Western Conference Power Rankings: Training Camp

[Qman]

10-Warriors: The Warriors are talented but young; they also don't play defense, though Jackson says they will. Shouldn't be hard for Jackson to be a better coach then an announcer. but without a defensive stopper in the paint, the Warriors don't look to be any better than last year.

I have a couple places I disagree with your assessment. The warriors will have Biedrens to patrol the paint. He isn't Chandler but he moves
better than say Al Jefferson. But they start 3 really poor defenders in Lee, Ellis and Curry. Dorell Wright is okay on D. But you're right they won't be very good except for Fantasy Basketball.

9- Hornets: After losing David West and watching the whole Chris Paul trade vetoed, the Hornets seem to be Slipping out of playoff team material. How effective will a disgruntled Paul be this year? and if he is effective, does he have the supporting cast to make much noise in a stacked western conference.

This team has no NBA depth and no serious scoring options after Paul. I don't see them going anywhere. Paul keep them out the basement of the western conference but just barely.

8- Blazers: Even after losing Roy and Oden, The Blazers still have the talent to compete. Have to say however that can't help but feel bad for Portland Fans. a Few Years Ago, just after they had drafted Oden, they looked to have a seriously Bright Future ahead of them with acore of Aldridge, Oden, and Roy.

I think you are badly unestimated how good Portland's talent is. Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby is still a good starting lineup.

They will have Batum and Oden (for part of the season) off the bench.


My list of teams

The Contenders
1. Dallas
2. OKC
3. Memphis

Pretenders

4. Lakers
5. Clippers
6. San Antonio

Fighting for right to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs

7. Portland
8. Utah
9. Phoenx
10. Golden St.
11. Minnesota (I think Aldeman makes a huge difference- they have talent.)
12. Houston (Has enough talent to have a chance.)

Fighting for Lottery Position

13. New Orleans
14. Sacramento
15. Denver

 

[Stoked]

I have always disliked the idea of teams fighting for a "first round exit". Look at what GSW did to Dallas a few years ago and Utah to Denver two years ago. Both teams were counted out right from the beginning and both made it to at least round 2. Any team that makes it to any level has a chance of making it further. Probably not a likely occurance but nothing is a forgone conclusion.

 

[Basketball_Romantic23]

I have a couple places I disagree with your assessment. The warriors will have Biedrens to patrol the paint. He isn't Chandler but he moves
better than say Al Jefferson. But they start 3 really poor defenders in Lee, Ellis and Curry. Dorell Wright is okay on D. But you're right they won't be very good except for Fantasy Basketball.




This team has no NBA depth and no serious scoring options after Paul. I don't see them going anywhere. Paul keep them out the basement of the western conference but just barely.



I think you are badly unestimated how good Portland's talent is. Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby is still a good starting lineup.

They will have Batum and Oden (for part of the season) off the bench.


My list of teams

The Contenders
1. Dallas
2. OKC
3. Memphis

Pretenders

4. Lakers
5. Clippers
6. San Antonio

Fighting for right to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs

7. Portland
8. Utah
9. Phoenx
10. Golden St.
11. Minnesota (I think Aldeman makes a huge difference- they have talent.)
12. Houston (Has enough talent to have a chance.)

Fighting for Lottery Position

13. New Orleans
14. Sacramento
15. Denver

interesting! feel like we pretty much are saying the same thing. I said the Blazers will compete and they have talent. I agree with that, i was just pointing out that without Roy and oden, there is a drop off. I can see why you would put the hornets at 13, but don't you remember last year when the Hornets took the Lakers to 6 games without West in the playoffs. i think you may be underestimating them. don't you agree? and aren't we saying very similar things about the warriors? Lee is a terrible defender and so is Biedrens. I have got to think that if you went to 82 games.com, you'd see Jefferson was better, but i could be wrong.

 

[Qman]

I have always disliked the idea of teams fighting for a "first round exit". Look at what GSW did to Dallas a few years ago and Utah to Denver two years ago. Both teams were counted out right from the beginning and both made it to at least round 2. Any team that makes it to any level has a chance of making it further. Probably not a likely occurance but nothing is a forgone conclusion.

At 6, 7 and 8 you are playing OKC, Dallas or Memphis. Those teams are clearly superior and should beat any of the teams further down the list.

Normally a team and a coach have to experience the playoff to learn how win series. If you have a experienced coach you have a chance but if both are inexperienced -- that would be really tough.

 

[Qman]

interesting! feel like we pretty much are saying the same thing. I said the Blazers will compete and they have talent. I agree with that, i was just pointing out that without Roy and oden, there is a drop off. I can see why you would put the hornets at 13, but don't you remember last year when the Hornets took the Lakers to 6 games without West in the playoffs. i think you may be underestimating them. don't you agree? and aren't we saying very similar things about the warriors? Lee is a terrible defender and so is Biedrens. I have got to think that if you went to 82 games.com, you'd see Jefferson was better, but i could be wrong.

Roy hardly played last year and Oden didn't play. They proved last year they can play really well with out them.

 

[Stoked]

At 6, 7 and 8 you are playing OKC, Dallas or Memphis. Those teams are clearly superior and should beat any of the teams further down the list.

Normally a team and a coach have to experience the playoff to learn how win series. If you have a experienced coach you have a chance but if both are inexperienced -- that would be really tough.

Key word. I agree it is unlikely but you never know.

 

[NCJazz]

I have a couple places I disagree with your assessment. The warriors will have Biedrens to patrol the paint. He isn't Chandler but he moves
better than say Al Jefferson. But they start 3 really poor defenders in Lee, Ellis and Curry. Dorell Wright is okay on D. But you're right they won't be very good except for Fantasy Basketball.

Agree with most everything, but think the Rockets are getting underestimated a little. They may still get their center. I would put them 8th on the list. Nene may still end up there.


This team has no NBA depth and no serious scoring options after Paul. I don't see them going anywhere. Paul keep them out the basement of the western conference but just barely.



I think you are badly unestimated how good Portland's talent is. Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby is still a good starting lineup.

They will have Batum and Oden (for part of the season) off the bench.


My list of teams

The Contenders
1. Dallas
2. OKC
3. Memphis

Pretenders

4. Lakers
5. Clippers
6. San Antonio

Fighting for right to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs

7. Portland
8. Utah
9. Phoenx
10. Golden St.
11. Minnesota (I think Aldeman makes a huge difference- they have talent.)
12. Houston (Has enough talent to have a chance.)

Fighting for Lottery Position

13. New Orleans
14. Sacramento
15. Denver

Agree with most everything, but think the Rockets are getting underestimated a little. They may still get their center. I would put them 8th on the list. Nene may still end up there.

 

[Basketball_Romantic23]

Roy hardly played last year and Oden didn't play. They proved last year they can play really well with out them.

yeah you are right. i should have been more specific. Portland was a bubble team last year and they will be a bubble team this year. i meant that without Oden and Roy, or the potential of a healthy Oden and Roy, they are not contenders anymore as they are currently constituted, but yes they may very well be a playoff team. Of course, i understand that Oden could come back healthy and contribute, but how many people believe that seriously at this point. it would seem that with every knee injury the likelihood of that happening diminishes. hope he is able to play for his sake; he should have the chance, but it does not look like he will ever be a long term contributor in the league.

 

[Sneakers]

Gotta feel like you're underestimating Denver just a little bit here. Not saying they'll be great, but last in the conference? Gallinari could make the jump.

 

[spycam1]

I have always disliked the idea of teams fighting for a "first round exit". Look at what GSW did to Dallas a few years ago and Utah to Denver two years ago. Both teams were counted out right from the beginning and both made it to at least round 2. Any team that makes it to any level has a chance of making it further. Probably not a likely occurance but nothing is a forgone conclusion.

A #8 has only advanced twice, and a #7 has only advanced once in NBA history, I believe. Plus, two of those three upsets were against the modern Mavs, who apparently have moved on from that screwy phase. So yes, the final two spots in the playoffs are pretty much guaranteed a first round exit. It's the worst spot to be in. You miss out on a lottery pick, and the chance to gain more talent for the future, for essentially nothing.

Sadly, my gut is telling me the Jazz will snag the final playoff spot and miss out on an unbelievable 2012 lottery. At least we'll have Golden State's pick, I suppose.

 

[Basketball_Romantic23]

Gotta feel like you're underestimating Denver just a little bit here. Not saying they'll be great, but last in the conference? Gallinari could make the jump.

you could be right about Gallinari, and Ty lawson is great! but My logic is that without Nene, Smith, Chandler, and Martin, the Nuggets are going to struggle. that is almost 40 points a game and a huge whole in your front court. now they have Chris anderson and koasta Koufus to hold down the fort, and they are not going to score very much. they might be better than 15th in the west, but it will surprise me if it was much better. i can't see them higher then 11th

 

[Stoked]

A #8 has only advanced twice, and a #7 has only advanced once in NBA history, I believe. Plus, two of those three upsets were against the modern Mavs, who apparently have moved on from that screwy phase. So yes, the final two spots in the playoffs are pretty much guaranteed a first round exit. It's the worst spot to be in. You miss out on a lottery pick, and the chance to gain more talent for the future, for essentially nothing.

Sadly, my gut is telling me the Jazz will snag the final playoff spot and miss out on an unbelievable 2012 lottery. At least we'll have Golden State's pick, I suppose.

Again unlikely and I am not saying it is a common thing I refuse to assign someone no chance. they made it and you never know. There is always a cinderalla story waiting to happen