| Who Will Be the Team to Beat in the NBA This Season? (Western Conference) |
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| Written by TJ Zwarych | |
| Thursday, 07 August 2008 | |
 The Hornets finished 2nd in the West last year and show no signs of slowing down. They aquired lock down defender and three point specialist James Posey, and they have an emerging star post in David West who had a breakout season last year going to his first all-star game. They have a fantastic starting point guard in Chris Paul who some say is the best point guard since Magic and Stockton. Last year in his third NBA season, he lead the league in steals and assists. He's a great scorer and he can also get his teammates involved as they have a great chemistry. Speaking of chemistry, there is none better then between Paul and center Tyson Chandler. Paul hooked up with Chandler for countless alley-oops to score countless points. Chandler is also one of the premier defenders in the league who can play above the rim. They are one of the youngest teams in the league and with last years experience they should do better. Throw in fantastic three point shooters Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson, you are set to have a great season. 2. Los Angeles Lakers MVP, MVP, MVP. It would be impossible for the Lakers to have a bad season as long as they have a healthy number 24, Kobe Bryant. Kobe was the MVP of the league last year and is straight up the best player in the league. He is clutch, can slash inside, can shoot the three, well he is just unstoppable. Although Kobe is amazing, the Lakers are not a one man team. They had some bad injuries last season, but if they are healthy, they will be even better then last year. To bad the Hornets will be better also. The Lakers are full of stars and role players, they really have the make of a great team. This year, they will have European star Pau Gasol for the full season instead of just half, they should have a healthy starting center this year with Andrew Bynum, and they also have Lamar Odom returning. This would create a lineup of Kobe and interchangeable Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar at guards, with a huge front 3 of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. The Lakers aren't short on role playesr either, they also have three point specialist Vladimir Radmanovic, a great scorer in Sasha Vujacic, and slashers Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton. I cannot see them finishing worst then second, maybe even repeating as 1st over the Hornets. 3. Utah Jazz The Jazz don't have quite have as star studded of a starting lineup as these other two teams but it's still pretty damn good! And out of all of these teams they are probably have the most balanced bench as they have a solid backup at each position. Their starting lineup will consist of Deron Williams, a fantastic young point guard, Ronnie Brewer, a young up and coming slashing guard, Andrei Kirlenko, a great defensive forward, their best scorer and rebounder Carlos Boozer, and a center that is an outside threat in Okur! It's still a drop off from starter to backup, but they are still good at every position. They have Brevin Knight backing up Williams, Ronnie Price or Kyle Korver replacing Brewer, Harping or again Korver replacing Kirlenko, Milsap replacing Boozer and Jarron Collins or again Milsap replacing Okur. With the same core as last year, the Jazz look to continue their greatness at home and play better on the road. Honourable Mentions: Portland Trail Blazers: Full of potential but need a year or two more to bloom San Antonio Spurs: Will still be good but won't improve Houston Rockets: T-Mac one year older, injuries will hurt Phoenix Suns: Still can't get it done on D Dallas Mavericks: Still good, playoff contender but they aren't on top anymore Denver Nuggets: Too much controversy, still trade rumours with most of their players, won't get it done         Set as favorite Bookmark Comments
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