Western Conference *Note that I wrote this piece a day after the trade deadline, which saw a number of key players moved.
San Antonio 47-10: Can their success continue through the postseason? An amazing start from one of sports best franchises, I can see the Spurs running the table, but I can also imagine a scenario in which they fail to make it past the second round. Leading scorer Manu Ginobili is shooting 36% this month, Tony Parker can get abused on the defensive end, and Tim Duncan is having his worst season ever (albeit in 28mpg). This may be picking nits, but Dallas, LA, and OK City are all contenders.
Dallas 41-16: Are they really for real? We've been duped before. They're balanced and grittier than they have been in the past. They are also a balanced team, going ten deep every game now (add one more when Caron Butler gets back) Too bad for the Mavs that the Western Conference is going to be a dogfight this postseason.
L.A.L. 40-19: Have they peaked? Kobe has turned into late-career MJ, picking his spots and using his back down/fade away jumper to perfection. Pau Gasol is turning in another solid season, but needs to pushed and prodded every now and then to keep from becoming truly soft. Lamar Odom is having a career year, and outside of Kobe, might be this team's most important player. Their pg situation remains a killer weakness, and Andrew Bynum has the knee's of a forty-year old YMCA player. The Lakers are still an elite team, their path to the finals has only gotten harder.
OK City 36-20: Did they become legitimate contenders? With the additions of Kendrick Perkins/Nate Robinson and subtractions of Jeff Green/Nenad Kristic, the Thunder added size and brute force to go along with Durant and Westbrook. A frontline of Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant is pretty intimidating. James Harden now has the opportunity for more minutes and shots.
New Orleans 34-25: Where will Chris Paul wind up next season? Despite the Hornets great start to the season, the team has fizzled somewhat of late in large part to Emeka Okafor's absence. The Hornets have the ability to upset in round one, but will go no further. With what might actually mark the end of professional basketball in New Orleans, Chris Paul will wind up elsewhere next season -mark it down. The question is, where? Obviously New York appears to be the front runner, but don't count out a team like the Lakers or Magic.
Denver 34-25: Can they still make the playoffs? The Nuggets somehow escaped the all of the Melo drama in relatively good shape. Settled in at sixth in the West with a good chance of taking the Hornets fifth spot. This team can flat out run, and should look to do that in order to win games, particularly at home with the high altitude. While they may not have a superstar such as Melo, they have a smorgesbord of players that can score: Nene, Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, and the two UNC point guards; Felton and Lawson. I think they could be a scary team to face come playoff time.
Portland 32-25: How crazy has this trading bonanza been on a scale from 1- 10? An emphatic 11. No doubt. The Trail Blazers stole the anti-Vince Carter from the Charlotte Bobcats, getting Gerald Wallace. In return, Portland gave up Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, and a pair of future first round picks. The first rounders could come back to bite the Trail Blazers, but Wallace is a more than deserving investment. He's not a smooth offensive player, but gets his points the hard way. At 6'7 and chiseled like stone, Wallace is also one of the game's top rebounders, a defensive force, and gives an all-out effort every game. A front line of Wallace, Aldridge, and Camby with Niclas Batum at the two-guard should be able to pound teams on the boards.
Memphis 32-27: Did Chris Wallace make a good move? For once Wallace pulled off a logical move that should help the Grizzlies down the stretch. Shane Battier will help fill the void left by Rudy Gay's injury. He's also the ultimate glue guy that every good playoff team needs. A lot of athletes on this Grizzlies team could make for an interesting playoff series against a top-seeded team.
Utah 31-27: Has basketball in Utah been destroyed forever? No, it's barely hanging on, but Jazz fans won't quit. Who knows if Deron Williams would have left after this season (probably would have), and it was time for Jerry Sloan to go. I know that Sloan is one of the all-time greats, but the Jazz looked listless and lost the past two seasons. Change is not always bad. A core of Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Paul Milsap, and Al Jefferson is certainly nothing to scofe at.
Phoenix 28-27: When will Steve Nash ask out? Instead of re-signing Amare Stoudemire to a long-term deal, cheapstake Robert Sarver opted instead to go with a pu pu platter of Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick, and Channing Frye. They also gave up promising point guard and potential Nash replacement Goran Dragic (plus lottery protected first rounder) for shoot-first point guard Aaron Brooks, who may or may not be a locker room problem.
Houston 28-31: What went wrong? They had little wiggle room this year, getting rid of Trevor Ariza's large contract, while at the same time re-upping underated Luis Scola. The Rockets are unathletic and in need of some more scoring options. Fortunately, they will shed more than half of their salary this offseason.
Golden State 26-30: Why didn't they push for the playoffs? Because their the Warriors, that's why. With a host of expiring contracts and a chance to get to the playoffs, the Warriors stood pat when they could have added additional size to help David Lee (Andris Biedrins is a waste case). They did add Troy Murphy, a former Warrior, but have no plans to keep the forward. Golden State has an opportunity to make the playoffs, a feat they haven't accomplished since 2007.
L.A.C. 21-37: When will the Clippers stop being a joke? That won't happen until creepy racicst owner Donald Sterling is escorted out of his position by David Stern. It really is unfortunate considering all of the potential this squad has now, not only as a team, but also as a draw around the league. For the first time ever, perhaps, the Clippers have building blocks for a successful future.
Sacramento 14-41: Has DeMarcus Cousins dissapointed us? I say no. He came into the league as a well-heralded head case with maturity issues. He also came into the league as a bona-fide center, and someone who should be a 20-10 guy by his third or fourth season. He has produced as a head case (being kicked off the team's charter), as well as on the court (he's averaging 15-10 this month). The mix isn't there right now. Everyone seems to dislike playing with Tyreke Evans, and Paul Westphal has no control over this young team.
Minnesota 13-45: True or False: Are Michael Beasely, Eddy Curry, Darko Milicic, and Anthony Randolph currently residing on the same team? Yes. Minnesota Timberwolves fans may be hurting this winter, but there are potential signs for improvement. Beasely can score in droves, and Kevin Love is a beast and one of the most under heralded exciting players to watch. Milicic, and Randolph more so, still have loads of potential. Randolph is an interesting case. Already on his third team in four years, he is an uber-athletic power forward with the psyche of a twelve year old. Plus, his face always makes it look like he is crying.
