contenders or pretenders?

by **Amphatoast** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:34 pm

the supersonics

Are they really making a push for the playoffs this year? They just knocked off ESPN's #1 ranked power team, the spurs and now own the best record in the NBA ( or tie, depends what the suns do) at 16-3, and aren't showing signs of declining.
with every team in the west with playoff possibilities ( except warriors and hornets) and space for 8, are the sonics worthy and capable of holding 1 of those spots in april?

by **Matthew** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:41 pm

Pretenders

I really like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, but that small lineup wont be able to contend in the west come playoff time, plus their point guard position, while productive, is relatively unproven.

Contenders in the west:

Spurs
Minnesota
Kings
Mavs

Pretenders:
Suns
Sonics
Jazz

In the middle:
Lakers
Nuggets

by **Amphatoast** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:00 pm

no not during the playoffs, i was talking for a playoff position since there are teams like the Rockets currently out the playoffs at the moment

by **Matt** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:01 pm

Contenders:

Spurs
Minny
Sac
Dallas

the rest is pretenders, in fact I'm convinced that even if Seattle win the season sereis with Spurs 4-0, the Spurs will beat them 4-0, 4-1 in a playoff series. Woul love to see Seattle or Phoenix in the NBA Finals though, that'd just complete a totally whacky season

by **beau_boy04** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:42 pm

Well the Sonics defeated the Spurs tonite. So are they still considered pretenders? LOL

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:52 pm

History says they'll drop off a little; the chances of them going undefeated the rest of the way are slim to none and the NBA season always produces rough patches. I doubt they'll drop out of the playoff picture and I'm sure they'll make a little noise in the playoffs but I don't think they're true championship contenders. Definitely steaming ahead towards the playoffs but making a serious bid at the championship would really be overachieving - I don't think they can maintain that kind of pace.

by **Donatello** on Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:53 pm

i think who becomes a true contender might be dependent on where jason kidd ends up (if he is moved).

by **Matt** on Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:18 am

they could pull a 99 NY on everyone.....they've got nothing to lose

by **TAJ MAHAL** on Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:02 am

Contenders.

Since shaq left the West is open to any team. The sonics are proving this year that wit healthy players and good team work they can really get some wins. trust me on this top 5 teams on the west is the suns, the sonics, the kings, and the wolves. Sonic's are gonna go far this year.

by **air gordon** on Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:27 am

they are contenders.

until they collectively start missing, then i'll change my mind. despite ray allen being injured and shooting like ~30% the past few weeks, they are winning.

some are saying phoenix are pretenders since they can't beat SAS. well the sonics beat the spurs.. twice. and they've beaten other powerhouses like the kings, dallas, twolves

people are putting to much credence on the spurs. the lakers showed how to defend the them. and that brent barry signing isn't as gravy as many here were touting it out to be

by **Matthew** on Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:05 am

I still rank The spurs up there, but not becuase of Brent Barry. Manu, Parker and a certain Tim Duncan makes the spurs click.

I'm just not buying into the hype around the sonics yet.I remember Indiana in 2003, when they got off to that really good start and got dominated by paul pierce in the playoffs. alot of teams have good starts and just die in the stretch run. I expect both Phoenix and Seattle to slow right down.

by **Matt** on Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:16 pm

^^^exactly......they have to prove themselves in the playoffs before i label them contenders.

by **air gordon** on Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:02 pm

i think they'll eventually slow down also. it's a matter of how much. then again they could get hot again when the playoffs start. no one's going to want to face that pick-n-roll...

they have to prove themselves in the playoffs before i label them contenders.

not necessarily. as you mentioned earlier: they could pull a 99 NY on everyone.....they've got nothing to lose
but it's your opinion

I still rank The spurs up there, but not becuase of Brent Barry. Manu, Parker and a certain Tim Duncan makes the spurs click.

i think it's mostly TD, Manu, bowen's D, and popovic. imo parker is a bum. you can't be a shoot first pg when duncan is on your team. ever since their 1st round playoff series, imo it seems his game has declined. i honestly think it's TP giving popovic more headaches then manu is now. just my thoughts. now go watch he blows up.

contenders or pretenders?

contenders or pretenders?

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