippers?
Dallas has surprised me, but they should not have since I have always respected Monte Ellis' game. He is one of those go-to players that will win you a lot of close games. They have enough vets that I don't they will slide. (Yes of course if he or Dirk went down it would change things) So IMO Minnesota, Memphis, and NO fans need to be eyeing the Phoenix Sun's schedule. (or pray for bad things to occur to other star players)
Or anyone on the Blazers forum. I had no idea how many knee injuries have been had by the people on here.
I agree with MM actually. I would say that OKC, the Spurs, and ourselves are pretty much sure things but even that isn't guaranteed.
I can agree with "Bold". The other two.... not so much since I think it was obvious that I did not say that things could not change. But rather how they appeared today.