No way the Spurs are that low. They've been the best team in the league for nearly the past decade. It doesnt matter how old they are as long they have Duncan, Parker, & Ginobli then they are a force to be reckoned with. I agree that they might have lost a step but they are far from a push-over.
This is how I would rank the West. I personally think the Rockets will win the West, but I'll give the Lakers the top spot for now since they are the defending WC Champs I predict both teams will win 60(+) games this season.
1.) Lakers - Defending WC Champs and will have their trio for a full season and Bynum will be returning to the court as well.
2.) Rockets - We won 55 games last year with both of our stars missing a significant amount of games. We traded for Artest without giving up any key contributors and also brought Brent Barry who shoots lights from the 3 and proved to be a factor throughout his career in the playoffs and finals.
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#3 spot was tough
3.) Spurs - I have to go with the Spurs because of their experience but they need to add some quality depth at the backup G positions.
4.) Hornets - They had a magnificent season last year and added James Posey but they still need to find some good backups for West & Chandler because they have none. They dont have a backup PG either, unless your counting Mike James
No but seriously they are very very good.
5.) Pheonix - They will have a full year of Nash, Amare, & Shaq and still have solid role players around them. I like the addition of Barnes as well. Alot depends on how the players adapt to the new coach and system. Things could get ugly but I think they are way too talented to say their window of oppurtunity for a title has closed.
6.) Mavericks - Surprise Surprise !!! I know the Mavs fell off big time towards the end of the season last year. But I think will be better this season having Kidd running the show and chemistry building up. Avery didnt know how to utilize Kidd and thats amazing considering how he single handly turned the NJ franchise around. Especially with a new coach I'm not going to write off the window of oppurtunity for a championship just yet. (Although im sure most of their fans have)
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7.) Jazz - Of course come playoff time, the Jazz will be at the 5 spot but thats only because they will win their awful divison. They are not better than any of the teams listed above them. They have the same solid team the past couple of seasons with one of the greatest coaches of all time. I just dont see them ever going anywhere. Im expecting a 1st round exit for them this year. I'm calling it now.
Im gonna give the Jazz their own level because they arent good enough to win it all but they are still alot better then the teams I'll be listing below them
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This is where it gets tricky. I think 8-11 could be decided by just a couple of games.
8.) Golden State - Yes they lost Baron Davis but by retaining Ellis, Biendris, and signing Maggette. I still think they are going to be a good enough team to fight for the last spot.
9.) L.A. Clippers - They lost Brand and Maggette but still managed to put together a nice team by adding B-Diddy, Camby, and Ricky Davis.
10.) Portland - Its tough to put Portland here but like I said I think any of these 4 teams could get the last spot in the west but it will definatley be close. They are still a young team with a great core and a great coach. Lets see how effective Oden & Bayless can be. IMO, those two players are the x-factors for this team. If both players contribute consistently then will likely sneak in at 8. But I had to put them behind GS and LAC right now because they are so young.
11.) Nuggets - Its going to be a tough year for Denver imo. They gave away Camby and thats going to hurt. They are very thin at PF/C and still have no PG. And I think George Karl is a horrible coach for this team. But as long as they have Melo & AI im sure they will still manage to stay in the race for the final spot.
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12.) Sacramento Kings - They arent going to drop off that much despite losing Artest. They have a good young core and a great Coach. Plus there fans are unbelievable so I can see them winning a good share of their home games. And they are still one of those teams that will beat you if you underestimate them.
13.) Minnesota - I feel they messed up trading Mayo but thats over and done with. I dont see them improving drastically but a few of their young guys could step it up this year.
14.) OKC - I like this young team and I could see them improving marginally at best. To be honest I almost put them ahead of Minnesota.
15.) Grizzlies - They arent going anywhere. The Mayo trade was probably the best trade they've made in the franchise history. I could see them being worse this year unless Mayo has a huge rookie season ala Durant last year. Honestly with Miller gone theyre only scorer is Gay.
Ok now bash me away. But I took my time thinking this through as you can see and I think its pretty damn legit.