Do you think the Suns will make playoffs?

[sunsfan88]

Without taking any future trades from this point on (1/19/14), do you think think this roster as currently constructed will make playoffs this season?

Personally, I think they end up just short and land the #13 or #14 pick again.

Suns have had one of the easiest schedules til today but we didn't manage to develop a big enough lead (only 3.5) against OKC while they were injured. Plus the games against really bad teams and our horrible 2-7 record in close games is what did us in imo.

We also have maybe the hardest remaining schedule left.

Do you think Suns will make playoffs this season?

Here are the current standings:

7. San Antonio Spurs, 26-16
8. Phoenix Suns, 25-18
9. Oklahoma City, 20-20
10. New Orleans, 20-21

 

[elindholm]

I don't think they can hold off the Thunder. They'll have to figure out a way to overtake someone else if they want in.

 

[slinslin]

We are going to be #9 once more. Even if we get the #8 seed we would not even stand the slightest chance despite matching up decently with Golden State at least.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I have a hunch this is true. The next 10 games or so will tell us. The consolation prize is the opportunity to pick 13 or 14.. We could parlay that pick and the Laker pick into something potentially.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Hard to see how the Suns will hold off OKC... Just too many good teams in front of them.

 

[marios13]

I would say the chance that they make the playoffs ... is 60:40

My reasoning Suns PGs play less minutes which will come in handy in the last stretches. The pieces seem to start clicking slowly into place and I expect the Suns are just going to keep getting better at utilizing their strengths from now on slowly.

Worst thing I think of that could happen is that Len injures himself somehow then I lose hope. They have no decent backup for him.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Bledsoe needs to re-discover his stroke for us to have a chance at the playoffs. Goran seems to have found his game and Eric is playing well in most other areas but Bledose either needs to stop shooting from mid-range and beyond or he needs to start hitting a decent percentage. And if he stops shooting from the outside, his opportunities to penetrate will dwindle.

I don't think he's ever going to be a great shooter but he needs to at least match last year's stroke. Otherwise we're going to continue to have rough starts and difficulty closing games and that won't fly with the remainder of our schedule. Right now we have 30 matchups against playoff contenders still on our schedule and even some of the other 9 games looks to be a challenge.

I think 47 wins will get us into the postseason but even that number is going to be hard to reach. If we don't win at least 6 or 7 of our next 11 games, we really should consider making some trades for the future so we can start playing our young guys more. So, for me, February 10th is kind of the cut bait date to decide whether to commit to trying to make the playoffs or not. That gives us 9 days to trade IT, Plumlee and whoever else isn't a part of our future.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

I would say the chance that they make the playoffs ... is 60:40

My reasoning Suns PGs play less minutes which will come in handy in the last stretches. The pieces seem to start clicking slowly into place and I expect the Suns are just going to keep getting better at utilizing their strengths from now on slowly.

Worst thing I think of that could happen is that Len injures himself somehow then I lose hope. They have no decent backup for him.

Now you've jinxed us. Good thing jinxes are silly. I agree, we can't afford to lose Len. But I think the same is true with Bledsoe, Dragic, Markieff and maybe even Tucker.

Steve

 

[slinslin]

That gives us 9 days to trade IT, Plumlee and whoever else isn't a part of our future.

Steve

Dragic and Green actually, maybe Tucker. Dragic is older than the rest of the core and going to be FA. Plus at those positions we have Ennis, Goodwin and Warren waiting for their opportunity.

You have to consider that re-signing Dragic to the max is probably a bad idea.

IT and Plumlee will have the same trade value on draft day or in the off season. Those guys are both bargains on their contracts and won't be FA's soon.

 

[marios13]

... I really hoped you were banned for good ... Slinky...

Sadly I can't argue with your logic there ... business wise trading Dragic now is a good idea ... not so sure IT and Bledsoe + Rookies can handle taking over his part in the Suns yet though ...

 

[AzStevenCal]

Dragic and Green actually, maybe Tucker. Dragic is older than the rest of the core and going to be FA. Plus at those positions we have Ennis, Goodwin and Warren waiting for their opportunity.

You have to consider that re-signing Dragic to the max is probably a bad idea.

IT and Plumlee will have the same trade value on draft day or in the off season. Those guys are both bargains on their contracts and won't be FA's soon.

Unless we believe we can't re-sign him I see no reason to trade Goran. I'm okay with trading anyone on the roster if we get good value but I think we need Dragic and aren't likely to get equal return for him.

Steve

 

[slinslin]

Âre we even sure that we will want to re-sign him for a salary probably starting around 15M$? I would have to think that is doubtful considering we have Ennis, Goodwin in the wings also and we are still the same mediocre fringe playoff team with him and 27th in attendance.

Can't really see McD willing to use all of our cap at this point to keep this team together.

 

[sunsfan88]

Plus Dragic isn't that old, 30 doesn't mean ancient.

 

[Suns_fan69]

He's actually 28 (29 in May), though he has had a lot of mileage over the last year and a half.

 

[Ronin]

I honestly don't know, but I'm rooting like heck that they do make the playoffs.

 

[sunsfan88]

We need OKC to lose tonight vs Miami. That would be huge.

 

[Mainstreet]

LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to be out 6-8 weeks after tearing the radial collateral ligament in his left thumb and he reportedly will need surgery. Maybe this makes Portland more vulnerable for the Suns to catch. However, they have six less losses than the Suns in the loss column. The Spurs have only one less loss than the Suns in the loss column. Maybe catching one of the teams above the Suns is easier than holding off OKC.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...ut-6-8-Weeks-With-Ligament-Tear-In-Left-Thumb

 

[Absolute Zero]

Sorry but I will always take winning over tanking for draft position. Seen Philly lately?

The 1976 Cinderella team proved that you can make a run if you get hot at the right time.

We don't know what injuries will hit teams in the 2nd half. But we may get some help. Look at the Blazers who have lost 5 out of their last 10. I heard tonight that LA is now out another 6-8 weeks so their slide may continue. Stuff like that could very well happen with the lower tier playoff teams.

The other factor is that we have a very young team that is still jelling and maturing. So if we can stay healthy, our best basketball is still ahead of us.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Sorry but I will always take winning over tanking for draft position. Seen Philly lately?

The 1976 Cinderella team proved that you can make a run if you get hot at the right time.

We don't know what injuries will hit teams in the 2nd half. But we may get some help. Look at the Blazers who have lost 5 out of their last 10. I heard tonight that LA is now out another 6-8 weeks so their slide may continue. Stuff like that could very well happen with the lower tier playoff teams.

The other factor is that we have a very young team that is still jelling and maturing. So if we can stay healthy, our best basketball is still ahead of us.

Yeah I don't think we make the playoffs but I wouldn't put it at a long shot by any means. I thought several games ago that we had about a 40% chance and I think we've raised that slightly. It's still very much in reach and worth working for.

Steve

 

[Hoop Head]

In addition to Portland sliding down because of Aldridge's injury Houston hasn't been very good since adding Josh Smith. I think the Rockets are the most vulnerable team ahead of the Suns. Portland will slide down some but I don't see them missing the playoffs. Injuries to key players plus trades make it really hard to guess how the West will look at the end of the year but if no injuries or trades happen I think Phoenix makes it at the 8th seed with OKC overtaking the Suns in the standings with Houston falling out completely.

The West is too close for them to think they can hold off the Thunder or overtake anybody to ensure a playoff appearance with what they have. The Thunder already made a move to boost their depth, Dallas also already did with the Rondo deal, and Houston did by acquiring Smith but I think that'll backfire on them. I'd be willing to bet that other teams in the race make moves also. Come mid February it'll be clearer where the Suns are in the playoff picture and will have to decide whether to make a push to upgrade the roster for the long or short term. They have 2 key players expiring who will get bigger paydays in the offseason, Dragic & Green, plus they have moveable assets on the team in IT, Morrii, and Plumlee in addition to the Lakers pick. They can make a good package for someone.

 

[sunsfan88]

Wow this Portland injury is HUGE. I never thought LMA would be out for such a long time, I thought their injuries misfortune would have ended with Lopez injury.

This is amazing news for the Suns. We now have a realistic shot at playoffs if Suns can continue to take care of business and Portland falters like expected without their starting front court.

 

[Shaggy]

Its what mid season. Anything can still happen and it looks like the Suns are on a up tick in production. They won what, 14 of their last 18? Not bad. I hope it continues.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Portland injury doesn't open the playoff door for us but I do think it moves us closer to 50-50 for that last spot (or better). Figuring LMA will return somewhere around the middle of March, the Blazers could lose as many as 18 games between now and then. They have a tough upcoming schedule and even though ours is probably tougher, .500 ball for us could move us ahead of them. Even if they don't fall apart (and 18 losses would definitely be falling apart), their 5 game lead over us in the loss column is looking less formidable.

Steve

 

[Absolute Zero]

How long is Lopez out for the Blazers? I thought they have another injury as well. Boston sure pulled one out against them last night, wow.

 

[AzStevenCal]

How long is Lopez out for the Blazers? I thought they have another injury as well. Boston sure pulled one out against them last night, wow.

I think Lopez is supposed to be back around the All Star break. They're also missing another backup center IIRC.

Steve