Oct
30
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
1. Phoenix Suns: The Suns have had quite an offseason with Shawn Marion demanding a trade at one point and Amare Stoudemire expressing his own disappointment that he was included in trade rumors. While both guys are great players, they don’t realize how much better Steve Nash makes every player on that team. With that said, Nash is getting up there in years and the Suns’ window to win a championship is closing. In other words, this must be the year for the Suns if it’s ever going to happen. Phoenix added Grant Hill, who could be a real difference maker and another steadying influence in the playoffs if able to stay healthy. The Suns did trade Kurt Thomas to the Sonics in a cost-cutting and bad move. Thomas was a tough defender down low and could still hit the medium range jumper at a high level.
Synopsis: Phoenix was robbed by terrible officiating in its second-round loss to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. With this being Nash’s fourth year in his second stint with the Suns, Phoenix has what it takes if Stoudemire and Hill can remain healthy. Mike D’Antoni’s offensive philosophy has been a blessing to the NBA, and the Suns are one of the few teams in the league worth watching. From a quality of play standpoint, the NBA would be better with a team like Phoenix winning it all than a plodding team like San Antonio.
2. Golden State Warriors: Don Nelson’s return to Golden State last season was an amazing success, with the eighth-seed Warriors upsetting the one-seed Mavs. Nellie ball was in vogue during that first-round series as the Warriors used their speed and quickness to run the Mavs out of the playoffs. With that remembered, not much has changed with Golden State.
The Warriors traded Jason Richardson in the offseason to the Charlotte Bobcats to pave the way for impressive youngster Monta Ellis. Baron Davis is an exceptional talent when healthy and playing with energy and aggression. Stephen Jackson is also a matchup nightmare on the court. However, he is also a nightmare off of it.
Synopsis: The Warriors will continue to play Nelson’s up-tempo style that thrives on creating mismatches and utilizing a lack of size to his team’s advantage. With that said, Nellie ball has proven throughout history that it can only go so far. In the stacked West, the Warriors will make the playoffs and be bounced in the first round as they won’t be a surprise anymore.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: It’s already a lost season for the Lakers with the ego-maniac and spoiled brat that is Kobe Bryant sabotaging a franchise. Sure, the Lakers haven’t surrounded Bryant with talent. But Kobe has hardly made his teammates better the past couple of seasons, the sign of a truly great player. Kobe is without doubt the most talented player in the game. However, he is the biggest “me-guy” in the NBA, the league’s equivalent to Terrell Owens.
On that front, the Lakers are getting what they deserved for pacifying Bryant all of these years and letting him be a punk, especially owner Jerry Buss and Head Coach Phil Jackson, who came back to this team for one sole reason: money. With that said, after watching the Lakers in the preseason, it’s sad to see the other Lakers players, regardless of their skills, have to play in limbo. What Kobe is doing right now is very sad. But what would you expect from the Kobester?
Synopsis: Even with Bryant, the Lakers are not a playoff team. Either the Lakers are going to have to pacify Bryant again and get him a player he deems acceptable (maybe Jermaine O’Neal?) or say good bye. It’s gotten to the point that the Lakers should bid adieu to Bryant. However, Mitch Kupchak still is General Manager, and he’s not taking this team anywhere.
4. Los Angeles Clippers: Just two years ago, the Clippers were one game away from the Western Conference Finals. Sadly, that seems like ages ago. Now with Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston likely to miss most of the season with injuries, the Clippers are looking hapless once again. Sam Cassell is still a serviceable player; however, he’s on his last legs. Cuttino Mobley is also on the downside of his career. Corey Maggette is a dynamic scorer, but he focuses too much on getting points. Chris Kaman is the same player now as he was two years ago as he will be five years from now.
Synopsis: The Clippers have probably peaked under Head Coach Mike Dunleavy, who’s a great coach at getting a team to a certain level. Injuries have eliminated this team’s chances of making the playoffs. With that said, fans should keep an eye on rookie Al Thornton of Florida State, who will get a chance to step in for Brand and is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate.
5. Sacramento Kings: With point guard Mike Bibby out for six weeks with torn ligaments in his thumb, the Kings are doomed to a bad start. Despite all of his talent, there’s no need to hold your breath about Ron Artest anymore. He’s officially a flameout and detriment to a team. Kevin Martin really emerged as an offensive player last season, but he’s no more than a decent player on a very good team. Brad Miller, a player who has benefited from the lack of centers in this day and age in the league, doesn’t bring it anymore. All in all, the Kings used to be one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch. Now, the team needs to rebuild. Trading Bibby and Artest would be a good way to begin doing so.
Synopsis: Reggie Theus was a good Head Coach on Saturday morning television. He’s going to really struggle to imitate “art” in his first season as Head Coach of this Sacramento team. It’s a surprise that the Kings have fallen this far so quickly considering that Geoff Petrie has been a solid General Manager for the most part in Sac-Town. This franchise seems more geared to moving to Las Vegas at this point.
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1. Phoenix Suns: The Suns have had quite an offseason with Shawn Marion demanding a trade at one point and Amare Stoudemire expressing his own disappointment that he was included in trade rumors. While both guys are great players, they don’t realize how much better Steve Nash makes every player on that team. With that said, Nash is getting up there in years and the Suns’ window to win a championship is closing. In other words, this must be the year for the Suns if it’s ever going to happen. Phoenix added Grant Hill, who could be a real difference maker and another steadying influence in the playoffs if able to stay healthy. The Suns did trade Kurt Thomas to the Sonics in a cost-cutting and bad move. Thomas was a tough defender down low and could still hit the medium range jumper at a high level.
