ElNono
12-21-2011, 04:19 PM
Hollinger doesn't know shit, tbh... so I'm gonna go with my ranking, built mostly on Spurstalk consensus:
#1 - Phoenix Suns: Moving Amare was genius. Good balance of youth (Lopez) and TOSBs (Nash, Hill). Should trade for Turk again just to complete the bench.
#2 - Houston Rockets: They've been a lock for this spot for a few seasons now, but injuries to Yao really set them back. With Yao retired, that impediment shouldn't be there anymore.
#3 - Dallas Mavericks: Staaaaacccckkkkeeeedddd. If not for the top 2 being a lock, they would be topping the rank. Defending champs made a couple of moves, but all in all they've been very active in the offseason and should have no problem taking the 3rd seed.
#4 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Good amount of young, talented individuals. Their main drawback was Westbrook making dumb decisions. One more year under their belt and more junk in their backpacks should only help.
#5 - Los Angeles Clippers: After trolling the snotty neighbors out of Chris Paul and picking up a seasoned vet in Chauncey Billups, the Clips are poised to finally make the playoffs in the Blake Griffin era. Let's be frank here, if this collection of talent would be managed by another FO and coach, they would probably come out of the West for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, it's Sterling and Del Negro, so I'm being conservative here, and barring any injuries, they should snatch the 5th spot easily.
#6 - Memphis Grizzlies: A team that basically kept their core (ZBo/Gasol/Conley). The loss of Battier shouldn't really affect them since they still have Tony Allen. Truth be told, this ranking assumes Rudy Gay will be an addition and not a subtraction to this team. If the opposite happens, all bets are off.
#7 - Portland Trailblazers: If they manage to avoid the constant wave of injuries (I know, HUGE if), these guys can compete with anyone. Lamarcus Aldrigde was definitely All-Star worthy last season (over Pau Gasol, IMO). I'm placing them #7 because reality dictates Wesley Matthews will have a torn ligament by the end of February.
#8 - San Antonio Spurs: They will need to rest their TOSBs more, but regular season 3 point champion Matt Bonner will carry them to the 8th seed. From there, getting to the 2nd round by beating the Suns should be an impossible task.
#1 - Phoenix Suns: Moving Amare was genius. Good balance of youth (Lopez) and TOSBs (Nash, Hill). Should trade for Turk again just to complete the bench.
#2 - Houston Rockets: They've been a lock for this spot for a few seasons now, but injuries to Yao really set them back. With Yao retired, that impediment shouldn't be there anymore.
#3 - Dallas Mavericks: Staaaaacccckkkkeeeedddd. If not for the top 2 being a lock, they would be topping the rank. Defending champs made a couple of moves, but all in all they've been very active in the offseason and should have no problem taking the 3rd seed.
#4 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Good amount of young, talented individuals. Their main drawback was Westbrook making dumb decisions. One more year under their belt and more junk in their backpacks should only help.
#5 - Los Angeles Clippers: After trolling the snotty neighbors out of Chris Paul and picking up a seasoned vet in Chauncey Billups, the Clips are poised to finally make the playoffs in the Blake Griffin era. Let's be frank here, if this collection of talent would be managed by another FO and coach, they would probably come out of the West for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, it's Sterling and Del Negro, so I'm being conservative here, and barring any injuries, they should snatch the 5th spot easily.
#6 - Memphis Grizzlies: A team that basically kept their core (ZBo/Gasol/Conley). The loss of Battier shouldn't really affect them since they still have Tony Allen. Truth be told, this ranking assumes Rudy Gay will be an addition and not a subtraction to this team. If the opposite happens, all bets are off.
#7 - Portland Trailblazers: If they manage to avoid the constant wave of injuries (I know, HUGE if), these guys can compete with anyone. Lamarcus Aldrigde was definitely All-Star worthy last season (over Pau Gasol, IMO). I'm placing them #7 because reality dictates Wesley Matthews will have a torn ligament by the end of February.
#8 - San Antonio Spurs: They will need to rest their TOSBs more, but regular season 3 point champion Matt Bonner will carry them to the 8th seed. From there, getting to the 2nd round by beating the Suns should be an impossible task.