Season Preview- The Southwest

It’s day two of the preview and the Southwest is up. The teams are listed in the order I think they will finish the season.

The Southwest is a tough division to win. Not only are the Texas teams good but now Memphis is a threat. New Orleans should be a tough team even without CP3. I think Dallas wins the division again. Being gifted Odom from the Lakers is still puzzling but a great move for them, even if they didn’t bring back Chandler. I actually think Houston finishes last. David Stern vetoing the trade hurt them the most. San Antonio is old, so very very old but they will make the playoffs. The 66 games in 122 days hurts them more than just about everybody in league except maybe Boston.

1. Dallas Mavericks

Starters
C- Brendan Haywood
PF- Dirk Nowitzki
SF- Lamar Odom
SG- Vince Carter
PG- Jason Kidd

Bench/ Rotation
6th- Jason Terry
7th- Shawn Marion
8th- Delonte West
9th Rodrigue Beaubois
10th- Dominique Jones
11th- Brandan Wright
12th- Brian Cardinal

Dallas is a very intriguing team. They are way better on offense this year. Without Chandler they will not be as good on defense, no brainer I know. I think Vince Carter will care because he is on a contending team for the first time in a long time. Odom, Dirk and Haywood are a dynamic front court. Both Dirk and Odom can stretch it out to the three point line, then Odom and Haywood can score down low too. Kidd will always be able to run an offense, but where I think this team struggles is stopping other team’s PG’s. Regardless this team is a top 3 seed in the West and a title contender.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Starters
C- Marc Gasol
PF- Zach Randolph
SF- Rudy Gay
SG- Tony Allen
PG- Mike Conley

Bench/Rotation
6th- OJ Mayo
7th- Darrell Arthur
8th- Sam Young
9th- Greivis Vasquez
10th- Xavier Henry
11th- Hamed Haddadi
12th- Josh Selby

Memphis came out of no where in the playoffs to beat the number one seed. I won’t say better team because Memphis was too much for San Antonio. There are still tons of rumors that the Grizzlies want to trade OJ Mayo. This could throw this whole team off. Mayo provides great off the bench scoring. Yes I know some players want to start but guess what if you’re getting paid sometimes you need to accept your role on the team. If he does this team will role this year, watch this team flourish. There is no better center/power forward combo in the league.  With a healthy Rudy Gay, Memphis could be a top 3 seed.

3. San Antonio Spurs

Starters
C- Tim Duncan
PF- DeJuan Blair
SF- Richard Jefferson
SG- Manu Ginobli
PG- Tony Parker

Bench/Rotation
6th- Tiago Splitter
7th- Antonio McDyess
8th- TJ Ford
9th- Gary Neal
10th- Kawhi Leonard
11th- Matt Bonner
12- Daniel Green

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Leonard start by the end of the year. Over the years Popovich has trusted rookies more and more. Mainly because his two best players are old and need more and more rest. Most thought Jefferson would be amnestied, yet here he is. I think Popovich trusts him and wasn’t ready to go with Leonard so soon. By the way that was a steal of a trade. Leonard may end up being one of the best players out of this draft. He is extremely versatile and to only give up a back up guard, truly a good get for the Spurs. With so many back to backs look for SA to take a step back. I think they finish anywhere from 4th-7th.

4. New Orleans Hornets

Starters
C- Chris Kaman
PF- Emeka Okafor
SF- Trevor Ariza
SG- Eric Gordon
PG- Jarrett Jack

Bench/Rotation
6th- Al-Farouq Aminu
7th- Carl Landry
8th- Willie Green
9th- Jason Smith
10th- Marco Belinelli
11th- Quincy Pondexter
12th-DJ Mbenga

Well the league set up the Hornets nice. I think they would have got better talent now with the Lakers/Rockets trade, they did get younger like Stern wanted. But doesn’t it feel like a sham? I really want Eric Gordon not to sign an extension now and screw over the Hornets. Not the city but the future owners/league if they ever get new owners. I’m still bitter on how Stern can do that and effect 5 plus teams in the process, negatively or positively. Now to the team. Shockingly Jarrett Jack has become a decent point guard. Yeah I know, I’m shocked too.  The Hornets have a good seven man rotation. I think they fight for the eighth seed.

5. Houston Rockets

Starters
C- Patrick Patterson
PF- Luis Scola
SF- Chase Budinger
SG- Kevin Martin
PG- Kyle Lowry

Bench/Rotation
6th- Courtney Lee
7th- Jordan Hill
8th- Jonny Flynn
9th- Terrance Williams
10th- Goran Dragic
11th- Marcus Morris
12th- Hasheem Thabeet

This is the team that got screwed over the biggest in the veto’d trade, as I said earlier. I like Lowry at PG and love Scola at PF. Patterson is a nice player but he is out of position at center. Martin can score and Budinger is an effective SF. I just don’t think this team is good enough for the playoffs. Though they will be around .500 and could make the playoffs. I just don’t see it happening. How are Scola and Martin affected by the trade and then staying? Will they stay motivated? That is to be seen.

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Chris Paul, Cleveland Cavilers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana pacers, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, minnesota timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, new Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, OJ Mayo, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, season preview, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards