Post by Galo on Nov 23, 2020 12:45:02 GMT -8
12’ Pre-season Top 10 Rankings (Western Conference)
#10- Phoenix Suns
Key Additions- Gerald Wallace, Darko Milicic
Key Departures- Nick Collison
Biggest Need- Bench Scoring
Analysis- Phoenix will look to try to improve upon their 39 win mark last season in what should be a weaker West with Spurs and Kings bowing out for now. They have added a few more interior defenders and have a premium scorer in Ricky Davis. If Rudy Gay takes another leap into his development, this team should be able to reset this season.
Projected Record- 42-40
#9- Houston Rockets
Key Additions- Brandon Roy, Emeka Okafor, Orion Greene
Key Departures-Tony Allen (jk), Manny Harris, Nick Young
Biggest Need- Frontcourt Depth
Analysis- Following the Wolves/Hawks scrum in an effort to rid themselves of Tony Allen, Ahsan ultimately stayed with the former OSU Cowboy on his roster and ultimately got under the cap with a subsequent move back to ATL. In addition, they added to the Crawford with stud wing Brandon Roy and big man Emeka Okafor. Do the Rockets have enough firepower to reset this season without their pick again? With the Spurs and Kings choosing to rebuild, this might be an opportune time for Houston to get 42 or playoffs.
Projected record- 43-39
#8- Denver Nuggets
Key Additions- Carmelo Anthony, Gustavo Ayon, Manny Harris, Kyrie Irving
Key Departures- E’Twaun Moore
Biggest Need- Point Guard depth
Analysis- Royal had a busy off-season in shedding most of his youth in exchange for more established players. Carmelo cost a bounty including 4 1st round picks plus Vucevic, Faried and fillers. Additionally, getting Kyrie in exchange for #5 overall pick Bradley Beal might prove to be a shrewd move depending on Beal’s development. Either way, the Nuggs are set up nicely with Ayon/Griffin/Harris/Melo/Peja and Kyrie in the fold and should be massively improved after a 19 win campaign last season.
Projected record- 44-38
#7- Los Angeles Clippers
Key Additions- None
Key Departures – Jameer Nelson, Andres Nocioni
Biggest Need- A Bench
Analysis – Can this team sim with 6 guys signed? Not 100% sure how it works with FBB but sounds like they might need a minimum of 4 more guys to fill out the roster which would systematically put them over the HC. After resigning Amare to a large 7 year extension, Lawz has been searching for a way to flip and break up Paul Millsap and/or Chris Bosh. So far it appears efforts have been futile, which includes the asking price of a 1st and fillers for playmaking SG Lior Eliyahu. It will be interesting to see their next move if or when the HC clocks starts for them. They should have another good campaign provided they get some good depth back for whoever they move.
Projected Record- 46-36
#6- Los Angeles Lakers
Key Additions- Corey Brewer
Key Departures- None
Biggest Need- Guard depth
Analysis- Nanz is running back relatively the same team that notched 47 wins last year. In an uber competitive West last season, that was good enough for the 7th seed in this year’s playoffs. Not the best TC for the Lakers this season but Eric Gordon looks like a budding star and should get more looks on this team after being used sparingly in Sacramento.
Projected Record- 47-35
#5- Utah Jazz
Key Additions- Donatas Montiejunas, Thomas Robinson, Terrence Ross
Key Departures- Julian Wright
Biggest Need- 3rd scorer behind LeBron/T-Mac
Analysis- The Jazz quietly had a nice off-season picking up good youth to compliment their vets LeBron, T-Mac and Krstic. LeBron has been shopped aggressively for almost 2 ½ seasons now but still finds himself in Utah and entering the last season of his max deal. Most recently, there were rumors of him being potentially dealt to Cleveland for Devin Harris and Kawhi Leonard, but was quickly rebuffed by the Cleveland front office. It will be interesting to see how JR decides to either cash in some of his younger pieces along with Krstic or completely rebuild if Bron is dealt.
Projected Record- 48-34
#4- Portland Trail Blazers
Key Additions- Kobe Bryant, Elton Brand, Kris Humphries, Nick Young
Key Departures- Eddie Griffin, Dante Cunningham, Ron Artest, Yao Ming
Biggest Need - Frontcourt depth and blocks
Analysis- Dan had some maneuvering to do after losing big man Yao Ming in free agency to Washington. He used wing Dante Cunningham to get super scorer Kobe Bryant and replaced Eddie Griff and Yao with Elton Brand and former Kardashian, Kris Humphries. Former Clemson Tiger Trevor Booker will have a crucial role this season as a 3rd big behind EB and Hump. The Blazers hope to build on their 50 win campaign from last season and retain franchise point guard Steph Curry, who’s pending FA.
Projected Record- 50-32
#3- Dallas Mavericks
Key Additions- Patty Mills, Caron Butler, Joakim Noah, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, E’Twaun Moore
Key Departures- Brandon Roy, Kyle Lowry, Kris Humphries, Richard Jefferson, Chris Kaman
Biggest Need- Mavs' charter plane in Lovefield/Wing Depth
Analysis- A very interesting off-season to say the least for Habes. It appears they have opted for efficiency over hyped talent. Some gritty pieces were added including Mills, Butler and Moore along with some muscle in Artest and Bynum. It will tantalizing to see how Bynum fits in Dallas or if he will get dealt if they got to a slow start but I like how these pieces fit right now. They are my dark horse right now to win the West.
Projected Record- 52-30
#2- Memphis Grizzlies
Key Additions- Arvydas Macijauskas, Stephane Lasme
Key Departures- Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace
Biggest Need- Shot blocking
Analysis- After resigning Westbrook to a 7 year offer sheet, he paid off dividends after his last TC. Russ looks hungry to push these Grizzlies towards the WCF this year although they have lost some depth in the frontcourt in Okafor and Wallace which were HC casualties. This team seems like one piece away from challenging to represent the West in the Finals.
Projected Record- 53-29
#1- Seattle Super Sonics
Key Additions- Henry Sims, Jason Collins
Key Departures- Zaza Pachulia
Biggest Need- FBB luck
Analysis- With last season’s Finals appearance, that marks 3 consecutive trips to Finals for Mark’s Sonics. That ties for 2nd most appearances with the Mavs and Knicks who also have 3 appearances each (Cavs and Kings are tied for 1st with 4 each). The Sonics have done an admirable job shedding salary when needed and picking up contributors via draft (Wes Matthews, Travis Leslie) and through trade with Ryan Hollins and David Lee. Seattle seems primed to make another trip to the Finals barring health and luck.
Projected Record- 56-26
#10- Phoenix Suns
Key Additions- Gerald Wallace, Darko Milicic
Key Departures- Nick Collison
Biggest Need- Bench Scoring
Analysis- Phoenix will look to try to improve upon their 39 win mark last season in what should be a weaker West with Spurs and Kings bowing out for now. They have added a few more interior defenders and have a premium scorer in Ricky Davis. If Rudy Gay takes another leap into his development, this team should be able to reset this season.
Projected Record- 42-40
#9- Houston Rockets
Key Additions- Brandon Roy, Emeka Okafor, Orion Greene
Key Departures-
Biggest Need- Frontcourt Depth
Analysis- Following the Wolves/Hawks scrum in an effort to rid themselves of Tony Allen, Ahsan ultimately stayed with the former OSU Cowboy on his roster and ultimately got under the cap with a subsequent move back to ATL. In addition, they added to the Crawford with stud wing Brandon Roy and big man Emeka Okafor. Do the Rockets have enough firepower to reset this season without their pick again? With the Spurs and Kings choosing to rebuild, this might be an opportune time for Houston to get 42 or playoffs.
Projected record- 43-39
#8- Denver Nuggets
Key Additions- Carmelo Anthony, Gustavo Ayon, Manny Harris, Kyrie Irving
Key Departures- E’Twaun Moore
Biggest Need- Point Guard depth
Analysis- Royal had a busy off-season in shedding most of his youth in exchange for more established players. Carmelo cost a bounty including 4 1st round picks plus Vucevic, Faried and fillers. Additionally, getting Kyrie in exchange for #5 overall pick Bradley Beal might prove to be a shrewd move depending on Beal’s development. Either way, the Nuggs are set up nicely with Ayon/Griffin/Harris/Melo/Peja and Kyrie in the fold and should be massively improved after a 19 win campaign last season.
Projected record- 44-38
#7- Los Angeles Clippers
Key Additions- None
Key Departures – Jameer Nelson, Andres Nocioni
Biggest Need- A Bench
Analysis – Can this team sim with 6 guys signed? Not 100% sure how it works with FBB but sounds like they might need a minimum of 4 more guys to fill out the roster which would systematically put them over the HC. After resigning Amare to a large 7 year extension, Lawz has been searching for a way to flip and break up Paul Millsap and/or Chris Bosh. So far it appears efforts have been futile, which includes the asking price of a 1st and fillers for playmaking SG Lior Eliyahu. It will be interesting to see their next move if or when the HC clocks starts for them. They should have another good campaign provided they get some good depth back for whoever they move.
Projected Record- 46-36
#6- Los Angeles Lakers
Key Additions- Corey Brewer
Key Departures- None
Biggest Need- Guard depth
Analysis- Nanz is running back relatively the same team that notched 47 wins last year. In an uber competitive West last season, that was good enough for the 7th seed in this year’s playoffs. Not the best TC for the Lakers this season but Eric Gordon looks like a budding star and should get more looks on this team after being used sparingly in Sacramento.
Projected Record- 47-35
#5- Utah Jazz
Key Additions- Donatas Montiejunas, Thomas Robinson, Terrence Ross
Key Departures- Julian Wright
Biggest Need- 3rd scorer behind LeBron/T-Mac
Analysis- The Jazz quietly had a nice off-season picking up good youth to compliment their vets LeBron, T-Mac and Krstic. LeBron has been shopped aggressively for almost 2 ½ seasons now but still finds himself in Utah and entering the last season of his max deal. Most recently, there were rumors of him being potentially dealt to Cleveland for Devin Harris and Kawhi Leonard, but was quickly rebuffed by the Cleveland front office. It will be interesting to see how JR decides to either cash in some of his younger pieces along with Krstic or completely rebuild if Bron is dealt.
Projected Record- 48-34
#4- Portland Trail Blazers
Key Additions- Kobe Bryant, Elton Brand, Kris Humphries, Nick Young
Key Departures- Eddie Griffin, Dante Cunningham, Ron Artest, Yao Ming
Biggest Need - Frontcourt depth and blocks
Analysis- Dan had some maneuvering to do after losing big man Yao Ming in free agency to Washington. He used wing Dante Cunningham to get super scorer Kobe Bryant and replaced Eddie Griff and Yao with Elton Brand and former Kardashian, Kris Humphries. Former Clemson Tiger Trevor Booker will have a crucial role this season as a 3rd big behind EB and Hump. The Blazers hope to build on their 50 win campaign from last season and retain franchise point guard Steph Curry, who’s pending FA.
Projected Record- 50-32
#3- Dallas Mavericks
Key Additions- Patty Mills, Caron Butler, Joakim Noah, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, E’Twaun Moore
Key Departures- Brandon Roy, Kyle Lowry, Kris Humphries, Richard Jefferson, Chris Kaman
Biggest Need- Mavs' charter plane in Lovefield/Wing Depth
Analysis- A very interesting off-season to say the least for Habes. It appears they have opted for efficiency over hyped talent. Some gritty pieces were added including Mills, Butler and Moore along with some muscle in Artest and Bynum. It will tantalizing to see how Bynum fits in Dallas or if he will get dealt if they got to a slow start but I like how these pieces fit right now. They are my dark horse right now to win the West.
Projected Record- 52-30
#2- Memphis Grizzlies
Key Additions- Arvydas Macijauskas, Stephane Lasme
Key Departures- Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace
Biggest Need- Shot blocking
Analysis- After resigning Westbrook to a 7 year offer sheet, he paid off dividends after his last TC. Russ looks hungry to push these Grizzlies towards the WCF this year although they have lost some depth in the frontcourt in Okafor and Wallace which were HC casualties. This team seems like one piece away from challenging to represent the West in the Finals.
Projected Record- 53-29
#1- Seattle Super Sonics
Key Additions- Henry Sims, Jason Collins
Key Departures- Zaza Pachulia
Biggest Need- FBB luck
Analysis- With last season’s Finals appearance, that marks 3 consecutive trips to Finals for Mark’s Sonics. That ties for 2nd most appearances with the Mavs and Knicks who also have 3 appearances each (Cavs and Kings are tied for 1st with 4 each). The Sonics have done an admirable job shedding salary when needed and picking up contributors via draft (Wes Matthews, Travis Leslie) and through trade with Ryan Hollins and David Lee. Seattle seems primed to make another trip to the Finals barring health and luck.
Projected Record- 56-26
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