1. Spurs -- reloaded with Gino & Barry, and Shaq is now in the East 2. TWolves -- will be even better with a year playing together under their belt 3. Kings -- health will be key again for them, but the Kings are solid 4. Memphis -- they still need to make a move on Swift or Dampier, but this team has too much depth 5. Denver -- they will make the same jump the Grizz did last season, with newly acquired K-Mart, the Nuggets still need more perimeter help, if Jon Barry doesn't re-sign 6. Rockets -- assuming T-Mac and Yao can co-exist, also the added element of Howard being another scorer in the post, when Yao gets tired 7. Lakers -- Kobe has a large task ahead of him, but he's always up to the challenge, they could move up if they land a quality big man 8. Jazz -- Considering they almost made the playoffs last year without the additions of Boozer, Okur, and a healthy Harpring
1)San Antonio Spurs 2)Sacramento Kings 3)Minnesota Timberwolves 4)Houston Rockets 5)Dallas Mavericks 6)Denver Nuggets 7)Phoenix Suns 8)Memphis Grizzlies
1. San Antonio Spurs 2. Minnesota Timberwolves 3. Sacramento Kings 4. Houston Rockets 5. Denver Nuggets 6. Memphis Grizzlies 7. Los Angeles Lakers 8. Portland Trailblazers EDIT: I originally had Dallas at #8, but I honestly don't think they'll even get that next year. They've been a top team up until this season, but they have not improved their defense and they lost their main guy that runs their offense. They also lost a very reliable bench player in Jamison, and now the Mavs can't rely on outscoring teams. Because of this, I don't think they'll even make the playoffs.
I love the west this year, and making a prediction right now is damn near impossible, pretty much every team with the exception of the clippers and warriors have a shot. 1. Spurs 2. Twolves 3. Kings 4. Rockets 5. Nuggets 6. Grizzlies 7. Lakers 8. Suns (they have the clippers and warriors in their division, plus the depleted lakers, this will get them in just barely over the mavs) Its hard to leave the Mavs out but i don't think theyll be able to do it without their point guard.
1. San Antonio 2. Minnesota 3. Sacramento 4. Houston 5. Denver 6. Los Angeles 7. Pheonix 8. Dallas Sorry Memphis fans, I just don't see you guys in the playoffs next year. Dallas will beat you in the standings by.. 1 game.
