Think about it, of the eight teams that finished above us at least four of them will probably be worse next year.  Denver has to have the highest likelihood of any one team having a one team Artest-brawl at their practice facility of any team in NBA history (or if no one goes to those, any random home game).  Have you seen a Nuggets game?  They don't speak to each other under any circumstances, it's creepy.  The odds of them staying cohesive enough to compete are slim. 

The Mavs are trotting out Jason Kidd's lifeless body (as much as it hurts me to say that about the guy) at the point every night, Erick Dampier at center and Dirk who hasn't had any heart since the Dubs ripped it from his chest in '07.  No playoffs are a possibility for them too. 

The Suns are counting on Steve Nash's back,  Grant Hill's general health and Shaq not collapsing on the court after every time he jumps.  Doesn't sound like a team that is winning as many games as they did last year to me. 

The Rockets need Yao to stay healthy and T-Mac to pull it together and have plenty of question marks themselves. 

Almost every supporting guy on the Spurs is the winning combination of old, unathletic and a potential free agent.  I think they'll reload properly, but maybe not fast enough for next year. 

The Hornets and Jazz should be about as good as they were this year, accounting for CP3 and Deron getting a little better, but having some aging pieces around them.  

The Lakers are the only really terrifying team for next year, if Bynum is healthy.  That team could win 70 next year, thanks to the grand theft Gasol trade and Farmar improving a little.

Right now, that leaves us as a 6-8 seed in my estimation, accounting for Portland probably getting into the mix as well.  If we add another all-star caliber or at least close to it talent, we shoot up to the 4-6 if everything plays out right.  That's why I am so concerned when Nellie says that he wants to spend a lot of time developing young guys at the expense of a few wins.  I don't think he will, when has he ever, but that is a sign that management isn't going to make much of a splash in the off-season.  Let's make a trade that makes us more than just a scary first round matchup.  A lot of good names are being floated right now and I want to see something done.  I've been hearing Marion is available along with Sheed and all those restricted free agents who could be brought in with the right sign and trade.  There is no reason for us not to go all in this year instead of developing young guys to be good when the traditional powerhouse teams get ready to win again. 

Please Mullin, get someone this year, we need it.