NBA 2008-9 Predictions: Southwest Division

Southwest Division: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe. Three legit title contenders in this Division.

Houston 60-22 (LY= 55-27) Injury watch here, though they have shown they can win without either Yao or McGrady (not at the same time).

Adding controversial Ron Artest helps on court, but might add to off court stress. Players’ coach Rick Adelman got a lot out of problem player Bonzi Wells in Sacramento. Artest is singing Rick’s praises for now.

What they do with solid defending Shane Battier remains to be seen. Adding Brent Barry is quietly a good pick-up. Rick Adelman rides this team to the top.

New Orleans 55-27 (LY= 56-26) Chris Paul emerged a league star last season by leading a solid starting 5, but the team lacked depth.

Adding Posey helps, if James is as motivated as he was last year with the Celtics. “Mr. Intangibles” gave Boston things they needed. Will James be able to accomplish similar things here? I’m not so sure.

Devin Brown in. Jannero Pargo out. Mike James and Brown fight it out for the back up PG role. Another injury free season will keep the team in the mid 50s. Definitely a tough out, but I’m not completely sure why, other than CP III. Does he make everyone else that much better? Yes.

San Antonio 50–32(LY= 56-26) Another team that made few moves.

Brent Barry out. Roger Mason in. Udoka more familiar with system this year. People keep looking for a drop off from this team. Tim Duncan still drives this bus, though Manu Ginobili rides shotgun and Parker gives opposing teams added problems.

Manu must recover well from his surgery. Losing Manu or at less than full ability would be huge hole to fill. They will continue to play a disciplined slow down game married to strong defense.

Dallas 43-39 (LY= 51-31) OK. I know that this is an eyebrow raiser. Call it a hunch. Carlisle could prove me wrong.

A couple of years ago Kidd for Harris would have meant adding Ws to the Mavs win total. I honestly don’t know how to call this one.

It's still Dirk's team and maybe that's part of the problem. The league’s 6th best defense should get better by getting back DeSagana Diop. Maybe Gerald Green grows up. Brandon Bass is a positive.

With Carlisle there, strategies may get better, but Rick’s reserved (read that aloof) approach to his players seems to have a short shelf life – no matter how good an Xs and Os coach he is.

Devean George, Antoine Wright and Gerald Green are their back-up small forwards. That means enigmatic Josh Howard's job is safe. Kidd says he will be shooting more this season. Can that be a good thing? Rumors of Stackhouse playing a bigger role.

Memphis –21-51(LY=22-50) Are they trying to finish at/near the bottom 3 straight years? It looks like it.

As I write this there is a lingering rumor of Darko and Marko going to the Knicks for Zarko, I mean Zach Randolph. The Griz tried for J-Smoove (Josh Smith) first. They think they can add another big salary and still be okay dollar-wise. They are right.

A lot of young talent with EJ Mayo, Darell Arthur, and surprising Marc Gasol added to an mix of Rudy Gaye, Hakim Warrick, Mike Conley, Javaris Crittendon, and Kyle Lowry.

If they get Zach, maybe he plays center.They will need to nail his feet to the painted area. Can you imagine Antoine Walker at power forward and Randolph at center? “Last one to the 3 point line is a rotten egg.”

Marc Ivaroni is said to not be loved by some in Memphis management and so far, has not gotten improvement out of this roster.

Next up: Southeast Division

This article first appeared in Tom's blog on the Connecticut Post website.