NBA Elitism

In prepping for my forecast for the coming season, I've been discussing with co-workers the Utah Jazz' chances for a very strong showing (50+ wins). What we had decided is:

• In the West there are six teams that are inherently better than the Jazz: Suns, Mavs, Spurs, Clippers,Nuggets and Kings.
• The Jazz are in the second tier of teams that will battle for the remaining two playoff spots that also includes: Rockets, Grizzlies, Hornets, T-Wolves and Lakers.
• The third tier of teams includes three teams that will have to get a lot of breaks throughout the season to contend for a playoff spot includes: Warriors, Sonics, Blazers.

As the season gets closer and I continue to refine my predictions, I have to think the Kings are not as good as we thought. They are not a shoo-in to make the playoffs. They might be the most equal among the equals of the second tier of the West, but they are not an elite team.

We'll get a good idea of the Kings in Novoember, They have home dates with the Pistons (Eastern elite) and Spurs, and a visit to Chicago (potential Eastern contender).