ducks
10-20-2006, 05:11 PM
Northwest passage
Northwest passage
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
October 20, 2006
KERR'S NORTHWEST PREDICTIONS
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Major questions on the front line for the Wolves. Mark Blount needs to come through in a big way.
2. Utah Jazz – Deron Williams came on strong at the end of last season, and he's enjoying an excellent preseason. He'll run the show in Salt Lake City.
3. Denver Nuggets – Carmelo Anthony enjoyed a terrific summer with Team USA. He's a lock for his first All-Star game in February.
4. Seattle SuperSonics – Luke Ridnour is a poor man's Steve Nash. He can wheel and deal, and he's got plenty of weapons at his disposal.
5. Portland Trail Blazers – Zach Randolph and Darius Miles have come to epitomize the Blazers: young, talented, often injured and still immature. It's time for the kids to grow up.
More NBA: 2006-07 season preview
Kevin Garnett has been one of the league's best players over the years, but as the miles continue to pile up on his aching knees, one has to wonder if an NBA title is ever in the cards for him.
The Minnesota Timberwolves completely went into the tank the last two seasons, missing the playoffs after eight consecutive trips with Garnett leading the way. But the departure of Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell stripped the Wolves of their firepower, and Garnett has found himself having to shoulder the load for a very thin roster. Despite being incredibly versatile and talented, Garnett has been overburdened with the responsibility.
As he enters the backside of his career – can that really be? – K.G. has two reasons for hope as he enters his 12th season.
First, he figures to get plenty of help from Randy Foye and Mike James. The two guards just might provide the scoring and firepower that Sprewell and Cassell offered. Second, the Wolves play in a weak Northwest Division that appears wide open. If everything falls into place, perhaps Garnett and the Wolves can begin an ascent towards the league's elite. But that's a long ways off, and Garnett may be running out of time.
For the Wolves to actually win the Northwest, things will have to go wrong elsewhere in the division.
The Utah Jazz, who on paper look very talented, will have to run into their usual health problems. If Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring can stay on the floor together, the Jazz will be able to reestablish the home-court edge they've enjoyed for so many years at the Delta Center. But when was the last time Utah stayed healthy?
The Denver Nuggets, for their part, are much more talented than the Wolves from top to bottom. If they can gain some maturity, grow together and improve their outside shooting, the Nuggets should be able to defend their Northwest crown. However, George Karl faces a difficult job trying to deal with a unit that imploded in last season's playoffs. And with some strong personalities on the roster and only one ball to go around, Karl will have to be at his best to get this team headed in the right direction. I'm guessing the job will prove too difficult.
The Seattle SuperSonics won the division in 2004-05 before faltering last season, but they have an imposing offensive lineup led by Ray Allen. A high-powered team that can run and shoot with anyone, the Sonics must defend and rebound better to be a division contender. That makes Chris Wilcox an important player – he'll anchor the interior.
And the Portland Trail Blazers? This is Year 4 of the rebuilding project for the Blazers, who are trying to regain favor with their fans in Portland. Rookies Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge add hope for the future, but Nate McMillan's squad appears to be the only team in the division without a real shot at winning the Northwest crown.
I can read the emails now: "Minnesota winning the division? What are you, crazy?" Maybe I am. Or maybe it's wishful thinking, having admired Garnett's unselfish game and professional style over the years and hoping he can lead his team back to prominence.
One thing is for sure, though. Nobody is running away with the Northwest. And if the Wolves can hang around, K.G. will give them a chance.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send Steve a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Northwest passage
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
October 20, 2006
KERR'S NORTHWEST PREDICTIONS
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Major questions on the front line for the Wolves. Mark Blount needs to come through in a big way.
2. Utah Jazz – Deron Williams came on strong at the end of last season, and he's enjoying an excellent preseason. He'll run the show in Salt Lake City.
3. Denver Nuggets – Carmelo Anthony enjoyed a terrific summer with Team USA. He's a lock for his first All-Star game in February.
4. Seattle SuperSonics – Luke Ridnour is a poor man's Steve Nash. He can wheel and deal, and he's got plenty of weapons at his disposal.
5. Portland Trail Blazers – Zach Randolph and Darius Miles have come to epitomize the Blazers: young, talented, often injured and still immature. It's time for the kids to grow up.
More NBA: 2006-07 season preview
Kevin Garnett has been one of the league's best players over the years, but as the miles continue to pile up on his aching knees, one has to wonder if an NBA title is ever in the cards for him.
The Minnesota Timberwolves completely went into the tank the last two seasons, missing the playoffs after eight consecutive trips with Garnett leading the way. But the departure of Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell stripped the Wolves of their firepower, and Garnett has found himself having to shoulder the load for a very thin roster. Despite being incredibly versatile and talented, Garnett has been overburdened with the responsibility.
As he enters the backside of his career – can that really be? – K.G. has two reasons for hope as he enters his 12th season.
First, he figures to get plenty of help from Randy Foye and Mike James. The two guards just might provide the scoring and firepower that Sprewell and Cassell offered. Second, the Wolves play in a weak Northwest Division that appears wide open. If everything falls into place, perhaps Garnett and the Wolves can begin an ascent towards the league's elite. But that's a long ways off, and Garnett may be running out of time.
For the Wolves to actually win the Northwest, things will have to go wrong elsewhere in the division.
The Utah Jazz, who on paper look very talented, will have to run into their usual health problems. If Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring can stay on the floor together, the Jazz will be able to reestablish the home-court edge they've enjoyed for so many years at the Delta Center. But when was the last time Utah stayed healthy?
The Denver Nuggets, for their part, are much more talented than the Wolves from top to bottom. If they can gain some maturity, grow together and improve their outside shooting, the Nuggets should be able to defend their Northwest crown. However, George Karl faces a difficult job trying to deal with a unit that imploded in last season's playoffs. And with some strong personalities on the roster and only one ball to go around, Karl will have to be at his best to get this team headed in the right direction. I'm guessing the job will prove too difficult.
The Seattle SuperSonics won the division in 2004-05 before faltering last season, but they have an imposing offensive lineup led by Ray Allen. A high-powered team that can run and shoot with anyone, the Sonics must defend and rebound better to be a division contender. That makes Chris Wilcox an important player – he'll anchor the interior.
And the Portland Trail Blazers? This is Year 4 of the rebuilding project for the Blazers, who are trying to regain favor with their fans in Portland. Rookies Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge add hope for the future, but Nate McMillan's squad appears to be the only team in the division without a real shot at winning the Northwest crown.
I can read the emails now: "Minnesota winning the division? What are you, crazy?" Maybe I am. Or maybe it's wishful thinking, having admired Garnett's unselfish game and professional style over the years and hoping he can lead his team back to prominence.
One thing is for sure, though. Nobody is running away with the Northwest. And if the Wolves can hang around, K.G. will give them a chance.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send Steve a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.