Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Clippers
It was only a matter of time before Donald Sterling got exposed for the
racist bigot that he is. This was a well known fact in close NBA
circles, as well as among die hard hoop lifers. Banning him for life from the
game, even though he gets to cash out, is bittersweet justice. There’s no place
for racism & discrimination in the NBA or in the game of basketball. I’m happy to see the Clippers move on & focus on strictly
basketball. For the first time in the history of their franchise,
they’re legitimate championship contenders, and for the first time since they
moved to California, they’re the best basketball team in the state. Blake
Griffin & Chris Paul are hungry to get out of the semifinals. The
supporting cast are capable vets who are battle-tested (J.J. Reddick, Matt
Barnes, Hedo Turkolou, Big Baby Davis, Jordan Farmer). They’re not scared to
step up, make big shots, cross your soul into the next dimension (Jamal
Crawford) & dunk on you so hard, your ancestors pour libations for the victims (DeAndre Jordan). Chris Douglas-Roberts fill the eccentric quota for
the team. And they have the best coach in the NBA not named Greg Popovich (Doc
Rivers). Their window of opportunity isn't gonna get any wider, so the time is
now for these guys to win.
Over/Under: 55 wins
2. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry is the best shooter in the league. No question. He’s so good,
opposing players who are assigned to guard him go right to his doorstep as soon
as they get off the plane. They tell their teammate “Make sure his mans (Klay
Thompson) don’t get off. I’ma meet Steph by his mailbox.” That won't help much,
because both are willing passers. It opens up the floor for Andre Iguodala,
Harrison Barnes & Draymond Green. A healthy Andrew Bogut complementing David Lee & Marreese Speights goes a long way Though, I don’t agree with the firing of
Mark Jackson (front office drama, according to sources), nobody can deny that he
did an amazing job at getting the Warriors to contender status, leaving Steve
Kerr to take what he built to the next level. Kerr, even with his lack of
coaching experience, understands the game, and I think he’s capable enough to
get these guys in a position to play well into May.
Over/Under: 52 wins
3. Phoenix Suns
They surprised everybody. I expected them to have an identical record as
the 76ers, off the strength they played in the West. Move them East, they’re
tied for third with Chicago, with home court advantage in the first two rounds. Instead, they satyed in the playoff hunt all season & stomped a
mudhole into the low expectations everybody had for them last season. Their
offense was dynamic, they gave an honest effort on the defensive end, and they
were such a joy to watch. Goran Dragic & Eric Bledsoe were just out there
ballin’. The Morris twins (Markis & Markeiff) made huge contributions.
Gerald Green looked impressive & should be the starting 3 for the foreseeable future.
P.J. Tucker emerged as a relaible glue guy. Miles Plumlee fits in perfectly
with these uptempo Suns at center. Now add IsaiahThomas to that Dragic/Bledsoe?
Matchup nightmare that should keep Jeff Hornacek’s offense in high gear for 48
minutes. They play with a good balance, but like with the Raptors out East,
they won’t be sneaking up on anyone, so they’ll have to compete on a much
higher level if they want to crack into the top 8 in the talent-heavy West.
Alex Len can help them out so much if he can manage to get healthy.
Over/Under: 45 wins
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers, throughout their history, have been known for reloading
quickly. They haven’t missed the playoffs for no more than 5 years in a row
& that’s also the same amount of time between superstars to build around.
Kobe Bryant is 36 & his championship window looks closed, so it’s about the
future for these Lakers. Julius Randle’s broken leg isn’t what they need now,
as well as Steve Nash being out for the whole year. Kobe shouldn’t be expected
to average 35 again, but expect him to everything in his power to make the
Lakers competitive this year, with help from outcasts like Jeremy Lin, Ed
Davis & amnestied Carlos Boozer. Nick Young maight be more under control this
year, thanks to the Kobe Death Stare being in closer proximity. Wesley Johnson
has all the tools to be a capable wing defender. Jordan Hill is another
servicable big for them. After that, who knows? If Byron Scott can turn this
into a .500 team by the end of the season, I’d put him in the running for Coach
Of The Year.
Over/Under: 42 wins
5. Sacramento Kings
I can easily go on record and say without hesitation that DeMarcus Cousins
is the best center in the league not named Dwight Howard (when he’s motivated
& engaged). Besides questions about his attitude , it’s
more or less the pieces around him that result in the losses piling up. They’ve
had alot of individual talent in Sac-Town over the years, but it hasn’t
translated into wins. The Sacramentio Kings of the early ‘00s were a fun brand
of basketball, moving the ball unselfishly, playing for each other & were a
few suspect call against them away from an NBA Finals apperance. Can Mike
Malone get them to play as a cohesive unit? He’ll have to rely on Cousins &
Rudy Gay to carry the scoring load. Newcomers Darren Colison & Ramon
Sessions gives them stability at the point. Ben McLemore & Nik Stauskas will be duking it out for
the starting SG spot, which right now, might be the best position battle in the
league (my humble opinion). CJ McCallum should get some looks as well. If all
works out for them, they might have a shot….at winning 40 games.
Over/Under:
32 wins
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