West Predictions
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Reigning Western Conference Champions. Interesting thought: Someone asked me who was better, Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook. I think individually maybe I'd go with Westbrook. Then I asked myself, if they traded teams would the Thunder be better? I actually think they would. I am also a huge Harden fan. He is very efficient (much more so when he isn't on the floor with Westbrook). P.S.-I'm not hating on Westbrook. I think OKC wins the west because they are young, healthy, and will push for the #1 seed.
2 Los Angeles Lakers
One reason: Steve Blake is due for a breakout year. Just kidding, but I think this one goes without saying, however I will mention that nobody is talking about the Antawn Jamison pickup. He's better than people realize. I just think that (if healthy) no one can match up to Pau/Dwight, without leaving Kobe/Nash. The reason I have them below OKC is because I don't think they will concern themselves as much with getting the #1 seed. For this group, its all about the post-season, but they will win a lot of games in the regular season still.
Chris Paul. Do I need to say more. Every time I watch him play I think to myself "he's the best player in the league." I know that isn't true, but the fact is that he is incredible, and incredibly fun to watch. They are deep too. Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Eric Bledsoe, Willie Green, Matt Barnes, and I'm probably forgetting someone.
I think they will fall a little bit in the regular season this year, but then again, I've been saying that every year now since 2009. For them, regular season really doesn't mean too much. I still think they are arguably in the top 2 most dangerous teams in the West come playoffs.
5 Denver Nuggets
I feel like if I am going to be way off on any of these it will be that the Nuggets finish higher than 5th. Something feels wrong about putting them this low for some reason. I have always had a fan-crush on Andre Iguodala. I love Lawson too. I think they are deep and have one of the best coaches in the league.
They are still a very good team I think. They have had a year now to let Gay and Randolf work together, I think they can put it all together for a nice fit this year. However, when it comes to the post-season, I am still a little down on them after losing a Game 7 Home game against the Clippers last year. Contenders just don't do that, pretenders do.
They made the 8th seed last year and have improved so much this year. They didn't get any stars but I'm not sure they need it. If the West wasn't so good, I would probably have them higher. I could see them beating out the Grizzlies for 6th, but I'll keep my optimism harnessed for now. I love this team though. They seem to already have a great chemistry going. I love Marvin Williams, and think he's going to do much more than he did in Atlanta. Their young guys are improving, and they have a nice mix of youth, experience and depth. Add in good 3 point shooting this year and that changes everything. My biggest concern heading into the season is Coach Corbin. I have the feeling he will start Millsap/Jefferson, when it should be Favors/Jefferson. Millsap could come off the bench and be successful going against other bench units while being the primary option. Also, it allows Favors to roam defensively as he covers some of Jefferson's mishaps. I really felt like Corbin did a below-average job last year with the rotations. Had the Jazz been unfortunate enough to have Bell and Howard stay healthy, I really think Corbin would have continued to play them, and we wouldn't have made the playoffs. I'm giving him this year to prove he can manage rotations and minutes effectively before I start saying we need a new coach though.
They just made the most sense to me here. They will have Kevin Love back in 6 weeks or so, they have Brandon Roy on their bench, and Andrei Kirilenko will help them out a ton. They have quite a bit of talent.
I am putting them ahead of Golden St. because Stephen Curry already sprained his ankle again this pre-season, and that leads me to believe he will miss half the year from ankle problems alone.
9 Golden St. Warriors
It pains me to put the Timberwolves ahead of them but I think I gave a pretty good reason above. I really like lots of the Warriors players, but I think their season is going to rely on health. Bogut and Curry will miss games no matter what. I love Barnes and Thompson though. The GSW's future is bright. As a Jazz follower though, I cannot help but feel a little bitter about that shameless tank job at the end of the season. Part of me hopes they just blow it and Mark Jackson can't get them to win games. But I will admit, I'm a closet GS fan. I love the Bay area, and love their uniforms, and think their fans are pretty good.
10 Portland Trailblazers
I have a huge fan crush on Damian Lillard. I got the same feeling watching him in the pre-season that I did when I watched Derrick Rose for the first time in the pro's, but unlike Rose, he is coming into the league with an outside shot. I like Aldridge and Batum as well. I haven't seen any other rankings put the Blazers this high but I have a feeling they will surprise some people. They have a very nice core going forward, and I think they might actually have the loudest arena. At least it seems that way on TV. Don't be surprised if the Blazers manage to sneak into the playoffs as the 8th seed, or at least if they are competing for that spot come April.
11 Dallas Mavericks
I have this feeling Dirk isn't going to be around much. They managed to salvage the off-season with some nice pickups, but I just don't see them putting anything together without Dirk and Terry. Kaman is ok, Brand is ok, and Collison might be their best player, which is why I have them missing the playoffs this year.
12 New Orleans
This all depends on Eric Gordon. They could actually make a run for the playoffs but like Golden St. and Mavericks, I think their reliance on Gordon might hurt them quite a bit if he's unhealthy. I think Davis and Rivers will both be pretty good, with Davis probably being a star eventually. They have some nice pieces I think and are a year or two away from playoff position.
They have some nice pieces, but in a stacked Western Conference they fall quite a ways. They drafted well and have some nice young talent, a good coach, and an above-average front office. Daryl Morey is one of the best. I'm excited to see how Lin turns out. Was he a flash in the pan or the real deal? Time will tell.
They almost fall here by default. I don't know what to think about them. The only thought I have, is why would you trade your best player to your division rival for 4 second round draft picks. If I was a die-hard Suns fan I might have a hard time forgiving that one. Time will tell with the Suns, but I don't see them competing for a playoff spot.
No offense SAC fans, but have you watched your team lately? Thomas Robinson and Aaron Brooks are good, but that's not gonna solve your problems. As a Jimmer fan, I'm rooting for Sacramento, but I just think their management has put together a roster that doesn't fit that well, and a coaching staff that seems over their heads. Let me tell you what a non-Sacramento fan sees when he watches your games: Whoever has the ball looks for their shot until its not possible to get one off, then they pass it. Then it's that persons turn. Repeat cycle. Sacramento has a ton of talent, but no system and no winning culture.
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