Post by Haberino on Aug 23, 2010 11:04:37 GMT -5
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves return their West-best starting lineup from a year ago. They have two of the league's better players in Vince Carter and Shaq, and neither looks to be slowing down. Robert Traylor combines with Shaq to form the league's strongest frontcourt, and one of its better offensive inside duos. Jason Terry is an excellent passer and shooter, and Bruce Bowen is their ace in the hole as a lock down defensive player.
But this team is very beatable. Their depth is subpar and their starting talent is far from overwhelming. It wouldn't be a surprise if a team in the West went all out for talent and surpassed the Wolves immediately.
2. Phoenix Suns
Have the Suns stalled out? Stalling out at 60 wins isn't a bad thing, but the Suns don't seem to have much of an opportunity to improve, and it doesn't seem their current roster can get them over the top in the playoffs. They still have the best starting lineup in the West, with four guys that can dominate on both ends of the court. But their bench, outside of Keon Clark's shotblocking, is shit, and TC didn't do them any favors. Mark Kellman will have to get creative to get this team over the top.
3. Utah Jazz
The Jazz might have gotten worse this offseason. Chris Kaman got worse, their depth looks depleted, and they will have to lean on Felipe Lopez for more scoring than they did last year. That said, this is still a very good team. The addition of Andrei Kirilenko gives them one of the league's best defenses, especially in the shotblocking department. Michael Redd has some Devereux St. Cloud in him, and the Jazz still have some very good backups in Chris Andersen and Austin Croshere. Don't be surprised if it works out very well.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
The additions of Zydrunas Ilgauskus and Bobby Simmons give the Thunder a lot of depth and a lot of scoring options to support Gerald Wallace. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Thunder didn't make any strides in training camp, and players they planned on leaning on are now out the door. Andre Iguodala may be forced to a bench role, and the team will still rely on high turnover, low assist PG Omar Cook. With Ilgaukus, Pryzbilla, Wallace, Simmons, Woods and co., the Thunder expect to be an elite defensive team. Their backcourt will be tested every night, though, and for now, they don't look elite.
5. San Antonio Spurs
The addition of Pau Gasol gives the Spurs a scary frontcourt. He and Elton Brand are two of the most complete big men in BBS. The Spurs don't have the best talent, but Tayshaun Prince and Travis Outlaw provide a long, athletic, and defensive-minded perimeter duo, and DaJuan Wagner can really light up and point guard. Joe Johnson's ratings say bust, but his performance is there. He'd be really nice as a backup 1/2/3. Clearly a team on the rise.
6. Denver Nuggets
Pretty boring team, but they got better. Kobe went down offensively, but his numbers won't change, and he went up everywhere else. Dwyane Wade semi-broke out, jumping to B outside and A- defensively. His production has been very good, but for the Nuggets to contend, he'll need to be a superstar guy in the 25/5/5 mold. Nonetheless, this team needs more. Their MLE was wasted on Alphonso Ford, and their frontcourt offers them no offense. Would've been nice for them to target a guy like Sherrell Ford, Cuttino Mobley, or even Antonio Daniels in FA.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a nice luxury on hand; they can pretty much bank on 50+ PPG out of David West and Carmelo Anthony. Josh Howard is a very versatile wing, and Mike Bibby and Nick Van Exel should get the job done at the 1. This team is sitting on 40-win talent in its Contract Year, but in the West, that's probably enough for a playoff berth. Too bad.
8. New Orleans Hornets
Not much to see here, but LeBron should carry this team to the playoffs. The bottom of the West sucks as usual, and TMac and Baron can each provide enough offense for this team to win 38 or so games. Dalembert sucks. Sherrell Ford should be a good addition. Maybe they'll try Bron at the 4. Regardless, they aren't very good.
The Wolves return their West-best starting lineup from a year ago. They have two of the league's better players in Vince Carter and Shaq, and neither looks to be slowing down. Robert Traylor combines with Shaq to form the league's strongest frontcourt, and one of its better offensive inside duos. Jason Terry is an excellent passer and shooter, and Bruce Bowen is their ace in the hole as a lock down defensive player.
But this team is very beatable. Their depth is subpar and their starting talent is far from overwhelming. It wouldn't be a surprise if a team in the West went all out for talent and surpassed the Wolves immediately.
2. Phoenix Suns
Have the Suns stalled out? Stalling out at 60 wins isn't a bad thing, but the Suns don't seem to have much of an opportunity to improve, and it doesn't seem their current roster can get them over the top in the playoffs. They still have the best starting lineup in the West, with four guys that can dominate on both ends of the court. But their bench, outside of Keon Clark's shotblocking, is shit, and TC didn't do them any favors. Mark Kellman will have to get creative to get this team over the top.
3. Utah Jazz
The Jazz might have gotten worse this offseason. Chris Kaman got worse, their depth looks depleted, and they will have to lean on Felipe Lopez for more scoring than they did last year. That said, this is still a very good team. The addition of Andrei Kirilenko gives them one of the league's best defenses, especially in the shotblocking department. Michael Redd has some Devereux St. Cloud in him, and the Jazz still have some very good backups in Chris Andersen and Austin Croshere. Don't be surprised if it works out very well.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
The additions of Zydrunas Ilgauskus and Bobby Simmons give the Thunder a lot of depth and a lot of scoring options to support Gerald Wallace. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Thunder didn't make any strides in training camp, and players they planned on leaning on are now out the door. Andre Iguodala may be forced to a bench role, and the team will still rely on high turnover, low assist PG Omar Cook. With Ilgaukus, Pryzbilla, Wallace, Simmons, Woods and co., the Thunder expect to be an elite defensive team. Their backcourt will be tested every night, though, and for now, they don't look elite.
5. San Antonio Spurs
The addition of Pau Gasol gives the Spurs a scary frontcourt. He and Elton Brand are two of the most complete big men in BBS. The Spurs don't have the best talent, but Tayshaun Prince and Travis Outlaw provide a long, athletic, and defensive-minded perimeter duo, and DaJuan Wagner can really light up and point guard. Joe Johnson's ratings say bust, but his performance is there. He'd be really nice as a backup 1/2/3. Clearly a team on the rise.
6. Denver Nuggets
Pretty boring team, but they got better. Kobe went down offensively, but his numbers won't change, and he went up everywhere else. Dwyane Wade semi-broke out, jumping to B outside and A- defensively. His production has been very good, but for the Nuggets to contend, he'll need to be a superstar guy in the 25/5/5 mold. Nonetheless, this team needs more. Their MLE was wasted on Alphonso Ford, and their frontcourt offers them no offense. Would've been nice for them to target a guy like Sherrell Ford, Cuttino Mobley, or even Antonio Daniels in FA.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a nice luxury on hand; they can pretty much bank on 50+ PPG out of David West and Carmelo Anthony. Josh Howard is a very versatile wing, and Mike Bibby and Nick Van Exel should get the job done at the 1. This team is sitting on 40-win talent in its Contract Year, but in the West, that's probably enough for a playoff berth. Too bad.
8. New Orleans Hornets
Not much to see here, but LeBron should carry this team to the playoffs. The bottom of the West sucks as usual, and TMac and Baron can each provide enough offense for this team to win 38 or so games. Dalembert sucks. Sherrell Ford should be a good addition. Maybe they'll try Bron at the 4. Regardless, they aren't very good.
