Review of the West (Part II)

[arthurracoon]

Now that Minny got Spree, Areneas went to the east, and Kobe screwed his team, lets review:

1. Spurs - same

2. Kings - same

3. Dal - move to #3 if Kobe goes to jail

4. LA - They looked like the championship winner until Kobe screwed it up. If he goes to jail, the lakers are going down. Minny might move into 4th.

5. T-Wolves - Cassell, Spree, Wally, KG, Kandi Man. 'nuff said.

6. Suns - same, now have no chance af cracking the top 5 unless one in the top 5 implode (Lakers).

7. Jail-Blazers (might have to give the nickname to the Lakers ) - same

8 - Rockets - same

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9. Nuggets - just wait, in a few years - scary

10. Jazz - no areanes

11 and 12. Grizz and Clips - same

 

[elindholm]

1. Los Angeles Lakers. The "distractions" and "chemistry problems" are just to give the media something to talk about. They'll be fine.

2. San Antonio. The new additions will be anxious to show that they can fill the holes.

3. Minnesota. They've added a lot of talent, and Garnett will be as inspired as ever.

4. Sacramento. How long is Webber out? The Kings have blown golden opportunities in each of the last two seasons, and with Webber starting to show some age, they have to believe their best chances are already behind them.

5. Dallas. They couldn't land any marquis free agents and won't have the same enthusiasm this year.

6. Portland. Both Randolph and Woods will make big contributions this year. Bad chemistry has never stopped them in the regular season before; why should it now?

7. Phoenix. A week ago I had Houston above the Suns, but that was before getting a sense of what Cabarkapa can do. I think he'll help.

8. Houston. They missed the playoffs by only a single game last season; with Utah heading for the lottery, the Rockets are the logical beneficiary.

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9. Los Angeles Clippers. With most of their contract issues resolved, they'll be better, but it won't be quite enough.

10. Utah. They'll add enough new talent to continue to be respectable.

11. Memphis. If anyone sees Jerry West make any brilliant moves for this franchise, let me know.

12. Golden State. Let's see how they do when they don't have a hot young point guard playing for a contract.

13. Seattle. When Rashard Lewis is your second-best player, that's not a good sign.

14. Denver. They still have a long way to go.

 

[fordronken]

Don't forget that if Kerr re-signs, then the Spurs will have Kerr and Horry. Remember how long it's been since one of these guys didn't win a championship?

 

[elindholm]

Don't forget that if Kerr re-signs, then the Spurs will have Kerr and Horry. Remember how long it's been since one of these guys didn't win a championship?

Heh!

But they've never won the title in the same year, either. So something has to give.

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by elindholm
Heh!

But they've never won the title in the same year, either. So something has to give.

Maybe they'll try to push Kerr into retirement to cement their chances.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think most people are underestimating Seattle. They were something like 20-12 after they traded Gary Payton. Over an 82 game season it translates to 51 wins. I'm not saying they're going to win 51 games, but I do think they will be in the race for one of those last two or three playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Joe Mama

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I think most people are underestimating Seattle. They were something like 20-12 after they traded Gary Payton. Over an 82 game season it translates to 51 wins. I'm not saying they're going to win 51 games, but I do think they will be in the race for one of those last two or three playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Joe Mama

forgot about them


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what happens if Kobe goes to jail?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

#1 Lakers.

This is all about Shaq. If Shaq is not healthy or in shape then no ring for Malone and Payton. When Kobe leaves, he will find out just how lucky he was to play with the big fella.

#2 Sacramento

I put them here but I don't really buy it. Webber always breaks down. Bibby is strictly average. Vlade is getting older. Doug Christie could be killed by his wife anyday now for looking at the Swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated.

#3 San Antonio

They move above Sacramento if they resign Jackson...otherwise I think they have taken a step back.

#4 Phoenix Suns

Yes above Minnesota. These Suns pushed the NBA Champs harder than any other team in the playoffs. Give me a healthy Marbury, a more experienced Amare, a confident JJ, and a bench that can actually score and I give you home court advantage.

#5 Dallas

Can still score and are still soft. Everyone else is improving and they are standing still.

#6 Minnesota

Added a bunch of attitude problems. This is the team that will implode, not the Lakers

#7 Portland

Too stoned to care.

#8 Seattle

Steve Francis is everything everyone accuses Marbury of. Seattle gets in by playing the team ball that Francis can't understand. Francis is traded after this year.

 

[cly2tw]

The Suns biggest problem last year was that they had only one real one-on-one scorer in Steph who wasn't even 100%. So, their hope this year lies in Steph's health and Penny's sustained health. With the right treatment Penny got last year, he has now more than one year with two extended breaks to be playing on better knees this season. If he rediscovers his one-on-one ability, if Amare progresses adequately as expected, and since now Zarko seems to be a good such scorer against opposing team's second unit, I see good things happening for us.

 

[Joe Mama]

ESPN Insider's Chad Ford has the following to say about the Phoenix Suns...

The Best of the Rest: The top five are clear, after that everything is going to be up for grabs in the West. The Suns appear poised to take another step and should be able to grab the sixth seed in the West. Amare Stoudemire will only get better and the Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion make them the young team to watch in the West.