ESPN League Standings Predictions 2008-2009 (West)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...sonPredictions

(You're probably better off reading it from ESPN's site itself, as the format in this post makes the article tough to read at times)

Summer Forecast: Which way is the West going?

Updated: August 29, 2008


In the NBA, summer is the season for optimism. New draft picks, big trades, new coaches, new hope. New and improved. That's how almost every team looks through the rose-tinted sunglasses of summer.

But if you like a dose of realism with your optimism, we're here to help.

We asked 25 of our writers, editors and contributors for their take on the upcoming season, team by team.

Here is the collective wisdom of our committee:




PREDICTED STANDINGS FOR WESTERN CONFERENCE: 2008-09
CONF TEAM W L PCT 08 W 08 L 08 PCT
1
Los Angeles Lakers
55 27 .671 57 25 .695
Kobe, Pau and Phil should build on their half-year of history and keep L.A. atop the West, especially if Andrew Bynum is healthy. Now they need to get tough and gritty enough to win it all, and that includes the Bench Mob of Jordan, Sasha, Vlad, Luke and Mihm ... but no more Ronny. | Offseason Moves



2
New Orleans Hornets
54 28 .659 56 26 .683
Chris Paul's breakout season ended with him ahead of LeBron James and just behind Kobe Bryant in the MVP race. Even if CP3 can't make another quantum leap, the optimists in New Orleans hope that James Posey brought his championship moxie from Miami and Boston with him. | Offseason Moves



3
Houston Rockets
53 29 .646 55 27 .671
Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and the Rockets should finally make it out of the first round. But along the way, expect Ron Artest to create some chemistry challenges on the offensive end. Fortunately, he'll make up for it on defense, which is where Houston will really shine once again. | Offseason Moves



4*
Utah Jazz
51 31 .622 54 28 .659
The Jazz faithful might not like this forecast, but the team's meek exit from the conference semifinals left a bad taste and the Jazz did very little to improve in the offseason. But with a young roster this strong, led by Olympians D-Will and Booz, maybe they didn't need to. | Offseason Moves



5*
San Antonio Spurs
51 31 .622 56 26 .683

Fill in the blank: 2003, '05, '07, __. If you said '09, you're probably wrong, because that's the year we should be putting the Spurs "odd-year champions" pattern to rest -- or at least that's how it looked at the end of last season, as the aging Spurs limped out of the West finals. | Offseason Moves



6
Phoenix Suns
47 35 .573 55 27 .671
The Suns slumped when Shaq arrived, then got hot, then flamed out. So who are the real Suns? With the noisy exit of Mike D'Antoni and the quiet arrival of Terry Porter, the hope in Phoenix is that Nash and Amare can keep their offensive mojo working while defense is added to the mix. | Offseason Moves



7
Dallas Mavericks
45 37 .549 51 31 .622
Jason Kidd arrived with a thud and he'll be 36 in March. But the glass-half-full view in Cuban Country is Dirk, Josh and J-Kidd have plenty left, new coach Rick Carlisle will be a tonic for their damaged psyches, and the Mavs are just 26 months removed from a spectacular run to the Finals. | Offseason Moves



8
Portland Trail Blazers
44 38 .537 41 41 .500
Oden, Oden, Oden. That's the story in Portland, where the rookie big man is working out to rave reviews after his microfracture recovery. With Brandon Roy leading a young, exciting team and Jerryd Bayless setting the summer league afire, expectations are through the roof in Blazerland. | Offseason Moves


9*
Golden State Warriors
39 43 .476 48 34 .585
Corey Maggette will add scoring for the run-and-gun Warriors, but how will they replace point man Baron Davis, who took his act to the Clippers? Couple the loss of B-Diddy with the recent injury to Monta Ellis, and things aren't looking so hot for Don Nelson's bunch -- this season, at least. | Offseason Moves


10*
Denver Nuggets
39 43 .476 50 32 .610
The giveaway of Marcus Camby made it official: Denver is rebuilding. The loss of their backstop also raises a question: How many points per game will the Nuggets allow? Still, they'll get theirs, with A.I., Melo and J.R. free to fire, creating the best pickup games in the NBA. | Offseason Moves


11
Los Angeles Clippers
35 47 .427 23 59 .280
The '09 Clip Show has a new cast of characters ... and we do mean characters. Boom Dizzle and The Cambyman are joined by Ricky D and J-Will plus rooks Gordon and Jordan. This is going to be really fun or a complete disaster. The movie "Semi-Pro" comes to mind. | Offseason Moves


12
Sacramento Kings
34 48 .415 38 44 .463
Ron Artest is gone, and this is Kevin Martin's team now. His uncanny talent for high-efficiency scoring will be enough on some nights, but to really make noise the Kings need extraordinary contributions from ordinary players like Udrih, Salmons, Garcia, Moore and Miller. Good luck. | Offseason Moves


13
Minn. Timberwolves
26 56 .317 22 60 .268
Minnesota has a different look this season -- and they got new uniforms, too. By acquiring sharpshooter Mike Miller and rookie big man Kevin Love for draftee O.J. Mayo, the Wolves have put some nice new pieces around Al Jefferson. But the improvement will be incremental at best. | Offseason Moves


14*
Memphis Grizzlies
23 59 .280 22 60 .268
O.J. Mayo is one of the early-season favorites for ROY, and he'll team with Rudy Gay and Mike Conley to form an exciting young nucleus in Memphis, which has plenty of '09 cap room. But while the future might be bright, this looks like another season in the basement for the Grizzlies. | Offseason Moves


15*
Oklahoma City
23 59 .280 20 62 .244
Season 1 will be one long, thunderous pep rally for Oklahoma's new team -- even if OKC appears to be the NBA's worst team, nothing can dampen the local optimism. What would stoke that fervor further would be measurable growth by Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. | Offseason Moves


* - The Jazz finished slightly ahead of the Spurs in our average prediction.
* - The Warriors finished slightly ahead of the Nuggets in our average prediction.
* - The Grizzlies finished slightly ahead of OKC in our average prediction.

Predicted standings based on the votes of 25 ESPN writers, editors and contributors: Henry Abbott, J.A. Adande, Kevin Arnovitz, Jon Barry, Jordan Brenner, Maurice Brooks, Chris Broussard, Ric Bucher, Chad Ford, Jemele Hill, John Hollinger, Mark Jackson, Scoop Jackson, Tim Legler, Jackie MacMullan, Chris Palmer, Chris Ramsay, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Jalen Rose, Chris Sheridan, Marc Stein, David Thorpe, Royce Webb, Brian Windhorst and Matt Wong.

Wow. Spurs taking a beating. Probably will from everyone though. I love how people just seem to fail to mention our squad was not healthy. No excuse in my books but facts are just facts.

I can't fault any of the writers. The rest of the West seems to be on the rise (Lakers, Hornets) but I think SA may have stayed the same at best.

Even a fully healthy Spurs squad will have a tough time this season. I hope I'm wrong, but it's hard to make them favorites this year.

No 60 win team this year?

i think it turns out like this....

1. Lakers
2. Rockets
3. Hornets
4. Spurs
5. Jazz
6. Mavericks
7. Suns
8. Trailblazers

I can honestly say that's about where I would put them...at 4 or 5. I hope that they get it together and kick some ass, but we just haven't made any moves or changes that would make me believe that we are going to continue the odd year championships. :depressed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

I can honestly say that's about where I would put them...at 4 or 5. I hope that they get it together and kick some ass, but we just haven't made any moves or changes that would make me believe that we are going to continue the odd year championships. :depressed

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isnt that what we say every year??

2003- too young and inexperienced
2005-Duncan playing hurt,Manu comming off olympics
2007-too old and not enough offensive power

what is it now?

too many new pieces? This is truly where Pop will be tested, if Ian seems to bust early, will he just give his minutes to Fab and KT? If Hill messes up will he rely on JV again? If Mason doesn't get the team chemistry will his mancrush on Findog overcome logic? Who knows but I'm hoping for the best. Hopefully Mason and Ime can shine for a couple of months, so Manu can slowly work his way back into the rotation.

I'll take the over on the Blazers. :smokin

ESPN is always right! We should just hand the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Lakers now! :rolleyes

If the Spurs are not going to have Manu until January, 50 wins might be tough.

Why do the Jazz get so much love when they still haven't proven anything???

Spurs are 3rd or 4th in the West.

The Manu injury might make it tough to crack the top four in the standings depending on how long he is out. The West is very tough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rj215

ESPN is always right! We should just hand the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Lakers now! :rolleyes

---

The Playoffs and the Larry 'O Brien will be a different animal.

But during the regular season, with as much firepower and depth the Lakers have this year, I can't see them anywhere but #1 and a shot at 70+ wins.

Only the Rockets made major improvements over last year with Artest coming & Yao returning.

Rockets will be #2 with Jazz and Hornets close by.

With the Manu surgery, I think the Spurs will be in the 7/8 spots.

1. Lakers

2. Rockets
3. Jazz
4. Hornets

5. Blazers
6. Suns
7. Spurs

These guys will be bunched up for #8
8. Mavs
9. Clippers
10. Nuggets
11. Grizzlies
12. Warriors
13. Wolves

Bottom feeders
14. OKC Thunder
15. Kings

ESPN had us #9 last year

70+ wins?

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

70+ wins?

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

---

Lakers were a 57 win team last year, they'll easily get 65+ wins this year, a couple more wins wouldn't be a long shot.

Or put another way, they only lost 4 regular season games last year with Pau in the starting lineup. Now they get Pau + Bynum for a full year.

Lakers were only 13 shy of 70 wins even though Kwame friggin' Brown was the starting Center for 1/3 of the season. Only 13 shy even though they started 3 Centers throughout the year. Only 13 shy even though Kobe played with a torn pinky since All Star break.

But I suppose this will be a bump thread at the end of the season :D

hes got a point.

Lakers will be nearly unstoppable IF healthy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

hes got a point.

Lakers will be nearly unstoppable IF healthy

---

I agree, health will be the key to the Lakers this year. I figure they've had a bad stroke of luck in the health department for 3 years now, it's about time they catch a break.

the only problem i see for the Lakers is thier front court is TOO big.

that creates alot of problems with Kobes inside game. that paint is gonna be packed with big bodies. Also thier defense will take off big time with Big Bynum in the middle.

but more than anything, HEALTH will be the catlyst for success for LALALand

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

i think it turns out like this....

1. Lakers
2. Rockets
3. Hornets
4. Spurs
5. Jazz
6. Mavericks
7. Suns
8. Trailblazers

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This is impossible. You can not have 3 teams from one division in the top 4 spots. Each divisional winner is guaranteed a spot in the top 4 and then seeded by record. So the Spurs would switch with the Jazz, even if they have a better record.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

This is impossible. You can not have 3 teams from one division in the top 4 spots. Each divisional winner is guaranteed a spot in the top 4 and then seeded by record. So the Spurs would switch with the Jazz, even if they have a better record.

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what was the point of that? if i remember, if the #5 has a better record than the #4. they get home court. right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allanon

The Playoffs and the Larry 'O Brien will be a different animal.

But during the regular season, with as much firepower and depth the Lakers have this year, I can't see them anywhere but #1 and a shot at 70+ wins.

Only the Rockets made major improvements over last year with Artest coming & Yao returning.

Rockets will be #2 with Jazz and Hornets close by.

With the Manu surgery, I think the Spurs will be in the 7/8 spots.

1. Lakers

2. Rockets
3. Jazz
4. Hornets

5. Blazers
6. Suns
7. Spurs

These guys will be bunched up for #8
8. Mavs
9. Clippers
10. Nuggets
11. Grizzlies
12. Warriors
13. Wolves

Bottom feeders
14. OKC Thunder
15. Kings

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Allanon, you are my favorite Laker poster here, but 70 ????? :D

I don't think so

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

This is impossible. You can not have 3 teams from one division in the top 4 spots. Each divisional winner is guaranteed a spot in the top 4 and then seeded by record. So the Spurs would switch with the Jazz, even if they have a better record.

---

nice technical response. you are correct when it comes to playoff seeding but i was looking at it thru records only....

good catch

No big deal, just pointing something out that I thought might help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lefty

..... but 70 ????? :D

I don't think so

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Sorry, I meant 80+ wins



ps. I said " a shot" at 70 (ie. it'll be very hard but it's possible), and yes I'm back to argue with you again this season lefty :toast

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IronMexican

what was the point of that? if i remember, if the #5 has a better record than the #4. they get home court. right?

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Yes. It is a weird thing. Why bother giving a team a higher seed if they do not get homecourt, especially when in that position they will play each other (4 v 5)...Not sure, but the point was to make a correction

Allanon's title should be changed to "70 Wins Guaranteed".

Does a #1 or a #2 seed want to face the Spurs IF (and that may be a big if) Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker are clicking and healthy? The Spurs can no longer put the pedal to the metal for 82 regular season games with their current roster. Lakers deserve the top consideration after last year, but with the egos in that locker room and the fruit loop added to Houston's lockerroom, both can be had in the playoffs. Remember, a Spurs team with an injured Ginobili built 20 point leads twice in LA. They just could not finish it without their finisher.

NO and the Jazz have not done it when it counts yet and their best players are point guards. They need other guys to come through to be truly effective in the playoffs.

It's a good thing Manu can take care of his ankle and still have enough time to round into form when it counts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allanon

Sorry, I meant 80+ wins



ps. I said " a shot" at 70 (ie. it'll be very hard but it's possible), and yes I'm back to argue with you again this season lefty :toast

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Should be fun :toast

Here's my list:

1. Spurs.
2-15 WGAF

Wow stupid dude that made this results...We will place in top 4

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sissiborgo

Wow stupid dude that made this results...We will place in top 4

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One person didn't make these rankings. says it was rounded

I see the Spurs at #4 or #5.

First things first....off-season rankings mean exactly dick.

Second, any ranking that has the Rockets, who have never gotten out of the first round with T-Mac & Co, in front of the Spurs is worthless. I don't care that they added that psycho Ron Artest....they are destined for injury or implosion.

heck, i dont care what ESPN writes, i just watch and hope my spurs get trophy #5!

We are still better then the Jazz. Ill be honest thou, without Manu, i expect more losses then we've become used to this past decade. Last season when TP got hurt, it was Manu who filled that void. I expect Roger to do well, but we live and die with Manu. Its that simple. At this point we have no one on our roster to fill the void Manu will leave.

:lmao It's hilarious that so called 'experts' think the Nuggets D will be worse without Camby. They must have watched about 5 games last season.

Camby's D is overrated, his rebounding will be missed more, but even that won't be missed much coz he used to fight his teammates to get the rebound.

The Nuggets D will be better this season, book it :smokin

#1 Spurs
#2 Nuggets

and the rest all suck :smokin

I sure know how to keep the peace on a Spurs forum :drunk

LOL what does advancing pass the first round has to do with how a team finishes in the REGULAR season?

Rockets has always been a 50+ win in the regular season and has had the 4th best record in the west. Why knock Rockets because they didnt put your spurs ahead of Rockets.

I see spurs fans bitching and complaining about the roster and injuries and bad f.o decissions yet yall expect others to automatically put them in the top cause they are the spurs lol

What does that say about the league, when a so called injury prone rockets squad with a weak broke back tmac and injury prone Yao can still get you a top 4 record in the regular season in the west?

These predictions are a joke. The Spurs have won at least 53 games in every season since the Duncan era began, these idiots predict only 51 wins. And that 53 was an anomaly, by far their worst season.

They also make it seem like the Spurs were bad in the playoffs. That's Bullshit!

The Spurs BEAT the Suns 4-1 (Nash, Amare, Shaq, Grant Hill, Barbosa, Diaw = a very good team)

The Spurs BEAT the Hornets despite dumping the first two games when Duncan was sick (Duncan game one; 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1-9 from floor, sucked in game two as well for him)

The Spurs lost to the Lakers 4-1, but the series could have gone the other way:

* rigged endgame with bogus non-foul regarding Fish/Barry.

* rigged schedule, Spurs win game 7 at Hornets Monday night while Lakers are resting, plane gets stuck in airport all night, game one at Lakers rammed down Spurs throat WED night, then game two rammed down throat FRI night, then SUN night, then TUE night, then THUR night, TOTAL BULLSHIT! No time to rest. They waited four days between game 6 and game 7 in the Hornets series.

* Spurs dump 20 point leads in two games because of fatigue.

The Spurs are still the class of the NBA, despite Stern's attempt to rig the NBA against small-market teams.

1. lakers
2. hornets
3. rockets
4. jazz
5. suns
6. spurs
7. blazers
8. mavericks

spurs homers can use the injury excuse for last season, but all signs point to the same problems this season. the spurs are old and beat up.

there's a 15% chance the Spurs miss the playoffs IMO, the west is DEEP and YOUNG, except the mavs. we'll have a hard time fighting off the likes of Denver, Portland, Golden State and such.

also:

Duncan of 05 > Duncan 07 > Duncan 08 > Duncan 09
Bowen of 07 > Bowen 08 > Bowen 09
Manu of 07 > Manu 08 > Manu 09

the only hope of improvement on this team will be from Mahimni 09 > Oberto 08, Bonner 09 > ... nevermind, and whatever we get out of Mason.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by screw_ston713

What does that say about the league, when a so called injury prone rockets squad with a weak broke back tmac and injury prone Yao can still get you a top 4 record in the regular season in the west?

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It says the Rockettes got hot at the perfect time while other teams were injured and not playing well. But it's the same every year - the mediocre teams with good records get weeded out from the good teams in the playoffs. Don't get too excited about these predictions - they picked the Suns and Mavs to finish at the top of last season too. Reality and what's on paper are two different things. On paper, Artest is a good player but in Reality he's a cancer and it will be fun to watch the detriment he does to the Rockettes by the end of the year.