Previous previews

Western Con Southwest Division

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/27/1103031/western-conference-preview

Eastern Con Atlantic with playoffs

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/22/1096652/eastern-conference-preview

Eastern Con Central Division

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/16/1088307/eastern-conference-preview-central

Eastern Con Southwest Division Preview Link here:

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/12/1082607/eastern-conference-preview

Sacramento Kings

Prediction: 24-58 do not make the playoffs

Depth Chart

The Kings have some good pieces.  Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson are solid in the post.  Thompson, especially can be a great player.  He is very agile, a decent outside shot and 6’ 11” with long arms has the tools to become a very good player.  His skills still need honing but they’re there.  He played four years of college ball at Rider so there may not be much opportunity for improvement, but the more playing time he got last year the better he preformed.  He is paired with Hawes who is the Starter without a real center behind him.  He is a finesse center with a mean streak, if that makes sense.  I am not a big fan of his three point shooting, but his midrange game is handy on a team that now adds a slasher point guard and small forward in Tyreke Evans and Desmond Mason.

Neither Mason nor Evans are accomplished outside shooters, so opening up channels inside to drive will be important to the Kings’ success.  Hawes outside shooting will contribute to this as well as add a kick out option, especially for the new point guard, Evans.  I am glad that Evans will be giving the reigns as a rookie, especially on a team with no current playoff aspirations.  You might as well develop your talent in the beginning rather than put a more experienced player, who’ll help you in the short run.  Although, in this case, I am not sure the Beno Udrih is that much better of a player.

Francisco Garcia is out for quite awhile, and that’s unfortunate because he can shoot, handle the ball and is a smart player.  He is a solid role player and much different that Mason who takes his spot.  Mason will provide some defense, but most of his offense is opportunistic.  This should bode particularly well for this team with the new offensive philosophy based around the up-tempo, fast break game.  Of course, the main offensive weapon is Kevin Martin.  With an ugly release, but deadly results, a good handle and length to finish at the rim, Martin is one of the best scorers in the league.  He isn’t a superstar, and probably won’t be until he adds some other aspects to his game.  Right now he is just a scorer, but as this team develops he could be an important piece, but not the piece to get back to the playoffs

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Golden State Warriors

Prediction: 34-48 do not make the playoffs

Depth Chart

This team is super dysfunctional.  Three years ago they were the talk of the playoffs, the fans were back and the core was great.  The just missed out on the playoffs the next year and shortly after the heart of the team, Baron Davis was lost to free agency.  In his place Monta Ellis was to take over, but that never happened after a mo-ped injury.  The rabbit hole got deeper and other pieces started to rust and now it seems that total hell has broken loose.  Stephen Jackson wants a trade, and announced it publicly, Monta Ellis says he can’t play with Stephen Curry, Corey Maggette doesn’t like playing power forward and I am sure there are other issues that have yet to come to the surface.

I don’t like this team’s configuration.  Stephen Jackson needs to go, not only for the sake of ridding a cancer but to get Anthony Randolph into the starting lineup.  This guy is good.  His ball handling has improved, he’s an athletic freak, above average playmaker and the potential to be a dominant defender, especially as a small forward.  He has to play to get better, and his minutes crunch behind Maggette and Jackson doesn’t help his cause.  The other young player who needs time is Stephen Curry.  Why Monta says they can’t play together doesn’t have much weight.  I see, from a defensive standpoint, why there could be some problems, but offensively it seems like a good match.  Neither are natural point guards, but should be able to play off each other nicely.  Curry is a great shooter, and Ellis is a slasher/driver type, shouldn’t they be able to find each other?  That job comes down to Coach Nelson.  For a coach that has a lot of control it seems quite the contrary.  A lot of his players don’t seem to buy-in to what he’s selling, and chemistry-wise that is obviously very detrimental.

At the center position, Andris Biedrins quietly goes along as a very efficient hustle player with a nice touch.  He is very slight, but he uses it to his advantage as he slithers his way for rebounds and tips.  He has a surprising better touch around the basket than scouts give him credit for and despite is small frame he gets into the thick of things under the basket and on the floor.  He is tough, just not strong.  Ronny Turiaf provides more of the brawn under the basket.  He is shorter, but has long arms and good timing on blocks.  He is another one of those perfect role players for this squad once they decide to rebuild instead of treading along.  Curry, Randolph, Biedrins, and maybe if Ellis turns his attitude around could make a nice core.

LA Clippers

Prediction: 35-47 do not make the playoffs

Depth Chart

This team had a chance to make the playoffs before the season started, but now that Blake Griffin will miss about two months of his rookie year, it seems less likely.  Rookies need all the help they can get when they first start out.  Coming back into game shape will take a lot longer than the two months of injury recovery, and that will be against guys who are already in their midseason form.  Griffin is a good player though, so having him at all will be a boost, just maybe not the same boost they were looking for.  In the meantime, the Clippers are hoping that they can have a nice positive stretch, then reintegrate Griffin back onto a team as they hit their stride.

The positives are that the team is surprisingly deep.  Marcus Camby could become the starter at power forward with DeAndre Jordan able to back up the center spot.  Craig Smith is a good backup at power forward already.  Camby won’t provide the offense Griffin can, but this team isn’t looking for offense as much because of Eric Gordon, Baron Davis and Al Thornton. Camby just needs to provide defense, and make the shots when he has them.  Something he has done well over the last four years.  With Baron Davis losing weight, a better backup in Sebastian Telfair and the emergence of Eric Gordon as a go to scorer, the Clippers have a solid rotation in the backcourt.  While small, Rasual Butler will also spend some time there and is a good defender when necessary.  It is very important for Baron Davis and Telfair to distribute the ball early in the shot clocks.  Baron Davis has a bad habit of dribbling too much, then the team is left with a bad shot against the clock.  If Baron Davis gets it inside to Camby (an underrated passer) or Chris Kamen first, the offense will flow much better.  Kamen is a player who is a lot better than people think.  He puts up solid numbers; unfortunately his hair leaves something to be desired.

This team should also be able to run.  With Gordon and Thornton (an excellent finisher on the break and Davis or Telfair running the show, there should be plenty of easy baskets off the break.  If a lot of things go right, and Griffin gets back into the swing of things early off his injury, this team has a shot at the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns

Prediction: 37-45 7th seed playoffs

Depth Chart

The Suns will be better than last year.  They are going back to Nash’s signature style;  running, quick shots, leaving on the break.  This also means they are going to be poor on defense.  Steve Nash is awesome at most things, dribbling, passing, shooting, dancing, soccer, and charities to name a few.  One thing he isn’t good at, is defense.  Amare Stoudemire doesn’t even try to play defense.  This has been one of the biggest hindrances of the Suns the last 5 years in the playoffs.  Nash, at 35 isn’t going to magically start excelling at defense, but I do think that his attention to it, may be easier.  Last year they tried to fast break with Shaq brining up the rear (how did it taste, I wonder?).  Terry Porter got Shaq involved in the offense, but it hindered all the players around them to the extent of borderline depression.  There was no joy anymore.  The good news is that the joy is back, and Steve Nash is as happy as ever.  That will go along way.  The personnel has definitely gotten worse, but they’ll play above themselves in this system.

The starting lineup san Shaq returns with Channing Frye at center.  Frye is a good addition for this style of play.  He can hit the three, is much more agile than O’Neal was so the pick and roll, or more important pick and pop will be very effective. On the wings, Jason Richardson and Grant Hill will get the majority of minutes, and although Grant Hill no longer drinks Sprite, his legs are finally good to go and really, he hasn’t played as much basketball as his age suggests due to such injuries. He is still a solid veteran with a basketball IQ that can make up for his shortcomings in athleticism.  Jason Richardson has never seemed to fit in in Phoenix, but I think the refreshed Nash will help reinvigorate him.  When is the last time you’ve seen a highlight dunk of Richardson?  Feels like its been awhile.  Playing behind these two are Jared Dudley, and Leandro Barbosa, who is a blur with the ball, and despite an unorthodox release, is a good outside shooter. 

The Suns are a playoff team for one reason though, Steve Nash.  If he can find that magic of the three or four years ago teams, he will be one to be reckoned with on the offensive end. I would look for him to find his own shot this year and play a lot of two man games with Frye and Amare Stoudamire who will again try and stay healthy.  As Nash goes the Suns go.

LA Lakers

Prediction: 66-16 1st seed playoffs

Depth Chart

Returning champions don’t often take risks in acquiring new players, especially starters known for their volatility.  Ron Artest is better than Trevor Ariza, as long as he doesn’t disrupt team chemistry.  To his credit, Artest had a good stay in Houston with the Rockets, and they came dangerously close to beating the Lakers, even once Yao Ming went down.  As long as Artest plays his role as defender and fourth offensive option, the Lakers will have a better than good shot to repeat.

What else can you say about these guys.  Kobe Bryant got a bit older, but he’s still in his prime, and he has more help than he ever has.  Pau Gasol is in his prime, maybe he is a little worn down after the postseason and Eurobasket, but he’s been healthy.  Andrew Bynum is back to health, finally proclaiming he will be injury free for the entire year (to be honest his last injury was pretty unlucky). Derek Fisher is old, but his game is not predicated on athleticism.  Lamar Odom can play small forward, power forward and has totally bought into his sixth man role after resigning with the Lakers.

The Lakers also have the confidence and swagger from winning the finals.  It wasn’t a fluke, they were there the year before.  Even minor role players like Sasha Vujacic have confidence because of it.  And there is also one person on the Lakers that steps up more than expected.  Two years ago it was ‘Machine’ Vujacic, last year it was Trevor Ariza.  This year I think Adam Morrison will get a chance to play if Luke Walton gets hurt.  Morrison will find his shooting touch and provide what ‘Machine’ did two years ago.  There isn’t much not to like as a Laker fan.  They are playing to win again and know they are at the top.