Post your Western Conf Power Rankings

I think it's gonna be similar to last year. Lakers remain on top. #2 through #7 (or may be #8) may end up with records very similar to each other.

 

If Yao is healthy, I'd say we're number 2 or 3.

 

1. LA Lakers : F the Fakers
2. Houston: Depending on Yao's Health
3. Oklahoma City : They are one low post scorer away from doing wonders
4. Denver : George Karl will set them straight
5. Dallas : F the Mavs
6. Utah : F The Jazzholes
7. San Antonio : George Hill will break out
8. Suns : Steve Nash.
9. Clippers : They will Break out of the curse and be over .500
10. Hornets : CP3 will be ready to go.

Man, The west is so tough.

 

The good news is that nobody in the West has gotten appreciably better, unless you count Houston adding Yao. The better news is that several teams have gotten worse. Phoenix will not be the same without Amare, j*zz will not be the same without Boozer, Lakers are playing hardball with cheap-shot artist Fisher and Kobe's a year older, the Denver experiment with Chauncey is reaching the end, the Spurs are a year older, the Mavs have not done anything, nor have the Blazers. NO is down for the count, Memphis is Memphis, GS is GS, MN is MN. OK City has yet to make a move, but by them being young and having a little taste of the playoffs, they are poised to improve the most (relatively) of last year's playoff teams. The Clippers might improve if Blake's recovered and can play. Sacto might improve marginally.

Most of the action is in the East and it seems like the pendulum is swinging that way after the West was so good for so long. I think the West is there for the taking. You still have to go through LA, but they are not invulnerable, especially late in the season.

I like Houston's chances.

 

there is so much that can still happen.

i can say that in no particular order the lakers, mavs, blazers, thunder, nuggets, spurs, rockets, hornets, grizzlies, and jazz are in the mix for the playoffs, while the suns, wolves, warriors, clippers, and kings will not make it.

 

I think Sac town might surprise some people.

 

I've only ever been a Rockets fan, but don't think we'll have a top 3 seed.

 

Is the west really taking a hit? I think the Nuggets, Spurs, Suns, Jazz and Blazers may all be worse. The Sonics don't even exist. Is the tide turning?

 

Lakers: kobe, gasol, jackson
Rockets: given good health
OKC: they keep improving.
Denver: lot's of talent and good coaching will keep them winning.
Dallas: Solid team (still hate them though)
Portland: Lot's of talent, but health concerns will determine their future.
Spurs: they always weasel themselves into the playoffs. pops knows what he's doing
Hornets: CP3 healthy and good to go.
Clippers: break the curse and stay healthy! they look good on paper, even with del negro as their coach
Suns: Nash is going to have a hard time carrying his team without amare
Jazz: jazzholes without their second best jazzhole.
Minnesota: i think they'll get a bit better once they get their kevin love/ al jefferson situation sorted out
Memphis: young and talented, but not there yet.
Golden State: =(

 

woops. switch minnesota and memphis, and i'd throw sacramento between jazz and minnesota

 

Depends on yao and our schedule. Didn't we have one of the more difficult schedules this past season?

 

1. LAL: KOBE BRYANT, FISHER, PAU GASOL & PHIL JACKSON (am i missing anyone else)
2. POR: Dangerous team to play against
3. DEN: Melo, Chauncey, George Karl... main problem: Coach's Health
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Could be better if we had Bosh...Health come first also for Yao's sake
5. OKC: Raw Young Talent
6. Dallas: Hate this team so NO comments made
7. UTA: i think their coach is gonna retire soon and since Boozer is gone D-Will will drop his assists
8. Spurs: Could be in no. 6

========================================================
9. Suns: Steve Nash with Robin Lopez (isnt enough)
10. New Orleans: CP3, new coach developing
11. Clippers: Time for glory at last (or not)
12. Memphis: Rudy Gay (was it worth it?)
13. Kings: Big team with young talent to make future playoff push
14. Warriors: need a SF who can rebound, pass and block shots
15. T-Wolves: (if Al Jefferson is gone this team goes last): need Ricky Rubio

 

Right now it's a little to early to post rankings simply because trades haven't even started yet. With the new cap numbers coming out, teams like the Jazz have close to $12 Mil room to play with. Portland has already stated they plan on picking up a player or two.

Teams I would look out for in order is OKC, Dallas, Portland, Utah, possibly SAS.

OKC could be players to sign David Lee or make a move for a PF. If they land their big, they could easly take the second seed.

I throw out Dallas simply because Cuban is a r****d but he has Dampier's contract, Butler's expiring contract, Stevenson's expiring contract, Barea's expiring contract, and a good young asset in Beaubois. Dallas IMO will try and target Big Al or make a push for Granger. I know they want to keep Haywood so that's another thing to keep in mind.

Portland's team is in trouble when it comes to health. Both of their Centers are coming off of major knee surgery. B. Roy has some health issues as well. There's a lot of what if's with them but they have money to pick up a player that can be an impact for them.

Utah has money to overpay for someone. They still lack a SG/SF they need. Although Boozer left, they have a solid player in Millsap.

SAS also have some money to play with. Rumors have it that they'll look to SnT Richard Jefferson or resign him. You can never count them out...

 

1. Houston (this is not because i'm a homer)
2. LA
3. OKC (this is not because i went to UT and believe KD is a bb-god)
4. Denver
5. Dallas (Mark Cuban rulz!)
6. Portland (this low because they will miss Blake's contributions A LOT)
7. New Orleans (Pat Patterson Sr., aka David West will be on fire for 1/2 a season)
8. Clippers (b/c Lebron James signed with them)
.
15. San Antonio (this is not because i hate the Spurs)
.
.
47. Utah (I hate those mutha-fudging, cheating, lying sons-a-ditches little fockers!)

 

1. Lakers - Until they are de-throned they stay up here.
2. OKC - Young talent gets better
3. Houston - Yao is back and our young talent continues to improve ( I see Hill putting up 14-7 and Brooks putting up 21-6)
4. Portland- This team is young and stacked (stay healthy and it's all good)
5. Dallas - They are solid but getting older
6. San Antonio - Same as Dallas
7. Denver - Carmello will distract a bit.
8. Jazz- big fall off without Boozer but they are still a playoff team
9. Sac - Tyreke is the real deal and they have a lot of size now with Hassan, Cousins and Landry.
10. Hornets - could be in the top 5 but I don't see it happening, the cast is not there
11. Suns - Nash is a year older, J Rich is a year older... I see them out of the play off picture
12. Clippers - youth is getting older and might be ready to play good ball.
13. Grizz - similar team to last year and they were competitive.

I see these 13 having a chance at the top 8 seeds in this order.

 

As soon as we see how it all shakes out...

DD

 

1. lakers
2. mavs
3. rockets
4. thunder
5. nuggets
6. spurs
7. jazz
8. grizzlies

 

'
As much as I love to face the Jazz in the playoff, they may end up like us this year at the 9th seed. I mean boozer was there 2nd best player afterall...