Dallas Mavericks
Major Additions: Lamar Odom, Vince Carter
Major Subtractions: Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler
The Mavericks couldn't have picked a worse way to begin their title defense by enduring a lockout. Losing a vital defensive cog in Tyson Chandler, playing veterans in a compacted schedule and incorporating two new key players has left them in disarray. While the Mavericks have seemed to find some footing, the real key for this team is to survive the regular season and redevelop their camaraderie to make another run at the title. On paper, the task seems impossible, but then again that was what everyone said last year before Dirk Nowitzki just Dirk Nowitzki'd everyone.
Fearless Forecast: At least 2nd round of the playoffs
Houston Rockets
Major Additions: Samuel Dalembert
Major Subtractions: Yao Ming
With Yao Ming's retirement and the NBA rescinding the 3-team deal that would have brought Pau Gasol (and possibly) Nene to the Rockets, everyone just wrote off Houston. The thing with these Rockets, though, is that since GM Daryl Morey took over, their roster has been filled with high-quality guys who play better for real than on paper. The Rockets are getting great play from guards Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin and once Luis Scola gets back to his normal self, the Rockets could challenge for a playoff spot.
Fearless Forecast: Bubble Team (8th seed or eliminated in the regular season)
Memphis Grizzlies
Major Additions: Maresse Speights
Major Subtractions: Shane Battier
The Grizzlies surprised everyone last year by beating the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs and then going all the way to game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Starting this year with a full line up and complete confidence, they stumbled. Then, Zach Randolph goes down with an injury and they rattle off the NBA's longest current win streak. Go figure. With the emergence of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, the Grizzlies will again make the playoffs but the length of their stay there will be determined by two things. One, how much maturity will develop in the players this season? Two, can Rudy Gay and Randolph play well together?
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs
New Orleans Hornets
Major Additions: Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman
Major Subtractions: Chris Paul
The Hornets were a complete mess following the NBA's decision to mess with their GM Dell Demps' offseason moves, but they did get a fair deal for Chris Paul. While this team is being built with an eye for the future, they can get good games out of Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor. What the Hornets need, though, is to see if Gordon can emerge as the franchise player they lost in Paul and begin an earnest rebuild around him. The problem, of course, is Gordon may not be healthy enough to build around and worse, will the Hornets ever find a buyer to bankroll the rebuilding?
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
San Antonio Spurs
Major Additions: T.J. Ford
Major Subtractions: George Hill
The Spurs are gearing up for possibly "one last run" with their big 3 of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (for yet another year) and teams best not underestimate them. This year, though, has seen Duncan look a lot older and Ginobili injured significantly again. Coach Popovich will again get the best out his players but heart and strategy may have to give way to reality this year. This may indeed be Duncan's last season, but whether or not it could still be a significant one may prove to be a bitter pill.
Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs
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