Pacific Division Preview

Who gets to make the next three?

The Pacific division looks better than it actually is on first view. However, when you really examine all the Pacific teams, it’s hard to see any of them making it to the finals. These teams are second tier at what they may do best. The Warriors might be able to run and get a bunch of threes, but the Thunder can run faster and probably shut some teams down on the defensive end. The Clippers have a hyper efficient offense led by the brainiac Chris Paul, but the Spurs offense is still better. Even the revamped Mavericks could challenge any team in the Pacific behind a Dirk led offense and Rick Adelman/Tyson Chandler anchored defense.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors lost in the first round of the playoffs last season; however, they lost to a pumped up Clippers team, and they were without their defensive minded center, Andrew Bogut. David Lee was also not at full health. You get the point, they were an unhealthy and unlucky bunch. The Warriors dumped coach Marc Jackson and replaced him with Steve Kerr during the offseason. They will be led by the best three point shooting backcourt in the league this year, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. Their front court needs to stay healthy and contribute steadily come playoff time to get them out of the first round.

Additions: Shaun Livingston (Brooklyn), Brandon Rush (Utah), Leandro Barbosa (Phoenix), Jason Kapono, James McAdoo (undrafted rookie), Mitchell Watt (Ironi Nes Ziona)

Subtractions: Steve Blake (Portland)

Storylines:

1. Can Curry and Thompson make 485 threes this season to beat their total from last year? If this pair can continue making their threes , the rest of the team is going to get easy buckets, as Curry and Thompson suck in defenders as soon as they cross center court.

2. Kerr was the general manager of the fast paced Suns coached under Alvin Gentry during the 2009-2010 season. That team ran and passed their way into averaging 110 points a game. Will Kerr speed up the Warriors with the help of Gentry? It seems like he is going to. Andrew Bogut and David Lee can pass and keep the ball moving, but they may have trouble keeping up with a fast tempo. Will Kerr trot out some smaller lineups pushing Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green into the big man spots?

Cavs Championship threat level: 4

The Warriors need to luck their way into perfect match ups to make it out of the West. They still lack a guy that can cover a super athletic forward like Blake Griffin or Kevin Durant. What happens if Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook stop Curry or Thompson? What if the Spurs limit their three point shots? Could Bogut, Lee, and Andre Igoudola, win a playoff match for the Warriors?

Prediction: 53-29 Lose second round

They added shooters (Kapono, Rush), some speed (Barbosa) and reliability (Livingston) this offseason. They needed a proven bench scorer or defensive stopper. This will be another disappointing post season for the Warriors organization; they will have a top three offense but still get bounced early in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers had to deal with the Donald Sterling situation their entire 2014 playoff run, and while it united them, it undoubtedly wore them down as they lost in the conference semi-finals to the Thunder. JJ Redick and Chris Paul had injuries during last season, but that helped Blake Griffin figure out he can dribble the ball and run the break by himself. Doc Rivers will once again try to lead the team to another franchise best season record by continuing to focus on the Clippers defensive development.

Additions: Spencer Hawes (Cleveland), Ekpe Udoh (Milwaukee), Jordan Farmar (LA Lakers), Chris Douglas-Roberts (Charlotte), CJ Wilcox (rookie)

Subtractions: Darren Collison (Sacremento), Danny Granger (Miami), Ryan Hollins (Sacramento)

Storylines:

If it isn’t a piece of pizza, Hedo and Big Baby aren’t going after it.

1. Can Blake Griffin make another leap this year? Last season he showed that he can put the ball on the floor and make good, although awkward looking, things happen. Griffin should add another few feet to his range or develop a go to post move that isn’t among the most predictable spins moves in the league

2. The Clippers have shed Ryan Hollins. Remember when the Cavs did the same? It felt great. Spencer Hawes is a huge upgrade at their backup center spot. Hawes and Paul running a pick and pop could be a beautiful site, as Paul could find a cutting Griffin for a dunk or a wide open Hawes at the three line. Udoh is also a decent big man with upside.

3. CDR and Matt Barnes both need to make the shots given to them in order to make defenses pay for double teaming Paul and Griffin. Can they do that?

Cavs Championship threat level: 8

Chris Paul can carve up any defense, and the Cavs have no one capable of containing him. The athletic disparity between the Cavs front court and the Clippers front court is one of the biggest in the league. Griffin’s vertical is higher than that of Thompson, Varejao, and Love combined. Offensively, the Clippers can hang with any team in the West, and if Rivers can continue their defensive improvement, they may get to hang with an Eastern team come June.

Prediction: 62-20 Lose conference finals

Paul, Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan may be split up if they don’t make the conference finals this season. Is this core what contenders are made of?

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have gone from a marquee franchise to the island of misfit toys. This team is all cast offs and looks to be lottery bound for the second year in a row. Kobe Bryant is back and so is Steve Nash. Kobe will be looking to score as always, and that is going to take away from Nash and any rookies looking to benefit from an offensive system. Fortunately for Kobe, Byron Scott will not be offended that an offensive system isn’t being run because he most likely doesn’t have one in place. Kyrie and Dion can testify to that. I’m excited to see what Kobe can still do.

Additions: Julius Randle (rookie), Jordan Clarkson (rookie), Carlos Boozer (waivers), Ed Davis (Memphis), Jeremy Linn (Houston), Ronnie Price (Orlando), Wayne Ellington (Dallas)

Subtractions: Pau Gasol (Chicago), Chris Kaman (Portland), Kent Bazemore (Hawks), Jodie Meeks (Detroit),

Jordan Farmar (LA Clippers), Kendall Marshall (Milwaukee)

Storylines:

1. Randle functions best in isolation situations. He can take his man off the dribble and score a little bit that way. Will he get the chance to do that with Kobe and Nick Young on the floor? Randle is a good offensive rebounder, so he will surely get some points off put backs.

“Kobe need all the shots.”

2. How will Nick Young survive this season? Kobe broke his finger. Jeremy Lin won’t even call him Swaggy P. What’s next? Will Wes Johnson finally tell him that 19 foot fading turn around jumpers are actually not what helps you have a long career?

Cavs Championship threat level: 1

I can’t count Kobe out entirely.

Prediction: 25-57

Where is any chemistry going to come from on this team? These are dark days for Laker fans. The Clippers are going to become a lot more popular this season.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns stunned the league last season ending with 48 wins under first year coach Jeff Hornacek. While the Suns were expected to be one of the worst teams, they created an effective two guard offense led by Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. Goran played out of his mind, while Bledsoe looked good when he was fully healthy. If Goran can continue his top level play, and Bledsoe can play up to his huge five year deal worth $70 million, the Suns will return to battle for a playoff spot in the West.

Additions: Tyler Ennis (rookie), T.J. Warren (rookie), Bogdan Bogdanivic (stashed overseas), Alec Brown (rookie), Joe Jackson (undrafted rookie), Casey Prather (undrafted rookie), Earl Barron (New York 2012-2013), Anthony Tolliver (Charlotte), Isiah Thomas (Sacramento), Zoran Dragic (Unicaja)

Subtractions: Ish Smith (Houston), Dionte Christmas (New Orleans), Channing Frye (Orlando)

Storylines:

1. I have to mention Channing Frye’s departure because I have read so much about it. He stretched the floor as a big and helped the Suns offense become very efficient by forcing opponents to give up a three or a drive deep into the restricted area. Who can play that stretch role for them this season?

2. This team is looking to trade for someone. You don’t stockpile players like this without reason. They have three above average point guards, an above average point guard prospect, and lots of rookies and players on reasonable contracts like the Morris Twins. If any trade is made, it should be to bring Robin Lopez and Brook Lopez to the team. I think there is a loophole in the NBA that three sets of twins can play at the same time.

3. Will Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, and Isiah Thomas be the best backcourt rotation in the league?

Cavs Championship threat level: 3

This team is going to be really fun to watch. They are exceedingly deep, but need to turn that depth into one or two proven players in order to make a long playoff run.

Prediction: 52-30 first round lose

This teams’ chemistry will continue to grow, and they may earn a spot in the playoffs if the Grizzlies or Blazers struggle this year. The roster will probably have a top level player on it by the trade deadline.

Sacramento Kings

They fought their way to a 28-54 season for the second year in a row. However, they were led by a much more mature DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins continued maturing during the summer while he played meaningful minutes for Team USA with Kings teammate Rudy Gay. Yet, despite their promising talent, these two borderline stars have struggled to get wins. Kings management let Isiah Thomas walk for nearly nothing and drafted another shooting guard, Nic Stauskas, when they already had Ben McLemore. They also made history by signing the first Indian player in the NBA, Sim Bhullar. He’s 7’5” and doesn’t look like he’ll stick around.

Additions: Nic Stauskas (rookie), Eric Moreland (undrafted rookie), Darren Collison (LA Clippers), Omri Casspi (Houston), Ryan Hollins (LA Clippers), Ramon Sessions (Milwaukee), Sim Bhullar (undrafted rookie)

Subtractions: Aaron Gray (Detroit), Quincy Acy (New York), Isiah Thomas (Phoenix), Jason Terry (Houston), Travis Outlaw (Knicks)

Storylines:

1. Can DeMarcus Cousins become the best center in the NBA this season? He had an impressive defensive showing with team USA. He has yet to show himself defensively in NBA games.

2. Vivek Ranadivé will play too much NBA 2k15 and demand that the super small lineup of Ray McCallum, Ben McLemore, Nic Stauskas, Rudy Gay, and DeMarcus Cousins plays forty minutes a game. He will then trade for Josh Smith. The Josh Smith thing has been talked about already.

Cavs Championship threat level: 0

In order to pull off a Houston like trade for a Harden like player, you have to have players that people want.

Prediction 28-54

Third time’s the charm?