Post by Benwallacedetroit3 on Oct 12, 2005 10:27:36 GMT -5
Aaron Reilly
Pacific Division Predictions – NBA
The Pacific Division just opened up a lot more with the injury of Amare Stoudamire. Even with Stoudamire in the division it was still not as wide open but with that injury every other team now has a legit shot at winning the division.
Pacific Division
Teams – Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings
1. Sacramento Kings (51-31)
The Kings bring in a stacked starting five with two new additions to it. Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim replace the old duo of Chris Webber and Doug Christie. The rest of their starting lineup will stay the same with Bibby, Peja, and Brad Miller at the other three positions. I expect Peja Stojakovic to explode this year and retain the title as the best outside shooter in the league. Peja’s contract is up so he’ll have to prove why he deserves a big contract. The bench has two very good players coming off with Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas. Both players can provide solid defense and scoring off the bench for the team. Their backup guards are a little suspect since they lost both Bobby Jackson and Maurice Evans to offseason moves. While this division remains wide open I do see Sacramento taking the division.
2. Golden State Warriors (47-35)
Golden State looks to be this years up tempo Phoenix Suns team. The Warriors enter this year with an extremely dangerous backcourt of Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. This backcourt is going to cause trouble for all in the league and it seems their chemistry is already there as shown by last night’s amazing pass from Baron to JRich. Mike Dunleavy is also in a contract year and may start living up to those expectations he had at the number 3 pick not too long ago. Troy Murphy is a guaranteed double double every night but their center position is not as strong as the rest of their lineup. Adonal Foyle is going to have trouble matching up with the better big men in the league but Andris Biendrins may be able to step in and contribute this season. Mikael Pietrus is going to give the Warriors a boost off the bench and may start over Dunleavy if he does not live up to expectations. It remains to see how Ike Diogu will bounce back from his injury and what type of impact he will have. As the ninth pick Diogu will come in and help this team in the interior. Overall the Warriors may be the NBA’s most improved team this season and Baron Davis, if healthy, will put up a fight for this year’s MVP award.
3. Phoenix Suns (45-37)
It’s amazing what one player can mean to a team but when Amare Stoudamire falls to the injury bug so does the Suns record. If Amare is in this lineup this team is my pick to win the division, without him they will struggle to make the playoffs. I have them with this record just because it is said he will be back after the all star break which should give them just enough time to make it back into the thick of the West race. MVP Steve Nash and Shawn Marion will have to lead this team in Stoudamire’s absence. The Suns made some changes to the NBA’s best regular season team trading away both Joe Johnson and Q Richardson. In return the team got deeper and tougher up in their thin front court. Brian Grant and Kurt Thomas will start while Amare is recovering and Raja Bell will replace Joe Johnson. Shawn Marion will go back to his usual small forward position and rack up his usual numbers. The pickup I am looking forward to seeing is Boris Diaw. Diaw played extremely well for France in their second place run in the Euro Championships this year. Diaw was an impact player in Europe and if Phoenix can get anything like that this year Diaw may be one of the best pickups in the league.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)
Every year this team is expected to break out of their major funk but I feel this is the year they sneak into the playoffs. With veteran additions Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell the team has a great shot to be playing in May. The intriguing battle will be between veteran Sam Cassell and second year guard Shaun Livingston. Cassell has already said he knows it’s Livingston’s team in the future but he wants to start now. Elton Brand remains the most underrated forward in the game and will again average his normal numbers of 20/10 a game. Maggette is a top notch forward but is said to been put on the trading block. The Clippers SHOULD have a winning record with the talent they have but will they play up to potential, only time will tell.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (41-41)
I hesitate to put this team so low when they have the best guard in the NBA but a team with no point guard and center, not even MJ could bring this team to championship level. Phil Jackson does come back and should bring this team to respectability but they will miss the playoffs by a hair this year. Lamar Odom is being touted as the Scottie Pippen so what better teacher to bring in for Odom then Pippen. Kwame Brown will get a fresh start this season with a new team and may be able to put up some nice numbers with most of the attention surrounding Kobe and Odom. Andrew Bynum will be a work in progress and may not see much time this season but he may be a nice center one day. The Lakers may prove me wrong but I think they are a year, point guard, and center away from really competing.
Pacific Division Predictions – NBA
The Pacific Division just opened up a lot more with the injury of Amare Stoudamire. Even with Stoudamire in the division it was still not as wide open but with that injury every other team now has a legit shot at winning the division.
Pacific Division
Teams – Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings
1. Sacramento Kings (51-31)
The Kings bring in a stacked starting five with two new additions to it. Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim replace the old duo of Chris Webber and Doug Christie. The rest of their starting lineup will stay the same with Bibby, Peja, and Brad Miller at the other three positions. I expect Peja Stojakovic to explode this year and retain the title as the best outside shooter in the league. Peja’s contract is up so he’ll have to prove why he deserves a big contract. The bench has two very good players coming off with Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas. Both players can provide solid defense and scoring off the bench for the team. Their backup guards are a little suspect since they lost both Bobby Jackson and Maurice Evans to offseason moves. While this division remains wide open I do see Sacramento taking the division.
2. Golden State Warriors (47-35)
Golden State looks to be this years up tempo Phoenix Suns team. The Warriors enter this year with an extremely dangerous backcourt of Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. This backcourt is going to cause trouble for all in the league and it seems their chemistry is already there as shown by last night’s amazing pass from Baron to JRich. Mike Dunleavy is also in a contract year and may start living up to those expectations he had at the number 3 pick not too long ago. Troy Murphy is a guaranteed double double every night but their center position is not as strong as the rest of their lineup. Adonal Foyle is going to have trouble matching up with the better big men in the league but Andris Biendrins may be able to step in and contribute this season. Mikael Pietrus is going to give the Warriors a boost off the bench and may start over Dunleavy if he does not live up to expectations. It remains to see how Ike Diogu will bounce back from his injury and what type of impact he will have. As the ninth pick Diogu will come in and help this team in the interior. Overall the Warriors may be the NBA’s most improved team this season and Baron Davis, if healthy, will put up a fight for this year’s MVP award.
3. Phoenix Suns (45-37)
It’s amazing what one player can mean to a team but when Amare Stoudamire falls to the injury bug so does the Suns record. If Amare is in this lineup this team is my pick to win the division, without him they will struggle to make the playoffs. I have them with this record just because it is said he will be back after the all star break which should give them just enough time to make it back into the thick of the West race. MVP Steve Nash and Shawn Marion will have to lead this team in Stoudamire’s absence. The Suns made some changes to the NBA’s best regular season team trading away both Joe Johnson and Q Richardson. In return the team got deeper and tougher up in their thin front court. Brian Grant and Kurt Thomas will start while Amare is recovering and Raja Bell will replace Joe Johnson. Shawn Marion will go back to his usual small forward position and rack up his usual numbers. The pickup I am looking forward to seeing is Boris Diaw. Diaw played extremely well for France in their second place run in the Euro Championships this year. Diaw was an impact player in Europe and if Phoenix can get anything like that this year Diaw may be one of the best pickups in the league.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)
Every year this team is expected to break out of their major funk but I feel this is the year they sneak into the playoffs. With veteran additions Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell the team has a great shot to be playing in May. The intriguing battle will be between veteran Sam Cassell and second year guard Shaun Livingston. Cassell has already said he knows it’s Livingston’s team in the future but he wants to start now. Elton Brand remains the most underrated forward in the game and will again average his normal numbers of 20/10 a game. Maggette is a top notch forward but is said to been put on the trading block. The Clippers SHOULD have a winning record with the talent they have but will they play up to potential, only time will tell.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (41-41)
I hesitate to put this team so low when they have the best guard in the NBA but a team with no point guard and center, not even MJ could bring this team to championship level. Phil Jackson does come back and should bring this team to respectability but they will miss the playoffs by a hair this year. Lamar Odom is being touted as the Scottie Pippen so what better teacher to bring in for Odom then Pippen. Kwame Brown will get a fresh start this season with a new team and may be able to put up some nice numbers with most of the attention surrounding Kobe and Odom. Andrew Bynum will be a work in progress and may not see much time this season but he may be a nice center one day. The Lakers may prove me wrong but I think they are a year, point guard, and center away from really competing.
2012 Western Conference Finals
