jay dubb
G-League
I got this from another kings forum and I thought it was kinda interesting
Kings Roster:
C-Brad Miller, Brian Skinner, Jamal Sampson
PF-Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas
SF-Peja Stojakovic, Corliss Williamson
SG-Bonzi Wells, Francisco Garcia, Kevin Martin
PG-Bibby, Hart, Price*
*Probable inactive Roster player
The Kings added Shareef Abdur-Rahim, arguably the best unrestricted Free Agent Big man from this offseason crop. In doing so they add another all-star caliber player to their starting 5. He'll bring a sorely needed low post game and can step out and pop in 15-20 footers pretty consistently. Also, his passing game should be improved in the Kings Princeton style motion offense. He should fill in admirably for the departed Chris Webber. I look at SAR as a poor man's Chris Webber or a "current" version of C-Webb(after the knee surgery) in terms of talent and production(although SAR is more efficient in production than C-Webb ever was). Also Kings traded away two playeres who rarely played on last season's 50 win team for a player who I consider the X-factor, Bonzi Wells. If Wells, plays anywhere near his potential, Kings EASILY win the Pacific division. If not, they'll have to battle it out with another team from down south, PHX. Being in a contract year, Bonzi should be on his best behavior and be as focused as he ever has been in this league. I look at Bonzi to have a breakout year. He's gotten a fresh start and a 2nd chance. I think anything he's done in his past will stay there in his past. Prediction: 51-58 wins
Suns Roster:
C-Kurt Thomas, Brian Grant
PF-Amare Stoudemire, Pat Burke
SF-Shawn Marion, James Jones, Dijon Thompson
SG-Raja Bell, Jimmy Jackson, Diaw
PG-Steve Nash, Barbosa
The Suns have lost A LOT in the departures of Q and JJ. However, they'll still be one of the better teams in the league next season. Adding Bell and James Jones will soften the blow. However where I think the Suns lost the most ground was moving Amare and Marion down a position through the addition of Kurt Thomas. Thomas is truly a PF but always gets stuck playing center. He's a nice player, but now opposing teams centers will guard him instead of Amare. And instead of PF's guarding Marion, SF's will. This is going to slow down the PHX fast break quite a bit, IMO. This is where you'll see them drop 10-15 games in the win column this season.(Teams will be better able to keep up with their run n gun style). They just will not average anywhere near 110 points next season. That being said, their defense has improved significantly and I think there bench is a wee bit better than last season(albeit OLDER). So like any team I think next season, IF they stay injury free the Suns look to win 50+ again next season. Prediction 48-56 wins.
Warriors Roster:
C-Adonal Foyle, Andris Biedrins
PF-Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, Taft*
SF-Mike Dunleavy, Mickael Pietrus, ZARKO
SG-Jason Richardson, Calbert Chaney
PG-Baron Davis, Derek Fisher, Ellis*
*possible NBDL candidate
I think the Warriors will be a more improved team next season than they have in seasons past. I like Ike Diogu and think he may start for them(replacing Troy Murphy) in the starting line-up later in the season. They had a nice run last season near the end after acquiring B-Diddy. With a training camp with the team, I don't see why they won't improve on that. They have one of the better backcourts in the league and have young and inxperienced front court that could really develop in the next few years. With that being said, the warriors will still be a team that is on the bubble come playoff time. There is a learning curve to winning and that'll take time.
Prediction: Warriors: 37-44 wins
Los Angeles Clippers Roster:
C-Chris Kaman, Zleko Rebraca
PF-Elton Brand, Chris Wilcox
SF-Corey Maggette, Korolev?(will the clips be able to bring him over)
SG-Cuttino Mobley, Quinton Ross
PG-Sam Cassell, Shaun Livingston
The Clippers had an interesting off-season. They lost Simmons(tough defense and versatility) and gained Mobley(3 point shooting) which is something they sorely lacked last season. That trade-off looks to be a wash. The biggest improvement came though adding Sam Cassell(even if he is a nut job.) He provides veteran leadership and can guide a young team to the playoffs. (notice i said can NOT will.) It is his contract year, so he may very well be on his best behavior like Bonzi. Plus, this allows Livinston to grow and learn and not take on too much, too fast. In my opinion the CLips go where Sam Cassell takes them. They have virtually the same team as last year with the exception of Sammy and less bench. I have this feeling though that Sammy's body will break down on him this year again. Leaving the Clips scrambling as Livingston learns the ropes even more. Prediction: 35-43 Wins
Los Angeles Laker Roster:
C - Chris Mihm, Andrew Bynum
PF - Kwame Brown, Brian Cook, Mevedenko
SF - Lamar Odom, Devean George, Jumaine Jones
SG - Kobe Bryant, Laron Profit*, Von Wafer*
PG - Aaron McKie, Sasha Vujacic*, Smish Parker*, Tony Bobbitt*
*Possible options for NBDL or Inactive roster.
I really can't see what Mitch Kupchak is doing here. The only thing I think they have improved on from last year is allowing Odom to move down to the three spot. Other than that, they are a far inferior team to last season, talent wise. I do NOT understand the signing of Aaron McKie. If most teams were smart they would play a pressing and trapping defense against the Lakers to put pressure on McKie. He is not the ideal guy to initiate the offense with. The frontcourt is weak. Kwame Brown may break out, but I doubt it. Caron Butler was by far the better basketball player, BUT the Lakers are desperate and took a chance. They're hoping it pays off. I can't see the Lakers NOT adding a veteran POINT guard to their roster. I don't know if Payton would want to go back there, I don't think they can afford Watson, maybe a trade is in the works. But if that PG issue isn't addressed soon they're going to have a bleaker season than last year. Phil's a good coach, but if they Lakers expect a miracle from him with this roster, they need to sit down and take their pills. The Lakers won't be embarrassed, but they'll lose more games than they will win.
Prediction: 29-37 wins
That's the way I see as things stand pat right now. Injuries can change things in hurry as we are all aware of. Trades or signings could shift things a bit, but as of today. That's how I see the Pacific dividion shaking down this year.
Kings Roster:
C-Brad Miller, Brian Skinner, Jamal Sampson
PF-Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas
SF-Peja Stojakovic, Corliss Williamson
SG-Bonzi Wells, Francisco Garcia, Kevin Martin
PG-Bibby, Hart, Price*
*Probable inactive Roster player
The Kings added Shareef Abdur-Rahim, arguably the best unrestricted Free Agent Big man from this offseason crop. In doing so they add another all-star caliber player to their starting 5. He'll bring a sorely needed low post game and can step out and pop in 15-20 footers pretty consistently. Also, his passing game should be improved in the Kings Princeton style motion offense. He should fill in admirably for the departed Chris Webber. I look at SAR as a poor man's Chris Webber or a "current" version of C-Webb(after the knee surgery) in terms of talent and production(although SAR is more efficient in production than C-Webb ever was). Also Kings traded away two playeres who rarely played on last season's 50 win team for a player who I consider the X-factor, Bonzi Wells. If Wells, plays anywhere near his potential, Kings EASILY win the Pacific division. If not, they'll have to battle it out with another team from down south, PHX. Being in a contract year, Bonzi should be on his best behavior and be as focused as he ever has been in this league. I look at Bonzi to have a breakout year. He's gotten a fresh start and a 2nd chance. I think anything he's done in his past will stay there in his past. Prediction: 51-58 wins
Suns Roster:
C-Kurt Thomas, Brian Grant
PF-Amare Stoudemire, Pat Burke
SF-Shawn Marion, James Jones, Dijon Thompson
SG-Raja Bell, Jimmy Jackson, Diaw
PG-Steve Nash, Barbosa
The Suns have lost A LOT in the departures of Q and JJ. However, they'll still be one of the better teams in the league next season. Adding Bell and James Jones will soften the blow. However where I think the Suns lost the most ground was moving Amare and Marion down a position through the addition of Kurt Thomas. Thomas is truly a PF but always gets stuck playing center. He's a nice player, but now opposing teams centers will guard him instead of Amare. And instead of PF's guarding Marion, SF's will. This is going to slow down the PHX fast break quite a bit, IMO. This is where you'll see them drop 10-15 games in the win column this season.(Teams will be better able to keep up with their run n gun style). They just will not average anywhere near 110 points next season. That being said, their defense has improved significantly and I think there bench is a wee bit better than last season(albeit OLDER). So like any team I think next season, IF they stay injury free the Suns look to win 50+ again next season. Prediction 48-56 wins.
Warriors Roster:
C-Adonal Foyle, Andris Biedrins
PF-Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, Taft*
SF-Mike Dunleavy, Mickael Pietrus, ZARKO
SG-Jason Richardson, Calbert Chaney
PG-Baron Davis, Derek Fisher, Ellis*
*possible NBDL candidate
I think the Warriors will be a more improved team next season than they have in seasons past. I like Ike Diogu and think he may start for them(replacing Troy Murphy) in the starting line-up later in the season. They had a nice run last season near the end after acquiring B-Diddy. With a training camp with the team, I don't see why they won't improve on that. They have one of the better backcourts in the league and have young and inxperienced front court that could really develop in the next few years. With that being said, the warriors will still be a team that is on the bubble come playoff time. There is a learning curve to winning and that'll take time.
Prediction: Warriors: 37-44 wins
Los Angeles Clippers Roster:
C-Chris Kaman, Zleko Rebraca
PF-Elton Brand, Chris Wilcox
SF-Corey Maggette, Korolev?(will the clips be able to bring him over)
SG-Cuttino Mobley, Quinton Ross
PG-Sam Cassell, Shaun Livingston
The Clippers had an interesting off-season. They lost Simmons(tough defense and versatility) and gained Mobley(3 point shooting) which is something they sorely lacked last season. That trade-off looks to be a wash. The biggest improvement came though adding Sam Cassell(even if he is a nut job.) He provides veteran leadership and can guide a young team to the playoffs. (notice i said can NOT will.) It is his contract year, so he may very well be on his best behavior like Bonzi. Plus, this allows Livinston to grow and learn and not take on too much, too fast. In my opinion the CLips go where Sam Cassell takes them. They have virtually the same team as last year with the exception of Sammy and less bench. I have this feeling though that Sammy's body will break down on him this year again. Leaving the Clips scrambling as Livingston learns the ropes even more. Prediction: 35-43 Wins
Los Angeles Laker Roster:
C - Chris Mihm, Andrew Bynum
PF - Kwame Brown, Brian Cook, Mevedenko
SF - Lamar Odom, Devean George, Jumaine Jones
SG - Kobe Bryant, Laron Profit*, Von Wafer*
PG - Aaron McKie, Sasha Vujacic*, Smish Parker*, Tony Bobbitt*
*Possible options for NBDL or Inactive roster.
I really can't see what Mitch Kupchak is doing here. The only thing I think they have improved on from last year is allowing Odom to move down to the three spot. Other than that, they are a far inferior team to last season, talent wise. I do NOT understand the signing of Aaron McKie. If most teams were smart they would play a pressing and trapping defense against the Lakers to put pressure on McKie. He is not the ideal guy to initiate the offense with. The frontcourt is weak. Kwame Brown may break out, but I doubt it. Caron Butler was by far the better basketball player, BUT the Lakers are desperate and took a chance. They're hoping it pays off. I can't see the Lakers NOT adding a veteran POINT guard to their roster. I don't know if Payton would want to go back there, I don't think they can afford Watson, maybe a trade is in the works. But if that PG issue isn't addressed soon they're going to have a bleaker season than last year. Phil's a good coach, but if they Lakers expect a miracle from him with this roster, they need to sit down and take their pills. The Lakers won't be embarrassed, but they'll lose more games than they will win.
Prediction: 29-37 wins
That's the way I see as things stand pat right now. Injuries can change things in hurry as we are all aware of. Trades or signings could shift things a bit, but as of today. That's how I see the Pacific dividion shaking down this year.
