The Durant As fascinating as the Eastern Conference might get, the might is still in the West. And everyone is projecting a new king out west.
Furthermore, there's some salty second-year players and new coaches near the bottom of the conference and the typical giants at top. A ton to talk about.
Los Angeles Lakers -- 59-25
I'm not completely buying the "cruise" theory that the Lakers will bide their time until the playoffs. There will be too many easy and tough wins to get them close to 60. I love the combo of Kobe Bryant-Ron Artest-Matt Barnes-Lamar Odom-Shannon Brown-Luke Walton in that big shooting guard-big power forward range. A large sect of guys that could do a lot of different things and do them relatively well.
Oklahoma City Thunder -- 58-24
I think they're a player away. Probably a frontcourt guy. I like the minor signing of Daequan Cook as a bench guy. Big development years for James Harden and Eric Maynor. Their development could mean the world to this team.
Dallas Mavericks -- 51-32
Ho-hum. Get their 50 wins and their playoff spot. Cruise along thinking all is well until the first round of the playoffs and they get pounded. It's not that they're bad ... just the same.
Utah Jazz -- 51-31
Two additions -- Gordon Hayward and Raja Bell -- could play a big role on this team. Al Jefferson is the difference maker here. Deron Williams becomes an MVP candidate.
San Antonio Spurs -- 50-32
Do you think the Spurs signed Marcus Cousin thinking he was Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins?
Denver Nuggets -- 46-36
The key is Carmelo Anthony. If he's gone, they win 40 games. If he stays, is he as interested as he was a year ago? I think they have a solid six and then nothing else. Can Chauncey Billups keep this up?
Portland Blazers -- 45-37
Someone's got to drop if all these teams are going to win more games. I thought Jerryd Bayless, Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw were functional bench players and spot starters. They're gone and you've got to hope that Greg Oden and Brandon Roy can stay healthy for 75 games each? This doesn't take into consideration the old bones of Andre Miller, Marcus Camby and Joel Pryzbilla.
Phoenix Suns -- 44-38
They essentially traded Amare Stoudemire for Hedo Turkoglu. Win: Knicks.
New Orleans Hornets -- 44-38
Like the additions of Trevor Ariza and Bayless. Marcus Thornton coming into his second year. Between Emeka Okafor and Aaron Gray they can handle the center position. They're not great, but they'll be better. Chris Paul has too many toys this year.
Memphis Grizzlies -- 39-43
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. Is he grown up? We think. Added Xavier Henry.
Los Angeles Clippers -- 36-46
A healthy Blake Griffin could mean an interested Baron Davis. Sprinkle Eric Gordon and rookie Eric Bledsoe. Pair Griffin with the capable Chris Kaman. Those are a set of good front- and backcourts.
Sacramento Kings -- 35-47
I refuse to believe that a team Tyreke Evans, Sam Dalembert, DeMarcus Cousins, Cary Landry, Francisco Garcia, Omri Casspi, Beno Udrih and someone that sounds like a character "The Wire" (Pooh Jeter) won't win nine more games than they did a year ago.
Houston Rockets -- 30-52
Getting a lot of hype because Yao Ming's back and apparently Brad Miller is good. According to some. I think he stinks and I think the Rockets are a bunch of mismatched players.
Golden State Warriors -- 24-58
Who's coaching this team post-Don Nelson? First rounder Ekpe Udoh is out. Free agent signing Louis Admundson is out. Two marquee NBA players, including the very uneven Monta Ellis. Yikes.
Minnesota Timberwolves -- 19-63
It's hard to root against a team that includes a "Maurice," "Lazar," "Wayne," "Kosta," "Darko," "Sebastian" and "Martell."
