WC playoff competition

[illmatic99]

Based on off-season moves so far:

Teams that got clearly better and could contest for a playoff spot:
- NOP- add Asik without losing anything of significance
- DAL- add Chandler and Parsons, while losing Calderon/Vince/Marion
- PHX- add Isaiah Thomas but lose Frye. They'll prolly bring back Bledsoe.
- DEN- add Afflalo, and bring back a healthy McGee
- LAC- lose Collison, but add Hawes
- LAL - bring back Kobe, Nash (even if they're crippled) and Lin, but lose Gasol and have no real big men

Teams that stayed stagnant:
- MIN- I don't see Lavine helping them jump into potential playoff territory. And they have the whole Love thing
- MEM- add Vince but lose Miller, so that's wash
- GSW- what did they do?
- SAS- just bring back their own players
- UTA- will get a bit better, but still nowhere close to playoffs


Teams that got worse:
- SAC- exchange Thomas for Collison... why?
- HOU- nuff said
- OKC- lose a starter in Thabo, but get a little younger

Where are we now? If some of these teams are healthy, the fight into the playoffs will be tougher, but not much change in the top of the conference.

 

[Minstrel]

- GSW- what did they do?

Added Shaun Livingston, who fills one of their bigger holes--backup point guard.

Also, I don't think Dallas and the Lakers clearly got better, nor do I think the Lakers could contest for a playoff spot. It's possible that Dallas has gotten better, but they lost shooting (Carter and Calderon are both better shooters than Parsons) and, for a team that relies heavily on spreading defenses out and shooting the ball, it's an open question whether Tyson Chandler's (declining) defensive skills make up for that.

 

[Pinwheel1]

B
Where are we now? If some of these teams are healthy, the fight into the playoffs will be tougher, but not much change in the top of the conference.

The key will be injuries. Some of those teams will suffer injuries. It is inevitable every year. The ones who get hit the most will get passed by. The west could have a solid 11-12 teams. It will be so competitive the teams who lose the most to injuries, will be the ones who don't make it.

 

[illmatic99]

Added Shaun Livingston, who fills one of their bigger holes--backup point guard.

Also, I don't think Dallas and the Lakers clearly got better, nor do I think the Lakers could contest for a playoff spot. It's possible that Dallas has gotten better, but they lost shooting (Carter and Calderon are both better shooters than Parsons) and, for a team that relies heavily on spreading defenses out and shooting the ball, it's an open question whether Tyson Chandler's (declining) defensive skills make up for that.

Good call on Livingston. He will help GS.

Maybe I'm buying too much of the DAL hype. They don't have a legit PG either, and in the west, that's gonna be a problem. If we're healthy and improve our D, we could have HCA, but if last season was any indication, it prolly won't matter much. Getting into the playoffs healthy, and on a high note is what's key.

 

[riverman]

Blazers should win their division this season. That's a start

 

[riverman]

Be interesting if the Clippers boycott the whole season and lose Rivers as a coach.