Can Danny?

The Magnificent Seven 

1. San Antonio Spurs: I really hate to make the obvious choice but the Spurs are looking better than ever. The addition of Ime Udoka strengthens the bench while Ian Manhimi and Matt Bonner give the Spurs another 12 fouls behind Francisco Elson and Fabricio Oberto.  But the real steal for the Spurs could be 21 year old Darius Washington.  The highly touted Memphis recruit was one of those "Came out too early" stories that Dickie V loves to tell but after a year bouncing around, Washington is sitting pretty.  He has played very well in the preseason and seems like he would be a great fit backing up Tony Parker.

2. Dallas Mavericks: An embarrassing upset should have them focused on getting back to the Finals and the new additions of Eddie Jones and Trenton Hassell should help out on the perimeter while Brandon Bass and Nick Fazekas could supply more help than most people would expect. Bass was another early entry (he left LSU because Ty Thomas was coming in and threatening to take minutes) who seems to have landed in the perfect spot. The key to the playoffs could be Devin Harris.  If he can step up his game, the Mavs should find themselves threatening the Spurs for Western Supremacy.

3. Phoenix Suns: I like the additions of Grant Hill and Brian Skinner but I don't think it puts the Suns over the top.  Growing chemistry problems are a concern and, as good as they are, I just see them wilting under the pressure of the playoffs.  The Suns needed to add attitude and instead they just got more in-fighting.

4. Denver Nuggets: I love Kenyon Martin coming back as a 6th man but this team will live and die by it's perimeter shooting.  They should be able to have a very strong season but in the playoffs, it will be hard for them to really make a run if they can't add someone who can hit the open three.  It doesn't help that they dumped J.R. Smith and have to rely on Bobby Jones and Von Wafer. Jones could be a surprise because of his defense but he isn't the answer for The Answer, 'Melo, and Friends.

5. Utah Jazz: I think Andrei Kirilenko realizes now that he has to learn to deal with Jerry Sloan or else there's no way anybody will be willing to trade for him.  A revitalized AK-47 and a breakthrough year from Ronnie Brewer should help the Jazz improve upon their record from last season. It should be interesting to see if C.J. Miles has improved any. He'd be a big asset off of the bench.

6. Houston Rockets: They added Luis Scola and have a coach who might be able to keep Bonzi Wells in line but relying on McGrady and Ming is like relying on Pedro Martinez and Kerry Wood.  They might give you some great moments during the season but they always seem to be too banged up to really help out in the playoffs. I'm not overly impressed by any of the point guards they've added and the bench as a whole just isn't inspiring.

7. Golden State Warriors: J-Rich who? While it might take a year for Brandan Wright to feel out the NBA, Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli will have Warrior fans forgetting about the departed Jason Richardson. A full season of Stephen Jackson and super 6th man Al Harrington could have the Warriors looking to run their way into the 4th spot in the West. If the Warriors can get anything close to solid minutes out of Patrick O'Bryant and Austin Croshere, they'll be a very dangerous team.

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Playing for 8th 

8. Portland Trailblazers: Oden might be out but the rest of the youth movement will be ready to move on without him. LaMarcus Aldridge seems ready to have a breakout season and is the favorite for Western Conference Most Improved Player honors. Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, and Channing Frye also seem ready to break out of their shells. With so many players on the cusp, the Blazers really only need half of them to pan out.  The addition of Steve Blake muddies the point guard position but he could be the steadiest point guard to lead the way.

9. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the league but he has to play like THE best point guard in order to carry this crew to the playoffs.  Tyson Chandler, David West, Peja Stojakovic make up a good frontcourt but it isn't one that will make coaches lose much sleep.  And Morris Peterson as the backup shooting guard? The bench also doesn't raise any eyebrows.  This Hornets lineups just seems tailor-made to just miss the playoffs every year.

10. Memphis Grizzlies: Unless Pau Gasol finds some fire and Darko Milicic lives up to his hype, this seems like a team that will consistently play down to the level of its oppoenents. Rudy Gay is still inconsistent, Hakim Warrick still doesn't have a position, Brian Cardinal is still overpaid, Mike Miller still can't play defense, and the winning attitude of Mike Conley Jr. isn't going to be enough, especially with him having to focus on winning the point guard spot. The team has enough talent to make the playoffs but they've yet to show the ability or desire to play at that level consistently.

11. Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum seems ready for an Al Jefferson-type breakthrough even if his star teammate and Hall of Fame coach have gone on record that they'd rather he be traded. Also, it's a contract year for Kwame Brown so things could be looking up for the Lake Show.  Derek Fisher and rookie Javarris Crittenton should be able to hold down the point.  But what to expect from Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant.  I'm not sure how much either guy wants to be in Los Angeles and this team needs them focused and willing to take the mantle of leadership if they are going to succeed. The fight for the 8th spot will be a tight one and the choice for the Lakers seem to be either a season in contention or a season of contention.  With the talent in the West, they won't be able to have both.

OJ, Rose, or Beasley? 

12. Los Angeles Clippers: If any lottery team can overcome the loss of their best player and make due, it's the Clippers. The Scrappers have Sam Cassell leading the way with Corey Maggette, Ruben Patterson, Tim Thomas, and Chris Kaman all out to show that they have something left in the tank.  If Thomas doesn't come to play, rookie Al Thornton should be able to bounce around and score some points. The one thing holding them back could be Mike Dunleavy.  He has to realize that this isn't a regular season and ride with what he has.  He spent too much of last season battling with ownership over Corey Maggette.  He has to look at his team and put the best guys out there and craft an attack to their strength.  If he's too headstrong, the Clippers could easily find themselves in last place and dealing with a squad of unhappy campers.

13. Sacramento Kings: I just can't see how Ron Artest stays sane on a team this bad. Kevin Martin will pad his scoring stats but no team relying on John Salmons, Kenny Thomas, and a washed up Brad Miller is going to be able to compete in the West.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves have an amazing bench.  Unfortunately, four members of the bench have to start for them.  I'm not sold on Randy Foye and while I expect big scoring numbers from Rashad McCants, he seems better suited as a 6th or 7th man.  Outside of Al Jefferson, there's really nobody on the team that I'd like to see starting. Corey Brewer should blossom into a starter but he probably won't be ready.  Gerald Green will continue to be the most promising player who can't seem to find a way to get decent minutes even though he's on one of the worst teams in the league.  The Wolves should be fun to watch since they are packed with ex-Celtics but I can't see them reeling off enough wins to escape the bottom three of the NBA.

14. Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant sprained his ankle, something which will likely happen a lot this season since the Sonics are expecting him to defend NBA shooting guards. Durant will get his points but his passing ability still needs work and I could see critics quickly coming down on him for needing 20 shots to score 20 points. While many see him as the obvious rookie of the year, I wouldn't be stunned if an upstart like Al Horford, Al Thornton, or Rodney Stuckey challenge him for the prize.  Robert Swift might have been a great prospect but he looks painfully slow out there and I'll be stunned if he ever develops into much of anything. Team chemistry also could be tough as many guys on the bench (most notably Earl Watson, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West) will be trying to win starting spots. It's going to be a very long season in Seattle.