Breaking down the Western Conference
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Tuesday, October 28
The West has always been wild but . . .this summer, things just flat out got out of hand.
It was as if Jerry Springer was hosting a Western Conference owners summit. First Jerry Buss lifts his shirt up. Then Gavin Maloof pimp slaps Mark Cuban. Soon the whole crowd is chanting "Jerry! Jerry!" Checks are flying, all-stars are being shipped around the country and David Stern's 10 seconds away from unsealing the launch codes.
Blame it, like you blame everything else, on the Los Angeles Lakers. Hell bent on taking over the NBA, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak went out and added not one, but two Hall of Famers.
Not to be outdone, T-Wolves GM Kevin McHale struck next. A trade for Sam Cassell, a blockbuster to net him Latrell Sprewell and a free-agent signing of Michael Olowokandi super-sized the fledgling T-Wolves overnight.
Meanwhile in San Antonio, Spurs GM R.C. Buford was trying his best to woo Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal and Elton Brand to his already dominant Spurs. When his efforts failed, Buford signed Rasho Nesterovic to replace David Robinson and Robert Horry, and then traded for Hedo Turkoglu and Ron Mercer.
The Kings need Vlade Divac, left, and Chris Webber to be healthy come playoff time.
The Maloof brothers would have none of that. Before the summer started, the Kings had the deepest team in the NBA and arguably the most talented starting five. Now they were looking like a distant fourth to the Lakers, Spurs and Wolves. With one wave of the wand, the Kings forked out some serious cash to bring one of the few all-star-caliber centers in the East, Brad Miller, as insurance should Vlade Divac finally wear out. An all-star for insurance?
Enter Mark Cuban. Never one to let the spotlight settle on someone else for long, he engineered two blockbuster trades that have made the Mavericks the most potent offensive weapon in the past few decades. First he parleyed Nick Van Exel into Antawn Jamison. Then he got rid of Raef LaFrentz and added Antoine Walker to the mix.
Pick your poison.
Shaq-Kobe-Payton-Malone in Los Angeles.
Nowitzki-Nash-Finley-Walker-Jamison in Dallas.
Garnett-Sprewell-Cassell-Szczerbiak-Olowokandi in Minnesota.
Webber-Stojakovic-Bibby-Divac-Miller and Christie in Sacramento.
Duncan-Parker-Nesterovic-Ginobili-Turkoglu-Mercer-Horry in San Antonio.
The gauntlet has been dropped. The war or words and signings are over. Five NBA dream teams will suit it up in the Wild, Wild West. One of them will lose in the first round of the playoffs.
Welcome to the super-sized Western Conference. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Also see: Eastern Conference Preview
1. Dallas Mavericks
Projected Record: 62-20
2003 Record: 60-22 (No. 2)
The Mavs No. 1? Why not. The team that Nellie built may not survive in the grind-it-out playoff format the NBA has adopted. But over an 82-game regular season? You try keeping up with them. The Mavs now have depth, speed, athleticism and the most potent offensive quintet the NBA may have ever seen. All five guys are capable of dropping 30 on a given night. Sure they lack defense and toughness. Go ahead, try and guard them. Expect the Mavs to run away with the best regular-season record. Whether their engine stalls come playoff time is a question only time will answer.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Record: 60-22
2003 Record: 50-32 (No. 5)
Kobe's in trouble. Shaq's complaining. The Mailman is yearing for the quiet comforts of Utah. The Glove . . . he feels right at home. The regular season hasn't even begun and the Lakers are just as much of a mess as they were when they imploded last season. Phil Jackson may not be the best coach in the NBA, but he's the best at meddling egos together. The may start out slow, but if Kobe can stay out of jail all season, the Lakers will roll all the way to the Finals.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Projected Record: 58-24
2003 Record: 60-22 (No. 1)
In a conference where it seems like more is more, the Spurs still rely on a refreshingly different type of basketball. Their philosophy is simple. Give the ball to Tim Duncan and get out of the way. The Spurs stayed to true to their core values this summer. They added four talented players to the team, but got no one who would eclipse Duncan's shadow. They're deeper than they were last season and arguably more talented. But considering that it will take awhile for this team to mesh and given the stiffer competition, they may lose just a step trying to repeat as champs.
4. Sacramento Kings
Projected Record: 56-26
2003 Record: 59-23 (No. 3)
The window in Sacramento hasn't already closed. . . but it's close. Serious injuries in the playoffs to Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber have derailed the Kings championship train. However, for my money, there still isn't a better starting five in basketball than the Kings. They may not have the talent or name recognition of the Lakers, Mavs or TWolves. But, they play seamlessly together. If they can stay healthy (a big if given their history) they can beat anyone.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected Record:55-27
2003 Record: 51-31 (No. 4)
You'd think all of Kevin McHale's maneuvering would earn him an upgrade, not a downgrade in this year's preseason rankings. While it's likely that the T-Wolves will win more games than at any other time in team history, they are also facing the stiffest competition ever for a title. The talent is all there, but how will this team mesh together? The Mavs, Spurs and Lakers all have chemistry issues as well. But no team (with the possible exception of the Blazers) has more players with black marks on their permanent record. If they start winning early, they're as dangerous as any of the other top four. If the stumble out of the gates, call in the riot squad.
6. Phoenix Suns
Projected Record: 48-34
2003 Record: 44-38 (No. 8)
The Suns stunned everyone in the league last season with an amazing performance. It was due, in large part, to the breakout season of Amare Stoudemire and a career year for Stephon Marbury. Now the Suns, arguably the best young team in the NBA, are a year older and a new kid, Joe Johnson, looks like he's ready to turn the corner. If they stay hungry, they'll stay dangerous. If they try to sit back and rest on last season's accolades, they'll fall right out of the playoffs. There is little margin for error here.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Projected Record: 45-37
2003 Record: 50-32 (No. 6)
The Blazers are still a mess, but it's still a talented mess. The emergence of Zach Randolph should be just enough to make up for the costly losses of Arvydas Sabonins and Scottie Pippen this summer.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Record: 43-39
2003 Record: 28-54 (No. 12)
The last seed is really a tossup between the Grizz and the Rockets. The Rockets appeared all summer to have the inside track, but I'm not so sure anymore. With a year of Hubie 101 under their belts, the Grizzlies are running like a well oiled machine. The additions of Mike Miller and James Posey and the maturation of Pau Gasol and Stromile Swift should give the Grizzlies their best and deepest team ever.
9. Houston Rockets
Projected Record: 42-40
2003 Record: 43-39 (No. 9)
The Rockets may very well beat out the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot. The question is, how long will it take for Steve Francis and the rest of the team to adapt to Jeff Van Gundy's inside-out approach? Francis is slowly coming around, but the team still feels a little out of synch right now. The problems with Eddie Griffin, and numerous injury concerns, also pose a problem. If everything comes together, the Rockets will challenge the Blazers for a seventh seed. If the team can't quite find its beat in year one with Van Gundy, a ninth seed seems just about right.
10. Seattle Super Sonics
Projected Record:37-45
2003 Record: 40-42 (No. 10)
If everyone is healthy, the Sonics will rival the Mavs for the best perimeter shooting team in the league. But so far, everyone is far from healthy. First-round pick Nick Collison (who many felt would win the starting power forward job) is out for the season. Ray Allen's ankle is hurting, meaning he's out indefinitely. And Jerome James, who was supposed to be the team's starting center, has already been demoted. If this keeps up, the Sonics could be in a free fall. But right now, 37 wins feels about right.
11. Denver Nuggets
Projected Record:32-50
2003 Record: 17-65 (No. 14)
They added the Rookie of the Year, one of the best young point guards in the league and a couple of veteran shooters. Put them together with an improving Nene, Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rodney White and the Nuggets will surprise a lot of people this season. If Marcus Camby could stay healthy all year, they could make a run at the playoffs. Instead a 15-game improvement will have to do.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Record: 30-52
2001 Record: 27-55 (No. 13)
Want to know why Donald Sterling hates to spend money? The $120 million he just spent to lock up Elton Brand and Corey Maggette should earn him roughly three extra wins this season.
13. Golden State Warriors
Projected Record: 28-54
2003 Record: 38-44 (No. 11)
If Nick Van Exel stays healthy and motivated . . . if Jason Richardson decides to play a little "D" . . . if Mike Dunleavy doesn't give up 35 points a night . . . if Troy Murphy stays healthy . . . and if Erick Dampier plus Adonal Foyle equals one real center, the Warriors may equal their 38-win total from last season. If they don't? Welcome home Golden State. Welcome home.
14. Utah Jazz
Projected Record:18-64
2002 Record:47-35 (No. 7)
If the Jazz actually lose 64 games this season, there's a good chance that Jerry Sloan will be standing trial for homicide at some point before the season ends. Given the talent he has to work with, there isn't a jury in the world that would convict him.
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By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Tuesday, October 28
The West has always been wild but . . .this summer, things just flat out got out of hand.
It was as if Jerry Springer was hosting a Western Conference owners summit. First Jerry Buss lifts his shirt up. Then Gavin Maloof pimp slaps Mark Cuban. Soon the whole crowd is chanting "Jerry! Jerry!" Checks are flying, all-stars are being shipped around the country and David Stern's 10 seconds away from unsealing the launch codes.
Blame it, like you blame everything else, on the Los Angeles Lakers. Hell bent on taking over the NBA, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak went out and added not one, but two Hall of Famers.
Not to be outdone, T-Wolves GM Kevin McHale struck next. A trade for Sam Cassell, a blockbuster to net him Latrell Sprewell and a free-agent signing of Michael Olowokandi super-sized the fledgling T-Wolves overnight.
Meanwhile in San Antonio, Spurs GM R.C. Buford was trying his best to woo Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal and Elton Brand to his already dominant Spurs. When his efforts failed, Buford signed Rasho Nesterovic to replace David Robinson and Robert Horry, and then traded for Hedo Turkoglu and Ron Mercer.
The Kings need Vlade Divac, left, and Chris Webber to be healthy come playoff time.
The Maloof brothers would have none of that. Before the summer started, the Kings had the deepest team in the NBA and arguably the most talented starting five. Now they were looking like a distant fourth to the Lakers, Spurs and Wolves. With one wave of the wand, the Kings forked out some serious cash to bring one of the few all-star-caliber centers in the East, Brad Miller, as insurance should Vlade Divac finally wear out. An all-star for insurance?
Enter Mark Cuban. Never one to let the spotlight settle on someone else for long, he engineered two blockbuster trades that have made the Mavericks the most potent offensive weapon in the past few decades. First he parleyed Nick Van Exel into Antawn Jamison. Then he got rid of Raef LaFrentz and added Antoine Walker to the mix.
Pick your poison.
Shaq-Kobe-Payton-Malone in Los Angeles.
Nowitzki-Nash-Finley-Walker-Jamison in Dallas.
Garnett-Sprewell-Cassell-Szczerbiak-Olowokandi in Minnesota.
Webber-Stojakovic-Bibby-Divac-Miller and Christie in Sacramento.
Duncan-Parker-Nesterovic-Ginobili-Turkoglu-Mercer-Horry in San Antonio.
The gauntlet has been dropped. The war or words and signings are over. Five NBA dream teams will suit it up in the Wild, Wild West. One of them will lose in the first round of the playoffs.
Welcome to the super-sized Western Conference. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Also see: Eastern Conference Preview
1. Dallas Mavericks
Projected Record: 62-20
2003 Record: 60-22 (No. 2)
The Mavs No. 1? Why not. The team that Nellie built may not survive in the grind-it-out playoff format the NBA has adopted. But over an 82-game regular season? You try keeping up with them. The Mavs now have depth, speed, athleticism and the most potent offensive quintet the NBA may have ever seen. All five guys are capable of dropping 30 on a given night. Sure they lack defense and toughness. Go ahead, try and guard them. Expect the Mavs to run away with the best regular-season record. Whether their engine stalls come playoff time is a question only time will answer.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Record: 60-22
2003 Record: 50-32 (No. 5)
Kobe's in trouble. Shaq's complaining. The Mailman is yearing for the quiet comforts of Utah. The Glove . . . he feels right at home. The regular season hasn't even begun and the Lakers are just as much of a mess as they were when they imploded last season. Phil Jackson may not be the best coach in the NBA, but he's the best at meddling egos together. The may start out slow, but if Kobe can stay out of jail all season, the Lakers will roll all the way to the Finals.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Projected Record: 58-24
2003 Record: 60-22 (No. 1)
In a conference where it seems like more is more, the Spurs still rely on a refreshingly different type of basketball. Their philosophy is simple. Give the ball to Tim Duncan and get out of the way. The Spurs stayed to true to their core values this summer. They added four talented players to the team, but got no one who would eclipse Duncan's shadow. They're deeper than they were last season and arguably more talented. But considering that it will take awhile for this team to mesh and given the stiffer competition, they may lose just a step trying to repeat as champs.
4. Sacramento Kings
Projected Record: 56-26
2003 Record: 59-23 (No. 3)
The window in Sacramento hasn't already closed. . . but it's close. Serious injuries in the playoffs to Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber have derailed the Kings championship train. However, for my money, there still isn't a better starting five in basketball than the Kings. They may not have the talent or name recognition of the Lakers, Mavs or TWolves. But, they play seamlessly together. If they can stay healthy (a big if given their history) they can beat anyone.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected Record:55-27
2003 Record: 51-31 (No. 4)
You'd think all of Kevin McHale's maneuvering would earn him an upgrade, not a downgrade in this year's preseason rankings. While it's likely that the T-Wolves will win more games than at any other time in team history, they are also facing the stiffest competition ever for a title. The talent is all there, but how will this team mesh together? The Mavs, Spurs and Lakers all have chemistry issues as well. But no team (with the possible exception of the Blazers) has more players with black marks on their permanent record. If they start winning early, they're as dangerous as any of the other top four. If the stumble out of the gates, call in the riot squad.
6. Phoenix Suns
Projected Record: 48-34
2003 Record: 44-38 (No. 8)
The Suns stunned everyone in the league last season with an amazing performance. It was due, in large part, to the breakout season of Amare Stoudemire and a career year for Stephon Marbury. Now the Suns, arguably the best young team in the NBA, are a year older and a new kid, Joe Johnson, looks like he's ready to turn the corner. If they stay hungry, they'll stay dangerous. If they try to sit back and rest on last season's accolades, they'll fall right out of the playoffs. There is little margin for error here.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Projected Record: 45-37
2003 Record: 50-32 (No. 6)
The Blazers are still a mess, but it's still a talented mess. The emergence of Zach Randolph should be just enough to make up for the costly losses of Arvydas Sabonins and Scottie Pippen this summer.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Record: 43-39
2003 Record: 28-54 (No. 12)
The last seed is really a tossup between the Grizz and the Rockets. The Rockets appeared all summer to have the inside track, but I'm not so sure anymore. With a year of Hubie 101 under their belts, the Grizzlies are running like a well oiled machine. The additions of Mike Miller and James Posey and the maturation of Pau Gasol and Stromile Swift should give the Grizzlies their best and deepest team ever.
9. Houston Rockets
Projected Record: 42-40
2003 Record: 43-39 (No. 9)
The Rockets may very well beat out the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot. The question is, how long will it take for Steve Francis and the rest of the team to adapt to Jeff Van Gundy's inside-out approach? Francis is slowly coming around, but the team still feels a little out of synch right now. The problems with Eddie Griffin, and numerous injury concerns, also pose a problem. If everything comes together, the Rockets will challenge the Blazers for a seventh seed. If the team can't quite find its beat in year one with Van Gundy, a ninth seed seems just about right.
10. Seattle Super Sonics
Projected Record:37-45
2003 Record: 40-42 (No. 10)
If everyone is healthy, the Sonics will rival the Mavs for the best perimeter shooting team in the league. But so far, everyone is far from healthy. First-round pick Nick Collison (who many felt would win the starting power forward job) is out for the season. Ray Allen's ankle is hurting, meaning he's out indefinitely. And Jerome James, who was supposed to be the team's starting center, has already been demoted. If this keeps up, the Sonics could be in a free fall. But right now, 37 wins feels about right.
11. Denver Nuggets
Projected Record:32-50
2003 Record: 17-65 (No. 14)
They added the Rookie of the Year, one of the best young point guards in the league and a couple of veteran shooters. Put them together with an improving Nene, Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rodney White and the Nuggets will surprise a lot of people this season. If Marcus Camby could stay healthy all year, they could make a run at the playoffs. Instead a 15-game improvement will have to do.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Record: 30-52
2001 Record: 27-55 (No. 13)
Want to know why Donald Sterling hates to spend money? The $120 million he just spent to lock up Elton Brand and Corey Maggette should earn him roughly three extra wins this season.
13. Golden State Warriors
Projected Record: 28-54
2003 Record: 38-44 (No. 11)
If Nick Van Exel stays healthy and motivated . . . if Jason Richardson decides to play a little "D" . . . if Mike Dunleavy doesn't give up 35 points a night . . . if Troy Murphy stays healthy . . . and if Erick Dampier plus Adonal Foyle equals one real center, the Warriors may equal their 38-win total from last season. If they don't? Welcome home Golden State. Welcome home.
14. Utah Jazz
Projected Record:18-64
2002 Record:47-35 (No. 7)
If the Jazz actually lose 64 games this season, there's a good chance that Jerry Sloan will be standing trial for homicide at some point before the season ends. Given the talent he has to work with, there isn't a jury in the world that would convict him.
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