Northwest Division Predictions
Denver Nuggets:
This Denver team is coming into the season with one goal in mind - to stay healthy. Nikola Jokic was able to lead this beaten and battered team to the playoffs virtually all by himself, while playing at an MVP level on the highest usage rate. Bringing back his two right hand men will not only drive the Nuggets further into the playoffs but it’ll make their best player even better (which doesn’t seem possible after last year's play). Assuming this first goal is accomplished then this squad has their sights set on the NBA Finals. One of my favorite trades of the off-season was Denver grabbing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Wizards. KCP is a high motor, high IQ player with Championship experience who is the prototypical 3 & D player. I’m interested to see the role that Bruce Brown carves out for himself, especially after his previous playoff experience where he looked like the best player on the court for the Nets at times. The departure of Monte Morris and Will Barton will help the Nuggets all-around defensive efforts. Especially with Bruce and KCP being the replacements, it’ll decrease the amount of blown plays from the perimeter. I do find signing Deandre Jordan an interesting choice mainly due to his subpar play last year. I wouldn’t be shocked if by the end of the season Zeke Nnaji overtakes those minutes, a young player who has potential should be playing over an older, semi-washed up veteran. With all this talent I do believe that it hinges on the back of Michael Porter Jr. A high usage player that scores 20+ per night is very much so necessary on this roster, and his questionable health will only hurt the longevity of this teams’ success. If I were a Nuggets fan, whenever I lose an eyelash and throw it over my shoulder I would definitely be wishing for a healthy career for MPJ. I think it’s a no brainer to say but this is by far the best team of Jokic career. I see this team as the best team in the Western Conference.
The big question: how long may it take for Jamal and MPJ to return to their peak level of play? (Honestly, it doesn’t even matter, Jokic is THAT good)
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The T-Wolves made a big splash this off-season trading for Rudy Gobert, choosing to zig when the rest of the league has zagged. A player that seemingly fills all of the holes this team had last year. In the acquisition of Rudy, Minnesota did lose many key contributors to their surprising success of last year but since, they’ve added a handful of new free agents to fill that void. Kyle Anderson looks to be a jack of all trades for this team with his defense and playmaking abilities. Bryn Forbes will eventually break into the lineup with his elite shooting beyond the arc. A key part of the trade was keeping Jaden McDaniels in Minnesota. Jaden seems to have all the potential to become one of the marquee wings in this league. Being able to defend, shoot the three and attack the rim - all three of which Jaden has shown glimpses of. The “Target Centers” are looking to overpower opponents' front courts and it’s looking like it’ll work. One of the top offensive players & floor spacing bigs in Karl-Anthony Towns. Paired with one of the best defensive players & rim running bigs in Rudy should be a dynamic duo that’s difficult to defend. D’Angelo Russell in a contract year has much to prove to his doubters, and also to himself after a disappointing performance in last year's Grizzlies series. Without Patrick Beverley on the roster, DLo looks to have the keys to the offense all to himself this year. Next to him in the backcourt is the real star of the show. Anthony Edwards is primed to become one of the best shooting guards in the league, if he isn’t already. An X-factor on this team, if Ant can put all the pieces together this season like his track record has shown he’s ready for, then I’d be betting on the Timberwolves to be in the playoffs. I’d mark this team to be a solid team in the West and will finish as the 5th seed.
The big question: does the culture that Pat Bev helped create last season grow within this team or does it leave with him?
Portland Trail Blazers:
Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers come into this season not exactly on anyone’s radar. A team that completely revamped their roster from their last time in the playoffs, are looking to get back with a whole new group. Leading the group is Dame Dolla, who apparently is healthy for the first time in three seasons after his groin injury healed. Dame has been an elite point guard even during these years, and now if he feels even better I can’t wait to see what that translates to on the court. The only piece to his team that has stayed true is Jusuf Nurkic. Jusuf is an above average starting center that excels on offense and the glass. His solid frame makes him hard to go around or get through, making him a great screener for their All-NBA point guard. Of course, this is only when Jusuf is on the court. He has had injury problems ever since being traded to Portland, mainly in the last handful of seasons, so hopefully Portland can see a healthy starting center this season. Anfernee Simmons seems to be a younger (and cheaper) version of the CJ McCollum pairing that once was, and it will be great to watch him play a full season next to Dame. Jerami Grant, Josh Hart and Gary Payton II are all great additions to a team so desperately needing defensive grit. Jerami is finally in Portland after all of the flirting last season. Josh is a solid two way player who makes the right play. Gary, after his Finals experience (although not actually playing in the Finals) is the only player on this team to make it and win it, maybe this helps? I'm intrigued by rookie Shaedon Sharpe and his upside, but for this season I think we’ll mainly see flashes of upside instead of any substantial contributions. All in all Dame will never run from the grind and I think he brings this team to play-in the tournament as the 10th seed.
The big question: was the break down & build around Dame all worth it or should they have moved on from #0?
Oklahoma City Thunder:
The Thunder were poised to be interesting for the first time in a decade until Chet Holmgren met Lebron on a slippery court in Seattle. The potential upside is that a handful of big man have played very well after being injured their rookie year such as Blake Griffin, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, all of whom ended up winning Rookie of the Year the following season. But the other side of the coin is much scarier and makes one think of Greg Oden or Yao Ming in terms of big’s who once got injured never were the same again. This injury happens to be ironic with the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes coming this June, coincidence? I think not. I’m starting to feel bad for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, aren’t you? I can’t imagine it being fun consistently losing each season. Shai is one of the best players from his draft class alongside Luka, Trae, Ayton, JJJ and Mikal Bridges. Yet all of those other players have been in the playoffs and had success in the playoffs. I think the writing may soon be on the wall, and he will be asking out of Oklahoma before we know it. With Chet gone this team just isn’t worth watching. Yes, I know Josh Giddey is fun to watch on TikTok and on the basketball court. Tre Mann does have good potential and played well last year, but I’m still not watching. The Santa Clara product Jalen Williams, not to be confused with Jaylin Williams out of Arkansas, has been looking like the steal of the draft after watching pre-season. Actually I do wonder how these two will be nicknamed on the court in order to prevent confusion. There’s too many rookies on this team. They don’t have a true center on their roster. I will say I am very happy that Lu Dort secured his bag, well deserved. 15th seed here come, see y’all at Barclays Center in June.
The big question: what happens if having 100 FRPs doesn’t pan out?
Utah Jazz:
Alright just when I thought writing these was difficult here comes the Utah Jazz. The only thing that makes sense for this team is to trade everyone. Trade Jordan Clarkson. Trade Mike Conley. Trade Rudy Gay. Trade Malik Beasley. Trade Jarred Vanderbilt. I just want to see a lineup of Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Talen Horton-Tucker, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. And by “see” I don’t mean actually see because I will not be watching this team. I can’t tell what would be worse: watching Thursday Night Football the last two weeks or watching OKC vs. UTA. Sorry, got off track Utah Fans. The best bet is to get as many picks as possible and try to bring in more depth and talent from the draft. The young pieces they currently have are interesting to say the least, but they definitely don’t fit well. Maybe this is where I can talk about Victor or Scoot Henderson? I’ll save that for later, this squad is lottery bound. Slotted for the 13th seed.
The big question: who in their right mind allowed for these highlighter jerseys? Like teams full of people with the Jazz all okayed this…
