The state of Texas will rule the Southwest this season. I like that the Spurs get bragging rights back over Dallas and that the Rockets have their best season during the McGrady/Yao era. Chris Paul will make a lot of noise around the league as he quickly rises to elite point guard status and without Gasol for a good chunk of the season, Memphis won’t be able to get out of the basement.
San Antonio Spurs: I know the Mavs made it to the NBA Finals, but I like San Antonio winning the Southwest over Dallas with a healthy Tim Duncan. Duncan battled a foot injury for most of last year’s season. He will be determined to take the Spurs back to the Finals to get the fourth ring from him. Tony Parker had a great season and if he can continue to improve his passing, he can be one of the best point guards in the game. Ginobli is the X factor. If he can stay healthy, he gives the Spurs the energy that makes them a champion team.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk had the best season of his professional career, but it ended on a sour note with a loss to Miami in the Finals. I like Jason Terry at shooting guard two, but Devon Harris is too inconsistent at shooting guard one. Stackhouse and Diop are the only help off the bench. Tim Duncan dominating Dampier and Diop will be the difference in this rivalry this season.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets will join the Texas party at the top of the division. Yao came strong down the stretch averaging 25.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game after the All-Star Break. Combine that effort with a healthier Tracy McGrady and the Rockets may finally have the duo they’ve been hoping for this season. Shane Battier is a good fit; he’ll be able to protect the other team’s best player, a job McGrady often had to put up with.
New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul may be the best pure point in the NBA alongside Steve Nash. He will make everyone else on the Hornets better. The Hornets will pose some problems for some veteran teams as they perform so well. Bobby Jackson is very good at transition as is Desmond Mason and Tyson Chandler. Chandler will help boost interior defense and rebounding. Stojakovic’s impact remains to be determined. But we know that Chris Paul will definitely give her open stares.
Memphis Grizzlies: With Gasol out until January, Memphis will start the season in the basement and never get out. Mike Miller’s shooting percentage will sink as he becomes the default first choice. We’ll see what Stromile Swift is really made of this season. We know he can run and jump out of the gym, but we don’t know if he can be a scorer in this league. With a couple of aging guards in Stoudamire and Jones, the Grizzlies are in NBA purgatory. They’ll probably need an overhaul after this season because I don’t see this team with this challenging staff in one of the toughest divisions in the NBA.
