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On to part 2 of the forecast, the Western Conference... part 1 of the preview, the Eastern Conference, can be found here.
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks - Something tells me there is going to be some sort of revival in Dallas this year. Dirk's dumped the baggage, Marion's back in the Western Conference and Kidd's had Favre-like productivity. With the Suns and Rockets at less than full strength you've got to believe that Dirk gives Dallas one last show before playing second-fiddle to LeBron or DWade for the rest of his career.
Houston Rockets - All the risk taking with Yao and McGrady has finally caught up to this franchise. Can't say there weren't any warning signs. However, Rick Adelman is a coach able to ween out whatever the rest of these guys can give and will have the Rockets at the edge of the playoffs come April.
Memphis Grizzlies - The Answer and his question marks. Definitely the most interesting non-championship related story of the year will be AI getting along with the pups and trying to prove he can 1) still play, 2) not be a pain in the ass, 3) not dominate the ball. If he can't he's gonna get even more of the Barry Bonds treatment next summer, if he can, then his stint in Memphis will end by February. ZBo on the other hand is probably a permanent fixture in Memphis for better or worse.
New Orleans Hornets - This team is like a subprime loan... looked great in 2007 and early 2008... then all the sudden not so much. Chris Paul is still good enough that they won 49 games, but they laid down in the playoffs. Interesting to have Emeka back on the basketball map, he could be the difference between playing LA or San Antonio or Denver/Dallas/Portland in April.
San Antonio Spurs - I screamed once when the Kings drafted Casspi in stead of Blair and had a minor stroke when they drafted Jeff Pendergraph at 31 instead of taking Blair and his supposed knee problems on a non-guaranteed contract. This guy is a BEAST and now Duncan can relax on the offensive glass and save his legs on a defensive board or two. Add Richard Jefferson, a little more Manu and the emergence of Tony Parker as a legitimate star in his own right and the Spurs have reopened their window for a couple years.
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets - I can't say I'm convinced that this team was as good as it showed in June. However, after a bunch of years where injuries keep them from entering the elite, they are right there with the Lakeshow and Spurs. Melo has a chance to break up that Wade, Kobe, LeBron trio in the best in league discussion, but to do that the Nuggs need to knock of the Spurs or Lakers in June.
Minnesota Timberwolves - I'll do this preview in Spanish... hay caramba! What the HELL was David Kahn thinking? This guy's really better than Bill Simmons? He couldn't have traded the 5 pick before or after it was named Ricky Rubio? You simply don't draft guys who don't want to play for you. Ask the Kings (Billy Owens) and Vancouver MovedOutOfTowns (Stevie Franchise) if that worked for them. The Wolves have two studs in the paint, but this team is the MadDog and/or Boone's of the NBA right now.
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