Post by BrazilianDude on Jul 10, 2014 20:22:08 GMT
Western Conference Power Rankings AGAIN
Here is another addition of my power rankings featuring a lot of heavily weighted opinions and possibly a lot of potential criticism. I think last season was one of the best we had in the West and with the emergence of a few more good teams this could be even better. The teams on the bottom of the West are not even that bad and all pose a threat in some way...so this could get interesting. Also the previous records are not shown, everything is reset for preseason so sorry in advance that I can not get the previous record added.
HERE WE GO
The team that nearly won it all and collapsed at the end last year comes in first in this years power rankings. The Spurs return 1 year older and hopefully 1 year stronger. That extra year did not allow any of their major players to decrease all that much, with Noel just getting a tad better. That extra year could mean a lot in their post defensive game which was clearly a weakness last year. I think this team is a clear cut choice for the 1 seed.
Spurs projected record 60-22
The rockets have age fighting against them on one end of the court but the power of youth and athleticism on the other. I feel that a young wing combo of Wall Shelby and Pope along with the post presence of Chandler and “Big Dick” Montrezl Harrel could really cause some problems for opponents. This team seems to be the best bet for the 3 seed being that someone from the other division will have to take the 2.
Rockets projected record 55-27
The Thunder’s roster will always pose a threat in this league. If KD can finally do what is needed of him and the Thunder can find a good DC this team could go all the way. Bynum and Bosh are probably the best big man duo in the league this year if they can hold that down it should open up the court for KD to get 30 ppg. If this team could lock down a real PG and a good defensive SG it will be all she wrote for the western conference.
Thunder projected record 52-30
The next team made a big splash in the offseason acquiring CP3. We all know how good of a player he is and paired with young promising guys like Embid and Parker this team is going to be really scary. If Paul can teach these young guys a thing or two about team work this team could be one of the better defensive teams in the league while putting up more then enough points to win games. Big season ahead for LA, but not just the Clips.
Clippers projected record 48-34
Next over in LA is the totally revamped Lakers. This team stole the number the number 1 pick and took possibly the best player to come out in nearly a decade. And to add to that one more year under the belt of two promising point guards and the signing of one of last years most unexpected MVP candidates in Andris Biedrins. A low key resigning of Jimmy Butler and bringing in depth of Omir Asik should leave this team racing toward the playoffs. This teams level of success in my opinion depends on how much Wiggins can do in his rookie year.
Lakers Projected Record 47-35
After years of hate from the associated press ( or just me) the Suns finally have earned respect in my eyes. After dethroning the Thunder last playoffs they show that they are a team that means business. Now having a “big three” of Amare, Galo and Jsmoove this team poses a thread on the offensive and defensive end. This team is also loaded with solid role players like Barbosa and Henderson who can really make a difference come playoff time. I like the suns this year and think that they can make it to at least the WCF if they get hot at the right time.
Suns projected Record 47-35
( somerandomguy this is mathematically correct for the first time...ever)
This next team will always pose a threat as long as they have their superstar. Derrick Rose is a baller and a winner. The Timberwolves have had some recent hardships and are looking to move Gasol, however I think this team will still make the playoffs on Rose’s hard play as long as he stays healthy. If Cousins could keep up the play of last year and Shump or Jones can emerge as a true #2 option this team could get serious. If not look for a retool by allstar break focusing around Rose.
Timberwolves Projected Record 46-36
And the last playoff spot in the West goes to……. This is a tough one. I guess ill give it to Denver. This team is going to have to make a hard push to make the playoffs just to keep it together. With last years ROY in Exum former first overall pick in Kidd-Gilchrist and the new rookie superstar Okafor this team could be good depending on the development of the young guys. You can’t overlook the signing of Big Al to bring a veteran presence to this squad that was lacking just that. I’m rooting for this team all the way.
Nuggets Projected Record 44-38
Right on the edge this year I think the next few teams will fall. However the next team I have on here will be considered a playoff snub by most. And to be honest I think they actually do have a good shot in this tight race. The Mavs are back with Dwight Howard again and he can carry a team himself, yes he is that strong. But the rumors of moving granger and possibly chase are what is keeping me from making them a pure contender. Don’t sleep on this team though they can get it done…if they want to
Mavericks Projected Record 43-39
The next team on here has been making some big strides toward being a better team, and maybe they can sneak into the playoffs again depending on how the other teams do. Bargs is the truth in Portland and has sold a record amount of jerseys. I think this team is a piece of two away from being a contender for a few years.
Trailblazers Projected Record 42-40
This next team has the pressure of a CY looming over their head and their big move was to acquire Darko Milicic, Barring a miracle or a few more solid moves the Kings are not getting out of this CY and will lose all that they had to build on. However good luck to them.
Kings Projected Record 38-44
This team made a move that could push them closer to contention, but for how long? Brining Wade to the Golden State was a sign of encouragement to say the least for these fans that have seen nothing but losing and horror over the past 10 seasons. Now that GM eastdog has final been fired the future in Oakland is existent, kind of like when Al Davis finally left the Raiders…..
Warriors Projected Record 37-45
Not sure what to think about the Jazz this year. Their GM is not really looking to win many games but the future could be bright with a post core of Drummond and Mirotic. These two at 22 and 25 respectively can hold things down in Utah for a while, however after moving Lance the rest of the team seems to be a tad shaky. We will see what their gm does to address that in the future.
Jazz Projected Record 36-46
The Grizzlies have been very consistently good over the past few seasons, but with the grim reaper looking down on them they made a move to get younger. Instead of a retool their Gm decided to start over on some strong foundations of rookie Cliff Alexander and Victor Olidipo. This team probably won’t win too many games this season if they move Yao and Artest, but if they decided to keep the squad they could possibly make a run at the 8 seed.
Grizzlies Projected Record 35-47
Thank you for reading, celticfan said he may do one this year for the East so stay tuned for that
Here is another addition of my power rankings featuring a lot of heavily weighted opinions and possibly a lot of potential criticism. I think last season was one of the best we had in the West and with the emergence of a few more good teams this could be even better. The teams on the bottom of the West are not even that bad and all pose a threat in some way...so this could get interesting. Also the previous records are not shown, everything is reset for preseason so sorry in advance that I can not get the previous record added.
HERE WE GO
The team that nearly won it all and collapsed at the end last year comes in first in this years power rankings. The Spurs return 1 year older and hopefully 1 year stronger. That extra year did not allow any of their major players to decrease all that much, with Noel just getting a tad better. That extra year could mean a lot in their post defensive game which was clearly a weakness last year. I think this team is a clear cut choice for the 1 seed.
Spurs projected record 60-22
The rockets have age fighting against them on one end of the court but the power of youth and athleticism on the other. I feel that a young wing combo of Wall Shelby and Pope along with the post presence of Chandler and “Big Dick” Montrezl Harrel could really cause some problems for opponents. This team seems to be the best bet for the 3 seed being that someone from the other division will have to take the 2.
Rockets projected record 55-27
The Thunder’s roster will always pose a threat in this league. If KD can finally do what is needed of him and the Thunder can find a good DC this team could go all the way. Bynum and Bosh are probably the best big man duo in the league this year if they can hold that down it should open up the court for KD to get 30 ppg. If this team could lock down a real PG and a good defensive SG it will be all she wrote for the western conference.
Thunder projected record 52-30
The next team made a big splash in the offseason acquiring CP3. We all know how good of a player he is and paired with young promising guys like Embid and Parker this team is going to be really scary. If Paul can teach these young guys a thing or two about team work this team could be one of the better defensive teams in the league while putting up more then enough points to win games. Big season ahead for LA, but not just the Clips.
Clippers projected record 48-34
Next over in LA is the totally revamped Lakers. This team stole the number the number 1 pick and took possibly the best player to come out in nearly a decade. And to add to that one more year under the belt of two promising point guards and the signing of one of last years most unexpected MVP candidates in Andris Biedrins. A low key resigning of Jimmy Butler and bringing in depth of Omir Asik should leave this team racing toward the playoffs. This teams level of success in my opinion depends on how much Wiggins can do in his rookie year.
Lakers Projected Record 47-35
After years of hate from the associated press ( or just me) the Suns finally have earned respect in my eyes. After dethroning the Thunder last playoffs they show that they are a team that means business. Now having a “big three” of Amare, Galo and Jsmoove this team poses a thread on the offensive and defensive end. This team is also loaded with solid role players like Barbosa and Henderson who can really make a difference come playoff time. I like the suns this year and think that they can make it to at least the WCF if they get hot at the right time.
Suns projected Record 47-35
( somerandomguy this is mathematically correct for the first time...ever)
This next team will always pose a threat as long as they have their superstar. Derrick Rose is a baller and a winner. The Timberwolves have had some recent hardships and are looking to move Gasol, however I think this team will still make the playoffs on Rose’s hard play as long as he stays healthy. If Cousins could keep up the play of last year and Shump or Jones can emerge as a true #2 option this team could get serious. If not look for a retool by allstar break focusing around Rose.
Timberwolves Projected Record 46-36
And the last playoff spot in the West goes to……. This is a tough one. I guess ill give it to Denver. This team is going to have to make a hard push to make the playoffs just to keep it together. With last years ROY in Exum former first overall pick in Kidd-Gilchrist and the new rookie superstar Okafor this team could be good depending on the development of the young guys. You can’t overlook the signing of Big Al to bring a veteran presence to this squad that was lacking just that. I’m rooting for this team all the way.
Nuggets Projected Record 44-38
Right on the edge this year I think the next few teams will fall. However the next team I have on here will be considered a playoff snub by most. And to be honest I think they actually do have a good shot in this tight race. The Mavs are back with Dwight Howard again and he can carry a team himself, yes he is that strong. But the rumors of moving granger and possibly chase are what is keeping me from making them a pure contender. Don’t sleep on this team though they can get it done…if they want to
Mavericks Projected Record 43-39
The next team on here has been making some big strides toward being a better team, and maybe they can sneak into the playoffs again depending on how the other teams do. Bargs is the truth in Portland and has sold a record amount of jerseys. I think this team is a piece of two away from being a contender for a few years.
Trailblazers Projected Record 42-40
This next team has the pressure of a CY looming over their head and their big move was to acquire Darko Milicic, Barring a miracle or a few more solid moves the Kings are not getting out of this CY and will lose all that they had to build on. However good luck to them.
Kings Projected Record 38-44
This team made a move that could push them closer to contention, but for how long? Brining Wade to the Golden State was a sign of encouragement to say the least for these fans that have seen nothing but losing and horror over the past 10 seasons. Now that GM eastdog has final been fired the future in Oakland is existent, kind of like when Al Davis finally left the Raiders…..
Warriors Projected Record 37-45
Not sure what to think about the Jazz this year. Their GM is not really looking to win many games but the future could be bright with a post core of Drummond and Mirotic. These two at 22 and 25 respectively can hold things down in Utah for a while, however after moving Lance the rest of the team seems to be a tad shaky. We will see what their gm does to address that in the future.
Jazz Projected Record 36-46
The Grizzlies have been very consistently good over the past few seasons, but with the grim reaper looking down on them they made a move to get younger. Instead of a retool their Gm decided to start over on some strong foundations of rookie Cliff Alexander and Victor Olidipo. This team probably won’t win too many games this season if they move Yao and Artest, but if they decided to keep the squad they could possibly make a run at the 8 seed.
Grizzlies Projected Record 35-47
Thank you for reading, celticfan said he may do one this year for the East so stay tuned for that
