Welcome to the second installment in my 3 part NBA Preview! I have already laid down my Eastern Conference predictions, so go check them out if you haven't yet. Though the East has gained some star power in recent years, the Western Conference remains the much deeper of the two, making these predictions all that much more difficult to make. I can only hope I don't look stupid by season's end.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Always a threat to make a deep run simply due to Kobe Bryant's dominance, the Lakers had an offseason for the ages. If you told someone that the Lakers could get Dwight Howard without getting rid of Pao Gasol, they would consider the team a complete powerhouse. And they also added one of the best point guards of this generation in Steve Nash, who has shown that he still has a good amount left in the tank. Assuming this "Big 4" can coexist, it will be downright scary to play against. The tandem of Metta-Ron-World-Artest-Peace and Antawn Jamison will solidify the lineup, and while the team does lack depth beyond that, it may not even matter. This team has the potential to be extremely fun to watch. Or the stars won't play well together. We will see.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
How will this team respond after pretty much laying an egg in the Finals last year? I expect them to come back with a vengeance. James Harden will be looking to prove himself after his abysmal performance, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will just continue to improve (a scary thought) and push for a Championship. In a particularly busy offseason, OKC's top 6 remain unchanged. Why mess with a lineup that has clearly shown itself capable of winning a title? Serge Ibaka is slowly becoming a more rounded player, and Kendrick Perkins is still his angry, defensive self down low. This squad is aiming no lower than a title.
3. Denver Nuggets
Gasp! How can I mess with the Lakers/Thunder/Spurs top 3? Because the Nuggets have the potential to be THAT good this year. Ty Lawson has very quietly developed into one of the NBA's elite PGs. He has speed that is often impossible to contain. Danilo Gallinari is also becoming a top tier player when healthy. I can see him putting up 20 a game with some decent rebound numbers if he avoids injury. Down low, a promising young duo of JaVale McGee and Kosta Koufos will share time at center, and "The Manimal" himself, Kenneth Faried (one of my favorite players to watch) will become even more of a force in the paint in his second year. That brings us to the addition of Andre Iguodala, who will be an all around contributor, as well as add (relative) star power and leadership to a young team. While Denver may be a bit inexperienced to expect to contend for a title, the personnel is definitely there to accomplish that down the road.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Don't worry everyone, I'm not too low on the Spurs. After all, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker are all still playing, and they made an absurd run at the end of last season that shows that they are definitely not done. However, they're not getting any younger, and seemed to run out of gas a little bit toward the end of the playoff series a bit against the Thunder. Will this happen earlier in a full season? Or will they benefit from more rest in this year's schedule? I'm willing to bet on the latter, but some of these top teams may be difficult for the aging Spurs to handle over a seven game series. But then again, they still have to be considered a threat to win it all, regardless of age.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are a very interesting team. They showed a ton of promise in the 2011 playoffs, but after injury sidelined Zach Randolph for much of last season, they never really regained that magic. Well, rumor has it that Z-Bo is ready to go this year, and that news will not please the rest of the league. When healthy, Randolph makes up half of possibly the most dominant frontcourt duo in the league. He, along with Marc Gasol, have the ability to completely take games over, which is rare among big men. In addition, Memphis has an underrated star in Rudy Gay at the #3, who will put up big points and respectable stats across the board. The guard play will be solid if unspectacular, with one of the best defensive players in the league, Tony Allen, at SG and Mike Conley, a very solid and consistent player, at the point. This team was my surprise pick to make a run last year before Z-Bo's injury, and while there are some star studded teams this year, the potential is still there to surprise many people come playoff time.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
The first year of the revitalized Clippers had its ups and downs, but a second round playoff berth has to be considered a success for this organization. Chris Paul is one of the best players in the league, and he meshed brilliantly with Blake Griffin at times last year, showing the promise the duo has going forward. Chauncey Billups's early injury last year was a big blow, depriving the team of a clutch veteran leader. Billups expects to be back fairly early this year, which is promising for Clips fans. Jamal Crawford is more than capable of holding down the spot until then, and will provide scoring off the bench after. However, this team will need DeAndre Jordan to improve his offensive game to become a true powerhouse in the West. While Jordan is a great shot blocker and a good rebounder, the Clippers will need him to evolve offensively to complement Griffin down low. Griffin also needs to step his game up defensively. If those two things happen, this team could make some serious noise.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Mark Cuban is trying to surround Dirk with some talent, but he hasn't succeeded with the big name(s) that he had hoped for. O. J. Mayo and Darren Collison are solid additions, and will definitely keep the Mavs competitive, but not nearly as competitive as they may have been with Deron Williams. Dallas may struggle to start the season with Dirk out, but once he's back, he should be back to his usual self. He struggled a bit last season, but turned it on toward the end to show that he still has it. Though his absence early will affect the team's record, and thus, it's seeding, the potential is still there to contend. If Mayo and Collison thrive with the change of scenery, Dallas could see glimpses of the playoff magic they captured two years ago. If not, well, Cuban better find someone to complement Dirk next year.
8. Sacramento Kings
Young talent. If you haven't noticed, that has been one of the main themes of my previews this year, and the Kings epitomize that theme. Let's start down low with DeMarcus Cousins. The Sacramento center, only 22 years old, has already become a high-level big man out west. I will honestly say that he has the potential to play with Dwight Howard like dominance. No exaggeration. Jason Thompson is a solid forward to go along with Cousins, but I believe that Thomas Robinson will take the spot before long. The high draft pick is very talented and has the drive to succeed at any level. The unconventional three-guard look in the backcourt is home to supreme talent as well. Tyreke Evans is very good at the point (point-forward?), and is still evolving as a playmaker. Marcus Thornton has become a good scorer at the 2, while Isaiah Thomas shows tons of promise as well. The Kings may be a year or two away from really contending, but I expect major steps forward this year.
Non Playoff Teams
9. Golden State Warriors
Golden State may have a team that can contend for a playoff spot IF they can stay healthy. Stephen Curry, their talented young point guard, needs to avoid injury this year, as does newly acquired Andrew Bogut. If healthy, Bogut will form a formidable tandem with David Lee down low. Curry will run the show up top, and his fellow guard Klay Thompson took significant steps last year and is primed to break out. If Harrison Barnes can contribute at the 3 in his rookie season, the Warriors may find a way to sneak into the playoffs.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Oh, the potential in Minnesota. Kevin Love has become one of the best players in the entire league, hitting the boards, scoring at will, and doing pretty much everything in between. Ricky Rubio came into the league and showed why he is such a highly touted young player, dicing defenses with the dribble and the pass. But alas, injuries have hit the team hard. Rubio is still sidelined from a torn ACL last season, and may miss a few months. Love broke his hand in the preseason and will be out over a month as well. Though there is still some promise outside of these two with Nikola Pekovic and Derrick Williams growing into their roles and Brandon Roy attempting a comeback, it may not be enough to keep the rest of the teams within striking distance before the two stars return.
11. Utah Jazz
Utah can definitely contend for one of the last playoff spots in the crowded West, they just have to hope all of the pieces come together. Gordon Hayward and Mo Williams form a solid backcourt, and Jazz fans hope that they will work well together in Williams's first year in Utah. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson provide veteran presence down low in front of two talented youngsters in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, who look to contribute more as the season progresses. Utah can definitely fight for one of the final spots, but I see them just missing out while managing to stay out of the basement.
12. Houston Rockets
Linsanity has come to Houston! Unfortunately for the Rockets, the same cannot be said of Dwight Howard. That will keep Houston from being a contender this year. Lin will likely develop into a solid point guard, and Kevin Martin is a scoring threat beside him. Chandler Parsons improved over the course of his rookie season and will look to continue that this year. There are many young and unproven big men in Houston as well (Terrence Jones, Royce White, Patrick Patterson, Omer Asik, Donatas Motiejunas), so it will be very interesting to see how the season plays out for all of them. The Rockets are primed to contend a few years down the road, but may struggle for the time being.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are a hard team to project. LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the league's premier big men, and Wesley Matthews has proven to be a scoring threat at the 2. However, the season will depend on how their rookies perform. Damian Lillard will take on the starting PG spot, and has a ton of potential, but will need to adjust quickly to the level of competition after playing at Weber State. Meyers Leonard, Portland's new 7-footer, will be expected to contribute right away at center, and will have to hope his raw potential translates rather quickly. I see the Blazers as being one or two years away.
14. New Orleans Hornets
The surprising draft lottery result that landed the raging unibrow in New Orleans has Hornets fans excited, but there's not enough around him yet to really compete. Eric Gordon, Greivis Vasquez, and Austin Rivers form a promising trio of young guards, but much of the team is in need of development. Davis still has to develop his offensive game to the NBA level, and until that happens, the Hornets will find themselves near the bottom of the standings.
15. Phoenix Suns
It had to happen eventually. Now that Steve Nash's time in Phoenix is over, the Suns have to rebuild. Though they don't possess an awful lineup, which includes Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, and Michael Beasley, it is far from overwhelming. The Suns will be far from the worst team in the league, but in the deep West, they will find themselves in the basement.
Stay tuned, playoff predictions to come!
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