Spinzz Sports: October 2012

2012-2013 NBA SEASON PREVIEW

It is time for the NBA season to start. With that we have our season preview. A lot for story lines this year. Can the Heat repeat? How will Dwight and Nash mix with Kobe and Pau with the Lakers? How will the Bulls fair without Derrick Rose? When will Rose come back? How good will the Brooklyn Nets be? Can the Thunder go back to the finals? Is Anthony Davis the real deal? That all being said lets take a look at our predictions for this season.......

Spinzz
Easter Conference

Atlantic Division

1.) Boston Celtics

The Celtics had one of the best off seasons out of anyone. Even though they lost Ray Allen they added Jason Terry, Courtney Lee. They drafted Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger. They still have Rondo, Peirce and Garnet. Along with one the best coaches in the league in Doc Rivers. As good as the Atlantic is I think the Celtics will decide if they want to win it or not. If they go out and wanna rest up for the playoffs then it can be wide open. If not they will take the Atlantic. I feel they will go for it and will play like they have something to prove after the way they lost to Miami last year. The goal of the Celtics is to go and beat Miami and win the NBA finals.

2.) Brooklyn Nets

One of the most talked about teams coming into this season. The Nets are moving to a new building with a better team and bigger expatiation. They brought back Deron Williams along with Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace, and Kris Humphries. They added another star not Dwight Howard but Joe Johnson. Him and Williams will be one of if not the best back court in the league. The Nets have an underrated starting 5 as well as an underrated bench with C.J. Watson, MarShon Brooks, Reggie Evans and Josh Childress among a few. If the Nets can improve on the defensive side of the ball they will be a tough team to beat this year.

3.) New York Knicks

The Knicks made some moves like always. They got Jason Kidd, Raymon Felton, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and Rasheed Wallace. While this looks like players from an all star game a few years ago they were solid moves. They lost Jermey Linn which caused a lot of noise. They still have Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks could sneak up and win the Atlantic and I wouldn't be shocked by it. The reason I have the Knicks finishing in 3rd is health. They would get their best defensive wing player in Iman Shumpert. Amare you never know what you will get out of him. I think it will fall to much on Carmelo while some nights he can do it he can't do it every night if they need him to.

4.) Philadelphia 76ers

To me this is the wild card in this division. Philly had a few changes this off season. They traded for Andrew Bynum and traded away Andre Iguodala. They also lost Lou Williams who was a big time scorer for them. To me it will be interesting to see how all the pieces fit on this team now. You know Doug Collins will have this team ready to play defense. If Andrew Bynum is healthy and his head is right this team can be a force. I think it will take Bynum a little time and in the Atlantic every game will matter.

5.) Toronto Raptors

This is a team none should really sleep on. While I don't think they are going to make the playoffs I do think they will be very improved. They have a very underrated point guard in Kyle Lowery a budding star in DeMar Deronzan along with Andrea Bargnani. They have a solid bench with rookie Terrance Ross and Jose Calderon. This can be a spoiler of a team during the season for the rest of the teams in this division.

Central Division

1.) Chicago Bulls

The big question when it comes to this team is when will Derrick Rose come back. That will be a big factor in what the Bulls do this year. While I do think the Bulls will be a very solid team it all comes down to Rose. They still have a good starters with Boozer, Noah, Hamliton, and Deng. Kirck Hinrich will be taking over for Rose while he is gone. They did lose the bench mob but the bench they have now is still very solid with Nate Robinson, Taj Gibson, Marco Belinelli and Jimmy Butler who I think will break out this year. The Bulls will be well coached and play great defense with Tom Thibodeau who has coached the Bulls to the best recorded in the NBA the last two years. That being said it all comes down to Rose. If Rose comes back around the All Star break I think the Bulls will win the Central. I do think how ever they will take the time with him and that being said the Bulls will just miss taking first.
2.) Indiana Pacers

This is wide open for the Pacers. While I think they are a little overrated with Rose out and the rest of the Central up and coming the Pacers should win it. They have a battle tested core with Hilbert, Granger, and West. They have two players that are improving into big time players in Paul George and Gerald Green.While they did lose Derren Collision they will have George Hill run the point who is very solid. This team has surprised some people the last two season. This year people know how good they can be and it will be interesting to see how they play with the pressure of being a top team. Especially after the way they took the Heat to 6 games and had the lead last year in the series. Another big question is how healthy is Danny Grander with his knee? This is a big year for Indiana.

3.) Cleveland Cavaliers

I think this is a sleeper team to make the playoffs right here. They have the defending rookie of the year and one the best point guards in the game in Kyrie Irving. They have drafted well the last few years with Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, and Tyler Zeller. Byron Scott is a good coach and knows how to coach young players. If Irving can stay healthy they can be a playoff team.

4.) Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were a team that was up and coming two year ago lead by Brandon Jennings. Now they are a team that I feel are in a period that they don't know what to do. They traded for Monte Eillis who is a big time scorer to team up with Jennings. They have a very underrated player in Ersan Ilyasavo. They drafted rookie Doron Lamb and have vets Drew Gooden and Mike Dunleavy. So they will be a team you can't sleep on but I son think they will struggle at times.

5.) Detroit Pistons

The Pistons I think are a couple years and drafts away from being a real good team. They have good players like Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe, and championship veteran Tayshaun Prince. They drafted rookie of the year candidate Andre Dummond who is gonna be a monster.They have a nice young team that will grown in the next couple years but for this year. If the young guys come along quicker maybe they can make a run for 4th but that's about it.

Southwest Division

1.) Miami Heat

Not much you can say about the defending NBA Champions. They have the big three. They have two NBA finals MVPS in Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. They have the greatest three point shooter of all time in Ray Allen. The big three of James, Wade, and Bosh are starting to play better and better together. It is scary that this team is getting better. LeBron is gonna be great like always. The team will play great defense and have open shots which is good for Allen, Lewis, Chalmers, Cole, and Miller. If Dwyane Wade comes back healthy and is the Wade of old the Heat will steam roll through the East.

2.) Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks made a lot of sneaky moves this off season. They traded away the big contract of Joe Johnson. They then went and picked up Lou Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, Devin Harris, and Kyle Kover. With a healthy Al Horford and players like Josh Smith and Jeff Teague returning the Hawks will be a playoff team once again. The one thing that will interesting to see is who will be the go to scorer with no Joe Johnson.

3.) Washington Wizards

I really like some of the moves this team made. They acquired Nene,Okafor,and Ariza. They also drafted Bradley Beal who I think is going to be a big time player in the league. They have all that to mix with John Wall who I think for him and the franchise is in a make or break year. Though Wall is hurt I think when he comes back if this team meshes well they are gonna challenge for the 8th seed.

4.) Orlando Magic

The Magic to me were the biggest loser this off season. Not only did they lose Dwight Howard, but they got the worse package possible for him. They do have solid players like Nelson,.Turkoglu, Davis, and the newly added Aaron Afallo. So they can stay in some games some night I just think it will be a few years before we see Orlando back on the map and in the playoffs.

5.) Charlotte Bobcats

If you go by the numbers the Bobcats were the worst team in NBA history. If you watched them you would agree with those numbers. The Bobcats just looked lost last year. The good news for them is that a new season is here. They drafted Michael Kdd-Gilchrist. to help them out. They still have Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson. As well as Ben Gordan who was traded for. I don't think they will be as bad as last year, but they still have a long way to go.

Western Conference

Southwest Division

1.) San Antonio Spurs

Every year you think they won't be as good as they usually are the year before, but yet they keep wining and getting better. The Spurns won the most games in the 2 years in a row. With coach Pop and the big three of Manu, Parker, and Duncan. Also with the depth with Lenard, Bonner, Jackson, and Diaw. The Spurs will be right back up there like every year and we shouldn't be surprised at all.

2.) Memphis Grizzles

You can make the argument that the Grizzles have one of the best starting fives in the NBA. The Grizzles are a team that if they ever stood healthy with Gay, Randolph, Gasol, and Conley. I think this year we will see them all healthy and playing at a high level. The one thing holding them back is the depth. If one of those big guys get hurt they are going to take a big step back and let the Spurs run away with this division.

3.) Dallas Mavericks

Dallas took a huge risk after wining the NBA title in 2010. They let a lot of the big role players go and gear up to getting a Dwight Howard and or Deron Williams. They din't get anyone of them and lost Jason Terry. They did add some good players in Elton Brand, OJ Mayo, Chris Kaman, Delonte West and Derren Collision. So it wasn't a totally bad off-season but with an aging rest of a team and an aging and injured Dirk I think Dallas is a one and done team again.

4.) Houston Rockets

The Rockets spent the whole off season making moves between trading picks signing players. They lost Kyle Lowery but added Omark Asik and Jeremy Linn. Then the weekend before the season started they traded Jeremy Lamb and Kevin Martin for James Harden. Along with Drafting Royce White and Terrance Jones who both I think will be big time. The Rockets are retooled. This season can either go really good or really bad. It all falls on the back court of Linn and Harden.

5.) New Orleans Hornets

A young up and coming team in the West. The two big moves they made was in the draft with the first and tenth pick by drafting Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. I think they are two real good young players that are gonna have really good careers for the Hornets. You match them with budding super star Eric Gordan and good role players in Ryan Anderson, Robin Lopez, and Greivis Vasquez. They could sneak up to third in this division if Davis and Rivers play well with Gordan.

Southwest Division

1.) Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending Western Conference Champions are back and ready to defend their crown. We all know how great Kevin Durant is and how explosive Russell Westbrook can be. They have the big front line of Ibaka and Perkins. The one question with this team now is. How will they play without James Harden. They got back two good player in Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb. If them rookie Perry Jones and the returning Eric Maynor play well with the second unit the Thunder can be back in the NBA Finals and maybe even win it all.

2.) Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets might have been the second biggest winner in the Dwight Howard trade by getting Andre Iguodala and improving the defense. They are as deep as anyone in the West. They can score with anyone with Ty Lawson running the point and Gallinari on the wing. They have a nice big back court with McGee, Faried, and Mozgov. Brewer, Hamilton, and Chandler help the wing depth. They can maybe even sneak in the top 4 with the depth and the great coaching of George Karl.

3.) Minnesota Timberwolves

This is the best young up and coming team in the NBA. With the young core of Rubio, Love,Williams, and Pekovic. They keep on improving and really played at another level with Rubio. Kevin Love is a top 10 player. They brought Brandon Roy out of retirement. The sad thing about this team is they are not gonna be healthy until around Christmas time with Love coming back from a hand injury and Rubio's ACL injury. If they can get healthy early enough they will be a playoff team easy.

4.) Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers aren't being talked about and I don't understand why. They have one the best players and most underrated player in the game with LaMarcus Aldridge. The dark horse for the rookie of the year in Damian Lillard. You have those to with Westley Mathews, Nicolas Batum, and JJ Hickson. They have enough talent to make a good run it will all fall on how healthy they can be and how good they mesh because the last few years that has been a big problem.

5.) Utah Jazz

The Jazz are an interesting team. They have so much young talent that they can be a higher playoff seed then last year or be back out of the playoffs and having a high draft pick. The crazy thing is neither would shock us. They still have Al Jefferson who is a monster center, along with Paul Millsap who is very underrated. They have two young players in Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward who look to take the next step which will be big for them this year.

Pacific Division

1.) Los Angles Lakers

Like always the Lakers retooled and got better and a lot better. They got Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to go with Kobe and Pau. The Lakers might have the best starting five in the league if you put those 4 together with Metta World Peace who is still a good wing defender. They have a better bench with Blake, Meeks and Jamison. The Lakers are ready to go and get the NBA title again. I think that if they stay healthy the West is there for the taken.

2.) Los Angles Clippers

Lob City has a tone of talent around Chris Paul and Blake Griffen. Its almost to much talent with Billups, Hill, Butler Crawford Odom, and Bledsoe. They are still gonna be a top team again. Chris Paul is gonna be at an MVP level like last year. They key is what will they get out of the big men Blake and Jordan. If there scoring improved they will have a chance to go farther then last season.

3.) Golden State Warriors

The Warriors made a trade last year that I feel made them a lot better in trading Monte Eillis and getting Andrew Bogout. When he comes back from injury you can pair him up with David Lee you have two real good guys on the glass. They still have Stephen Curry who is a real good scorer. With rookie Harison Barnes and Klay Thompson who is slowly turning into a star in the league. Things are finally looking up in Golden State.

4.) Sacramento Kings

I think a lot of people are down on this team but I like them. I don't think they are gonna win a lot of games but they are going to be fun to watch. They will put up a tone of points. They have a good young back court with Cousins, Thompson, and Tyreke Evans who is moved to small forward. I think this will look like the Kings of old with scoring and fun to watch. They just won't be winning as much but that will come soon.

5.) Phoenix Suns

The post Steve Nash error is starting in Phoenix. They will still be fun to watch with the players they have in Dragic, Beasley, Gortat, Scola, and Dudley. So they will still score and be fun to watch but they will miss the leadership of a Steve Nash and the play making ability.

Awards
MVP: LeBron James
ROY: Anthony Davis
Coach of the Year: Tom ThibodeauPlayoff

East
1.) Miami
2.)Boston
3.)Brooklyn
4.)Chicago
5.)New York
6.) Indiana
7.)Atlanta
8.) Philadelphia

West
1.)Lakers
2.)Thunder
3.)Spurs
4.)Clippers
5.)Grizzles
6.)Nuggets
7.)Mavs
8.) Wolves

WCF: Lakers Over Thunder
ECF: Heat Over Boston

I see The Lakers getting home court and taking the Thunder to 7 games and winning the west. I then see the Heat beating the Celtics in 5 games then we get our dream match up in the finals.
NBA FINALS: Lakers over Heat 6 Games
I think the size of the Lakers will be to much and I think Kobe will be able to put it away in a great NBA finals.

Raff

East

Atlantic

1st. Brooklyn Nets-

This team comes with a lot of hype and I think a lot of it is justified. They have a good mix of players on this team. They have the superstar in Deron Williams, great supporting players like Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, and Gerald Wallace, and nice young peices like Marshon "Kobe Lite" Brooks and Mirza Teletovic. You throw in solid role players like Andray Blatche, Kris Humphries, and CJ Watson this team is no joke. To me they are the best and most complete team in this division and can easily be the 2 seed in the East and I think that's where they end up.

2nd. Boston Celtics-

Boston was a game away from the finals last season and despite losing Ray Allen they have the pieces to make another run. Jason Terry will fit in nicely to Ray Allen's role and an underrated aspect of this team is Jeff Green. He's coming off heart surgery last year and was a really solid player. Draftwise they also did well getting Jared Sullinger a lot later then most people expected him to go. I don't think they have the team to knock off the heat but I think they are an elite group and should be able to make noise in the playoffs.

3rd. New York Knicks-

The Knicks think this is 2002 and decided to sign Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, and Marcus Camby in the offseason. They are the oldest team in the league by far but still a very talented one. I have them as the 3rd best team in this division but they'll still be a top 5 team in the eastern conference. Last year was an up and down year for the Knicks highlighted by the whole Jeremy Lin saga. The key to this team is Amare Stoudamire. If he doesn't play like the player he once was in Pheonix the Knicks have no shot at any type of success this year. He's already going to miss the first 6 weeks of the season and health has always been a concern with him but when he gets back he has to hit the ground running. They payed him superstar money and he has to play like it. We all know what Melo can do but getting some help around him will be the key. JR Smith returns to be the spark plug scorer off the bench and now they have Raymond Felton back to run the show. Felton was a joke last year but you talk to knicks fans you think this guys the savior. He was fat and out of shape in Portland and was bitching left and right. If he's going to be a starter he has to get himself back to form and if he does they should be fine at the PG position with J Kidd backing him up. With all this said, the Knicks will be back in the playoffs and the big question will be weather or not Melo can lead this team out of the first round.

4th. Philadelphia 76ers-

Philly got Andrew Bynum in the trade for Dwight Howard and even though they lost a big piece in Andre Igoudala it was a good move. Anytime you can get a big man with superstar potential like Bynum you have to do it. The one knock on Bynum is always his inability to stay healthy and if he misses a lot of time this season the 6ers will be in trouble. With him they are a fringe playoff team to me but without him they have no shot. They'll rely heavily on Jrue Holiday who has the makings of a big time player in this league. The thing I want to see most is Even Turner take a big step forward in his game. I always thought he would be better then his now and this is a big season for him.

5th. Toronto Raptors-

This team could and probably will be a lot better then people think but right now they don't have the talent to compete with the top teams in the league. I thought this past draft was big for them and at the 8th spot they decided to take Terrence Ross a big, athletic SG. I wasn't sold at the time but the more I thought about it I liked the pick. He's a big time shooter and I think he will push Demar Derozan to become a better player. Derozan is playing for a contract and with a young gun like Ross challenging him for playing time you could see the best from Derozan who always had a crazy amount of potential. At the same time, you could play Ross at SG and Derozan at SF together. Maybe the most important player on this team is rookie Jonas Valancunius. He has all the makings of a star big man and was drafted to be that guy. They took him at 5 in the 2011 draft and the Raptors have brought him over this year. I think he could play big minutes for them and he is the future of this team. The time is not now for the Raptors but could be in a couple of years.

Central

1st. Milwaukee Bucks- 
The surprise of my preview is the Bucks being first in 
this division. Most people don't like this team at all but I think they can put 
a nice season together with what they have. The backcourt of Brandon Jennings 
and Monte Ellis is lethal. I was once one of Jennings biggest fans but to me he 
just never improved his game. He has the ability to be an iverson type of player 
and this is the season to prove it. There frontcourt will be a lot better then 
people think. They drafted John Henson and he should be a great defender for
them. Ersan Illyasova is one of the most underrated players in the league and I 
think he has a big time year. The talent is here for the Bucks and to me they 
will turn a lot of heads.

2nd. Chicago Bulls- 
 This team had the best record in the regular season for the 
past two years but the main reason they did is out for a large chunk of the 
season. Without Derrick Rose this is still a playoff team though. They are a 
well coached group with players who know their role. Guys like Luol Deng and 
Joakim Noah are both underrated at their position and will be the leaders of 
this team. The way this team plays defense will keep them in games against the 
more talented teams. For the first few months without Rose the Bulls will be 
fine. The big question is can they regain their top record form when Rose 
returns?

3rd. Indiana Pacers-  
The Pacers just got some bad news as Danny Granger will be 
out indefinitely with knee soreness but I still think this team can survive 
without him as long as its nothing major. Gerald Green looks like a much 
improved player and I think he can fill in for Granger fine. This is a team that 
had some nice success last season and had the heat on the ropes in the playoffs. 
I do have them doing worse then last season but I still think they reach the 
postseason. I think a big key for this team is George Hill. He's going to have 
to be more of a scorer to me if the pacers are going to make any noise in the 
playoffs. 

4th. Cleveland Cavaliers- 
The big thing for the Cavs right now is they have 
their post Lebron superstar that they can build around. Kyrie Irving should be 
up in the elite category after this season and the Cavs should continue getting 
pieces to help him. They drafted Dion Waiters who seems to be getting a lot of 
hate lately because of a poor summer league and pre season but I think he's 
going to be a stud. To me he will be the best shooting guard to come out of this 
draft. He's a D wade lite and I really like the backcourt of him and Irving for 
the future. I think they missed the boat a little bit by taking Tristan Thompson 
over Jonas Valancunius in 2011 but so far so good for their rebuilding process. 
Obviously by my ranking of them i don't think they compete for a playoff spot 
this year but they arent an easy out for any team.

5th. Detroit Pistons- 
This is another team who is rebuilding and I like the 
direction they are going. They drafted Andre Drummond over the summer who is 
going to be a beast. To me he has just as much potential as Anthony Davis and to 
get him where they did is a steal. Greg Monroe is looking like he has the tools 
to become a star and Brandon Knight could be their future PG. They'll likely be 
a bottom feeder again but they have to keep getting pieces if they want to 
become a contender. They aren't in a position to instantly become a contender 
like the Knicks, Nets, or any of these big  markets and the best thing they can 
do is build through the draft like they are currently doing.

Southeast

1st. Miami Heat- 
It's pretty much a given that the heat are going to be the best 
team in this division and probably the east. I don't even know why I'm 
previewing this team since ESPN does enough coverage on them. To me this team 
will repeat as NBA champions. Wade will be 100 percent for this season and I 
think the big 3 are in their prime in terms of being comfortable playing 
together. I look forward to seeing how LeBron plays in the post this year since 
he's been working on sky hooks in his spare time. 

2nd. Washington Wizards- 
The knuckleheads are gone ( yeah you Javale McGee) and 
the wizards look pretty solid on paper. I need to see more from John Wall. Some 
scouts said this guys floor was Derrick Rose but right now he's nothing but a 
turnover prone athletic freak who can't shoot at all. Speaking of shooting 
rookie Bradley Beal should make an immediate impact. If Nene stays healthy( lol 
yeah ok) the Wizards could be really dangerous. 

3rd. Atlanta Hawks- 
Hawks look to be in rebuild mode and I think that's the 
right decision for them. They had a team that was always good but never great. 
They got rid of Joe Johnson's contract which is big for them. Right now they 
actually aren't a terrible team led by Josh Smith and Al Horford but they 
shouldn't be as goo as they've been in the past few seasons.

4th. Charlotee Bobcats-
 Bobcats are pretty much a mess right now. They have a 
bunch ofyoung guys who have potential but all of them bunched together on one team with 
no real veteran guidance is not good. I think a big improvement for them with be 
Bismack Biyombo. The potential is there for him to be a big shot blocker and 
rebounder. Kemba Walker is a bullet on the court and needs to take control of 
this team. Making good draft decisions has always been a problem for the Bobcats 
front office(nice Morrison pick Jordan). Their newest asset is Michael Kidd 
Gilchrist. To me he wont live up to his draft stock. He's a high energy guy who 
I'd want on my team any day but when your picking top 5 in the draft your 
looking for future franchise players. The Bobcats could be a headache of a team 
for opponents. They could keep a game close or lose by 50 any night. 

5th. Orlando Magic- 
They are a mess. Really not much else to say about them. 
They have to hope they cash in all their assets from the Dwight Howard trade.

West

Southwest

1st. Memphis Grizzlies-

I think this is the year for the Grizzlies. Rudy Gay will have an all star year, as will Marc Gasol, and the Grizzlies will be the top team in this divison. Mike Conley queitly had a good year last season and I think he has an even better one this season. The big test for them will be the playoffs. They aren't really battle tested as a whole and could be an upset victim if they aren't on top of their game.


2nd. San Antonio Spurs- 
the Spurs as usual surprised everyone last year with 
their regular season success. I have no doubts they will have a nice record this 
year again but do they have the talent to win in the playoffs? Tony Parker is 
great but does Tim Duncan have enough energy left in him to play at the high 
level he has to play at for the Spurs to succeed? Is Manu Ginobili going to be 
hampered by injuries again? Does Kawhi Leonard take a step
up or a step back this year? A lot of questions about this team.  

3rd. Dallas Mavericks-

With Dirk Nowitzki this team is a good one but not elite. 
They have a lot of solid talent around Dirk that wasn't here last year. OJ Mayo, 
Chris Kaman, and Elton Brand are 3 solid players who they picked up in the off 
season. OJ Mayo is a mystery to me. He has to skills to be a 20 ppg player and 
for whatever reason he wasn't used properly in Memphis. He gets his shot here 
and if he can't do work with them, specifically with the dirkless team that the 
Mavs will roll out for the first few weeks, then I will lose the faith I have in 
him. Theres always my boy Roddy Beaubois. He IS the greatest thing since sliced 
bread and the way Rick Carlisle uses him is a sin. Play this kid 30 minutes per 
game and he will produce.

4th. New Orleans Hornets-

They got their future franchise guy in Anthony Davis and now it's just about finding out who to put around him. Eric Gordon is going to have a huge year. I think one question mark is what they'll do with Austin Rivers. I think Rivers is best suited as a scorer off the bench and not as a PG like the Hornets have experimented with during the summer league and pre season.

5th. Houston Rockets-

Their man guy now is newly aquired James Harden and the big question is weather he can start and lead a team. I think he has the talent to but all around the Rockets are a work in progress.

Pacific

1st. Los Angeles Lakers-

It's hard to ignore the talent this team has right now. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol...they have hall of fame players all over the court and about the only knock you can have on them is the fact that it might take a while for them to gel. It will be interesting to see their rotation and how they mesh together but in all likelyhood the Lakers will be the top seed in the west.

2nd. Los Angeles Clippers-

This team looks good but the question is can they challenege the big guns of the west? They added some decent pieces in the offseason like Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, and Lamar Odom. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are a great 1-2 punch but I don't know if they can contend for a title with this current team because the Thunder and Lakers are so stacked.

3rd. Sacramento Kings-

The Kings could be a surprise team. I think Tyreke Evans will have his best year as a pro. He's playing for a new contract and that always gets guys motivated. Demarcus Cousins is turning into a star at the center spot and they have a bunch of other young but solid role players. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win around 40 games.

4th. Golden State Warriors-

If this team is healthy they could make noise. But when your main guys are Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut does anyone think they'll stay healthy? I like the other guys they have though. Klay Thompson has a ton of potential and could have a big sophomore season.

5th. Phoenix Suns-

The Suns don't look bad on paper but they don't look good either. Nash is gone and they brought Goran Dragic back to replace him. Dragic is good but anytime you replace a Steve Nash your probably downgrading. Michael Beasley is looking to find a new home and he could actually be this teams go to scorer. They could be a problem for a team on some nights but overall I don't think they have a great season.

Northwest

1st. Oklahoma City Thunder-

Even with the surprising move to trade James Harden the Thunder are still a top 2 team in the west. Kevin Martin will be a solid replacement for Harden and the combo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are good enough to lead this team back to the NBA finals.

2nd. Minnesota Timberwolves-

Had Ricky Rubio not gotten hurt last season I think the Wolves would've made the playoffs. It will be a rough start to the year without Rubio and Love but I think they have enough talent to get by. They might have the most underrated SG combo in the league right now. Nobody expects much of Brandon Roy coming out of his brief retirement and nobody outside Europe has heard of the name Alexey Shved but these two guys are gonna be big for this team. They also get a vet like Andrie Kirilenko who will help this team in Kevin Love's absense. Derrick Williams will also have to step up as well. The most important player in Love's absense will be the Montenagrian Bulldozer Nikola Pekovic. Pekovic will be the teams main inside scorer and should put up big time numbers in the first few weeks of the season. This team is deep enough to play .500 ball without Love and Rubio but once both of them are back in the lineup, hopefully around new years day, they'll be a force in the west.

3rd. Denver Nuggets-

The Nuggets are a fun team to watch and with a guy like Ty Lawson leading your fast breaks your a hard team to stop in transition. They'll be a playoff team this year and the addition of Andre Igoudala is huge for them. He's a big upgrade over Arron Afflalo to me and if they get good minutes out of Javale McGee and Kenneth Faried this will be a team to watch.

4th. Portand Trail Blazers-

Portland is in semi rebuild mode right now and they started off on the right foot by drafting Damian Lillard. Lillard is a future star and will be their PG for a long time. They have one of the best PF's in the game in Lamarcus Aldridge and if Nicolas Batum has a big year like he think he will they could be a surprise team.

5th. Utah Jazz-

I have the Jazz last in this divison but they are a solid team. I don't see them as a playoff team because I don't like their guardplay at all but they will cause problems for teams because they will have a great rotation of big men. I think Alec Burks is their SG of the future and he will show some good things this year.

Playoffs

1. Heat
2. Nets
3. Celtics
4. Knicks
5. Bucks
6. Bulls
7. Pacers 
8. Wizards 

West

1. Lakers
2. Thunder
3. Wolves
4. Grizzlies
5. Spurs
6. Clippers
7. Nuggets
8. Mavericks

East Finals- Heat over Nets
West finals- Lakers over Wolves

Finals- Heat over Lakers

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