Western Conference Power Rankings: Training Camp

[spycam1]

The thing is, i agree with the teams above Jazz, but i dont see any of them marginally better than us. I don't see any top level team this year in the west. Dallas won't make miracles again, Lakers is questionable, Memphis will be pretty good but still they don't have any superstars. OKC isn't very convincing neither even though they have the best player in the west. I think Miami will be champions this year by banging everyone else. All other contender teams, Chicago, Lakers, OKC, Memphis, Dallas, Boston are almost on the same level and i don't see any Dallas like miracle happening this year. I think we will surprise many people and make it to top 5-6 in the west.

Also there is no way in the hell a Portland without Oden and Roy will be better than us.

Hmm...maybe we should try this "banging" thing? I bet Kanter would be good at it!

 

[Qman]

Well Denver got Corey Brewer, Rudy Fernandez and Nene yesterday. They now have a real shot at making the playoffs. And Houston is going to be worse even if they end up with Dalembert.

 

[NCJazz]

The Rockets have some talent but who does the dirty work on this team? Who defends the paint? Who takes the other teams top perimeter scorer?

They have two minus defenders in Martin and Scola who are their best offensive options. If Morris is going to play SF, then I expect he will get burned too. Terrence Williams had several opportunities to succeed in NJ but never did it. I don't expect him to start now. IMO Lowry is their only player who is effect on both sides of the court. And that isn't a winning combo.

Also they are collecting PF's even faster than the Jazz. Scola and Patterson need to play the 4. Hill and Montiejunas can play the 5 a little but their best position is 4. Morris will be able to play 3 on offense but defensively he needs to be a 4. I think they will miss Chuck Hayes's defense, rebounding and general toughness.

Trust me, I am in Houston and I hear all about the Rockets.

I expect that Lowry, Martin, Budinger, Scola and Hill will start at the beginning of they year. But as they are currently constituted they will be a lottery team.

Houston is not done with free agent/trade market. They will still get a center. Could be Dalembert, could still try to trade for Gasol, but they are going to get somebody at the 5.

 

[Qman]

Houston is not done with free agent/trade market. They will still get a center. Could be Dalembert, could still try to trade for Gasol, but they are going to get somebody at the 5.

I don't think Dalembert is enough of a difference maker to move them up very much.