What is Your Western Conference Top Eight

[Netguy115]

I'm gonna go by record, not playoff seeding:

1. Houston (I just think they're going to get it together this year especially with Stro...plus I'd hate seeing SA at the top again, and can't bring myself to put them there)
2. San Antonio
3. Sacramento
4. Pheonix
5. Dallas
6. Denver
7. Golden State
8. LA Clippers (they're going into next year with their best line-up in many years...and I think they can pull it off...I actually hope they pull it off, their playoff drought is just stunningly long)

9. Minnesota
10. LA Lakers
11. Memphis

 

[Gary]

Not that everyone believes that the Nuggets are "better" than the Kings, but the three teams that win their respected divisions will get the top three seeds come playoff time. This is why so many are picking Denver over the Kings in the playoff brackets.

But after the first round HCA goes to the team with the best record.

 

[thesanityannex]

Kings>Lakers is all I need, no ring necessary.

 

[KingKong]

Kings>Lakers is all I need, no ring necessary.

I hope that's not true. There's about 15 teams better than the Lakers right now. I hope the Kings have higher aspirations than that.

San Antoine
Sacto Kings
Houston Rocks
Dallas Mavs
Phony Suns
Denver Nuggz
Golden Warriors
Minni Wolves

 

[hoopsfan]

Kings>Lakers is all I need, no ring necessary.

Wow..that's some mighty strong Haterade you're drinkin'.

 

[slugking50]

Based on what you have seen gone down in the summer, if the season started today who are your Top 8 in the West.

1. Phoenix (Pacific Winner)
2. San Antonio (Southwest Winner)
3. Denver (Northwest Winner)
4. Houston
5. Sacramento
6. Dallas
7. Minnesota
8. Los Angeles Lakers

Hmmm....

1. San Antonio
2. Dallas
3. Pheonix
4. Denver
5. Houston
6. Sacramento
7. Minnisota
8. Golden State

 

[Purple Reign]

Being a Kings fan, I am curious to those that put the Kings up at 2, 3 and 4. What is it that makes you put them up that high? I like the changes that they made, I think they are a better team than the one that ended last season, but what is the big difference between Phoenix and the Kings that would make you believe they are the secon or third best team in the conference?

 

[nbrans]

Being a Kings fan, I am curious to those that put the Kings up at 2, 3 and 4. What is it that makes you put them up that high? I like the changes that they made, I think they are a better team than the one that ended last season, but what is the big difference between Phoenix and the Kings that would make you believe they are the secon or third best team in the conference?

As someone who has the Kings 2, I think it's more than just rose-colored glasses. The Kings have improved greatly in the offseason, and I think they're the best they've ever been since Webber was injured. They regained the size, athleticism and some of the defense they lost when Doug Christie started having foot problems and they have their best post presence since pre-injury Webber. They have a deep bench, and I personally think they're going to be solid rebounders. If they can turn up the defense a notch (granted, a big "if") they're going to be gunning for the Western Conference Championship.

And I see a lot of weaknesses in the competition. I don't like the moves Phoenix made in the offseason. Losing Joe Johnson will be a major setback, and I don't like the Q for Kurt Thomas trade. One of the reasons Phoenix was so devastating on offense last year was that Q, Marion and Stoudamire were all much quicker than opposing 3s, 4s and 5s and could blow by them and beat them down the floor on fast breaks while doing a passable job on defense. With the new moves the defense will be better, but they're really going to suffer on offense. Phoenix is going to have to get a lot more points in half court sets, and Raja Bell, Shawn Marion and Kurt Thomas can't create their own shots, nor are they very good passers. Defenses will be able to focus on Steve Nash and Amare and they won't have to worry about JJ's and Q's penetration or outside shooting. I think we'll see a dropoff from last year.

Meanwhile, Houston looks stronger with the Swift signing, but it remains to be seen how he'll produce with starter minutes. And they still don't have a point guard, which is a problem since they really need a distributor.

Denver has a major, major hole at the shooting guard position, but their season will largely be determined by which Carmelo Anthony they get. Who knows at this point.

The Mavs also don't have a true point guard and they haven't gotten better in the offseason. I'm guessing 50 games and out, just like always.

All the rest of the teams have glaring weaknesses and aren't better than the Kings.

So there you have it. The stage is set for a run to the conference finals. Go Kings!!!

 

[Bricklayer]

Two lists:

POWER
1)San Antonio
2)Phoenix
3)Houston
4)Dallas
5)Sacramento
6)Denver (will jump to 5 if get an OG)
7)Minnesota
8)Lakers

PLAYOFF SEEDING
1)San Antonio
2)Phoenix
3)Denver
4)Dallas
5)Sacramento
6)Houston
7)Minnesota
8)Lakers

Story of the season? We beat the bad teams, run up a gaudy record, but are not serious threats once playoff ball starts.

 

[uolj]

POWER
1)San Antonio
2)Phoenix
3)Houston
4)Dallas
5)Sacramento
6)Denver
7)Minnesota
8)Lakers

PLAYOFF SEEDING
1)San Antonio
2)Phoenix
3)Denver
4)Dallas
5)Sacramento
6)Houston
7)Minnesota
8)Lakers

What's that? Somebody already posted the same list? Oh... uh.. well then, I agree. The only iffy part is 7-10, where I don't know if Minnesota will be in at 7 and I don't know if Seattle or Memphis or somebody else could sneak into the number 8 spot.

 

[thesanityannex]

Wow..that's some mighty strong Haterade you're drinkin'.

 

[KINGS16]

The Kings are a lot better this year. I predict a San Antonio vs Sac showdown in the WCF.

My seedings:

1. San Antonio
2. Sac
3.Houston(they'll suprise everyone aside from the kings)
4.Suns
5.Nuggets
6.Mavs
7.Sonics
8.Lakers

Minnesota and GS another disappointing season.

 

[sc3252]

seeds
1. kings
2.spurs
3.n/a (that spot is up for grabs in my opinion) nuggets?
4.mavs
5.rockets
6.suns
7.grizzlies
8.sonics/timberwolfs/warriors/clippers and just about any team out there.

The reason I put the kings at one is for the fact that they did improve so much over the offseason and look to be a good team over all, I can see them droping to spot two but not three. In fact I see the four spot having a better record than three.

edit: o yeah I agree with thesanityannex, any year the kings beat the lakers is a good year no matter what the kings record is or the lakers.

 

[T[MaC]]

I'm curious to find why many are including the Lakers in their playoff lists. Looking at their lineup, the only bright spot is Bryant, and then what? A disgruntled Odom? Chris Mihm at center? C'mon, even the Clipps have a better chance than the Lakers do with their current lineup.

 

[tyrant]

I'm curious to find why many are including the Lakers in their playoff lists. Looking at their lineup, the only bright spot is Bryant, and then what? A disgruntled Odom? Chris Mihm at center? C'mon, even the Clipps have a better chance than the Lakers do with their current lineup.

you forgot phil jackson

 

[foretaz]

I really believe that the Kings have the best starting line up in the nba and I think they will have the best record in the west this year if we have no major injuries.

so hypothetically speaking, if the kings starters played the pistons starters in a 30 minute game, the kings win?

 

[Bricklayer]

so hypothetically speaking, if the kings starters played the pistons starters in a 30 minute game, the kings win?

In a game of horse, yes.

We're still working on grasping those subtle little parts of the game over here that don't involve shooting. Our motto: if its not something a 400lb woman can practice alone on her backyard hoop, its irrelevant to basketball.

 

[sc3252]

so hypothetically speaking, if the kings starters played the pistons starters in a 30 minute game, the kings win?

I think thats a little unfair right now, maybe in 60 games but at the moment half the team hasnt played together.

 

[LA King Fan II]

Suddenly, I feel a bit optimistic about the Kings. At the very least, I think the team is as good now as it was at the beginning of 2004/2005 with Webber and Christie. Maybe we're a sprained ankle away from being competitive with SA or Phoenix.

We're all talking about defense, but in fact the Kings offense has been flawed post Vlade. We've had no inside game. Wells and Rahim will help that, and that can only help Bibby/Miller/Peja on the outside. You know what else....Skinner wasn't that bad last year defensively before he hurt his paws.

I dunno. I feel optimistic this a.m.

Clippies will be better than the Lakers this year - Phil or no Phil.

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Houston
4. Kings
5. Dallas
6. Clippers
7. Denver
8. Memphis

 

[kings4life]

1.san sntonio
2.kings
3.rockets
4.suns
5.nuggets
6.sonics
7.mavs
8.t wolves

 

[acisking]

strongest by ranking (not playoff seeding)

1. San Antonio
2. Phoenix
3. Houston
4. Sacramento
5. Dallas
6. Denver
7. Memphis
8. Los Angeles Lakers

 

[kingsfannPDX]

Clippies will be better than the Lakers this year - Phil or no Phil.

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Houston
4. Kings
5. Dallas
6. Clippers
7. Denver
8. Memphis

the clippers in the playoffs huh??


my top 8: (record wise)

1. San Antonio- the best hands down
2. Phoenix- added some "d", lost some "o" should still be a great team
3. Houston-loaded with talent
4. Sacramento-50+ wins, stay healthy and could make a decent playoff run
5. Denver-we'll see what karl can do with a full season
6. Dallas-solid
7. Seattle- they still have lewis and allen!!!
8. Los Angeles Lakers-phil's back and the soap opera continues

 

[T[MaC]]

you forgot phil jackson

Ok. I don't really understand how Phil's gonna help in LA right now. Who's he going to coach to the playoffs? Taking a look at their roster right now- really doesn't look like a top 8 team in the West, Phil or no Phil.

 

[KingsRNumba1]

Phil will make Kwame grow up, not sure about Kobe lol

 

[Amory]

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Dallas
4. Kings
5. Houston
6. Denver
7. Lakers
8. Minnesota

 

[Rain man]

Two lists:

POWER
1)San Antonio
2)Phoenix
3)Houston
4)Dallas
5)Sacramento
6)Denver (will jump to 5 if get an OG)
7)Minnesota
8)Lakers

I think that would be one hell of an OG Denver would be getting to make them better than us. I don't get the Denver hype, and I don't think they are better than us. Compare the rosters...

Miller vs. Bibby- I take Bibby in a heartbeat
Carmelo vs. Peja- Carmelo obviously the more complete player, but Peja is an all star in his own right- still you gotta take Carmelo
KMart vs. SAR- pretty much a wash, both somewhat overrated, SAR a better force offensively, KMart a better rebounder/athlete- I think SAR is more complete, but that could be the Kings fan in me talking
Camby vs. Brad- Brad, easily!
Bench- they have more impact players (Boykins, Nene) we have better depth of quality bodies

Seeing that Bonzi is a competent OG, that would be one hell of a player they bring in to vault them over the Kings (I don't think Finley would do it on his own- even if he was seriosly considering Denver). And trading for an OG of that quality would likely cost them Nene. Anyway, enough on that, I just don't think Denver is any better than last year, and I think that they may have finished the season stronger than they actually are.

My power rankings:
1) San Antonio
2) Houston
3) Phoenix
4) Dallas
5) Sacramento
6) Minnesota
7) Denver
8) Golden State- I think 8-12 is very close- all in the neighborhood of 39-44 wins
9) Clippers
10) Memphis
11) Lakers
12) Seattle- I think Seattle is the team with the most possibility of a big jump depending on what actually happens with their FAs
13) Utah
14) Portland
15) New Orleans

 

[jacobdrj]

Miller vs. Bibby- I take Bibby in a heartbeat
Carmelo vs. Peja- Carmelo obviously the more complete player, but Peja is an all star in his own right- still you gotta take Carmelo
KMart vs. SAR- pretty much a wash, both somewhat overrated, SAR a better force offensively, KMart a better rebounder/athlete- I think SAR is more complete, but that could be the Kings fan in me talking
Camby vs. Brad- Brad, easily!
Bench- they have more impact players (Boykins, Nene) we have better depth of quality bodies

Naa.
I would take Bibby over Miller.
I would take Peja over Melo (reluctantly)
Nope, as much as I don't like him, I like would take K-Mart over SAR. K-Mart, while not much of a presence on O, is still a GREAT, tough as nails, defender.
Brad over Camby? I don't think so. Camby, when healthy, which is about as often as Brad these days, is lightyears ahead of Brad.
Bench? I have no idea.
So my composit Nuggets/Kings team would look like this:

Bibby
Peja
K-Mart
Camby
Bonzi

I am not going to "Rank" the teams for next season. I have a gut feeling that someone is going to make a HUGE splash, and I also think that PHX is going to fall.

 

[Netguy115]

whoa, whoa, camby "light years" ahead of brad when healthy? crack is bad for you man, you need to get off it

Sure, Camby is twice the defender that Brad will ever be, but his offensive game is nothing. And since when was Camby an All-star in both conferences? Or even in one? Or have multiple triple doubles? Or one? Or average 14, 10 and 4? How about shoot over 50%?

Of course I focused on offense mostly above but thats how it is. Camby is a perennial defensive center. Brad is a perennial offensive center. Combine them and you'd have some Wilt Chamberlaine type center except with outside range. Now that's a crazy thought......

 

[Kings113]

Camby only has the defense over Brad.

 

[Bricklayer]

Camby only has the defense over Brad.

That would be half the game unfortunately. Roughly 24min on each end of the court, and Camby is more dominant on his end than Brad is on his.

I would still rank Brad ahead of Marcus on the basis of general applicability, but they are apples and oranges types of players with team needs ultimately deterimining their value. Don't think Denver would be as good with Brad as they are with Camby. (Actually with our roster changes that might be true of us a well now.)