THE BIG THREE | nbadimensions.net
I understand this is very premature; injuries, trades, and signings could affect my rankings. That's why I don't expect you to take it very seriously, as I realize there is plenty of offseason left, so save any "This is too early to be doing a preview" comments. I'm just an NBA fan bored with the uneventful part of the offseason, the period between Summer League and the Olympics. I'm sure many of you sympathize with me. So, without further ado, here are my premature rankings that are sure to be changed by season's start.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (61-21, Pacific Division Champion)- The Lakers finished the season strong after the Pau Gasol trade, and this was without improving big man Andrew Bynum. There’s the question as to whether or not the tandem of Bynum and Gasol in the post will work, but Bynum will bring some toughness and interior defense that the Lakers lack. They’ve got a talented starting lineup with Fisher, Bryant, Odom, Gasol, and Bynum that will create many mismatches this upcoming season, and if they can stay healthy (even if there’s an injury, this team is still strong enough to get past it, as evidenced by the Lakers outstanding play without Andrew Bynum towards the end of the season), I expect them to finish with a top two record in the Western Conference and capture the Pacific Division title. The Lakers have the potential to be a 60+ win team, though I don’t think they’ll reach Boston’s level from last season as they have to compete in the tough Western Conference more often than the Celtics do.
2. New Orleans Hornets (57-25, Southwest Division Champion)- The acquisition of James Posey will strengthen the Hornets perimeter defense, but the loss of backup point guard Jannero Pargo off the bench will hurt. I see the Hornets improving by a game in the tough Western Conference, and they will compete heavily with the Rockets, Spurs, and Mavericks for the Southwestern Division crown. However, injuries could hurt this team (Peja played over half of an NBA season for the first time in three years last season; the injury bug could bite him again), and tough Western Conference competition could make the Hornets drop in the standings.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (61-21, Pacific Division Champion)- The Lakers finished the season strong after the Pau Gasol trade, and this was without improving big man Andrew Bynum. There’s the question as to whether or not the tandem of Bynum and Gasol in the post will work, but Bynum will bring some toughness and interior defense that the Lakers lack. They’ve got a talented starting lineup with Fisher, Bryant, Odom, Gasol, and Bynum that will create many mismatches this upcoming season, and if they can stay healthy (even if there’s an injury, this team is still strong enough to get past it, as evidenced by the Lakers outstanding play without Andrew Bynum towards the end of the season), I expect them to finish with a top two record in the Western Conference and capture the Pacific Division title. The Lakers have the potential to be a 60+ win team, though I don’t think they’ll reach Boston’s level from last season as they have to compete in the tough Western Conference more often than the Celtics do.
2. New Orleans Hornets (57-25, Southwest Division Champion)- The acquisition of James Posey will strengthen the Hornets perimeter defense, but the loss of backup point guard Jannero Pargo off the bench will hurt. I see the Hornets improving by a game in the tough Western Conference, and they will compete heavily with the Rockets, Spurs, and Mavericks for the Southwestern Division crown. However, injuries could hurt this team (Peja played over half of an NBA season for the first time in three years last season; the injury bug could bite him again), and tough Western Conference competition could make the Hornets drop in the standings.
3. Houston Rockets (54-28, 2nd Place Southwest Division)- Houston on paper looks to be the best team in the Western Conference to me, but they’ve got so many injury questions that I don’t think they’ll be able to finish the regular season with the Western Conference’s top record. The Rockets finished the season strong earlier in the year, and it’s my belief that if they get a healthy Yao and Ron Artest that they could achieve 60 wins. But, like all teams in the Western Conference, it won’t come easy as there are 10 teams capable of getting 45+ wins, including 7, maybe 8 teams that could win 50 or more. Couple that with their big injury concerns, and I don’t think they’ll be able to post the best record in the West. If they are healthy come playoff time, however, I think they have a strong shot at getting to the Finals, even with the West as competitive as it is. They’ve got the right combination of defense and offense to do it.
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