Today, I'll pick up where I left off yesterday and preview the Western Conference. Here are the picks:
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers: Until someone else unseats them, you have to go with the defending conference champs. Kobe will still be determined to win, and if Andrew Bynum is healthy and playing like he did last year, the Lakers could win between 56-62 games this year. 2. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul and Co. are another year older, and the addition of James Posey will work wonders with the D, not to mention his winning pedigree. Expect about 54-58 wins, and maybe more, as they pose the single biggest threat to the Lakers. 3. Houston Rockets: Ron Artest's mood will be the biggest key; my gut feeling is that he'll be a quiet guy and play like a man possessed. Yao should be healthy, and McGrady (and everyone else) will be more comfortable in Adelman's O. I think they can win up to 56 games. And they should end their 0-fer and win at least one playoff round. 4. Utah Jazz: The Jazz really needed to find someone who could take some scoring pressure off of Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Co., but they (like many other teams) didn't find anybody. So, the same things that stalled them against L.A. last year will still be prevelant. They should win about 52 games, but Portland could give them fits. 5. San Antonio Spurs: This team needed an injection of young blood... and all it did was resign Michael Finley. Then, Manu Ginobili reinjures his ankle and could be out early in the season. The Spurs' window could close shut this year unless Parker has a career year and Duncan plays more assertively. Expect a drop to about 48-50 wins. 6. Portland Trail Blazers: The team with the current longest postseason drought should end that this year. Greg Oden will debut, and while he won't be dominant, he should be a defensive force almost from the start. Plus, Brandon Roy and Co. can carry the O. I think they will flirt with the division for awhile before finishing with 47-49 wins. 7. Phoenix Suns: The spots after #6 are tricky, but Phoenix should have just enough to squeeze one more playoff berth out of this aging and thin cast. Shaquille O'Neal undoubtedly will get hurt, and the Suns will play great without him. Then he'll come back, and they will struggle. Expect about 44-46 wins at most. 8. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors win out here because, even with Monta Ellis out, Don Nelson can get the most out of this cast. The Warriors will still be high scoring, and with Baron Davis gone, they should be more harmonious. 43 wins should be enough for 8th this year.
The Best of the Worst:
9. Dallas Mavericks: Talk about fitting square pegs into round holes; Rick Carlisle's grind-it-out defensive oriented attacks are the antithesis of what Dallas is used to. While that could benefit Jason Kidd, it won't mesh with Dirk Nowitzki. Expect plenty of Mark Cuban fretting, and a slip out of the playoffs with about 42 wins. 10. Sacramento Kings: Reggie Theus did a decent job last year without much to work with, but now he won't have Ron Artest to lean on. Kevin Martin is a solid scorer, but he's not the guy your team can build around. If the Kings match their 2008 win total, that should suffice. 11. Los Angeles Clippers: Good news: Baron Davis give the Clips their best PG play in years (not counting the brief Sam Cassell run). Bad news: Elton Brand bolted shortly thereafter. This franchise always finds ways to turn gold into ####, and even with Davis, they won't be that much better. Expect about 35-37 wins and for Mike Dunleavy to be ousted after the season. 12. Denver Nuggets: Remember the 1990-91 Nuggets? That team led the NBA in scoring with about 118 PPG... and were still outscored by 12 per game! This Denver team is a clone of that one; Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson should light up the board, and unfortunately, so should the opposition. They will be lucky to win 32 games, and George Karl could be the first coach to quit/be fired this year. 13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Welcome to the NBA, Kevin Love! Now, try to get this team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Although Love and Al Jefferson could remind GM Kevin McHale of himself and Robert Parish in the future, there's not much else around them. The Wolves should feel lucky to reach 27 wins this year. 14. Memphis Grizzlies: Speaking of rookies with bad teams; welcome, O.J. Mayo! Mayo does have potential, but it wouldn't surprise me if he dogs it when the Grizz start to lose regularly. Mayo will still get his stats, but there even less here than in Minnesota. The Grizzlies should win about 20-22 games, and Mark Iavaroni will be canned afterwards. 15. Oklahoma City 'Thunder': Assuming that this is indeed their name, the Thunder won't make much noise this year record wise. Although they should experience high turnout simply because of the novelty factor, other than Kevin Durant, what do they have to build on? Plus, they'll see what karma is like. The Thunder will finish with the NBA's worst record, and that should be no better than 13-17 wins max.
That's it for the West. When I actually get the updated rosters, I'll do a more in depth preview of the 2008-09 season. Until then, just be lucky you're not Love, Mayo or Durant!
Downs'
To me the Spurs are the real disappintment here. And I concur with you that unless Parker steps up to the plate and lays off trying to make babies with Eva. Then they're in for a long an arduous season.
And in agreeing with others concerning the Trailblazers . I do believe that this team can set the conference alight. But offcourse there's a caveat there. And that's the fact that they're still a very young and inexperienced team. The Rocketsmay well have got better with the acquisition of Artest. But unless Yao and McGrady can stay healthy for the majority of the regular season. Then they could end up having problems.
I LIKE IT!!! I'LL TAKE IT!!! Portland is going to fight out a 50 win season and become the scariest, youngest team in the league heading into 2010. We still will have cap room despite Boston's blunder in signing Flavor Flav Miles. GO RIP CITY!!!
Problem, New York last made the playoffs in 2004, while Portland last made in 2003. So they got them by a year.
And the harshness of the Denver prediction is that the D could be all-time terrible, considering that even with Camby, it was bad, and they dealt him to the Clips for some magic beans. If they get some D, move them up to 8 or 9.
Last edited by DownsA529 on September 3rd at 9:01 AM.
Great blog and explanation on how the NBA West will play out. Barring any serious injuries to these teams, a lot can change. Teams get hot and over achieve, so anythings possible. Lakers are the team to beat though!
Whoa...Portland won 41 last year. Seasoning these young guys one more year alone gives them another 5-6 wins...at least. Add Oden, Fernandez and Bayless (minus Jones)...doesn't that put them over 50 wins?
I disagree with your analysis of how Portland's season will look. They will start slow and finish strong. But in the end, I think they win 50 and do some real damage in the playoffs. And one more thing...by the end of the year, Oden WILL dominate.
I'm sorry, but I'm not goingto believe New Orleans is the real deal until another season has gone by. First of all, they were a surprise. And we've seen what has happened many times to teams that surprise the NBA during a year - they often sink because teams are aware of them. The same goes for Portland. I want proof that their success last year wasn't a fluke. Meanwhile enough credit isn't being given to the Jazz. Last year, the Jazz had a road record worthy of a horror flick - something not likely to be duplicated in 2009, especially considering the combined record of the teams they lost to. The Lakers have their number because of matchup problems, but there were precious few other teams able to keep up with the Jazz last year. Expect the Jazz to improve their win total by another 3 game to 57 or 58. They have all the pieces, they are young, but more experienced and they remember how they lost the #1 seed in 2008 by losing gimmees on the road.
the key is phil jackson really doing some good coaching .and the staff of the lakers too .come on the players are there .im sorry about always writting about the coaching .but its true phil.s offence is known to every coach in the nba .time to chance it phil .really at least a bit .the opposing team knows and goes to the spots the shooters are gona be before they get there . need movement at least 1 player movement .sick of it .fast break a bit it"s not gona go against your tradition of the triangle.. look at the film. like from the 80'S TO 90'S.... peace to all laker fans and to all the haters hate on the gold that kobe won for the USA at the last game and see what he'S gona bring in the up and coming year .more gold .and paul pierce is a one time chump ion. we'll see come christmas day we are L.A .
Great Blog, although I've got to disagree with Golden State as the 8th seed. Chances are Dallas will edge them out. As for Houston, look for them to absolutely storm out of the gate and win their first 10 games. They'll look like a championship contender, then, just like every year, McGrady and Yao will get hurt. That won't be as bad as normal because Artest can fill some gaps, but it'll put the idea that he's the leader into Ron-Ron's head and that will lead to in-house problems. By the end of the season they'll be sliding hard, make the playoffs as the 5th seed and make a quick exit. Sorry Tracy. But at least this year they'll get beat by Portland and not Utah.
Well I'm kinda a LA fan, but don't sleep on the rocket's at All. I believe they will be at the top. I mean look at it they have offence and defense. Now there bench may be a little suspect but the verdict is not out yet.
I'm thinking Oklahoma Thunder will win 30+ games this season...simply because they play eastern teams and a couple of western teams they can beat up on...should be tough at home with sellout crowds..will have 30+ million to go after free agents for next season...will improve dramaticallythen..
I'm looking forward to the new season, I'm a Lakers fan from the old times. But I love the NBA all together, I can't wait see Lakers, Andrew Bynum go head to head with Portland Oden. The first meeting between the two is on the 28 Oct 08. Two young promising big men that are what the game has come to. I hope that Bynum show him what he's learn from the greatest center to wear the blue and gold #33.
Lakers in europe
Last edited by lakers in europe on September 4th at 2:45 AM.
J-Dizzle "The LAKERS will rule the West for five years. I already see it coming."
Better get your eyes checked. Portland will take over either next year or the year following. I can't wait to see Kobe #### a shot after Oden helps redirect it.
J-Dizzle, I agree with the Lakers will rule if they can stay away from moving Odom. I read reports that have haters wanted them to move Odom. But people don't understand that Lamar Odom has been playing out of position for three years as a power forward. The guy is an excellent small forward who can sit people up. He's long enough to go into the paint against the big boys, but he is natural small. Leave Odom be... Then we will rule for at least 3 years. It will take that much time for the Portland young players to understand team play... See the example of Outlaw right now; he wants more shots, want to start. That all in good, but the team goals has to come first. I hope the Trail Blazers don't get sick of him and trade him. That would be a mistake...
You are absolutely right about Los Angeles Lakers, they will be the team to beat in the West. Portland Trailblazers will make their mark with about 45+ wins. New Orleans Hornets will push any western conference team to the limit and the Utah Jazz will be in the mix.
Remember the SPURS. Every year they have won the Championship, they were always underrated. They have been writing them off as "Old" for the past few years and yet they still seem to continue with their winning ways. R.C. Bufford and Popovich are the best at what they do. They analyze the teams weaknesses and make the appropriate adjustments. They have done it year after year with a smaller market team. LA on the other hand has to exceed their cap to make things work, always have and always will.
Kobe, Bynum, and Gasol are going to be a force to reckon with as the season progresses. But keep in mind Bynum's injury bug, Gasol's weakness in the paint and... Well Kobe is just GREAT!!! Welcome back NBA season, I look forward to see how things unfold.
Western Conference order:
1. Lakers
2. Spurs
3. New Orleans
4. Houston
5. Trailblazers
6. Utah
7. Phoenix
8. Golden State
I agree with what your saying, until you made the Bynum and injury bug statement! The guy is only 20 years old, and last year was his first major action. Kareem had been working with him in practice.
So there is no history of an injury bug, Oh no.. I agree Gasol is not the strongest powerful forward, but he's skillful around the hoop to make things happen in the paint that allot big men can't do..Our bench is going to play a big part in the success of what we do on defense and offense.Then there's Kobe, if he can do what he did last year and lead, this team! It's ready to go to the top. Last year in the finals, I knew we had a problem, and that was handling Boston strength inside the paint. But this is a new year, I Love my God & Jesus, but there's no better sport then the NBA. Your Ranking in right on.. The Spurs always have to be respected.. I just Love this game!
Lakers in Europe
Last edited by lakers in europe on September 7th at 1:08 AM.
I think the Blazers will be able to beat the spurs and get #5, and that Oden will be more dominant than expected. I also think the Nuggets will be better than that.
I am David Downs, and I'm a sports nut who loves basketball and football and am open to good discussion about any sports subject. I am a Detroit sports fan, but I not a homer. Expect frequent vents on subjects that irritate me, and also expect the utmost respect for anybody's opinion, even if they disagree with me. Because, after all, that's what these blogs are all about, aren't they?
