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With the information that Yao could be out all next season, McGrady can't be traded for immediate talent and Artest probably commanding around a $40 milcontract that could possibly be the end of the Houston Rockets playoff era. That got me thinking about how strong will the Western Conference be and how willthe teams that have been at the top so long fall to let the teams who have been at the bottom so long rise. Although a Yao-less Rockets held tough with theLakers, an entire regular season without Yao and many games out for McGrady probably pushes Houston out of the playoff picture.
If Phoenix does move Stoudamire, they're probably staying out of contention. And it's hard to tell where Dallas is going to be. The Mavericks situationdepends on if they will re-sign Kidd, Josh Howard's health and if they will let Bass walk. The Hornets seem to trip me out every year skipping on key guysin the draft that could really help them out. I don't know how their situation will be this upcoming year as well.
Utah is another team that is very unpredictable at this point. They could very well be on the verge of being a top team in the West when healthy to beingmediocre if they lose Okur, Boozer and Millsap this off-season. I know they would do all they can to keep from losing all 3, but if they keep Millsap they willhave to overpay for him meaning that re-signing Okur would be highly unlikely.
Teams that you can guarentee will be in the playoffs next season are the Lakers, Nuggets, Portland and Spurs. I guess you can throw in New Orleans due to thefact that they haven't lost anybody, but if they are to give up Chandler for an expiring contract that they will definitely be one of the weaker teams inthe playoffs.
How likely would it be that the same 8 teams in the West from last year make the playoffs this year? Also, how likely is it that some of the West bottomfeeders (OKC, MEM, SAC, LAC, MIN, GSW) would be able to take a huge leap similar to Portland did during the 2007 season IF they fill some of their needs thisoff-seaosn?
If Phoenix does move Stoudamire, they're probably staying out of contention. And it's hard to tell where Dallas is going to be. The Mavericks situationdepends on if they will re-sign Kidd, Josh Howard's health and if they will let Bass walk. The Hornets seem to trip me out every year skipping on key guysin the draft that could really help them out. I don't know how their situation will be this upcoming year as well.
Utah is another team that is very unpredictable at this point. They could very well be on the verge of being a top team in the West when healthy to beingmediocre if they lose Okur, Boozer and Millsap this off-season. I know they would do all they can to keep from losing all 3, but if they keep Millsap they willhave to overpay for him meaning that re-signing Okur would be highly unlikely.
Teams that you can guarentee will be in the playoffs next season are the Lakers, Nuggets, Portland and Spurs. I guess you can throw in New Orleans due to thefact that they haven't lost anybody, but if they are to give up Chandler for an expiring contract that they will definitely be one of the weaker teams inthe playoffs.
How likely would it be that the same 8 teams in the West from last year make the playoffs this year? Also, how likely is it that some of the West bottomfeeders (OKC, MEM, SAC, LAC, MIN, GSW) would be able to take a huge leap similar to Portland did during the 2007 season IF they fill some of their needs thisoff-seaosn?