The Fog of War Disappears
Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Hornets, Jazz
After the dust of free agency is beginning to clear... these are the teams that "matter in approximated" ranking. I wrote down the list of every single team's lineups (players that matter) and boy are they stacked. In terms of winning a championship... other teams do not have a chance. The rich got richer and the poor will have to hope on 'player developments' such as Griffin or Durant.
Lakers: This team is so stacked the only thing that can ruin their championship aspirations are injuries.
PG: Fisher, Farmar, Brown
SG: Bryant, Vujacic
SF: Artest, Walton
PF: Gasol, Odom
C: Bynum
Magic: A more "traditional" team, however, despite the many changes what would really push this team to the top is a healthy Jameer and improved free throws by Howard.
PG: Nelson
SG: Carter, Pietrus
SF: Lewis, Barnes
PF: Bass, Anderson
C: Howard, Gortat
Cavaliers: Sure, Shaq increased the team's size, gives them a low-post scorer, clogs the lanes and is a weak screen and roll defender, a small plus. However, what really augments this team are the 2 athletic wing additions in Parker and Moon. Williams and West will no longer be 'abused.'
PG: Williams, West
SG: Parker, Gibson
SF: James, Moon
PF: Varejao, Smith
C: O'Neal, Ilgauskas
Spurs: Jefferson and McDyess shall help shore the team when injuries ensue. Their additions will not lead to a title... if Manu and co. can stay healthy... this team is a threat to all.
PG: Parker, Hill
SG: Mason, Ginobili
SF: Jefferson, Finley
PF: Duncan, Bonner
C: McDyess
Nuggets: The only team that has not made major improvements over the summer. The only thing that can push them to the top is a team 'drive' and Smith's improvement to consistency both offensively and defensively.
PG: Billups, Lawson
SG: Smith, Afflalo
SF: Anthony, Kleiza
PF: Martin, Balkman
C: Nene, Andersen
Blazers: This team is too stacked... during the duration of the year, the backcourt needs to thin to shore up Aldridge. Because they are so young, Roy, Batum, Aldridge, Oden and Fernandez will improve. Oh yeah, and Webster?
PG: Miller, Blake, Bayless
SG: Roy, Fernandez
SF: Batum, Outlaw, Webster
PF: Aldridge
C: Oden, Pryzbilla
Hornets: Okafor is far better than the offensively inept and injury prone Chandler. If West can stay healthy... for now they are 'dark horse' threats since we can be certain Okafor's 'effectivity' shall be under high scrutiny and probably improved with the best PG in the league dishing to him.
PG: Paul, Collison
SG: Butler, Peterson
SF: Stojakovic, Posey
PF: West, Diogu
C: Okafor
Jazz: A bit injury marred... however, even if this team is healthy... this team does not have the capability to win the championship. They will receive a first-round exit, which is scary considering that they were Western Conference finalists not too long ago. This team would be the fourth best team in the East.
PG: Williams, Price
SG: Brewer, Korver
SF: Miles, Kirilenko, Harpring
PF: Boozer, Millsap
C: Okur
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Comments
Forgot Dallas
Dallas is far more relevant than Utah or New Orleans. They added some nice pieces, and likely are not finished. They also added Tim Thomas to go with Shawn Marion.
And San Antonio just recently added Theo Ratliff, and could get back Bowen now that he’s been released.
Let’s not also forget Toronto, who has been a big player and could be a darkhorse threat, as well as Washington if they can remain healthy.
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
Oh, yeah, Dallas is better than Utah or NO and should contend in the West.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
You're right
I take that back… “maybe” Dallas is better than Utah or New Orleans. However, Utah shall not win the championship… I should have taken them off that list. Dallas will not win the championship even with Howard healthy and an addition of Marion.. which is why they’re not on. New Orleans is still a big ??? which I should not have put them on the list as well.
For the Blazers...
Rodriguez got shipped out to Sacramento and Webster is a SF.
31 pick Jeff Pendergraph stands to be the backup traditional PF, while Travis Outlaw is the mismatchy small ball 4.
I get the sense that there might be one more deal moving Outlaw.
So you have:
PG: Blake, Miller, Bayless
SG: Roy, Fernandez
SF: Webster, Batum, (Outlaw)
PF: Aldridge, Outlaw, Pendergraph, Cunningham
C: Oden, Przybilla
I like the Blazers’ chances better than Denver. I don’t think Duncan stays healthy and thus see them on top of San Antonio also — and challenging the Lakers.
Team to watch: Oklahoma City.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
Bite your tongue!
the only thing that can ruin their championship aspirations are injuries
Just kidding! Thank you for the breakdown. With the exception of Portland none of those teams have anyone who can guard LO.
I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 31, 2009 6:50 PM PDT reply actions
Celtics?
I’d say that they are still right up there with Orlando and LA in terms of % chance of the ring ….
Denver has no chance
Portland, Denver, and San Antonio all won 54 games last year.
Portland got Miller for nothing, Portland had 4 rookies, Oden missed 1/4 season and MW missed entire season.
Spurs got Jefferson for a bag of cookies, Spurs saw everyone injured for a while.
Denver has less injuries than an average team and made no improvements this summer.
Denver was a nice surprise team last year, but they aren’t a home court team in the West this year.
Los Angeles Lakers 2009-2010 Western Conference Chumps

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