Post by GMHornets on Dec 17, 2005 22:51:57 GMT -5
Perhaps it is harsh to say that, over the past few seasons, the Western Conference has gradually fallen asleep behind the wheel. But with the exclusion of a few very active general managers (most notably Utah, Golden State, Seattle, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento), the conference as a whole has been dead. Not necessarily in the win and loss column, but more so in the activity column. Missed phone calls and emails, a lack of returning calls, and uninterest has doomed the reputation of the conference.
With that said, it is not devoid of a few special teams. As always, Minnesota and Golden State sit atop the conference, riding their dependable stars (Andrei Kirilenko, Ray Allen, and Tyson Chandler in Minnestoa; Darko Milicic, Emeka Okafor, and Thaddeus Young in Golden State) to projected records of fifty-plus wins. But, the future of the conference is not entirely bleak. Consisting of young stars like Isiah Thomas, Larry Nance, Nolan Smith, and Amir Johnson, there is a chance that the glory years (or should I say, the Manas Rai years) shall once again resurface.
With that said, we must rank ‘em. So, without further adieu...
The Cream of the Crop:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
It seems that every year there is a sexy pick in the Western Conference, and every year the Timberwolves miss out on that choice. Yet, while that pick is treading water (for example, this year’s version of the Phoenix Suns), the T’Wolves seem to always be leading their division. How do they do it? By compiling a rock-solid core, and keeping it intact for as long as I can remember. Their rock is and has always been jack-of-all-trades small forward Andrei Kirilenko. Averaging nearly a double-double per game and two blocks, Kirilenko is a headache on both sides of the court. His constant pressure leads to numerous steals (1.4 per game) and, more importantly, a fast break led by point guard and future free agent Mario Chalmers. Chalmers, averaging 10 assists per game, always finds his favorite weapons, Ray Allen (shooting .411 from behind the arc) and Zach Randolph (16 points per game). They’re not flashy, but they get it done.
2. Golden State Warriors
The production that this front line has (Darko and Emeka) is what the boys in Cleveland need to strive for. With tremendous work ethics and a commitment to defense, Okafor and Milicic have kept GM Brian Ida happy, regardless of the inevitable phone calls he gets for each. Averaging a combined forty-one points and twenty-six rebounds per game, there isn’t a single team (outside of the Duncan/Bosh Raptors) that can match up with these guys. Combine that with rising offensive star Thaddeus Young and a great point guard in Mustafa Shakur, and it’s not entirely fair to slot them in with the rest of the putrid Pacific division.
Best of the Rest:
3. Utah Jazz
Having won the championship only a few years back, the fans in Utah are still on an emotional high. Yet, if they don’t snap out of it soon, they may miss the fact that they have a darned good team on their hands. Kenyon Martin is an All-Star talent, a consistent 20 and 10 (points/rebounds) threat, along with tremendous D. It’s a bit shocking that he has developed into such a star so late into his career, but the general manager of the Jazz has no problem with it. He and Josh Boone (or should I say, the future Kenyon Martin) form a formidable front line, complimenting their wings (Luol Deng and sharpshooter Paul Pierce) very nicely. Definitely the third best team in the conference.
4. Houston Rockets
It pains me to say it, but this is where they belong. Ron Artest is still a superstar at age 30, and Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol are well above average. Kirk Hinrich and Mickael Pietrus form the backcourt, creating one of the better starting fives in the conference. The deal of Mike Nardi hurt their squad tremendously, though, as he brought consistent play (though bad) to the backup point guard spot. It took the Houston GM months to find the right deal where he knew he could comfortably unload Nardi. Will it pay off? Who knows. Not quite as good as the top-three, but there nonetheless.
5. Phoenix Suns
Bust, bust, bust. In the Eastern conference, this team would be preparing the lottery. In the West? The playoffs. Phoenix came into the season with high hopes after assembling a team consisting of a knock 3/4/5 (Shawn Marion, Buck Williams, and Yao Ming). But, their lack of depth and sloppy play (too many turnovers) has held back the talent. After dealing off Shawn Marion, expect this team to drop like a rock, even more than they already have.
Contenders:
6. San Antonio
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? Honestly, there are no questions that can bring answers as to why San Antonio has performed this season the way they have. After dealing off Shawn Marion before the year started, the team looked like Chauncey Billups and absolutely nothing else. Yet, free agent signee Dajuan Wagner and always dependable Hedo Turkoglu have combined to score forty points a game, leading to a surprising .552 winning percentage. Will it last? It’s anyone’s guess. But what has happened thus far has been nothing short of incredible.
7. Seattle Supersonics
Why are they here? Two words: LeBron James. LeBron is capable of springing for forty points each and every night, while playing shut down defense and getting his teammates involved. He could be the best talent in the entire BBS. But, management is looking towards the future more so than the present. Holding fifty-five first round picks in the 2013 draft, could LeBron soon be paired with Michael Jordan? Hakeem? Both? Anything is possible.
8. Denver Nuggets
Another underachieving team, led by an underachieving youngster, Amir Johnson. Johnson could be better than Amare Stoudemire, yet doesn’t seem to be getting the touches in Denver (only 12 points per game, but a tremendous field goal percentage). Until that fixes itself, this team will continue to be below average. Rajon Rondo and Biedrins cannot get it done by themselves. All-Star play by Johnson is a must.
9. Portland Trailblazers
No, I did not like the Kevin Garnett deal. Not one bit. But, the subsequent deal of Nemanja for Semih Erden improved it somewhat, and the small forward and shooting guard combo of Brandon Rush and Kevin Durant is still intact, leading to a nice future for the Blazers. Always dependable Devin Harris leads the team at the point, giving them enough firepower to perhaps win a round of the playoffs depending on their seeding. But that is when the fun will end.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Can they ever keep a team together? That’s the one problem that has plagued general manager Aaron Haberman since he took over, a constant need to make a move. Sometimes the best move is the one not made (two such moves that should not have been made were the deals involving Darrel Griffith and Michael Beasley). With that said, Haberman has put his team in position to get any FA he wants this off season, all the while building around his man-crush, Kevin Love. Expect this team to be players in a few seasons.
Not Quite There:
11. Los Angeles Clippers
12. Sacramento Kings
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Memphis Grizzlies
The Western Conference is a two-horse race. But, this race will come down to the last possible inch.
With that said, it is not devoid of a few special teams. As always, Minnesota and Golden State sit atop the conference, riding their dependable stars (Andrei Kirilenko, Ray Allen, and Tyson Chandler in Minnestoa; Darko Milicic, Emeka Okafor, and Thaddeus Young in Golden State) to projected records of fifty-plus wins. But, the future of the conference is not entirely bleak. Consisting of young stars like Isiah Thomas, Larry Nance, Nolan Smith, and Amir Johnson, there is a chance that the glory years (or should I say, the Manas Rai years) shall once again resurface.
With that said, we must rank ‘em. So, without further adieu...
The Cream of the Crop:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
It seems that every year there is a sexy pick in the Western Conference, and every year the Timberwolves miss out on that choice. Yet, while that pick is treading water (for example, this year’s version of the Phoenix Suns), the T’Wolves seem to always be leading their division. How do they do it? By compiling a rock-solid core, and keeping it intact for as long as I can remember. Their rock is and has always been jack-of-all-trades small forward Andrei Kirilenko. Averaging nearly a double-double per game and two blocks, Kirilenko is a headache on both sides of the court. His constant pressure leads to numerous steals (1.4 per game) and, more importantly, a fast break led by point guard and future free agent Mario Chalmers. Chalmers, averaging 10 assists per game, always finds his favorite weapons, Ray Allen (shooting .411 from behind the arc) and Zach Randolph (16 points per game). They’re not flashy, but they get it done.
2. Golden State Warriors
The production that this front line has (Darko and Emeka) is what the boys in Cleveland need to strive for. With tremendous work ethics and a commitment to defense, Okafor and Milicic have kept GM Brian Ida happy, regardless of the inevitable phone calls he gets for each. Averaging a combined forty-one points and twenty-six rebounds per game, there isn’t a single team (outside of the Duncan/Bosh Raptors) that can match up with these guys. Combine that with rising offensive star Thaddeus Young and a great point guard in Mustafa Shakur, and it’s not entirely fair to slot them in with the rest of the putrid Pacific division.
Best of the Rest:
3. Utah Jazz
Having won the championship only a few years back, the fans in Utah are still on an emotional high. Yet, if they don’t snap out of it soon, they may miss the fact that they have a darned good team on their hands. Kenyon Martin is an All-Star talent, a consistent 20 and 10 (points/rebounds) threat, along with tremendous D. It’s a bit shocking that he has developed into such a star so late into his career, but the general manager of the Jazz has no problem with it. He and Josh Boone (or should I say, the future Kenyon Martin) form a formidable front line, complimenting their wings (Luol Deng and sharpshooter Paul Pierce) very nicely. Definitely the third best team in the conference.
4. Houston Rockets
It pains me to say it, but this is where they belong. Ron Artest is still a superstar at age 30, and Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol are well above average. Kirk Hinrich and Mickael Pietrus form the backcourt, creating one of the better starting fives in the conference. The deal of Mike Nardi hurt their squad tremendously, though, as he brought consistent play (though bad) to the backup point guard spot. It took the Houston GM months to find the right deal where he knew he could comfortably unload Nardi. Will it pay off? Who knows. Not quite as good as the top-three, but there nonetheless.
5. Phoenix Suns
Bust, bust, bust. In the Eastern conference, this team would be preparing the lottery. In the West? The playoffs. Phoenix came into the season with high hopes after assembling a team consisting of a knock 3/4/5 (Shawn Marion, Buck Williams, and Yao Ming). But, their lack of depth and sloppy play (too many turnovers) has held back the talent. After dealing off Shawn Marion, expect this team to drop like a rock, even more than they already have.
Contenders:
6. San Antonio
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? Honestly, there are no questions that can bring answers as to why San Antonio has performed this season the way they have. After dealing off Shawn Marion before the year started, the team looked like Chauncey Billups and absolutely nothing else. Yet, free agent signee Dajuan Wagner and always dependable Hedo Turkoglu have combined to score forty points a game, leading to a surprising .552 winning percentage. Will it last? It’s anyone’s guess. But what has happened thus far has been nothing short of incredible.
7. Seattle Supersonics
Why are they here? Two words: LeBron James. LeBron is capable of springing for forty points each and every night, while playing shut down defense and getting his teammates involved. He could be the best talent in the entire BBS. But, management is looking towards the future more so than the present. Holding fifty-five first round picks in the 2013 draft, could LeBron soon be paired with Michael Jordan? Hakeem? Both? Anything is possible.
8. Denver Nuggets
Another underachieving team, led by an underachieving youngster, Amir Johnson. Johnson could be better than Amare Stoudemire, yet doesn’t seem to be getting the touches in Denver (only 12 points per game, but a tremendous field goal percentage). Until that fixes itself, this team will continue to be below average. Rajon Rondo and Biedrins cannot get it done by themselves. All-Star play by Johnson is a must.
9. Portland Trailblazers
No, I did not like the Kevin Garnett deal. Not one bit. But, the subsequent deal of Nemanja for Semih Erden improved it somewhat, and the small forward and shooting guard combo of Brandon Rush and Kevin Durant is still intact, leading to a nice future for the Blazers. Always dependable Devin Harris leads the team at the point, giving them enough firepower to perhaps win a round of the playoffs depending on their seeding. But that is when the fun will end.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Can they ever keep a team together? That’s the one problem that has plagued general manager Aaron Haberman since he took over, a constant need to make a move. Sometimes the best move is the one not made (two such moves that should not have been made were the deals involving Darrel Griffith and Michael Beasley). With that said, Haberman has put his team in position to get any FA he wants this off season, all the while building around his man-crush, Kevin Love. Expect this team to be players in a few seasons.
Not Quite There:
11. Los Angeles Clippers
12. Sacramento Kings
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Memphis Grizzlies
The Western Conference is a two-horse race. But, this race will come down to the last possible inch.
