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

10. Golden State Warriors (46-36, 4th Place Pacific Division)- The Warriors took a hit this offseason by losing point guard Baron Davis and swingman Mickael Pietrus, but they were able to make some solid additions as well, by bringing in Corey Maggette, Marcus Williams, and Ronnie Turiaf to add some depth and defense to the roster, as well as locking up their own restricted free agents in Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, and Kelenna Azubuike. Golden State looks to be worse than they were last season, but they’ve still got the potential to make the playoffs, and will compete with the Clippers, Portland, Denver, and possibly Dallas for the final spot.

11. Denver Nuggets (44-38, 3rd Place Northwest Division)- The Nuggets took an even bigger hit on the defensive side of the ball this offseason by losing center Marcus Camby, as well as energetic forward Eduardo Najera. Chris Anderson has been the only addition to help improve that area so far, and that’s not enough at this point. The Nuggets have the $10 million exception from the Camby trade to use, so they could bring in another player that way, but I don’t see what kind of move will make up for what they lost in Camby. Guard Allen Iverson could also end up traded this coming season, as the Melo/A.I. experiment didn’t go according to plan. Iverson’s contract ends this season, so they’ll likely want to get something out of him instead of just losing him altogether. One thing’s pretty certain in my mind: They’re unlikely to get that 8th playoff spot in the West next year.

12. Sacramento Kings (32-50, Last Place Pacific Division)- Didn’t really know how many wins to give the Kings here; they were able to amass 38 in the tough Western Conference, which I found impressive, but that is likely going to be a tough thing to accomplish again. The Kings lost second-leading scorer Ron Artest recently in a trade with the Rockets, and are looking to trade center Brad Miller as well, so the Kings should take a hit in the win column this upcoming season. I still think they have the potential to win 30+, but it’ll be much tougher than last year. I see the Kings winning a little over 30, as this year could partially be a rebuilding year in the post, with Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson likely to see a lot of action now, and I don’t know if they’ll be able to handle it just yet.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves (28-54, 4th Place Northwest Division)- I expect another poor season from the Timberwolves, though the additions of Kevin Love and Mike Miller, along with a healthy Randy Foye, should help them win some more games. If the Timberwolves can remain healthy for the majority of the season, I think they have a chance to compete with the Kings for the 12th spot in the West; Minnesota has Foye, Miller, Love, Jefferson, and Gomes, a solid group that could lead them to surprise a lot of people this upcoming season. I still see them being in the bottom three in the West, but they’ve definitely improved and they’ll be able to lessen the gap a little between themselves and other Western Conference teams (though I still think they’ll be mediocre).

14. Memphis Grizzlies (23-57, Last Place Southwest Division)- The Grizzlies haven’t really improved much this offseason, as O.J. Mayo probably won’t bring a whole lot more than Mike Miller brought to the team last season. They still have zero post presence (unless rookie Darrell Arthur or veteran Darko Milicic can break out) since giving Pau Gasol to the Lakers, and their perimeter game isn’t enough to win them a lot of games. Memphis has a bleak outlook for the upcoming season, and I see them finishing with the 2nd or possibly even worst record in the West.

15. Oklahoma City (21-57, Last Place Northwest Division)- The Barons/Marshalls/Whatever they’re going to be named don’t have a very promising season ahead. So far they haven’t added anyone that’s going to take pressure away from Kevin Durant right away, as former UCLA guard Russell Westbrook was their only major addition up to this point in the offseason, and the free agent market isn’t very promising either. KD35 is likely going to have to go through another season carrying the team on his back, and don’t expect his field goal percentage to rise significantly. Much of the same can be expected from him, and because the Sonics haven’t improved, they’re looking at another season at the bottom of the Western Conference.

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