41.   But generally, the Nets lack enough overall talent and intangibles like self-motivation and desire to be a playoff team.

42.   But even Trent, who played on a playoff team in Portland, hesitates to link the Mavericks and playoffs in the same sentence.

43.   But if the Hawks are going to become a playoff team, they will have to strengthen the point guard position.

44.   But in addition to the Suns tonight, the rest of their schedule includes the Mavs, Sonics, Kings, Timberwolves -- all playoff teams fighting for position.

45.   But playoff teams put away lesser teams, so maybe the Giants are just a lesser team.

46.   But the fact is, the Sonics last season would have been a playoff team with one more win.

47.   But the Rams would be a playoff team without either Warner or Faulk.

48.   But they played two playoff teams in the regular season and lost to both of them.

49.   But this season they began to climb back, thanks in large part to a focused marketing campaign and their ability to field a playoff team.

50.   But the Mets, as currently constituted, are not a World Series team or a nominal playoff team.