Western Conference Outlook

With the 2014 season already 4 days old, I need to get my West outlook out. For the first time since MJ's Bulls the West has gone consecutive years without a the Larry O'Brien trophy. Now the West will try to keep Lebron & friends from becoming a dynasty. Like the dozen seasons before though the West continues to be packed with good clubs. Even when the Least improved and now can even go 5 deep in legit contenders, they still have clubs that will fall sub par yet make the post season while winning teams in the West will have to see them from home.

Even though they were 1 rebound or 1 free throw away from their fifth title, the Spurs are not even the top favorites in the West, the young exciting guns from Golden State are even in the mix, along with Dwightmare new stomping grounds, a weaker OKC, but the shocker to me is the new LA Kings that with newly accomplished head coach Doc Rivers seems to be the reason most "experts" are picking them to finally get past the 2nd round and beyond. Here are my thoughts, from worst to first.

#15 Phoenix Suns. Last Year 25-57 missed playoffs for 4th time in 5 years
       Projected Finish: 22-60, 4th consecutive lottery

Dragic and Frye are the sole remaining members of the last time the Suns made it to the post season. Once they traded Gortat it's obvious the team is not looking to make the playoffs but rebuild. Starting by winning coveted young guard Eric Bledsoe is not a bad place to start. The Suns are young and will also have a rookie coach, still they have some nice young pieces that given a few years and correct guidance should develop quiet nicely, just don't hold your breath this season.

#14 Shaqamento Kings. Last Year 28-54, missed playoffs, 7th straight season
       Projected Outlook: 24-58, 8th consecutive lotto trip

Besides a nice collection of young talent, the Kings still employ some the league's best fans and will not have to worry about losing their beloved team this season. The Kings parted ways with former ROY Tyreke Evans and have secured troubled big man Cousins as it's cornerstone. Surrounding him are some talented players that will bring Sac Town back to fun hoops and while they'll get some wins along the way, it won't be enough just yet.

#13 Utah Jazz. Last Year 43-59, just missed playoffs on last day
        Projected Outlook: 32-50, miss playoffs again

The Jazz lost quality big men Big Al and Millsap along with making some moves that points to rebuilding. Even without legendary Coach Sloan, it just feels like the same old Jazz teams that no matter the players give their fans some good old fashion blue collar effort. It won't be enough to challenge for the playoffs in the ever tough West.

#12 New Orleans Pelicans. Last Year 27-55, miss playoffs
       Projected Outlook: 34-48, still miss playoffs but much improved if healthy

Big things are expected from the the Big Easy with the addition of All Star Jrue Holiday and former ROY Tyreke Evans to boost their young star Gordon and Davis. On paper they look playoff bound, but what do Evans, Gordon, & Davis have in common? Except for the first season for Gordon/Evans, neither player has played more than 65 games. That is why I'm not sold on their renew success, I still think injuries will plague this talented young team, who already have their first casualty with long bomber Anderson being out for a few weeks. Let's hope for a healthy season and for the former rising star to bounce back.

#11 Minnesota Timberwolves. Last Year 31-51, still no Post KG post season
       Projected Outlook: 39-43, even with a healthy Love, not quite there yet

Minny was hammered with injuries last year and have already started on wrong foot with Buddinger being out indefinately. Best PF in the game returns though and should be enough difference to get some Ws. Minny has a solid projected starting lineup even without Buddinger, but their bench remains unproven sans ex champ Barea. Playing in a tough division like the Northwest doesn't help either with tough home teams like Utah, Denver, and Rip City and West powerhouse OKC. In the East they'd be top 6.

#10 Dallas Mavericks. Last Year 41-41 missed playoffs for first time since 2000
        Projected Outlook: 40-42, Not enough for post season

The only other champ in the Miami big three era has fallen from grace and struggled to get back to the elite. The former champs will be without a quarter back for a few weeks and their remaining glory days hold ups including Hall of Fame bound Dunking Dutchman are in the twilight of their careers. At full strength they should be competitive and will win their share of big games, too many good teams in the West though and a very tough division will again keep them home in summer.

#9 Portland Trailblazers. Last Year 33-49, missed playoffs
     Projected Outlook: 44-38, miss post season by hair, or sneak in

Rip City is expected to be playoff bound and a scary team come playoff time. Health plays big on every team, but more when a team has history of being derailed by the bug. Rip City will continue to be good at home, and the addition of Mo Williams is nice just not enough to call their bench elite. With luck on their side, they could well sneak into the playoffs.

#8 Houston Rockets. Last Year 45-37, 8th seed, lost to hobbled OKC, hurt Westbrook
      Projected Outlook: 44-38, like LA last year get beat by Spurs, but put up bigger fight.

Dwight new team is considered a favorite to go all the way. Now I'm not hating, judging by their schedule I came up with this win total, and even I was shocked with it. Also the 6-8 seed are only separated by 2 games, Houston can easily end up #6. Like Lakers last year on paper they look scary but we all know that means squat if they can't gel. On the plus side, Dwight already looks happy to be there just on the promo pics alone, he just didn't look good in purple & gold. A motivated Dwight should make plenty of difference, but both stars still play a different game. For those who have dared to call them Shaq/Kobe 2.0, just must be smokin', forget the Kobe/Beard comparisons, especially in Mamba's years with Diesel, Dwight is nowhere near the offense powerhouse Shaq was.

#7 Denver Nuggets. Last Year 57-25. 4th Seed, best single season ever, still lost in opening round
     Projected Outlook: 45-37, one and done.

The main question in Mile High is how will Zen alumni Brian Shaw do as head coach. He's got a collection that can light it up on any given night and one of the toughest places to play. Even with the loss of All Star Iguodala, Denver should still be a nightmare for opponents as they're really not known for their defense and add a streaky bench mobber in Krypto Nate to add to the run & gun style.

#6 Los Angeles Lakers. Last Year 45-37, squeezed into playoffs, swept in forgetful fashion.
    Projected Outlook: 46-36, Unpredictable but not Final Four material.

The demise of the Lakers has started and the dawning of the Clipper era is upon us. Or so I keep reading. With the passing of the great Dr. Buss, the new heads behind the storied franchise have not made much to boost confidence. The last time there was so low expectations was when Shaq was ran off, I mean, traded to LeKings place. That's not a bad thing, hell a trip to the playoff and one single win is already an improvement from last years well documented disaster. The fact that they're not expected to be even be a threat should allow the Lake Show to play more loose and with less pressure. If Mamba can come back and do what he does best on occasion, much the the chagrin of hater, the 16 time former Champions will be back in the post season, Kobe will still only have one lotto team in his resume. MJ and LBJ each have two, if any one's is counting. At least already, this squad looks happy to be in LA.

#5 Golden State Warriors. Last Year 47-35, only team in West to get wins vs Spurs in playoffs.
     Projected Outlook: 51-31, back to semis

The City's surprise new darlings are expected to make some noise this year and are even considered favorites over the old reigning West champs Spurs. With the addition of defensive ace AI, a healthy Bogut, and playoff tested young stars is no wonder the bay area is excited. The Warriors are gonna be fun to watch and tough to play against, but won't be sneaking up on anyone this year. Let's hope Curry doesn't get snubbed from the ALL NBA team this year if he continues his stellar play. The 4/5 match will be a dandy come April.

#4 Los Angeles Clippers. Last Year 56-26, 1st ever division crown, still exited in opening round
      Projected Outlook: 52-30, no change in playoffs.

The heavily favorite entering in this season is actually weaker than last year, but with the addition of ex Leprechaun head man Doc Rivers just about every expert has them coming out of the West. Apparently the addition of Riddick, Dudley, Mullens, and Collison have made them a powerhouse as it will allow CP3 to just drive and dish and these guys will just hit shot after shot after shot. Question. Are any of these guys know for their D? Riddick is a great competitor with a sweet shot, but I don't think he's gonna strike fear in the likes of Durant, or any of the Spurs wings, even the Warriors scoring duo. Butler and Bledsoe last years were defensive minded, these players are not, the addition of Doc does not make them all of a sudden the '08 Celtics. Their bigs are still mainly a highlight reel who will still choke against skilled big counterparts such as Timmy, Z Bo, or the Gasol brothers. Sorry Clip fans, but at your team's best, they still fall shot.

#3 Memphis Grizzlies. Last Year 56-26, First ever Final Four
     Projected Outlook: 55-27, Semis

The one thing that could totally screw up my outlook is how different will they be without Lionel Hollins. I still can't believe they let him go, but still they have pretty much the same team as last year plus they get Mike Miller back who should have some valuable advice against the reigning champs. If the Grizz can keep the same defensive commitment, they should pick up where they left off, but with a healthy Westbrook, it may be tougher to get back to the Final Four. At this outlook, they would face the Lake show in the first round, where an inspired Mamba and Gasol vs. Gasol will make for an awesome series with an upset possible.

#2 Oklahoma City Thunder. Last Year 60-22, Lost Westbrook & hope to repeat as West champs
     Projected Outlook: 56-26, return to Final Four.

Durant says he's tired of coming up 2nd. Even with a weaker squad than in the last two years, when healthy, the Thunder's dynamic duo is more than enough to get wins. Regular season wise, KD and company should win even without Westbrook for the first weeks. With Russell return, they should be among the best again, the question will be the playoffs, just how far can they go riding those two? If Ibaka can become the third musketeer or someone else can step up to be that extra piece, OKC should be contending again.

#1 San Antonio Spurs. Last Year 58-24, gave away the trophy.
     Projected Outlook: 60-22, return to big dance very probable.

The Spurs unusual choke in the Finals has been well documented. With the core returning, the addition of Belinelli and a healthy & looking for redemption Manu a return to the Finals for the silver and black is not out of reach. The main thing would be health, this is an aging team. Of course this "old" team continues to defy age year after year and this one should be no different. I don't think there is any club that can handle resting their stars and picking important wins like the Spurs do and turn it up when it counts. The Spurs are flying low according to "experts" but I know better.

West Playoffs

SAN
HOU  SAN
                     SAN
LAC   GS
GS
                                SAN
OKC
DEN  OKC
                     OKC
MEM  LAL
LAL

Have a great season hoop fans! Go Lakers!!