What will Dallas do for an encore? How will the young Miami trio finally play right to win it all? Will Derrick Rose repeat as MVP? Are the Celtics and the Lakers too old to contend? Does the Thunder have what it takes to win it all? Is Melo and Amar'e enough for a Knick renaissance? And is the Clippers the newest big thing in Hollywood? We look forward to the 2011-12 NBA season.
We now preview the Western Conference Northwest Division.
Denver Nuggets
50-32 (5th in West, lost to Thunder in 1st round 4-1)
First full year of post-'Melo era, and the Nuggets are in a troubled spot. Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler are in China and couldn't get out. Even though the Nuggets played better following the Anthony trade last season, George Karl knew he'll have his hands full with a decimated roster. And while they added Andre Miller to provide stability at the point, expect Ty Lawson to blossom even further at the one. They need to have big games from Danilo Gallinari, Chris Andersen, Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington and late additions Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer to keep in pace with Dallas, Oklahoma City, the Lakers and now the Clippers. Bringing back Nene is a huge plus, but translating it to an improved performance remains the question.
Minnesota Timberwolves
17-65 (15th in West, missed playoffs)
Kevin Love became an NBA All-Star by virtue of 53 straight double-doubles. But he found no support and the Timberwolves frequently stumbled that led to Kurt Rambis's dismissal and Rick Adelman's arrival. The Wolves now had to leave that behind and start over. Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio was exceptional in Spain. But is he as good as advertised in Minnesota? Rubio's arrival sparks a lot of hype and hope for a struggling franchise, and teaming up with an up-and-comer like Love, the Wolves seem to head in the right direction. New addition J.J. Barea and incumbent starting guard Luke Ridnour will provide Rubio with a lot of guidance at the one. Rookie Derrick Williams needs to mature fast, while Michael Beasley, Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph need to step up to lessen Love's burden. Brad Miller will be a great insurance policy for Darko Milicic. The Timberwolves' playoff chances will be a long shot, but they have a bright future ahead of them.
Oklahoma City Thunder
55-27 (4th in West, lost to Mavericks in West Finals 4-1)
Now a member of the NBA elite, the Thunder need to take advantage of their aging foes if they want to take it a step further. As always, Kevin Durant is exceptional, while Russell Westbrook is steadily maturing. Kendrick Perkins did not necessarily provided the defensive edge when he arrived, but after a lengthy offseason losing weight, it looks as if the now-260 pounder is ready to crash the boards with authority and provide defensive intimidation to foes. James Harden is poised for a breakout year, while Serge Ibaka will continue to help Perkins crash the boards. While Sam Presti didn't make headlines in the preseason, this Thunder team seem to be learning fast and growing together, and if they reach the NBA Finals, it will be a great accomplishment to this maturing team.
Portland Trail Blazers
48-34 (6th in West, lost to Mavericks in 1st round 4-2)
Injuries did not stop the Trail Blazers from reaching their third straight postseason, but they enter the new season minus their leader Brandon Roy, who retired due to bad knees. The status of Greg Oden remains uncertain; his career now jeopardized with the possibility of retiring as well. This Blazers team played well when adversity was at an all-time high, but without Roy, a playoff berth seem like a long road to take. Jamal Crawford is not Brandon Roy, he's more of a perimeter scorer. Wesley Matthews definitely broke out and he's a lock at the two. Nicolas Batum had a career season as well and needs to be more productive this year. While LaMarcus Aldridge assumes to leadership role, the question is, is he ready? And the age of Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby is a problem spot at center, which means they need more from Chris Johnson and Craig Smith to add muscle down low. Raymond Felton needs to have steady averages if he's going to stay long in Portland.
Utah Jazz
39-43 (11th in West, missed playoffs)
This is the first full season of the post-Jerry Sloan era, and the Jazz once again enter the rebuilding phase. They had a great shot of making the playoffs in February, before Sloan's resignation and the Deron Williams trade sent the Jazz down. The recipients of the Williams deal in Devin Harris and Derrick Favors played well, but not well enough. Al Jefferson did have a decent season in Utah, while Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles had breakout seasons. But the team needed youngsters such as Gordon Hayward, Jeremy Evans, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter to grow fast in order to provide some depth. Tyrone Corbin will now employ a new system, but the question is, will this team accept the new philosophy? This Jazz team will be a 25-27 win team this season, a long shot for the playoffs.
We'll preview the Pacific Division on our next post.
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