Fifty Peso Previews NBA 2011-12: Southwest Division

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

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs West

     It was upsets galore on the 2nd day of the NBA playoffs but they did little to change my forecast for the Western Conference.  Check them out below.  For the East preview click here.


San Antonio Spurs (1) vs Memphis Grizzlies (8)

     Usually number 1 seeds are pegged to have an easy time in the first round but the Spurs are bothered by two problems. One, they still don't have Manu Ginobili, although rumors are he'll suit up in game 2. Two, the Grizzlies have given them problems before.  The Grizz have two capable big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and that means Tim Duncan has to exert effort on defense, which tires him out. In the end though, the experience, defense and discipline of the Spurs together with Memphis lack of depth in the outside shooting department will cause the Spurs to win out.


Fearless Forecast: Spurs take series (4 games to 2)

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Southwest Division

Before anything else, I'm inviting everyone to catch me on Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones Final Showdown on November 30, from 4 to 8 pm at the Rockwell Tent.


The Fifty Peso Previews are heading out West and let's take a look at the Southwest division.  

Dallas Mavericks


Major Additions: Tyson Chandler
Major Subtractions: None


The Mavericks are a veteran, talented team. Yet again.  The problem is, the Mavs have been talented and competitive every year, but never close to winning a title save for their one blown chance against Miami in 2006.  The team will lean again on Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, but the two vets need massive stepped up play from new addition Chandler, Caron Butler and Shawn Marion and a concerted effort on defense to challenge with the big boys.  From the looks of things, though, it will be a tough grind.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (2nd round)

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Fifty Peso Previews: Southwest Division

     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.

Dallas Mavericks

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)

Memphis Grizzlies

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

NBA Starting Five (Story Lines)

     The new National Basketball Association (NBA) season begins on October 28 and it promises to be another exciting one filled with numerous back stories and plots.  Here is my Starting Five story lines for the upcoming season.

1.  Can the Celts do it again?

     The $64 million dollar question for all champions is whether they can do it again.  They have kept most of the team together (although James Posey has signed on with the Hornets) and more importantly, the Celts, especially Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, have said all the right things about not getting complacent and working hard.  With those two at the helm, it is safe to say that the Celtics will play and compete hard.  What remains in the balance though, is will the big three get some help from bench players Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt?  

2.  Are the Lakers really better this year?

     Despite having the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kobe Bryant, many claimed the Lakers were short-handed facing the Celtics in last year's NBA finals.  With Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza finally healthy, and with Pau Gasol in for a whole year, this year will be the true test of the Lakers' championship mettle.  Are the Lakers destined to be world champs?

3.  Cavaliers and Hornets.  Are they for real?

     Last season, these two young teams have shown up the "veteran" teams by performing well despite their relative young age.  During the offseason, they both not only kept the core of their line ups, they each also added a player that they feel could get them over the hump.  The Cavs added PG Mo Williams to add a ball handler and scorer to take the load of Lebron James, while the Hornets brought in veteran SG James Posey, a great shooter, perimeter defender and more importantly, a good locker room presence to guide the younger players.  Will these additions and another year of playing together take these teams to the promised land? 

4.  Will the Rockets finally have lift off?

     Despite the talented duo of Tracy Mcgrady and Yao Ming and their record-setting 22 straight wins, the Rockets have failed to move past the first round of the playoffs in five seasons.  A lot of that could be attributed to the two stars constantly getting injured, but it could also be pointed at their relatively thin bench.  This year, the Rockets added another big time player in SF Ron Artest and a veteran shooter in SG Brent Barry.  Will they be enough to improve the team?  Will the Rockets stay healthy and deep enough to go past the first round of the playoffs?

5.  How old is old?

     The aging line ups of the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs were tweaked very little in the off season, meaning the teams are looking for another title run.  This season will reveal if age has finally caught up with them.  Grizzled veterans Rasheed Wallace of the Pistons and TIm Duncan of the Spurs will continue battling down low, but can they still carry their teams?  Will age and various injuries finally catch up to them?