Post by 20/20/20/20 on Oct 17, 2010 14:13:17 GMT -5
In order to be equal opportunity to our Western GMs, and having received a few requests, I will also preview the West in 2006.
Utah Jazz
Projected Record: 55-27
The big splash acquisition of Dirk Nowitzki puts the Jazz into the West's elite, but it isn't just Dirk that makes this team my pick to finish as the #1 seed. Sebastian Telfair has developed into one of the league's best PGs, and they are very deep in forward positions with Andrew Bogut, Melvin Ely, Joakim Noah, and Zach Randolph supplementing Dirk down low. Ricky Davis is the new SG and he put up great scoring numbers in limited minutes last year.
For years the Jazz had been stock piling 1st rounders to the point where they had more than they could use. The GM had a plan though and put that high volume of 1sts to use, exchanging 3 of them for a superstar. This might be the best rebounding team in the league.
Phoenix Suns
Projected Record: 53-29
The Suns roster is absolutely loaded with talent. Amare Stoudemire has earned a spot among the league's best PFs. Eddy Curry is an elite C. Carlos Boozer, Steve Francis, Joe Johnson, and Andre Miller are all great players. This may be the most talented team in the West now that the Sonics traded Dirk. The only thing that kept me from putting the Suns in the #1 spot is that this team simply has not done it before. They had lots of talent last year and didn't put everything together.
Sacramento Kings
Projected Record: 50-32
The Kings traded long time PG Mike Bibby and his albatross of a contract this offseason which likely made them a worse team this season, but the added cap flexibility will help them out in the future. Tony Parker has always had good ratings but has never performed well as a PG in this league. I am curious to see how he does surrounded by the talent in Sacramento. Bosh and O'Neal are still the best big man tandem in the league, though Amare and Eddy Curry are right on their heels. Wouldn't shock me if this team finished as the 1 seed, but the downgrade at PG might keep them from doing so.
Seattle Supersonics
Projected Record: 49-33
This team was so talented that even trading a superstar like Dirk won't keep them from contending in the West. A projected starting lineup of Billups, Eddie Jones, Jamal Mashburn, David West, and Greg Ostertag is still a solid squad. Fans have to be left wondering what could have been though as the Sonics were my clear choice for #1 in the West if they still had Dirk. Some underrated bench players like Jeff Foster and Leandro Barbosa should give the Sonics starters some rest.
Houston Rockets
Projected Record: 46-36
Starting with the 5 seed Houston Rockets, I see a logjam of evenly matched teams out West. The battle for the 5-8 seeds will be a season long story and plenty of quality teams will find themselves in the lottery at season's end. The Rockets added Antonio McDyess and the 32 year old PF is back for another year. Teamed up with Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire, the Rockets have a good big 3, but I question their talent at the C and SF positions. In the end, I think Big Z and Nocioni are good enough to get the Rockets in the playoffs, but they won't be reaching the Finals again without an upgrade.
Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Record: 45-37
The Clippers upgrade the C position in a big way this offseason after buying out the Kandi man. The Clippers also dealt Udonis Haslem giving themselves a lot of cap flexibility in the future. Baron Davis is still a stud and they have surrounded him with more talent by adding Julius Hodge, Keyon Dooling and Corey Maggette in the past two seasons. Hakim Warrick has been a disappointment so far and has not developed as fast as most GMs expected. Rebounding is a possible concern for the Clips.
Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Record: 44-38
The Grizzlies were the Cinderella of last year's playoffs and are looking to build on that momentum in 2006. I see the team improving a bit, and wouldn't be surprised if they finished anywhere from as high as the 4 seed to as low as the 8 seed. I have them slotted in the 7 spot, but the team is dangerously talented with Nash, Kaman, T-Mac and Dajuan Wagner leading the show. Some good depth has developed in Memphis with Troy Murphy, Marvin Williams, TJ Ford, Shavlik Randolph and Jackson Vroman not even cracking the team's top 4. Don't be shocked if the Grizzlies end up being the surprise team out West.
Dallas Mavericks
Projected Record: 42-40
The Mavericks are a very balanced team, with no position showing a glaring weakness. This is why I gave them the edge over teams like Golden State and Portland who show more weaknesses than Dallas. If the Mavs want to break into the upper echelon of the West, they need guys like Rafael Araujo and Jameer Nelson to step up.
Golden State Warriors
Projected Record: 40-42
The Warriors have a lot of top tier talent: Pau Gasol is a stud, Francisco Garcia is the biggest steal of last year's draft, and Devin Harris is better than Jameer Nelson. Pops Mensah-Bonsu continued the trend of Warriors rookies breaking out big time in TC. But SG is a clear position of weakness in Oakland, and if the Warriors want to be a contender in the West, they need to make a move to address the SG spot.
Portland Trailblazers
Projected Record: 38-44
The Blazers could be the most improved team from 2005 and still find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. Anderson Varejao has become a quality center and the additions of Caron Butler and Nene Hilario in free agency give the Blazers much needed talent at the forward positions. The Blazers biggest offseason move was the acquisition of Mike Bibby, who is a huge upgrade at PG but comes with a massive price tag. Bibby definitely makes the Blazers better this year, but I wonder if they will regret the deal in a few years due to the money. Only time will tell.
Denver Nuggets
Projected Record: 38-44
The Nuggets are another team who is in the large grouping of team battling for the 5-8 seeds. The Nuggets were able to shed the contract of Steve Nash last season and will now turn over the team to 2nd year player Jarrett Jack, another steal from the 2005 draft. Shaq, Stackhouse, and Al Jefferson will be the big time scorers for this team and Tim Thomas is an above average SF. The Nuggets clearly have talent and if Jack meshes well with the vets, this is a playoff team.
Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Record: 31-51
The Lakers don't expect to contend this season and their GM is taking a patient approach with this team. Good development from Bynum, Ariza, Barkley and Wright will give the young Lakers hope for the future.
San Antonio Spurs
Projected Record: 23-59
The Spurs are the only team in the West never to make the postseason, and I don't see that changing in 2006. After star center Alonzo Mourning's retirement, the Spurs are one of the least talented teams in TMBSL. There are a lot of B's on the roster.
Minnesota Fighting Kahns
Projected Record: 10-72
Congratulations Kahn. Your team is horrible. The Wolves have made it their plan to tank the 2006 season and their plan was executed very well. Without any tankers out East and no one close to as bad as Minnesota in the West, I would be shocked if the Wolves don't end up with the worst record in TMBSL. No one will really be close.
Playoffs:
1.
8.
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5.
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3.
6.
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2.
7.
All Eastern Conference 1st Team:
C: Jermaine O'Neal, Sacramento
PF: Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
SF: Dirk Nowitzki, Utah
SG: Vince Carter, Houston
PG: Chauncey Billups, Seattle
2nd Team:
C: Shaquille O'Neal, Denver
PF: Chris Bosh, Sacramento
SF: Tracy McGrady, Memphis
SG: Steve Francis, Phoenix
PG: Devin Harris, Golden State
3rd Team:
C: Eddy Curry, Phoenix
PF: Pau Gasol, Golden State
SF: Carlos Boozer, Phoenix
SG: Jerry Stackhouse, Denver
PG: Sebastian Telfair, Utah
Utah Jazz
Projected Record: 55-27
The big splash acquisition of Dirk Nowitzki puts the Jazz into the West's elite, but it isn't just Dirk that makes this team my pick to finish as the #1 seed. Sebastian Telfair has developed into one of the league's best PGs, and they are very deep in forward positions with Andrew Bogut, Melvin Ely, Joakim Noah, and Zach Randolph supplementing Dirk down low. Ricky Davis is the new SG and he put up great scoring numbers in limited minutes last year.
For years the Jazz had been stock piling 1st rounders to the point where they had more than they could use. The GM had a plan though and put that high volume of 1sts to use, exchanging 3 of them for a superstar. This might be the best rebounding team in the league.
Phoenix Suns
Projected Record: 53-29
The Suns roster is absolutely loaded with talent. Amare Stoudemire has earned a spot among the league's best PFs. Eddy Curry is an elite C. Carlos Boozer, Steve Francis, Joe Johnson, and Andre Miller are all great players. This may be the most talented team in the West now that the Sonics traded Dirk. The only thing that kept me from putting the Suns in the #1 spot is that this team simply has not done it before. They had lots of talent last year and didn't put everything together.
Sacramento Kings
Projected Record: 50-32
The Kings traded long time PG Mike Bibby and his albatross of a contract this offseason which likely made them a worse team this season, but the added cap flexibility will help them out in the future. Tony Parker has always had good ratings but has never performed well as a PG in this league. I am curious to see how he does surrounded by the talent in Sacramento. Bosh and O'Neal are still the best big man tandem in the league, though Amare and Eddy Curry are right on their heels. Wouldn't shock me if this team finished as the 1 seed, but the downgrade at PG might keep them from doing so.
Seattle Supersonics
Projected Record: 49-33
This team was so talented that even trading a superstar like Dirk won't keep them from contending in the West. A projected starting lineup of Billups, Eddie Jones, Jamal Mashburn, David West, and Greg Ostertag is still a solid squad. Fans have to be left wondering what could have been though as the Sonics were my clear choice for #1 in the West if they still had Dirk. Some underrated bench players like Jeff Foster and Leandro Barbosa should give the Sonics starters some rest.
Houston Rockets
Projected Record: 46-36
Starting with the 5 seed Houston Rockets, I see a logjam of evenly matched teams out West. The battle for the 5-8 seeds will be a season long story and plenty of quality teams will find themselves in the lottery at season's end. The Rockets added Antonio McDyess and the 32 year old PF is back for another year. Teamed up with Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire, the Rockets have a good big 3, but I question their talent at the C and SF positions. In the end, I think Big Z and Nocioni are good enough to get the Rockets in the playoffs, but they won't be reaching the Finals again without an upgrade.
Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Record: 45-37
The Clippers upgrade the C position in a big way this offseason after buying out the Kandi man. The Clippers also dealt Udonis Haslem giving themselves a lot of cap flexibility in the future. Baron Davis is still a stud and they have surrounded him with more talent by adding Julius Hodge, Keyon Dooling and Corey Maggette in the past two seasons. Hakim Warrick has been a disappointment so far and has not developed as fast as most GMs expected. Rebounding is a possible concern for the Clips.
Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Record: 44-38
The Grizzlies were the Cinderella of last year's playoffs and are looking to build on that momentum in 2006. I see the team improving a bit, and wouldn't be surprised if they finished anywhere from as high as the 4 seed to as low as the 8 seed. I have them slotted in the 7 spot, but the team is dangerously talented with Nash, Kaman, T-Mac and Dajuan Wagner leading the show. Some good depth has developed in Memphis with Troy Murphy, Marvin Williams, TJ Ford, Shavlik Randolph and Jackson Vroman not even cracking the team's top 4. Don't be shocked if the Grizzlies end up being the surprise team out West.
Dallas Mavericks
Projected Record: 42-40
The Mavericks are a very balanced team, with no position showing a glaring weakness. This is why I gave them the edge over teams like Golden State and Portland who show more weaknesses than Dallas. If the Mavs want to break into the upper echelon of the West, they need guys like Rafael Araujo and Jameer Nelson to step up.
Golden State Warriors
Projected Record: 40-42
The Warriors have a lot of top tier talent: Pau Gasol is a stud, Francisco Garcia is the biggest steal of last year's draft, and Devin Harris is better than Jameer Nelson. Pops Mensah-Bonsu continued the trend of Warriors rookies breaking out big time in TC. But SG is a clear position of weakness in Oakland, and if the Warriors want to be a contender in the West, they need to make a move to address the SG spot.
Portland Trailblazers
Projected Record: 38-44
The Blazers could be the most improved team from 2005 and still find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. Anderson Varejao has become a quality center and the additions of Caron Butler and Nene Hilario in free agency give the Blazers much needed talent at the forward positions. The Blazers biggest offseason move was the acquisition of Mike Bibby, who is a huge upgrade at PG but comes with a massive price tag. Bibby definitely makes the Blazers better this year, but I wonder if they will regret the deal in a few years due to the money. Only time will tell.
Denver Nuggets
Projected Record: 38-44
The Nuggets are another team who is in the large grouping of team battling for the 5-8 seeds. The Nuggets were able to shed the contract of Steve Nash last season and will now turn over the team to 2nd year player Jarrett Jack, another steal from the 2005 draft. Shaq, Stackhouse, and Al Jefferson will be the big time scorers for this team and Tim Thomas is an above average SF. The Nuggets clearly have talent and if Jack meshes well with the vets, this is a playoff team.
Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Record: 31-51
The Lakers don't expect to contend this season and their GM is taking a patient approach with this team. Good development from Bynum, Ariza, Barkley and Wright will give the young Lakers hope for the future.
San Antonio Spurs
Projected Record: 23-59
The Spurs are the only team in the West never to make the postseason, and I don't see that changing in 2006. After star center Alonzo Mourning's retirement, the Spurs are one of the least talented teams in TMBSL. There are a lot of B's on the roster.
Minnesota Fighting Kahns
Projected Record: 10-72
Congratulations Kahn. Your team is horrible. The Wolves have made it their plan to tank the 2006 season and their plan was executed very well. Without any tankers out East and no one close to as bad as Minnesota in the West, I would be shocked if the Wolves don't end up with the worst record in TMBSL. No one will really be close.
Playoffs:
1.
8.
---------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
4.
5.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
6.
---------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
2.
7.
All Eastern Conference 1st Team:
C: Jermaine O'Neal, Sacramento
PF: Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
SF: Dirk Nowitzki, Utah
SG: Vince Carter, Houston
PG: Chauncey Billups, Seattle
2nd Team:
C: Shaquille O'Neal, Denver
PF: Chris Bosh, Sacramento
SF: Tracy McGrady, Memphis
SG: Steve Francis, Phoenix
PG: Devin Harris, Golden State
3rd Team:
C: Eddy Curry, Phoenix
PF: Pau Gasol, Golden State
SF: Carlos Boozer, Phoenix
SG: Jerry Stackhouse, Denver
PG: Sebastian Telfair, Utah
