ESPN recently came out with it’s summer forecast and predicted how the Western Conference would shake down this upcoming season. For the most part the ESPN panel seemed to have everything in the right order. Some of which could be debated by any sports fan. But the biggest shocking prediction in their list was having the Portland Trailblazers finishing with the 3rd best record in the West. What? Really?
One year removed from a first round bounce out of the playoffs, and all of a sudden because of one addition to the team (Andre Miller) the Blazers are all of a sudden championship contenders? Placing them above the Denver Nuggets whose team is basically the same as last years does not make any sense. Here is how the West will really go down!
1. Lakers
The Lakers only got better this off season by adding Ron Artest to their team. Now they have a defensive stopper at the small forward position. Something the Lakers organization has not had since Rick Fox. Add that to a rested Kobe Bryant and a healthy Andrew Bynum, the Lakers will be tough to beat on any given night of the week.
2. Spurs
ESPN was right on this one. The Spurs got a lot better this off season. First they were able to trade for Richard Jefferson which immediately boosts their terrible offense. Then they added Antonio McDyess to the squad, giving some front court help to Tim Duncan. This has the Spurs coming in at #2 in the West, assuming of course the big 3 can stay healthy.
3. Nuggets
Chauncy Billups now will have an entire season running his new team. Carmelo is sure to improve. The Nuggets will only be better after their late season run to the Western Conference Finals last season. Expect the Nuggets to give the top 2 teams in the West a run for their money with their high octane offense and their much improved defense.
4. Mavericks
Yes that’s right! You are seeing this correctly. The Mavs lost backup forward Brandon Bass but they gained SF Shawn Marion and PF Drew Gooden. I think many people are underestimating these moves. Shawn Marion plays extremely well with a uptempo great passing point guard (remember steve nash?) and he gets that with Jason Kidd. Remember how good Marion was as the 3rd option on the Suns?
5. Trailblazers
The Blazers are tough at home! That will be one of the biggest reasons they make it up to #5. Andre Miller is a great addition that brings passing, defense, and leadership at the point guard position. Something they were lacking from Blake. But 1 addition alone is not going to push the Blazers over the top. Now this year at least.
6. Jazz
The Carlos Boozer situation is unfortunate. But you can expect the Utah Jazz to still hang in the playoff race with one of the best guards in all the league, Deron Williams. Not to mention the fact that they are exceptional at home. The reason they are not higher is because they probably won’t get much in return for Carlos Boozer when they are finally able to trade him.
7. Hornets
I’m not really sure what to say here. The owner of the Hornets must be related to the owner of the Phoenix Suns because he is completely sabotaging his team. Why trade Tyson Chandler? Chris Paul will find a way to keep his team competitive. Unfortunately his organization isn’t doing their part!
8. Suns
As long as Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire are healthy you have to keep the Suns in the mix. Getting rid of Shaq should bring Nash’s game back out on the forefront. Also one addition that people are underestimating is the addition of PF Channing Frye. He is sure to fit in perfectly under a Steve Nash uptempto style offense.
The rest of the teams let’s be honest, we really don’t care about! If a team isn’t good enough to get into the playoffs, we are really only interested in them when the NBA Draft comes around. So I would talk about the loser teams. Do you agree with this list? Disagree?
