Wouldn't it be nice if he had teammates Or, it represents the fact that the Western Conference is incredibly deep and that if you give a team seven games to win four, you will get upsets. Yes, it's about match-ups and the Grizz were an animal the Spurs didn't have an answer for. Still, the Grizz are not a bad team by any means. They're really good. That's good for the league. That's good for fans.
Los Angeles Lakers -- 59-25 -- 57-25
The Lakers are a good team. Hate them all you want. Still, it's a good team. Something clearly went haywire in the playoffs and if someone wanted to write a book, that'd be a good topic.
Oklahoma City Thunder -- 58-24 -- 55-27
I thought James Harden made a minor jump. Think Russell Westbrook made a huge jump to one of the top 15 players in the league this season. Still, there's room there to get a lot better. That's the reality here: The Thunder will only get better.
Dallas Mavericks -- 51-32 -- 57-25
I thought this was the same team as last year. Clearly not the case. Point to Tyson Chandler all you want. I think Dirk Nowitzki found some even level and turned some corner that we failed to realize was there to turn.
Utah Jazz -- 51-31 -- 39-43
Everything I thought about the Jazz was wrong. Outside of Gordon Heyward, of course. I thought he was pretty good for a rookie.
San Antonio Spurs -- 50-32 -- 61-21
Who knew they had this in them? A superbly run franchise.
Denver Nuggets -- 46-36 -- 50-32
Denver somehow got better without Carmelo Anthony. Figure that out. Just so athletic. With Utah struggling, Denver was bound to pick up a few more wins.
Portland Blazers -- 45-37 -- 48-34
Greg Oden and Brandon Roy couldn't stay together for even a game. Yet, LaMarcus Aldridge took the jump of year and became a beast.
Phoenix Suns -- 44-38 -- 40-42
It's Steve Nash (an aging, expensive Steve Nash) surrounded by poo-poo and bad coaching. Remember when they were athletic and scary?
New Orleans Hornets -- 44-38 -- 46-36
I never quite feared the Hornets. Still, they worked it and got 46 wins despite an insanely unstable future. Chris Paul is strong, to quite strong.
Memphis Grizzlies -- 39-43 -- 46-36
"Zach Randolph didn't get any major MVP consideration a year ago, but was there any other 10 guys that meant more to his team (the Grizz approached .500) than Randolph?" True that. ZBo was fantastic and no team brought it defensively more than Memphis. Just athletic black dudes working hard, wreaking havoc.
Los Angeles Clippers -- 36-46 -- 32-50
I don't understand why they weren't better. I could not have estimated Blake Griffin being any better. I'm sure Baron Davis' departure hurt in addition to Eric Gordon's injuries.
Sacramento Kings -- 35-47 -- 24-58
The Kings are on arrest alert. No less than four Kings will be arrested this summer. Look for it. Ironically, the Kings were almost moved and yet everyone fought to keep them. Fans, of course, and city leaders wanted them there. Funny thing, there's not a more unlikable team in the NBA. You never want to lose a sports franchise, but would most of Sacramento really miss this Kings team?
Houston Rockets -- 30-52 -- 43-39
Blow. Them. Up. All of them. Including Luis Scola and any youngsters. Sell high.
Golden State Warriors -- 24-58 -- 36-46
Speaking of, see what you can for Monta Ellis. No doubt he has a ridiculous, untradeable contract, but test the waters. Blow it up.
Minnesota Timberwolves -- 19-63 -- 17-65
Chris Paul is superstar No. 1 with zero help. Kevin Love is top three. There is little reason why he is not on a team winning 50 games a year.
