| 2008-2009 Southwest Division Preview |
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| Written by Phil Partington | |
| Monday, 18 August 2008 | |
 Projected starting five: C Tyson Chandler; PF David West; SF Peja Stojakovic; SG Morris Peterson; PG Chris Paul It’s amazing that so many are counting the San Antonio Spurs out and labeling them “washed up,” simply because they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers. What these skeptics don’t consider is that Manu Ginobili played hurt in that series and that the Spurs still managed to make it all the way to the Western Conference finals. The Spurs are far from washed up. In fact, at age 32, Tim Duncan played in 78 productive games last year and should have another 3-4 solid years left in him. Plus, Tony Parker is only 26-years-old. Expect another title-contending season from the Spurs. Projected starting five: C Fabricio Oberto; PF Tim Duncan; SF Ime Udoku; SG Michael Finley (Ginobili often comes off the bench); PG Tony Parker. The Houston Rockets stunned everyone last season winning 22-straight games late in the season, which was the second longest win streak in NBA history. A fluke? Probably. However, the Rockets have added a couple pieces this off season which should help them improve in 2008-2009. Assuming Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady can stay healthy, which may be asking a lot, the addition of often troubled Ron Artest, Brent Barry and rookies Donte Greene and Joey Dorsey could propel Houston into an elite NBA team. Yet, in all likelihood, they still may be looking at a season of treading water around where they finished last season. The true test for Houston will be whether or not they can get into the second round of the playoffs. In order to do that, they’ll need to be healthy. Projected starting five: C Yao Ming; PF Luis Scola; SF Ron Artest; SG Tracy McGrady; PG Rafer Alston. The Dallas Mavericks appear to have missed their opening for an NBA Title. Jason Kidd isn’t nearly as quick as he once was and the firing of Coach Avery Johnson was a huge mistake. Re-signing DeSagana Diop was a good move, as the team’s interior was exposed last season without him, but it won’t be enough to put the pieces back together. With a full season alongside Kidd, expect Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard to have great offensive years. However, offense doesn’t win championships. Projected starting five: C Erick Dampier; PF Dirk Nowitzki; SF Josh Howard; SG Jason Terry or Eddie Jones; PG Jason Kidd The Memphis Grizzlies are nowhere near the rest of the division yet. The Grizzlies are young and athletic, but lack experience and solidarity in the paint. One thing’s for certain, this team’s going to be fast. A perimeter of Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley should be fun to watch, but has a ways to go before it translates to wins. Moreover, Memphis has several young players they could offer as trade bait, including Hakim Warrick, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry and Darko Milicic. Projected starting five: C Darko Milicic; PF Hakim Warrick; SF Rudy Gay; SG O.J. Mayo; PG Mike Conley. Predicted Final Division Standings: 1. San Antonio Spurs 58-24 2. New Orleans Hornets 56-26 3. Houston Rockets 56-26 4. Dallas Mavericks 46-36 5. Memphis Grizzlies 24-58         Set as favorite Bookmark Comments
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