Post by duce on Jun 8, 2007 0:27:23 GMT -5
Western Conference Pre-Season Rankings[/u][/SIZE][/COLOR]
#1.
San Antonio Spurs
The defending UOSL champion Spurs got bad news after their title win that Shaq would not be retiring. As it turns out Shaq is now a beast again. The Spurs easily have one of the best front courts of all-time thanks to O’Neal, Nowitzki and of course Duncan. If their backcourt can hold their own again, nobody is stopping the Spurs from winning their third straight conference title and second straight UOSL title.
#2.
Los Angeles Lakers
Even though the Lakers went with a defensive look, nobody expected them to make it so far last year, in fact they were only stopped by the Spurs. In the off-season DB added Leandro Barbosa, possibly the most under rated move. L.A. can now play a better half court game and they’ve added a great second scorer. While it’s hard to believe anyone could top San Antonio, the Lakers defense may have the best chance.
#3.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets were one-and-out last year, obviously because of injuries. If Yao, Wade and others stay healthy this time around, the Rockets are title contender. Yao had a very nice camp, as did Mike Bibby. Look for Houston to be right near the top of the West all year, and hope to be healthy in the end.
#4.
Denver Nuggets
Saga came in and made one move, but it had a lot of impact. Adding Pau Gasol to Carmelo and Nash is huge. Denver doesn’t quite look like a championship contender but very well could be with some more work. They should have a very successful regular season with Nash’s presence alone.
#5.
Utah Jazz
Unhappy with the way Utah’s seasons were ending, the team decided to trade Baron away and give Devin Harris the big money. Harris, the addition of R.J. and of course Kobe Bryant and Andrei Kirilenko make a great squad. You still have to wonder if it’s capable of winning the west. Certainly the defense and offense is there. Kobe is as good as it gets. Time will tell with the Jazz.
#6.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are the same team as last year for the most part. Look for a successful regular season due to a great scoring trio in Boozer, Arenas, Butler, but at the same time their lack of half court offense may cost them in the end. If Dallas could get a skillful shooting guard they would be set. For now they rely on rebounding and scoring, which is good, but maybe not good enough.
#7.
Portland Blazers
The Blazers look the best they have in years. Brandon Roy and Ray Allen are outright dangerous, and they have a good supporting cast. If you look at their roster and not the others, you’d think they would be a top 4 seed, but because the western conference is so strong, Portland might have a tough time. All they can do is worry about themselves or upgrade positions though. We’ll see how they stack up against the competition.
#8.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis, much like Portland has a great looking team but needs to prove themselves. Camby and Billups are nearly perfect in their rolls. The entire season though, is on the shoulders of the phonon, Kevin Durant. At just 20 years of age, Durant is this team’s hope to compete for a title. Is he ready? The ratings say yes, the stats should be there, but they’ll have to be awesome. Otherwise, the Grizzlies may have to wait a year.
#9.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are making pretty good progress under the radar. Last season they were as tough inside offensively as anyone and gave the toughest of teams trouble. Drafting Darrell Authur only adds to this. Stoudemire and Parker own the lane already but another inside threat make the Suns offense a little more scary. While the team doesn’t lack defensively, they did lack a great training camp out of Andrew Bynum. If he can’t step up, it will be very hard for the Suns to make the playoffs because .500 won’t cut it.
#10.
Seattle Sonics
With the Sonics committing to a rebuilding plan, it will take a season to at least get that plan into effect. While their draft pick was questionable, Seattle does not lack young talent. Andrea Bargnani is progressing well, and Delonte West is a freak of nature apparently. Even with a pretty weak interior, the Sonics will give teams fits at times with their outside shooting. It will be good for some wins, but maybe that’s not a good thing if you really think about it.
#11.
Golden State Warriors
After re-signing J.R. Smith and Andris Beidrins the Warriors can continue their rebuilding without worry. The draft pick of Darren Collison is a great asset to the franchise, as is Rudy Gay. The team has a lot of young pieces to work with and is improving nicely. Plus their GM is too cool.
#12.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Is that what you call a team in Minnesota? Er… the T-Wolves landed the #1 pick in the draft and selected Eric Gordon. Marcus Williams is improving. This team’s future is still questionable though, and landing a top pick and drafting a guy like DeAndre Jordan or Tyler Hansbrough to make up for their Jeff Green pick could be the answer to that.
#13.
Los Angeles Clippers
The direction for the Clippers is obvious. For now they have Luol Deng, Shaun Livingston and Randy Foye. The three are great young pieces. Their GM has worked nicely to earn the team cap room. A nice pick and a good FA period this off-season would be great for this franchise.
#14.
Sacramento Kings
I’m not really sure what it is that the Kings are doing. I like Prez but he’s not been active. The team made no bids in FA and let Paul Millsap go pretty cheap. While Julian Wright and Deron Williams are sick, Kevin Martin to a lesser extent, the Kings could be farther along by now. Hopefully their next off season is better than the one they just had. Right now the Kings don’t look competitive.
#1.
San Antonio Spurs
The defending UOSL champion Spurs got bad news after their title win that Shaq would not be retiring. As it turns out Shaq is now a beast again. The Spurs easily have one of the best front courts of all-time thanks to O’Neal, Nowitzki and of course Duncan. If their backcourt can hold their own again, nobody is stopping the Spurs from winning their third straight conference title and second straight UOSL title.
#2.
Los Angeles Lakers
Even though the Lakers went with a defensive look, nobody expected them to make it so far last year, in fact they were only stopped by the Spurs. In the off-season DB added Leandro Barbosa, possibly the most under rated move. L.A. can now play a better half court game and they’ve added a great second scorer. While it’s hard to believe anyone could top San Antonio, the Lakers defense may have the best chance.
#3.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets were one-and-out last year, obviously because of injuries. If Yao, Wade and others stay healthy this time around, the Rockets are title contender. Yao had a very nice camp, as did Mike Bibby. Look for Houston to be right near the top of the West all year, and hope to be healthy in the end.
#4.
Denver Nuggets
Saga came in and made one move, but it had a lot of impact. Adding Pau Gasol to Carmelo and Nash is huge. Denver doesn’t quite look like a championship contender but very well could be with some more work. They should have a very successful regular season with Nash’s presence alone.
#5.
Utah Jazz
Unhappy with the way Utah’s seasons were ending, the team decided to trade Baron away and give Devin Harris the big money. Harris, the addition of R.J. and of course Kobe Bryant and Andrei Kirilenko make a great squad. You still have to wonder if it’s capable of winning the west. Certainly the defense and offense is there. Kobe is as good as it gets. Time will tell with the Jazz.
#6.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are the same team as last year for the most part. Look for a successful regular season due to a great scoring trio in Boozer, Arenas, Butler, but at the same time their lack of half court offense may cost them in the end. If Dallas could get a skillful shooting guard they would be set. For now they rely on rebounding and scoring, which is good, but maybe not good enough.
#7.
Portland Blazers
The Blazers look the best they have in years. Brandon Roy and Ray Allen are outright dangerous, and they have a good supporting cast. If you look at their roster and not the others, you’d think they would be a top 4 seed, but because the western conference is so strong, Portland might have a tough time. All they can do is worry about themselves or upgrade positions though. We’ll see how they stack up against the competition.
#8.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis, much like Portland has a great looking team but needs to prove themselves. Camby and Billups are nearly perfect in their rolls. The entire season though, is on the shoulders of the phonon, Kevin Durant. At just 20 years of age, Durant is this team’s hope to compete for a title. Is he ready? The ratings say yes, the stats should be there, but they’ll have to be awesome. Otherwise, the Grizzlies may have to wait a year.
#9.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are making pretty good progress under the radar. Last season they were as tough inside offensively as anyone and gave the toughest of teams trouble. Drafting Darrell Authur only adds to this. Stoudemire and Parker own the lane already but another inside threat make the Suns offense a little more scary. While the team doesn’t lack defensively, they did lack a great training camp out of Andrew Bynum. If he can’t step up, it will be very hard for the Suns to make the playoffs because .500 won’t cut it.
#10.
Seattle Sonics
With the Sonics committing to a rebuilding plan, it will take a season to at least get that plan into effect. While their draft pick was questionable, Seattle does not lack young talent. Andrea Bargnani is progressing well, and Delonte West is a freak of nature apparently. Even with a pretty weak interior, the Sonics will give teams fits at times with their outside shooting. It will be good for some wins, but maybe that’s not a good thing if you really think about it.
#11.
Golden State Warriors
After re-signing J.R. Smith and Andris Beidrins the Warriors can continue their rebuilding without worry. The draft pick of Darren Collison is a great asset to the franchise, as is Rudy Gay. The team has a lot of young pieces to work with and is improving nicely. Plus their GM is too cool.
#12.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Is that what you call a team in Minnesota? Er… the T-Wolves landed the #1 pick in the draft and selected Eric Gordon. Marcus Williams is improving. This team’s future is still questionable though, and landing a top pick and drafting a guy like DeAndre Jordan or Tyler Hansbrough to make up for their Jeff Green pick could be the answer to that.
#13.
Los Angeles Clippers
The direction for the Clippers is obvious. For now they have Luol Deng, Shaun Livingston and Randy Foye. The three are great young pieces. Their GM has worked nicely to earn the team cap room. A nice pick and a good FA period this off-season would be great for this franchise.
#14.
Sacramento Kings
I’m not really sure what it is that the Kings are doing. I like Prez but he’s not been active. The team made no bids in FA and let Paul Millsap go pretty cheap. While Julian Wright and Deron Williams are sick, Kevin Martin to a lesser extent, the Kings could be farther along by now. Hopefully their next off season is better than the one they just had. Right now the Kings don’t look competitive.
