SR: NBA 2021-22 Western Conference Preview

The 2021-2022 NBA season is upon us and it’s only right that we preview the tough Western Conference. There will be a lot of storylines in the Western Conference this upcoming season as Russell Westbrook is back in LA and Klay Thompson is set to return on Christmas Day just to name a few. This season should be one of the toughest in a little while especially in the Western Conference as a lot of players are coming back from injury. The West has always been the big brother to the Eastern Conference in recent years and it doesn’t look like that will be changing anytime especially with the likes of LeBron, Steph Curry, Luka, and Joker. In this preview, we will be ranking all the best Western Conference teams and predicting their seasons, and highlighting some of the big changes that happened in the offseason. We can’t forget some of the exciting players that we will have an eye on as well from the rookie class like Jalen Green, Josh Giddey, and Johnathan Kuminga.

15. Houston Rockets (Finished Last Season 17-55, 15th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Jalen Green, G (NBA Draft)
• Josh Christopher, G (NBA Draft)
• Daniel Theis, C (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• Kelly Olynyk, C (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Jalen Green, DJ Augustin, John Wall (DNP)
SG: Eric Gordon, Josh Christopher, Armoni Brooks, Daishen Nix, Garrison Matthews
SF: Kevin Porter Jr, Danuel House Jr, Jae’Sean Tate, David Nwaba
PF: Christian Wood, Kenyon Martin, Usman Garuba
C: Daniel Theis, Alperen Sengun, Mfiondu Kabengele

Strengths:

• Coach Silas Can Have A Team Identity. Last season the Houston Rockets had to worry about James Harden and that wasn’t a good start to Stephen Silas’ first year as a head coach. This season he will finally go into a season knowing exactly who he has on the roster and the style of play they will be trying to obtain this year. The Houston Rockets will be trying to turn things around this season with the 3 headed monsters of Jalen Green, Christian Wood, and Kevin Porter Jr. All three of them will have to at least average 17+ a game this season for them to try to be successful in this tough Western Conference. If the Rockets are going to make some noise this season they will need to defend at an elite level and run that offense at a fast pace. Being one of the youngest teams in the NBA this season will help because they will have some fresh legs against some of the older teams in the league. Jalen Green will be a bright spot for sure on this team as he gets to learn from Silas and John Wall as he tries to navigate this Rockets team to a winning season in his rookie year. One of the strengths that Houston has is the fact that Jalen Green is poised to prove everyone wrong that didn’t believe he should have been the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft. As long as he continues to have that chip on his shoulder and stays healthy the sky is the limit in H-Town.

Weaknesses:

• Inexperience & No All-Star Presence On The Court.  The Houston Rockets and John Wall have come to a mutual agreement to hold the All-Star out until they find the perfect situation for him. With that being said we won’t be able to see how a backcourt of Jalen Green/John Wall will look. The Rockets are very young and the presence of a John Wall helping on the court with court decisions would have been great for this unit in tough spots during games. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr will be handling the ball a lot but haven’t really been put in big-game moments and in those moments you need someone that can get you in the best position to win. Both probably can get the job done but it hasn’t been seen yet but the Rockets are willing to go with the growing pains of their young guys. Another spot where the Rockets are hurting is their bench as they don’t have a true scorer off the bench if Eric Gordon is starting which would be tough. The NBA is all about star power and depth something the Rockets lack in. They will need to show that they can execute when Wood, Green, and Porter Jr need a breather. Last but definitely not least the Rockets don’t have a true center that can bang with some of the best centers in the NBA. Theis is a great addition but he’s not a bruiser type of player and that’s something that they will struggle with this upcoming season. This season will be full of growing pains for the Houston Rockets as they will be back in the NBA Draft Lottery in 2022.

Record Prediction: 21-61

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (Finished Last Season 23-49, 13th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Patrick Beverley, G (Trade)
• Taurean Prince, G/F (Trade)

Key Losses:

• Ricky Rubio, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: D’Angelo Russell, Patrick Beverly, Jordan McLaughlin, McKinley Wright IV
SG: Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie, Jaylen Nowell
SF: Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake Layman
PF: Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, Leandro Bolmaro
C: Karl Anthony Towns, Nathan Knight

Strengths:

• The Emergence of KAT & DLO. Karl Anthony Towns has been one of the bright spots for the Minnesota Timberwolves since he’s been drafted and he’s coming into this season in the best shape ever. Last year he was dealing with a lot of things off the court but this season KAT looks to remind people of how good he is on the court. Last season KAT averaged 24.8 PPG & 10.6 REB and he looks to try to improve those numbers as the NBA lacks in true centers besides about 5 players. Every year KAT has improved his shooting from outside and he’s been able to dominate the paint. One of the reasons that Karl Anthony Towns has been successful is running mate D’Angelo Russell who gains a lot of attraction from defenses. When defenses collapse trying to stop DLO then that opens up opportunities for KAT to be able to attack. With both continuing to grow together on and off the court it will be special as DLO has improved on his ball-handling and court vision from the preseason workouts. This Timberwolves team will go as far as they go and with Anthony Edwards coming back trying to showcase that he’s the real deal the Timberwolves will have a chance to win games and keep it competitive in the Western Conference this season.

Weaknesses:

• Availability & Durability.  The Minnesota Timberwolves have some true talent on the roster but the biggest issue has been availability. This team was riddled with injuries and uncertainty in the 2020-2021 season which was out of their hands. The pieces are aligned for the Timberwolves to make a push but we just need to see a full season of KAT with DLO for it to be possible. Another issue that the Timberwolves had was the defensive side which wasn’t really addressed in the offseason. The interior defense was always an issue when teams would draw KAT to the three-point line to get him out of the paint to attack. Naz Reid was a big help but it will be special to see him and KAT controlling the paint as a unit for a full season. This team has the potential to get a bigger prediction but we just need to see them be on the court together doing what they do best. They lost Ricky Rubio who is one of the best passers in the NBA and it will put D’Angelo into that spotlight to be a hybrid player scoring/passing. If they can execute and not have to deal with too many issues that keep players out of the lineup anything is possible moving forward in Minnesota.

Record Prediction: 25-57

13. Sacramento Kings (Finished Last Season 31-41, 12th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Davion Mitchell, G (NBA Draft)
• Tristan Thompson, C/F (Trade)

Key Losses:

• Delon Wright, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell
SG: Buddy Hield, Terence Davis, Maurice Harkless, Jahmi’us Ramsey
SF: Harrison Barnes, Louis King, Robert Woodard
PF: Marvin Bagley, Richaun Holmes, Chimezie Metu
C: Tristan Thompson, Alex Len, Neemias Queta, Damian Jones

Strengths:

• The Kings Have Actual Depth Now. In the past, Sacramento didn’t have any depth when it came to taking De’Aaron Fox out of the game. Now the Kings have a hungry Fox coming into this season primed to show people that he’s one of the best and fastest players in the NBA. Before if Fox came out of the game Sacramento didn’t know where to go and who to point to in the guard position until now. The Kings drafted Tyrese Haliburton last season and in this draft, they added Davion Mitchell who showed out in the NBA Summer League. Both have shown they can help Fox out and carry the load when he gets a breather. Don’t forget the sniper on the outside Buddy Hield will have a chip on his shoulder from being rumored in a lot of trades this offseason. The Kings fans should be excited about the different ways they can play with those three guards especially if they play small ball. Last season we witnessed the emergence of Richaun Holmes as he was one of the best rebounders in the NBA. The frontcourt for the Kings is stacked as Sacramento’s hoping this can be the season for Marvin Bagley to showcase why he was the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 Draft. It should be an exciting season in Sacramento as long as the team is as hungry as they looked this preseason.

Weaknesses:

• Defense.Defense.Defense.  The defense was a huge issue from the Kings last season. It seemed as though anyone and everyone were able to score on this unit. The addition of Thompson in the paint should help and Terence Davis will need to step up on the perimeter as well. The Kings were giving up 117 ppg to their opponents for the 3rd worst defense in the NBA. They got better offensively over the years but they will need to take that next step on the defensive end to make an impact moving forward. It’s that simple if the Kings will make the playoff push they want to make it will need to start with the defense because the offense isn’t a problem.

Record Prediction: 29-53

12. San Antonio Spurs (Finished Last Season 33-39, 10th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Doug McDermott, G/F (Free Agency)
• Thaddeus Young, C/F (Trade)
• Josh Primo, G (NBA Draft)

Key Losses:

• DeMar DeRozan, G/F (Trade)
• Rudy Gay, F (Free Agency)
• Patty Mills, G (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Dejounte Murray, Tre Jones, Joe Wieskamp
SG: Derrick White, Devin Vassell, Josh Primo, Bryn Forbes
SF: Lonnie Walker IV, Doug McDermott, Keita Bates Diop
PF: Keldon Johnson, Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks
C: Jakob Poeltl, Zach Collins, Jock Landale

Strengths:

• A Star Will Be Born In SA. Remember we’re saying this right now before the season starts. This will be the year of Dejounte Murray. Last season Murray averaged 15.7 PPG, 7.1 REB, and 5.4 AST. Trust our word this year he will be close to if not getting a triple-double reminiscent of Russell Westbrook’s historic season. The Spurs will be giving the keys to Dejounte and he should answer the call from Pop in a big way. Murray has been a lightning rod for the Spurs and he’s gotten better every season whether it be his passing or shooting. Look for Dejounte Murray to be in the mix for Most Improved Player at the end of the season. A lot of eyes will be able to watch Murray as he’s been in San Antonio where the prime time games lack but everyone with NBA League Pass knows how special he is to his team. Murray can get his own shot and he can get his teammates involved especially in the fast break where he has all the defenses at his mercy. BIG YEAR LOADING……….

Weaknesses:

• Star Power.  This offseason the Spurs lost DeMar DeRozan who was putting up 21.6 PPG for San Antonio That will be tough to replace as they brought in some veterans that can get points but it won’t amount to the mid-range specialist. DeMar will be hard to follow up but with the additions of Young & McDermott, the Spurs will need them to do a little more than they did in the past. Another player that the Spurs want to take that leap will be Keldon Johnson. If Johnson can emerge as a rising star then anything is possible. DeRozan was able to create his own shot and was a big shot maker just like Rudy Gay. Losing both will hurt the Spurs as they will look to make a strong push in the competitive Western Conference.

Record Prediction: 31-51

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (Finished Last Season 22-50, 14th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Derrick Favors, C/F (Free Agency)
• Josh Giddey, G (NBA Draft)
• Tre Mann, G (NBA Draft)

Key Losses:

• Kemba Walker, G (Buyout)
• Al Horford, C (Trade)
• Moses Brown, C (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Theo Maledon, Tre Mann
SG: Josh Giddey, Paul Watson, Ty Jerome, Aaron Wiggins, Vit Krejci
SF: Lugentez Dort, Kenrich Williams, Gabriel Deck
PF: Darius Bazely, Isaiah Roby, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
C: Derrick Favors, Mike Muscala

Strengths:

• Healthy SGA. It’s pretty obvious that the OKC Thunder will go as far as Shai takes them this season. With that being said this should be the year where SGA shows the NBA that he has the potential to be an All-Star. SGA is the Thunder’s MVP and it’s very clear they will need him to be healthy if they want to make any push. Last year the Thunder were (6-31) without SGA on the court with his injury. If SGA is healthy the Thunder will be in a good spot to probably push to play for the play-in games this season. SGA averaged 23.7 PPG last season in limited action so we expect a huge jump in his points. The Thunder will need to ride the back of SGA to get to the promised land but he will have more experience under his belt with his teammates now too. Bazely & Dort have grown over the years and with the addition of a playmaker like Josh Giddey, it could be an exciting season in OKC.

Weaknesses:

• Interior Defense/Offense.  In the offseason, OKC lost Al Horford and Moses Brown who were both good presence in the paint. The OKC Thunder didn’t grab a true center during the offseason as they will roll out with Favors/Muscala. OKC usually has a big in the paint that is a bruiser and someone that you can depend on to get boards while defending at a high level. It will different inside the paint as it will have to be a collective effort to stop the opposing teams from exploiting the mismatch all the time. With the Thunder being thin at the center there could be a lot of foul trouble and small ball in their future. I would expect the Thunder to look into using a pick or two for a center that can help protect the paint before the trade deadline if they’re within playoff contention. It’s going to take everyone on the defensive end to win games and OKC has an offense that can hang with anyone so that definitely helps in the long run.

Record Prediction: 34-48

10. New Orleans Pelicans (Finished Last Season 31-41, 11th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Jonas Valanciunas, C (Trade)
• Devonte’ Graham, G (Sign/Trade)

Key Losses:

• Steven Adams, C (Trade)
• Lonzo Ball, G (Free Agency)
• Eric Bledsoe, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Devonte’ Graham, Kira Lewis Jr, Thomas Satoransky, Jose Alvarado
SG: Josh Hart, Nickeli Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada
SF: Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Garrett Temple
PF: Zion Williamson, Naji Marshall
C: Jonas Valanciunas, Jaxson Hayes, Willy Hernangomez

Strengths:

• Healthy Zion Williamson. The beast known as Zion Williamson had offseason surgery on his right foot. The only thing that’s holding this team back is the fact that Zion hasn’t had the chance to play a full season yet. When Zion is fully healthy without limitations this team will be a problem but with Zion out, without a timetable, it will be tough. Zion is a once-in-a-generation talent so when he comes back he will be a mismatch for everyone. The Pelicans play in the Western Conference which is a tough spot to be in but it all depends on Zion’s health. We can have the Pelicans in the playoff hunt with Zion but if he does miss a lot of games it will be tough for Brandon Ingram to hold down the fort for that long. Zion averaged 18 points in the paint per game most in 25 years which lets you know how special of a talent he is as an overall player.

Weaknesses:

• Guard Play.  The Pelicans lost Lonzo Ball in the offseason but weren’t able to bring a star point guard back in return. All the point guards on the Pelicans team can get it done but it will have to be a collective effort. Guard play is very important in the NBA and it will be interesting to see if Graham can take the proper step in his career. Look for the Pelican’s new coach Willie Green to play Alexander-Walker at the point a little bit as well like he did when Lonzo was out. The Pelicans don’t have a pure passer that can get the bigs the ball so this will be a developing story over the season to look out for every night.

Record Prediction: 36-46

9. Memphis Grizzlies (Finished Last Season 38-34, 8th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Steven Adams, C (Trade)

Key Losses:

• Jonas Valanciunas, C (Trade)
• Grayson Allen, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Ja Morant, Tyus Jones, De’Anthony Melton
SG: Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, Sam Merrill
SF: Kyle Anderson, Jarrett Culver, Yves Pons
PF: Jaren Jackson, Brandon Clark, Xavier Tillman
C: Steven Adams, Killian Tillie, Santi Aldama

Strengths:

• Well, Balanced Attack. This Memphis Grizzlies team has grown over the past couple of seasons with Ja Morant running the show. One thing that has been special watching is the growth of Morant’s basketball IQ as a passer. We knew coming into the NBA that he had serious hops but it’s been his passing/shot that has people scared too. Ja Morant has that quick first step that can get to the basket but now when he goes to the rack he has people to dish the ball too. Dillon Brooks has shown a lot of maturity as far as his shot taking and making as he’s been a key piece to this Grizzlies team and the success as well. Kyle Anderson was able to flourish last season as he did everything from the rebound, assist, blocks, and steals for this team. With Jaren Jackson finally getting paid it will be great to see how he comes out in the season knowing that he can beat his defenders from inside and outside on both sides of the court. They have one of the strongest men in the NBA on their side in Steven Adams and the chemistry between him/Mortant can be Westbrook like when he was in OKC. This Memphis team healthy is truly a sleeper to make the playoffs as long as everyone remains healthy.

Weaknesses:

• Turnovers & Inexperience.  Ja Morant has emerged as a star in the NBA but he still needs to cut his turnovers down. That’s the only knock on his game but if he can control that then this weakness doesn’t matter. The guards on the roster have trouble with the turnovers, especially with the backups. If they can slow the game down and limit the turnovers they will be a team fighting for a playoff spot. The other thing that they lack is experience in the postseason. If they can finally get a taste of the playoffs we don’t know what to expect so if they can stay healthy this team can truly be a wild card. The Grizzlies have a lot of players that haven’t been in pressure or big games but if it’s going to be done it will be on the shoulders of Ja Morant.

Record Prediction: 39-43

8. Portland Trail Blazers (Finished Last Season 42-30, 6th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Larry Nance Jr., F (Trade)

Key Losses:

• Carmelo Anthony, F (Free Agency)
• Derrick Jones Jr., G (Trade)
• Enes Kanter, C (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Keljin Blevins
SG: CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Tony Snell, Ben McLemore
SF: Robert Covington, Nassir Little, CJ Ellerby
PF: Larry Nance Jr, Greg Brown, Trendon Watford
C: Jusuf Nurkic’, Cody Zeller

Strengths:

• Dame & CJ. As long as the Portland Trail Blazers have Dame Dolla and CJ they will always have a chance. This is one of the best backcourts in the NBA and anytime they got hot it could be a long night for any team. CJ dealt with an injury last season that derailed him but Damian Lillard was in full MVP mode as he put the team on his back. Dame averaged 28.8 PPG last season as he was a walking bucket but with a healthy CJ to combine with that and a new head coach in Billups this should be fun. Every night both Dame & CJ are a defensive nightmare and they will look to continue that this year if the Blazers will have a chance to make the playoffs. The main thing is just being healthy for these two because with the depth on the team Portland can compete with any time in the NBA.

Weaknesses:

• Interior Defense.  The Portland Trail Blazers have some great perimeter defenders but it’s the interior defense that they lack in. Opposing big men take advantage of the paint and the defense that Nurk plays. Portland hasn’t had a true big man in the paint in a little while and it will definitely hurt when it comes to the postseason. All the top teams in the West have big men that can dominate a game on both ends of the floor. If the Trail Blazers can at least get some defense or a defensive committee in the paint that could help them. Having Zeller & Nurk inside will be a challenge but both are really good on the offensive side so if they can keep up with the opposition in the paint anything could be possible.

Record Prediction: 42-40

7. Los Angeles Clippers (Finished Last Season 47-25, 4th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Eric Bledsoe, G (Trade)

Key Losses:

• Rajon Rondo, G (Free Agency)
• Patrick Beverley, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Jackson, Brandon Boston, Keon Johnson
SG: Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Jason Preston, Jay Scrubb
SF: Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Amir Coffey, Nicholas Batum, Justise Winslow
PF: Serge Ibaka, Marcus Morris Sr, 
C: Ivica Zubac, Isaiah Hartenstein 

Strengths:

• Paul George & Veteran Leadership. This will be the year of Paul George as he will be looking to lead the Clippers to the postseason without Lawhi Leonard. We don’t know when Leonard will be back with his timetable but what we do know is that PG-13 will be in the MVP discussion all season long. Paul George has one of the smoothest games in the NBA mixed with a jumper/deadly crossover. If PG can take that ultimate leap as the leader again as he did in the playoffs then the Clippers will be right where they need to be in the postseason. Paul George will have some help as Reggie Jackson, Serge Ibaka, and Eric Bledsoe to name a few should see some extended time in the lineup. Serge Ibaka should be on his way back and will be able to shoulder a lot of the offensive load. Reggie Jackson showed a lot of emotion in his exit interview and he will be hungry to continue leveling up on every level of his game.

Weaknesses:

• Kawhi Leonard’s Health.  The only reason why the LA Clippers are this low is simply because of Kawhi’s injury and the fact we don’t know when he will be back. Kawhi is a top 10 talent and when he’s on the court with PG they’re one of the best duos in the NBA. Kawhi is a special talent that can’t be replaced but the Clippers will try to do so this upcoming season as Paul George tries to put on that Superman cape. Kawhi will be a loss for them until he’s back because his scoring and defense will truly be missed. A lot of players will need to step up in his absence because PG can’t do it alone. Once Kawhi is back with his team the Clippers will be back and definitely make a strong push in the playoffs come April.

Record Prediction: 45-37

6. Golden State Warriors (Finished Last Season 39-33, 9th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Andre Iguodala, F (Free Agency)
• Otto Porter Jr., F (Free Agency)
• Johnathan Kuminga, F (NBA Draft)
• Moses Moody, G (NBA Draft)

Key Losses:

• Kent Bazemore, G (Free Agency)
• Kelly Oubre, F (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Chris Chiozza, Jeff Dowtin
SG: Klay Thompson, Damion Lee, Moses Moody
SF: Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter Jr, Johnathan Kuminga
PF: Draymond Green, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nemanja Bjelica
C: James Wiseman, Kevon Looney

Strengths:

• The Splash Brothers.  Whenever you have the best shooting backcourt in NBA History back together it’s a wrap. Both Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson have unlimited range on the court. The last couple of seasons for the Warriors have been riddled with injuries and that should all come to a halt when Klay Thompson comes back on Christmas Day. The Warriors (crossing fingers) will be at full strength where they should be able to fight for one of the Top 6 spots in the Western Conference. The Warriors are very lethal when both Curry & Thompson are on the court together. Not many people in the NBA can hold one or the other so it will be a challenge for any defense. The Warriors have a lot of talent and the emergence of Jordan Poole in this preseason has come out of nowhere and he could be considered the Splash Lil Brother. With Draymond Green holding it down for the Warriors on the defensive end this should be a very special season for the Warriors if everything aligns properly when they get to the postseason.

Weaknesses:

• No Post Game Presence.  Golden State doesn’t have a true center that’s going to bang in the paint. That will be one of their weaknesses as teams will try to attack them inside especially with the fact Draymond Green can’t be everywhere. If James Wiseman can take that defensive step in his game things could look up for the Warriors but until that is seen we won’t know. The NBA has switched to the small ball at times but teams still have traditional big men which will make it tough for the Warriors in their playoff push. Look for the Warriors to try and make move before the deadline to sure up the frontcourt especially when Klay comes back at full strength.

Record Prediction: 47-35

5. Denver Nuggets (Finished Last Season 47-25, 3rd Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Jeff Green, F (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• None

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, PJ Dozier, Facundo Campazzo
SG: Will Barton, Austin Rivers, Markus Howard, Bones Hyland
SF: Michael Porter Jr, Jeff Green
PF: Aaron Gordon, JaMychal Green, Vlatko Cancar, Petr Cornelie
C: Nikola Jokic, Bol Bol, Zeke Nnaji

Strengths:

• The Joker. Nikola Jokic aka “The Joker” took over the NBA last season as he was able to capture his first MVP. He’s the heartbeat of this Nuggets team and they will go as far as he brings them. The great thing about Joker is the fact that he’s durable and played in all 72 games last season. Joker has all the skills on the offensive end to make sure that his teammates are in the right place at the right time. He’s the ultimate teammate and as soon as the Nuggets get Jamal Murray back from his injury they can make a scary push in the postseason. Jamal Murray and Nikola Joker together can take this team far but it was really good adding Jeff Green into the mix as he adds length with offense/defense. The Nuggets have a lot of depth and will be able to be a problem for any team in their way as soon as they get Murray back in the lineup.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive End & Pace.  One of the things that are holding the Nuggets back from getting to the promised land is the defense. If the Nuggets can defend at a high level they should be able to make that push. They have great perimeter players but they need to sure up the paint area as people were able to exploit them easily. Joker is a great player but needs to get better on the defensive end. Also, he needs to get a little quicker with his feet the thing that always helps him is his basketball IQ. The Nuggets will need to push the pace and start moving the ball quicker on both ends of the court. Overall if they move quicker and defend better the Nuggets could move up in the ranks for sure.

Record Prediction: 49-33

4. Dallas Mavericks (Finished Last Season 42-30, 5th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Reggie Bullock, G (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• Josh Richardson, G (Trade)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Jalen Brunson, Frank Ntlilikina, Trey Burke, JaQuori McLaughlin
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, Josh Green, Eugene Omoruyi
SF: Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, 
PF: Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber
C: Moses Brown, Willie Cauley-Stein, Boban Marjanovuic

Strengths:

• Luka Magic. If the Dallas Mavericks are going to make it anywhere it’s going to be on the magic carpet of Luka Doncic. Luka has been impressive since the day he’d stepped into the NBA and he has the potential to get the MVP this season. All Luka has done is dominate his competition and he’s continued to get better year by year. Luka just needs to work on his defense a little more but as far as offense Luka is like creating a player on 2K with 99 everything. If Luka can continue to grow as a leader and a teammate there’s no stopping him. The next level for Luka’s game is getting his teammates more involved and being able to notice when to attack/when to let his teammates go to work. Sometimes Luka will try to take over a game but he’s gassed. He’s young and paid now so this is the moment in his career where he will take the next step overall. If Luka and the Mavs will be successful they will need Porzingis at his NYK elite level. If the Mavs can get that version of KP then it can get spooky for teams in the NBA trust us.

Weaknesses:

• Defense,Defense,Defense.  The Mavericks need to get better on the defensive end and new head coach Jason Kidd will need to make it a priority. Defense is key to any championship run and with the Mavs in the bottom eight in that department over the last couple of seasons, it’s time for someone to take that side of the ball personally. Moses Brown is a huge addition that should be able to help in that department. He brings that energy to the defensive side with rebounding/blocking. Look for WCS to help as well but this Mavs team can be special if they defend. The Mavs get caught in too many shootout games and that has been a true issue in the postseason. You can do all the scoring shootouts in the regular season but in the playoffs, defenses lock-in. So Dallas will need to be a team that makes that turn in the postseason.

Record Prediction: 51-31

3. Phoenix Suns (Finished Last Season 51-21, 2nd Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• JaVale McGee, C (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• Torrey Craig, G (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Elfrid Payton
SG: Devin Booker, Chandler Hutchinson
SF: Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson, Abdel Nader
PF: Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky, 
C: DeAndre Ayton, JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith

Strengths:

• Coaching/Experience. The Phoenix Suns are a complete team and they will be coming back for that Western Conference Championship. They fell short of the NBA Championship against the Bucks last season but it was up for grabs. The addition of Chris Paul made everyone around him better from Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and DeAndre Ayton. The young group was good but when CP3 was added to the situation they became better as a unit. Chris Paul knew everyone’s sweet spot on the floor and he was able to continue to master the mid-range jumper as well. Devin Booker has emerged as a young Kobe next CP3 and he’s continued to get better every season. Devin Booker wants that championship and I know he will try to do anything he can to get back to the Finals. The Addition of McGee will help them in the paint as they didn’t have much of a presence once Ayton hit the bench and that will be clutch in the postseason for them. Monty Williams has this team playing at a high level and they believe in everything he teaches. When you have a team that buys into your message it’s a lot easier because they want it for him just as much as they do for themselves.

Weaknesses:

• Self Destruct.  The Phoenix Suns will get a big lead and then let the foot off the gas. If the Suns can put a lot of those teams away that they would allow to stay in games they would be great. They’re a complete team from offense to defense they need to be able to put their foot on the opponent’s neck and keep it there. It’s that simple because Phoenix has the pedigree to be a champion and successful once again.

Record Prediction: 53-29

2. Utah Jazz (Finished Last Season 52-20, 1st Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Offseason Acquisitions:

• Rudy Gay, F (Free Agency)
• Eric Paschall, F (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• Derrick Favors, C (Trade)
• Georges Niang, F (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Mike Conley, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Elfrid Payton
SG: Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, Trent Forrest, Elijah Hughes, Jared Butler
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, Joe Ingles, Miye Oni
PF: Eric Paschall, Malik Fitts, Udoka Azubuike
C: Rudy Gobert, Hassan Whiteside

Strengths:

• Defense & Spida. Utah has been one of the best regular-season teams in the NBA. The problem is they can’t translate that to playoff wins. The Jazz has Donovan Mitchell who’s been getting better year by year and he’s looking to take that next step. The next step for Mitchell is on the defensive end because if he turns into a two-way player he will be almost unstoppable. Mitchell is a special talent that has been unleashed but he will need to bring the Jazz with him to greatness. Last season Mitchell got a lot of help from Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson (6th Man of the Year) so they will need to continue to produce at that elite level for the Jazz to be one of the top teams again. The Jazz should do that because they’re one of the best defensive teams especially with Rudy Gobert in the paint blocking/swatting anything that comes in there. Rudy has been able to lock up the paint for years but he will need to continue to push his offensive game for the Jazz to make that deep run.

Weaknesses:

• Pace.  Sometimes the Utah Jazz will get caught in a shootout but the team isn’t built off the offense. The Jazz uses their defense to help them create offense. They will need to change that up and they need their pace to get better. If teams start running and gunning on the Jazz then it gets tough because they get caught going shot for shot. The Jazz need to move quicker with the league and they need to make sure they execute in the half-court in the postseason.

Record Prediction: 56-26

1. Los Angeles Lakers (Finished Last Season 42-30, 7th Seed in Western Conference)

2021 Key Offseason Acquisitions:

• Rajon Rondo, G (Free Agency)
• Carmelo Anthony, F (Free Agency)
• Russell Westbrook, G (Trade)
• Malik Monk, G (Free Agency)
• Kendrick Nunn, G (Free Agency)
• Trevor Ariza, F (Free Agency)
• Kent Bazemore, G (Free Agency)
• Avery Bradley, G (Free Agency)
• Wayne Ellington, G (Free Agency)
• Dwight Howard, C (Free Agency)
• DeAndre Jordan, C (Free Agency)

Key Losses:

• Kyle Kuzma, F (Trade)
• Montrezz Harrell, C (Trade)
• Alex Caruso, G (Free Agency)
• Dennis Schroder, G (Free Agency)

Roster and Depth Chart:

PG: Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves
SG: Kent Bazemore, Jalen Horton-Tucker, Avery Bradley, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk
SF: LeBron James, Trevor Ariza, Carmelo Anthony
PF: Anthony Davis, Sekou Doumbouya, 
C: DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Jay Huff, 

Strengths:

• 4 Headed Monster W/Depth. LeBron James is on a mission in Year 19 as LBJ is still at the top of his game as an MVP candidate every year. His game is unmatched as he can impact the game with scoring, defense, and IQ. It was clear after getting out in the 1st round against the Phoenix Suns that he was ready to load up. That is exactly what LeBron and the Lakers did this offseason. The Lakers brought in Russell Westbrook who will be able to take the ball out of LeBron’s hands to help have another playmaker where he can be able to play off the ball. Westbrook is on a star-studded team in LA that will be special especially with his triple-double abilities it could be a dominating season for the Lakers. So you add Russell Westbrook to this team and that will make things easier for Anthony Davis especially in the pick and roll. Anthony Davis’ issue has always been just being able to be healthy but if healthy he’s gonna be the anchor to this Lakers ship. Davis brings it on both sides of the court and no one can stop him it’s that simple. The Lakers also added Carmelo Anthony to this team as his mid-range game will be lethal in the playoffs. When it comes to ball if you have a team with all these All-Stars whether it be past or present they are still in a big position to win. The Lakers brought back Dwight Howard to help in the paint and added DeAndre Jordan which will be even crazier. LeBron and the Lakers were able to load up this roster from head to toe with shooters/defenders. it will be tough for anyone to get past this team in a 7 Game Series.

• Shooting Themselves Out Games.  The only way the Lakers will lose is if they run into a team that gets hot and the Lakers are not. It’s that simple because this team is complete but they will have some off nights. The losses will come from trying to get their chemistry down other than that the Lakers should be able to run through the league this year. People say that they’re old but trust me they won’t be in the playoffs.

Record Prediction: 61-21