Golden State Warriors
Major Additions: Nate Robinson, Kwame Brown, Brandon Rush
Major Subtractions: None
The Warriors' owners are determined to give the fans a team embarking on a new and better direction, but that is a tall order, especially this season. The Warriors remain a small team with very little frontcourt presence. As new coach Mark Jackson faces his own acid test, the Warriors will fight an uphill battle, especially with injuries continuing to hound an already limited roster. Guard play from Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and Nate Robinson will net them lots of points. Wins are a different matter and even if they develop the kind of defensive toughness Jackson intends to give them, it won't matter much this season.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
Los Angeles Lakers
Major Additions: Troy Murphy, Josh McRoberts
Major Subtractions: Lamar Odom
The Lakers' story would've been tremendously different had the trade for Chris Paul gone through, but here they are, with the same aging team sans their sixth man of the year. Kobe Bryant continues to defy time and injuries, and Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum seem to be playing well together despite constant trade rumors, but the Lakers have very iffy point guard play. Derek Fisher cannot guard anybody anymore and neither can Steve Blake. That combined with the constant health issues of Bryant and Bynum could make Bryant's quest for a 6th ring a tough one. If all things fall into place, health-wise that is, the Lakers are still capable of making a run, as far as Kobe can take them.
Fearless Forecast: At least 2nd round of the playoffs
Los Angeles Clippers
Major Additions: Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler
Major Subtractions: Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman
How quickly can a franchise change? As quickly as the Clippers it seems. In a flurry of moves, the Clippers have all of a sudden emerged as contenders, on paper. Surrounding Blake Griffin with veteran talent sounds like the perfect way to go after the NBA title, but in a lockout-shortened season, the Clippers may be hard-pressed to develop the camaraderie needed to contend for the trophy. Plus, they didn't do themselves any favors by keeping Vinny Del Negro as coach. The Clippers will need the magic of Chris Paul and Chancey Billups if they want to go deep in the playoffs in just their first year together.
Fearless Forecast: At least 2nd round of the playoffs
Phoenix Suns
Major Additions: Michael Redd
Major Subtractions: Vince Carter
The Suns have a problem. They are at their best when they run and gun, but they might not have the personnel to do either. Penny-pinching by ownership has handicapped this team, leaving it with a roster of athletic, albeit aging players, few of whom can shoot consistently. Steve Nash can still run the show, but he is finding less and less opportunities to rack up his assists. Marcin Gortat may have a good year this season, but the rest of the team, especially Grant Hill, Jared Dudley and Channing Frye have to completely surpass themselves every game if they want to make the Suns any threat to make the playoffs.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
Sacramento Kings
Major Additions: JJ Hickson, Jimmer Fredette
Major Subtractions: Beno Udrih, Omri Casspi
The Kings are a mess. No wait. They were a mess the past few years, but now they are a complete disaster. The Kings fired Coach Paul Westphal a few days after he had a run-in with DeMarcus Cousins, effectively depriving the players of what they need the most, which is accountability. New coach Keith Smart must now pick up the pieces, help the players and the Kings build an identity and play hard. This year, though, will most likely go down as another bad one for the Kings.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
photos courtesy of Yahoo sports and Getty Images
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