duncan228
10-01-2008, 01:55 PM
Will the West rise again? (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081001/OPINION03/810010325/1004)
Chris McCosky
The West still is the best conference in the NBA and not even the most ardent fan of the East would debate that. But the gap doesn't seem as wide this season compared to past seasons. It makes you wonder if the end of the West's reign is near?
• The Spurs looked tired late last season.
• Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash are probably making their last run with the Suns.
• The Jazz could conceivably lose two of their stars after this season.
• The Mavericks are going to make one more stand with Jason Kidd.
• The Nuggets and Warriors, once considered up-and-coming contenders, have taken major steps backwards.
Still, with the Lakers and Hornets looking strong, the star power of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Deron Williams, Tim Duncan, and talented young blood like Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden and others, maybe it's best not bury the West just yet.
Last week, I revealed my preseason rankings in the East. Here is the West:
Contenders
• 1. Lakers: Having Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum together for a full season takes them up a notch, and if Lamar Odom can adapt to playing small forward, that's a pretty formidable frontcourt.
• 2. Mavericks: I think Rick Carlisle is going to get them back on track. He'll let Jason Kidd run the offense, making life easier for Dirk Nowitzki , Jerry Stackhouse and the crew.
• 3. Hornets: Love Chris Paul and David West , but the worry still is the lack of depth. James Posey and Mike James are their two best reserves, but the frontcourt behind Tyson Chandler and West is paper thin.
• 4. Rockets: Adding Ron Artest will either help or kill them, depending on which way his mood swings. But the main worry always is the health of both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming .
• 5. Jazz: The concern is Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur could both opt out and leave after this season. That could be a motivator or chemistry-killing distraction.
• 6. Trail Blazers: All eyes will be on Greg Oden , who finally makes his NBA debut. If Nate McMillan can fit all his talented pieces together and find the right pace and style of play (can they run with Oden?), the Blazers will be a serious force.
• 7. Spurs: They looked by the end of last season like a former champion who'd taken their final punch. Do Tim Duncan , Manu Ginobili , Tony Parker and Bruce Bowen have one more run in them? They do win every other year.
• 8. Suns: Speaking of aging teams, new coach Terry Porter will try to squeeze one more run out of Shaquille O'Neal , Steve Nash and Grant Hill . Having a seemingly healthy Amare Stoudemire will help.
Pretenders
• 9. Nuggets: With Marcus Camby gone, the league's worst defense got worse. What's left is a trio of gunslingers (Allen Iverson , Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith ). By the trade deadline, George Karl could be fired and Iverson or Anthony (maybe both) could be traded.
• 10. Clippers: A lineup featuring Baron Davis , Al Thornton , Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman is intriguing. If Davis stays healthy and focused, this team may surprise.
• 11. Warriors: Losing Monta Ellis to injury was a killing blow, leaving them with an undisciplined group (Corey Maggette , Al Harrington , Stephen Jackson ) led by an unproven point guard, Marcus Williams .
Lottery lane
• 12. Timberwolves: Al Jefferson is a 20-point, 10-rebound talent, and now, with the additions of Mike Miller and rookie Kevin Love , not to mention Randy Foye , they finally have a foundation.
• 13. Grizzlies: This team, this franchise has been so bland, so boring, you wonder if even a dynamic talent like O.J. Mayo can give it life.
• 14. Kings: How far can you go if your go-to guy is Kevin Martin ? Martin might well average 25 points a game, but then what? John Salmons , Brad Miller and Mikki Moore ?
• 15. Thunder: OKC wanted a pro team and got one -- the worst team in the league. At least fans can watch Kevin Durant .
By the numbers
$8M Amount the Pistons paid Kwame Brown, who has averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.
$33M : Amount the Mavericks paid to DeSagana Diop, who has averaged 2.1 points and 3.9 rebounds.
20-25: Games Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is expected to miss at the start of the season after offseason ankle surgery.
154 : Hours Thunder center Robert Swift spent covering his body with tattoos.
Chris McCosky
The West still is the best conference in the NBA and not even the most ardent fan of the East would debate that. But the gap doesn't seem as wide this season compared to past seasons. It makes you wonder if the end of the West's reign is near?
• The Spurs looked tired late last season.
• Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash are probably making their last run with the Suns.
• The Jazz could conceivably lose two of their stars after this season.
• The Mavericks are going to make one more stand with Jason Kidd.
• The Nuggets and Warriors, once considered up-and-coming contenders, have taken major steps backwards.
Still, with the Lakers and Hornets looking strong, the star power of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Deron Williams, Tim Duncan, and talented young blood like Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden and others, maybe it's best not bury the West just yet.
Last week, I revealed my preseason rankings in the East. Here is the West:
Contenders
• 1. Lakers: Having Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum together for a full season takes them up a notch, and if Lamar Odom can adapt to playing small forward, that's a pretty formidable frontcourt.
• 2. Mavericks: I think Rick Carlisle is going to get them back on track. He'll let Jason Kidd run the offense, making life easier for Dirk Nowitzki , Jerry Stackhouse and the crew.
• 3. Hornets: Love Chris Paul and David West , but the worry still is the lack of depth. James Posey and Mike James are their two best reserves, but the frontcourt behind Tyson Chandler and West is paper thin.
• 4. Rockets: Adding Ron Artest will either help or kill them, depending on which way his mood swings. But the main worry always is the health of both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming .
• 5. Jazz: The concern is Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur could both opt out and leave after this season. That could be a motivator or chemistry-killing distraction.
• 6. Trail Blazers: All eyes will be on Greg Oden , who finally makes his NBA debut. If Nate McMillan can fit all his talented pieces together and find the right pace and style of play (can they run with Oden?), the Blazers will be a serious force.
• 7. Spurs: They looked by the end of last season like a former champion who'd taken their final punch. Do Tim Duncan , Manu Ginobili , Tony Parker and Bruce Bowen have one more run in them? They do win every other year.
• 8. Suns: Speaking of aging teams, new coach Terry Porter will try to squeeze one more run out of Shaquille O'Neal , Steve Nash and Grant Hill . Having a seemingly healthy Amare Stoudemire will help.
Pretenders
• 9. Nuggets: With Marcus Camby gone, the league's worst defense got worse. What's left is a trio of gunslingers (Allen Iverson , Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith ). By the trade deadline, George Karl could be fired and Iverson or Anthony (maybe both) could be traded.
• 10. Clippers: A lineup featuring Baron Davis , Al Thornton , Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman is intriguing. If Davis stays healthy and focused, this team may surprise.
• 11. Warriors: Losing Monta Ellis to injury was a killing blow, leaving them with an undisciplined group (Corey Maggette , Al Harrington , Stephen Jackson ) led by an unproven point guard, Marcus Williams .
Lottery lane
• 12. Timberwolves: Al Jefferson is a 20-point, 10-rebound talent, and now, with the additions of Mike Miller and rookie Kevin Love , not to mention Randy Foye , they finally have a foundation.
• 13. Grizzlies: This team, this franchise has been so bland, so boring, you wonder if even a dynamic talent like O.J. Mayo can give it life.
• 14. Kings: How far can you go if your go-to guy is Kevin Martin ? Martin might well average 25 points a game, but then what? John Salmons , Brad Miller and Mikki Moore ?
• 15. Thunder: OKC wanted a pro team and got one -- the worst team in the league. At least fans can watch Kevin Durant .
By the numbers
$8M Amount the Pistons paid Kwame Brown, who has averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.
$33M : Amount the Mavericks paid to DeSagana Diop, who has averaged 2.1 points and 3.9 rebounds.
20-25: Games Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is expected to miss at the start of the season after offseason ankle surgery.
154 : Hours Thunder center Robert Swift spent covering his body with tattoos.