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Hey now that Fin is coming back, Burns can drop us to 6.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...west.rankings/
Western Conference rankings
Marty Burns
We've already evaluated the Eastern Conference based on the offseason moves to this point. Now let's assess the West.
The West has been remarkably quiet so far -- at least among the top clubs. Other than the Rockets (who have acquired Ron Artest from the Kings), no elite team has really made a big move yet. It will be interesting to see if a top contender with tradable assets such as the Lakers or Jazz makes a deal to try to bolster its chances now or whether it stands pat.
At any rate, here's how we see the conference at the moment:
1. Lakers: The defending conference champs have had a mixed summer, re-signing Sasha Vujacic but losing reserve forward Ronny Turiaf (via free agency to Warriors). Turiaf's departure could be a significant blow, as L.A.'s reserve corps played a big role in last season's run to the Finals. The Lakers also lost out in the Artest sweepstakes, meaning Lamar Odom might be back after all. That's not necessarily bad, but it puts more pressure on 20-year-old Andrew Bynum to be a force under the rim next season in his return from a knee injury. Even so, the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and that's enough to merit keeping them at No. 1 -- at least for now.
2. Rockets: It's tempting to put them ahead of L.A., now that they have Artest to pair with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. If Artest behaves, and T-Mac/Yao stay healthy, the Rockets could be that good. Keep in mind, they did post a 22-game winning streak last season. They also signed free agent Brent Barry to bolster their bench (and replace Bobby Jackson, who went to Sacramento in the Artest deal). But until we see how the volatile Artest gets along with his new teammates, we'll slot them here.
3. Hornets: Another legitimate contender for the top spot, they added free-agent forward James Posey (last seen helping the Celtics to the NBA le) to a club that won 56 games a year ago and reached the conference semifinals. Along with Chris Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler, it should put New Orleans right back near the top of the standings again. But the Hornets are about to lose key reserve Jannero Pargo in free agency, and it remains to be seen how they will handle the pressure of raised expectations next season.
4. Jazz: Their biggest move (outside of selecting center Kostas Koufos in the first round of the draft) has been to acquire veteran point guard Brevin Knight in a trade with the Clippers. Knight should provide quality backup for Deron Williams, but it's not as if he's going to push Utah over the top in the West. Still, the Jazz have a lot of weapons with Williams, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur, et al., and they know how to run that Jerry Sloan system. Even if they don't make a major trade, they should be right back in the thick of things.
5. Spurs: Only a fool would count out a team with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (especially in an odd-numbered year), but there is certainly reason to think San Antonio might slip a bit in 2008-09 -- at least in the regular season. To their aging core the Spurs have added free-agent guard Roger Mason, who is coming off a nice year with the Wizards, and 2005 first-round pick Ian Mahinmi, who averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in the D-League last season. They also re-signed Kurt Thomas, and are waiting to see about Michael Finley and Robert Horry, but it looks as if this San Antonio team will be pretty much the same as a season ago -- only a year older.
6. Mavericks: Mark Cuban's team has been surprisingly quiet, with the most buzz being generated by the trade rumors involving Josh Howard. Dallas did reacquire center DeSagana Diop (via free agency from the Nets) and took a flier on former Slam Dunk champion Gerald Green, who finished last season out of the league after the Rockets waived him in March. Of course, the Mavs' big change came on the bench after the season when Rick Carlisle was hired to replace Avery Johnson.
7. Trail Blazers: One of last season's big surprises, the Blazers didn't want to tinker too much with their roster. They added forward Ike Diogu and rookie guard Jerryd Bayless in a trade with the Pacers for Jarrett Jack, and signed Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez, but general manager Kevin Pritchard otherwise pretty much stood pat. With Greg Oden set to join Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland appears primed to build on its 41-win campaign and return to the playoffs for the first time in six years.
8. Suns: Like the Mavs, these one-time top le contenders are hoping a new coach (Terry Porter) can find a way to incorporate a big-name star (Shaquille O'Neal) and earn some kind of payoff for last season's big midseason blockbuster trade. But also like the Mavs, the Suns haven't done much this summer to add pieces. Matt Barnes comes over from the Warriors to provide scoring off the bench, big man Robin Lopez was drafted to help add toughness and the Suns are working on signing second-round pick Goran Dragic of the Spanish league to back up Steve Nash. With a new coach, an aging Shaq and a slowing Nash, the Suns could be in for a fall.
9. Nuggets: After yet another first-round playoff ouster, it's no surprise that they might take steps to break it down and start over. GM Mark Warkentien seems to be paving the road for a big trade, perhaps next year. It's the only way to explain the giveaway trade of Marcus Camby to the Clippers while adding only role players Renaldo Balkman (trade with Knicks) and Chris (Birdman)Andersen (free agent). The Nuggets will still be compe ive this season with Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Kenyon Martin, but they also might implode.
10. Clippers: No team has been more active in the offseason. Gone are leading scorers Elton Brand (Sixers) and Corey Maggette (Warriors). In their place are free-agent signees Baron Davis (formerly of the Warriors), Ricky Davis (Heat), Jason Williams (Heat) and Brian Skinner (Suns), as well as Camby. The Clippers probably still won't be good enough to make the playoffs, but they will be fun to watch.
11. Warriors: The sudden departure of Davis to the Clippers left them scrambling, and they settled for signing free agents Maggette and Turiaf. The good news is they also managed to re-sign Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Kelenna Azubuike, while acquiring a decent point guard prospect in former Nets first-round pick Marcus Williams. Don Nelson still has firepower, but the loss of his catalyst Davis appears to be a fatal blow for Golden State's playoff hopes.
12. Kings: The loss of Artest signals they are (wisely) thinking of the future. Bobby Jackson might not be as talented as Artest, but he's a decent backup and a more stable presence in the locker room. President Geoff Petrie also re-signed point guard Beno Udrih, one of their few bright spots from a year ago. Along with Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Spencer Hawes and John Salmons, in addition to 2008 first-round pick Jason Thompson, the Kings have put together a young nucleus that as it develops will get them back in the playoff race.
13. Timberwolves: Mike Miller (formerly of the Grizzlies) and rookie forward Kevin Love headline the big offseason changes. Beleaguered team vice president Kevin McHale also picked up a future No. 1 pick and cash, as well as reserves Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth, from the Sixers without having to give up any bodies in return. The Timberwolves still have a long way to go to get back to respectability, but the presence of the veteran Miller should join with rising star Al Jefferson to at least keep them moving in the right direction.
14. Oklahoma City: They made a huge offseason move, literally, shifting the entire franchise from Seattle to the Plains. On the personnel front, GM Sam Presti brought in veteran forwards Joe Smith and Desmond Mason (via a three-team trade with the Cavaliers and Bucks) for Luke Ridnour and Adrian Griffin. He also added two prospects in first-round picks Russell Westbrook and D.J. White. Smith and Mason (who played collegiately at Oklahoma State) should provide some much-needed leadership to Kevin Durant and Co., but the franchise's debut season in OKC still won't feature a lot of Ws in the standings.
15. Grizzlies: They tried to appease fans still angry over last season's giveaway of Pau Gasol by signing ... Marc Gasol. Pau's 7-foot younger brother, who had been playing professionally in Spain, is actually a solid prospect who should be able to contribute right away. Memphis also obtained rookie guard O.J. Mayo on draft night (in the deal with the Timberwolves for Miller). With Gasol and Mayo joining Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies have an exciting young core around which to build. But look for more growing pains in '08-09.
Hey now that Fin is coming back, Burns can drop us to 6.
Ehh, I agree with the rankings. Though I'd probably put the Blazers ahead of the Mavs and Suns at this point.
Those are pretty fair rankings as of right now.
I love how he owned the Suns by putting them below the Blazers.
It always amazes me how people can, within the same paragraph, write statements that directly contradict each other.To their aging core the Spurs have added free-agent guard Roger Mason, who is coming off a nice year with the Wizards, and 2005 first-round pick Ian Mahinmi, who averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in the D-League last season. They also re-signed Kurt Thomas, and are waiting to see about Michael Finley and Robert Horry, but it looks as if this San Antonio team will be pretty much the same as a season ago -- only a year older.
Not too surprising. When we're the favorites its never good for us.
I agree with the rankings for the regular season..I think we're definitely better than Utah though, no question..I'd say we're slightly better than New Orleans as well..
this season is gonna be up to Hill and Mahinmi and if they can inject some youth..we need some young role players like that..
These rankings are pretty fair, all 4 teams ahead of us seem like better teams. I wouldn't be suprised if this team ends up closer to 8 than 4...
i would put the spurs at 4 and jazz at 5
I wonder if we'll see a second whining rant from coachmac87 about how anyone who doesn't have the Clippers in the playoffs is a ing re .
The Jazz and Rockets are not better.
Once again to the same people pronouncing the Rockets great.
Two words
Tracy
McGrady.
How the do you put the Rockets at # 2 ? Because of Artest ? Nah, don't see it.
The Lakers at # 1 after losing a good bench/energy guy in Turiaf ? Uh - huh. They'll take a step back.
My Rankings for Reg Season:
1. Hornets
2. Spurs
3. Lakers
4. Jazz
5. Rockets
That's about right for the regular season. We're going to be fine. The playoffs is a whole other deal.
Interesting that the West's big three are now considered the 5th, 6th and 8th best teams.
I think the Spurs prefer to be underestimated.
i know, there really are idiots out there
Please, Turiaf is hardly a difference maker...imfact I'm sure Josh Powell can help replace what Turiaf brought to L.A. Besides having a healthly Bynum back along makes they better than last season.
what the have spurs done to be ranked ahead of the lakers? spurs did nothing to improve this summer at all and they did afterall lose to the lakers in 6 games in the playoffs...it's foolish to put spurs ahead of L.A right now
the mavs are ranked too high even if historically carlisle's teams improve their winning percentage. rockets are way to high because of the what ifs the writer is explaining . hornets ahead of rockets and then spurs ahead of jazz. kirelenko and okur were horrible at the end of the season
the Lakers are clearly the best team in the West going into the season..they were the best last year and they add Bynum..there's no way they aren't #1..like The Game said, Josh Powell almost replaces Turiaf..regardless, Turiaf wasn't going to get big minutes with Bynum returning anyways..
Yes they are better than your sorry spurs fat
With the big three you think they drop closer to 8? Did you forget how good those guys alone are? Damn you guys think we have lost that much in a year now? I know others got better, but MY GOD 8th?
wow i feel like i've read this same assessment the past 4 years... gets better every time!
I also agree with the rankings, but only for the regular season.
LOL artest makes a 55 win rockets team worst. They were 2 games shy of the num 1 seed yet its impossible for rox to finish num 2. Hating LOL
What a wack job! Noone should have the Spurs lower than second. The lakers get a slight nod because they did beat us last yr, but NO is gonna find they cant sneak up on anyone and will regret losing Pargo.
Posey is aging faster than Finley did and I beleive he will be a bust of a pick up.
Utah??? They are good enough for fourth.
Houston will need to stay healthy but could be 3rd or 5th.
Dallas will not make the playoffs!!! Unless Portland and GS self destruct, if they sneak in it will be 8th seed.
What do you mean what did the Spurs do ? We got younger and we added a solid FA in Mason to help the scoring from the bench and to help Manu get some extra rest.
Parker / Hill / Vaughn
Manu / Mason / Finley
Bowen / Udoka / That dude from Summer League
K. Thomas / Oberto / Mhinmi
Tim Duncan / Bonner
As long as Duncan, Parker and Manu are healthy, we'll compete for the le.
We added some nice pieces and I'm sure we'll be solid again.
The Lakers were exposed as the buch of cupcakes they really are (except for Kobe).
We also retained Kurt Thomas who will be a better contributor with a full season under his belt.
What did the Lakers do ? Yes, Bynum will be back but we still don't know how fast he'll get his game together. WE LOST BECAUSE MANU WAS INJURED. That's it. The Lakers are trash and the Celtics proved that. The most impressive series the Lakers won was against the Jazz. We weren't nearly good enough to overcome having our leading scorer not be able to play his best. Bynum would have helped but his new found fame and hype is silly. He's still a big, young dude with lots of upside.
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