NBA

FOX Sports Exclusive

Northwest preview: Blazers, Nuggets to battle again

Share This Story

Charley Rosen

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 17 sports books, the current ones being Bullpen Diaries: Mariano Rivera, Bronx Dreams, Pinstripe Legends, and the Future of the New York Yankees and Crazy Basketball: A Life In and Out of Bounds.

MORE>>
 
Updated Oct 1, 2009 1:22 PM ET
     
 
The Northwest is a neatly balanced division. Two teams won't be satisfied unless they reach the conference finals. One mid-level team is trying to recapture the rapture of seasons past. And two ball clubs are desperately fighting to gain a modicum of respectability.

Denver Nuggets

Strengths: Chauncey Billups' maturity, leadership and reliability in the clutch. Carmelo Anthony has the tools to score in every possible attack mode — fast breaks, early offense and half-court offensive sets. Anthony also demonstrated incredible defensive fire in the playoff series versus the Lakers. J.R. Smith has outlandish shooting range, as well as all of the other requisites for being a dominant scorer. In the L.A. series, he even played top-notch defense in stretches. Nene's powerhouse post-up possibilities have yet to be fully explored. Plus, his mid-range jumper is vastly improved. Chris Andersen supplies incredible defensive energy off the bench. Indeed, he's capable of coming from longer distances to block shots than any of his peers. Anthony Carter is a solid, if unspectacular, combo guard. The Nuggets possess one of the most explosive offensive capabilities in the league. And George Karl has become increasingly insistent on installing — and demanding that his players execute — several intricately coordinated pressure-defense schemes. Weaknesses: As evidenced in the postseason against the Lakers, Billups was inclined to be overly influenced by Denver's shot-happy game plan. If Smith is moved into the starting lineup, there will be limited — and immobile — offense coming off the bench. Andersen is a foul-prone backup to a foul-prone Nene. And Johan Petro is a lightweight third stringer. There's always been a tendency for 'Melo to become somewhat passive and also for Kenyon Martin to completely vanish in too many clutch situations. With the departure of Dahntay Jones, the only truly defensive-minded player is Renaldo Balkman, who can't score, makes mistakes and commits too many fouls. Despite Billups' Herculean efforts, the roster is overloaded with too many immature players for even him to control. Prognosis: With the sole exception of the 1995-96 Sonics, all of George Karl's teams excel in the regular season but have trouble making adjustments as they get deeper into the playoffs. The same pattern should hold true for the upcoming campaign. Getting to the Western Conference finals again is a stretch.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Strengths: Al Jefferson's prowess in the paint. Kevin Love's court awareness, strong hands and hunger for rebounds. In Ramon Sessions, the T-Wolves now have a do-it-all point guard.
The sky-high potential of rookie Jonny Flynn. Ryan Gomes is a much under-appreciated presence at both ends of the court. The combination of a new coach and a new season will provide a substantial, if temporary, energy boost. Weaknesses: Poor overall defense, especially among the bigs. The only bench player who possesses the ability to create his owns shots is Damien Wilkins. Jefferson won't/can't pass. On a purely athletic basis, Love can't match up with the vast majority of his opponents. There's too much pressure on Jefferson and Sessions to score, which means they'll have to take too many shots. The no-win-is-OK attitude already promulgated by team officials. Prognosis: Perhaps a few more wins but still lottery-bound.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Strengths: Kevin Durant is a go-to scorer, and Jeff Green is a terrific second option. Both of these youngsters can only get better the more they play. Nick Collison has limited skills but sets a good example with his endless hustle. Russell Westbrook's still-developing point-guard skills have undoubtedly been enhanced by his being able to ponder his rookie year during the offseason. Etan Thomas provides muscle-hustle behind Nenad Krstic's finesse game. Youthful enthusiasm is priceless, which makes young Scott Brooks the perfect coach for these guys. They're sure to learn the ropes together and form a beneficial bond in so doing. Weaknesses: The downside of youthful enthusiasm is a penchant for making mistakes. Too many defensive liabilities. A lack of veteran leadership, which is precisely why Malik Rose should make the squad even if he never plays. Prognosis: Thirty or so wins will make for measurable progress, but the team is still a long way from playing meaningful ball games in April.

Portland Trail Blazers

Strengths: Brandon Roy is Mister Wonderful. Both LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw are quick-stepping point machines. Joel Przybilla is one of the best defensive centers in the league. Greg Oden's unharnessed power and potential. Rudy Fernandez's slick quickness. The return to action of Martell Webster. Andre Miller has the experience and skills to effectively run an offense and also to generate his own scoring opportunites. Steve Blake is trustworthy. Nate McMillan's expertise and diligence but above all, his integrity. Weaknesses: A possible point guard dilemma. Miller is slow and defenseless, while Blake never really takes charge. Without Oden's coming of age, there's still no post-up scoring and an over-reliance on jumpers. There's a monumental burden on Oden to prove that he's not a latter-day version of LaRue Martin. Prognosis: If Roy can stay healthy, the playoffs are a lock. But everything has to go right — especially Oden's development — to get a top-four seed.

Utah Jazz

Strengths: The offensive brilliance of Deron Williams. Paul Millsap's strength, desire and improved jumper. Carlos Boozer remains an outstanding post-up scorer and rebounder. Kyle Korver's long-distance dialing. The athleticism and intensity of both Ronnie Price and Ronnie Brewer. Mehmet Okur's ability to stretch defenses. The long-limbed, gangling defense of Andrei Kirilenko. The high standards insisted upon by Jerry Sloan. Weaknesses: Despite AK and the Ronnies, the team defense is inferior. In addition to his poor defense, Boozer's very presence creates a damaging distraction. Williams is the only creator. The Jazz will miss Matt Harpring's fullback plunges to the hoop. Sloan is a great coach, but he never has trusted rookies — so Utah will get minimal benefit from its first-year players. Prognosis: There's enough discipline to make the playoffs, but Utah is unlikely to survive into the second round.

Next on tap: Atlantic Division

Tagged: Jazz, Timberwolves, Nets, Travis Outlaw, Ramon Sessions, Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers, Ronnie Price, Nuggets, Johan Petro, Chauncey Billups, Thunder, Malik Rose, Pacers, Dahntay Jones, Kevin Durant, Renaldo Balkman, Al Jefferson

More Stories From Charley Rosen

Basketball Hot Streak

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NBA Videos

Suns torch Kings Posted: Feb 12, 2012
Markieff Morris talks with FOX Sports Arizona after the Suns' 98-84 win over the...

Clippers crush Bobcats Posted: Feb 12, 2012
Prime Ticket talks with Carolina native Chris Paul after the Clippers'111-86 win...

Magic edge Bucks Posted: Feb 12, 2012
Jason Richardson talks about the Magic's 99-94 win over Milwaukee.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-..
    adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black
    \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat
    New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 34.95 New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat
    Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome
    Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat
    adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Womens Replica Jersey - Red http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/702882/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_702000/ff_702882_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Womens Replica Jersey - Red
    Majestic Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Energized T-Shirt - Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/784437/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_784000/ff_784437_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 Majestic Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Energized T-Shirt - Black

Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft