Last Word on Sports’ NBA Season Preview continues with a look at the Western Conference.
The reigning champions enter the 2014-15 NBA season with the same team – a squad that has reached the NBA finals the last two years – so it’s difficult to argue that the Spurs are not the favorites in the West. Gregg Popovich will be the key to the Spurs repeating as he will have to manage the veteran trios minutes so that Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili can reach the playoffs in good shape. Boris Diaw stayed in good shape over the summer because of FIBA play and NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will be looking to develop further in his young career, but they will need contributions from their bench and the veteran trio to repeat or even come out of the West.
Kevin Durant, last year’s regular season MVP, is projected to miss 6-8 weeks but upon returning will look to secure the top seed in the Western Conference to have home court advantage during the playoffs. Without making any new off season acquisitions they will be relying on Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka to stay healthy and lead the team while KD remains out. Reggie Jackson will need to develop into a more consistent offensive threat. The Thunder lack depth off the bench so look to them to make some moves midseason.
The Los Angeles Clippers are primed to make a move for the Western Conference title and possibly their first NBA Finals appearance. With last years drama finally coming to an end with new Owner Steve Ballmer gaining ownership, the Clippers are ready to begin a new chapter. Acquiring Spencer Hawes and Jordan Farmar gives their bench more depth. Spencer Hawes is a quality big man gives the depth at the big man and someone to sub in for DeAndre Jordan late in games. With Blake Griffin having MVP numbers last season, they will need DJ to develop further primarily as a free throw shooter. Meanwhile, count on JJ Reddick and Chris Paul to stay healthy and make a lethal backcourt. Jamal Crawford will have to repeat as 6th man of the year for the Clippers to have a chance if they can secure advantage at home.
The Golden State Warriors benefitted greatly as the Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson) contributed major minutes during FIBA play bringing back the gold and, more importantly, getting them in midseason shape to begin the preseason. Returning a majority of last year’s squad they hope that new coach Steve Kerr can implement a brand of basketball that works best for them. They will need for David Lee, Andre Iguodala, and Andrew Bogut to stay healthy and for Harrison Barnes to contribute quality minutes to make it out in the West.
Houston were the big losers during free agency, failing to sign Chris Bosh and losing Chandler Parsons to a crosstown rival. They were able to sign Trevor Ariza and Jason Terry who will make nice replacements with Parsons gone. The key for the Rockets will be to find consistent guard play from their point guard position, to play team defense, and for their stars to James Harden and Dwight Howard to develop into all-around players. Harden will need to step up his defensive game and Howard will have to consistently turn into a 20-10 big man.
The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the most pleasant stories during the playoffs. With the same team returning and Lamarcus Aldridge hoping to sign a big contract, look to him to have a similar season to last years and for Damian Lillard to built off what has been a promising young career. They will need the contributions from Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, and Co. to build off last years first series win in the playoffs since 1999-2000 season.
Memphis hopes they can bounce back from what was an unsuccessful playoff run being eliminated in the first round by the Thunder in 7 games. Acquiring Vince Carter gives them another scoring option but they will need to count on Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley to stay healthy and carry the defensive minded team. A deep playoff run is necessary or they might lose Marc Gasol in free agency to a bigger market.
The Dallas Mavericks are my most intriguing story coming out of the West. Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons were major acquisitions and gives them a strong starting five. Dirk Nowitzki will need to stay healthy and count on Monta Ellis and Devin Harris to play efficiently in the guard-heavy Western Conference. The Mavericks presented the most danger to the current champs – stretching them to 7 games – but with a rather depleted bench they will be counting on their starting 5 for them to make it past the first round.
Lastly, with the West being so competitive several teams will be fighting for those 7th and 8th seeds. New Orleans will hope that Anthony Davis can continue to develop into a potential superstar, but will need contributions from fellow big man Omer Asik and guards Eric Gordon, Jrue Holiday, and Tyreke Evans.
Phoenix was able to keep their dynamic backcourt of Goran Dragic by signing Eric Bledsoe to an extension. They added some depth by acquiring back up guards Isiah Thomas and Dragic’s younger brother Zoran.
The Lakers have a team filled with players hoping to make a comeback after injuries and seeing a recent drop in their numbers. Furthermore new coach Byron Scott will have to configure all these new pieces into a system that won’t have a problem scoring if Kobe Bryant is 100%. Jeremy Lin will need to distribute the ball effectively with Steve Nash expected to miss the season. They will need to establish a defensive personality if they hope to reach the playoffs.
Western Conference Regular Season Predictions:
- Spurs (61-21)
- Clippers (59-23)
- Thunder (56-26)
- Portland (53-29)
- Mavericks (52-30)
- Warriors (50-32)
- Houston (49-33)
- Grizzlies (47-35)
- Phoenix (44-38)
- Pelicans (43-39)
- Kings (42-40)
- Lakers (41-41)
- Jazz (38-44)
- Timberwolves (33-49)
