Post by Spencer on Feb 7, 2009 9:23:14 GMT -8
Dallas
The Mavericks are one of the many teams that went for youth. LaMarcus Aldridge, Rodney Stuckey and Wilson Chandler are the gems of their draft. Aldridge is already a very good scorer, and as a PF his value is through the roof. Stuckey is a very solid combo guard that should have a great career in PWW. This team is bound for the lotto.
New Orleans
Confusing draft for the Hornets. They started with Carmelo Anthony and seemed to be looking to compete. Then they drafted Paul Millsap, who is a great young player, but also an expiring contract. Then they proceeded to trade down and go young. A team that should also be looking lotto and will probably end up dealing their two best players.
Houston
Lotto town as well. Lots of great young youth, but not enough good players to compete now. OJ Mayo, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlin and Mike Conley Jr. all look to be good to great in the future though. Mayo especially, he should be a 20-5-5 player this year and could evolve into a star.
Minnesota
The Wolves also went the youth route. Lots of talented young players including Rajon Rondo, Marvin Williams and Corey Brewer. Rondo should become one of the better point guards in the league. Williams is a solid wing prospect that should be a balanced scorer and solid rebounder. Brewer has questionable offense but should become an elite defender. So far all the Midwest teams seem to be lotto.
San Antonio
Yay, someone who wants to compete! The Spurs drafted well. They have a young stud in Kevin Durant. A perfect #2 scorer in manu Ginobili. A nice mix of youth and experience with their bigs. Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur are the future, while Chris Kaman and Carl Landry will give toughness and rebounding now. Rafer Alston is a very solid point. Their biggest weakness appears to be SF where defensive stopper Bruce Bowen may be closer to finished then anyone knows.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder have LeBron James, so they are contenders. In this division that's all they'll need. While James is a complete stud, the only thing that could possibly hurt them is their idea that James should play 4. They drafted small, and will experiment with the ultimate Don Nelson offense. The Thunder have enough talent to make the unorthodox lineup work. Add Baron Davis and Richard Jefferson to LeBron and you have a 50 win team.
Vancouver
Dirk Nowitzki looks to be an MVP favorite on this squad. While they did draft for now the Grizz roster isn't especially impressive. DIrk and Joe Johnson means they're good for 40 wins at least, but their roles players leave much to be desired. Luckily for the Grizz only 2 other teams are competing in their division this year.
Golden State
Obvious biases aside, the Warriors will score, a lot. Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand are a lethal inside outside combo. David West and Stephen Jackson are both legitimate 3rd options. Add in Jamal Crawford and scoring will never be an issue in Golden State. The defense is a question mark. Although they do have 2 A- defenders in jackson and Kirk Hinrich and a B+ defender in Brand defense could be a weak spot for the Warriors.
LA Clippers
Dwight Howard is a stud. One of the best young players in the league, Howard should be a perennial 20-10 guy. None of the other players jump out at you, but they are solid. Mike Miller and Kevin Martin should score 18-20 each. Ray Felton is a solid point. Darko Milicic should be a good compliment to Howard down low. A 45 win team.
LA Lakers
Best team in the Conference. 4 very good veteran players in Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Mike Bibby and Rip Hamilton. Add in a solid youngster like Al Horford and you have the making of a 50+ win team. Scoring may be a problem with them, so they might look to add a legitimate #1 option.
Phoenix
Another extremely good veteran squad. Amare Stoudemire could score 30 a game. Definite MVP candidate. Allen Iverson can still score a ton, and should as the #2 option. Steve Nash and Ron Artest are perfect compliments to their star players. Brad Miller and Sam Dalembert should form a competent C duo. The Pacific is stacked.
Portland
Yest another veteran squad in the Pacific. Caron Butler and Tony Parker are 20+ PPG scorers on the perimeter. Andrew Bogut and Jermaine O'Neal form one of the better front courts in the league. Tony Allen, Kenyon Martin and Luke Ridnour bring solid depth. One of the better teams in the Conference.
Denver
Andrew Bynum and Tyson Chandler are a great young big man combination. Jason Richardson will be a 25 PPG guy as the #1 option. Boris Diaw and James Posey are solid options at SF. Jamaal Tinsley will end up starting over Jason Kidd. Kidd was their big mistake. If they could have gotten another scorer where they selected Kidd they might have been fighting for the division title.
Utah Jazz
The only team in the division that wont be a playoff contender. The Jazz went young and will be waiting on draft notes all year long. Derrick Rose is a star in the making. Eric Gordon is a very good young shooter. Danilo Gallinari is a young player with tons of upside and tons of uncertainty. Jason Thompson also looks like a promising young player.
The Mavericks are one of the many teams that went for youth. LaMarcus Aldridge, Rodney Stuckey and Wilson Chandler are the gems of their draft. Aldridge is already a very good scorer, and as a PF his value is through the roof. Stuckey is a very solid combo guard that should have a great career in PWW. This team is bound for the lotto.
New Orleans
Confusing draft for the Hornets. They started with Carmelo Anthony and seemed to be looking to compete. Then they drafted Paul Millsap, who is a great young player, but also an expiring contract. Then they proceeded to trade down and go young. A team that should also be looking lotto and will probably end up dealing their two best players.
Houston
Lotto town as well. Lots of great young youth, but not enough good players to compete now. OJ Mayo, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlin and Mike Conley Jr. all look to be good to great in the future though. Mayo especially, he should be a 20-5-5 player this year and could evolve into a star.
Minnesota
The Wolves also went the youth route. Lots of talented young players including Rajon Rondo, Marvin Williams and Corey Brewer. Rondo should become one of the better point guards in the league. Williams is a solid wing prospect that should be a balanced scorer and solid rebounder. Brewer has questionable offense but should become an elite defender. So far all the Midwest teams seem to be lotto.
San Antonio
Yay, someone who wants to compete! The Spurs drafted well. They have a young stud in Kevin Durant. A perfect #2 scorer in manu Ginobili. A nice mix of youth and experience with their bigs. Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur are the future, while Chris Kaman and Carl Landry will give toughness and rebounding now. Rafer Alston is a very solid point. Their biggest weakness appears to be SF where defensive stopper Bruce Bowen may be closer to finished then anyone knows.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder have LeBron James, so they are contenders. In this division that's all they'll need. While James is a complete stud, the only thing that could possibly hurt them is their idea that James should play 4. They drafted small, and will experiment with the ultimate Don Nelson offense. The Thunder have enough talent to make the unorthodox lineup work. Add Baron Davis and Richard Jefferson to LeBron and you have a 50 win team.
Vancouver
Dirk Nowitzki looks to be an MVP favorite on this squad. While they did draft for now the Grizz roster isn't especially impressive. DIrk and Joe Johnson means they're good for 40 wins at least, but their roles players leave much to be desired. Luckily for the Grizz only 2 other teams are competing in their division this year.
Golden State
Obvious biases aside, the Warriors will score, a lot. Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand are a lethal inside outside combo. David West and Stephen Jackson are both legitimate 3rd options. Add in Jamal Crawford and scoring will never be an issue in Golden State. The defense is a question mark. Although they do have 2 A- defenders in jackson and Kirk Hinrich and a B+ defender in Brand defense could be a weak spot for the Warriors.
LA Clippers
Dwight Howard is a stud. One of the best young players in the league, Howard should be a perennial 20-10 guy. None of the other players jump out at you, but they are solid. Mike Miller and Kevin Martin should score 18-20 each. Ray Felton is a solid point. Darko Milicic should be a good compliment to Howard down low. A 45 win team.
LA Lakers
Best team in the Conference. 4 very good veteran players in Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Mike Bibby and Rip Hamilton. Add in a solid youngster like Al Horford and you have the making of a 50+ win team. Scoring may be a problem with them, so they might look to add a legitimate #1 option.
Phoenix
Another extremely good veteran squad. Amare Stoudemire could score 30 a game. Definite MVP candidate. Allen Iverson can still score a ton, and should as the #2 option. Steve Nash and Ron Artest are perfect compliments to their star players. Brad Miller and Sam Dalembert should form a competent C duo. The Pacific is stacked.
Portland
Yest another veteran squad in the Pacific. Caron Butler and Tony Parker are 20+ PPG scorers on the perimeter. Andrew Bogut and Jermaine O'Neal form one of the better front courts in the league. Tony Allen, Kenyon Martin and Luke Ridnour bring solid depth. One of the better teams in the Conference.
Denver
Andrew Bynum and Tyson Chandler are a great young big man combination. Jason Richardson will be a 25 PPG guy as the #1 option. Boris Diaw and James Posey are solid options at SF. Jamaal Tinsley will end up starting over Jason Kidd. Kidd was their big mistake. If they could have gotten another scorer where they selected Kidd they might have been fighting for the division title.
Utah Jazz
The only team in the division that wont be a playoff contender. The Jazz went young and will be waiting on draft notes all year long. Derrick Rose is a star in the making. Eric Gordon is a very good young shooter. Danilo Gallinari is a young player with tons of upside and tons of uncertainty. Jason Thompson also looks like a promising young player.
