DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks were bad, but they were also exciting as hell. Dennis Smith Jr. kept the league in awe with his aerobatic dunks. Harrison Barnes was a solid scorer for them. Dirk is back for one last run. The Mavs, FINALLY, signed DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers and the Mavs picked up the European prodigy known as Luka Doncic.
Question: Will the Mavs challenge for a playoff spot?
Answer: I think they are a year away. Signing Jordan helps their interior defense, which they really had to improve. Speaking of improvement, I think Harrison Barnes can improve his game to the next level. If DSJ can cut down on turnovers, he will progress mightily. From what I've seen of Doncic, all I can say is WOW! He's going to be an instant star.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets came one game away from going to the NBA Finals. So this season, the Rockets are focused in beating the Warriors and winning the NBA title. James Harden finally won the MVP award and with Chris Paul and Carmello Anthony in tow, the Rockets have the firepower to defeat the Warriors to become the team in the West.
Question: Is Melo the piece the Rockets need for a title?
Answer: He could be. It was obvious that Houston needed another piece, because Paul isn't exactly the most durable player out there. Re-upping Clint Capela does them wonders due to his defense. But everything here revolves around Harden and he has showed he can be unselfish with the ball. If the CP3/Beard/Melo trio can share the ball, then the Rockets could have a championship run.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The unofficial end of the "Grit And Grind" era happened last season. The Grizzlies went back to the drawing board and suffered a brutal 22-60 campaign. Mike Conley Jr. missed most of the season due to injuries and Marc Gasol seemed to regress due to him getting older. The Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. with the 4th pick and can bring some help for Gasol in the frontcourt. They signed Kyle Anderson from the Spurs to man the small forward position.
Question: What do you make of the Grizzlies?
Answer: The Grizzlies right now are a team that is rebuilding, but have Conley and Gasol as veteran leaders to mesh with the young talent. The roster is full of limited talent, but capable. The key is Jaren Jackson Jr.'s development and if Kyle Anderson can live up to the big contract Memphis signed him to.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Kawhi Leonard was traded. Manu Ginobili retired. Tony Parker signed the Hornets. And as of this writing, Dejounte Murray was lost to a torn ACL. It's safe to say the Spurs didn't have the most fruitful offseason.....but if there is a team that can still survive and make the playoffs, it's the Spurs. They received DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi trade and he brings unbelievable scoring range with him. LaMarcus Aldridge continues to play at an All-Star level and Rudy Gay brings more scoring for the Spurs.
Question: Honestly, can the Spurs survive all this?
Answer: Gregg Popovich won 5 NBA titles by using players that were fundamentally sound and playing near mistake free basketball. For the Spurs, they still have talent in DeRozan, Aldridge and Gay. But through all that, I think the Spurs can survive this, if role players step up.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Despite losing DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles tendon injury, the Pelicans still advanced to the second round of the playoffs, before falling to the Warriors. Cousins, then decided to sign with those Warriors. The Pelicans recovered by signing Julius Randle and Louisiana native Elfrid Payton to help MVP candidate Anthony Davis as the Pelicans will try to improve from their second round loss.
Question: Will AD be traded from New Orleans during the season?
Answer: Hopefully, not. If the Pels can give him some pieces during the season, New Orleans should build this team around him. Randle, Payton, Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic are great role players that fit well in Alvin Gentry's offense. But it's Davis that is the focal point of the Pelicans and teams will try to contain him. Easier said than done.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets barely missed the playoffs last season. Paul Millsap missed a good portion of the season due to injury. Nikola Jokic signed an extension so he will continue to flourish. Jamal Murray and Gary Harris continue to improve in the backcourt. The Nuggets received a gift in the draft when Michael Porter Jr. fell to them at #13. Signing Isaiah Thomas was a coo for them which gives the Nuggets depth.
Question: Are the Nuggets a future dynasty in the making?
Answer: It kind of looks like that.....but they all have to develop to their full potential. Jokic is their best player and he's only 23. Murray and Harris are 21 and 24, respectfully. MPJ is 20, but there are concerns about his back which is a red flag. If Millsap can stay healthy and Thomas can revert back to his Boston days, the Nuggets could be a scary team in the West.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
IT FINALLY HAPPENED! After a 13 season drought, the Timberwolves finally made the playoffs. They were bounced by the Rockets in the first round, but that's okay. KAT signed an extension before the preseason, so he and Andrew Wiggins are locked up for the near future. So it's happy days again for the Timberwolves. Except for one minor detail, Jimmy Butler wants out and he's bringing the drama. How did it come to this?
Question: Without Butler, are the Timberwolves a playoff contender?
Answer: It depends on what they get in return for him. KAT and Wiggins are the foundation of the T-Wolves, but it's the role players like Taj Gibson and Jeff Teague that will provide veteran leadership for these youngsters. Coach T has this organization going in the right direction. Unfortunately, the pending Jimmy Butler trade could derail that.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder decided to go all in by acquiring Paul George and Carmelo Anthony for their championship run. It didn't go well as the Thunder were out by the first round. But Paul George decided to stay with the Thunder instead of going to L.A. as everyone thought. Then they added Dennis Schroder from Atlanta sending Melo out the door, giving Russell Westbrook a chance to play off the ball more.
Question: With George staying put, are the Thunder a threat in the West?
Answer: Yes, Westbrook could be even more dangerous if he plays the 2. Billy Donovan could switch off Westbrook and Schroder at the guard spots, causing mismatch problems for opponents. Steven Adams is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year every season. Their depth seems like they are lacking, but I feel Donovan can figure something out.
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
The Blazers took the West by storm, stealing the #3 seed in the playoffs......only to be swept in the first round by the Pelicans. A lot of sports outlets feel that the Blazers should look to break up the Damien Lillard/C.J. McCollum tandem. With weird contracts (Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard) on the roster, it will be hard for the Blazers to add onto the team. A trade for one of those weird contracts would be a good idea, if they can find any takers.
Question: Can the Blazers contend in the West?
Answer: They showed last year that they can. Unfortunately, they were bounced quickly. Terry Stotts can shift his lineup and use Lillard at the 2 and McCollum at the 1 in some spots. The Blazers' depth is actually strong, so that could be a key for them. Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins can hopefully develop into some legit big men and Mo Harkless is very underrated. Even though I stated that their depth is strong, it wouldn't hurt to get a third big time scorer.
UTAH JAZZ
For the second straight season, the Jazz went to the second round of the playoffs. They fell to the Rockets, but showed a lot of promise heading into this season. Donovan Mitchell took the NBA by storm with his crazy leaping ability and natural scoring prowess. DPOY Rudy Gobert will continue to make offensive players' lives miserable. Ricky Rubio looks like the player that everyone thought he would be. And they extended Dante Exum.....they have faith in him.
Question: Could the Jazz be a surprise in this loaded West?
Answer: Give Psycho Q (Head Coach Quin Snyder) the credit he deserves. He can mix and match his lineup the best way that he can, because of his players buying into his system. Derrick Favors isn't the star that everyone hoped for, but he is solid. Exum is the point guard of the future....if he can stay healthy. Joe Ingles is a good three point specialist who well fits the Jazz offense. Utah could make noise in the West.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors only won their third title in the last four years and you thought that the Warriors were going to just relax. But wait! DeMarcus Cousins decided to sign for less and chase a title. So the Warriors are the favorites again to win.
Question: Will the Warriors break their own record for most regular season wins?
Answer: I don't think that they are thinking about that. A title before the move to the Chase Center in San Francisco is really what they want. We all know the cast: Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green, and now Cousins. It seems like how Duke is right now, snagging a hell of a recruiting class. But they can develop talent also, because Quinn Cook, Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney have become key contributors for the team. If they can develop young talent, that is a scary thought.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
LOB City is officially over. Before the season started, Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets. Before the trade deadline, they traded Blake Griffin was traded to the Pistons, and DeAndre Jordan was let to sign with the Mavericks. Even the coach's son, Austin Rivers, was traded. The Clippers are kind of in a rebuild mode, but the players they got in trades are pivotal for their future.
Question: Are the Clippers rebuilding or are they a playoff team?
Answer: They can be both. With players like Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley, the Clippers could easily playoff bound. On the flip side, they are inexperienced which could take another year to develop into a playoff team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could turn out to be a superstar with his high potential.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING! Every basketball fans dream has come true. LeBron is a Laker......and Laker fans are imagining the new Showtime era, and championships will be coming to L.A...............as Lee Corso would say "Not so fast, my friend". The Lakers have some great talent ,but they are polished yet. LeBron can help them develop. The Ball/Ingram/Kuzma trio can be something special, just give them time to flourish.
Question: Can the Lakers make the playoffs?
Answer: I think LeBron can take them there by his lonesome. They also have vets like Michael Beasley, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo, and Lance Stephenson who were signed this offseason to join LeBron. Coach Luke Walton has a great cast that could get the Lakers to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-2013. Their championship reality..............let's wait a season or two...or three.
PHOENIX SUNS
In the franchise's 50th season, the Suns had the worst record in the NBA. Despite that, luck came their way as Phoenix won the #1pick and selected Arizona center DeAndre Ayton. Devin Booker signed a five year deal, locking up the potential top players in the league. With the late season surge of Josh Jackson, the Suns' future looks rosy.....Then, eight days before the season started, they fired GM Ryan McDonaugh. Yep, odd times for the Phoenix Suns.
Question: Will the Suns be better than last season?
Answer: Hopefully, locking up Booker is a plus. Getting Ayton and Mikal Bridges in the draft helps plenty. The continued progress of Jackson and the signing Trevor Ariza will help the Suns defensively. Coach Igor will do his best to make sure the right players are in the rotation that will help the team win. This franchise sure needs the wins.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
(sigh) The Kings missed the playoffs for the 12th straight season. DeAaron Fox looks like he can be a potential star. Bogdan Bogdanovic won the MVP during the Futures Game. The rest of the roster looks promising, but that's all that they look: promising. The Kings did strike luck by getting the #2 pick and selecting a generational talent in Marvin Bagley III. Again, it's promising, but still some good young pieces.
Question: Will the Kings ever get out of their decade playoff drought?
Answer: I already answered that in my article on the real sports az website. Check it out. This season, the Kings probably won't make the playoffs, but hopefully, they can improve. They did a lot to help in player development for these young, talented players. Right now, it seems like Fox and Bagley are in the forefront. Harry Giles looks like he's ready to make an impact, so watch out for him.
(Next year, I promise this will be done earlier)