and 9-11 we are sitting in the 8th seed right now... I think we are going to improve as the season goes on and we get players back. I'm starting to think barring more injuries, this team makes the playoffs for sure. It's really not a big bold prediction like it would have been before the season. Look at our team, look how we have played and look at the standings. If we can survive this road trip and win at least 2 of the next 5 (which we will).... Sorry tankers, looks like NY is back in the playoffs this year..

Not quite sure yet. Right now we are relying too much on a small group to play heavy minutes. That usually translate in a drop in their game over the course of the season and, God forbid, injuries. They are definitely a tough team and compete, but there is so much you can do with a few players. So far many of our losses have had a big element: fatigue. And we are still starting the season.

Now, if they made a couple of small moves to balance the team, they would have a better chance. A backup PG is as needed as a SG. And a decent C isn't far behind. We've seen the kind of impact Jeffries has had only by being 6'11". If they somehow get those, they will be better of.

MDA is doing what I thought he could do with the team and we're very much a competitive team. We aren't world beaters, but if a team isn't on their game we can look really good against any team in the league save for the Lakers, who I think have too much size for us. We IMO are a playoff team even more so than when we had Zach and Jamal. I think we can play much better defense now than before and still score just as much.

It's evident that we're going to be able to add some more help soon and get back Nate, so I think we'll climb back into the middle of the pack in the East.

If we had retaned Mardy Collins we would have had the second of those two needs. That was the only thing I wish had been different in the trades.

Posted by TheGame:

It depends on is the Mobley/Marbury situation is resolved and we can add some quality players to the roster. If Nate comes back healthy and we can avoid major injuries, I think we have a shot at 38 wins, which might get us into the playoffs. The team looks better than expected. Losing Crawford/Randolph hurt our offensive explosiveness but I think it will ultimately help our defense and our overall consistency. In Q and Chandler, we still have some guys who can post up and we have enough shooters to keep teams honest.

The trades have made us bigger in the backcourt where we have some advantages. Q is a big 2 guard and he used his size to post up a smaller pistons backcourt. Chandler is no longer and undersized 4 but is now strong small forward who also gets a shot to play the 2.

i think Javaris Crittenton is the best candidate to fill our needs in the backcourt cuz he has the size to D up SG's on the perimeter w/Nate as his backcourt mate... Nate's more comfortable in a scoring role so someone w/PG skills is a necessity... we have enough spot up perimeter shooters on this team as it is... we need someone who can relieve Duhon's PG duties & orchestrate off the pick & roll.