Western Conference
I don't see this year playing out like last year, where you had the Lakers, and then eight more good teams, and then six lousy teams. I see it being tighter all the way around.
1. L.A. LAKERS - Swapping Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest might sound like a good idea to some, but Ron-Ron's numbers show that while he's a very good individual defender, he's way overrated as a team defender. Plus why is taking so long to re-sign Lamar Odom? It couldn't be because Jerry Buss doesn't want to pay all that luxury tax, could it? Doubtful. I bet they get Odom signed, and they'll be a very good team, but I can see Artest as a wedge come spring.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They had the steal of the summer in landing Richard Jefferson and they had a pick like DeJuan Blair fall to them in the second round. Unbelievable. The window's now open an extra year or two for Tim Duncan to get his fifth ring.
3. DENVER - They've had their taste of the playoffs, and now they'll want more. Chauncey Billups will continue to be the Man, while Carmelo provides the Stats. Looks like they'll even get to keep the shotblocking Birdman for a decent price. Oh, and getting Ty Lawson on draft night? Very good move.
4. UTAH - Last year's roster lost more games to injuries than any other team in the league. This year the gang will all be back, so if they can stay healthy, great things should happen. But it looks like the front office may try to move Carlos Boozer in the last year of his deal in a bid to keep Paul Millsap. Personally I hope they re-sign Sap, but keep this roster until the regular season and see how it does before they make any moves.
5. PORTLAND - They lost out on Hedo Turkoglu, which would have been huge, but they still have time to make some moves (Lamar Odom? David Lee?), and if they don't, well, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will be a year better, and anything Greg Oden can give them will be gravy.
6. NEW ORLEANS - As constitued, this is a good team, but it'll still likely get blown up so the Hornets can save some money. Tyson Chandler will probably be moved, and that will annihilate any chances of getting out of the first round.
7. HOUSTON - So they have no idea if they'll get Yao Ming this season, and they don't know how much heart Tracy McGrady is going to play with in the final year of his deal on a team that did better without him than with him. Trevor Ariza is a good free-agent land for them.
8. DALLAS - Jason Kidd's not getting any younger. Heck, neither's Dirk Nowitski.
9. GOLDEN STATE - I believe Stephen Curry will have the type of star-making year that he's able to get this team back to at least flirting with the playoffs. They still have a ton of talent.
10. PHOENIX - They have Steve Nash and Jason Richardson, and they might trade away Amare Stoudamire to save some money. Yeah, that's not much of a team. Steve Kerr destroyed this franchise with the Shaq-for-Marion trade.
11. OKLAHOMA CITY - James Harden is the type of rookie that should help this young team start winning some games. But with all that cap-space, they need to land a good free-agent for that final nudge of progress.
12. MEMPHIS - They're certainly be a better rebounding team with Zach Randolph and Hasheem Thabeet. But Mike Conley needs to show he can be a star point guard with this many weapons (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol...) at his disposal.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - Baron Davis to Blake Griffin. Sounds good, but we are talking about the Clippers.
14. MINNESOTA - If Ricky Rubio doesn't want to go there, they need to salvage this somehow. Talks with New York should heat up. They can't let Rubio become the next Fran Vasquez.
15. SACRAMENTO - So now they have Kevin Martin and Tyreke Gibson. Good luck.
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