By Zach Waltz
Sports Editor
As I discussed in last week’s Extra Point, the landscape of the National Basketball League changed dramatically in the offseason. The Eastern Conference looks to be rejuvenated with upgraded teams and new coaches. However, the Western Conference will be as dominant as ever with deep rosters and young players that now have valuable experience. The West has been the stronger conference for the past couple of years, and it won’t be any different this season.
Leading the conference is the defending champions, the San Antonio Spurs. The team is composed of a core of veteran players that give them a distinct edge in the experience category. Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan leads the pack as possibly the greatest power forward to ever play the game. Duncan’s quiet leadership and consistent performance is a unique blend that most teams lack. Accompanying him, point guard Tony Parker and shooting guard Manu Ginobli also offer veteran leadership and high-quality play. The veteran big three, combined with the deepest bench in the league, gives the Spurs a legitimate chance to repeat as champions despite their aging roster.
The biggest threat to dethrone the Spurs is the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by last year’s MVP, small forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, Durant will be out until December with a Jones fracture in his foot. Durant’s injury will force Westbrook to be the leader and main scorer for the team. While the outlook may look dim during Durant’s injury, Westbrook is more than ready to shoulder the burden of his team’s offensive load. The team will also rely heavily on power forward Serge Ibaka to step up on the offensive end, even though he is known as a defensive stalwart.
The Los Angeles Clippers added bench help to go along with their potent starting lineup. Point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin have developed chemistry together, and Paul is still the best point guard in the league. Center Deandre Jordan gives them a low post presence on offense and defense, while shooting guard J.J. Redick finally gets a chance to step into a starting role. Redick has a deadly three point shot to compliment the rest of the team’s scoring. Small forward Matt Barnes took a large pay cut so that the team could sign quality bench players to make a playoff push this season. Primarily, the Clippers added center Spencer Hawes, giving them much needed depth in the post. Also, don’t forget that Jamaal Crawford is still the best sixth man in the league.
The Houston Rockets may not have made a lot of offseason acquisitions, but the one free agent they did sign could catapult them into being a title contender. The team lost point guard Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Lakers and small forward Chandler Parsons to the Dallas Mavericks. However, they signed veteran small forward Trevor Ariza. The lockdown defender brings playoff experience and outside shooting to a young squad. Ariza and stars shooting guard James Harden and center Dwight Howard could be enough to take Houston to the next level of competitiveness.
The Golden State Warriors feature a deadly three point combination between their backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, also known as the “Splash Brothers.” Not only do the Warriors feature the two sharp shooters, but they also have a whole host of talented players on their roster. Veteran forwards Andre Iguodala and David Lee offer leadership off the court and can score and defend exceptionally well on the court. The Warriors could be the dark horse in this year’s playoffs, so don’t be surprised if you see Curry and Thompson making it rain in the Finals at the end of the season.
Point guard Damian Lillard proved to everyone last year that he can be a premiere scoring threat for the Portland Trail Blazers. Rip City didn’t do too much in the way of adding players, but the roster they have has enough talent to put on a show. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge gives the team scoring from anywhere inside the three-point line, and Wesley Matthews gives them a deep threat. The team’s biggest weakness is its depth, as they are lacking in quality play off the bench. The team’s success will be largely dependent on Lillard and Aldridge’s performances throughout the season.
The Phoenix Suns may be my favorite team to watch in the West. The team features a small set with three point guards on the floor: Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, and Isiah Thomas, Jr. Along with the deepest backcourt in the league, the Suns have small forward Gerald Green, who has slowly become a high-volume scorer and has even developed a three-point shot. Like most teams, the Suns will struggle with bench depth, but their nifty offensive schemes will most likely keep them in most games.
The Memphis Grizzlies are probably the most underrated team in the West. The Grizz have made many playoff pushes in recent years, giving them experience on their roster. On top of that, they added small forward Vince Carter this season. Carter has quickly gone from high-flying dunker to one of the deadliest outside shooters in the game. Carter’s veteran leadership will also be an asset to the team. Point guard Mike Conley is one of the best defensive point guards, and center Marc Gasol is an up and coming superstar. Of course, power forward Zach Randolph is a vocal leader on the squad and gives them a low post scoring threat.
The New Orleans Pelicans made a key acquisition in the offseason in signing center Omer Asik. The team already has a host of young, talented players, but adding Asik gives them defensive center who rebounds at a high rate. Having Asik allows potential MVP candidate Anthony Davis to play his at his natural position, power forward. Davis had an outstanding summer playing with the USA basketball team in the FIBA World Cup and by the looks of it, could average a double-double this season.
Those are my top nine teams in the West this season, and only eight make the playoffs. You may be asking “where’s the Lakers, or the Mavericks, or the Nuggets?” While those teams could possibly make the playoffs, each of them has flaws that make it hard for me to believe they will make it in this season. The West is very competitive, as always, and regardless of how the season goes, good teams are going to miss the cut. One thing is for sure, NBA basketball is back, and my excitement is erupting like a volcano.
Zach Waltz is the Sport Editor for The Bona Venture. His e-mail is waltzz@bonaventure.edu
