Some of you probably don't care about the NBA. What with the illegal gambling and game-fixing scandal of a longtime referee, the criminal activity of some of its players, and the Spurs winning all the time, it's easy to feel like that.
But I'm different. I still love the League. Always have and always will. There's something about late October that gets me very excited as a sports fan. And it's not because it's the World Series. Honestly, I think I was watching a preseason NBA game during Game 3 of the worst fall classic in history.
And that's what this blog is about. All ball. All the time. Check back here for everything relevant to the game - the sublime, the ridiculous, the majestic, the absurd (and even some tight video from time to time.)
So without further ado, here's my preview of the West. (East in another blog.) Enjoy and tell your friends...
Dallas - we all know the story with the Mavericks. In 2006 they were up 2-0 over Miami in the NBA Finals and lost four straight games. Last year they had the league's Most Valuable Player in Dirk Nowitzki. They led the league with 67 regular season wins and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. And all that got them was an embarrassing first round pummeling at the hands of the upstart Golden State Warriors.
This team could go 82-0 this year, and it wouldn't mean a thing unless they can get rid of the bitter taste of the way the last two seasons ended. The team is largely unchanged as the core of Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Devin Harris, and Jerry Stackhouse remain poised and ready to take on the West. The addition of veteran wing Eddie Jones should provide more defense and three-point shots.
Dallas goes as Nowitzki goes. There hasn't been a bigger German collapse since the Allieds started storming Europe in 1945. If he plays like a true MVP, and puts the Mavs on his back like he did in '06 Dallas has as good a shot as any team of winning its elusive first championship.
Denver - Dwyane Wade won a title in 2006. LeBron carried Cleveland to the Finals last year. Is this the season that the other superstar from the 2003 Draft class, Carmelo Anthony, leads his squad to the Promised Land?
After proving that he might be the best pure scorer on the planet during this summer's FIBA World Championships, Melo hopes to keep rolling with the Denver Nuggets this year. Unlike LBJ last season, he certainly will have the supporting cast to do so. Allen Iverson returns in his first full season with the Nuggs, and has boldly predicted a 60 win season. For Nuggets fans (myself included) just getting out of the first round will be a step in the right direction.
Along with the two world class scorers, the Denver frontcourt is loaded. Last year's Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby leads a strong, athletic group that includes Brazilian man-child Nene and former No. 1 pick Kenyon Martin, who is attempting to return from microfracture surgery on his right knee.
On paper, the Nuggets have the best starting lineup in the conference. But as we all know, games aren't played on paper. They're played inside your TV sets (thank Kenny Mayne). Shooting is still an issue with this club, but if they can get solid production from downtown from the supporting cast, this team will be hard to beat. Would you want to try to win a series against Melo and A.I? Yeah, me neither.
Golden State - Do you believe? Thousands of fans in the Bay Area do. After shocking the Mavs in the first round of last year's playoffs, the Warriors became the bandwagon darlings of the league. In order to produce last year's magic, the team must play better on the road (only Milwaukee, Seattle and Memphis had fewer last season). They must also find a replacement for Jason Richardson, who was traded to Charlotte in the off-season.
Monta Ellis has the talent and bravado to take over that role, but he's still only 22. Defense was never the strong suit of a Don Nelson coached team, and it won't be this year either. But few teams can run and score with the Warriors. If Baron Davis stays healthy (always a big "if,") they can easily make the playoffs as a lower seed. And I don't know any team in the West that would say that they want to play the Warriors in the postseason.
Still, would you bet your hard-earned money at a team that has this guy (see right) as its co-captain?
Houston - The good news for the Houston Rockets is that they may be the fourth best team in the entire NBA. The bad news for the Houston Rockets is that they may be only the third best team in the state of Texas.
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming lead a strong, well balanced team that prided itself on defense under head coach Jeff Van Gundy last season. The Notorious JVG is gone now, replaced by perennial underachiever Rick Adelman. His new up-tempo style should suit McGrady, one of the league's deadliest offensive forces.
The team is also loaded with depth in the backcourt. Former All-Star Stevie Franchise makes his return to the Rockets, who along with Mike James, Luther Head and Rafer Alston, give Houston lots of options at the point guard slot. But like the old adage goes, if you have four point guards, then you don't even have one point guard. One of those guys must grab hold of the job and make it his own, for this team to be able to make serious noise come May.
If Yao can stay healthy, this should be the year that he establishes himself as the best center in the game. Now if only he'd grow out a traditional Chinese fu manchu mustache and at least look the part of a badass!
Los Angeles Clippers - There are few things uglier than Shaun Livingston's graphic knee dislocation that happened last year (not for the squeamish), but one of those things might be the Clippers team this season. With All-Star forward Elton Brand out until February while recovering from a torn Achilles' Clippers fans could have a better time peeping SoCal girls in the stands of the Staples Center than actually watching basketball.
The backcourt of Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley is ancient, their replacement for Brand is (gulp) Tim Thomas, and it's still being determined whether their starting center actually owns a mirror. On the bright side for Chris Kaman, he has enjoyed much success with his role in those hilarious Geico commercials.
Corey Maggette should have a huge year, up until he demands to be traded again. And if there's anyone who is going to challenge Kevin Durant for Rookie of the Year honors, it's Clips rookie Al Thornton, who is nice. Real nice. But it won't be long before the hometown folks are chanting for OJ to come and save the day. No, not THAT OJ, next year's top pick USC guard OJ Mayo.
Los Angeles Lakers - At this point, because there are so many possible reasons, I don't know why exactly I should feel bad for Kobe Bryant. I just do. Is it because he ran off the most dominant big man in the history of the game, forfeiting the chance to win more championships, all so he could be "the man?" Is it because he threw his teammates under the bus in a well documented rant to fans outside an Orange County shopping center? Is it because his woefully inept front office failed to trade for Jason Kidd last year, or Jermaine O'Neal in the off-season to give Kobe a little help? Is it because he's named after an expensive piece of Japanese beef?
But I'm different. I still love the League. Always have and always will. There's something about late October that gets me very excited as a sports fan. And it's not because it's the World Series. Honestly, I think I was watching a preseason NBA game during Game 3 of the worst fall classic in history.
And that's what this blog is about. All ball. All the time. Check back here for everything relevant to the game - the sublime, the ridiculous, the majestic, the absurd (and even some tight video from time to time.)
So without further ado, here's my preview of the West. (East in another blog.) Enjoy and tell your friends...
Dallas - we all know the story with the Mavericks. In 2006 they were up 2-0 over Miami in the NBA Finals and lost four straight games. Last year they had the league's Most Valuable Player in Dirk Nowitzki. They led the league with 67 regular season wins and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. And all that got them was an embarrassing first round pummeling at the hands of the upstart Golden State Warriors.This team could go 82-0 this year, and it wouldn't mean a thing unless they can get rid of the bitter taste of the way the last two seasons ended. The team is largely unchanged as the core of Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Devin Harris, and Jerry Stackhouse remain poised and ready to take on the West. The addition of veteran wing Eddie Jones should provide more defense and three-point shots.
Dallas goes as Nowitzki goes. There hasn't been a bigger German collapse since the Allieds started storming Europe in 1945. If he plays like a true MVP, and puts the Mavs on his back like he did in '06 Dallas has as good a shot as any team of winning its elusive first championship.
Denver - Dwyane Wade won a title in 2006. LeBron carried Cleveland to the Finals last year. Is this the season that the other superstar from the 2003 Draft class, Carmelo Anthony, leads his squad to the Promised Land?
After proving that he might be the best pure scorer on the planet during this summer's FIBA World Championships, Melo hopes to keep rolling with the Denver Nuggets this year. Unlike LBJ last season, he certainly will have the supporting cast to do so. Allen Iverson returns in his first full season with the Nuggs, and has boldly predicted a 60 win season. For Nuggets fans (myself included) just getting out of the first round will be a step in the right direction.Along with the two world class scorers, the Denver frontcourt is loaded. Last year's Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby leads a strong, athletic group that includes Brazilian man-child Nene and former No. 1 pick Kenyon Martin, who is attempting to return from microfracture surgery on his right knee.
On paper, the Nuggets have the best starting lineup in the conference. But as we all know, games aren't played on paper. They're played inside your TV sets (thank Kenny Mayne). Shooting is still an issue with this club, but if they can get solid production from downtown from the supporting cast, this team will be hard to beat. Would you want to try to win a series against Melo and A.I? Yeah, me neither.
Golden State - Do you believe? Thousands of fans in the Bay Area do. After shocking the Mavs in the first round of last year's playoffs, the Warriors became the bandwagon darlings of the league. In order to produce last year's magic, the team must play better on the road (only Milwaukee, Seattle and Memphis had fewer last season). They must also find a replacement for Jason Richardson, who was traded to Charlotte in the off-season.
Monta Ellis has the talent and bravado to take over that role, but he's still only 22. Defense was never the strong suit of a Don Nelson coached team, and it won't be this year either. But few teams can run and score with the Warriors. If Baron Davis stays healthy (always a big "if,") they can easily make the playoffs as a lower seed. And I don't know any team in the West that would say that they want to play the Warriors in the postseason.
Still, would you bet your hard-earned money at a team that has this guy (see right) as its co-captain?
Houston - The good news for the Houston Rockets is that they may be the fourth best team in the entire NBA. The bad news for the Houston Rockets is that they may be only the third best team in the state of Texas.
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming lead a strong, well balanced team that prided itself on defense under head coach Jeff Van Gundy last season. The Notorious JVG is gone now, replaced by perennial underachiever Rick Adelman. His new up-tempo style should suit McGrady, one of the league's deadliest offensive forces.
The team is also loaded with depth in the backcourt. Former All-Star Stevie Franchise makes his return to the Rockets, who along with Mike James, Luther Head and Rafer Alston, give Houston lots of options at the point guard slot. But like the old adage goes, if you have four point guards, then you don't even have one point guard. One of those guys must grab hold of the job and make it his own, for this team to be able to make serious noise come May.If Yao can stay healthy, this should be the year that he establishes himself as the best center in the game. Now if only he'd grow out a traditional Chinese fu manchu mustache and at least look the part of a badass!
Los Angeles Clippers - There are few things uglier than Shaun Livingston's graphic knee dislocation that happened last year (not for the squeamish), but one of those things might be the Clippers team this season. With All-Star forward Elton Brand out until February while recovering from a torn Achilles' Clippers fans could have a better time peeping SoCal girls in the stands of the Staples Center than actually watching basketball.
The backcourt of Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley is ancient, their replacement for Brand is (gulp) Tim Thomas, and it's still being determined whether their starting center actually owns a mirror. On the bright side for Chris Kaman, he has enjoyed much success with his role in those hilarious Geico commercials.
Corey Maggette should have a huge year, up until he demands to be traded again. And if there's anyone who is going to challenge Kevin Durant for Rookie of the Year honors, it's Clips rookie Al Thornton, who is nice. Real nice. But it won't be long before the hometown folks are chanting for OJ to come and save the day. No, not THAT OJ, next year's top pick USC guard OJ Mayo.
Los Angeles Lakers - At this point, because there are so many possible reasons, I don't know why exactly I should feel bad for Kobe Bryant. I just do. Is it because he ran off the most dominant big man in the history of the game, forfeiting the chance to win more championships, all so he could be "the man?" Is it because he threw his teammates under the bus in a well documented rant to fans outside an Orange County shopping center? Is it because his woefully inept front office failed to trade for Jason Kidd last year, or Jermaine O'Neal in the off-season to give Kobe a little help? Is it because he's named after an expensive piece of Japanese beef?
Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that it's a shame to see the greatest player this of this decade (I'm sorry folks, he is) waste the paramount years in his prime on a team that's going nowhere. Kobe is the only reason the Lakers have any chance to win. He's vilified if he takes 35 shots a night and scores 50 points because he's viewed as a selfish ball hog. He's vilified if he tries to share the ball and play a team game, then watches as Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar and Kwame Brown throw up brick after brick after brick, and the team loses.
Like most people, I just want this story to go away. Either trade him for pennies on the dollar and start from scratch, or get some legitimate ballplayers in the vaunted purple and gold. Lamar Odom aside, the Lakers are a glorified D-League team. It's only because Kobe is the best player in the world that they are even on the radar.
All that said, he has the talent, the will and the drive to carry the Lakers far. But even Michael had Scottie Pippen. Even Magic had Worthy and Kareem. Even Legend had Kevin McHale. Kobe has Chris Mihm. Oh, and Vladamir Radmanovic!
The only silver lining in this whole situation will be to see if Kobe says "Screw it, I'm going for 100 tonight. I don't care if we win or lose!" That will be fun to watch.
Memphis - After suffering through an injury-plagued season last year, the Memphis Grizzlies hope to return to the playoffs. All-Star Pau Gasol returns to anchor the young athletic Grizz, and new head coach Marc Iavaroni, a longtime assistant of the Phoenix Suns, will bring the run-and-gun game East (though technically, still the West. I'm confused.)The offseason addition of Darko Milicic could pay huge dividends. Darko is an athletic big man who can block shots and has good range. His presence might be able to open things up for Gasol to operate one on one in the post, where he's nearly unstoppable. The team also added Mike Conley, Jr. to run the point position, which begs the question, what happens to last year's top pick Kyle Lowery? Mike Miller, Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick will all be solid enough that Memphis could sneak into the last playoff spot, and another first round loss. Remember this name: Juan Carlos Navarro. You'll know who he is by February. Trust me.
Minnesota - What's worse than living in the sub-zero temperatures of Minnesota during the winter? Living in the sub-zero temperatures of Minnesota during the winter and watching your former franchise player donning a huge smile as the member of another team.Such is life in the post Kevin Garnett Era for the Timberwolves and their fans. Very rarely have you seen an entire roster of players change almost overnight. What Minnesota lacks in star appeal, it makes up for in young talent. The core is there. Guards Randy Foye, Corey Brewer, Rashad McCants and Gerald Greene could be very productive for a long time, if they stay together. "Big Al" Jefferson will own the paint, and should put up numbers actually similar to Garnett's. You may laugh now, but if you don't think Jefferson can put up 22 and 12 on this team, then you don't know the man.
Landing another lottery pick, and having the salary cap flexibility to sign a quality free agent big man this summer is priority one for the Timberwolves. The pieces are in place to rebuild. The patience of the fans may not be.
New Orleans - Chris. Paul. That's all you need to know from these Hornets. If Paul plays at a high level (and there's no reason to think he won't), he is good enough to carry this team into the playoffs. If he's merely pedestrian, it will be a long, long year in the Big Easy. Center Tyson Chandler proved he is one of the better hustling bigs in the league last year, averaging 12, 5 rebounds and almost 2 blocks per game last season. He, along with David West, form a solid frontcourt.
New Orleans - Chris. Paul. That's all you need to know from these Hornets. If Paul plays at a high level (and there's no reason to think he won't), he is good enough to carry this team into the playoffs. If he's merely pedestrian, it will be a long, long year in the Big Easy. Center Tyson Chandler proved he is one of the better hustling bigs in the league last year, averaging 12, 5 rebounds and almost 2 blocks per game last season. He, along with David West, form a solid frontcourt.Attention. Attention. There's been a Peja Stojakovic sighting! Peja is back from a knee injury that cost him most of last season (I know, you're thinking "Oh yeah, that's where Peja plays now.") Truth be told, if he can stay healthy, he gives Paul the perfect drive and dish candidate who can, and will, knock down open shots.
With the city still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurrican Katrina, fan support isn't likely to be as good as it was last year, when the Hornets played in Oklahoma City. But having a place to call "home" could do wonders for a team still searching for an identity. One more thing on Paul. If you want a super darkhorse candidate for MVP, look no further. I'm just sayin'...
Phoenix - Destiny. That's the only thing the Phoenix Suns can hope to have on their side in their quest to bring home the elusive first championship. Say what you want about San Antonio, but Phoenix was the best team in the playoffs last year. And if not for Tim Donagy's dreadful officiating in the Spurs-Suns series (ummm...we later found out why it was so bad), and David Stern's ridiculous rule about players leaving the bench area, it's the Suns, not the Spurs that get to send LeBron home in four straight games, and raise Mr. Larry O'Brien.
Yet, even after two MVP seasons from Steve Nash, multiple 60-win seasons, they've been the bridesmaid to Dallas and San Antonio out West. They will still be the most exciting team to watch in the entire league. If you are a true fan of basketball, watching Nash operate is almost euphoric.
Andrei Kirilenko is one of the best defensive players in the league, always among the leaders in both steals and blocks. But he is disgruntled after an off-season of bickering with management and head coach Jerry Sloan. If he stays positive (and how could you not with the most awesome wife in the league?) and gives a quality effort, it will only help Utah’s chances at winning a second consecutive Northwest Division title.
There are questions at shooting guard. Can Ronnie Brewer step up? Will rookie sharpshooter Morris Almond do enough on D to warrant starting? How do you replace guard Derek Fisher (now back with the Lakers) and his veteran leadership?
With talent at every position, but also with one or two pieces of the puzzle missing, the Jazz are a team that is teetering on the edge of mediocrity and excellence at the same time.
Health is a bigger issue with this team than any other major contender. Grant Hill, their only noteworthy offseason addition, is umm, frail. Factor in Amare's knee, Nash's back, and Shawn Marion's ego, and this is a team that truly is at a crossroads. Win now and everyone is fat and happy, and will want to come back and defend. Lose another heartbreaking series, and it's bye bye Marion, and seeyaround Amare (with Nash's window closing, the Suns won't want to invest in Stoudamire as its franchise player. Too many question marks.)
The talent, teamwork, chemistry, and leadership is obviously there. And no player in the league wants to win more than Steve Nash. It just remains to be seen what destiny holds for this team.
Portland – Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Brandon Roy (hey R-O-Y that’s weird) will have to have an even better sophomore campaign to lead the Blazers into the promise land. Fortunately, he will have some help this season.
Fellow super soph LaMarcus Aldridge could be the top candidate for the Most Improved Player Award this season. His back to the basket game has improved tremendously, and he will flourish with the departure of Zach Randolph. Z-Bo was traded on draft night for power forward Channing Frye and Steve Francis. The Blazers bought out Francis for around $30M.
And speaking of the draft, the Blazers landed the crown jewel this year in second-rounder Josh McRoberts out of Duke. He should immediately contribute – as the main source of heckling for the oppositions’ fans in the Rose Garden. See, I told you I could get through this entire preview without mentioning Greg Oden. Ooops! Damn.
Seriously, listen up NBA. With another likely lottery pick AND Oden coming into the fold next year, and with close to $40M coming off the books in 2009-10, you better get your kicks in beating the Blazers right now, because RIP City will be back sooner than you think.
Sacramento – Remember when this team was the cream of the crop in the West? Yeah, it WAS only a few years ago. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Kings do sports a deep and talented backcourt, with Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby and John Salmons all at the disposal of first-year head coach Reggie Theus.
There frontcourt, however, is beyond repair, with aging, oft-injured veterans Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Brad Miller. Look for one of these guys, and possibly Bibby, to be traded at the deadline in a cap-saving move.
And then there’s Ron Ron. He will still play harder than anyone in the league, but a futile effort could lead to another meltdown. Though he’s been on his best behavior for the last couple seasons, you always have to wonder about his mental stability.
The self-proclaimed “best fans in the NBA” might not have too much to cheer about this season. Thankfully, for the Maloof Brothers, they can take solace in their $6,000 hamburgers.
San Antonio – You’ve heard this story before. Blah blah blah. Tim Duncan’s the best
basketball-playing robot on the planet. Blah blah blah. They’ve got a Balki Bartokomous look-a-like playing two-guard. Blah blah blah. Bruce Bowen is dirty. Blah blah blah. Oh, and did you know Eva Longoria and Tony Parker got married this summer? Seriously, did you know that? Have you heard that news lately?
But here’s the bottom line. Love them or hate them (I’ll take the second option, please), and despite being dreadfully non-athletic, they are still the best team in the league. They have the best chemistry. They know how to work the refs. And they have the best coach in Gregg Poppovich.
The addition of defensive dynamo Ime Udoka will help in the playoffs, as he will essentially replace Bruce Bowen in the rotation. This team is geared toward the postseason. After winning three of the last five titles, that’s the only thing that it’s about.
And just in case you forgot, check this out.
Seattle – Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are gone. That’s roughly 50 points a game. How in the world are they going to replace 50 points a game? Two words. Kevin. Durant. Is there a good reason to watch the Sonics this year? Two words. Kevin Durant. Who are the loyal Sonics fans going to miss the most when devil incarnate owner Clay Bennett ships the team off to Oklahoma City next year? Two words. Robert Swift (see right). I mean have you seen this cat? He’s truly the most unique individual on the planet. How could you not want to watch this guy try to play basketball in person for 40 games?
They have some nice pieces, and Durant and fellow rookie Jeff Green are excellent building blocks for the franchise. But it’s lottery bound again for the Sonics. Unfortunately, they won’t be around to the fine folks of Seattle to see Durant, truly a once-a-decade talent, in his prime.
Utah – Expectations are high following last year’s surprise run into the Western Conference Finals. Point guard Deron Williams is poised to make the jump to superstardom this season, pairing with power forward Carlos Boozer to form one of the best inside/outside combos in the league.
Williams has it all. He’s can shoot, he can distribute (his 9.3 assists per game last year trailed only some guy named Steve Nash), and is an excellent rebounder for a guard. Think Jason Kidd with a jumper. And he holds a special place in my heart for doing this.
Portland – Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Brandon Roy (hey R-O-Y that’s weird) will have to have an even better sophomore campaign to lead the Blazers into the promise land. Fortunately, he will have some help this season.Fellow super soph LaMarcus Aldridge could be the top candidate for the Most Improved Player Award this season. His back to the basket game has improved tremendously, and he will flourish with the departure of Zach Randolph. Z-Bo was traded on draft night for power forward Channing Frye and Steve Francis. The Blazers bought out Francis for around $30M.
And speaking of the draft, the Blazers landed the crown jewel this year in second-rounder Josh McRoberts out of Duke. He should immediately contribute – as the main source of heckling for the oppositions’ fans in the Rose Garden. See, I told you I could get through this entire preview without mentioning Greg Oden. Ooops! Damn.
Seriously, listen up NBA. With another likely lottery pick AND Oden coming into the fold next year, and with close to $40M coming off the books in 2009-10, you better get your kicks in beating the Blazers right now, because RIP City will be back sooner than you think.
Sacramento – Remember when this team was the cream of the crop in the West? Yeah, it WAS only a few years ago. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Kings do sports a deep and talented backcourt, with Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby and John Salmons all at the disposal of first-year head coach Reggie Theus.
There frontcourt, however, is beyond repair, with aging, oft-injured veterans Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Brad Miller. Look for one of these guys, and possibly Bibby, to be traded at the deadline in a cap-saving move.
And then there’s Ron Ron. He will still play harder than anyone in the league, but a futile effort could lead to another meltdown. Though he’s been on his best behavior for the last couple seasons, you always have to wonder about his mental stability.
The self-proclaimed “best fans in the NBA” might not have too much to cheer about this season. Thankfully, for the Maloof Brothers, they can take solace in their $6,000 hamburgers.
San Antonio – You’ve heard this story before. Blah blah blah. Tim Duncan’s the best
basketball-playing robot on the planet. Blah blah blah. They’ve got a Balki Bartokomous look-a-like playing two-guard. Blah blah blah. Bruce Bowen is dirty. Blah blah blah. Oh, and did you know Eva Longoria and Tony Parker got married this summer? Seriously, did you know that? Have you heard that news lately?But here’s the bottom line. Love them or hate them (I’ll take the second option, please), and despite being dreadfully non-athletic, they are still the best team in the league. They have the best chemistry. They know how to work the refs. And they have the best coach in Gregg Poppovich.
The addition of defensive dynamo Ime Udoka will help in the playoffs, as he will essentially replace Bruce Bowen in the rotation. This team is geared toward the postseason. After winning three of the last five titles, that’s the only thing that it’s about.
And just in case you forgot, check this out.
Seattle – Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are gone. That’s roughly 50 points a game. How in the world are they going to replace 50 points a game? Two words. Kevin. Durant. Is there a good reason to watch the Sonics this year? Two words. Kevin Durant. Who are the loyal Sonics fans going to miss the most when devil incarnate owner Clay Bennett ships the team off to Oklahoma City next year? Two words. Robert Swift (see right). I mean have you seen this cat? He’s truly the most unique individual on the planet. How could you not want to watch this guy try to play basketball in person for 40 games?They have some nice pieces, and Durant and fellow rookie Jeff Green are excellent building blocks for the franchise. But it’s lottery bound again for the Sonics. Unfortunately, they won’t be around to the fine folks of Seattle to see Durant, truly a once-a-decade talent, in his prime.
Utah – Expectations are high following last year’s surprise run into the Western Conference Finals. Point guard Deron Williams is poised to make the jump to superstardom this season, pairing with power forward Carlos Boozer to form one of the best inside/outside combos in the league.
Williams has it all. He’s can shoot, he can distribute (his 9.3 assists per game last year trailed only some guy named Steve Nash), and is an excellent rebounder for a guard. Think Jason Kidd with a jumper. And he holds a special place in my heart for doing this.
Andrei Kirilenko is one of the best defensive players in the league, always among the leaders in both steals and blocks. But he is disgruntled after an off-season of bickering with management and head coach Jerry Sloan. If he stays positive (and how could you not with the most awesome wife in the league?) and gives a quality effort, it will only help Utah’s chances at winning a second consecutive Northwest Division title.
There are questions at shooting guard. Can Ronnie Brewer step up? Will rookie sharpshooter Morris Almond do enough on D to warrant starting? How do you replace guard Derek Fisher (now back with the Lakers) and his veteran leadership?
With talent at every position, but also with one or two pieces of the puzzle missing, the Jazz are a team that is teetering on the edge of mediocrity and excellence at the same time.
Order of finish:
Pacific
Phoenix (1)
Golden State (7)
L.A. Lakers
Sacramento
L.A. Clippers
Southwest
Dallas (2)
San Antonio (4)
Houston (5)
New Orleans (8)
Memphis
Northwest
Denver (3)
Utah (6)
Portland
Seattle
Minnesota
Eastern Conference Preview
Phoenix (1)
Golden State (7)
L.A. Lakers
Sacramento
L.A. Clippers
Southwest
Dallas (2)
San Antonio (4)
Houston (5)
New Orleans (8)
Memphis
Northwest
Denver (3)
Utah (6)
Portland
Seattle
Minnesota
Eastern Conference Preview
2 comments:
Quality photos on this blog.
Suns look like they are taking lessons from Tony Soprano.
You write very well.
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