Western Conference Power Rankings: Training Camp
- Thread starter Basketball_Romantic23
- Start date
spycam1
Well-Known Member
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
Banned
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
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
spycam1
Well-Known Member
I'm saying it would be more beneficial to the Jazz's future if we had a lottery pick instead of making the playoffs for an EXTREMELY likely first round exit.
Nice job. Just not sure if I agree this was a positive.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Nice job. Well though out for each team - and not overly homerish on the Jazz.I wrote it myself
I'd give you a couple reps if I could.
amen
Now that is a whole different arguement. I am simply refusing to assign a team that got to any particular level/round no chance to get to the next lever/round. There is the chance of a major injury to the higher ranking/superior team, a "Steve Nash" scenario where several players get suspended for a few games of the series as we saw with S.A. and Phoenix. Always a chance no matter how small. It can happen.
As for what I would like to see for the Jazz. Well I do not want them to tank but I want the newer guys to have large amounts of minutes to see what we have. Are the big positions really fixed? Do we really have two good wing players to build off of? Only way to find out is to let them play and see what we have.
The Rockets will be better than you've got.
Lowry, Dragic, Flynn
Martin, Courtney Lee
Marcus Morris, Budinger, T.Will
Scola, Patterson, Jordan Hill
Montiejunas
They're also in a position to make a trade.
Lowry, Dragic, Flynn
Martin, Courtney Lee
Marcus Morris, Budinger, T.Will
Scola, Patterson, Jordan Hill
Montiejunas
They're also in a position to make a trade.
Perhaps, but a couple too many question marks to be sure.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Yes, very sad indeed if you're a Portland fan. I have to say Portland was becoming my 2nd favorite team several years back. I admired the way they had gotten past the JailBlazer stage and were rebuilding the team. Of course, then Paul Allen and "the other Larry Miller" started to show their true colors. First came the ugly letter to NBA teams threatening action if any team signed Darius Miles. Then, of course, the toxic offer to Paul Millsap and the outrageous amount offered to Matthews. And the reprehensible treatment of Kevin Pritchard by Paul Allen. I thought for sure Portland was going to be a contender within a few years of drafting Oden. Now, I'm almost happy with every setback that happens to that organization; Allen deserves everything bad that comes his way.
I know I'm a homer in saying this, but I think Utah and OKC have the brightest futures of any teams in the West. Of course, we know the Lakers will make some significant moves. They'll probably cut enough salary to eventually sign Paul AND Howard as FA's.
I know I'm a homer in saying this, but I think Utah and OKC have the brightest futures of any teams in the West. Of course, we know the Lakers will make some significant moves. They'll probably cut enough salary to eventually sign Paul AND Howard as FA's.
spycam1
Well-Known Member
I'd put the Clippers in there as well. Griffin+Gordon+Minnesota pick? Very bright future.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
But it's Donald Sterling. He always screws things up. They'll give up the farm for Paul, because Stern says that is what they need to do. But CP3 has only promised not to opt out. In two years, he'll just walk over to the other lockerroom and put on his Laker jersey. Then, Griffin will be traded on the cheap and the rebuilding will start anew.
orangello
Well-Known Member
How much better is Jefferson than Favors? How much better is Millsap than Kanter?
(Yes I phrased it this way to prove a point)
If they are so much better then there would not be an argument, but I honestly believe that it is closer than others want to believe.
Hayward> Miles?
Burks= Bell?
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The Rockets have some talent but who does the dirty work on this team? Who defends the paint? Who takes the other teams top perimeter scorer?
They have two minus defenders in Martin and Scola who are their best offensive options. If Morris is going to play SF, then I expect he will get burned too. Terrence Williams had several opportunities to succeed in NJ but never did it. I don't expect him to start now. IMO Lowry is their only player who is effect on both sides of the court. And that isn't a winning combo.
Also they are collecting PF's even faster than the Jazz. Scola and Patterson need to play the 4. Hill and Montiejunas can play the 5 a little but their best position is 4. Morris will be able to play 3 on offense but defensively he needs to be a 4. I think they will miss Chuck Hayes's defense, rebounding and general toughness.
Trust me, I am in Houston and I hear all about the Rockets.
I expect that Lowry, Martin, Budinger, Scola and Hill will start at the beginning of they year. But as they are currently constituted they will be a lottery team.
spycam1
Well-Known Member
Right now? Or in the future?
The thing is, i agree with the teams above Jazz, but i dont see any of them marginally better than us. I don't see any top level team this year in the west. Dallas won't make miracles again, Lakers is questionable, Memphis will be pretty good but still they don't have any superstars. OKC isn't very convincing neither even though they have the best player in the west. I think Miami will be champions this year by banging everyone else. All other contender teams, Chicago, Lakers, OKC, Memphis, Dallas, Boston are almost on the same level and i don't see any Dallas like miracle happening this year. I think we will surprise many people and make it to top 5-6 in the west.
Also there is no way in the hell a Portland without Oden and Roy will be better than us.
Also there is no way in the hell a Portland without Oden and Roy will be better than us.
spycam1
Well-Known Member
They didn't have them last year and were still better than us...also, they didn't have Gerald Wallace or Raymond Felton last year.