Let's take a look at the upcoming NBA season and rank the 15 teams of the Western Conference. Who is #1? Who is #15? Nothing is set in stone, but as of today, here are where they rank:
No. 15, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are essentially the same team as they were last year. The only exception is they just traded away their best player, Al Jefferson. They still have a talented young group of players and they also acquired Michael Beasley, who is yet to prove his worth as a former No. 2 overall pick. Watch for this team to compete, but don't expect them to go anywhere.
No. 14, Sacramento Kings
The Kings have a few good pieces and they got even better with their 5th overall draft pick, DeMarcus Cousins. He and Tyreke Evans will make a nice pair, but just like Minnesota, they are young and inexperienced. Watch for Sacramento to make some noise in a few years.
No. 13, New Orleans Hornets
Last year, the Hornets did not make the playoffs and that was because Chris Paul was injured. Look for this team to climb up the ranks, but also look for 2nd year point guard, Darren Collison, to challenge Chris Paul for playing time. Collison picked up the reigns after Paul went down. Friction between the stars will eventually ruin the team. Either trade Paul or let New Orleans fall into ruin. Also, New Orleans has left Paul without a coach he can really trust, as the Hornets fired Byron Scott after a slow start.
No. 12, Golden State Warriors
They were just bought for a record $450 million and might move to Las Vegas, but since they are still the Golden State Warriors, they will still be at number 12. They still have Stephen Curry, Monte Ellis, and just acquired all-star David Lee from New York. This team finally has a decent inside-outside presence that will be harder to guard while playing Nellie Ball.
No. 11, Memphis Grizzlies
Last year wasn't a fluke, the Grizzlies were something other than bad. Although they didn't make the playoffs they were good enough to be decent. Essentially the same team, watch out for an improved O.J. Mayo and the rise of Marc Gasol. Rudy Gay will be his dominant self and make another run as an all-star.
No. 10, Houston Rockets
Yao Ming will be back, but what does that mean for the Rockets? They have Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza signed on to help with the scoring, and Kevin Martin will be a year into his time with Houston to provide a formidable 1-2-3 option. Look for them to make a run, but don't put them anywhere near the top.
No. 9, Los Angeles Clippers
The other team in LA will be good next year but will come up a little short in the playoff race. The Clippers will have Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Chris Kamen, and finally, Blake Griffin. They will be a strong team, but the only thing stopping them from getting into the playoffs is themselves; they are the Clippers, after all. Essentially, The Clips are a cheap version of the Lakers.
No. 8, San Antonio Spurs
The oldest team in the NBA just got another year older. Tim Duncan is waning out, Manu Ginobili is tired, and Tony Parker is still in awe of being married to Eva Longoria. However, they are a team with 4 championships and a future hall-of-famer in Tim Duncan, so watch out, the old dog still has a nasty bite.
No. 7, Portland Trailblazers
This is Brandon Roy's team, and this team is stacked. They managed to win 50 games last year, all with injures to key players. What would happen when they are all healthy? Check out this lineup: Brandon Roy at guard, LaMarcus Aldridge at PF, Marcus Camby at C, and finally a healthy Greg Oden! This team will be making a run, but hold on... they are only number 7.
No. 6, Utah Jazz
Carlos Boozer is in Chicago, Kyle Korver is in Chicago, and Ronnie Brewer is in Chicago, how the hell did that happen? Well, the Jazz fired back and got Al Jefferson from Minnesota, so expect their rebounding and interior offense to hold up. They drafted Gordon Hayward, who was a shot away from becoming a NCAA National Champion, and they still have Deron Williams. Young, determined, and coached by Jerry Sloan, watch out for this team, a diamond in the rough. Expect nothing else but excellence.
No. 5, Phoenix Suns
The Suns made it to the Western Conference Finals last year, don't you think that there would be less room for improvement? Well, Ama're Stoudemire bolted to New York, and Steve Nash is all alone in the desert. But, Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress have signed with the Suns, and now they look as fit as ever. A lineup with Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Grant Hill, Robyn Lopez, and Josh Childress will make any team fear them. However, the only thing that's preventing them from reaching the Finals is their defense. A lack of it will ruin any team in the long haul of an NBA season.
No. 4, Denver Nuggets
In 2009, the Nuggets were 2 wins away from the NBA Finals. In 2010, the Nuggets lost in the first round. Their roster hadn't changed, and the players were working their butts off, the problem was that Coach George Karl had cancer and couldn't participate in the playoffs. Unmotivated and weakened, the Nuggets folded. But in the 2010-2011 season, look for Coach Karl to be back in coaching mode. Watch out for these boys in blue.
No. 3, Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki is in, Jason Kidd is in, Jason Terry is in, Brandon Haywood is in, Caron Butler is in, and Shawn Marion is in. Did I just name the greatest lineup ever? Well, no, but it comes close. Owner, Mark Cuban is use to putting stars under one banner, but hardly any teamwork comes in play. Look for the Mavericks to make it to at least the semi-finals and then fade out as quickly as a whisper. Another 55 to 60 win season, but no ring is waiting for them at the end of this journey.
No. 2, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last year the Thunder gave the Lakers a very hard time in the playoffs. They have an all-star in Kevin Durant who is a scoring machine, Russell Westbrook who can get by anybody, Jeff Green who can handle the 3 spot with the best of them, and 2nd year player James Harden who will blossom into something great. Look for this team to dominate the western conference...but not just yet.
No. 1, Los Angeles Lakers
2008, 2009, and 2010, the Lakers made it to the NBA Finals, winning in 2009 and 2010. The back-to-back champions are clearly the favorite to once again reach the NBA Finals. Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Artest, Odom, and Fisher are all signed to long term contracts. The championship team has essentially returned (Jordan Farmar signed with New jersey). Phil Jackson is motivated to end his historic coaching career with championship number 12, and a 4th Three-Peat. Their length is a problem to many teams, and with a player of Kobe Bryant's caliber, the Lakers are poised to return to the NBA Finals.
**You can reach the author of this post at kc@gacksports.com
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- Category: NBA
- Tags: los angeles lakers, Season Preview, Western Conference
