So here is my rundown for the NBA western conference. And as we all know, the westside is definitely the best side. Word up homie.
Southwest Division:
1. Dallas Mavericks
Think last year's success minus the first round playoff meltdown. The Mavericks are too good to let something like that happen again. Their roster hasn't really changed all that much, so I am expecting the same type of season as last year.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Most boring franchise ever. But they never said you have to be exciting to be successful. The Spurs will go toe to toe with the Mavs all year long. They'll easily make the playoffs blah blah blah. Tim Duncan will be good blah blah blah.
3. Houston Rockets
McGrady and Yao are poised to be one of the best one-two punches in the league this year. That is, if McGrady can stay healthy. This year will be the first under Van Gundy that the Rockets put a well rounded offensive attack on the court, as opposed to just McGrady and Yao.
4. New Orleans Hornets
I still daydream about where my Blazers would be if we would have drafted Chris Paul in 2005. Instead, we gave the keys to our franchise's future to Sabastian "steal-my-bling-bling-and-I-will-have-you-capped" Telfair. Ughhh. Chris Paul is a stud in every way. He just doesn't have a lot to work with around him. No low post presence for this team, but they did add Morris Peterson at shooting guard.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
I'm still puzzled how this team got so bad, after making the playoffs a couple of years ago. Sure, Pau Gasol's injury didn't help, but they were just really bad last year. If Gasol can stay healthy, it will sure help. But it's still going to be hard to compete in this loaded division.
Northwest Division:
1. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets finished last season on a roll. I think they will continue that streak into this season, now that Iverson has arrived and settled in. A full season with Melo and AI could mean trouble for a lot of western conference teams come playoff time.
2. Utah Jazz
Deron Williams is coming into his own as the floor leader for this team. Last year during the playoffs, I was truly amazed how good he really was. If they can somehow get Andrei Kirilenko to come around and keep playing basketball, it would be great for my fantasy team. So Andrei, you hear that? Get off your ass and shape up dude.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Obviously, losing Greg Oden for the year killed a lot of the momentum for these guys for this season. But all is not lost, by any means. Brandon Roy is money, and this year is the year Lamarcus Aldridge breaks out. He's practically Rasheed Wallace-like, without the personal issues and the 40 technical fouls a year. Martell Webster, after a very slow start (understatement), looks like he has a bit of confidence and will contribute much needed outside shooting this year. I'm thinkin 35-40 wins for this team.
4. Seattle Supersonics
Here's a young talented team similar to Portland. It sucks that they're probably going to be moving to Oklahoma City here in the next year or so. I think Jeff Green is going to be good along with ROY candidate Kevin Durant. Whenever I've watched Durant play though, I am just waiting for the time when he comes down after a jump shot and snaps both of his chicken legs. That would be horrible, but hey it could happen.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
They have the youngest starting lineup, like, ever. Not such a good thing, if the team is planning on winning more than 25 games. I don't even think they win that many. But I, for one, will be paying very close attention to the production of one Al Jefferson, who is "da bomb." And yes, he is also on my fantasy team.
Pacific Division:
1. Phoenix Suns
This team is my pick for the NBA champs. And yes, I am going to whine more about them losing that series (rigged?) to the Spurs last season. Seriously people, something went terribly wrong in that series. Anyway, they are still as good, nothing has really changed with this team. We're a little bit worried what might happen to this team if they trade Shawn Marion. But I don't think that will actually happen, as superstars usually don't get traded around much.
2. Golden State Warriors
These guys are total thugs. Plain and simple. I am surprised someone from their team hasn't shot someone from another team yet. You know, gunned them down for a simple hand check or something nutty like that. It may sound a bit harsh but it's almost happened before people. I just wouldn't put it past these guys. Oh and did I mention that thugs can ball it up like nobody's business? Well, they can.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Hey Lakers -- please trade Kobe away so he'll shut up already. Better yet, trade him to the Italian league or the Canadian pro league. Haha, Canadian basketball league, now that's funny. Anyway, I wish the Lakers could lose every single game they played. If that happened, I would consider this NBA season a success, no matter what else happened. Please , someone, just shut Kobe up.
4. Sacramento Kings
I hear that Shareef Adbur Rahim is supposed to be the go-to guy in Sac-town. This is precisely why they are down here in the 4th spot. No one can really score much on their team, and they've lost Bibby for possibly the entire season. Bummer. On the bright side, I am sure we'll be treated to see Ron Artest give us another rap album. Maybe? If we're lucky, I guess.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
I don't know why, but growing up I used to hear the Clippers referred to as the Slippers. This is once again the case. But it's not their fault. When you lose your superstar, there isn't a whole lot of promise left. And dude, Maggette you suck man. It's like you went to college at Duke or something. Finish a whole season without getting injured, will ya?
So read it and weep dudes. Here are my playoff picks:
Phoenix over Dallas in the West.
Detroit over Boston in the East.
NBA Finals -- Phoenix over Detroit in 6.
