Don't forget the GM(whoever that is), when mentioning Portland. He got rid of most of the former Jailblazers. I thought it was a doomed scenario, getting rid of talented players for what seemed to be good citizen scrubs. He hired Nate McMillan. They were absolutely awful last year. The Blazers will be contending this year for Northwest Division champ. The Nuggets will not repeat this year.
Their run might not last. http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/basketball/nba/golden_state_warriors/15994544.htm
Utah Jazz should not be among the surprise teams because they did something similar last season or thereabout. They started great but were slowed down by injuries. They also have a great coach in Sloan. True surprise imho should be teams likes Portland, Atlanta and maybe Orlando (even though we know that Howard is going to be special). The suns early struggles was not surprising considering that one of their most important players in Boris Diaw came to camp fat and overweight. Amare coming back from that dreaded surgery/injury added to their issues.
