2011-2012 Western Conference Preview

Western Conference Preview-

1.Oklahoma City Thunder- This team has played enough together and played damn well doing just that!. With that being said, its time to see how far this team can go. There is no going downhill from here, Durant wants a title and he will do what it takes to get there. Westbrook is a top 5 pg who can score 25 ppg. Perkins trimmed 30 lbs and will be versatile. Harden is arguably the best player off the bench in the game today. Can Westbrook play Robin to Durant? I believe so!

2. Los Angeles Lakers- Yes, they did lose out on the Chris Paul trade and yes they did lose big on trading away odom for almost nothing in return. But when you’ve got the best player over the last 15 years on your team, Gasol and a healthy Bynum? There is no way that Kobe is letting last years embarrassment fly by. He’s back with a vengeance and he’s got a defensive minded coach riding along. The Lakers will make a big move sometime before the trade deadline whether it be Dwight Howard or Deron Williams or possibly both. Either way the Lakers are back and hungrier than ever.

3. Dallas Mavericks- Yes they lost Tyson Chandler who single handedly carried the defense of the reigning champs. But they got Lamar Odom whos as versatile as they come. They did lose J.J. Barea, but they also picked up Vince Carter. The Mavs are not a fluke and they can very well be playing next June. If everyone stays healthy, they will give the former 2 some trouble.

4. Los Angeles Clippers- I love the Chris Paul signing to team up with the most explosive dunker today. This team will be a highlight reel night after night. However, I do not think that Blake Griffin is prepared to bang with the big boys just yet. He possesses the talent,hands, and strength of an NBA all star. But i just dont see them making it past the 2nd round just yet.

5. Memphis Grizzlies- Was there a bigger surprise last year than what the Grizz did to the Spurs? I mean, how they did it left the basketball world talking to themselves. The Grizz are a gritty offensive and defensive juggernaut. Zach Randolph had his most productive season to date and Marc Gasol had people forgetting about his brother Pau in Hollywood. They have a lot of weapons and Rudy Gay is healthy now. They could sneak in to the Western conference finals but highly unlikely.

6. San Antonio Spurs- They just keep getting older and older yet somehow they still stay in contention all season long. Tony Parker is a lighting fast aging pg whos only progress is making it to #4 on the NBA’S top 10 most hated players (true story). Tim Duncan is a Hall of Famer but he cannot go the full 48 @ the same pace anymore. Ginobili is a tough player to guard, but again.. Where will that take them? They will make a tough 1st round exit.

7. Portland Trail Blazers- Losing a talented pg in Brandon roy (thats an understatement) to early retirement was a big loss for this squad. They acquired Jamal Crawford whos on top of his game and an experienced Lamarcus Aldridge is only going uphill from here on out. Gerald Wallace, Nicolas Batum, the list goes on. This is a wonderful team who have a roster full of guys that let their games do the talking. Should Oden stay healthy, they may make it out of the 1st round.

8.Golden State Warriors- I would like to see them make the playoffs. Ive always loved the Warriors fast paced offense. Steph Curry and Monta Ellis jelled last season. Now they must adapt to a defensive minded coach in rookie coach Mark Jackson. They will score points in bunches and should they adapt to their new coach and play some defense, they will make it into the playoffs and make whichever team they play regret drawing this offensive powerhouse!

9.Utah Jazz- They will miss their beloved coach Jerry Sloan and so will the fans. But its time to regroup and figure out a way to go back to their winning ways. They have an underrated front line and the player they received in the Deron Williams trade is going to have a monster season. Yes folks! Derrick Favors will make the Nets regret giving up on him so quickly. He’s a bottle of talent just waiting to explode!. Al Jefferson is back and Devin Harris still has game left in him. I give them this spot because they need a year or 2 to get it together before they can become a playoff contender.

10.Denver Nuggets-They take this spot because noone really knows what this team is ever capable of. They give teams problems because their players are so physically strong. If their big men can stay healthy, and their guards are consistent? Then they will jump a spot or 2 come seasons end. But the Nuggets rosters are always filled with talented inconsistent players. George Karl is as intelligent of a coach you will find. But how far can a coach actually drive his team? This is the season to find out.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves- Now this is the most exciting Timberwolves team since Marbury and Garnett split up. Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Martell Webster, Jose Barea, and of course Rick Adelman coaching this young exciting run and gun offense. Need i remind you that Rick Adelman coached perhaps the #1 exciting team in the late 90s in the Sacramento Kings, then coached the defensive minded Rockets and one can only imagine that this team will be putting up 100+ ppg night in and night out. If theyre able to play well together and play some defense they may be able to pull of a playoff berth. Highly unlikely, but sit back and enjoy the show.

12 .New Orleans Hornets- They made out better than people assume in the Chris Paul trade. Eric Gordon is a young rising star in the game, Chris Kaman is a hard worker who comes to work EVERY day. They hung on to Trevor Ariza who is versatile enough to keep them in relativity. This franchise is in a hurry to get a buyer to absolve the NBA of this diminishing franchise. Its a shame though. This franchise 3 years ago was zipping to the top of the league and never looking back. I wish them luck, they are going to need it.

13. Houston Rockets- The upside to this team is they are fairly young and are not burdened with bad contracts to aging superstars. They have a ways to go before they will be fighting for playoff contention and until they stack up and make some big moves, you wont be seeing this team any where near the post season. They lost out on the trade that was vetoed by David Stern and its a shame, because they probably would have had enough to sneak in to contention. For now though, they are in rebuilding mode.

14. Phoenix Suns- Steve Nash is still getting it done! The window has closed on this aging squad and once they are able to pull of a few good draft picks and maybe sign a big name or 2, their aging greats (Nash and Grant Hill) will have retired by then. They will still be a team that puts up 100ppg, but they will also give up 115 ppg, and in this league, defense wins championships.

15. Sacramento Kings- This franchise at one point was perhaps the most fun and rocking place to be. They had so much talent in the late 90s and early 2000s that everyone wanted to play there. The Maloof brothers really built a wonderful franchise. However, they are uncertain if the team will stay in Sacramento and it hurts since they were at one point, tops in attendance for 3 years straight.They did get Jimmer Freddette in the draft and he is a player that is going to shock fans and players alike. Hes going to be the Tim Tebow of the NBA. Tyreke Evans can flat out ball! and if Demarcus Cousins can keep playing the way he did last season without fighting with coaches and teammates then they will be fine. Lets hope theyre able to stay in their wonderful city and keep their loyal fans happy.

2011-2012 Eastern Conference Preview

EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW-

1. MIAMI HEAT- With the addition of Shane Battier, the Heat take the top spot. Besides having the strongest offense, they have the strongest defensive roster as well. Should cruise through the season and the 1st 2 rounds of the playoffs. Although they are still light at the point guard slot, “Lewhatshisname” and Wade are talented enough to carry the team with a cardboard cutout @ the 1.

2. Chicago Bulls- The only team in the east that can give Miami a hard time, They may not have “his airness” or D-Wade on their squad, But they posess, Derrick Rose, easily the best point guard in the game today. Rumor has it he has been working on his slashing during the offseason though I am not sure if it needed work. If Boozer plays the way he played before he got his fat contract then they should give the Heat a real hard time and possibly come out of the east. With Deng and Noah doing their usual work down low, they will definitely be the most exciting defensive minded team to watch.

3. NEW YORK KNICKS- I didnt want to put them here, but im a realist, and when you have Carmelo Anthony, Amare, and Tyson Chandler as your starting front line, you can’t diasagree that they belong here. Last season gave Amare and Carmelo enough time to learn each others game, Chandler will make them matter on the defensive end. Theyre weak at both guard spots but adding Baron Davis will definitely give them spunk and a dose of nostalgia. With that being said, when your 2 starting guards for the time being are Tony Douglas and Landry Fields, you are not exactly going anywhere.

4. Orlando Magic- With all the uncertainty about whether Howard will go or stay, The Magic are going to have a tough time focusing on this season’s success. Should Howard stay with the Magic, their position may change since Howard is still the best center in the game today. They received Glen “crybaby” Davis for Brandon Bass. Theyre both hardworkers, but i dont think Davis will make a difference. This team will just be lost all season long. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Stan Van Gundy.

5. Boston Celtics- The shortened season definitely benefits an aging Celtics team that did not get better in the offseason. They did get bigger though with the addition of Brandon Bass. Allen, Garnett and Pierce are only getting older, and Rondo has heard his name in trade talks more times than i swore off pasta. The Celtics are capable of going on a roll midseason, but they may want to save their old legs for the post season where like Kevin Garnett stated “Anything is possibleeeeee!!!!”

6. Atlanta Hawks- I’m a little sad to put the Hawks here. However, they did not get better and everyone else only got stronger. The Hawks over the last few years have shown heart and talent, but can Josh Smith really lead this team past the 2nd round? I dont think so. They will definitely be fun to watch as usual, but they will make their usual 1st-2nd round exit with the East being so strong.

7.Indiana Pacers- This is going to surprise alot of people. With the addition of David West, these Pacers can very well jump a few spots as long as West does his thing. Danny Granger is underrated, Roy Hibbert can hold his own and Crazy Tyler Hansborough will help on the boards. This is perhaps the 2nd best front line in the east. Collison and West know each others game so there wont be any issues here in Indy. The only question is… Can they do it all season and into the playoffs… PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?

8. Philadelphia 76ERS- Very talented, they have alot of young guns and veterans Iguodala and Elton Brand should carry them into the playoffs. Thaddeus Young and Jrue Holiday are only getting better. As long as the Sixers dont do anything foolish (like bring back allen iverson @ discounted rate of $100.00 a game) they will
have a strong showing but early exit in the post season.

9.Milwaukee Bucks- I like them, they may even slip into the 7th or 8th seed for the playoffs if they can put together a nice run during the season while the others are slumping. Adding Captain Jack and Shaun Livingston is a plus, and with a healthy Bogut and Jennings they will be a tough beat.

10.New Jersey Nets- This is going to be it for Jersey, I dont believe they will receive an NBA franchise again. Rightfully so! Deron Williams is a top 3 pg, but who else is on this team? Are there any other legitimate players on this team aside from “Hook Lopez”? They should be grateful for having Williams and thats all folks!

11. Charlotte Bobcats- I like this team, but they dont have what it takes to contend for a playoff spot. They traded away Stephen Jackson and Livingston, but they did take Kemba Walker in the draft. Walker will do well and add excitement to this team by scoring in bunches. But Bismack Biyombo? Seriously? If you could find a more talented offensive player in pre- school id be surprised. I mean he is just TERRIBLE! but he does bring defense to the table, and if someone can convince some free agents to come to Charlotte, its Michael Jordan, stay tuned, cause i have a feeling this team will be on the up and up in the near future.

12.Toronto Raptors- This team has not even come to close to relevance since Chris Bosh skipped town for South Beach. (Rightfully so!) There is nothing good about Toronto other than hockey games and beer. If this organization plans on keeping itself in the NBA, they ought to do something fast. They have a few good pieces in Derozan and Bargnani, but lets be honest… They should count their blessings that they are in the eastern conference.

13.Washington Wizards- They are probably the worst exciting team to watch. John Wall can PLAY! and Javale McGee can sure dunk with the best of them. With the whole Gilbert Arenas fiasco in the rear, This team will improve very slowly. BUt they will improve. Rashard Lewis should keep them semi-relevant and they have a loyal fanbase who will support the team however far they go. Their owner is behind the team as well and is looking to do whatever it will take to keep his team out of obscurity.

14.Detroit Pistons- A team that ruled the eastern conference for 3 years under Larry Brown has fallen from grace. Completely out of the picture!!. They have a few good players on their roster but when players dont listen to their own coach and Joe dumars’ future uncertain as well. This team is just.. Clueless, I mean i honestly dont have any positive outlook for this team. Ridiculously fat contracts belonging to Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva buried this team for years to come. Kyle Singler the only bright spot on this team and thats only because of his beach blonde hair.

15.Cleveland Cavaliers- Ok no argument here. This team is just terrible. Theyre heading downhill and about to fade in to nowhere land like they were 10 years ago. Lebron James single handedly destroyed this franchise by leaving for the warmer climate. I would have liked to see Lebron bring them a title. Dan Gilbert would have done anything and everything to buy them a title. But Lebron wanted out and out he went along with the possibility of bringing a title here. The only upside to this team is they used their # 1 pick in this years draft on Kyrie Irving. But it wont be long before Irving skips town for a title contending team.

Stay tuned for my preview of the Western Conference!