WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
1.) Phoenix Suns 2.) Los Angeles Lakers 3.) Golden State Warriors 4.) Sacramento Kings 5.) Los Angeles Clippers
All-Pacific Division
PG - Steve Nash / Baron Davis
SG - Kobe Bryant / Kevin Martin
SF - Shawn Marion / Corey Maggette
PF - Amare Stoudemire / Lamar Odom
C - Andrew Bynum / Andris Biedrins
1. PHOENIX SUNS
-- Steve Nash and many Phoenix followers felt that they were "stripped of a fair opportunity in many regards." But they've moved on from the Spurs series. Following the 61 win season of a year ago many feel it is the Suns who have the best odds of winning the NBA finals this upcoming season. Nash is a master with the ball and is seemingly unstoppable at times. Amare Stoudemire can be his own master, but complemented ever so nicely with the all around play from Shawn Marion. The big three of Nash, Stoudemire and Marion would make any bench seem good, but Phoenix already has great players to fill in. Barbosa, Bell and Diaw along with newly acquired Grant Hill. D.J. Strawberry and Alondo Tucker make for an interesting and talented bench. The regular season might be hard to get motivated for, but a 60 win season should be upcoming in Phoenix.
New Additions: Grant Hill, Alando Tucker, D.J. Strawberry
Losses: Kurt Thomas, James Jones
Players Under the Radar: Marcus Bell / Raja Bell
Big Games: Nov. 4 vs CLE, Dec. 17 @ SA, Dec. 19 @ DAL, Dec. @ LAL, Jan. 31 vs SA, Feb.14 vs DAL, Feb. 20 vs LAL, Feb. 22 vs BOS, Mar. 9 vs SA, April 9 @ SA
2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
-- Kobe Bryant needs to realize he can't do it alone. Or maybe he knows that which might explain why he's looking for a way out of LA. After putting up 50 points ten times last year you'd think Kobe would be asking for more help from Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown or Andrew Bynum. Injuries hampered most of the Lakers season a year ago, but that is no excuse. Los Angeles should have no problem taking care of business in a weak Pacific division. If Kobe and company can't get past the opening round this upcoming season, they'll embark on something no team in Laker history has done -- They've never been sent home in the first round of the consecutive playoffs. If the Lakers want to avoid making negative history they better hope to get a better round one match-up than Phoenix, Dallas or Houston.
New Additions: Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittenton, Sun Yue, Andre Patterson, Elton Brown, Larry Turner
Losses: Jason Hart
Players Under the Radar: Maurice Evans / Chris Mihm
Big Games: Nov. 2 @ PHX, Nov. 13 @ SA, Dec. 25 vs PHX, Jan. 17 vs PHX, Feb. 20 @ PHX, April 13 vs SA
3. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
-- It's time now for Golden State to start praying that their first round Daviding of Goliath Dallas was no fluke. The Warriors dealt swingman, sharp shooter, former slam dunk champion Jason Richardson and by doing so may have left this team searching for another bone for their back that relies heavily on oft-injured point guard Baron Davis. The Warriors will get a chance to see 82 full games with Steven Jackson and Al Harrington who were acquired from Indiana mid-season last year. They will also hope to get the same or more improved productivity from Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins who became household names after breaking out last season. It wouldn't surprise anyone if Golden State played giant killer again all season long -- they have the latent to go along with the attitude to make it possible.
New Additions: Austin Croshere, Brandan Wright, Marco Belnelli, Stephane Lasme, Kosta Perovic
Losses: Sarunas Jasikevicius, Adonal Foyles
Players Under the Radar: Kelenna Azubuike / Patrick O'Bryant
Big Games: Oct. 30 vs UTA, Nov. 8 vs DAL, Nov. 26 vs PHX, Dec. 9 @ LAL, Jan. 2 @ DAL, March 30 vs DAL, April 2 @ DAL, April 14 @ PHX
4. SACRAMENTO KINGS
-- With 33 win last season, the Kings have slowly declined since the 2002-03 season. It can and should only incline for seasons to come. It's a mystery how the Kings will do this season because the roster is full of hard to figure out players. Ron Artest could be as good as any small forward in the game, Mike Bibby flirts with being an all-star caliber player, Kevin Martin is an overlook stud, John Salmons has show flashes of brilliance and young players like Francisco Garcia, Spencer Hawes and Mustafa Shakur show promise of a bright future.
New Additions: Mikki Moore, Spencer Hawes, Darryl Watkins
Losses: Ronnie Price, Corliss Williamson
Players Under the Radar: John Salmons / Kenny Thomas
Big Games: Nov. 21 @ PHX, Dec. 12 @ BOS, Jan. 23 @ LAC, March 15 @ PHX, March 18 @ GS
5. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
-- Tough to say anything positive about Los Angeles after Elton Brand ruptured his Achilles' tendon and is out until at least February, maybe longer. Other players will have to step up and replace the team leader, namely Corey Maggette and veterans Brevin Knight and Sam Cassell. Maggette will be more productive because he's in a contract year -- but it might actually hurt the squad. Maggette's selfishness will hinder the ability of the role players to get the touches needed to make a difference. It will be a long season for the Clippers, they might just hit 20 wins.
New Additions: Brevin Knight, Josh Powell, Al Thornton, Jared Jordan
Losses: Jason Hart
Players Under the Radar: Chris Kaman / Cuttino Mobley
Big Games: Nov. 24 @ PHX, Dec.16 @ LAL, Jan 15 vs PHX, Feb 7 @ LAL, March 7 @ LAL, April 10 vs LAL, April 16 @ HOU
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