http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/47415.html
Painting the West by numbers
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF4
1. DALLAS MAVERICKS
2005-06: 60-22, lost to Heat in Finals.
Coach: Avery Johnson (76-24, .760), entering third season.
Key additions: G Maurice Ager (draft); G-F Greg Buckner (free agent, Nuggets); F Austin Croshere (trade, Pacers); G-F Devean George (free agent, Lakers); G Anthony Johnson (trade, Pacers).
Key losses: G Darrell Armstrong (trade, Pacers); G Marquis Daniels (trade, Pacers); G-F Adrian Griffin (free agent, Bulls); F Josh Powell (trade, Pacers); Keith Van Horn (retirement).
Three keys:
• The marquee names -- Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse -- remain, but the Mavericks had an unusually high offseason turnover for a conference champion and risk altering a winning chemistry.
• The improving Howard had a very good training camp that included a desired contract extension. He could pass Terry as the secondary scoring threat.
• Already a title contender, the Mavericks become an even greater threat if point guard Devin Harris finds consistency in his third season.
2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
2005-06: 63-19, lost to Mavericks in conference semifinals.
Coach: Gregg Popovich (518-282, .648), entering 11th season.
Key additions: G Jacque Vaughn (free agent, Nets); C Francisco Elson (free agent, Nuggets).
Key losses: C Nazr Mohammed (free agent, Pistons); C Rasho Nesterovic (trade, Raptors).
Three keys:
• Mohammed and Nesterovic weren't exactly feared centers, but their replacement, Elson, averaged 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes last season.
• Tim Duncan might have the additional motivation of averaging a career-low 18.6 points, but he remains the anchor of one of the top defenses.
• Can 33-year-old Michael Finley still contribute double-digit scoring as the top offensive spark off the bench?
3. PHOENIX SUNS
2005-06: 54-28, lost to Mavericks in conference finals.
Coach: Mike D'Antoni (151-124, .549), entering fifth season.
Key additions: G Marcus Banks (free agent, Timberwolves); F Jumaine Jones (free agent, Bobcats).
Key losses: G Eddie House (free agent, Nets); F Tim Thomas (free agent, Clippers).
Three keys:
• The health of Amare Stoudemire and his surgically repaired knee is the difference between a championship contender and a fun, fast team without size or hope.
• Shawn Marion's small ego will continue to allow him to be regarded as a supporting player to Steve Nash and Stoudemire despite leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks last season.
• Kurt Thomas can provide physical play inside the Suns might otherwise be lacking, an important contribution for a team known for athleticism and finesse.
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS
2005-06: 34-48.
Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (378- 288, .576), entering 11th season.
Key additions: F Shane Battier (trade, Grizzlies); G Kirk Snyder (trade, Hornets); G Bonzi Wells (free agent, Kings).
Key losses: G Keith Bogans (free agent, Magic); G David Wesley (free agent, Cavaliers); F Stromile Swift (trade, Grizzlies).
Three keys:
• The Rockets were 27-20 with Tracy McGrady in the lineup last season and 7-28 without.
• Even with Yao Ming and McGrady, a combination with the potential to be an elite inside-outside package, the Rockets need to show a big improvement on offense.
• Since last season Yao has been plagued by toe and foot injuries that cost him 25 games then and time in training camp. Continued problems are potentially devastating.
5. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
2005-06: 47-35, lost to Suns in conference semifinals.
Coach: Mike Dunleavy (510-524, .493), entering 14th season.
Key additions: F Tim Thomas (free agent, Suns).
Key losses: F Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent, Lakers).
Three keys:
• If Shaun Livingston pushes Sam Cassell for big minutes at point guard, the prickly Cassell could give Dunleavy a locker-room issue.
• Dunleavy coached the team to uncommon heights and has been handling much of the personnel work, but he's also waiting for an extension. The longer it lingers, the more people will ask, and the greater the chance of it becoming a distraction.
• If Chris Kaman builds on the 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds of 2005-06, the Clippers will have one of the better centers in the West to play alongside an established quality power forward, Elton Brand.
6. UTAH JAZZ
2005-06: 41-41.
Coach: Jerry Sloan (984-658, .599), entering 22nd season.
Key additions: G Ronnie Brewer (draft); G Derek Fisher (trade, Warriors).
Key losses: G Devin Brown (trade, Warriors); G Keith McLeod (trade, Warriors); C Greg Ostertag (retirement); G Milt Palacio (free agent, SuperSonics).
Three keys:
• With second-year player Deron Williams showing signs of improvement and Fisher the new backup, the Jazz should be sound at point guard for the first time since John Stockton retired.
• Success or disappointment might swing with forward Carlos Boozer, who can be very good but can also be slow in coming around to the point of public criticism from Sloan.
• This group of Jazz players isn't used to playing with expectations. For the first time in a while, Utah has the pressure of having to live up to something.
7. KINGS
2005-06: 44-38, lost to Spurs in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Eric Musselman (75-89, .457), entering third season.
Key additions: G Quincy Douby (draft); F-G John Salmons (free agent, 76ers).
Key losses: G Bonzi Wells (free agent, Rockets).
Three keys:
• Talking about getting better on defense and being pleased with the approach in camp is one thing, but now comes the real proving ground for the supposed commitment.
• Ron Artest, a positive in many ways after being acquired in January, needs to improve on his 38.3 percent from the field in 40 games as a King.
• A poor rebounding team already, the Kings took another hit with the departure of Wells and his 7.7 boards a game from the backcourt.
8. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
2005-06: 38-44.
Coach: Byron Scott (205-247, .454), entering seventh season.
Key additions: C Hilton Armstrong (draft); F Cedric Simmons (draft); G Bobby Jackson (free agent, Grizzlies); F Peja Stojakovic (trade, Pacers); F Tyson Chandler (trade, Bulls).
Key losses: F P.J. Brown (trade, Bulls); G Speedy Claxton (free agent, Hawks); G J.R. Smith (trade, Nuggets); G Kirk Snyder (trade, Rockets).
Three keys:
• The Hornets were very active in the offseason and upgraded their roster, but they might need time to come together. There's also the added instability of an uncertain future in New Orleans.
• Point guard Chris Paul can get to the rim and Stojakovic can shoot, so Desmond Mason is under a spotlight to improve from his slump all the way to 10 points and 39.9 percent from the field.
• The Hornets will no longer be the feel-good story as vagabonds searching for a home. While that permanence is still missing, the unexpected move by owner George Shinn to spend big has brought pressure to produce.
9. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2005-06: 45-37, lost to Suns in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Phil Jackson (876-353, .713), entering 16th season.
Key additions: G Jordan Farmar (draft); F Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent, Clippers).
Key losses: G-F Devean George (free agent, Mavericks).
Three keys:
• Lamar Odom, already an unknown because of inconsistency that hides great skills, now must play through the heartache of the loss of an infant son.
• If Kobe Bryant is hampered long term by the knee surgery that sidelined him much of training camp, the Lakers are back to chasing memories.
• Kwame Brown: cares, doesn't care?
10. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
2005-06: 34-48.
Coach: Don Nelson (1,190-880, .575), entering 28th season.
Key additions: C Patrick O'Bryant (draft); G Dajuan Wagner (free agent, Cavaliers 2004-05).
Key losses: G Derek Fisher (trade, Jazz).
Three keys:
• If the Warriors don't do a better job of pressuring the ball, Nelson's plan to go small could turn the interior defense from inconsistent to nonexistent.
• Baron Davis reported to training camp looking slimmer than anytime since college, an encouraging sign for a team that wants to run often.
• The need to improve at the line is screaming at the Warriors: They lost 14 games by three points or fewer last season and were 26th in free-throw percentage (71.8 percent).
11. DENVER NUGGETS
2005-06: 44-38, lost to Clippers in first round of playoffs.
Coach: George Karl (784-545, .590), entering 19th season.
Key additions: F Joe Smith (trade, Bucks); G J.R. Smith (trade, Bulls).
Key losses: G Greg Buckner (free agent, Mavericks); C Francisco Elson (free agent, Spurs); G-F Ruben Patterson (trade, Bucks).
Three keys:
• George Karl still coaches the Nuggets and Kenyon Martin still plays for the Nuggets, so chances for a repeat of the 2005-06 clashes exist.
• Nene returns after missing all but opening night last season with a knee injury. The Nuggets were so confident in his recovery that they invested $60 million over six seasons to re-sign him.
• Marcus Camby, Martin and Nene can become one of the top frontlines in the league, but the Nuggets need to become better defensively to go deep in the playoffs.
12. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
2005-06: 49-33, lost to Mavericks in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Mike Fratello (661-524, .563), entering 17th season.
Key additions: F Rudy Gay (trade, Rockets); G Kyle Lowry (draft); F Stromile Swift (trade, Rockets).
Key losses: G Bobby Jackson (free agent, Hornets); C Lorenzen Wright (free agent, Hawks); F Shane Battier (trade, Rockets).
Three keys:
• Pau Gasól, the All-Star forward who led the team in points, rebounds and assists, is scheduled to be out until January because of a broken foot.
• With Gasól sidelined, Jake Tsakalidis will likely be the only player taller than 6-9.
• Gay has speed, leaping ability and star potential, but his motivation has been questioned.
13. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
2005-06: 35-47.
Coach: Bob Hill (279-242, .536), entering ninth season.
Key additions: F Saer Sene (draft).
Key losses: None.
Three keys:
• Chris Wilcox, acquired in a trade last February, posted big numbers in a little less than half the season in Seattle, giving the Sonics hope of a potential impact player inside.
• If the defense doesn't improve, neither will the Sonics. They were very good offensively in 2005-06, and look where it got them.
• Speculation on a potential move to Oklahoma City will be nonstop until resolved. The character veterans, led by Ray Allen, will have to block that from seeping into the locker room.
14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
2005-06: 21-61.
Coach: Nate McMillan (233-244, .488), entering seventh season.
Key additions: F LaMarcus Aldridge (draft); F Raef LaFrentz (trade, Celtics); C Jamaal Magloire (trade, Bucks); G Sergio Rodriguez (draft); G Brandon Roy (draft).
Key losses: G Steve Blake (trade, Bucks); F Viktor Khryapa (trade, Bulls); C-F Theo Ratliff (trade, Celtics); C Brian Skinner (trade, Bucks); G Sebastian Telfair (trade, Celtics).
Three keys:
• The Zach Randolph issue: Is he a double double guy or an internal problem waiting to happen?
• Aldridge is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, a setback that cost him training camp and alters the learning curve for a top prospect.
• With Magloire, LaFrentz, Aldridge and Joel Przybilla, the Trail Blazers will have very good size. But they will need to be good inside, not just tall inside, to improve a poor 2005-06 defense.
(cont)
Painting the West by numbers
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF4
1. DALLAS MAVERICKS
2005-06: 60-22, lost to Heat in Finals.
Coach: Avery Johnson (76-24, .760), entering third season.
Key additions: G Maurice Ager (draft); G-F Greg Buckner (free agent, Nuggets); F Austin Croshere (trade, Pacers); G-F Devean George (free agent, Lakers); G Anthony Johnson (trade, Pacers).
Key losses: G Darrell Armstrong (trade, Pacers); G Marquis Daniels (trade, Pacers); G-F Adrian Griffin (free agent, Bulls); F Josh Powell (trade, Pacers); Keith Van Horn (retirement).
Three keys:
• The marquee names -- Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse -- remain, but the Mavericks had an unusually high offseason turnover for a conference champion and risk altering a winning chemistry.
• The improving Howard had a very good training camp that included a desired contract extension. He could pass Terry as the secondary scoring threat.
• Already a title contender, the Mavericks become an even greater threat if point guard Devin Harris finds consistency in his third season.
2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
2005-06: 63-19, lost to Mavericks in conference semifinals.
Coach: Gregg Popovich (518-282, .648), entering 11th season.
Key additions: G Jacque Vaughn (free agent, Nets); C Francisco Elson (free agent, Nuggets).
Key losses: C Nazr Mohammed (free agent, Pistons); C Rasho Nesterovic (trade, Raptors).
Three keys:
• Mohammed and Nesterovic weren't exactly feared centers, but their replacement, Elson, averaged 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes last season.
• Tim Duncan might have the additional motivation of averaging a career-low 18.6 points, but he remains the anchor of one of the top defenses.
• Can 33-year-old Michael Finley still contribute double-digit scoring as the top offensive spark off the bench?
3. PHOENIX SUNS
2005-06: 54-28, lost to Mavericks in conference finals.
Coach: Mike D'Antoni (151-124, .549), entering fifth season.
Key additions: G Marcus Banks (free agent, Timberwolves); F Jumaine Jones (free agent, Bobcats).
Key losses: G Eddie House (free agent, Nets); F Tim Thomas (free agent, Clippers).
Three keys:
• The health of Amare Stoudemire and his surgically repaired knee is the difference between a championship contender and a fun, fast team without size or hope.
• Shawn Marion's small ego will continue to allow him to be regarded as a supporting player to Steve Nash and Stoudemire despite leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks last season.
• Kurt Thomas can provide physical play inside the Suns might otherwise be lacking, an important contribution for a team known for athleticism and finesse.
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS
2005-06: 34-48.
Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (378- 288, .576), entering 11th season.
Key additions: F Shane Battier (trade, Grizzlies); G Kirk Snyder (trade, Hornets); G Bonzi Wells (free agent, Kings).
Key losses: G Keith Bogans (free agent, Magic); G David Wesley (free agent, Cavaliers); F Stromile Swift (trade, Grizzlies).
Three keys:
• The Rockets were 27-20 with Tracy McGrady in the lineup last season and 7-28 without.
• Even with Yao Ming and McGrady, a combination with the potential to be an elite inside-outside package, the Rockets need to show a big improvement on offense.
• Since last season Yao has been plagued by toe and foot injuries that cost him 25 games then and time in training camp. Continued problems are potentially devastating.
5. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
2005-06: 47-35, lost to Suns in conference semifinals.
Coach: Mike Dunleavy (510-524, .493), entering 14th season.
Key additions: F Tim Thomas (free agent, Suns).
Key losses: F Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent, Lakers).
Three keys:
• If Shaun Livingston pushes Sam Cassell for big minutes at point guard, the prickly Cassell could give Dunleavy a locker-room issue.
• Dunleavy coached the team to uncommon heights and has been handling much of the personnel work, but he's also waiting for an extension. The longer it lingers, the more people will ask, and the greater the chance of it becoming a distraction.
• If Chris Kaman builds on the 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds of 2005-06, the Clippers will have one of the better centers in the West to play alongside an established quality power forward, Elton Brand.
6. UTAH JAZZ
2005-06: 41-41.
Coach: Jerry Sloan (984-658, .599), entering 22nd season.
Key additions: G Ronnie Brewer (draft); G Derek Fisher (trade, Warriors).
Key losses: G Devin Brown (trade, Warriors); G Keith McLeod (trade, Warriors); C Greg Ostertag (retirement); G Milt Palacio (free agent, SuperSonics).
Three keys:
• With second-year player Deron Williams showing signs of improvement and Fisher the new backup, the Jazz should be sound at point guard for the first time since John Stockton retired.
• Success or disappointment might swing with forward Carlos Boozer, who can be very good but can also be slow in coming around to the point of public criticism from Sloan.
• This group of Jazz players isn't used to playing with expectations. For the first time in a while, Utah has the pressure of having to live up to something.
7. KINGS
2005-06: 44-38, lost to Spurs in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Eric Musselman (75-89, .457), entering third season.
Key additions: G Quincy Douby (draft); F-G John Salmons (free agent, 76ers).
Key losses: G Bonzi Wells (free agent, Rockets).
Three keys:
• Talking about getting better on defense and being pleased with the approach in camp is one thing, but now comes the real proving ground for the supposed commitment.
• Ron Artest, a positive in many ways after being acquired in January, needs to improve on his 38.3 percent from the field in 40 games as a King.
• A poor rebounding team already, the Kings took another hit with the departure of Wells and his 7.7 boards a game from the backcourt.
8. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
2005-06: 38-44.
Coach: Byron Scott (205-247, .454), entering seventh season.
Key additions: C Hilton Armstrong (draft); F Cedric Simmons (draft); G Bobby Jackson (free agent, Grizzlies); F Peja Stojakovic (trade, Pacers); F Tyson Chandler (trade, Bulls).
Key losses: F P.J. Brown (trade, Bulls); G Speedy Claxton (free agent, Hawks); G J.R. Smith (trade, Nuggets); G Kirk Snyder (trade, Rockets).
Three keys:
• The Hornets were very active in the offseason and upgraded their roster, but they might need time to come together. There's also the added instability of an uncertain future in New Orleans.
• Point guard Chris Paul can get to the rim and Stojakovic can shoot, so Desmond Mason is under a spotlight to improve from his slump all the way to 10 points and 39.9 percent from the field.
• The Hornets will no longer be the feel-good story as vagabonds searching for a home. While that permanence is still missing, the unexpected move by owner George Shinn to spend big has brought pressure to produce.
9. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2005-06: 45-37, lost to Suns in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Phil Jackson (876-353, .713), entering 16th season.
Key additions: G Jordan Farmar (draft); F Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent, Clippers).
Key losses: G-F Devean George (free agent, Mavericks).
Three keys:
• Lamar Odom, already an unknown because of inconsistency that hides great skills, now must play through the heartache of the loss of an infant son.
• If Kobe Bryant is hampered long term by the knee surgery that sidelined him much of training camp, the Lakers are back to chasing memories.
• Kwame Brown: cares, doesn't care?
10. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
2005-06: 34-48.
Coach: Don Nelson (1,190-880, .575), entering 28th season.
Key additions: C Patrick O'Bryant (draft); G Dajuan Wagner (free agent, Cavaliers 2004-05).
Key losses: G Derek Fisher (trade, Jazz).
Three keys:
• If the Warriors don't do a better job of pressuring the ball, Nelson's plan to go small could turn the interior defense from inconsistent to nonexistent.
• Baron Davis reported to training camp looking slimmer than anytime since college, an encouraging sign for a team that wants to run often.
• The need to improve at the line is screaming at the Warriors: They lost 14 games by three points or fewer last season and were 26th in free-throw percentage (71.8 percent).
11. DENVER NUGGETS
2005-06: 44-38, lost to Clippers in first round of playoffs.
Coach: George Karl (784-545, .590), entering 19th season.
Key additions: F Joe Smith (trade, Bucks); G J.R. Smith (trade, Bulls).
Key losses: G Greg Buckner (free agent, Mavericks); C Francisco Elson (free agent, Spurs); G-F Ruben Patterson (trade, Bucks).
Three keys:
• George Karl still coaches the Nuggets and Kenyon Martin still plays for the Nuggets, so chances for a repeat of the 2005-06 clashes exist.
• Nene returns after missing all but opening night last season with a knee injury. The Nuggets were so confident in his recovery that they invested $60 million over six seasons to re-sign him.
• Marcus Camby, Martin and Nene can become one of the top frontlines in the league, but the Nuggets need to become better defensively to go deep in the playoffs.
12. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
2005-06: 49-33, lost to Mavericks in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Mike Fratello (661-524, .563), entering 17th season.
Key additions: F Rudy Gay (trade, Rockets); G Kyle Lowry (draft); F Stromile Swift (trade, Rockets).
Key losses: G Bobby Jackson (free agent, Hornets); C Lorenzen Wright (free agent, Hawks); F Shane Battier (trade, Rockets).
Three keys:
• Pau Gasól, the All-Star forward who led the team in points, rebounds and assists, is scheduled to be out until January because of a broken foot.
• With Gasól sidelined, Jake Tsakalidis will likely be the only player taller than 6-9.
• Gay has speed, leaping ability and star potential, but his motivation has been questioned.
13. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
2005-06: 35-47.
Coach: Bob Hill (279-242, .536), entering ninth season.
Key additions: F Saer Sene (draft).
Key losses: None.
Three keys:
• Chris Wilcox, acquired in a trade last February, posted big numbers in a little less than half the season in Seattle, giving the Sonics hope of a potential impact player inside.
• If the defense doesn't improve, neither will the Sonics. They were very good offensively in 2005-06, and look where it got them.
• Speculation on a potential move to Oklahoma City will be nonstop until resolved. The character veterans, led by Ray Allen, will have to block that from seeping into the locker room.
14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
2005-06: 21-61.
Coach: Nate McMillan (233-244, .488), entering seventh season.
Key additions: F LaMarcus Aldridge (draft); F Raef LaFrentz (trade, Celtics); C Jamaal Magloire (trade, Bucks); G Sergio Rodriguez (draft); G Brandon Roy (draft).
Key losses: G Steve Blake (trade, Bucks); F Viktor Khryapa (trade, Bulls); C-F Theo Ratliff (trade, Celtics); C Brian Skinner (trade, Bucks); G Sebastian Telfair (trade, Celtics).
Three keys:
• The Zach Randolph issue: Is he a double double guy or an internal problem waiting to happen?
• Aldridge is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, a setback that cost him training camp and alters the learning curve for a top prospect.
• With Magloire, LaFrentz, Aldridge and Joel Przybilla, the Trail Blazers will have very good size. But they will need to be good inside, not just tall inside, to improve a poor 2005-06 defense.
(cont)
