DALLAS MAVERICKS
Reasons for Success:
The had a long summer to regroup after the first round exit to the Spurs. Dirk Nowitzki will put on another allstar-calibre season with Jason Kidd running the team to another 50+win season. Caron Butler is playing for a contract and is slated to be the starting SF with Shawn Marion joining Jason Terry on the second unit. The tantum of Brendan Haywood and Tyson Chandler will give the Mavs flexibility to playing various styles. Having both Butler and Haywood for a full season will greatly improve the team chemistry that was evidently lost during the playoffs. This team has the most depth in the league is deeper than the team that made it to the Finals in 2006. There is optimism surrounding younger players such as Roddy Beaubois and rookie Dominique Jones to playing a larger role this season.
Causes for Concern:
The go-to players are all over the age of 30 and the window is quickly closing on their opportunity to win a title. Getting to the playoffs is not the issue - it's whether they can make a run and dethrone the Lakers. Mavs want to reduce Dirk's minutes to save him for the playoffs but with no adequate backup, the plan may be on the back-burner as the season progresses.
Prediction: 1st Division 2nd Conference
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Reasons for Success:
Last postseason showed the Spurs still have something left in the tank. Tim Duncan is still one of the best PF in the game and as long as he's playing, the Spurs will have a chance to win. The team has a great mix of youth and veteran presence. George Hill and DeJuan Blair showed a lot of promise last season and may be poised for bigger roles this year. Rookie Tiago Splitter will have a large role on this team after several seasons overseas. Tony Parker is in a contract year and will try to regain his allstar form to justify a getting the big bucks.
Causes for Concern:
With the play of Hill, Blair and the other younger players on this roster, you have to wonder when it is time to start turning the team over to the new breed. Richard Jefferson was strangely resigned in the offseason after a dreadful first season with the Spurs. The Spurs need him to play to his potential to contend with the other top teams.
Prediction: 2nd Division 5th Conference
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Reasons for Success:
They have an effective backcourt in Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin that will put up a lot points on most nights. Yao Ming returns after taking a year off to recover from foot surgery. Brad Miller was brought in as insurance if Yao is to stumble along the way. The team also have a cupboard full of assets after the Tracy McGrady deal. Armed with several first round picks, this team could make a midseason move that can propel them higher in the standings.
Causes for Concern:
Yao is expected to be limited to only 24 minutes a game which could hinder his effectiveness. It's disappointing to see a promising career that is bound to be cut short. Luis Scola is a great player but having him to take on the offensive load on the front court and clean up the boards on a nightly basis may be too much to ask for.
Prediction: 3rd Division 6th Conference
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
Reasons for Success:
Chris Paul, arguably the best PG in the league, is back for a full season. They traded for Trevor Ariza to bring a versatile guard-forward into the mix and finally moving Peja to the bench on a permanent basis. Both David West and Emeka Okafor are bound to benefit from having Paul for a full season.
Causes for Concern:
CP3 wanted out this summer and management had to do huge damage control to keep their franchise player happy. If things don't go well, his request may resurface which will turn into a season-long soap opera. To make it worse, they shipped out Darren Collison and have no backup plan if they're forced to trade CP3. Smells like a recipe for disaster.
Prediction: 4th Division 9th Conference
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Reasons for Success:
Zach Randolph emerged as a team-player for the first time in his career and was rewarded with his first allstar berth. The team has a bunch of young, athletic players in Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo and Marc Gasol to run with for years to come. Quality season from Hasheem Thabeet and rookie Xavier Henry will help this team contend for a playoff spot.
Causes for Concern:
Is it just me or is nobody else buying the whole "Zach Randolph is an unselfish team-player now"facade. Sure, he's yearly double-double threat but this guy has butchered the Trailblazers, Knicks, and Clippers before joining the Griz. His true character will emerge this season and will cripple the team. Think I'm wrong? Well, check this out... ARE YOU SERIOUS? But don't get me wrong, this guy should definitely be on your fantasy team.
Prediction: 5th Division 12th Conference
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