Let's Make the Playoffs! & The State of the Opposition
- Thread starter Bricklayer
- Start date
I love the optimism and momentum, but building a cushion now is huge. Keep in mind that we have this 8 game stretch in February/March that will go a long way to deciding if we are 6, 7, 8 or 9
Vs. SA
Vs. LAC
Vs. OKC
@ Mem.
@Dal.
@SA.
@ NO.
Vs. Cle
Sluggah
All-Star
Yikes.
Section 101
All-Star
Games back means nothing. We are 1 loss behind the Rockets. You can make up wins, you can't make up losses.
lwc
Starter
Yowzers! Going out on a limb, I only see 2-3 wins in that stretch. That means either 2-6 or 3-5 in that stretch. I believe we can hold pace if we go 3-5 in that stretch. The key is who we beat in that stretch. 3-5 with wins against the Spurs, Thunder and OKC gets people talking but wins against the Grizzlies, Mavericks, and Pelicans actually help us double in the standings. I'll take wins however they come but if we can beat those 5-10 teams it REALLY helps.
LoungeLizard
Starter
I say yes. Really it was a win win for us, but I'd prefer less separation between the 6 seed, we're not that far off.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Couldn't really lose there. Want to catch Houston, but the real prize would be running down one of DAL or MEM and escaping first round termination at the hands of the Warriors or Spurs.
By the time our win streak hits 12 we should have them.
Showtime
Starter
Eh, not really. I honestly think anybody but the warriors is a decent chance. The Spurs are a machine, but I feel the Kings match up better with them than with the Warriors. Ideally we'd face the Thunder or Clippers, but as long as we don't face GSW we have a shot at taking one or two games.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I want the Clippers, and then I say we have a chance to take more than 1 or 2 games.
Spurs are death. Warriors are death. Just making the postseason would be a coup. But making the postseason and having a moment would secure the whole future.
lwc
Starter
I don't know about being swept. Not if we are full health. Playing the way we are now and fully healthy, I think we can take one game. I wont be crazy and predict two, lol.
Sac.Kings
All-Star
I don't think we would win a single game. You're talking about the defending champs trying to win #2, us not being in a playoff series in 10 years, and our main players with little to no playoff experience (except Rondo). For the Spurs, they are a machine. They take it up several levels during the playoffs.
jcwkings
All-Star
Houston plays NO, San Antonio and OKC next so they could easily lose all three of those. I think Dallas plays the Lakers this week so this was a good result overall. You also feel Dallas is the most likely of the three teams ahead of us to fallout completely. Everything that could go right has gone right for them this season, including a easier schedule so far, playing the Warriors without Curry. Give them credit though, well coached and they are pretty much maximizing that roster to this point.
lwc
Starter
Fair point but outside of Boogie, most of our core has playoff experience:
Marco - ring
Rondo - ring
KK - playoff experience
Darren - playoff experience
Rudy - playoff experience
Really outside of WCS (rookie), Boogie, and Ben, basically the rest of the core has either championship or playoff experience. I agree with you that it will not be easy but remember that stranger things have happened. The Celtics almost took out the Cavs last year. The Spurs got beat out of the playoffs in the 1st round last year. The Warriors lost 4 playoff games. It isn't insane to think the Kings can steal one.
Bosnian Diehard
Starter
Tonight's opponent watch:
Orlando @ Memphis (8:00 pm EST)
Houston @ New Orleans (8:00 pm EST)
Atlanta @ Denver (9:00 pm EST)
Detroit @ Utah (9:00 pm EST)
So, one team we're paying attention to is guaranteed a loss with HOU-NOP. I'm gonna say that New Orleans, Denver and Utah all lose tonight.
Orlando @ Memphis (8:00 pm EST)
Houston @ New Orleans (8:00 pm EST)
Atlanta @ Denver (9:00 pm EST)
Detroit @ Utah (9:00 pm EST)
So, one team we're paying attention to is guaranteed a loss with HOU-NOP. I'm gonna say that New Orleans, Denver and Utah all lose tonight.
My main concerns are Utah and Dallas, Utah is chasing us for the 8th seed and Dallas is a team we might be able to pass- they overachieved earlier in the season and lost 2 in a row (4-6 last 10).
I'm skeptical of us passing Houston so I want them to win over NO (we opened quite a gap but they are a good team and won 3 in a row), I don't think we should be worried about Denver, they lack the talent to be competitive.
lwc
Starter
I tend to agree about New Orleans and Denver. NO has playoff talent and Denver doesnt. Fully healthy, the Pelicans are one for the 8th best teams in the NBA. I believe the Kings are too. The Jazz might be as well. The problem is there are legitimately 10 teams talented enough to make the playoffs.
Bosnian Diehard
Starter
ORL 81-MEM 80
End Q3
---
HOU 90-NOP 82
2:10 Q3
---
ATL 38-DEN 33
8:33 Q2
---
DET 31-UTAH 21
8:28 Q2
End Q3
---
HOU 90-NOP 82
2:10 Q3
---
ATL 38-DEN 33
8:33 Q2
---
DET 31-UTAH 21
8:28 Q2
Bosnian Diehard
Starter
Yet another injury for New Orleans, Anthony Davis suffered a concussion and won't return vs. Houston.
Bosnian Diehard
Starter
ORL 102
MEM 106
F/OT
---
HOU 114
NOP 111
FINAL
---
ATL 108
DEN 91
6:17 Q4
---
DET 84
UTAH 76
6:04 Q4
MEM 106
F/OT
---
HOU 114
NOP 111
FINAL
---
ATL 108
DEN 91
6:17 Q4
---
DET 84
UTAH 76
6:04 Q4
K
KingMilz
Guest
Dirk plays like complete crap only to dagger the Lakers with 2 seconds to go and gets a high 5 from Kobe sitting on the bench in doing so.
Kings_of_California
Starter
The Lakers franchise as a whole is a joke right now. They have PLENTY of promising rookies/youngsters to develop and it's all going to waste because of Kobe's farewell tour. Not only has Byron Scott admitted to playing Kobe due to status, but their GM (Mitch K.) has admitted to this season being "all about Kobe" and not being able to move on until he leaves. All of this is, of course, is totally ridiculous and coming at a major expense.
Clarkson, Russell, Randle and Nance Jr. are all promising players who aren't getting enough burn.
John Galt
Starter
They are getting to openly tank, under this bogus pretense of showing Kobe respect. It is frankly brilliant I think - they aren't going to the playoffs with this bunch - but I doubt they spend more than a couple years in the cellar.
VladFather
Prospect
I agree, its brilliant from a tanking perspective and from keeping butts in the seats while they tank. Just hope they don't get lucky in the lottery and end up with Simmons.
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