Post by raps03 - TOR on Oct 7, 2008 19:17:23 GMT -5
Power Rankings - Off Season Edition - West
1. New Orleans Hornets:New Orleans Hornets once again at the top of power rankings for many reason. Amazing gm, great team, and 2 time NBA Legends champion. It look like New Orleans wasn’t going too repeated 3 times in a row because of the downfall of former Center Ben Wallace. After New Orleans traded Ben Wallace in a three way deal (where he landed in Minnesota Timberwolves) he currently did not have any centers which were amazing. After a few months, New Orleans made another blockbuster deal with Dallas Mavicks, where he received Marcus Camby and Michael Redd for Gerald Wallace and Manu Ginobili. Yes a bit of a downgrade in both SG and SF but a huge and I mean HUGE upgrade in Center. Why are they on the top still without Gerald Wallace and Manu Ginobili on the team? Take a look at the team, Chris Paul – Michael Redd – Hedo Turkoglu – Tim Duncan – Marcus Camby, I think I would shit my pants if I were in the West. Good luck guys
2. Utah Jazz: Hands down one of the best in the West, and what they did in the off season was amazing. The Jazz GM has made some key off season moves, trading the core of the team Deron Williams and Richard Jefferson. You may think he’s nuts but if you see what he got back, I think you would say “God Dam it” He received the best player in the Game Lebron King James and also a decent point guard in Kirk Hinirch. With adding JR Smith to play SG and trading Z for K-Mart the team has a complete roster from PG- C. I personally think they could challenge the hornets in the west IF and this is a big IF, they stay healthy.
3. Dallas Mavericks: What a team the gm as assemble this off season. The GM made 2 key trades this off season which saw Dirk Nowitzki leaving Dallas. But what he got back must have been a steal, as get got back Michael Redd, Andrei Kirilenko, Camby, and others. Why this trade was good for Dallas, is that he has a depth team from PG- C (even more than Uath and New Orleans at the time) But the 2nd trade he made, made me think “What the?” Yes got an upgrade in SG and a scored in SF, but what about Center? He traded Redd and Camby for Manu, Wallace, and Bargs, that left a huge hole in Center. I wasn’t sure why he did the trade but he must be up to something. With about 2 weeks left before the season opens, I personally think Dallas is going to make 1 more key move which could see a good or decent Center coming the other way.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder went through a lot of changes this off season which saw Michael Redd, Marcus Camby and Andrei Kirilenko leaving the team. But coming back was Richard Hamilton and also one the best PF in the game in Dirk Nowitzki. This trade did made a lot of Gm think why did the gm do this trade after being so close to the finals last year. After a few weeks making that trade, he went out and brought Shaq to the thunder. Best Frontcourt in the league? By Far, Shaq and Dirk Nowitzki will make a big impact on the team and also Miller and Rip will help out as well. The only weakness on the team may be in SF, I personally think Michael Finley won’t get the job done, but again with about 2 weeks left, the gm might be able to pull of a blockbuster.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies have done a great job with there origination by adding star SG/SF Paul Perice and getting younger and better in PG in Rose. The team has come along way, with only Gasol as the core of the team. The Grzzlies also went out and brought in Peja, which was a great move by the team. Now the GM has assembled a top team in the West from PG – C. Rose- Paul – Peja – Gaosl – Antonio McDyess. I think this team is ready for another run in the playoffs.
6. Golden State Warriors: It looked like the Warriors were in trouble when trading Lewis and Baron away for just Terry and Marion. But the GM had a plan where he saw Lewis coming back and also Deron Williams It was an amazing move by the GM, and now with re-singing young center Biedrins, the team is ready to make another run in the playoffs. With a record of 46- 36 I expect them to win at least 50 games this season the max. The team will be sending out Williams – Szczerbiak – Lewis – Harrington – Biedrins. Only thing I don’t like on the starting lineup is Wally, but with 13,000,000 becoming free next season I would say G-sates a top SG.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: All they needed was a true Point Guard, and now they have one. The Blazers where able to fill a hole in there lineup as they signed PG Devin Harris to a 5 year deal in the off season. Overpay? Yes, did they have to? Yes. Devin was paid a lot and I mean a lot of money this off season for a 79 ranked player. Why was Devin paid so much? He was basically the only PG out there, and with about 5 teams in need of a PG, who ever bid the highest wins, in this case Portland won, because of Miami leaving and going after Starbury. With Devin in the lineup, Roy should have a much better game, same with LaMarcus Aldridge. To be honest I can not wait to see this team perform this year, as the GM stated a while back “What, my team will be a playoff team next year”.
8. Houston Rockets: Shocking to see Houston up here but I have to give some respects to the GM here. He has changed this team around, it started from T-Mac and Ming (which he never had to trade to get better) to Iggy and Jefferson. Funny how things change in the matter of off season. They have a new talented young PG in Nelson. They have 3 great players which can lead this team to the playoffs. I am not 100% if they will make the playoffs because of how talented the west is this year? The GM started off great buy re-signing Josh Smith then trading him for AL which was a steal. Then trading Bogut and others for Iggy was a HUGEEE steal. If we had to give Executive of year right now, winner by a landside would have to be Houston.
9. Los Angeles Lakers:Lakers and Houston are tied in my opinion. Lakers traded away Shaq which was a GREAT move by the team which saved them a lot of money, and brought in some young guys which is good to see. The Lakers still have AI and Kobe which can be very deadly if they are healthy. They have the best PG/SG on the team but no other core players which could hurt the team. Trading away Shaq for Wilcox was great but I am not 100% if Wilcox can get the job done. Maybe this was a move by the gm to clear cap space next year? Or is he slowly rebuilding? Time will only tell.
10. Phoenix Suns: Wasn’t to sure were to put Phoenix, they had a great PG in Nash but then that changed to Bibby: They had a good SG in Vince Cater but got wade which was great but it cost him a great lineup. The GM has made other trade which may make us say “what the”, this team had Nelson – Ganger- Melo – BIG AL- Curry at one time. I think that team would have taken PHX to 6-7 place in the West but after he traded Granger and Melo for Wade that feel a part. I did not like that move at all, but that’s me. I could be wrong with where I put this team but I think they have a slim chance of making the playoffs, but I have been wrong before.
11. Denver Nuggets: Rebuilding might be the key word to say at one point. Funny how things change, from rebuilding to try and make the playoffs. The team made multiply trades this off season seeing faces coming and going. The team has 2 of the top 5 picks but yet the 2nd overall pick is now gone. It went from Rose to gay to Caron Butler. Caron and Odom and Kaman are crazy but what about point guard! This team needs help in the 1 slot badly, if they can fine a decent point, I think this team can make the playoffs
12. Sacramento Kings : I am not 100% sure what’s going to happen with Kings. They didn’t really do anything big this off season, they only got Deng to re-sign which is great but they don’t have anyone else to play with him. I don’t think they will make the playoffs, but I think the idea is “Slow and Steady win the race” I wonder if the GM will be more Active in the next off season.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: This team is clearly rebuilding and has started in a great direction. Trading Caron for Rudy Gay was a great move, and it also saves them money. Gay is a great start to rebuild a team. The GM has done a lot of key moves this off season which saw Captain Gordon going to Bobcats for Caron and Caron for Rudy Gay. The Team is currently trying to trade Ben Wallace, and if they fine someone for him, this team will have a lot of money to spend next off season. Next off season will be fun to watch for this team.
14. Los Angeles Clippers: I’m sorry clippers but I truly thought you would have been a bit more active this off season. With a payroll of 30 some million I though you would of gone out and get some key FA like Jamison and Devin Harris but didn’t. But I think this team is going into the right direction. They got the first pick there year which was a plus, and maybe next year they might get it again (if they do as bad like last year). I don’t think they will be as bad as I put them, but they could do a lot better. With the signing of Swift for 10 million for the first year to me is nuts loll, but maybe next off season the team can go after a Baron Davis, or Agent 0 type of player.
15. San Antonio Spurs: 1 word to describe them, Rebuilding. The GM came in and traded all his great talent away from young players. Let’s hope this pays off.
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