We are predicting more of the same, Kobe and the Lakers win the 2010-2011 NBA ChampionshipThe Los Angeles Lakers (56-26) finished first in the Pacific Dvision and first in the Western Conference. In the postseason, they made it to the NBA Finals where they beat their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics, four games to three. It was a very good year for this team that is talented, skilled and well coached.
We like most are drinking the Oklahoma City Kool Aid and expect them to be the #3 seed in the West this seasonIf you’re looking for a team that’s moving up, it’s the Thunder of Oklahoma City (50-32). Last season, they were fourth in the Northwest and eighth in the Western Division. That number eight seed allowed them to meet the number one seed Los Angeles Lakers in round one of the playoffs. They lost that series four games to two. But the team had made major progress from the year before when they went 23-59, finishing 13th in the West.
Lead by 37 year old Jason Kidd the Mavs are starting to get a little long in the tooth, but are good enough to make the playoffs and give it one last run before reloading around DirkLast year, the Dallas Mavericks (55-27) finished first in the Southwest and second in the West Division. Dallas beat San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs and then they were eliminated in round two by the Denver Nuggets. It was, once again, another disappointing end to the postseason for Dallas. This season, the Mavs will continue to be competitive in the West.
Some think the Spurs are old and done, with some better luck with injuries and the development of Hill and Blair San Antonio is a title contender once again.The Spurs of San Antonio (50-32) ended the regular season second in the Southwest and seventh in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, San Antonio beat Dallas four games to two, but in round two Phoenix took the Spurs out in four. That was the end to what had been an up and down regular season and a postseason showing that was disappointing.
Everyone is touting Oklahoma City as the next power of the West, but we see the Blazers as that teamThe Portland Trailblazers (50-32) were third in the NBA’s Northwest Division and sixth in the Western Conference last year. Their playoff run was a short sprint as they met the Phoenix Suns, losing to them four games to two. This season, the Blazers could be the dominant team in their divison if they do one thing differently from last year—stay healthy.
If Yao could just stay healthy the Rockets could be one hell of a team for the West to deal withThe Houston Rockets (42-40) had a tough year last season as they finished ninth in the West and third in the Southwest Division. This year with a strong cast of supporting players and a healthy Yao Ming, the Rockets will be back in the playoff mix again.
Its not a matter of if but when the Nuggets trade Carmelo AnthonyLast season, the Denver Nuggets (53-29) took the Northwest Division and earned fourth seed in the Western Conference. But despite their solid division showing, they were out of the NBA playoffs after the first round, losing to Utah in six games. Chances are the Nuggets will be playoff bound again, but how high will they finish and how good of a postseason team will they be?
Kevin Love is a good building block but he is about all Wolves fans have to be excited aboutThere have been times when people have felt that the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-17) were about to break through and get to the next level. Last year, in which the Wolves finished last in the Northwest Division and last in the Western Conference, was not one of those years. This season, you should expect more of the same from this franchise in distress.
Pairing Evans up with newcomer DeMarcus Cousins puts the Kings on the right path, but dont expect changes overnightThe Sacramento Kings (25-57) were never in the mix last season as they finished fifth in the Pacific Division and 14th in the Western Conference. However, their record belies just how interesting this team was in 2009-2010. Overall, the Kings showed some marked improvement, offered us an exciting rookie and hosted an exciting comeback. This year, the club should show more improvement due to the addition of more young talent.