Best team in NBA history to not make the playoffs?

[DesertDevil]

With the current NBA playoff format (8 teams from the West, 8 from the East), where does this year's version of the PHX Suns rank in all time best teams to not make the playoffs?

At 43-36, the Suns would be the 5 seed in the East.

I will agree they are an above average team AT BEST this season. But above average is usually good enough to get you a 5-8 seed most seasons.

Although aging, Shaq had a resurgence this season. Nash cant play defense but he is still a top 5-10 PG in this league at worst. Both are future HOF's.

Grant Hill had a nice season for as old as he is. Dudley and Amundson are the role players this team needed but didnt have in the D'Antoni years.

Jason Richardson can score 20 points on any given night.

Amare going down for the season really put the nail in the coffin.

So much talent on this team and ZERO to show for it.

Is there another team in recent NBA history that missed the playoffs that you could argue was better than this Suns team?

 

[maxdemo]

The West is loaded and has been for the last few years...43-36 didn't make the playoffs last year..

2007-2008

<TABLE class="genStatTable mainStandings" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#cccccc cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=confTitle colSpan=15>Western Conference</TD></TR><TR class=title><TD class=name>Western</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD>CONF</TD><TD>DIV</TD><TD>HOME</TD><TD>ROAD</TD><TD>L 10</TD><TD>STREAK</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>L.A. Lakers</TD><TD>57</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0.695</TD><TD>0.0</TD><TD>37-15</TD><TD>12-4 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>27-14</TD><TD>8-2 </TD><TD>W 4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>New Orleans</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0.683</TD><TD>1.0</TD><TD>34-18</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>26-15</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>L 1</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>San Antonio</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0.683</TD><TD>1.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>34-7 </TD><TD>22-19</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Utah</TD><TD>54</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>0.659</TD><TD>3.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>37-4 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>L 1</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>Houston</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>0.671</TD><TD>2.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>8-8 </TD><TD>31-10</TD><TD>24-17</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Phoenix</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>0.671</TD><TD>2.0</TD><TD>31-21</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>25-16</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>Dallas</TD><TD>51</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>0.622</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>34-7 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Denver</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>0.610</TD><TD>7.0</TD><TD>31-21</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>33-8 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[DesertDevil]

The West is loaded and has been for the last few years...43-36 didn't make the playoffs last year..

2007-2008

<TABLE class="genStatTable mainStandings" borderColor=#cccccc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=confTitle colSpan=15>Western Conference</TD></TR><TR class=title><TD class=name>Western</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD>CONF</TD><TD>DIV</TD><TD>HOME</TD><TD>ROAD</TD><TD>L 10</TD><TD>STREAK</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>L.A. Lakers</TD><TD>57</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0.695</TD><TD>0.0</TD><TD>37-15</TD><TD>12-4 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>27-14</TD><TD>8-2 </TD><TD>W 4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>New Orleans</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0.683</TD><TD>1.0</TD><TD>34-18</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>26-15</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>L 1</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>San Antonio</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0.683</TD><TD>1.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>34-7 </TD><TD>22-19</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Utah</TD><TD>54</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>0.659</TD><TD>3.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>37-4 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>L 1</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>Houston</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>0.671</TD><TD>2.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>8-8 </TD><TD>31-10</TD><TD>24-17</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Phoenix</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>0.671</TD><TD>2.0</TD><TD>31-21</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>30-11</TD><TD>25-16</TD><TD>7-3 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=team>Dallas</TD><TD>51</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>0.622</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>33-19</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>34-7 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=team>Denver</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>0.610</TD><TD>7.0</TD><TD>31-21</TD><TD>10-6 </TD><TD>33-8 </TD><TD>17-24</TD><TD>6-4 </TD><TD>W 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

So what was the record of the #9 team? Keep in mind the Suns have 3 or so games left. They will probably finish with at least 45 wins.

 

[DesertDevil]

Just found the answer. Golden St. had 48 wins last year and were #9. So record wise, they were better than this PHX team.

Did that team have more talent than this Suns team though?

Shaq, Nash, Amare, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Barbosa?

 

[HacheMan]

Love the topic wildcat coach

But, I don't think anyof this year's teams in this watered down league come close to qualifying as being one of the best teams ever to not make the playoffs....

 

[bellyputter]

The best teams that didn't make the playoffs, were back when the league had 16+ teams. In 1980-81, the Houston Rockets lost in the NBA finals to Boston after posting a 40-42 regular season record. The league is so watered down it's a joke!

 

[DesertDevil]

Love the topic wildcat coach

But, I don't think anyof this year's teams in this watered down league come close to qualifying as being one of the best teams ever to not make the playoffs....

True.

But in today's watered down system, are the Suns the most talented team to miss the playoffs?

The Warriors had a better record last year and missed out. But can we look back even further and see a team with as much talent as the Suns that laid this big of an egg? Record not withstanding. Just based on talent.

 

[maxdemo]

The best teams that didn't make the playoffs, were back when the league had 16+ teams. In 1980-81, the Houston Rockets lost in the NBA finals to Boston after posting a 40-42 regular season record. The league is so watered down it's a joke!

What great memories of that season...had the twin towers w/ Sampson and Olajuwon. The great shot that sampson hit to beat the Lakers

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[quantumleap]

What great memories of that season...had the twin towers w/ Sampson and Olajuwon. The great shot that sampson hit to beat the Lakers

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I was at that game max. I had just moved out to LA. What a sickening feeling I had.

 

[bellyputter]

What great memories of that season...had the twin towers w/ Sampson and Olajuwon. The great shot that sampson hit to beat the Lakers

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The Twin Towers were still in college. Moses Malone carried that team.

 

[dr.vegas]

This is the new go against team for the next couple games. Specifically against teams like Minnesota that are still trying. They admit they are playing youngsters and could care less. I just unloaded on the Timberpuppies tonight. I do agree they have talent but they cashed it in for awhile.

 

[DesertDevil]

This is the new go against team for the next couple games. Specifically against teams like Minnesota that are still trying. They admit they are playing youngsters and could care less. I just unloaded on the Timberpuppies tonight. I do agree they have talent but they cashed it in for awhile.

Dont disagree at all. I went with the over though for many of the reasons you posted.

 

[DesertDevil]

I wonder if Minny is gonna realize there is a basketball game tonight?

 

[DesertDevil]

T-Wolves with 8 points in the 1st quarter. Nice....

 

[dr.vegas]

I wonder if Minny is gonna realize there is a basketball game tonight?

Yeah, that worked out real well for me didn't it? Oh well, I will kiss that one away for the night and hope the over in Atlanta/Washington baseball game and Edmonton/Calgary hockey game come in? Good luck on your over in this one. I hope it hits for you.

 

[DesertDevil]

Yeah, that worked out real well for me didn't it? Oh well, I will kiss that one away for the night and hope the over in Atlanta/Washington baseball game and Edmonton/Calgary hockey game come in? Good luck on your over in this one. I hope it hits for you.

Thanks bro. Not looking good for sure. One unit for me is $20 so I dont sweat it too much. $20 is $20. Good enough for entertainment, but doesnt break the bank.

 

[maxdemo]

The Twin Towers were still in college. Moses Malone carried that team.

Damn I feel stupid....lol. Moses did carry that team...he was a monster. He reminds me of Earl Campbell in that they used him so much that he didnt have anything left after playing so hard