Yesterday I wrote the Eastern Conference Power Rankings. Now it is the West's turn. Here it goes:
1) Los Angeles Lakers
This team made the Finals last year playing without Andrew Bynum. Now that he is back, the Lakers are favorites to win it all.
The only question is what role Lamar Odom will play. But it doesn't really matter. Whether Odom starts or comes off the bench as a sixth man, the Lakers are still the top team in not only the conference, but the league.
2) New Orleans Hornets
If the Hornets are going to make a championship run, this is the year. They have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul, and their signing of James Posey gave this team exactly what it needed—a clutch performer.
3) Houston Rockets
I had this team at second before T-Mac announced that he is still having problems with knee and shoulder injuries. If Yao and McGrady can stay healthy, the Rockets should be good enough to finally get past the first round of the playoffs.
The Rockets were one of the best defensive teams in '07-08, and now have one of the best defenders in Ron Artest, who will be on his best behavior—he wants to win games this year.
4) Utah Jazz
With all the rumours about Carlos Boozer leaving in 2009, the Jazz need to win now. They are going to do well, but they need to try secure home-court advantage in the playoffs—otherwise it could be tough for them in the postseason.
5) San Antonio Spurs
Every year, people say the Spurs are too old and are past their prime. It may be true that they are past their prime, but Tim Duncan always gets his team into the playoffs. Can he do it with Manu Ginobili on the sidelines with an ankle injury?
6) Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has so many young guns that their biggest problem will be finding enough minutes to go around. With Greg Oden returning and Rudy Fernandez coming over from Spain, the Blazers should definitely improve on last season's 41-41 record. Trail Blazers fans should be excited.
7) Phoenix Suns
Since Shawn Marion left, Phoenix hasn't been the same. New coach Terry Porter will probably have less run and gun, but he should improve the defense—something the Suns have struggled with. This team could go either way—they might dominate, but there is also a possibility that it won't work out. I don't think they'll dominate, but they'll still be a playoff team.
8) Dallas Mavericks
Like Phoenix, it is hard to predict what will happen with the Mavs. If Jason Kidd is healthy, Dallas will make the playoffs—but there are other teams not far behind, so they can't afford a major slip. It may be time for Mark Cuban to consider another roster shakeup.
9) Los Angeles Clippers
10 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
Good list Steve. I agree with the Lakers being the top team in the league. However, I think you put the Blazers a lil' too high as it will be hard for them to have a better record than the much more experienced Mavericks and Suns. I also think the Jazz should be ahead of the Rockets because of the numerous health concerns Houston has.
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Steven Goldman 9 months ago
I put Portland ahead of Dallas and Phoenix because the Blazers are on the way up, while Dallas and Phoenix are declining.
Since they reached the finals in 2006, Dallas has been on a steady decline. The Mavs are relying on Jason Kidd being able to produce and I just don't think its a smart move. They should have kept Devin Harris and traded Josh Howard instead.
Phoenix has a skilled team, but pretty much everyone knows that Terry Porter has a very different philosophy from Mike D'Antoni. They won't be running and gunning like they used to. I also think that without Shawn Marion the Suns are much less effective.
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Don Wayne 9 months ago
We'll see about the Blazers. It is entirely possible that they are a bit too high. It's also entirely possible that they could shock everyone, including the Lakers. Fact of the matter is this...there are so many variables with the Blazers this year that nobody - not even the Blazers themselves - know what to expect. IF Oden develops this year into what he could be, and IF Fernandez is as incredible as he seems to be right now - and IF last year's nucleus improves like they are reported to have done - IF all of those things have happened and do happen, Portland will challenge LA, New Orleans or Boston to go all the way.
However, that's quite a few "ifs". If none of those things really come about, Portland also has the capability of missing the playoffs all together. We'll see soon enough. I tend to think they'll end up about fifth or sixth in the West.
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Eric Christenson 9 months ago
Marcel:
Dallas and Phoenix are falling quickly. Phoenix has a new coach and we won't see the usual run and gun that we are used to from them. What has Dallas done in the past 3 seasons besides gotten worse?
Portland is on the rise, quickly. I don't expect Houston to reach the 3rd spot in the West.
Expect the Blazers to land anywhere from the 4th seed to the 6th in the West.
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Shan 9 months ago
Utah will surprise everyone..I saw all of them in action yesterday at a free scrimmage at the ESA in Salt Lake, Deron has lost at least 10 pounds and has that look in his eye everyone should be scared!!...every other player looks great!!! they are all in really good shape...especially Ronnie Brewer, Korver and AK
Another little noted advantage Utah has over every team is established chemistry...no new additions that could really disrupt it....LA, Houston and NO have all added subsantial players that could potentially cause locker room tension......
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Steven Goldman 9 months ago
The Jazz can contend this season but what happens when all the rumours about Boozer really get going. He will probably ditch Utah just like he ditched Cleveland. That issue could potentially cause some tension.
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Shan 9 months ago
Remember this is Boozers contract year, as well as Korvers and Memos....they will be bangin for their dough.. and rumors are just rumors but the Jazz will have to play every night...and play hard to do any damage in the even more powerful west...
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Dave Morrison 9 months ago
I could not agree more. The Lakers are going to dominate. The Suns, who knows? But I think the best analysis is yes, the thunders new uni's do suck, and so does their owner.
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nba fan 8 months ago
Whatever .. i dont understand why the western conference finalist spurs have been relegated to 5th .. well ... anyway .. all the better for when they win and shut some critics ... everyone is smoking laker/hornets pot this year ...
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Steven Goldman 8 months ago
I put the Spurs 5th for a number of reasons.
1) Manu Ginobili is already injured, and his ankle is likely to bug him for a long time.
2) Every year people say this and get proven wrong, but the Spurs are getting older. Everyone declines sooner or later. For the Spurs, it might not be this year, it might not be next year, but it is going to happen.
3) LA will be a lot better because Bynum is back, Houston will be the best defensive team with Ron Artest, the Hornets keep getting better and better, and Utah has got all the pieces and just has to put them together.
Other teams have improved but the Spurs haven't really added any major talents.
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