Would you be embarrassed?

[Fez Hammersticks]

If we clinched a playoff spot being under .500, like the Chicago Bulls?

Would we call ourselves an up and coming (young) playoff team or a playoff team by default?

I'm looking at the playoff seeding out East and had to shake my head at a few teams.

 

[BBert]

Luckily, we'll never have to find out.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Would I be 'embarrassed'? No, not really. A .500 record doesn't make you a contender, but for a young team like the Bulls with an awful coach I think that's a pretty respectable mark. Give them some credit they've gone on a real hot streak to close their season out.

Now if we're talking about the Pistons or Utah getting in almost by default by absolutely imploding down the stretch I'd be much less enthused.

 

[Natebishop3]

I like the Bulls' future. Rose is a stud, and I liked their trade for Salmons and Miller. They could make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[Minstrel]

Not embarrassed. I just wouldn't be very enthused about their chances in the playoffs. But if it represented progress from the previous season (in terms of record, not in terms of a playoff spot), then I'd be somewhat glad about that.

 

[KingSpeed]

Hey. The Hawks were below .500 last season and they took the Celtics to 7 games. Meanwhile, the 50 win Nuggets got swept by the Lakers. East teams are better than they are given credit for.

 

[julius]

We did that 20 years ago.

 

[maxiep]

If we clinched a playoff spot being under .500, like the Chicago Bulls?

Would we call ourselves an up and coming (young) playoff team or a playoff team by default?

I'm looking at the playoff seeding out East and had to shake my head at a few teams.

Check this schedule out: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/

In 85-86 we went 40-42 and made the playoffs.

In 88-89 we went 39-43 and made the playoffs.