With the NBA trade deadline passed and so many teams out West making moves, the Western Conference is just too intriguing not to make some bold predictions.
Just 5 games separates the top-seeded Hornets from the 9th-seeded Warriors.
Honestly, if any of those teams in the top 9 ended up winning the West, I wouldn't be shocked.
But here are my predictions.
8th Seed-Denver Nuggets
Denver will once again find its way back into the postseason for the 5th consecutive season, hopefully not to be ousted again the 1st round.
Denver is currently 33-20, its best record at this point in the season in years, but is only hanging on by a thread in a very competitive conference.
The good news is that with Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, the team is never out of a game. There's always a possibility that they'll score on any possession.
The downside of this team: awful defense.
While Denver is 6th in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage, they still give up over 104 points per game because they allow so many offensive rebounds.
Unless the defense shapes up, there's no way they advance far in the postseason.
They're just too inconsistent.
7th Seed-Houston Rockets
The Rockets are on a tear right now, but with their next game at New Orleans, their 10-game win streak could come to an end.
Yao Ming has been a solid presence down low and has been consistent all season.
Tracy McGrady is battling back from an elbow injury as well as the flu, but he finally seemed to play like his old self last night in a win over Miami.
Houston plays good enough defense that it can stay in a series with any of the West powerhouses.
McGrady and Yao will be the primary scorers, but the Rockets will need solid contributions from guys like Shane Battier, Luis Scola, and Rafer Alston in order to make a real run.
I don't think they have the consistent point guard play to be a serious contender this season.
6th Seed-New Orleans Hornets
I see the Hornets dropping down to 6, as they're only ahead of the 6th-seed Dallas Mavaricks right now by 3 games.
Experience always plays a factor down the stretch, and the Hornets have none.
Don't get me wrong, at 37-15 this team has been beyond impressive, and maybe they will continue at this pace.
But outside of Peja Stojakovic, the starters have barely seen the playoffs.
Byron Scott has done a great job with his young team, and Chris Paul is in the MVP discussion but I just think they're too young and inexperienced.
In my opinion, they're a year away.
5th Seed-Phoenix Suns
They play no defense whatsoever.
After trading for Shaq people thought that the defense would improve and they would play a different style of ball.
However, in the first game with the Big Aristotle, the Suns lost 130-124 to the Lakers.
130 points? Seems like the same old Suns to me.
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10 months ago
wow... nice list... i think the west will turn out this way... but im still not sure about the utah jazz being first, probaby second or third
10 months ago
Good read.
I don't agree with Utah first. I've picked the Lakers in that spot. But I liked all your reasoning. You really thought this out very carefully.
Seeds are important, but not everything as we learned last year with Dallas. But I feel if you don't make the top five you will have a tough go to get to the finals.
10 months ago
Jordan,
Check out your list to Hollinger's
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds
10 months ago
wow we're pretty close. i didn't look at that before i wrote this, i swear. haha
thanks alot john, i appreciate it
10 months ago
lol. That list is TOTAL crap. Lakers 2nd, to Jazz? Lakers are the best team in the league BY FAR. The Suns played a GREAT defensive game today against the Celtics, and held them to 77 POINTS! No defense? Look at how many boards Shaq got, 14 in 28 minutes! The Suns got creamed by the Lakes because they are AWESOME, even without Bynum, who is coming along very well and will be back soon (scary huh?) And wheres the love for the Warriors? They have way more heart then the Nuggets. Clippers just annihilated the Jazz today BTW. And Spurs at 4? They are too old, but KT does help them. Here is a real man's list:
1)Lakers 2)Utah 3)Suns 4)Mavs 5)Spurs 6)Houston 7)N.O. 8)Warriors
10 months ago
ok, yours is very close to mine. it's anyone's game clearly
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