Why are the Nuggets, the 3 seed, the only team to start out the playoffs on the road?
415092
Yes, I believe the NBA awards the top 'three' seeds to the three division winners, regardless of the overall W/L records within the conference.\n\nHowever, home court advantage IS determined strictly by W-L record, so if a division winner has a worse record than a 2nd place finisher from another division, the 2nd place team would get the home court advantage if they met head-to-head.\n\nUsing this years Western Conference as an example, the playoff seedings are:\n\n1. San Antonio 63-19 Division Winner\n2. Phoenix    54-28  Division Winner\n3. Denver     44-38  Division Winner\n4. Dallas     60-22\n5. Memphis    49-33\n6. L.A. Clippers 47-35\n7. L.A. Lakers  45-37\n8. Sacramento   44-38\n\nYou'll notice that Denver is a #3 seed, even though they had only the 8th (tied) best record in the conference. This is why they are opening the playoffs on the road. Their only chance of getting home court advantage in a Western Conference playoff is if they play Sacramento (they both finished 44-38), but I'm not sure who would win the tie-break between Denver and Sacramento. But since the only way they can meet is in the Conference finals, let's hope it doesn't get that far.
676918
It goes like this:  The teams that don't make the playoffs are considered a "lottery" team, which means they will have the best picks in the upcoming draft.  Some "lottery" teams however, have traded there draft picks for other players and are not part of the "lottery" (Knicks traded there 1st round pick to the Bulls for Eddie Curry).  \nAs for the picks themselves, the NBA uses a ping pong ball system.  The team that has the worst record will get the most amount of balls, the second worst gets the second most and so on, think KENO.  The balls are then chosen randomally to determine who picks first, second, etc. etc.  So even though the team with the worst record has more ping pong balls in the bowl, it doesn't necessarily mean they will choose first, they just have the best CHANCE.  This year Toronto got the first pick, but they did not have the worst record.
807841
They're trying to find an identity.  Staudimare isn't in basketball shape yet, then you have Barbosa and Diaw still doing the same things they did last year.  They'll have to tailor their game to best fit the team.  Plus they have to find a role for Jalen Rose.  They'll be fine by January.  Their chemistry is kinda all over the place right now, but so are a lot of other teams out there.  No need to worry, its only November.
844383
Possibly...you never know. But I would guess this is not their year. There are teams that are built to win regular season games and then there are ones more geared to win in the playoffs. For example, the Memphis teams in the past have all been very good and deep and ended up with good reg season records, yet they get blown out in playoff games.....while a team like the Lakers or Cavs may not end up with the best records....but noone really wants to face those teams in a 7 game series. Why? Kobe and Lebron. To win championships you need superstars. Look what Wade did for the Heat last year, despite playing the "better" and deeper team with the better record. The thing is, having a superstar go off and "stealing" a game here and there can shift an entire series.\n\nUtah looks very solid right now. They have one of the best frontcourts in AK, Boozer, and Okur and Deron is playing really well. And I think Brewer was a steal in the draft and will pay off down the line. But still, there is a very fine line, but distinct one between a very good team and a great team.
446473
I totally agree with myke_n_ykes . Spurs are a shoe in--and Detroit I'm not so sure about (although it will probably end up being them in the East). New Jersey is looking like the black horse in the East, and Miami is unpredictable.\nThe Spurs on the other hand, are rolling into the playoffs with the deepest bench ever, the best record ever, and their top three players Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili playing their best ever! One thing is for sure no matter who they play--Spurs are looking to repeat!
609505
the lakers arn't the same without the 3peat team. I like shaq and any team he's with. Go Miami Heat, but I don't think they're in the playoffs
672057
They missed their chance to finish off the spurs in dallas.  Since they blew that chance the will have to wait another year before they have another chance.  The spurs are finally starting to play in this series.
282956
There may not be jerseys around and the game sometimes moves to fast to stop and recognize a face. And they're guys, most of the time, so they don't too much care as long as the game is played. Also, most often games start out of nowhere, just a bunch of guys on the court, when theres enough its like "hey, lets play a game". Even when everyone agrees to meet there at a certain time, no one says over the phone lets pick team because one person maay not be reliable or someone better might show up the day of the game.
10140
No, they are a 500 club right now and they dont look like they are willing to make the changes to be better.  That puts them roughly in the 8-9 spot in the west. Also, they probably will have a big injury in the next few months.  Maybe Kobe, Mabye Lamar.  A loss of either one of those guys for a few games would pretty much close out any playoff chances.
434350
There are three divisions in each conference, and the winner of each division automatically gets one of the top three seeds in that conference.  However, should the two meet in the playoffs, the Mavs would get the home court advantage.
746462
Yep.  Denver was 11-5 in 1985 and missed the postseason.  Back then only 5 teams from each conference made the playoffs.
919922
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, lol lol whoa ha ha ha, wait a minute, ha ha ha oh, oh ok, wait a minute, whoa ha ha ha ha, ok seriously though...ha ha  ha, lol...ok, ok, ok, whoa ha ha ha ha....um the better question would have been,Will the Jazz make the playoffs, and the answer to both questions would be a resounding NO!! The west is too strong. Unless Karl Malone and tight shorts Stockton comes out of retirement, Utah is done for years to come...Sorry but thats the truth the whole truth and nothin but the truth...
486615
1.because they were smart enough to tank the final couple of games on the regular season to get the 6 seed, thus avoiding the mavs who consequently SWEPT the grizzlies. \n2.because denver has no scorers bar melo and k-mart just had to throw a tantrum during the playoffs.\n3.elton brand is damn good.
930019
because there isnt enough money going their way if they do so, they rather spend their time practiceing and preparing for their NBA games here, which is where they make the big bucks\ni dont blame them
577896
I would have to agree with you 100%! It would be a fantastic series to watch, and honestly? I think any team that wants to BE the best should have to PLAY the best, too! I think this year it is going to come down to the Spurs and Heat, but it isn't a SURE THING, and I think that only adds to the fascination! The only teams that have been contested in these playoffs are the teams that have played the Spurs, and the teams that have played the Pistons. The scary part? Those two teams are STILL standing...! What will happen next? No clue! But I DO have a feeling it will be San Antonio and Phoenix in the Conference Finals...! =)
1186598
not in 2007....they still have to go through the Spurs, Mavs and Suns...even with a healthy Yao and T-mac....they have to have a deeper bench to make a run for the title.
964325
Nope... They are definitely not championship contenders, they is a big difference between the regular season and the playoffs. In the playoffs, the game slows down to a half-court game and teams like the Spurs with superb half-court defense have a greater chance of winning 7 game series. The only team I have seen to have relative success in the playoffs with a fast-paced, fast break oriented offence is the Pheonix suns.\nI think Jerry SLoan deserves to win the NBA coach of the year, though.