Once thought to be the toughest division in the NBA, this season might see the Southwest once again field in 3 teams from their division in the playoffs.
Last Season: Eliminated in the playoffs (2nd round) by the Denver Nuggets
Key New Additions: Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas
Projected Starters: Jason Kidd, Quinton Ross, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier
Obviously gearing up for what could be Jason Kidd's last hurrah for an NBA title, the Mavericks acquired veterans to shore up the line up. The additions, however, don't seem to be enough despite what owner Mark Cuban may want to believe. The Mavs still have no defensive presence they can anchor themselves to, and with Josh Howard and Shawn Marion already battling injuries this early, the Mavs will do well enough to just make the playoffs alone. Nowitzki's and Kidd's overall brilliance and Jason Terry's hot-shooting will keep the Mavs very dangerous, but as for competing for the title? Well, Cuban shouldn't bet his house on his own Mavs.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (1st round)
Houston Rockets
Last Year: Eliminated in the playoffs (2nd round) by the L.A. Lakers
Key New Additions: Trevor Ariza, David Andersen, Chase Budinger, Jermaine Taylor
Projected Starters: Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Carl Landry
What a difference a year makes. Last season, the Rockets had a line up that featured a "Big Three" and were one win away from a stint in the Western Conference Finals. Now? None of the "Big Three" will start the season for them and people have all but dismissed them from the playoffs. With Ron Artest leaving for the Lakers,Yao Ming out for the season with an injury and T-Mac not close to returning, the Rockets will be a testament to Rick Adelman's coaching skills and GM Daryl Morey's theory on picking players by the statistics. Look for this Rockets team to play solid defense anchored by Battier and scrappy offense courtesy of all their draft picks and free agent signings. This year will also be a good test for Ariza's capability to carry the load so this season will be quite a discovery year for the Rockets.
Fearless Forecast: Bubble Team (8th seed in playoffs or eliminated in the regular season)
Last year: Eliminated in the regular season
Key New Additions: Hasheem Thabeet, Allen Iverson, Zach Randolph
Projected Starters: Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol
The Grizzlies seemed to be hellbent on rebuilding (which was a great move on their part) and when they picked Thabeet, the Grizzlies collected for themselves a handful of young and promising talent. That's why it's such a puzzle that they went ahead and acquired two superstars (albeit troublemakers) this season. Hiring Iverson and Randolph, both "shoot first, ask questions later" players, doesn't coincide with any rebuilding plans as neither are spring chickens and neither have shown themselves to be great role models or teachers in all their years in the NBA. While Iverson has been saying all the right things about his new teammates and practice (!), this strange experiment of the Grizzlies will turn out to be one of those "horrible explosion in the lab" types of experiments.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
New Orleans Hornets
Last Year: Eliminated in the playoffs (1st round) by the Denver Nuggets
Key New Additions: Darren Collison, Darius Songaila, Emeka Okafor
Projected Starters: Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Julian Wright, David West, Emeka Okafor
After being the playoff darlings a couple of years ago, the Hornets were utterly disappointing last season. Sure, injuries played a part in their collapse, but the Hornets have to face the reality of it all. If they want to compete for championships, they need to find more help for Paul and West. While trading Okafor for Tyson Chandler was a good start, the Hornets didn't do much else. The unworldly talent of Chris Paul will keep this team great and if the health of West and Okafor hold up, the Hornets will make the playoffs. As for competing in the NBA FInals? Owner George Shinn needs to show people the money first.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (1st round)
San Antonio Spurs
Last Season: Eliminated in the playoffs (1st Round) by the Dallas Mavericks
Key New Additions: Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair
Projected Starters: Tony Parker, Roger Mason, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess
Sensing that their "Big Three" of Parker, Ginobili and Duncan still has at least a couple of years together, the Spurs opened up their cash box and brought in some veteran help. Taking in Jefferson and McDyess plugs the holes in the two positions that they were severely weak in and it also means more possible rest time for Duncan and Ginobili, who broke down health-wise last year. The question now is whether these guys really do have another of couple of years in them. The true test for the Spurs will be late in the season if they have their health with them. If they do, this one could go all the way once again.
Fearless Forecast: At least 2nd round of the playoffs.
photos courtesy of Ball Don't Lie and Getty Images
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