NBA Preview: Western Conference Predictions
ByNorthwest
1. Trailblazers (56-26) - Five years of good draft choices is starting to pay off. They have the leader (Brandon Roy), the veteran (Andre Miller) and the man who has something to prove (Greg Oden). Depth is a key in today’s NBA and the Blazers can go 10-deep with anybody.
2. Nuggets (54-28) - With the help of Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony will blossom into a man that can lead a team deep into the playoffs. They need to add one more piece to the puzzle though.
3. Thunder (43-39) - Kevin Durant will make a run at the MVP and Oklahoma City will become a good team a year earlier than everyone expected.
4. Jazz (42-40) - Deron Williams can distribute, Carlos Boozer can score but who can hit the open shot and create from the wing.
5. Timberwolves (25-57) - Al Jefferson is fun to watch because he works hard and has some of the best footwork in the NBA. The rest of the team stinks.
Pacific
1. Lakers (66-16) - While the rest of the league is trying to find answers, the only question in L.A. is whether or not they want to break the 70-win mark or if they want to rest their stars for the playoffs.
2. Suns (48-34) - Phoenix is going to be a lot better than some people think. Shaq wasn’t the problem but they have a better team now that he is gone.
3. Clippers (41-41) - Baron Davis can distribute to Eric Gordon on the wing, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby down low and Blake Griffin in transition on a team that should be fun to watch at the very least. Let’s hope Griffin’s injury is only a 6-week thing and doesn’t kill his whole season.
4. Warriors (24-58) - Monta Ellis doesn’t think he can play with Stephen Curry in the same backcourt. Curry and Don Nelson don’t care what Ellis thinks and that’s a good thing. Anthony Randolph is going to thrive this season.
5. Kings (15-67) - Kevin Martin will score, Tyreke Evans will get his while the rest of the team will sit around and watch.
Southwest
1. Spurs (56-26) - San Antonio is going for it all. Tim Duncan has a good chance to win one for the thumb with this squad. Has there ever been a better leader by example in NBA history?
2. Mavericks (55-27) - Jason Kidd is going to have fun leading this team into the playoffs this year. They might not make a deep run but he’s got a deep group to create for.
3. Hornets (46-36) - Any team with Chris Paul will have a chance to win a lot of games. These Hornets need a couple more players to be a serious contender though.
4. Rockets (39-43) - Any team that lost their top three scorers (Yao, McGrady, Artest) is going to struggle out of the gate.
5. Grizzlies (24-58) - Any team that is looking to compete doesn’t sign Allen Iverson to back up their young point guard.
Awards
Conference MVP: Brandon Roy, Blazers
Conference Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin, Clippers
Conference Coach of the Year: Greg Popvich, Spurs
Playoffs
First Round
(1) Lakers over (8) Thunder
(2) Spurs over (7) Hornets
(3) Blazers over (6) Suns
(5) Nuggets over (4) Mavs
Second Round
(1) Lakers over (5) Nuggets
(3) Blazers over (2) Spurs
Western Conference Finals
(1) Lakers over (3) Blazers
NBA Finals
Celtics over Lakers
