After predicting few big changes atop the Eastern Conference from last season in Thursday’s preview, the Western Conference should see a significant shift at the top. Thanks to the trades of Chris Paul and Lamar Odom the Clippers should be the team to see in Los Angeles, while the defending champs lost their defensive anchor in Tyson Chanler to the Knicks.
Onto the predictions (with predicted record in parenthesis):
1. Oklahoma City: (51-15)—The Thunder have been patiently biding their time and letting their talent develop in hopes of an opportunity like this season, as Dallas and the Lakers should take a step back. Best case scenario: Recently acquired center Kendrick Perkins fits in well with the team and superstar Kevin Durant brings the franchise its first title in Oklahoma. Worst case scenario: Whatever problems plagued point guard Russell Westbrook in last year’s playoffs flare up again and the Thunder have to find a replacement.
2. Los Angeles (Clippers): (50-16)—With the arrival of star guard Chris Paul to pair with power forward Blake Griffin the Clippers are suddenly the funnest team in the league. Best case scenario: Paul and the other new arrivals like Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler gel and the Clippers cut down the nets in June. Worst case scenario: The oft-injured but immensely talented Griffin has another major injury, ending their contender hopes and adding to long-suffering franchise’s misery.
3. San Antonio: (45-21)—The aging Spurs aren’t done and should compete in the watered-down West. Best case scenario: Much like Boston, the shortened training camp doesn’t affect their long-cultivated chemistry and they continue to roll. Worst case scenario: Age catches up with their core group of players like Duncan (35 years old), Ginobli (34), and even Parker (29).
4. Portland: (44-22)—The Blazers have been deep, yet not too top-heavy for a few years now; this year should be no different. (Extreme) Best case scenario: Immensely talented center Greg Oden stays healthy all season and turns into the franchise center everyone thought he'd be. Worst case scenario: New acquisitions Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton flop and the Blazers have another short-lived playoff appearance.
5. Dallas: (40-26)—Dallas shook up their championship roster losing Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, and J.J. Barea in keeping their payroll down. Best case scenario: The ageless Jason Kidd (turns 39 in March) keeps the team rolling this season and the team lands Dwight Howard in the offseason. Worst case scenario: Their core of Kidd, Nowitzki (33 years old), and Jason Terry (34) declines noticeably and they have to completely rebuild.
6. Memphis: (37-29)—The Grizzlies lost a good player in Shane Battier to Miami but remain young and dangerous. Best case scenario: With Rudy Gay back at full strength, the team makes another strong playoff run. Worst case scenario: The inexperience shows and they get off to a slow start, negating the momentum gained last spring when they upset the Spurs in the first round.
7. Los Angeles (Lakers): (36-30)—With Lamar Odom gone and Kobe Bryant injured (wrist ligament tear) new coach Mike Brown has quite a job ahead of him. Best case scenario: Kobe heals quickly and continued chemistry with him, Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol keeps them in contention. Worst case scenario: Kobe misses significant time, Bynum has his annual leg injury, and Dwight Howard goes to Dallas.
8. Golden State: (33-33)...
8. Golden State: (33-33)—With Jerry West in the front office and Mark Jackson coaching the team, the Warriors are on the upswing. Best case scenario: Jackson instills better defensive fundamentals and the Warriors make some noise in the playoffs. Worst case scenario: Rumors of leading-scorer Monta Ellis being traded net them 30 cents on the dollar and the team stays mediocre.
9. Denver: (30-36)—After trading away Carmelo Anthony the Nuggets will be looking for an identity. Best case scenario: Coach George Karl gets the most out of new point guard Andre Miller and Denver make their ninth straight playoffs. Worst case scenario: Losses of Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, and Wilson Chandler are too much too overcome putting them into a long rebuilding mode.
10. Phoenix: (29-37)—Steve Nash still makes the team go, but he’s 37 now and has a rebuilding-mode team around him. Best case scenario: The Suns deal Nash for some young talent or draft picks. Worst case scenario: They continue to hold onto Nash and miss the playoffs and watch Nash’s market value drop.
11. Utah: (26-40)—Without stellar head coach Jerry Sloan in charge anymore, the Jazz are a tough read. Best case scenario: All the talent they got from New Jersey for Deron Williams develops quickly and they contend for a spot in the playoffs. Worst case scenario: Rookie coach Tyrone Corbin struggles and the franchise realizes just how important Sloan was to their continued success.
12. Minnesota: (25-41)—Another tough call here as how much impact new point guards Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea have is unpredictable. Best case scenario: Rubio turns out to be worth the wait (hasn’t played since being drafted fifth-overall in 2009) and combines with center Kevin Love for a fun combination. Worst case scenario: Rubio turns out to be a bust, making all the effort to bring him to the NBA for naught.
13. New Orleans: (22-44)—Though the Hornets got several good players for star point guard Chris Paul, none of them are his equal on the court. Best case scenario: Newly acquired Eric Gordon develops into a star and the Hornets find a suitable replacement at point guard that leads them to the playoffs. Worst case scenario: Not the worst thing if they miss the playoffs, as expected, but they need to have a good draft.
14. Sacramento: (15-51)—The Kings have a couple good young pieces to build with in guard Tyreke Evans and center DeMarcus Cousins, but little else. Best case scenario: The rest of the West collapses putting the Kings into the playoffs by default. Worst case scenario: Cousins (21 years old) and Evans (22) don’t develop as expected and their playoff drought (no appearances since ‘06) continues.
15. Houston: (12-54)—The Rockets lost one of the better coaches in the league in Rick Adelman and suddenly have little talent left on the roster. Best case scenario: They’re not making the playoffs, but maybe they can hit it big in the draft lottery. Worst case scenario: Hard to be worse than last place, but if new coach Kevin McHale can’t cut it, they'll need a complete overhaul soon.
