by Joseph Fafinski
1. San Antonio Spurs: Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and the San Antonio Spurs in championship contention. It has been an annual theme since Bill Clinton was president. Coming off a title should not slow down 30-somethings (and future Hall of Famers) Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, especially considering the youth surrounding them. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green added a ring and additional Finals experience to their already impressive resumes. Plus that Gregg Poppovich guy is still at the helm. It’s been said every year, but (eye roller ahead!) do not count out the Spurs.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant’s injury may push the win-loss pace off a few games, but athletic terrors Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka won’t let OKC fall victim to the hungry, lurking Clippers. There is too much talent here, even without MVP Durant, to dismiss as anything other than what they are, a contender.
3. Los Angeles Clippers: Now that the first year of Doc Rivers’ reign and the madness that ensued over former owner Donald Sterling has concluded, it is time to talk basketball in Clipperland. Chris Paul is still the best floor general the league knows, and Blake Griffin is coming off a fantastic season. DeAndre Jordan, JJ Redick, and Jamal Crawford might all be one-trick ponies, but they sport PhD's in their respective fields. I do not, however, anticipate a jump over KD’s club this season. Nonetheless, this team would be one of the best three seeds in recent memory. Holy cow, the West is good.
4. Portland Trail Blazers: Sure, they had some luck in the playoffs health wise, but LaMarcus Aldridge, the league’s best power forward (there, I said it), and Damian Lillard, fresh off deep playoff experience, should lead this team back to the postseason with ease. Wes Matthews and Nic Batum are solid bets to knock down threes on the wing, and underrated Robin makes for an interesting case in the "Who's the better brother?" debate in the Lopez household. They didn't do much this offseason to shore up the roster, but they certainly did not need much to remain a contender.
5. Golden State Warriors: Not much externally has changed since we last saw the Splash Brothers in action, as trade rumors and World Cup domination did not hold down everybody’s favorite NBA backcourt. Steph and Klay (side note: Klay Thompson, albeit a great player, is not what the superstar everyone made him out to be during the Kevin Love fiasco) lead the offense, and Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut anchor the defense. Obviously the biggest question here has to do with getting over the hump. If Golden State is to take it to the next level, they likely will have to take down two perpetually tough Western Conference juggernauts come May. We shall see if they are up to the task in 2014-15.
6. Dallas Mavericks: Could there be anymore Chandlers? Tyson, back after three miserable seasons with Carmelo and the Knicks, and Parsons, who cruised north on I-45 by way of Houston, come to Dallas this season hungry to prove themselves after both falling short of great team success in 2013-14. Everlasting light Dirk Nowitzki and recently revamped Monta Ellis will bring the offense, but it's on the new guys to propel Dallas to heights they have not seen since the memorable 2011 championship campaign.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: As always, the Memphis Grizzlies will be a good basketball team. As always, the frontcourt of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will terrorize opponents. As always, they will not garner any championship noise.
8. Phoenix Suns: The already loaded backcourt of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe Phoenix was blessed with last season added Isaiah Thomas, a man whose remarkable game is not reflected by his minuscule 5’10 frame. This three-headed monster is enough to push everybody's favorite underdog into the promised land of postseason basketball. We can collectively hope Goran's similarly named brother, Zoran, is half the man his elder is.
9. Houston Rockets: Surprised to see Houston out of the playoffs? Don’t be; they have a problem. Losing Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, and Jeremy Lin, half the team’s six biggest contributors from a year ago, will certainly take a toll come launch time. After whiffing on Chris Bosh in free agency, Kevin McHale's boys have to feel a sense of emptiness, a void that could not be filled by the team's only substantial offseason addition, Trevor Ariza. There is Dwight Howard and his ongoing battle with what we call being serious, and James Harden's equally important bout with defense, which, as we know, is half the game of basketball.
10. New Orleans Pelicans: Where there is an Anthony Davis, there is a way. The 21-year-old took the most monumental step the league saw last season, and he will only get better as he cruises through a decade where most players are still trying to find themselves. Floor general Jrue Holiday will be healthy and ready to take the floor from day one. Tyreke Evans' late season surge is promising. There's reason to believe the Pellies will make a huge jump this season. If they were in the East, they could contend. You know the rest of this story; they're a year away and the West is ridiculously grueling.
11. Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets are unquestionably the hardest team to predict in the West this year. Sharp-shooting Arron Afflalo is back in town. The Italian stallion, Danilo Gallinari, may be following suit soon. Ty Lawson doubles as the leader and floor general. Kenneth Faried and Kosta Koufos anchor the frontcourt. Rookies Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic will contribute right away. Team chemistry is awry. Brian Shaw is still a mystery. Your 2014-15 Denver Nuggets, everyone!
12. Sacramento Kings: With Boogie, all things are possible. DeMarcus Cousins will be dancing in the paint on a nightly basis this year. Losing Isaiah Thomas was huge, and Kings fans will notice this when observing successor Darren Collison, whose speed and playmaking abilities can't touch Thomas'.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Now that he-who-must-not-be-named has taken his talents to Cleveland, the T’Wolves are set to prove trading 80 cents on the dollar was the appropriate decision, as opposed to letting the aforementioned he-who-must-not-be-named ride out his misery in one last season up north. The team is young but retains a few solid veterans in Godfather enthusiast Nikola Pekovic, who doubles as the league’s burliest player, and Thaddeus Young, who after seven seasons finally escaped the depths of basketball hell—also known as the city of Philadelphia. Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine will create highlights, but for now the team is in rebuilding mode. That is perfectly fine in a league where Western destruction occurs nightly.
14. Los Angeles Lakers: For as fantastic as Kobe Bryant has been much of the last 17 seasons, you cannot deny the gaudy $30 million he makes annually is blocking the Lakers from making a splash in the free agency and trade markets. They shored up the frontcourt a bit this offseason by signing and drafting Carlos Boozer and Julius Randle, but outside these two, shot-loving Nick Young, newly-inked Jeremy Lin, and Kobe, there is just not enough talent on this roster to make any noise in the ultracompetitive West.
15. Utah Jazz: It is going to be a long year in Salt Lake City but, as Utah is well aware, the future looks bright. Australian phenom Dante Exum joins a plethora of young studmuffins, highlighted by Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and the Burk(e)s’. This season will be considered a success if the development of these youthful stallions is progressive. Things will get Jazzy in Utah in a few short years.
ALL-STAR PREDICTIONS
Starters:
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Reserves:
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
1. San Antonio Spurs: Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and the San Antonio Spurs in championship contention. It has been an annual theme since Bill Clinton was president. Coming off a title should not slow down 30-somethings (and future Hall of Famers) Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, especially considering the youth surrounding them. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green added a ring and additional Finals experience to their already impressive resumes. Plus that Gregg Poppovich guy is still at the helm. It’s been said every year, but (eye roller ahead!) do not count out the Spurs.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant’s injury may push the win-loss pace off a few games, but athletic terrors Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka won’t let OKC fall victim to the hungry, lurking Clippers. There is too much talent here, even without MVP Durant, to dismiss as anything other than what they are, a contender.
3. Los Angeles Clippers: Now that the first year of Doc Rivers’ reign and the madness that ensued over former owner Donald Sterling has concluded, it is time to talk basketball in Clipperland. Chris Paul is still the best floor general the league knows, and Blake Griffin is coming off a fantastic season. DeAndre Jordan, JJ Redick, and Jamal Crawford might all be one-trick ponies, but they sport PhD's in their respective fields. I do not, however, anticipate a jump over KD’s club this season. Nonetheless, this team would be one of the best three seeds in recent memory. Holy cow, the West is good.
4. Portland Trail Blazers: Sure, they had some luck in the playoffs health wise, but LaMarcus Aldridge, the league’s best power forward (there, I said it), and Damian Lillard, fresh off deep playoff experience, should lead this team back to the postseason with ease. Wes Matthews and Nic Batum are solid bets to knock down threes on the wing, and underrated Robin makes for an interesting case in the "Who's the better brother?" debate in the Lopez household. They didn't do much this offseason to shore up the roster, but they certainly did not need much to remain a contender.
5. Golden State Warriors: Not much externally has changed since we last saw the Splash Brothers in action, as trade rumors and World Cup domination did not hold down everybody’s favorite NBA backcourt. Steph and Klay (side note: Klay Thompson, albeit a great player, is not what the superstar everyone made him out to be during the Kevin Love fiasco) lead the offense, and Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut anchor the defense. Obviously the biggest question here has to do with getting over the hump. If Golden State is to take it to the next level, they likely will have to take down two perpetually tough Western Conference juggernauts come May. We shall see if they are up to the task in 2014-15.
6. Dallas Mavericks: Could there be anymore Chandlers? Tyson, back after three miserable seasons with Carmelo and the Knicks, and Parsons, who cruised north on I-45 by way of Houston, come to Dallas this season hungry to prove themselves after both falling short of great team success in 2013-14. Everlasting light Dirk Nowitzki and recently revamped Monta Ellis will bring the offense, but it's on the new guys to propel Dallas to heights they have not seen since the memorable 2011 championship campaign.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: As always, the Memphis Grizzlies will be a good basketball team. As always, the frontcourt of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will terrorize opponents. As always, they will not garner any championship noise.
8. Phoenix Suns: The already loaded backcourt of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe Phoenix was blessed with last season added Isaiah Thomas, a man whose remarkable game is not reflected by his minuscule 5’10 frame. This three-headed monster is enough to push everybody's favorite underdog into the promised land of postseason basketball. We can collectively hope Goran's similarly named brother, Zoran, is half the man his elder is.
9. Houston Rockets: Surprised to see Houston out of the playoffs? Don’t be; they have a problem. Losing Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, and Jeremy Lin, half the team’s six biggest contributors from a year ago, will certainly take a toll come launch time. After whiffing on Chris Bosh in free agency, Kevin McHale's boys have to feel a sense of emptiness, a void that could not be filled by the team's only substantial offseason addition, Trevor Ariza. There is Dwight Howard and his ongoing battle with what we call being serious, and James Harden's equally important bout with defense, which, as we know, is half the game of basketball.
10. New Orleans Pelicans: Where there is an Anthony Davis, there is a way. The 21-year-old took the most monumental step the league saw last season, and he will only get better as he cruises through a decade where most players are still trying to find themselves. Floor general Jrue Holiday will be healthy and ready to take the floor from day one. Tyreke Evans' late season surge is promising. There's reason to believe the Pellies will make a huge jump this season. If they were in the East, they could contend. You know the rest of this story; they're a year away and the West is ridiculously grueling.
11. Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets are unquestionably the hardest team to predict in the West this year. Sharp-shooting Arron Afflalo is back in town. The Italian stallion, Danilo Gallinari, may be following suit soon. Ty Lawson doubles as the leader and floor general. Kenneth Faried and Kosta Koufos anchor the frontcourt. Rookies Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic will contribute right away. Team chemistry is awry. Brian Shaw is still a mystery. Your 2014-15 Denver Nuggets, everyone!
12. Sacramento Kings: With Boogie, all things are possible. DeMarcus Cousins will be dancing in the paint on a nightly basis this year. Losing Isaiah Thomas was huge, and Kings fans will notice this when observing successor Darren Collison, whose speed and playmaking abilities can't touch Thomas'.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Now that he-who-must-not-be-named has taken his talents to Cleveland, the T’Wolves are set to prove trading 80 cents on the dollar was the appropriate decision, as opposed to letting the aforementioned he-who-must-not-be-named ride out his misery in one last season up north. The team is young but retains a few solid veterans in Godfather enthusiast Nikola Pekovic, who doubles as the league’s burliest player, and Thaddeus Young, who after seven seasons finally escaped the depths of basketball hell—also known as the city of Philadelphia. Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine will create highlights, but for now the team is in rebuilding mode. That is perfectly fine in a league where Western destruction occurs nightly.
14. Los Angeles Lakers: For as fantastic as Kobe Bryant has been much of the last 17 seasons, you cannot deny the gaudy $30 million he makes annually is blocking the Lakers from making a splash in the free agency and trade markets. They shored up the frontcourt a bit this offseason by signing and drafting Carlos Boozer and Julius Randle, but outside these two, shot-loving Nick Young, newly-inked Jeremy Lin, and Kobe, there is just not enough talent on this roster to make any noise in the ultracompetitive West.
15. Utah Jazz: It is going to be a long year in Salt Lake City but, as Utah is well aware, the future looks bright. Australian phenom Dante Exum joins a plethora of young studmuffins, highlighted by Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and the Burk(e)s’. This season will be considered a success if the development of these youthful stallions is progressive. Things will get Jazzy in Utah in a few short years.
ALL-STAR PREDICTIONS
Starters:
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Reserves:
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets