Pacific Division Predictions
Golden State Warriors:
The victory laps and parades have ended. The 4th time in 8 years. This dynasty has proved the test of time but they are not done. The big three of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are simply unstoppable. I do believe Draymond is beginning to age, and I hope he is able to stay on the court this season better than last year. Maybe even win Defensive Player of the Year. Steph is going to Steph, I have no worries about his game whatsoever. I am high on Klay’s stock this season. I believe he’s been able to shake off the rust and is poised to show everyone that he is back and why he should have been a part of the NBA’s Top 75 of All Time. Otto Porter Jr. & Gary Payton II won’t be forgotten, but I’m not entirely sure they’ll be missed. Welcome Donte Divincenzo, who has earned Iggy’s respect & Hello to Jamychal Green who is a solid role player. These two are nice but let’s not forget the Warriors have three young guns who are ready to step up. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody played well in their minutes last season. The big man James Wiseman, fresh off injury, looked darn good in Tokyo. If James can just be a solid player, this Warriors team is already a lock for the playoffs. If he can perform to the level of a Top 3 draft pick, then maybe get the confetti ready again. Andrew Wiggins just got his extension and so did Jordan Poole (sorry Draymond). It seems as if the Draymond vs Jordan issue has subsided - both players are focused on bringing home another ring. Yet we can all agree it’ll be awkward, and maybe funny watching them play together to begin the season. Regardless I see this team as a lock in the Western Conference for the 3rd seed.
The big question: has Draymond “punched” his ticket out of Golden State’s retirement plan? At least, I don’t see him finishing his career here anymore.
Los Angeles Clippers:
The floor is set and the pieces are in the play, the Clippers are finally healthy and ready to go. The return of Kawhi Leonard is one that should make all of LA (well, the small section of Clippers fans within Los Angeles) very excited. After missing all of last season with an injury and only playing in 109 combined regular season games from the two seasons prior, adds up to depressing 46% of starts in three seasons. Although this isn’t what was expected when Kawhi signed on the dotted line a few years ago, the bad luck seems to have ended. This year’s team looks absolutely stacked, I believe they have the best bench in the NBA without a doubt. With Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Luke Kennard and Nicolas Batum, their pine is filled with guys that all could start elsewhere. Also, the John Wall addition has looked like a steal so far in preseason. From what this team lacks in big man size they make up for in wing depth. This squad has perfected the small ball lineups and will continue to beat other teams down using it. I have high hopes for this team and don’t see a team in the West capable of stopping them if Kawhi and Paul George are hitting on all cylinders like they did in the 2020-2021 playoffs before the injury against Utah. It’s all coming together for Coach Ty Lue this season, and he has the ability to lead this title contender squad to the playoffs and more. I’d rate the Los Angeles Clippers as the 2nd seed in the West.
The big question: what happens if it’s not luck that has caused these injuries but it is more that these players just cannot ever stay healthy?
Los Angeles Lakers:
For the bulk of Los Angeles, their fanhood resides with purple and gold. These colors will be worn by players that have many questions left unanswered for this season. Lebron “Father Time” James looks to continue his bodily success for his 20th NBA season. If his good health continues he will pass Kareem Abdul Jabbar for the most points scored in the history of the NBA at some point in the year. Anthony “Street Clothes” Davis is hoping to literally just stay in uniform. When it comes to Russell Westbrook, the team really just needs him to play better next to Lebron and Anthony. If he can’t, let him control the bench unit.The fact of the matter is this team won’t go anywhere if AD is the only one of the three playing defense every night. *Enter* Patrick Beverley to the rescue. An on-court engine that only plays at full speed is the perfect addition to this aging squad. So far there hasn’t been any bad blood between him and Russell, and no I don’t think that on-court huddle mishap meant anything. I’m ready to watch Lonnie Walker IV run around the court every night. All for Kendrick Nunn no longer having a bone bruise. Maybe even some Wenyen Gabriel hustle plays just for fun. I’m glad this off-season the Lakers decided to give contracts to young guys instead of when they rostered a bench full of older NBA veterans the season before. In fact, most of the bench on the Lakers last year aren’t rostered as of right now. Rob Pelinka didn’t make any big time moves this off-season, so this is the team Coach Darvin Ham has to work with. Ham seems to have a good hold on this team so far, so let’s hope it continues. Until a move is made, this team is a play-in tournament squad at best, landing at #9.
The big question: if your unwillingness to trade those late 2020’s 1st Rd Picks leads to wasting another year of Lebron's career, then what is Pelinka being paid to do?
Phoenix Suns:
I’d imagine all Phoenix fans are just happy that the off-season is over. The defeat of last year's playoffs is in the past. The Robert Sarver drama has found a sense of resolution. Most importantly, Deandre Ayton and Coach Monty Williams have reportedly made amends after their drama against the Mavericks. For any wondering if there will be any lasting impact of Sarver’s ruling on the court for the Suns, my answer is a strong NO. These players rarely are in contact with the owners and even if these players knew Sarver, I’d imagine they’re happy he’s gone. Moving into this regular season we are hoping this squad can turn that Game 7 loss into fuel for the rest of the year. The big 3 of Ayton, Chris Paul and Devin Booker will be tasked with the majority of the workload to bring this team back to the playoffs. Rounding out their starting lineup is the 2nd place finisher in the Defensive Player of the Year award, Mikal Bridges. A First-Team Defense lock for years to come, but I don’t see a non-big winning the award for awhile. With Jae Crowder requesting a trade after being benched for Cam Johnson, a new hole will need to be filled. Thankfully, Dario Saric is back after missing all of last season with an injury. Dario will be a great piece off the bench who can be a crafty offensive player willing to make the right play. I do believe this bench could use another solid player, which will most likely come in return for Jae Crowder when he’s eventually traded. I don’t see this team as successful as in years prior, and that’s why I have them pinned for the play-in tournament, at #7 this season.
The big question: Chris Paul has shown his age in the last few playoff series, when is it time to start the conversation about the plan post CP3?
Sacramento Kings:
The Kings are coming into this season with one goal and one goal only. To make the playoffs? Maybe. But to win 42 games? Yes. First off, I do enjoy the draft pick of Keegan Murray and he has looked quite good in pre-season play. He should be a solid fit next to Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox with his outside shooting and defensive flexibility. The Kings received some unnecessary hate for drafting Keegan, but I think that hate is more due to their league leading 16 season playoff drought, than the actual draft pick. Trading for Kevin Huerter proves they are trying to win now, which is a good sign. The signing of Malik Monk is a nice addition as well. This team lacked three-point shooting but the trio of Monk, Huerter and Murray should help this team flip the script from that level. The truth of the matter is this team went 10-16 after the Sabonis trade, which would be a 32-50 pace for the entire season. This would not meet their 42-win goal their fans desperately crave. This team has a lot of work to do, so I wish Coach Mike Brown good luck. The real work he’ll be doing is trying to figure out how to maximize the Fox-Sabonis pairing. This added level of shooting will help, but it won’t solve everything. I think this team can flirt with their win goal but will ultimately be a play-tournament hopeful as the 11th seed.
The big question: how many games into the season will Sacramento realize they should have never traded Tyrese Haliburton?
