Western Playoff Teams Power Rankings

[jagu]

1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Jazz
4. Phoenix
5. Rockets
6. Spurs
7. Denver
8. Golden State

 

[LakeShowMan]

"Experience" is usually past tense when it comes to players. Again, your basing your opinion on what you think the Lakers can do this year. So, specifically based on that criteria I still wouldn't rate the Lakers very high based on the "Experience" they gained the last few season in the playoffs. If there was another category called "Potential" then OK. I think the Lakers score high in that regard.

I guess, but it seems a little disengenious to put qualifiers on what experience counts and what doesn't.

Does that mean that if only experience from last year counts, since Shaq and the Heat were knocked out in the 1st round last year, that he deosn't have acceptable 'experience'?

All I am saying is that your arguement that the Lakers don't have comparable isn't quite true. In the grand scheme of things, I don't know if 'experience' will make any kind of difference if the teams play. AT this stage it is all hypothetical anyway.

 

[LakeShowMan]

Actually Raja defended Kobe as well as anyone did that year. That series was where Raja ensured his future in the NBA as a defensive specialist. I remember that series well, that was before a shaq elbow to the face was called a foul. They were actually calling the foul on mutombos face for getting in the way of shaqs elbow. Frankly, finals experience over the last few years hasnt been as good as WCF experience if intensity of competition is what youre talking about. Lets see if manus finals experience can make up for that groin pull.

Raja has always played Kobe well. He is physical, and probably bordline cheap, which is the best way to try to slow him down. I am sure he will give him fits if they play in the playoffs. We'll see.

All I know is, I can't friggin wait until the playoff start. I can not think of one possible matchup that doesn't have me fired up. For basketball freaks like us, it is like Christmas in the middle of the year.

 

[Cheesewater]

I guess, but it seems a little disengenious to put qualifiers on what experience counts and what doesn't.

Does that mean that if only experience from last year counts, since Shaq and the Heat were knocked out in the 1st round last year, that he deosn't have acceptable 'experience'?

All I am saying is that your arguement that the Lakers don't have comparable isn't quite true. In the grand scheme of things, I don't know if 'experience' will make any kind of difference if the teams play. AT this stage it is all hypothetical anyway.

Playoff Games played:
Lakers starting 5 = 324
Suns starting 5 = 408

 

[cobbler]

Why would the Lakers have an experience factor of 8 in your rankings? Based on what? Based on the last 2 first round exits? Based on the fact that their one big addition has never done anything in playoffs? There is no way they should have a higher experience factor then the Suns.

kobe and fisher. 4 finals, 3 victories.... thats why! Not to mention Jackson.

 

[LakeShowMan]

Playoff Games played:
Lakers starting 5 = 324
Suns starting 5 = 408

Championships won:
Lakers starters: 6
Suns starters: 4

Laker coach: 9
Suns coach: 0



Numbers can be made to say anything. I don't believe that any of this really has impact on who wins if they happened to play. I will say this, I hope they do play in the playoffs, because based on seedings right now that would mean we would be in the WCF.

 

[Cheesewater]

kobe and fisher. 4 finals, 3 victories.... thats why! Not to mention Jackson.

Yes Phil Jackson is where the Lakers experience comes from that's true.

For fun, here's the playoff games played for the benches (next 4 subs):
Lakers = 52
Suns = 114

 

[Cheesewater]

Numbers can be made to say anything. I don't believe that any of this really has impact on who wins if they happened to play. I will say this, I hope they do play in the playoffs, because based on seedings right now that would mean we would be in the WCF.

I was just following up on the experience question. I never meant to be arguing that it directly dictates who wins if they play each other.

 

[mojorizen7]

Championships won:
Lakers starters: 6
Suns starters: 4

Laker coach: 9
Suns coach: 0



Numbers can be made to say anything. I don't believe that any of this really has impact on who wins if they happened to play. I will say this, I hope they do play in the playoffs, because based on seedings right now that would mean we would be in the WCF.

You changed the question to fill in a different answer.
I believe when you factor in things like experience,Home court adv,matchups,talent,the celebrity factor etc....the edge goes to the Lakers.
Thats why i like the SUNS in 7.

 

[sLapzsHaQ]

1. Suns
2. Suns
3. Suns
4. Suns
5. Suns
6. Suns
7. Suns
8. Others

 

[nowagimp]

Raja has always played Kobe well. He is physical, and probably bordline cheap, which is the best way to try to slow him down. I am sure he will give him fits if they play in the playoffs. We'll see.

All I know is, I can't friggin wait until the playoff start. I can not think of one possible matchup that doesn't have me fired up. For basketball freaks like us, it is like Christmas in the middle of the year.

The best Raja can hope for is to slow down kobe without losing his contributions in the suns offense, I think Raja would tell you this himself(and yes the clothesline was cheap, but perhaps a retaliation for an elbow). You are right, basketball freaks, like us, just want to watch the games. And yeah, the lakers have plenty of experience to win the title, as do the suns. If the suns get their game going and make it to the WCF, I think I know who will be there waiting. It will probably come down to matchups and skill. This could be one of the best playoffs ever, good luck!

 

[LakeShowMan]

I was just following up on the experience question. I never meant to be arguing that it directly dictates who wins if they play each other.

I know, I am just being difficult.

I am so anxious to get to the weekend. I can't wait to see how the west seeds fall and get to the games. I can't remember the last time I was this fired up for the playoffs to start.

 

[cobbler]

The best Raja can hope for is to slow down kobe without losing his contributions in the suns offense, I think Raja would tell you this himself(and yes the clothesline was cheap, but perhaps a retaliation for an elbow). You are right, basketball freaks, like us, just want to watch the games. And yeah, the lakers have plenty of experience to win the title, as do the suns. If the suns get their game going and make it to the WCF, I think I know who will be there waiting. It will probably come down to matchups and skill. This could be one of the best playoffs ever, good luck!

I think thats pretty much true of all the superstars. You can only hope to contain them at certain times. I hate to say something that may cause an argument, but since you brought it up(with a perhaps *grin*), i feel inclined. The supposed elbow... never touched Bell.

Bring on the playoffs!!!! There is really no clear cut favorite. If Bynum and Ariza were available, i would have to say the lakers would be faves. Without, anyone of the 8 teams could come out of the west. Good luck to all teams.

A suns vs lakers WC final would be awesome! Hope it happens for both teams.

 

[Covert Rain]

kobe and fisher. 4 finals, 3 victories.... thats why! Not to mention Jackson.

So what your saying is Fisher puts you over the top??? All that experience with Kobe didn't help the last few years....it's a Red Hearing.

Specifically related to the original question Lakers experience has meant nothing last few years. There is no potential column in his power rankings.

 

[Cheesewater]

The supposed elbow... never touched Bell.

Come on, now, ambchang, er cobbler...
I actually didn't remember it being too bad, but I just watched it again. He he he. Bell's head snaps to the right man. Looks like it connected to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXw1DUDOOZQ

 

[cobbler]

Come on, now, ambchang, er cobbler...
I actually didn't remember it being too bad, but I just watched it again. He he he. Bell's head snaps to the right man. Looks like it connected to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXw1DUDOOZQ

If you watch the video....and the last close up (around 30 second mark)... you will see plain as day...that yes the elbow connected... to bells shoulder... not the face. The head jerking and grabbing the face was all BELL antics. Doesnt really matter now anyway.

 

[cobbler]

So what your saying is Fisher puts you over the top??? All that experience with Kobe didn't help the last few years....it's a Red Hearing.

Specifically related to the original question Lakers experience has meant nothing last few years. There is no potential column in his power rankings.

I couldnt argue that the lakers or suns have any advantage over the other experience wise. How players use that experience is also subjuctive. I just answered where the experience comes from.

 

[Cheesewater]

If you watch the video....and the last close up (around 30 second mark)... you will see plain as day...that yes the elbow connected... to bells shoulder... not the face. The head jerking and grabbing the face was all BELL antics. Doesnt really matter now anyway.

Actually, by the time Kobe's head moves out of the way, the elbow had already connected with Bell's face.

Further, if Bell had faked it and got away with it...why would he retailiate with the clothesline?

 

[ianzym]

1. New Orleans
2. Los Angeles
3. Houston
4. Phoenix
5. San Antonio
6. Utah
7. Dallas
8. Denver
9. Golden State

 

[cobbler]

Actually, by the time Kobe's head moves out of the way, the elbow had already connected with Bell's face.

Further, if Bell had faked it and got away with it...why would he retailiate with the clothesline?

I find it hard to believe you can take a elbow to the face from a 220+ person and not show any mouse, cut, swelling whatsoever.

Why retaliate? uhhh Rivalry? Hatred? Competetiveness? You can name a dozen reasons. Besides...its all over now anyway. Like i said, i really didnt mention it to start an argument. Well just agree to disagree.

 

[Cheesewater]

I find it hard to believe you can take a elbow to the face from a 220+ person and not show any mouse, cut, swelling whatsoever.

Why retaliate? uhhh Rivalry? Hatred? Competetiveness? You can name a dozen reasons. Besides...its all over now anyway. Like i said, i really didnt mention it to start an argument. Well just agree to disagree.

 

[devilalum]

So, now that we are on the eve of what will probably go down as the greatest Western Conference playoffs ever, I was curious as to opinions on who everyone thinks is the most playoff ready. Basically your own personal Western Conference Playoff Team Power Ranking.

My considerations for this, is basically who I think I has the best team right now to come out of the West, regardless of seeding. I think with the last seed still up for grabs (at least mathematically); we should include the top 9 teams.

Here are mine:

1. Lakers - The recent losses to non-playoff teams certainly had me a little nervous. As does the strong possibility that we will not see Andrew Bynum until next year. A lot of those concerns were abated for me from what I saw this weekend. If the Lakers can win on Tuesday, they will clinch home court throughout, which might just give them the advantage in amazingly competitive and deep Western Conference.

2. Suns - I really like how they have been playing as of late. I still wonder how they will be able to stop teams in the half court because of their deficiencies on pick and roll defense. However, Amare has been a beast, and Shaq was built for advantages in playoff basketball. His ability to clog up the lane, get teams in foul trouble, and open up the game for Amare will make them a tough out. I am extremely glad that it seems the Lakers will avoid them in round 1.

3. Hornets - Their inexperience at this level will hurt them, how much I don't know. Their recent swoon is not a good omen, but Chris Paul gives them a chance to beat anyone. Plus, over the last 3 months, they have been scary good at home. If they have home court in a series, they will be tough to beat.

4. Jazz - I was VERY close to putting the Jazz @ 3. However, I just can't get over how bad they have been on the road. Plus, as of right now, they will not have home court in a series unless there are upsets. On the positive side, they will win their home games, they play hard, and most importantly to me they have great PG play and a wonderful coach. They will be an extremely tough out.

5. Spurs - I know I am making a huge mistake putting them this low. Their experience is invaluable. They have a winning formula down with great post play, a tough PG to stay in front of, a great clutch scorer (Ginobli), one of the greatest coaches ever, and a wonderful defensive mentality. With all that said, I can't get over how seemingly uncompetitive they have been with upper echelon teams down the stretch. It seems like they are declining at a time when they are usually peaking. Their supporting cast that has been championship level for a long time all seem to be getting real old at once. Their 4th best player right now might be Ime Udoka, and that seems like it would be a little scary if I was a Spurs fan. Nothing would surprise me though with them. I can see them winning it all again and I could see them lose in the 1st round.

6. Dallas - As a Laker fan, they don't scare me at all. However that is just due to matchups. However, I can see them giving teams trouble, and I think Dirk is playing at a real high level. I don't know if they will make it out of the 1st, but they have shot depending on their matchup.

7. Houston - I know I am putting them far to low. If they would have beaten Denver, they would have had the inside track to the #1 seed. I just can't get over the fact that I don't see them as a threat. I am probably severely underrating them, but I don't think they have the makeup of a great playoff team. Alston is too streaky. Mutombo will have to be counted on way to much in an intense series. McGrady has not proven to me that he can win in the playoffs.

8. Nuggets - They still play no defense, but AI, Melo and Camby give them a fighters chance with anyone. With the right matchup, I could see them make noise. If the playoffs started today they would play the Lakers who matchup very well against them. I say they will be one and done.

9. Golden State - Very long shot at making it. I know they gave the Lakers fits a few weeks ago, but up until then the Lakers dominated them with our inside presence. However we didn't have Gasol in those games. I don't think they can beat a team in a 7 game series that has great post play (Lakers, Suns, Spurs). Even if they get in, I think they would be one and done as well.

So what's yours look like?

Nice post. And to make it even better I imagined Chef from South Park was reading it aloud.

 

[boisesuns]

Why would the Lakers have an experience factor of 8 in your rankings? Based on what? Based on the last 2 first round exits? Based on the fact that their one big addition has never done anything in playoffs? There is no way they should have a higher experience factor then the Suns.

Experience wise it was hard to make a guess on the Lakers. I do have them TIED with the suns, but really thought they might be a point lower. The kobe one is obvious, and yes Gasol hasn't done anything. Maybe the last few years will still ring true with average playoff showing from the Lakers. They get a lot of calls, and still have a coach with quite a few rings.

Shaq increases out experience in performing well in the playoffs. When it comes down to experience, I look at who can win the big games. I think the suns have it in them, but only time will tell if it's enough to beat out the other teams.

 

[cly2tw]

I'm a homer who'd bash anybody on the Suns team but Amare and Shaq.

1st tier: Lakers and Suns tied with Lakers have coaching advantage while Suns talent is slightly superior.

2nd tier: NO, SA, and Utah. But not far behind the first group.

3rd: The rest.

 

[arwillan]

if we don't have grant ready to go, we're down to tier 2 in my mind.