Ainge Realistic About Suns’ Playoff Possibilities

Danny Ainge isn’t trying to kid himself.

He knows that three teams with losing records will make the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference, but he doesn’t think his Phoenix Suns will be one of them.

“Golden State, the Clippers, Minnesota, San Antonio if David Robinson comes back, Sacramento - we’re not better than any of them,” Ainge said. “I don’t think we have as good depth, shooting, inside game or defense as any of those teams.”

Not many NBA coaches will admit their team stinks, but Ainge was in that kind of a mood Thursday night after the Suns dropped to 0-11 in road games against Eastern Conference teams with a 113-101 loss to the New Jersey Nets.

“Making the playoffs would be fabulous for us, but we’re not just competing against one team,” he said. “There’s nine teams competing for three spots and we’re somewhere in the middle. “

Still, the Suns are only 3-1/2 games out of a playoff spot in the West, where only five of the 14 teams have winning records. If Phoenix can win 20 of its remaining 37 games, the playoffs are not out of the question.