LA LAKERS
Reasons for Success:
Several reasons to be motivated to win back-to-back-to-back championships. Phil Jackson aims for his 4th 3-peat in his coaching career. Kobe aims for his 6th ring to tie MJ. And the Lakers are actually considered the underdogs to the new Miami Heat. That does not sit well with Black Mamba. They've reloaded in the offseason to counter the Heat with the additions of Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Theo Ratliff. Add in the psychotic nature of Ron Artest and this team will be making noise in May one way or another.
Causes for Concern:
Andrew Bynum's health is already a question mark heading into the season. He will need to be healthy for the playoffs. Both times Lakers have won he was been the starting center and he was on the shelf for their loss to the Celtics in 2008. Do you see the correlation?
Prediction: 1st Division 1st Conference
PHOENIX SUNS
Reasons for Success:
When you have future Hall of Famer Steve Nash running the show, you will always have a chance to win.
Causes for Concern:
They let Amare Stoudamire go and replaced him with the like of Channing Fry and Hakim Warrick. They traded for the enigmatic Hedo Turkoglu and brought in Josh Childress from the Greek sabbatical. I cannot help it but to feel bad for Steve Nash. Barring a trade, he'll never play in the Finals.
Prediction: 2nd Division 10th Conference
LA CLIPPERS
Reasons for Success:
Blake Griffin looks like the lead contender for Rookie of the Year. In the the preseason, he has dominated the competition and looks like the franchise power forward that went 1st overall in 2009. Eric Gordon had an amazing summer at the FIBA World Championships and hopefully he can bring that experience to this coming season. Chris Kaman is coming off his first allstar season and the combination of him and Griffin could form a lethal frontcourt. Baron Davis is back and his beard is thicker and sweatier than ever.
Causes for Concern:
With Mike Dunleavy finally out of the front office, the team is finally headed in a competent direction. We will see whether or not this team can finally put it together.
Prediction: 3rd Division 11th Conference
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Reasons for Success:
Stephan Curry had an incredible rookie season and the combination of him and Monta Ellis creates an exciting backcourt. Throw in the likes of David Lee and you have the perfect personnel for Nellie-Ball!
Causes for Concern:
Nellie-Ball is over! Don Nelson was let go and defense remains a huge issue with this team. Although watching a team averaging 120+ points a night is entertaining, it usually does not result in wins as past seasons show.
Prediction: 4th Division 13th Conference
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Reasons for Concern:
They are starting to build their core of players to build for the future. Tyreke Evans emerged as a the Rookie of the Year and his performance will hopefully put Beno Udrih on the bench permanently. They have a great collection of young big men in Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, Samuel Dalembert and rookie DeMarcus Cousins.
Causes for Concern:
This team is in rebuilding mode. They are headed in the right direction and there is no need to make any drastic moves to speed up the process. With that said, they will have trouble beating out the better teams in the West and will end up in the lottery to collect another piece to their puzzle. Watch out for this team in the next few years.
Prediction: 5th Division 14th Conference
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