Southwest Division Predictions
Dallas Mavericks:
Coming into this season Dallas has a slightly different group than they did last season at this time. The most important difference is Jalen Brunson is no longer lined up next to Luka Donic, as he left in the off-season. Mavs will miss Jalen dearly and this shifts more responsibility onto Luka and Spencer Dinwiddie. One player who will step up in this newfound absence is Tim Hardaway Jr. Before his injury Tim was rolling with this squad and with more playmaking responsibilities placed onto him, I think he’ll flourish in that role. Javale McGee was signed in the off-season to be the starting center, but before anyone freaks out I think he’ll operate similarly to how the Lakers used him during their bubble championship, meaning he won’t play more than 20 minutes. One of the more interesting trades was when the Mavs traded for Christian Wood, who will be the 6th man this season. We all witnessed that Porzingis and Luka were unable to find strong chemistry & success together, so it will be intriguing to see how he plays next to Wood. So far, I don’t think anyone in the league can accurately tell you who is the perfect running mate for Luka. Although this hasn’t proved to be a problem for Dallas yet, we’d like to see some progress being made on this front. Maybe Jaden Hardy comes in and is the perfect Brunson replacement and ends up being even better? Luka Magic is mystifying and this magician should lead his squad to escape the play-in tournament this season and end as the 4th seed.
The big question: thinking long term, what if there isn’t a perfect pairing for Luka Doncic?
Houston Rockets:
Another year of rebuilding is upon the Rockets, but this year we have a few new faces to watch play. Top pick Jabari Smith Jr. has the size and skill to be a staple in this league, but it will take time for him to find his footing. Landing in Houston gives him a perfect runway to slowly grow his game until he is ready to control this team. I’m no coach, but I think priority number one is to begin a two-man game with Jalen Green as soon as possible. Tari Eason has looked like an offensive rebounding beast this pre-season. One thing to note is that Tari and Jabari both play the same position, so it may be a problem giving them both ample minutes in order to develop. TyTy Washington is another rookie they secured in the draft and if history has taught us anything, point guards out of Kentucky tend to figure it out in the league. Kevin Porter Jr. has been looking big in photos after putting a lot of effort into the weight room this off-season. Alperen Sengun should continue his solid play from Eurobasket to this Rockets squad. Love seeing a big man with such a talented passing touch, even showing flashes of Jokic, which is never a bad thing. These young guns should be an interesting league-pass watch, but I see a repeat of heading to the lottery for the Houston Rockets at about the 12th seed.
The big question: can Coach Stephen Silas create a conducive environment for this young team to develop both offensively and defensively?
Memphis Grizzlies:
The Grit & Grind 2.0 Grizzlies are back again with Ja Morant at the helm of the ship. This team will look a tad different than last year after losing Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, both who played pivotal roles in their overall team success. The Grizzlies shocked the league a year ago and I am of the group that believes these departures will hurt this team. Their main replacements are rookies Jake LaRavia, David Roddy and Kennedy Chandler. I am a fan of Roddy, but who isn’t after watching the summer league. Maybe Danny Green will play for them once he is healthy, but I wouldn’t count on it as he feels like a buyout candidate. As for returning players, I see a bigger role for John Koncher, who has played well in limited minutes. Tyus Jones, fresh off his Twin Cities Pro Am Championship & new contract will be balling out this year. I’d expect a leap from Zaire Williams and Brandon Clarke as well. The big worry is how long will Jaren Jackson Jr. be sidelined for, back in june it was reported to be 4-6 months. Since it’s already at the 4 month mark, and we haven’t received much of a timeline update I wouldn’t be shocked to see this go past the originally 6 month goal. Without JJJ, get ready to watch a barrage from deep by Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks (even if you don’t want Brooks to shoot he will, too bad), and strong rim attacks by Ja Morant. Who knows maybe Santi Aldama is a diamond in the rough? I’d assume Clarke enters the starting lineup sooner than later. I’d expect a playoff run for the Grizzlies, but without JJJ I can’t imagine them having such a hot start to the season. Therefore not escaping the play-in tournament feels right and ending with the 8th seed in the West.
The big question: this team played even better without Ja in the lineup than with him, but what if that is not the same when it comes to JJJ’s absence?
New Orleans Pelicans:
All that anyone needs to know about this year's Pelicans team is that Zion Williamson is back in action. So far in preseason he has looked unguardable at times, blowing by defenders and jumping higher than everyone with ease. We haven’t seen him play in some time, and he’ll be returning this season with the best team he’s ever been on by far. It’ll be a joy to watch him lead this team each and every night, but he won’t have to do it alone. Brandon Ingram has long held the torch since Zion’s absence and has shown flashes of a KD-like potential with his size and combined scoring ability. With Brandon looking like he hasn’t left the gym all summer, these two should play to each other's strength and be a difficult duo to guard. The third wheel to this tricycle is C.J. McCollum, who after landing in New Orleans put up career high numbers across the board running the offense. I see this team revolving the offense around C.J. and Brandon as Zion doesn’t need the ball in isolation in order to make his mark on the game, whereas the other two do. Dyson Daniels looks to be a fun project, with insane defensive potential. He should eventually pair with Herb Jones and become an impenetrable backcourt together. Until then, we can watch Jose ‘Grand Theft’ Alvarado sneakily get under opposing guards' skins. I see this squad as a surprise team in the West and I have them escaping the play-in tournament this season as the 6th seed.
The big question: with this team's limited catch & shoot 3 point skills, how limiting of an effect will it have on their offensive potential?
San Antonio Spurs:
At this point I’m going to assume Gregg Popovich is never leaving. He already has the record of most wins by an NBA coach, and he might as well keep going and make it unbreakable. The Spurs head into this season with their lowest expectations since David Robinson was injured 6 games into the ‘96-’97 season. I like the core big three of young guys on this roster which includes Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and Jakob Poeltl. Ironically, all of which would be traded if it were for the right asking price. Keldon will definitely be the leader of this team and the focal point of the offense, which he deserves after playing behind Demar & Dejounte the last two seasons. I am excited to watch another season of Tre Jones at the helm of the offense. If he can continue to develop like his older brother did, I can see him becoming a solid starting point guard in this league. I do know my favorite part about this and he will be the only reason I’ll be throwing on League Pass this season. Jeremy Sochan. Jeremy is sporting the iconic #10 jersey that one and only Dennis Rodman once wore for San Antonio. On top of that he has been changing his hair color as much as Dennis did in his later years. Just the thought of a Spurs player showcasing personality doesn’t make sense compared to the last 20 seasons. Just the blue, pink and orange hair he showed up to Media Day with is by far the wildest thing to happen to this franchise since Manu snagging the bat out of the air. This should be a long season of losses and eventually leading to the lottery once again as the 14th seed.. We know Popovich will coach these young men into something special though. Remember when I mentioned this season's expectations and David Robinson's injury? Well after that losing season the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan. If San Antonio is lucky, after this year Victor Wembanyama will be coming to Texas.
The big question: It’s all about lottery odds now, who do they trade if this team ends up winning more games than expected?
