Utah, Enjoying Ohio State, in Illinois
October 12, 2008Buckeyes Should be Wary of Spartans
October 13, 2008The Cleveland Cavaliers played their first preseason game at home on October 7th against the Toronto Raptors and their first regular season game is October 28th against the Celtics in Boston. That gives us a little under a month until the season is officially underway, and so we will use the next week or two previewing the NBA season making predictions that will surely not even be remotely close to coming true.
First up is the Western Conference, and next we look at the Pacific Division.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Players Lost:
-Ronny Turiaf , F(FA – Golden State)
Players Added:
-Joe Crawford, G (Draft)
-Sun Yue, G (Draft – 2007 pick)
-Josh Powell, F (FA – LA Clippers)
-Brandon Heath, G (FA)
-CJ Giles, F (FA)
Projected Lineup (Players with +Average PER last year in bold):
PG Derek Fisher (11.7 pts, 2.9 assists, 1.05 steals)
SG Kobe Bryant (28.3 pts, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists)
SF Lamar Odom (14.2 pts, 10.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists)
PF Pau Gasol (18.8 pts, 7.8 rebounds, 0.49 blocks)
C Andrew Bynum (13.1 pts, 10.2 rebounds, 2.06 blocks)
Bench:
Trevor Ariza, SF
Jordan Farmar, PG
Sasha Vujacic, SG
Vladimir Radmanovic, PF
Luke Walton, SF
Chris Mihm, C
Josh Powell, PF
Sun Yue, PG
Coby Karl, SG
Analysis:
The Lakers’ 2007-08 season, despite losing in the NBA Finals, was nothing short of outstanding. They were 57-25 and ranked 4th in scoring and 19th in points against. The injury to Andrew Bynum forced them to go out and do something, and so they swindled Pau Gasol off the Memphis Grizzlies. They rode Kobe Bryant and that lineup to the best record in the West and a trip to the Finals. The Lakers have several things going for them this season. They get Bynum back, along with Gasol, giving them a dynamic frontcourt. Bynum will provide more size and rebounding, is an ample offensive player, and he gives the Lakers a scary defensive presence that they lacked with just Gasol. However, there are also some questions for the Lakers. Can Kobe keep up his team-first MVP style of play? Will Bynum be truly healthy? Can Derek Fisher hold up? Will Odom handle being lost in the shuffle of better big men? Will there be a Finals hangover (similar to the one the Cavaliers experienced last season)? None the less, with the Warriors definitely being worse and the Suns facing a probable decline as well, the Lakers should be able to do pounce on the rest of the Pacific much like they did last season, going 12-4 in their division. With the return of Bynum, a truly great bench with depth at nearly every position, and a weaker division, the Lakers might actually be able to improve on their record from last season.
Projected Record: 59-23 (1st in the Western Conference)
Key Los Angeles Lakers Blogs:
The Lakers Nation
Lakers Blog
Forum Blue And Gold
SportsHubLA
Lakers Forum and News
LABallTalk
When the Cavaliers Play Them:
1. Mon, Jan 19th – Away – TNT
2. Sun, Feb 8th – Home – ABC
2. Phoenix Suns
Players Lost:
-Brian Skinner, C (FA – LA Clippers)
-Gordan Giricek. G (FA – Turkey)
-Sean Marks, F (FA – New Orleans)
-D.J. Strawberry, G (Trade – Houston)
Players Added:
-Robin Lopez, C (Draft)
-Goran Dragic, G (Draft)
-Matt Barnes, F (FA – Golden State)
-Louis Amundson, F (FA – Philadelphia)
-Sean Singletary, G (Trade – Houston)
Projected Lineup (Players with +Average PER last year in bold):
PG Steve Nash (16.9 pts, 11.1 assists, 0.65 steals)
SG Raja Bell (11.9 pts, 2.2 assists, 0.72 steals)
SF Grant Hill (13.1 pts, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists)
PF Amare Stoudemire (25.2 pts, 9.1 rebounds, 2.06 blocks)
C Shaquille O’Neal (12.9 pts, 10.6 rebounds, 1.21 blocks)
Bench:
Leandro Barbosa, SG
Matt Barnes, SF
Boris Diaw, PF
Robin Lopez, C
Goran Dragic, PG
Sean Singletary, PG
Alando Tucker, SF
Louis Amundson, PF
Analysis:
The Phoenix Suns are the living definition of the door of opportunity closing fast. This is a team that could be held together with duct tape this year. That being said, this team did still finish at 55-27 last year. They squeezed decent production out of Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal. They were 3rd in scoring but 25th in points against. This may be their last chance at glory, but it won’t be easy as they will have to break in a new coach in Terry Porter. They should still be able to score with anyone with Nash, Stoudemire, and Barbosa. After that, though, the questions begin to creep in. Can Grant Hill really play 70 games again? How much does Shaq really have left in the tank? How quickly can Robin Lopez really be ready to backup an again Shaq? This team is so thin, with Barbosa, Diaw, and Barnes being the only proven subs on the bench. Any team that has Nash and Stoudemire will still be able to make the playoffs, even in the West, but this year will be a big step back for the Suns.
Projected Record: 49-33 (7th in the Western Conference)
Key Phoenix Suns Blogs:
AZ Sports Hub
Bright Side Of The Sun
The Rising Suns
Sons Of Steve Nash
When the Cavaliers Play Them:
1. Wed, Feb 11th – Home – FSNOH
2. Thu, Mar 12th – Away – TNT
3. Golden State Warriors
Players Lost:
-Matt Barnes, F (FA – Phoenix)
-Baron Davis, G (FA – LA Clippers)
-Patrick O’Bryant, C (FA – Boston)
-Mickael Pietrus, G (FA – Orlando)
-Kosta Perovic (Waived)
Players Added:
-Anthony Randolph, F (Draft)
-Richard Hendrix, F (Draft)
-Dion Dowell, G (FA)
-Rob Kurz, F (FA)
-Corey Maggette, F (FA – LA Clippers)
-DeMarcus Nelson, G (FA)
-Ronny Turiaf, F (FA – LA Lakers)
-Dan Dickau, G (FA – LA Clippers)
-Justin Williams (FA)
-Marcus Williams, G (Trade – New Jersey)
Projected Lineup (Players with +Average PER last year in bold):
PG Monta Ellis (20.2 pts, 3.9 assists, 1.53 steals)
SG Stephen Jackson (20.1 pts, 4.1 assists, 1.26 steals)
SF Corey Maggette (22.1 pts, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists)
PF Al Harrington (13.6 pts, 5.4 rebounds, 0.2 blocks)
C Andris Biedrins (10.5 pts, 9.8 rebounds, 1.24 blocks)
Bench:
Ronny Turiaf, C
Kelenna Azubuike, SF
Marcus Williams, PG
Brendan Wright, PF
Marco Belinelli, SG
Anthony Randolph, SF
C.J. Watson, PG
Richard Hendrix, PF
Analysis:
If you like offense, Golden State is your team. Last year the Warriors led the entire NBA in scoring as they put up 111 points per game. When fully healthy and active, this team should still be able to score at will with 3 players who can legitimately average over 20 points a game in Ellis, Jackson, and Maggette. By adding Ronny Turiaf in the offseason, it will reduce the amount of time Al Harrington needs to spend playing center, a position he has never been comfortable filling in at. Brendan Wright is an exciting young player who will look to make the leap this year. The loss of Baron Davis cannot be underestimated, though. The loss of Monta Ellis to injury and the resulting 30 game suspension will really hurt this team, leaving them with only Marcus Williams as their serviceable point guard. The Warriors were 30th in defense last year, and that number seems unlikely to improve much. Maggette has never really thrived as a premiere scorer for teams that wish to win, and there’s no guarantee Stephen Jackson can replicate the season he had last year. With all the turmoil this team has been through in this offseason, a step backward seems highly likely.
Projected Record: 44-38 (10th in the Western Conference)
Key Golden State Warriors Blogs:
Golden State Of Mind
Inside The Warriors
Fast Break
Fear The Beard
Warriorsworld.net
When The Cavaliers Play Them:
1. Fri, Nov 28th – Home – FSNOH
2. Fri, Jan 23rd – Away – FSNOH
4. Sacramento Kings
Players Lost:
-Anthony Johnson, G (FA – Orlando)
-Lorenzen Wright, F (FA – Cleveland)
-Ron Artest, F (Trade – Houston)
-Sean Singletary, G (Trade – Houston)
-Patrick Ewing Jr, F (Trade – Houston)
-Shareef Abdur-Rahim, F (Retired)
Players Added:
-Jason Thompson, F (Draft)
-Bobby Brown, G (FA)
-Bobby Jackson, G (Trade – Houston)
-Donte Green, F (Trade – Houston)
Projected Lineup (Players with +Average PER last year in bold):
PG Beno Udrih (12.8 pts, 4.3 assists, 0.86 steals)
SG Kevin Martin (23.7 pts, 2.1 assists, 1.02 steals)
SF John Salmons (12.5 pts, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists)
PF Mikki Moore (8.5 pts, 6.0 rebounds, 0.56 blocks)
C Brad Miller (13.4 pts, 9.5 rebounds, 1.03 blocks)
Bench:
Francisco Garcia, SF
Bobby Jackson, PG
Spencer Hawes, C
Quincy Douby, SG
Kenny Thomas, PF
Shelden Williams, PF
Donte Green, SF
Jason Thompson, C
Bobby Brown, PG
Analysis:
The trade of Ron Artest was supposed to addition by subtraction, and maybe eventually it will be, but for this upcoming season, the Kings are in some trouble. Last year they were 8th in scoring and 24th in points against, but losing Bibby and Artest has completely changed the makeup of this team. Kevin Martin is a sensational player and one of the NBA’s most underrated stars. He’s a great piece to build around for the future, but this year those piece just aren’t there yet. Too many questions for this roster. Outside of Martin, where is the consistent scoring going to come from? Where are the rebounds? Where are the assists? Who’s going to play defense? Can a frontcourt of Mikki Moore and Brad Miller stand up to the rest of the Western Conference? If guys like Udrih, Salmons, and Garcia continue to develop, and if newcomers Jason Thompson and Donte Green can become above average solid NBA starters, this team could have a decent future, but this just does not look like a good team this year.
Projected Record: 31-51 (11th in the Western Conference)
Key Sacramento Kings Blogs:
Sactown Royalty
Sacramento Bee KingsBlog
When The Cavaliers Play Them:
1. Tue, Jan 27th – Home – FSNOH
2. Fri, Mar 13th – Away – FSNOH
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Players Lost:
-Elton Brand, F (FA – Philadelphia)
-Dan Dickau, G (FA – Golden State)
-Nick Fazekas, F (FA – Denver)
-Shaun Livingston, G (FA – Miami)
-Corey Maggette, F (FA – Golden State)
-Josh Powell (FA – LA Lakers)
-Smush Parker, G (FA – Denver)
-Quinton Ross, G (FA – Memphis)
-Brevin Knight, G (Trade – Utah)
-Jason Williams, G (Retired)
Players Added:
-Eric Gordon, G (Draft)
-DeAndre Jordan, C (Draft)
-Mike Taylor, G (Draft)
-Baron Davis, G (FA – Golden State)
-Ricky Davis, G (FA – Miami)
-Brian Skinner, F (FA – Phoenix)
-Dontell Jefferson (FA – D-League)
-Jelani McCoy (FA – D-League)
-David Noel (FA – D-League)
-Curtis Sumpter (FA – Europe)
-Marcus Camby, C (Trade – Denver)
-Jason Hart, G (Trade – Utah)
-Steve Novak, F (Trade – Houston)
Projected Lineup (Players with +Average PER last year in bold):
PG Baron Davis (21.8 pts, 7.6 assists, 2.3 steals)
SG Cuttino Mobley (12.8 pts, 2.6 assists, 1.01 steals)
SF Al Thornton (12.7 pts, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists)
PF Marcus Camby (9.1 pts, 13.1 rebounds, 3.6 blocks)
C Chris Kaman (15.7 pts, 12.7 rebounds, 2.77 blocks)
Bench:
Tim Thomas, PF
Ricky Davis, SF
Brian Skinner, C
Jason Hart, PG
Eric Gordon, SG
Steve Novak, PF
Mike Taylor, PG
DeAndre Jordan, C
Paul Davis, C
Analysis:
Boy, this just is not what the Clippers thought was going to happen this offseason. The idea was that Elton Brand would exercise his option to allow the Clippers the cap space to add Baron Davis and then re-sign Brand to create a powerful tandem in LA. Instead, Brand bolted for Philly in the middle of the night and the Clippers were left without much of a contingency plan. Corey Maggette bolted north for Golden State, and now there is not much meat left on this roster. Last year the Clippers were 29th in scoring and 18 in defense. The addition of Baron Davis is a really nice pickup, and perhaps Eric Gordon can become a plus scorer for the Clippers, but as of right now, the addition of Davis seems to be cancelled out by the losses of Maggette and Brand. Defensively, the Clippers could be better. Davis is an opportunistic defender, while Camby and Kaman will be a formidable frontcourt duo to score against. None the less, there was just too much roster turnover and far too many holes and lack of depth for this team to be any good this season.
Projected Record: 24-58 (13th in the Western Conference)
Key Los Angeles Clippers Blogs:
Clips Nation
ClipperBlog
SportsHubLA
When The Cavaliers Play Them:
1. Fri, Jan 30th – Home – FSNOH
2. Tue, Mar 10th – Away – FSNOH
Next up will be the Southwest Division.
Previous Previews:
WESTERN CONFERENCE