NBA Offseason: SCIC Roundtable – Part 3
Apr 14, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns players look on against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at US Airways Center. The Grizzlies won 97-91. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Which Western Conference Team Not In The Playoffs Last Year, Projects As Going This Season?
Michael Saenz: I’m on the New Orleans Pelicans bandwagon. I’m starting the movement, who is with me? #FearTheBrow
John Armstrong: Phoenix. They were already on the bubble and a win or two more, and they’re in.
Morten Jensen: I’m interested in seeing if anyone mentions a team that isn’t Phoenix. Because, well, duh!
George Middleton: I believe that there is a strong possibility that all teams that made the playoffs in the Western conference can make it again. The Phoenix Suns who missed the playoffs by a game have a good shot if Eric Bledsoe re-signs with them. The Suns have added Isaiah Thomas, TJ Warren, and Tyler Ennis. The New Orleans Pelicans also have a shot if everyone can stay healthy. The Pelicans landed Omer Asik in the offseason, a big addition to help Anthony Davis protect the rim. The Pelicans have terrific scoring options (Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, and Ryan Anderson).
Bryce Olin: The Phoenix Suns are an obvious choice, because they were so close last season. I’m going to go with the Denver Nuggets, though. The Nuggets finished last season 36-46 and were the most injured team in the entire league.
Danillo Gallinari missed the entire season recovering from a torn ACL. JaVale McGee only played five games last season. Nate Robinson and Anthony Randolph missed almost 40 games. Ty Lawson and Wilson Chandler missed 20 games. Only three Nuggets–Timofey Mozgov, Randy Foye, Kenneth Faried—played more than 80 games last season.
Second-year head coach Brian Shaw still has an uphill battle ahead of him, as far as the rotation is concerned. With the return of all the injured players and the additions of Arron Afflalo and rookie Gary Harris on the wings, the Nuggets will finally have some depth to work with. I think they could be one of the surprise teams in the league next season if they can avoid the injury bug this season.
David Ramil: There should be a penalty for too-easy an answer but it has to be Phoenix, right? One of the most exciting teams all of last season, they added a great value in Isaiah Thomas, still have a chance at Eric Bledsoe, and could still get better after a year of working together in coach Jeff Hornacek’s system. While it won’t be trying to capture ‘lightning in a bottle,’ this will be more about the team simply being better and earning a spot in the Western playoff race.
Brandon Osborne: It’s hard to see a team cracking into the playoffs in the West, but if there is a team that could do it, it’s the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans finally got a center in Omer Asik to pair with Anthony Davis and if they can get healthy seasons from Gordon, Holiday and Anderson then New Orleans can make some noise.