KSmith: None of the West’s powers a perfect team

[CaptainLate]

None of the West’s powers a perfect team
By Kenny Smith, Yahoo! Sports
8 hours, 28 minutes ago

Everyone knows the Western Conference is loaded. Every team currently seeded first through ninth can claim it has a shot at winning the championship. Barring injury (sorry Houston) they all have a legitimate chance.

But while all of them have superior strengths to flaunt, each also has its own flaws. Here are the potential trouble spots each contender has to guard against.

San Antonio Spurs: Fatigue, both mental and physical. Going through the wars last year to win it all and then enduring the grind of trying to repeat can drain the Spurs enough to suffer an early exit.

Somehow coach Gregg Popovich will need to rest his aging veterans as he goes for a top-four seed and home-court advantage. The Spurs do have a deep bench, so that should help.

Los Angeles Lakers: Their bench. As great as the Lakers have played this year, one question persists: Can they continue to perform at a high level under playoff pressure?

For a team to win a championship, it usually has to have an effective second unit. Regardless of how great Kobe Bryant and the rest of the starting five are, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf and the rest of the bench brigade better be ready.

New Orleans Hornets: Lack of experience. These guys have never played together on the biggest of stages. They have made a name for themselves but the playoffs is where you make your fame.

Coach Byron Scott can only hope his championship pedigree rubs off on his team. They’re talented but they’ve never stood under the bright lights together.

Utah Jazz: Easy baskets. Few teams execute better in the halfcourt than Jerry Sloan’s Jazz, but Utah can still afford to get more transition opportunities.

Houston Rockets: No Yao Ming. The Rockets won their first three games since Yao’s season-ending foot injury, but eventually they’re going to miss his inside presence. It’s too much to expect a team to challenge for the championship without its best player.

Phoenix Suns: Defense, or lack of it. The Suns have improved their halfcourt offense with Shaquille O’Neal, but he hasn’t made an impact on the area they need most: defense.

Until they figure out how to make key stops, they’re not going to make a serious run in the West.

Dallas Mavericks: Their bench. Jason Kidd has made them a better overall team, but at what cost? Losing backup center DeSagana Diop could hurt them when it comes time to match up with Tim Duncan and the West’s other talented big men.

Golden State Warriors: Lack of size. This is the same problem the Warriors had last season. The West is loaded with big, agile forwards and centers that can defend the perimeter, limiting the impact of the small-ball system coach Don Nelson loves.

Denver Nuggets: Sticky fingers. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are great scorers, but they can also be “ball stoppers.” The ball gets in their hands and stops while their teammates stand and watch.

[spursfan09]

Wow so our biggest weakness is the fact we won it last year?

[MajicMan]

no shit sherlock...what team is ever perfect

[SScarrJ]

I'm so tired of everyone hyping how tough the west is going to be. It going to come down to Spurs vs LA.

Phx is has no defense and is looking worse and worse every game.

Mavs have the emotional stability of a overweight teenage girl.

Utah just doesn't have it. I like them but in a 7 game series vs any respectable team Okur and AK47 will get exposed..... like last year

New Orleans is the best of these teams, but i just cant see them making that big of a leap this early.

[Holt's Cat]

Don't sleep on the Jazz. They're a disciplined crew and are a very tough out at home. They definitely know how to convert on the offensive end and their system is tested and proven for playoff basketball.

[The Truth #6]

I would put the Jazz even with the Lakers. The Spurs have to be considered the slight favorites with their new additions and especially with Tony returning rested and looking as good as ever.

[K-State Spur]

no shit sherlock...what team is ever perfect

The 6 time champions of the 90s were maybe the most flawed team that has ever won it. They, of course, had one guy who covered up for most of those flaws, but still...

[Holt's Cat]

What team doesn't face some fatigue as the season wears on?

No Spur is averaging more than 35 minutes a night. TP had a good opportunity to rest up when he was out.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Don't sleep on the Jazz. They're a disciplined crew and are a very tough out at home. They definitely know how to convert on the offensive end and their system is tested and proven for playoff basketball.

Yup, they are my dark horse too. You forgot to mention that Deron is as clutch as they come.

Problem is they are not a killer defensive team, and Okur is soft as shite. To win they have to outscore teams, and we all know how that goes in the playoffs... still, I think many people are overlooking them.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The 6 time champions of the 90s were maybe the most flawed team that has ever won it. They, of course, had one guy who covered up for most of those flaws, but still...

But the Bulls weren't flawed TEAMS, they were composed of flawed players. As TEAMS, those players played their roles to perfection. Also, give Scottie some credit, and Dennis, and Toni.

[SScarrJ]

I just don't get the Jazz love. I mean i love Williams, Boozer, and Sloan but I cant help but feel like they are going to get torched by a good wing. I just can't ever see that team winning it all with Korver, AK47, and Okur on the floor.

I can just see Utah on trailing on the road of a game 5 and Okur and AK47 having a tough game shooting wise. Do you really have faith they are gonna knock down the shots, because you know damn well Phil Jackson or Pop is going to make sure the ball is in their hands.

[DazedAndConfused]

No way you can put Utah up with the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavs. They CANT win on the road. The way they are playing they will not even have HCA in the 1st round. Without HCA Utah is going nowhere this season.

[BonnerDynasty]

Spurs have mental fatigue hahaha

What. The. Fuck. is this guy smoking.

[K-State Spur]

But the Bulls weren't flawed TEAMS, they were composed of flawed players. As TEAMS, those players played their roles to perfection. Also, give Scottie some credit, and Dennis, and Toni.

no post offense. they usually only went 6 or 7 deep. and they never had a true PG (although Pippen might as well have been one).

they had their weaknesses. but when you could go to #23 in his prime at key moments, that covers many ills.

[Bob Lanier]

no post offense.
What? You don't know (http://www.amazon.com/Triple-Post-Offense-Book-Winter/dp/B000A7OVR6) what you're talking (http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html?player=michael_jordan) about (http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html?player=scottie_pippen).

The 90s Bulls had several weaknesses, but lack of post scoring was absolutely not ever one of them.

[Harry Callahan]

No way you can put Utah up with the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavs. They CANT win on the road. The way they are playing they will not even have HCA in the 1st round. Without HCA Utah is going nowhere this season.

I think you mean putting the Jazz up with SA and LAL. I do not like the Mavericks right now. They are much worse defensively with Kidd and without Terry and Diop. Plus, I think Kidd is feeling the pressure of expectations with his second Dallas tour of duty. The mentally disabled Dallas Maverick owner is expecting an NBA championship right now and he will not get it.

Bottom line - Kidd cannot shoot the basketball well enough to keep defenders honest. They can sag or cheat over to all of the Mavericks jump shooters.

Dirk has looked pretty good since Kidd came over, but I really do think teams will be able to put the defensive screws to Terry and Howard and prevent Dallas from advancing very far in the playoffs. Kidd will break the backboard with his 40% FGA, not defend quick point guards, and try to cheat on passing lanes to get steals, compromising the Mavericks team defense.

[bigshotrob08]

Well yeah no team is perfect.

Its almost asking a team to go 82-0 and we all know its not going to happen.

But the Spurs weakness is that they won the title last year? Your kidding right?

I think thats their strenght. Because they weren't able to repeat in the Past and its haunting their Dynasty credibility because they weren't able to repeat. And I know its on TD's mind to repeat as a Champion.

I like where the Spurs stand right now. This is exactly what I was waiting to see from them after the All-Star break and I'm glad they finally turned it up. And now it looks like that TD, Tony, and Manu are taking turn on who gets the spotlight. And if needed all of them will go all out in a game if the supporting cast can't come up with anything.

It would be TD one night. Next it might be Manu. And we all know Tony is going to get his share every night. so I like where the Spurs stand. And quite frankly we're number 1 in the deep West so i'm not complaining. Especially after all the injuries to our top 3 I still can't believe we're up there.

[romain.star]

So if i get it:

The Spurs weakness is that they won it last year


AND


The Hornets weakness is that they've never been there before


This is......... interesting

[J.T.]

no shit sherlock...what team is ever perfect

The 2007 New England Patriots...oh wait!

[genomefreak13]

None of the West’s powers a perfect team

No team in the world is PERFECT!



San Antonio Spurs: Fatigue, both mental and physical. Going through the wars last year to win it all and then enduring the grind of trying to repeat can drain the Spurs enough to suffer an early exit.

Somehow coach Gregg Popovich will need to rest his aging veterans as he goes for a top-four seed and home-court advantage. The Spurs do have a deep bench, so that should help.

Is Kenny running out dirt to throw the spurs? Or the SA simply too good!

[hsxvvd]

No way you can put Utah up with the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavs. They CANT win on the road. The way they are playing they will not even have HCA in the 1st round. Without HCA Utah is going nowhere this season.

With their home record, they'd only need to win one game on the road in a series. I'd rather have Deron than any other point gaurd in the West come playoffs.

[m33p0]

just another chance for li'l kenny to smudge the spurs. no surprises there.

[1Parker1]

I'll agree that fatigue may end up being a problem for the Spurs. Pop's going to have a difficult time resting everyone considering how close the West is. And the Spurs have their roughest schedule in March. Still have to play the Mavs, Celtcs, and Pistons.

I like the Jazz, but I think Kenny's wrong in what their flaw is. Their flaw is really their lack of an interior presence to protect the paint and the fact that they are not a good road team at all this season...

[hater]

no shit sherlock...what team is ever perfect

Jordans bulls?

[mathbzh]

Los Angeles Lakers: Their bench. As great as the Lakers have played this year, one question persists: Can they continue to perform at a high level under playoff pressure?

For a team to win a championship, it usually has to have an effective second unit. Regardless of how great Kobe Bryant and the rest of the starting five are, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf and the rest of the bench brigade better be ready.

This one is strange.
I think LA is a very deep team with Bynum and Ariza back.

[Rummpd]

Funny how the Spurs "old team" plays less minutes and is actually younger than many other teams in league at least as far as core backcourt and has a fundementally sound big man that could play a long time.

Spurs have NO significant weaknesses as constructed - if they play well the gap between them and all the pretenders is a lot greater than the media realizes.

Mark it down LA will not survive until the final round - they are too weak defensively, i.e., soft, and too inexperienced. Jazz and Spurs again - just what the media deserves!

[DazedAndConfused]

The Spurs have one very large weakness that they need to address if they want to win it all. OFFENSE. They have been able to squeak out some very close wins, but they could easily have had 5-6 more losses if it weren't for Manu Ginobli's game winning shots and other teams boneheaded mistakes in the clutch. In the regular season it's more important HOW you win games, not so much how many games you win IMHO. Dallas last year is a prime example of that, the Spurs had a higher pt differential despite winning fewer games and ended up winning it all.

Parker coming back helps, but they are not getting enough production from role players outside of the big 3. Horry seems pretty useless these days, Bonner doesn't play, Stoudemire/Vaughan are OK at best, Finley is awesome, Udoka is inconsistent, and Barry is injured. In the playoffs it's going to be even harder for the big 3 to score as teams hone their defenses to stop them so role players must step up.

Not saying the Spurs won't kick it up a notch, I'm sure they will. But to think they have no weaknesses is foolish.

[703 Spurz]

So if i get it:

The Spurs weakness is that they won it last year


AND


The Hornets weakness is that they've never been there before


This is......... interesting

So what exactly is the fucking best way to win the title? It seems impossible with this logic :dizzy

[703 Spurz]

The Spurs have one very large weakness that they need to address if they want to win it all. OFFENSE. They have been able to squeak out some very close wins, but they could easily have had 5-6 more losses if it weren't for Manu Ginobli's game winning shots and other teams boneheaded mistakes in the clutch. In the regular season it's more important HOW you win games, not so much how many games you win IMHO. Dallas last year is a prime example of that, the Spurs had a higher pt differential despite winning fewer games and ended up winning it all.

Parker coming back helps, but they are not getting enough production from role players outside of the big 3. Horry seems pretty useless these days, Bonner doesn't play, Stoudemire/Vaughan are OK at best, Finley is awesome, Udoka is inconsistent, and Barry is injured. In the playoffs it's going to be even harder for the big 3 to score as teams hone their defenses to stop them so role players must step up.

Not saying the Spurs won't kick it up a notch, I'm sure they will. But to think they have no weaknesses is foolish.

No one said the Spurs had no weaknesses assmouth.

[DazedAndConfused]

^^Go read back a few posts pussyface.

[Holt's Cat]

The Spurs have one very large weakness that they need to address if they want to win it all. OFFENSE. They have been able to squeak out some very close wins, but they could easily have had 5-6 more losses if it weren't for Manu Ginobli's game winning shots and other teams boneheaded mistakes in the clutch. In the regular season it's more important HOW you win games, not so much how many games you win IMHO. Dallas last year is a prime example of that, the Spurs had a higher pt differential despite winning fewer games and ended up winning it all.

Parker coming back helps, but they are not getting enough production from role players outside of the big 3. Horry seems pretty useless these days, Bonner doesn't play, Stoudemire/Vaughan are OK at best, Finley is awesome, Udoka is inconsistent, and Barry is injured. In the playoffs it's going to be even harder for the big 3 to score as teams hone their defenses to stop them so role players must step up.

Not saying the Spurs won't kick it up a notch, I'm sure they will. But to think they have no weaknesses is foolish.

So they know how to execute in crunch time and they just got their 3rd scorer back.

Good talk.

[Galileo]

The Spurs biggest weakness is the even-numbered jinx. Shame on you, Kenny! I put a hex on you!!

[Shaolin-Style]

The only criteria you could place for being the perfect team is going completely undefeated or maintaining a hugely successful regular/post season record.

Thats whats great about the nba though, because no one team is perfect its so competitive right now(at least in the west) No ones afforded the luxury of being perfect.

[SouthernFried]

He gets paid big bucks to say this?

TimVp should be a gazillionaire then.

[tmtcsc]

San Antonio Spurs: Fatigue, both mental and physical. Going through the wars last year to win it all and then enduring the grind of trying to repeat can drain the Spurs enough to suffer an early exit

..going through the wars last year ?

Nuggets: 4-1
Suns: 4-2 (Please....)
Jazz: 4-1
Cavs: 4-0

They wrapped it up pretty damn fast and easily.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

If that's the best reason Kenny Smith can come up with to doubt the Spurs... I'm encouraged!!