Pacific Preview

The Pacific was ruled by L.A. last year, and this will be the case this year. The Lakers and Clippers both made moves that will allow them to compete in the deep Western Conference. The Warriors, coming off a good draft, have hope if their star Stephen Curry can stay healthy. The Suns will be rebuilding now that longtime point guard Steve Nash left for greener (or yellower) pastures. The Kings have been perennially bad and are hoping to see good things from rookie Thomas Robinson. As usual, teams are ranked in order of projected divisional finish. 

1. Los Angeles Lakers 

After pulling off a shrewd deal to get Dwight Howard, the Lakers also traded for Steve Nash. This makes them the favorite in the West. Of course it all starts with Kobe Bryant. He is 34, but still finished second in scoring last year. Pau Gasol will have less pressure this year, as teams will have their attention on Howard. Rounding out the starting five is Metta World Peace. He will bring perimeter D and toughness every game. The versatile Antawn Jamison will make an impact off the bench in his first year as a Laker. On paper, the starting five for the Lakers is a fantasy team. Kobe and Howard will be the focus of opponents and the media, but Nash is the key. His ability to run the pick and roll will get the most out of Howard, something Orlando could never do. In close games, Kobe will have the ball, and fans may be worried about him forcing shots. But with a team this talented, there won't be many close games. 

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Lob City had a nice playoff series win last year and Clipper fans are wanting more. The Clips had nice pick-ups this summer in getting Lamar Odom, Grant Hill and Jamal Crawford. Hopefully at least two of those guys (especially Odom) can play at a high level this year. As we all know, this is Chris Paul's team. He's the best point guard in the league and third on most preseason MVP ballots. The Clippers are also counting on continued improvement from Blake Griffin. Sure he will have great dunks, but there are gaping holes in his game (mid-range/free-throw shooting). Best case for the Clippers will be a 3-seed in the West. A good playoff run will only elevate Paul's greatness and will also quiet some of those Griffin critics. 

3. Golden State Warriors

A tormented fan base was treated to a nice draft with Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green becoming the newest Warriors. After trading for Andrew Bogut last year, the Warriors will have the very capable lineup of Curry, Klay Thompson, Barnes, David Lee, and Bogut. Of course, they need Curry to play all season, which he failed to do last year. Assuming that his ankles are not paper mache, Curry is a good scorer and elite shooter. Thompson had a great rookie season. He and Barnes will form a lethal wing duo. David Lee is consistent scorer and rebounder at power forward and Bogut is an above-average center when in form. Green and Carl Landry will come off the bench. This team will score points and if things go right for Golden State, the Warriors could see their first playoff-berth since 2007.  

4. Phoenix Suns

The Nash-less Suns look like a team of randoms this year. Their core consists of three imports, Luis Scola, Martin Gortat and Goran Dragic. Also the Suns have high-picks that have washed with former teams such as Michael Beasley and Wesley Johnson. Last year's first-rounder Markieff Morris showed promise and Phoenix hopes rookie Kendall Marshall will be able to fill the void at point guard. Typically players produce more on the Suns than they did for previous teams. Phoenix hopes this will be the case for Scola, Beasley and Johnson. There are some nice players in the desert, but without a star talent, Phoenix has little chance of a playoff appearance. 

5. Sacramento Kings 

The Kings are pretty used to losing by now. They haven't made the playoffs since 2006. There's just so much that is unstable in Sacramento. Between the coaching carousel and uncertainty with their location, the Kings only hope is for their young talent to mesh together...soon. Tyreke Evans was rookie of the year in 2009, but has actually regressed since then. Demarcus Cousins has all the talent you could want in a center, but is volatile and at times uncoachable. Last year's first-round pick Jimmer Fredette really struggled, but second-rounder Isaiah Thomas showed he can play point at an NBA level, despite his 5'9" frame. The Kings chose Thomas Robinson fifth overall in this year's draft. He was the best player available and has the size and athleticism to be a good power forward. Marcus Thornton and Aaron Brooks fill out the rotation. The Kings need to show a marked improvement or else Sac-town may not have a team in the near future.  

Stay posted as we preview the Southwest next.