Greetings everyone, its time for my NBA Preview for the Western Conference
Music to listen to: One More Time/Aerodynamic Mix by Daft Punk
I gave you my Eastern Conference predictions last night so now it’s time for the West.
Once again, besides my main man Keaton, I’m pretty sure that the rest of you reading this post aren’t big NBA fans and that’s fine. So while you can go to all of the experts about true team breakdowns, I’m going to give you a guide that can help you at least sound like you’re an expert.
Here are my predictions first (all divisions in order):
Atlantic: Boston, Toronto, Philly, New York, New Jersey
Central: Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
Southeast: Orlando, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte
Southwest: San Antonio, Dallas, New Orleans, Houston, Memphis
Northwest: Utah, Portland, Denver, Oklahoma City, Minnesota
Pacific: Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Golden State, Sacramento
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston over Cleveland
Western Conference Finals: Lakers over San Antonio
NBA Finals: Boston over Lakers
MVP:
1) LeBron James, Cleveland
2) Kobe Bryant, Lakers
3) Chris Paul, New Orleans
4) Dwight Howard, Orlando
5) Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, Derrick Rose, Chicago (tie)
Rookie of the year: Blake Griffin, Clippers
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Lakers
Sleeper (teams outside of top-five teams that can contend for conference title): Chicago (East) and Utah (West)
Best record: Cleveland (East) and Lakers (West)
Worst record: Milwaukee (East) and Sacramento (West)
Predictable NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Respectable NBA Finals pick: Cleveland vs. San Antonio
Slightly outside the box NBA Finals pick: Orlando vs. Portland
Ballsy NBA Finals pick: Chicago vs. Denver
Not going to happen but you never know NBA Finals pick: Toronto vs. New Orleans
No chance in heck of happening NBA Finals pick: Charlotte vs. Minnesota
Los Angeles Lakers
Yea: Clear favorites to repeat as champions. Kobe is still Kobe. Bynum is back healthy to help in frontline, which may be the best in NBA with Gasol, Artest and Odom coming off bench. Derek Fisher is a steady hand at point guard. Phil Jackson does what he does.
Ney: Potential for so many distractions. Fisher is getting older and Jordan Farmar hasn’t shown development at point as expected. Kobe must wear down at some point. Artest demands too much attention on and off the court. Gasol is ok but can be better. Bynum is injury-prone.
Best player: Kobe Bryant
Most important player: Andrew Bynum
Best case: Repeat as NBA Champs
Worst case: Losing conference finals
San Antonio
Yea: Addition of Richard Jefferson gives them much needed athleticism at forward. Ginobili is back and healthy. Duncan is cementing his legacy as an all-timer and this may be his best team ever. Tony Parker continues to produce at an all-star level. Popovich always knows how to manage everyone, great coach.
Ney: Injuries have derailed seasons of Duncan and Ginobili and can happen again. Jefferson is a nice addition but has been overrated by many over the years, especially on defense.
Best player: Tony Parker (yeah, I’m shocked with that too)
Most important player: Tim Duncan
Best case: NBA Champs
Worst case: Losing conference finals
Utah
Yea: Starting five of Williams, Brewer, Kirilenko, Boozer, Okur and Millsap as the sixth man may be the best in the NBA besides Lakers. Williams is a stud at point. Boozer is back healthy in the fold and playing for a contract. AK-47 has seemed to return to form. Jerry Sloan is a great coach.
Ney: The dynamic between Boozer and Millsap can destroy this team’s plans for a long season. Millsap finally got paid, will motivation lessen? They are a Williams injury away from not making the playoffs. Where is AK-47’s head at?
Best player: Deron Williams
Most important player: Carlos Boozer
Best case: NBA Finals appearance
Worst case: Losing in first round of playoffs
Portland
Yea: Brandon Roy is a legit franchise player. LaMarcus Aldridge stepped up his game last season as well. Greg Oden looks healthy and trim for a good season. Andre Miller will be a nice addition at point guard and will relieve Roy of ball handling duties. Rudy Fernndez is an excellent bench player.
Ney: They NEED Oden to finally start playing like a top-pick but I don’t see it. Miller is a notorious sulker and how is he going to deal with Jarryd Bayless and Fernandez taking his minutes? Aldridge signed big money deal before season, is motivation lost? Has Nate McMillen worn out welcome as head coach?
Best player: Brandon Roy
Most important player: Greg Oden
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: losing in first round of playoffs
Denver
Yea: Addition of Chauncey Billups made Carmelo Anthony a franchise player. Run to conference finals last year was good for everybody. Kenyon Martin and Nene are excellent frontcourt bangers. J.R. Smith adds flair and outside shooting to team. Birdman is always fun to root for.
Ney: Key to team is J.R. Smith who can shoot them of games more than win them. Will Anthony continue to buy into team concept? Will Billups break down during the season? George Karl usually doesn’t deal with expectations well and people are looking for the Nuggets to do some things.
Best player: Carmelo Anthony
Most important player: J.R. Smith
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: losing in conference semifinals
Dallas
Yea: Like the addition of Shawn Marion. Dirk Nowitzki is still going strong. Jason Kidd is still producing at a good level and Josh Howard is a solid player. Can score points in bunches. Jason Terry gives you instant offense off of bench.
Ney: Can’t play defense and are old, which means injuries are a serious concern. Will probably win around 45 games but that isn’t good enough in division or conference.
Best player: Dirk Nowitzki
Most important player: Josh Howard
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: missing playoffs
New Orleans
Yea: Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and a born leader. David West is a good complimentary player. Like potential of Julian Wright.
Ney: Don’t like Emeka Okafor at all. Depth is a major issue with these guys. Byron Scott is on his last legs as coach of team. He’s a good coach but message is not getting across anymore.
Best player: Chris Paul
Most important player: Chris Paul
Best case: Conference semifinals appearance
Worst case: missing playoffs
Los Angeles Clippers
Yea: On paper, this is a playoff team, seriously. Baron Davis looks ready to show his skills. Like Eric Gordon and Al Thornton a lot. Blake Griffin is going to be a stud. Watch out for DeAndre Jordan.
Ney: It’s the Clippers so something bad is bound to happen. Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby are injury-prone at forward and center, where they can’t afford an injury. Mike Dunleavy is an awful coach.
Best player: Baron Davis
Most important player: Blake Griffin
Best case: Make the playoffs
Worst case: lower half of conference
Phoenix
Yea: Can score points in a high volume again with return of high flying offense. Steve Nash is still producing at a high level, so is Amar’e Stoudemire. Jason Richardson can emerge as a 20 points per game scorer.
Ney: They still don’t play defense at a playoff level, let alone a championship one. Nash is wearing down and Stoudemire is still the biggest enigma in the league. Grant Hill is a good story but is getting older. Has Alvin Gentry inspired anyone as a coach, ever?
Best player: Steve Nash
Most important player: Amar’e Stoudemire
Best case: Make the playoff
Worst case: lower half of conference
Oklahoma City
Yea: The Kevin Durant love is legit. Said it since he entered the league. He has a chance to be the best player in basketball by his fifth year in league, this is year three, he will contend for a scoring title. Russell Westbrook is developing into a nice point guard and Jeff Green is a solid player. Really like the Nenad Krstic signing.
Ney: The entire lineup is so young and still needs experience. Will Durant improve the rest of this game besides scoring, therefore making the team better. Harden is slated to start at shooting guard but he’s too slow.
Best player: Kevin Durant
Most important player: Kevin Durant
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: Worst record in conference
Golden State
Yea: Score in bunches. Plays entertaining basketball. Everyone can shoot and small lineup creates potential matchup problems for opponents. Stephen Curry will thrive on this team as a rookie. Anthony Randolph has scary good potential.
Ney: Defense is embarrassing. Too many guard-forwards on roster. Guys like Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis are already cranky and the season has barely started, both guys can be season killers. How will Corey Maggette handle coming off of the bench? Does Don Nelson even care anymore as head coach?
Best player: Monta Ellis
Most important player: Anthony Randolph and Steph Curry (tie)
Best case: making the playoffs
Worst case: Worst record in conference
Houston
Yea: Subtraction of Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest may not be a bad thing, the distractions are gone. Young guys like Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza are given the keys to run the team. Luis Scola continues to impress.
Ney: They have grit but lack talent. How much are they really going to get out of McGrady at this stage. Ariza is a good player but people are making it out that he’s the reason the Lakers won the title last year, which is inaccurate.
Best player: Luis Scola (for this season)
Most important player: Luis Scola
Best case: Making the playoffs
Worst case: lower half of conference
Memphis
Yea: Good young nucleus of Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. Zach Randolph is consistent with scoring and rebounding. Allen Iverson will give them sorely needed points. Mike Conley finally has the point guard position to himself. Like the rookie Sam Young.
Ney: Randolph and Iverson are notorious team killers. Gay and Mayo are playing for contracts and may be selfish because of it. Hasheem Thabeet is a major project that won’t pan out ultimately.
Best player: Rudy Gay
Most important player: O.J. Mayo
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
Minnesota
Yea: Not a terrible team on paper with Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes and rookie Jonny Flynn in the starting lineup.
Ney: Injuries have already claimed Love and Jefferson early this season. The Ricky Rubio situation has ruined good karma for these guys.
Best player: Al Jefferson
Most important player: Al Jefferson
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
Sacramento
Yea: Kevin Martin can score pints and is their go-to guy. Tyreke Evans will impress as a rookie.
Ney: Everything else. May contend for worst record in the league. Evans is good but is being asked too much as a rookie. Martin does nothing else but score and that’s bad. Spencer Hawes has underachieved at center and this will continue.
Best player: Kevin Martin
Most important player: Tyreke Evans
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
Music to listen to: One More Time/Aerodynamic Mix by Daft Punk
I gave you my Eastern Conference predictions last night so now it’s time for the West.
Once again, besides my main man Keaton, I’m pretty sure that the rest of you reading this post aren’t big NBA fans and that’s fine. So while you can go to all of the experts about true team breakdowns, I’m going to give you a guide that can help you at least sound like you’re an expert.
Here are my predictions first (all divisions in order):
Atlantic: Boston, Toronto, Philly, New York, New Jersey
Central: Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
Southeast: Orlando, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte
Southwest: San Antonio, Dallas, New Orleans, Houston, Memphis
Northwest: Utah, Portland, Denver, Oklahoma City, Minnesota
Pacific: Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Golden State, Sacramento
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston over Cleveland
Western Conference Finals: Lakers over San Antonio
NBA Finals: Boston over Lakers
MVP:
1) LeBron James, Cleveland
2) Kobe Bryant, Lakers
3) Chris Paul, New Orleans
4) Dwight Howard, Orlando
5) Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, Derrick Rose, Chicago (tie)
Rookie of the year: Blake Griffin, Clippers
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Lakers
Sleeper (teams outside of top-five teams that can contend for conference title): Chicago (East) and Utah (West)
Best record: Cleveland (East) and Lakers (West)
Worst record: Milwaukee (East) and Sacramento (West)
Predictable NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Respectable NBA Finals pick: Cleveland vs. San Antonio
Slightly outside the box NBA Finals pick: Orlando vs. Portland
Ballsy NBA Finals pick: Chicago vs. Denver
Not going to happen but you never know NBA Finals pick: Toronto vs. New Orleans
No chance in heck of happening NBA Finals pick: Charlotte vs. Minnesota
Los Angeles Lakers
Yea: Clear favorites to repeat as champions. Kobe is still Kobe. Bynum is back healthy to help in frontline, which may be the best in NBA with Gasol, Artest and Odom coming off bench. Derek Fisher is a steady hand at point guard. Phil Jackson does what he does.
Ney: Potential for so many distractions. Fisher is getting older and Jordan Farmar hasn’t shown development at point as expected. Kobe must wear down at some point. Artest demands too much attention on and off the court. Gasol is ok but can be better. Bynum is injury-prone.
Best player: Kobe Bryant
Most important player: Andrew Bynum
Best case: Repeat as NBA Champs
Worst case: Losing conference finals
San Antonio
Yea: Addition of Richard Jefferson gives them much needed athleticism at forward. Ginobili is back and healthy. Duncan is cementing his legacy as an all-timer and this may be his best team ever. Tony Parker continues to produce at an all-star level. Popovich always knows how to manage everyone, great coach.
Ney: Injuries have derailed seasons of Duncan and Ginobili and can happen again. Jefferson is a nice addition but has been overrated by many over the years, especially on defense.
Best player: Tony Parker (yeah, I’m shocked with that too)
Most important player: Tim Duncan
Best case: NBA Champs
Worst case: Losing conference finals
Utah
Yea: Starting five of Williams, Brewer, Kirilenko, Boozer, Okur and Millsap as the sixth man may be the best in the NBA besides Lakers. Williams is a stud at point. Boozer is back healthy in the fold and playing for a contract. AK-47 has seemed to return to form. Jerry Sloan is a great coach.
Ney: The dynamic between Boozer and Millsap can destroy this team’s plans for a long season. Millsap finally got paid, will motivation lessen? They are a Williams injury away from not making the playoffs. Where is AK-47’s head at?
Best player: Deron Williams
Most important player: Carlos Boozer
Best case: NBA Finals appearance
Worst case: Losing in first round of playoffs
Portland
Yea: Brandon Roy is a legit franchise player. LaMarcus Aldridge stepped up his game last season as well. Greg Oden looks healthy and trim for a good season. Andre Miller will be a nice addition at point guard and will relieve Roy of ball handling duties. Rudy Fernndez is an excellent bench player.
Ney: They NEED Oden to finally start playing like a top-pick but I don’t see it. Miller is a notorious sulker and how is he going to deal with Jarryd Bayless and Fernandez taking his minutes? Aldridge signed big money deal before season, is motivation lost? Has Nate McMillen worn out welcome as head coach?
Best player: Brandon Roy
Most important player: Greg Oden
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: losing in first round of playoffs
Denver
Yea: Addition of Chauncey Billups made Carmelo Anthony a franchise player. Run to conference finals last year was good for everybody. Kenyon Martin and Nene are excellent frontcourt bangers. J.R. Smith adds flair and outside shooting to team. Birdman is always fun to root for.
Ney: Key to team is J.R. Smith who can shoot them of games more than win them. Will Anthony continue to buy into team concept? Will Billups break down during the season? George Karl usually doesn’t deal with expectations well and people are looking for the Nuggets to do some things.
Best player: Carmelo Anthony
Most important player: J.R. Smith
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: losing in conference semifinals
Dallas
Yea: Like the addition of Shawn Marion. Dirk Nowitzki is still going strong. Jason Kidd is still producing at a good level and Josh Howard is a solid player. Can score points in bunches. Jason Terry gives you instant offense off of bench.
Ney: Can’t play defense and are old, which means injuries are a serious concern. Will probably win around 45 games but that isn’t good enough in division or conference.
Best player: Dirk Nowitzki
Most important player: Josh Howard
Best case: Conference finals appearance
Worst case: missing playoffs
New Orleans
Yea: Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and a born leader. David West is a good complimentary player. Like potential of Julian Wright.
Ney: Don’t like Emeka Okafor at all. Depth is a major issue with these guys. Byron Scott is on his last legs as coach of team. He’s a good coach but message is not getting across anymore.
Best player: Chris Paul
Most important player: Chris Paul
Best case: Conference semifinals appearance
Worst case: missing playoffs
Los Angeles Clippers
Yea: On paper, this is a playoff team, seriously. Baron Davis looks ready to show his skills. Like Eric Gordon and Al Thornton a lot. Blake Griffin is going to be a stud. Watch out for DeAndre Jordan.
Ney: It’s the Clippers so something bad is bound to happen. Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby are injury-prone at forward and center, where they can’t afford an injury. Mike Dunleavy is an awful coach.
Best player: Baron Davis
Most important player: Blake Griffin
Best case: Make the playoffs
Worst case: lower half of conference
Phoenix
Yea: Can score points in a high volume again with return of high flying offense. Steve Nash is still producing at a high level, so is Amar’e Stoudemire. Jason Richardson can emerge as a 20 points per game scorer.
Ney: They still don’t play defense at a playoff level, let alone a championship one. Nash is wearing down and Stoudemire is still the biggest enigma in the league. Grant Hill is a good story but is getting older. Has Alvin Gentry inspired anyone as a coach, ever?
Best player: Steve Nash
Most important player: Amar’e Stoudemire
Best case: Make the playoff
Worst case: lower half of conference
Oklahoma City
Yea: The Kevin Durant love is legit. Said it since he entered the league. He has a chance to be the best player in basketball by his fifth year in league, this is year three, he will contend for a scoring title. Russell Westbrook is developing into a nice point guard and Jeff Green is a solid player. Really like the Nenad Krstic signing.
Ney: The entire lineup is so young and still needs experience. Will Durant improve the rest of this game besides scoring, therefore making the team better. Harden is slated to start at shooting guard but he’s too slow.
Best player: Kevin Durant
Most important player: Kevin Durant
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: Worst record in conference
Golden State
Yea: Score in bunches. Plays entertaining basketball. Everyone can shoot and small lineup creates potential matchup problems for opponents. Stephen Curry will thrive on this team as a rookie. Anthony Randolph has scary good potential.
Ney: Defense is embarrassing. Too many guard-forwards on roster. Guys like Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis are already cranky and the season has barely started, both guys can be season killers. How will Corey Maggette handle coming off of the bench? Does Don Nelson even care anymore as head coach?
Best player: Monta Ellis
Most important player: Anthony Randolph and Steph Curry (tie)
Best case: making the playoffs
Worst case: Worst record in conference
Houston
Yea: Subtraction of Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest may not be a bad thing, the distractions are gone. Young guys like Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza are given the keys to run the team. Luis Scola continues to impress.
Ney: They have grit but lack talent. How much are they really going to get out of McGrady at this stage. Ariza is a good player but people are making it out that he’s the reason the Lakers won the title last year, which is inaccurate.
Best player: Luis Scola (for this season)
Most important player: Luis Scola
Best case: Making the playoffs
Worst case: lower half of conference
Memphis
Yea: Good young nucleus of Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. Zach Randolph is consistent with scoring and rebounding. Allen Iverson will give them sorely needed points. Mike Conley finally has the point guard position to himself. Like the rookie Sam Young.
Ney: Randolph and Iverson are notorious team killers. Gay and Mayo are playing for contracts and may be selfish because of it. Hasheem Thabeet is a major project that won’t pan out ultimately.
Best player: Rudy Gay
Most important player: O.J. Mayo
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
Minnesota
Yea: Not a terrible team on paper with Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes and rookie Jonny Flynn in the starting lineup.
Ney: Injuries have already claimed Love and Jefferson early this season. The Ricky Rubio situation has ruined good karma for these guys.
Best player: Al Jefferson
Most important player: Al Jefferson
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
Sacramento
Yea: Kevin Martin can score pints and is their go-to guy. Tyreke Evans will impress as a rookie.
Ney: Everything else. May contend for worst record in the league. Evans is good but is being asked too much as a rookie. Martin does nothing else but score and that’s bad. Spencer Hawes has underachieved at center and this will continue.
Best player: Kevin Martin
Most important player: Tyreke Evans
Best case: Winning record
Worst case: worst record in conference
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