Playoffs Next Season?

[vikinginferno]

So, the large part of the FA madness is over and the dust is settling in the NBA. Amare and Boozer have left to the eastern conference, leaving the Suns and Jazz lacking the star power they had last season. It doesn't look like our team is going to change much besides adding 1-2 more summer league guys. With the trade of Hawes+Noc for Dalembert, the drafting of Boogie and Whiteside, and the further development of our young players, our team is definitely ready for a large rise in the WC hierarchy. Now, based on what teams are looking to be now, do you think we will be a playoff team? Let's look at the other teams in the conference:

Barring Major Injuries, playoff-bound for sure:
Lakers
Nuggets
Mavs
Thunder

Probable Playoff teams:
Spurs
Blazers

Borderline Playoff teams:
Hornets
Jazz
Kings
Rockets
Grizzlies
Clippers
Suns

Bottom Dwellers:
Warriors
Wolves

IMO the last 2 spots are going to be very competitive and all but Warriors and Wolves are going to be at least decent teams. I think we have as good a chance as any of the borderline playoff teams to make it though.

 

[Jechtsphere]

I don't see it, I think we're a year away from really getting into the playoffs but I can defiantly can see us within shouting distance of the 8th seed...however close that is =P

 

[Dunkster]

It will be close..

 

[Telemachus]

As of right now, I agree with your top 4 teams making the playoffs (LA, Dallas, OKC, & Denver). I think that Portland will make the playoffs and Houston (if Yao is healthy with get a spot). That leaves 2 spots available for a lot of teams. I know that every year we think the Spurs are going to fall, but they almost didn't make it last year. Duncan and Ginobli seem to be on their last legs, and if either of them misses a decent amount of games (very probable) I don't think they make the playoffs this year. I don't see any of the remaining teams having a greater chance at the playoffs than the Kings do. All of them (Kings included) need to catch some breaks and have a lot of thing go their way in order to make the playoffs. It will be a lot of fun watching it all play out.

One thing I don't think we will see this upcoming season is a what happened last year with the playoff race pretty much over for most of the western conference teams by the all-star break. I think the final 2 or 3 playoff spots will be up for grabs until at least March with maybe as many as 7 teams vying for those spots.

 

[NME]

I can't see it happening this season. The following season, we should expect it.

 

[Entity]

i'd take the Jazz and the Suns out now that they bost lost their best big man. Clippers find a way every year to suck. We lacked an inside presence last year and post defense. I think we have sealed up that problem now. Our problem is going to have to come from the other 3 spots. 1 of those 3 I believe we all agree is taken care of. Donte and Casspi both had their moments. I'd expect more consistancy from both this year as well as a healthy great role player in Garcia. Yeah I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility this year. I'd say it hinges on Cousins progression just how far up the ladder we climb. If he comes in and immdiatley makes a difference then you never know Just the addition of Dalembert helps out tremendously enough to say we could be a borderline playoff team without Cousins.

 

[Chupacabra]

After reading that list of teams in the west i realize theres definitely a real chance that the Kings make the playoffs next year. Thanks to this summers free agency I think Utah and Phoenix are on the outside looking in. I predict the Kings are in a 3 way battle for the 8 spot with Memphis and Houston.

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

How awesome would it be if the Kings made the playoffs as the eight seed and somehow managed to beat the 1st seeded Lakers in the first round? It's a pipe dream I know, but I think I'll be in tears if that happens. Watching our young team grow-up in the post-season.

 

[Fear the Putin]

How awesome would it be if the Kings made the playoffs as the eight seed and somehow managed to beat the 1st seeded Lakers in the first round? It's a pipe dream I know, but I think I'll be in tears if that happens. Watching our young team grow-up in the post-season.

baby steps...
let's try to make it first...
and if we face "them", all hell will break loose

 

[Spike]

I can't believe it's taken this long:

If it happens, I'll be plenty surprised. A lot of things have to go our way, though.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

If we do I'll be pleasantly surprised. I expect about 35 wins this season and the playoffs in the next.

 

[bajaden]

Anything is possible, but I'm not counting on it. I also think were a year away. But I do think the Kings have top 5 talent on their team. The problem will be inexperience. How many games will we lose in the final minute of the game due to mistakes. Mistakes that experienced teams don't make. I agree that the Lakers, Nuggets, Mav's and the Thunder are almost sure bets. I say almost because if Dirk goes down with an injury, the Mav's are in trouble. I think the Spurs will have to really battle to make the playoffs this year. But remember. If its going to be easier for us because the Jazz and the Suns are weaker, then its going to be easier for the Spurs as well. Portland should make it as well, but they underacheived last year in my opinion. Their front office is in disaray and who knows how that will affect the rest of the team.

Memphis should be right there knocking on the door again. I don't think they've done anything to really improve the team from last year, but they're young and have more experience. I think the Hornets could be on their way to sliding into the abyss. They should be healthy, but I don't think thats enough. If Yao comes back as his former self, then I think the Rockets are a threat to win the west. The two dark horse teams that could make dramatic leaps are the Clippers and the Kings. I give the edge to the Clippers just due to experience. They have a lot of talent on that team. The question is chemistry. Can they become a team. The Kings still have a few holes to fill. But if Cousins is the real deal, and I think you all know what I think, then is possible that the combination of Evans and Cousins can overcome those holes. Thats asking a lot from a rookie and a second year player, and I doubt it will happen. But at least march and perhaps even april should be more exciting this coming season.

 

[TheWileyVet]

I think we just miss playoffs this season. One more lottery pick to add to our young core - maybe we get lucky and the ping pong balls finally bounce our way!

 

[TheWileyVet]

If we do I'll be pleasantly surprised. I expect about 35 wins this season and the playoffs in the next.

this

 

[KingsCitizen]

With several All-Star bigs going from West East, I really like the Kings chances this time.

I hope we can sign a really helpful SG that can play alongside Evans.

 

[Jespher]

I wouldn't count Phoenix out just yet. They made it to the WCF last season, and just added Turkoglu and Childress today. Nash is looking younger than ever at 37 and their defense has been steadily improving. I'm betting Phoenix makes it to at least a 6th seed in the west. Utah is the team I'd watch for a big drop-off, unless they stay healthy for the whole year.

I really like this young Kings roster, however the experience factor is the biggest question (along with injuries of course). If all goes well they could be putting things together and contending for a playoff spot by the end of this season, but more likely it will take at least another year. DMC has been beasting in practice for summer league, and I think he's a perfect fit alongside Tyreke going forward. If Geoffe can keep this pieces together, and Paul can keep them improving and motivated the sky's the limit for this group (the talent is certainly there).

PS. Supposedly Donte Greene grew another inch over the summer and is now around 7'. Any substantiation to those accounts? That provides quite a match-up advantage at the 1, 3, and 5 with the PF spot also in good hands with Landry, Thompson, and Whiteside. Go Kings, and as VF21 would say I LOVE THIS TEAM!

 

[Chupacabra]

I wouldn't count Phoenix out just yet. They made it to the WCF last season, and just added Turkoglu and Childress today. Nash is looking younger than ever at 37 and their defense has been steadily improving. I'm betting Phoenix makes it to at least a 6th seed in the west. Utah is the team I'd watch for a big drop-off, unless they stay healthy for the whole year.

You forgot to include that PHX lost Amare Stoudemire to the Knicks. Say what you will about Stoudemire but hes a perenial all star and for good reason. Tough to lose a star powerforward on a team that is already trending downwards and still make the playoffs. Almost the same thing can be said for Utah.

 

[Kingstime]

I wouldn't count Phoenix out just yet. They made it to the WCF last season, and just added Turkoglu and Childress today. Nash is looking younger than ever at 37 and their defense has been steadily improving. I'm betting Phoenix makes it to at least a 6th seed in the west. Utah is the team I'd watch for a big drop-off, unless they stay healthy for the whole year.

Ehh I don't see Hedo fitting in there realistically. He needs to ball to thrive and Nash has the ball 80 percent of the time, Hedo will be a great insurance policy if Nash goes down at any point in the year. Without Amare there is no doubt in my mind Channing Frye comes back down to earth, I think quietly Phoenix has had the worst offseason of any team not from Cleveland.

 

[sidney]

Ehh I don't see Hedo fitting in there realistically. He needs to ball to thrive and Nash has the ball 80 percent of the time, Hedo will be a great insurance policy if Nash goes down at any point in the year. Without Amare there is no doubt in my mind Channing Frye comes back down to earth, I think quietly Phoenix has had the worst offseason of any team not from Cleveland.

I agree here. Nash will be slowing down and then gone in 2 years. The suns are loading up with middling talent on long term contracts and will soon go from 2-3 all stars down to none. I expect them to be dwelling in the cellar of the Western Conference for most of the next decade. Sarver has said he doesn't want to do the whole rebuild that requires they get bad and get high picks. He'll keep patching that roster by overpaying in free agency until they are a complete mess.

Also, I'm not much of a believer in Houston's roster. Rick had them majorly overachieving last year. If they lose Scola to the Nets and Yao isn't the same....I've got to think things start to catch up with them. They are undersized and lack all-star talent.

 

[Kingstime]

Also, I'm not much of a believer in Houston's roster. Rick had them majorly overachieving last year. If they lose Scola to the Nets and Yao isn't the same....I've got to think things start to catch up with them. They are undersized and lack all-star talent.

Wow I dind't even realize Scola got an offer from another team, if they lose him I think that might be the nail in that front court. Landry and him formed a nice 1/2 punch, they both could score and had tons of heart. I really hope they re sign him if not it's gonna be a long season for them. I highly doubt they would feel comfortable going into next year with a returning Yao Ming, rookie Patterson and 2nd year Jordan Hill.

Also I really hope Sarver isn't serious about not wanting to get bad to get better, Amare was his youngest most talented piece and even he was injury prone. It's crazy just as we finally get our long awaited rebuild under way the right way some of our comp is starting to look like us in Cuttino Mobley days hahah.

 

[sidney]

Wow I dind't even realize Scola got an offer from another team, if they lose him I think that might be the nail in that front court. Landry and him formed a nice 1/2 punch, they both could score and had tons of heart. I really hope they re sign him if not it's gonna be a long season for them. I highly doubt they would feel comfortable going into next year with a returning Yao Ming, rookie Patterson and 2nd year Jordan Hill.

Also I really hope Sarver isn't serious about not wanting to get bad to get better, Amare was his youngest most talented piece and even he was injury prone. It's crazy just as we finally get our long awaited rebuild under way the right way some of our comp is starting to look like us in Cuttino Mobley days hahah.

To clarify, I read that NJ is "preparing an offer" for Scola so Scola's not gone by any means. Seems possible though.

 

[Kingstime]

To clarify, I read that NJ is "preparing an offer" for Scola so Scola's not gone by any means. Seems possible though.

Yeah I figured that with all the money NJ can throw out there they'd offer something that maybe the Rockets won't match because they think they have something with Patterson and Hill, also I believe that undersized Chuck Hayes is still around to provide the vet leadership, so him leaving is very possible I guess.

 

[ArcoKings]

I really don't see the Kings making it to the playoffs next season even though some teams that have been playoff regulars are in decline. If they have a strong second half and injuries are few and minor, well, maybe... just maybe... but I'm sticking to my prediction that the Kings will win 33-43 games in 2010-2011. The inexperience will cost them a handful of games late in the 4th quarter and they will get blown out from time to time. I think we all expect this as the team is very young. One thing is for sure. They will bring excitement back to Arco and sell outs will increase. A half dozen nationally televised games (TNT, ESPN, ABC) would be great. Hopefully energy, excitement and good vibes make its way to helping the Kings land them their new arena. Would it be something special if Cousins were to win R.O.Y? I see them getting in to the playoffs in 2011-2012 with 50-53 games won. Go Sacramento!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gary]

Yeah I figured that with all the money NJ can throw out there they'd offer something that maybe the Rockets won't match because they think they have something with Patterson and Hill, also I believe that undersized Chuck Hayes is still around to provide the vet leadership, so him leaving is very possible I guess.

Don't get me started with Hill.. The guy is just tuuuurible.