For awhile, the Western Conference has completely dominated the Eastern Conference in the NBA. Never is that more apparent than this season. After a shaky start, the West has posted a dominant record against the East, and the five best records in the league are owned by teams in the Western Conference.

Here are the records as of March 1, 2003:

Dallas 45-14 .763 -
San Antonio 40-17 .702 4
Sacramento 41-19 .683 4.5
Portland 38-20 .655 6.5
Minnesota 39-21 .650 6.5
Utah 33-25 .569 11.5
L.A. Lakers 32-26 .552 12.5
Phoenix 31-28 .525 14
Houston 30-28 .517 14.5
Golden State 29-30 .492 16
Seattle 27-31 .466 17.5

I see the Lakers finishing no lower than 6th in the conference. Portland and Minnesota are going to fight for that fourth spot, with Portland having a slight chance of winning the Pacific if it keeps its focus. San Antonio is going to push Dallas to the end for the Midwest crown. The eighth spot will be up in the air, as Phoenix and Houston are both on shaky ground while Golden State and Seattle are coming on strong as of late.

Here is how I see things shaping up:

1. Dallas- too talented to let all their hard work slip away
2. Sacramento- legitimate contenders again
3. San Antonio- dangerous to anyone
4. Portland- dangerous threat to win West
5. Minnesota- solid year, but still no first round solution
6. L.A. Lakers- the wild card- could make the Finals again or disappear in the first round
7. Utah- tried and true will give #2 a run for its money
8. Phoenix- sneak in on talent alone
9. Seattle- too big of a hole from which to emerge
10. Houston- still a year away from serious consideration
11. Golden State- playoff pretenders again

what about the central division you forgot the best division...we know who is in the lead of that one...


BTW like my new sig
[This message was edited Sun Mar 2 0:26:36 PST 2003 by MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld]

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Yeah, the Pacers, who just ended a SIX GAME SKID. That sub-.500 road record does not bode well for them. I don't think any team with a losing road record has a legitimate shot at winning it all in ANY YEAR. That said, here are the teams with .500+ road records this year:

Philadelphia 13-13
Detroit 17-16
Dallas 20-9
San Antonio 17-13
Sacramento 17-14
Portland 19-11

Moonbeam said:[quote]

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Yeah, the Pacers, who just ended a SIX GAME SKID.



grrr if you were not so damn sweet and nice...I would...

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:[quote]

Moonbeam said:

No worries. I see them making the Eastern Conference Finals- at least. But if they make the Finals, they'll be SPANKED by whoever comes out of the West.

Moonbeam said:[quote]

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Reggie he likes it rough

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:[quote]

Moonbeam said:

Keep in mind that I love me some Pacers. I just am being realistic about their chances. They have too many chemistry issues right now to be a serious contender for the Championship. Unless they shape up quickly, they'll be lucky to come out of the East.

Moonbeam said:[quote]

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

I love me so Pacers too !!!

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:[quote]

Moonbeam said:

I really have no clue who will win the Central Division crown. Both Detroit and Indiana have been on big slumps as of late. I think Indiana is more talented, but Detroit is a more cohesive team. I'm guessing Detroit will pull it out, but that's just a guess.

Detroit continues to struggle, as they got spanked by Portland tonight. Maybe Indiana will take the Central after all.

Moonbeam said:

Let me know when it is ok to tell you "I told you so"

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

If and when your teams proves you right!