NBA Basketball, there is nothing quite like it besides football. A new season with unpredictable outcomes and having to deal with a non bubble environment. Let’s meet the Western Powers or Basement Dwellers!
Dallas Mavericks: Last season’s surge to the playoffs has the Mavs thinking big this year. Their core of Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Kristaps Porzingis, Boban Marjanovic, and Tim Hardaway is looking to prove last year was no fluke in the ultra competitive Western Conference. The only thing missing from this team is a Top Flight Point Guard. They couldn’t bring back Seth Curry but almost every other position has promise.
Denver Nuggets: In my opinion this is a team that is so close to getting to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. With Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray leading the charge that is a possibility despite being in the shadows of the LA teams. I think that this is a roster that has been following a step by step process since Mike Malone has become head coach. First year they were mediocre, Second year they made the playoffs, Third year they overcame 2 3-1 deficits in the playoffs but lost to the Lakers in the WCF. Their next step is the finals but it won’t be easy! I think the Giannis max contract that he got from the Bucks is going to open the door for Jokic to stay in Denver as well.
Golden State Warriors: When I made that document on the Warriors this summer I expected to build their way back to dominance through the Draft. That’s exactly what they did. Getting a Top Flight Center in James Wiseman and getting Steph Curry back as well as Klay Thompson (CRACK) Scratch that he got hurt and is out for the season again. Even though they don’t have the firepower in years past they should be a dark horse contender especially with Steve Kerr and that coaching staff. I will give them some time to get back to their dynastic ways.
Houston Rockets: They cleaned house by getting rid of D’Antoni, and Morey but at the moment have kept James Harden around and traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall. It could be a lose lose trade but this is the NBA so I don’t even know. I think they have a solid team with plenty of good shooters and fast players. I think that they lacked an experienced Center to help them against the Lakers last year. What did they do to fix the problem? They went out and got Demarcus Cousins, I know he hasn’t been in 2015 form but as long as he fits their outside shooting system everything should be ok. BOOM! Then Harden decided to live up to his annoying reputation and decided to miss the first week of practice in favor of partying with friends out in Atlanta. From the way I see it he saw what Dennis Rodman did in January 1998 which was featured in Episode 4 of the Last Dance and wanted to do the same except in a different city. Houston YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! BIG TIME!
Los Angeles Clippers: The hype surrounding the Clippers this year is even bigger than last year. Yes Doc Rivers left town for Philly, and they lost their best player off the bench to the Lakers but there is optimism because of 3 players. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Lou Williams. The amount of depth is still around and expectations are extreme again. I do have one thing to say, CAN YOU GUYS PLEASE MAKE IT TO THE 3RD ROUND FOR EVERYONE’S SAKE!
Los Angeles Lakers: The most insufferable fanbase in all of the NBA has reemerged thanks to Title #17 last year. Not only do the Lakers want another dynasty, LeBron wants to surpass MJ in every form there is. Titles, Stats, and Ego. They went on a Free Agency Spending Spree like most years thanks to King James’ demands. Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Dennis Schroder, and Wesley Matthews WELCOME TO THE LAKE SHOW AKA SHOWTIME! The only problem for the main LA team is whether they will re-sign Anthony Davis. The season is getting closer and closer and it will be hard to choose where he wants to play. ($ He resigned) Yep this league is doomed isn’t it!
Memphis Grizzlies: No one expected them last year to go from one of the worst teams in the league in 2018-19 with most of the core leaving town to nearly making it back to the playoffs. Led by their new stud in Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson and an aging but still effective Jonas Valenciunes the Grizzlies are doing everything they can to make noise this year. The depth on the roster like Justise Winslow, Kyle Anderson, and Grayson Allen should be able to back up the strong play from the studs. I would say that a playoff spot is a given but this is the West and anything can happen.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Last year was an off season for the T-Wolves and this year they are trying to change that. After winning the draft lottery and getting a generation talent in Anthony Edwards with the #1 pick they could potentially have a Big 3 in the making. If there is one thing that Karl Anthony Towns likes its star players like D’Angelo Russell and Edwards that are equal to his talents. I still think the playoffs are a long shot for them but if Memphis could have that fast turnaround of a season with lesser talent so can you.
New Orleans Pelicans: How many small market teams have to pay the luxury tax to the NBA to keep the gang around? Not many. The reason for this was because they were able to re-sign Brandon Ingram and take on Eric Bledsoe’s bad contract. Even though they lost Jrue Holiday for a boat load of draft picks just like AD last year, the Pelicans are trying to get back to the playoffs with a Zion Williamson that is now healthy plus an impact veteran acquisition in Steven Adams. I think that if they are healthy they could be what the Mavericks were last year. The success story of the league.
Oklahoma City Thunder: This could be the end of an era to one of the greatest teams in NBA history never to win a championship. This offseason they did one simple thing, THEY BLEW IT UP! CP3, Billy Donovan, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams all left in a matter of weeks. At least they have a nice haul of draft picks plus they got Al Horford, George Hill, and Trevor Ariza. If they somehow foolishly are in the playoff race I will do a “MONKEY DANCE” for them like last year.
Phoenix Suns: After that 8-0 stretch in the bubble this summer where they nearly snuck in the playoffs the Suns have decided to do things this offseason. First they got an All Star caliber Point Guard despite being in the backend of his career in Chris Paul. A guy that should be a perfect fit for their system besides All Star Devin Booker. Next they brought in a Shoot First Power Forward in Dario Saric who also could be a fit in this offense. In my opinion they will be either the class of the Pacific Division with the Warriors Lakers and Clippers, or they will be fighting for their playoff lives.
Portland Trail Blazers: Portland is in an interesting situation right now. After losing in the 1st Round to the eventual champions many people said that they were done. WRONG! What they did was add more depth to Damian Lillard, and CJ McCollum. They brought back Carmelo, and Enes Kanter, they signed Derrick Jones, and re-signed Jusef Nurkic. How will they underachieve this year?
Sacramento Kings: Sticks and Stones may break your bones but being a Kings fan (like the people of Sacramento) is rough. Their main objective was to bring back Bogdan Bogdanovic and they failed despite trying to get depth from Milwaukee instead of letting him walk out which he did. However they gave De’Aaron Fox a nice extension, and brought in Frank Kaminsky, and Hassan Whiteside. If there is one thing Ranadive likes to do is bring in way too many centers. Doesn’t he know that Vlade Divac is no longer here, yet he still did it.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs remind me of the Detroit Red Wings during their heyday. A team that for years was competing for a championship yet decided to hang on to their great core and keep their playoff streak alive. Now it’s gone. The only solid players that are left from that 2016-17 all in squad are LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay who have two of the worst contracts in the league. I would say Pop if you are going to retire, do it soon so you won’t end up like Phil Jackson did when he was GM of the Knicks.
Utah Jazz: Utah is one of those teams that isn’t one of the crowning favorites by the media each year. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert should always be a force to be reckoned with. I think this will be the year that they will do everything in their powers to make sure they get a chance at going to the Finals, if not most of the depth could be gone. Well at least you locked up Mitchell and Gobert for the future.
The West is really anyone’s game despite the hype machines in LA and the Bay Area. Lets see what we have in store?
- Lakers
- Clippers
- Nuggets
- Mavericks
- Warriors
- Rockets
- Jazz
- Suns
- Pelicans
- Trail Blazers
- Grizzlies
- Timberwolves
- Kings
- Spurs
- Thunder
Playoffs
Round 1
#1 Lakers over #8 Suns 4-0
#2 Clippers over #7 Jazz 4-1
#3 Nuggets over #6 Rockets 4-3
#5 Warriors over #4 Mavericks 4-2
Round 2
#1 Lakers over #5 Warriors 4-3
#2 Clippers over #3 Nuggets 4-1
Round 3
#1 Lakers over #2 Clippers 4-3
NBA Finals
#1 Bucks over #1 Lakers 4-3
Bragging Rights Sports 