Sunday, December 12, 2010

Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 Pacific Division

Just like to remind everyone that a 1 hour special on Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones will be aired on December 20 at 10 pm Skycable Ch. 52. Catch everything from the auditions to the finals!

Golden State Warriors



Major Additions: David Lee, Dorell Wright
Major Subtractions: None


Warriors fans heaved a sigh of relief as the team changed owners and coaches.  They seem to have taken the first step towards a winning attitude, grabbing All Star David Lee and a defensive-minded (former SMB import) Keith Smart as their coach.  The problem is, how long until will the winning actually comes?  This team has developed such a culture of losing that it may take a while.  Look for big years from Steph Curry, Monta Ellis and Lee, but racking up wins and playoff berths are at least 2 years away.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season


Los Angeles Clippers


Major Additions: Blake Griffin, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe
Major Subtractions: Steve Blake


You have to hand it to the Clippers. Every year, they harness some of the best and most intruiging talents.  Then, they keep losing games and later on these same talents.  This year, the Clippers have already enjoyed the emrgence of Griffin, probably this year's rookie of the year, bledsoe and Aminu.  The problem is, they're losing still and it gets worse as Chris Kaman and Baron Davis are limping their way to another injury-riddled season.  Look for the Clippers to continue their (non) winning tradition.




Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season




Los Angeles Lakers




Major Additions: Matt Barnes, Steve Blake
Major Subtractions: None




It's always sad for the poor to see the rich getting richer, and the Lakers have made many sad again. Already a championship team threatening to 3 peat, the Lakers plugged whatever hole they may have had.  Grabbing a back up for Ron Artest in Barnes and a back up to Derek Fisher in Blake, the Lakers are deep enough to keep their top 2 of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol relatively fresh for the playoffs. Bad news for everyone.




Fearless Forecast: At least NBA Finals




Phoenix Suns




Major Additions: Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress, Hakim Warrick
Major Subtractions: Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa




The Suns wanted to save money, so they got a line up with even more holes than before.  Losing Stoudemire may have made sense money-wise, but replacing him to Warrick and former PBA import Earl Barron does not, basketball-wise.  Steve Nash's brilliance and the Suns' torrid 3 point shooting will keep the Suns winning, but this time, it will be tougher uphill climb for the Suns.


Fearless Forecast: Bubble Team (8th seed or eliminated in the regular season)


Sacramento Kings


Major Additions: DeMarcus Cousins, Samuel Dalembert
Major Subtractions: Andres Nocioni


The Kings are stocking up on young talent and that is good news.  The problem with such a young team, though, is it will need time, and lots of it.  Team leader Tyreke Evans needs more time to mature both on and off the court and he needs to do it fast, as newcomer Cousins seems to have shown signs of attitude problems as well.  All that youth will be of no importance if the Kings can't get their heads on straight.  Either way, it will be a tough year for Sacramento.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season








photos courtesy of getty images



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