Honestly this is how I see it:
Spurs
T-Wolves
Houston
Denver
Dallas
Pheonix
Kings
Utah
--------
Memphis
Portland
1. Spurs - They are a given. Basically a lock for home-court advantage in the playoffs barring a serious Tim Duncan injury.
2. T-Wolves - Another locked spot for home-court advantage. Having the most versitile player in the league along with the 2nd best backcourt in the league with definately give them the 2nd seed in the West.
3. Houston - This pick is just going on the Kobe/Shaq connection that I've seen in the past 6 years. Except in this relationship I think you'll see the guard stepping up and being the more dominate one in the "marriage".
4. Denver - The most solid front court in the league, but we don't know how well they'll mesh yet. The team last year even seemed to have chemestry problems, plus with the Nene/Martin fued before the season, the question only gets harder. Either way with one of the most potent starting 5's in the league, I see them possibly getting home-court advantage in the play-offs.
5. Dallas - The Mavs on paper look really good but a team with Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Dirk Nowitzki, and a up and coming scorer Marquis Daniels are going to have some serious shot selection problems especially since the only two that have played together are Dirk and Daniels. Dampier adds size and I think he will be more effective than people are saying, but the real question mark is chemistry. Dallas put together a nice team last year but it wasn't enough, loosing Nash was a huge loss but I see Daniels and Josh Howard doing more then Stackhouse and Terry this season. I actually expect Stackhouse and/or Terry to be traded by the Feb deadline.
6. Pheonix - Again on paper the team looks really solid but with two huge new additions to the team expect some bad chemistry in the beginning. Although Nash can play with just about any team and look as if he's playing with them for years, he's not used to playing with an actual PF in Stoudemire or an athletic SF in Marion. The SG spot on this team is the deepest in the league with Q and Joe Johnson who both can score and run the floor very well. But if the team doesn't blend well by midway in the season, trade rumors could start up again involving Shawn Marion. In all actuality this team is not built for the 2004-2005 season, this is a team of the future. within the next 5 years, if they can hold the team together
7. Loosing Vlade doesn't help this team at all, and Greg Ostertag makes it worse. The Kings will struggle the season with having an unhappy Peja. Webber needs to break out of his "slump" this year and put up some numbers to fill Vlade's void. If anyone on my list is underrated, I'd say it be the Kings and Grizzlies.
8. Utah - While last years team seemed to play on heart alone, ego's are starting to get involved with Okurs big contract, Boozers HUGE contract, and now AK47 asking for more money, so expect to see a different team here. While Hapring is an underappriciated player in the league, Arroyo isn't the man you want running your offense. I see this teams hustle and size putting them over Memphis in the season with a tie-breaker or 1-3 game lead at the end of the season.
----------
9. Memphis - They didn't really do much this off-season except not loose Stro and sign Cardinal. They have a great young core of players, and I hope they do make the playoffs, but I see them just missing it. Either way they'll have a great season, I don't see them really dissapointing anyone. Jason Williams will have another good season and James Posey will prove to be a serious threat this year. Pau will continue to improve and Bonzi will be the 6th man of the year this season over Q. Richardson of the Suns.
10. Lakers - Ah, the most dominate team of the last 5 years has been dismantled. Well, there's not much you can say except that when a team looses the best player on it's team, you can't expect them to do too well. Kobe is going to need to be Michael Jordan for this team to get into the playoffs, and I don't see that happening. Odom is a solid player but Butler is overrated and Brian Grant is getting closer and closer to retirement with those knees of his. Having no point guard and PF kill this team, and that's why I dont have them in the playoffs. No ladies and gentlemen, Brian Cook is not your savior because he had a decent preseason.
Well those are my thoughts on the West this season, it's going to be a wild season, and us NBA League Pass owners will get our moneys worth as always .
------------------------
Posted that a couple of days ago, here's my season standings
East
ATLANTIC
(4)Philadelphia               
(
New York
(7)Boston
Toronto       
New Jersey               
CENTRAL
(1)Detroit        
(3)Indiana               
(6)Cleveland               
Milwaukee               
Chicago                        
SOUTHEAST
(2)Miami               
(5)Orlando        
Washington                
Atlanta        
Charlotte
West
NORTHWEST
(1)Minnesota
(4)Denver       
(
Utah
Portland       
Seattle       
PACIFIC
(6)Sacramento
(7)Phoenix       
L.A. Lakers       
Golden State
L.A. Clippers       
SOUTHWEST       
(2) San Antonio
(3)Houston       
(5)Dallas
Memphis
New Orleans        
[/b]
