The Big Three's 2008-2009 NBA Preview: Western Conference

7. T-Dallas Mavericks (48-34, 4th Place Southwest Division)- Dallas doesn’t look like they have what it takes to compete with the elite anymore, unless they make a trade or two. Kidd will get a full season to prove doubters wrong, but I see Dallas coming a little short of 50 wins next year, and I don’t think they’ve got it in them to knock off a 2 or 3 seed. They’re loaded with depth, which could help them next year, and new coach Rick Carlisle could get this team back to the top of the Western Conference, so there’s the chance they finish with 50+ wins and perhaps a little higher in their division. They didn’t make any big changes this offseason other than signing DeSegana Diop, so I’m expecting more of what I saw towards the end of the season.

8. T-Portland Trail Blazers (48-34, 2nd Place Northwest Division)- I think Portland has the depth to go far this coming season, and will be able to win anywhere between 40-50 wins. If Oden comes on strong (which I don’t expect for a little while, he could struggle with foul trouble and rookie mistakes early; I don’t see him looking like a prodigy just yet) and Bayless can contribute at point guard, this team has the tools to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, perhaps higher. They’ve got a young leader in Brandon Roy, who can drop 20/5/5 any given night, a talented power forward in Lamarcus Aldridge who is a threat for 20/8, and a solid supporting cast in Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Steve Blake, Joel Przybilla, and the two rookies I mentioned before. Spaniard guard Rudy Fernandez will also be joining the Trail Blazers roster this upcoming season, and he could make an impact scoring off the bench. Experience isn’t a huge issue, as Oden, Bayless, and Fernandez are likely the only ones to have battles with it (more so Oden than the others since he’s going to have to learn how to defend centers in the post, which is a little harder than playing in a backcourt that features Brandon Roy and an experienced Steve Blake), and once this team starts to gel, look for them to make a big push at the end of the season and make the playoffs.

9. Los Angeles Clippers (47-35, 3rd Place Pacific Division)- Had the Clippers been able to keep forward Elton Brand, they would be a little higher on my rankings. However, they had to settle for Nuggets center Marcus Camby, who will give the Clippers another great shot blocker in the the post. I think this team’s good enough to make the playoffs, though I see the young Trail Blazers beating them out for a spot. It could really go either way, I see Portland being able to go on some impressive streaks and they could have the edge. Injury concerns could also hamper the Clippers’ chances, who aren’t as deep as the Trail Blazers. L.A. could be a surprise team this year, so don’t take this as me dissing them; they’ve got a team that could be very good and they have a strong chance at making the playoffs next season.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?