The 2014-2015 NBA season tipped off last night with a few games, but tonight is when things get going for the rest of the league. Last season saw the San Antonio Spurs beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, and the landscape of the NBA in the West looks interesting this season. Kevin Durant’s broken foot will sideline him until late November/early December, The Clippers mess is behind them, and the Spurs are a year older. Which teams are on the rise? And how does the rest of the Western conference look? Read below for part 2 of our NBA preview (click here for part 1) and predictions, the Western Conference:
(Predicted order of finish)
Northwest Division:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder took a bit of a hit this off-season when Kevin Durant fractured his foot. And while he may come back a little rusty, the injury shouldn’t linger and damper their title hopes. Durant will play at MVP level at some point this year but the Thunder will have to stay afloat until then. PG Russell Westbrook will pick up the slack while KD is out. Westbrook is an elite scoring guard who could put up his best numbers this season. PF Serge Ibaka is a perennial defensive player of the year candidate as his shot blocking and rebounding is fantastic. PG/SG Reggie Jackson is a 6th man of the year candidate but he too will have to increase his production while Durant is out. Ibaka and Jackson, & SF Perry Jones & SG Jeremy Lamb must help Westbrook until Durant returns. SG Anthony Morrow was the only real free agent addition and he’s out for 4-6 weeks as well. The most intriguing player on this roster is 2nd year C Steve Adams. Adams numbers were impressive in a small amount last year and I think there’s a good chance that he will turn out to be the steal of the 2013 draft Rookie PF Mitch McGary is also intriguing, he was a former early 1st round talent but slip due to a back issue, and he will also miss the first month because of a foot injury. I think OKC will struggle a little early on due to their injuries, but come playoff time they will be contenders to win the West and the NBA title. I’m just not sure if they can take the next step. The talent is there, but I am not a believer in head coach Scott Brooks.
2. Portland Trailblazers: Taking a look at Portland’s roster and they seem to have what it takes to be true contenders: two all-stars, solid role players, but what they need is more bench production. First the two all-stars: PF LaMarcus Aldridge and PG Damian Lillard. Aldridge is somehow still underrated even though he’s one of the best in the game and Lillard in just two years is already an elite all-star at his position. These are two players you can build around and win with. SF Nick Batum can do a little bit of everything and is one of the best role players in the game. SG Wesley Matthews is also a great role player as he is a nice shooter and can also play defense. C Robin Lopez has fit in real nicely playing alongside Aldridge. The bench needs to produce more, but can they? I’m a big believer in 2nd year SG CJ McCollum who will be a fine scorer in the league but the Blazers also need guys like C Chris Kaman, PG Steve Blake, and SG Will Barton to produce. Outside of McCollum’s possible breakout, another intriguing youngster is PF Thomas Robinson. Robinson was the #5 pick in 2011 but has been traded twice and has been unable to find his footing. He does have potential if he can ever get comfortable. Can the Trailblazers finally take the next step? I think they’re close and they are in my mind the dark horse to win the West this season.
3. Utah Jazz: Utah has a lot of nice young talent, but now it’s all about if and when they can put it all together. PF Derrick Favors has played well in Utah but I think will finally have his big breakout season this year. SF Gordon Hayward is underrated as he has quietly established himself as one of the NBA’s elite wing players. It’s make or break time really for C Enes Kanter who has regressed a bit at times but still has a high ceiling. I also think big things are still ahead for French C Rudy Gobert. He is only 22 years old and has the biggest wingspan in NBA history. Rookie SG Dante Exum is intriguing as he looked really good playing in Australia but how will he adjust here. I think he’ll be a borderline star at some point, but it will take some time and they must figure out if he is a SG or PG. PG Trey Burke will have to learn to gel and share the court with Exum, something that looked a little shaky during the summer, but I think they will, eventually. SG Alec Burks had the second-highest bench scoring average in the NBA last season and he is a great option off the bench and 6th man of the year candidate. I really like the (very) young talent on this roster and many people are saying the Jazz will this year’s Phoenix Suns. I think they’ll be a tough out, but I think they’re still a year away from the playoffs but they could prove me wrong.
4. Denver Nuggets: To have a shot at the playoffs, the Nuggets will need four things. The first is a big season from PF Kenneth Faried. I thought Faried was the heart/energy and real MVP of Team USA this summer. He’s already a really good big man & always plays with energy, but he could become great if he improves and gives more offensively. The Nuggets will also need a big season from PG Ty Lawson. Lawson had a career year last season and will have to match or exceed that again. C JaVale McGee only played in 5 games last season and the Nuggets need him back healthy and productive this season even if C Timofey Mozgov continues to start. The key to the Nuggets this season however may be SF Danilo Gallinari who missed last season due to a knee injury. The Nuggets need his offense and shooting. Denver brought back SG Arron Afflalo who will join SG Randy Foye and PG Nate Robinson in the guard rotation. This is a team driven by guards and they will all need to produce this year for Denver. Rookie SG Gary Harris, drafted #19, is an intriguing prospect. Harris is a dark horse ROY candidate as he was one of the best college basketball players during his two years at Michigan St. Denver could battle it out for one of the final playoff spots in the West, but I think they come up short.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love is gone, but Minnesota really got a nice haul for their former all-star. The Wolves lost Love, Mbah a Moute, & Shved but gained Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennet, and Thad Young. SF Andrew Wiggins has all the hype and is a ROY candidate. He will be a great defender in this league and if his offense comes around he’ll be a star and a guy you can build a team around. PF Anthony Bennett, the #1 pick in the 2013 draft disappointed in Cleveland but he did have a few nice games and will have the chance to really blossom in Minnesota. SF Thad Young I thought was the most well rounded player the Sixers had recently and he is a great get for the Wolves. C Nikola Pekovic is underrated and should put up career numbers with Love gone. C Gorgui Deng is still raw offensively but has really shown he can shot block & rebound. PG Ricky Rubio still hasn’t lived up to the hype and his days in Minnesota could be numbered. Rubio would be a better player on a better team. Rookie PG Zach LaVine is a very intriguing prospect. LaVine is an absolute athletic freak capable of jumping out of the gym but the rest of his game is very raw. The Wolves won’t be factors in the West this season. Coach/President Flip Saunders has a full rebuild on his hands, but this young and talented group could wind up paying off a few years down the road.
Pacific Division:
1. Los Angeles Clippers: The Donald Sterling mess is finally behind them, and you could tell it affected the Clippers play at the end of last season. This season there should be no excuses. Once again it’ll be up to PG Chris Paul, PF Blake Griffin, and C DeAndre Jordan to carry the team, but that’s not a bad thing. Paul is an elite guard capable of putting together an MVP type of season. Griffin will once again be one of the top scoring and rebounding PFs in the league. And DeAndre Jordan is a great big man outside of his free throw shooting. Last year’s 6th man of the year Jamal Crawford is still around and he will again be the same type of player for LAC this year. SF Matt Barnes will start but don’t be surprised if SG Chris Douglas-Roberts or SG Reggie Bullock overtakes Barnes at some point this season. C Spencer Hawes was an interesting addition. Hawes can stretch the floor as a big man, but will be playing behind Jordan unless an injury happens. PG Jordan Farmar is a nice veteran addition and helps replace the loss of Darren Collison. Doc Rivers lead the Clippers last season to a franchise wins record and he can coach as well as anyone in the league. This team has the talent to be contenders in the West and for an NBA title if they can take that next step. It’s really title or bust for the Clippers at this point and with the Spurs a year older and the Thunder ailing, what better time than now?
2. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have the best shooting duo in the league, and that’s a good place to start. PG Stephen Curry is an elite level talent who is possible of putting up and MVP-like season. The only concern is his fragile ankles but he’s healthy now. SG Klay Thompson still hasn’t peaked, but he’s close as he played really well with Team USA this summer showcasing his 3-point shooting and defense. The key to the Warriors success however is clearly C Andrew Bogut. Bogut has suffered many injuries (including last year’s 1st round playoff series) since he was the #1 pick for Milwaukee in 2005, but when he’s played he’s been really good. If Bogut plays a full and productive season, the Warriors can win the West. PF David Lee is a solid player but SF/PF Draymond Green has more upside and could be in for a breakout season. SF Harrison Barnes is only 22 and is still improving as a player, but he’s yet to hit his ceiling. Veteran SG/SF Andre Iguodala is a glue guy who does a little bit of everything and Kerr must find a way to use him correctly. Veteran PG Shaun Livingston is a nice new addition off the bench. New coach Steve Kerr is a question as he’s never coached before, but he should be a better fit for the team than their old divisive coach Mark Jackson. The Warriors are quietly good enough to win the West and teams better not sleep on them this season.
3. Phoenix Suns: The Suns were the surprise of the NBA last season when out of nowhere they almost made the playoffs under first year head coach Jeff Hornacek. The Suns will play with speed again this season thanks to a talented (yet very short) group of guards. PG Eric Bledsoe was signed to an extension with hopes he can lead the team to the playoffs. Bledsoe has what it takes to be an all-star if he can stay healthy. SG Goran Dragic had a great season last year but his numbers could dip with a fully healthy Bledsoe, but he’ll still be very good. New addition PG Isaiah Thomas was a great off-season addition. Thomas is instant offense and a 6th man of the year candidate. The Morris twins PFs Markieff and Marcus are still together after signing extensions. Markieff is the better of the two offensively but Marcus looks to have improved his shooting. It’s fun to note that with the addition of Zoran Dragic, the Suns have two sets of brothers on roster. C Miles Plumlee has turned out to be a steal for the team. He doesn’t put up exciting numbers but is a very solid starter for the team. 2nd year C Alex Len has been a bust so far but may have a good season if healthy as coach Hornacek says he’s been impressed with him. Hornacek will have his Suns playing fast and exciting basketball again. They’ll fight for a playoff spot once more, but right now I think they’re on the outside looking in and still a piece away from being true contenders.
4. Sacramento Kings: The Kings have two really good players, but not much else. C DeMarcus Cousins looks like his maturity issues are behind him. Cousins played great (and had a great attitude) playing for team USA this season. Cousins is an all-star talent who has yet to hit his prime, but he’ll be a true force once he does. SF Rudy Gay can flat out score and is also a borderline all-star talent. Both will feel the affect of the loss of Isaiah Thomas who was a great third option. Sacramento brought in PG Darren Collison to replace Thomas but Collison is unspectacular and a big step back. Rookie SG Nik Stauskas is intriguing as I’m not sure what his role is with the team, but he could be a really good NBA shooter. Stauskas will likely split time with SG Ben McLemore who had a disappointing rookie season last year. McLemore, drafted 7th overall last year, looked better this summer, but Stauskas will push him for time. Another intriguing player is PF Derrick Williams. Williams has been labeled a bust since being drafted #2 by Minnesota in 2011, but he says he’s improved his shooting and still has time to shake the bust label I’m not sure if the Kings are heading forward or backwards, they look to be standing still which isn’t a good thing. Sacramento has had 8 straight losing seasons, and I’d bet on a 9th.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant is back, but there’s really not much else to be excited about in L.A. Kobe looked fit and recovered in the preseason but he’s still 36 years old and no longer has a 2nd option to rely on like he’s always had. Kobe, if healthy, will score no matter how much it takes, but will anyone else? PG Steve Nash is gone for the year/likely retired. 6th man SG Nick Young will miss up to 8 weeks due to a thumb injury. PF Carlos Boozer is now in L.A. and he’ll likely frustrate fans in L.A. like he did in Chicago. C Jordan Hill is a nice player but he’s better fit as a PF and also coming off the bench for a team. Hill and Boozer form a strong and not intimidating group down low that will likely get overpowered by most teams. PG Jeremy Lin has a new lease on life and this could be his last chance to really prove himself. With Nash gone, Lin could have career numbers and work his way to a new big contract. The most intriguing prospect is rookie PF Julius Randle. The Lakers absolutely got a steal when Randle fell to them at #7. Randle was the most pro-ready prospect in the draft, and he could be a big asset for the Lakers going forward as he reminds many people of a Zach Randolph type of player. Randle however looks to have broken his leg in the opening game and will be out for a long time. That about sums up the present state of the Lakers. PF Ed Davis, had a nice pre-season and the former #13 pick could find new life in L.A. The Lakers will likely be one of, if not the worst teams in the West. L.A. missed out on some key free agents, and with an aging Kobe, it could be awhile until the Lakers are championship contenders again. New coach Byron Scott has his work cut out for him.
Southwest Division:
1. San Antonio Spurs: Through all the Spurs many championships, they have never won back-to-back titles. For the Spurs to keep up their championship ways, SF Kawhi Leonard must continuously play at the MVP level he showed during the NBA Finals. I think Leonard will be an all-star but he didn’t play in the season opener due to an eye infection he’s had all pre-season and he absolutely must stay healthy. The Spurs didn’t lose anyone of significance from last year’s team which is also a good thing. We keep waiting for the big three of PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili, and PF Tim Duncan to really start to slow down, but as long as coach Pop keeps resting them when he thinks they need it, I’ll believe their decline when I see it. PF Boris Diaw has played really well since coming into the Spurs system. The key to the Spurs offense this season could be SG Danny Green. Green’s shot has looked good this preseason and with the team aging he could be called upon to pick up the scoring a bit more. Green will also want to make people forget about his recent NBA finals performance. PG Patty Mills may also be called upon more with Tony Parker getting a bit older as well. Rookie SG Kyle Anderson is an intriguing prospect. Pops usually likes his vets more, but the rookie from UCLA has been compared to Jalen Rose and I think could wind up being one of the surprises of the 2014 draft. The Spurs, with the great Coach Pop, will be contenders in the West again and while it’s still not smart to bet against them, I don’t think they repeat. They may not show really begin to show their age this season, but they will be outplayed.
2. Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks look to be one of the more improved teams in the West, but will it all come together. Let’s not forget that the Mavs really pushed the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs last season. PF Dirk Nowitzki is still the face of the team and he’s still a very efficient player who looks good for his age (36). The Mavs have surrounded Dirk with better talent this season so that will also help take the load off Dirk. The Mavs paid SF Chandler Parsons a nice amount of money to leave Houston and he has to prove he’s worth it. He must shoot well and rebound some because if he struggles the Mavs are in trouble. Bringing back C Tyson Chandler (who played on the 2011 championship team) was a good choice for defensive purposes. SG Monta Ellis can score, and that’ s what the Mavs will continue to need him to do. The Mavs have intriguing point guard depth with newcomers Ray Felton and Jameer Nelson joining Devin Harris. I’m not sure any one of them will be the lead guy all season but all three do form a nice veteran group. SF Al-Farouq Aminu is intriguing to me as well. He will compete with Richard Jefferson and Jae Crowder for time, but the former #8 pick of the Clippers could find new life in Dallas. Some people are saying Dallas is a sleeper to win the West, I don’t know if I’m buying it. Yes they’re improved and yes they’re likely a playoff team, but I just think everything will have to break right for Dallas to win it all (like 2011).
3. Houston Rockets: The Rockets have one of the top scorers in the league in SG James Harden. Harden could be in for his biggest year statistically with Chandler Parsons gone now. Harden will be an all-star but how much help will he get? C Dwight Howard puts up all-star stats (besides his foul shooting which may be the league’s worst) but I don’t think he’s a guy who can win. For his size he’s quite soft and his personality just seems too content and not enough of a champion mentality. Houston brought in SF Trevor Ariza who is a nice two-way player. Ariza however isn’t as good or young as Chandler Parsons, whom he was brought in to replace. PG Patrick Beverly is an underrated player and is one of the better defending guards in the league. PF Terrence Jones is a high energy player and nice rebounder who played well after the all star break last season. Greek rookie SF Kostas Papanikolaou played well in Europe and could be a nice rotation player. Veteran G Jason Terry (yes he’s still in the league) is now in town but I like the young backup PG Isaiah Cannan more. Cannan had a great college career at Murray St and has nice long-term potential. Rookie G Nick Johnson is an intriguing prospect as he has put up some highlight film dunks and could wind up being a rotation player at some point. The Rockets don’t have enough to win the West and if they really miss Chandler Parsons and also play as bad of defense as they did last season, I could see Houston slipping out of the playoffs.
4. New Orleans Pelicans: PF Anthony Davis isn’t a star in the making, he’s already arrived. Davis had a great summer with team USA basketball and he’s on course for an MVP type of season. If Davis stays healthy he is the player capable of flirting with a triple double every night as he can score and is an elite rebounder and shot blocker Those who doubted if Davis is an elite player won’t anymore after this season and the scary thing is he will still keep getting better, enjoy watching him folks. Davis will also be helped by the addition of C Omer Asik who when he’s started in the league has been a very solid player. PF Ryan Anderson missed most of the season last year, but he can shoot and rebound and is a 6th man of the year candidate. Asik, Davis, and Anderson quietly form one of the best group of big men in the NBA. PG Jrue Holiday missed about half of the season last year but he looks healthy and could really be in a nice season. SG Tyreke Evans has been solid since joining the team and should continue to produce for the Pelicans. The two most intriguing players to me are PG Austin Rivers and SG Jimmer Fredette. Rivers and Fredette have both been let downs so far but I think both still have the potential to be scoring options of the bench if either can ever put it together. As long as this team stays healthy (and there are health risks on this roster), I think the Pelicans led by a huge season from Anthony Davis, will lock up one of the final playoff spots in the West. Even if they don’t, the future is very bright in New Orleans.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis is a physical team led by their two big men PF Zach Randolph and C Marc Gasol. Gasol has nice a nice skill set for a center and looks to be in for another all-star caliber season. Randolph is starting to decline but he’s still a tough and effective player. PG Mike Conley is a talented player who is a tier below elite, but still very good and underrated. SG Tony Allen leads a deep group of wing players and he’s also an underrated talent especially on the defense end where he really bothers people. Veteran SF Vince Carter was a nice free agent signing as he’ll likely play a 6th man role and he played very well for Dallas last season. Courtney Lee, Quincy Pondexter, Tayshaun Prince and rookie Jordan Adams make up the others involved in a crowded wing player group. I’m not quite sure who will emerge from that bunch yet but the rookie Jordan Adams is intriguing. Adams has impressed early and looks like he can already be a role player for the Grizzlies. Adams, the #22 pick from UCLA, broke the school’s record for steals and has been compared by some to James Harden. He could be one of the steals from the most recent and very deep NBA draft. The Grizzlies, who play some of the toughest team defense in the league, will continue to be a tough match up for any team and are playoff contenders. It’s not that I don’t like Memphis, I just like other teams to make the playoffs over them, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they do well this year.
Western Conference Prediction:
1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Golden State Warriors
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Portland Trailblazers
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. Houston Rockets
8. New Orleans Pelicans
Western Conference Finals Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers over San Antonio Spurs. Hard to bet against the Spurs, but it’s now or never for the Clippers and I think they take advantage of things this season in the West.
NBA Finals Prediction: Chicago Bulls over Los Angeles Clippers. If D.Rose is healthy, I don’t think there’s a better team in the NBA. Chicago will win it’s first NBA title since the Jordan Era.
Awards Predictions:
MVP: LeBron James. Runner up: Chris Paul. Dark horse: Anthony Davis
Rookie of the Year: Jabari Parker. Runner up: Nerlens Noel. Dark horse: Elfrid Payton
Sixth Man of the Year: Taj Gibson. Runner up: Isaiah Thomas. Dark horse: Ryan Anderson
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis. Runner up: Joakim Noah. Dark horse: Andre Drummond
Most Improved Player of the Year: Andre Drummond. Runner up: Steven Adams. Dark horse: Anthony Bennett
Coach of the Year: Doc Rivers. Runner up: David Blatt. Dark horse: Steve Clifford
© 2014, JustinBurkhardt. All rights reserved.
