I close out my NBA fifty peso previews with the Pacific Division, home of the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Will the Lakers repeat? They could, but they will encounter numerous tough challengers, but probably not from their division.
Golden State Warriors
Last Year: Failed to make playoffs
Key New Additions: Stephen Curry, Mikki Moore
Projected Starters: Monta Ellis, Anthony Morrow, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Randolph, Andris Biedrins
The Warriors are in quite a mess and ownership should shoulder the blame. Undermining and then later on removing former GM Chris Mullin netted them internal problems ranging from player to coach (Stephen Jackson vs Don Nelson) and player to player (Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry). The Warriors do have great young talent in Ellis, Curry and Anthony Randolph, but the line up is smallish and uneven. Look for the Warriors to be inconsistent, with some games having them scoring a lot of exciting ball while some games having them stink up the place. It will be another tough year for the Warriors fans who have been thirsting for another playoff run.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
Los Angeles Clippers
Last year: Failed to make playoffs
Key New Additions: Blake Griffin, Rasual Butler, Kareem Rush
Projected Starters: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thonrton, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman
The Clippers were their usual selves last year, losing horribly and regularly despite their talented line up. This year, the addition of number 1 overall pick Griffin, who seems to bring a healthy passion for the game, could be the spark needed to excite the Clippers veterans to play harder. The key, though, will still be Davis, who can singlehandedly bring a team to the playoffs. If Davis is interested and the Clippers stay healthy, then the Clips could surprise people.
Fearless Forecast: Bubble Team (8th seed or eliminated from playoffs)
Last Year: Champions
Key New Additions: Ron Artest
Projected Starters: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
The defending champs, not satisfied with keeping their championship line up intact, went ahead and signed Ron Artest to replace Trevor Ariza. On paper, that would be bad news for the rest of the league, as the Lakers mainly an offensive team, just added some vaunted defensive teeth. The problem is, Artest loves to hold the ball for long stretches on offense, which could bog down the Lakers' famed triangle offense. Artest has said all the right things about playing within the system and even Phil Jackson has said he foresees Artest playing well so indeed, the road to the finals will run through the Lakers again.
Fearless Forecast: At least Western Conference Finals
Last year: Failed to make playoffs
Key New Additions: Channing Frye, Earl Clark
Projected Starters: Steve Nash, Jason Richarson, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire, Channing Frye
Now that the Shaq experiment is over (thank goodness), the Suns, coach Alvin Gentry, can concentrate on their famed running game again. With Nash at the helm, look for the Suns to run and gun and score buckets. The problem for the Suns is age. Nash and Hill, who are expected to anchor the running game, are rather long on the tooth so playing at a high level for 82 games will be no easy feat. If the young, untested Suns can help spell the "old guys" consistently, then the Suns will be able to return to the playoffs.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (1st round)
Sacramento Kings
Last year: Eliminated in the regular season
Key New Additions: Tyreke Evans, Desmond Mason, Omri Casspi
Projected Starters: Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Desmond Mason, Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes
The Kings were one of the worst teams last season and things will probably not get too much better this season. Adding Evans to a squad with young studs Hawes and Martin is a step in the right direction, but it's just step 1 when the Kings need to complete 15. Look for the Kings to play with a lot of inconsistency but also with a lot of promise. Unfortunately, promise doesn't count in the run up to the playoffs.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
photos courtesy of Getty Images and Ball Don't Lie
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