Fred's Pacific Division Season Preview

Completely Deck just gave us a ton of informative links.  If you want the Cliff's Notes slightly more jaded version,  jump.

 5.)  The Golden State Warriors
Players that Matter: Monta Ellis, David Lee, Andris Biedrins, Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ekpe Udoh, Stephen Curry.
Coach: Keith Smart
Last Year: 26-56

This team has a lot of garbage men, which is good, because this team is garbage.  Without Don Nelson, I don't know how this team is going to compete.  This is a Nellie ball team; a few scorers and a bunch of tall, lanky guys that can run the floor but can't play defense.  That only kinda works for Nellie, sometimes.  For anyone else, it's a disaster.  I think this team falls to the bottom of their division this year.

4.) The Sacramento Kings
Players that Matter: Samuel Dalembert, Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia, Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins, Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi.
Coach: Paul Westphal
Last Year: 25-57

Dalembert, Beno, and Thompson.  Suck, suck, and suck.  That felt good.  It's been a while.  The problem with this team is that it's upside down.  Well, that and a lack of talent.  I listed the players in order of how much they are going to make next season.  Do you see anything wrong with that?  If you think things like that do not matter to players, you're wrong.  Fairness matters to everyone.  I realize that this is Tyreke's sophomore year, but still.  Why the eff did they think Beno was worth that much?  I was a Beno fan when he played for us.  I thought he was a nice change of pace from Parker and could light it up.  But Beno as your second highest paid player?  You deserve the mess that you created.  That has to piss everyone on the roster off.  I do like Evans, Garcia, Landry, and Casspi, but in today's NBA, Tyreke is the third or fourth best player on a contender, right?  So what does that say about this Kings team in 2011? Nothing promising. 

3.) The Los Angeles Clippers
Players that Matter: Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, Foye, Gomes, Eric Gordon. Rasual Butler.
Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Last Year: 29-53

They got Vinny?  When did this happen and why was I not informed?  I'll tell you what, I actually like this team.  If Baron and Griffin can stay healthy, that's good for 10 more wins, right?  And replacing Dunleavy with Vinny will be huge.  The culture change alone should be worth another 5 wins.  So, 44-38 and comfortably missing the playoffs since you'll need 50 to qualify?  That sounds about right.   We play these guys on my birthday, November 10th.  I was contemplating whether it would be worth attending or if I should plan on something else that night.  I'll be there.  That should be an interesting game.

2.)  The Phoenix Suns
Players that Matter: Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Childress, Frye, Warrick, Grant Hill, Dudley, Robin Lopez, Dragic
Coach: Alvin Gentry
Last Year: 54-28

Here's the problem.  For the past 10 years, when we played the Suns, who were you scared of?  Nash and Stoudemire.  A Spurs fan's response was that quick.  It was as quick as asking the same thing about the Lakers in '02.  Shaq and Kobe.  Now, Spurs fans, who are you scared of?  Nash and... Turkoglu?  Really?  Who is the Suns' second best player?  I think we're looking at the 2010 Houston Rockets.  It's a collection of competent role players, but role players do not win games.  Stars win games.  And if age finally catches up with Nash, this team may not have a single legitimate star.  Oh Suns fans, y'all were oh so close last year.  I almost feel bad for y'all.  (Nope, I don't at all.)

1.) The Lucky Lakers
Players that Matter: Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Artest, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, Shannon Brown, Matt Barnes.
Coach: Phil on his highchair
Last Year: They won.

They're very good and their division really sucks.  They get to compete with the Kings, Warriors, Clips, and Suns.  We get the Mavs, Rockets, Griz, and Hornets.  Not cool, man.  These guys will be in the Western Conference finals if they can stay healthy.  It kills me, but I think they managed to upgrade last year's championship team.  Blake and Barnes are definitely upgrades over their previously nonexistent bench.  Maybe this is the year that Kobe's body falls apart.  Maybe Bynum will get injured for the 4th year in a row.  Maybe Artest will go crazier.  Maybe Fisher is too freaking old to be competent.  Maybe Gasol is hideous and a horrible person.  Maybe Lamar will overdose on candy.  All I've got is 'maybes.'  Come on Spurs, let's get back to the top this year.