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Guard Brandon Roy is PortlandÂs best player, and if center Greg Oden develops, Trail Blazers could threaten Lakers hegemony in the West. (Steve Dykes / US Presswire) |
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1. Lakers
2008-09 record: 65-17, No. 1 in West.
New: Ron Artest.
Gone: Trevor Ariza.
FOR THE RECORD:
Western Conference preview: In the Oct. 25 Sports section, the Western Conference preview for the NBA season said the Utah Jazz was 48-24 last year. Utah was 48-34. —
It's nice when champions get even stronger, not to mention good timing. With rivals regrouping, they won't win the West by 11 games again. I don't even expect them to win 65 again. Ariza fit effortlessly and Artest is Artest, but the key is Andrew Bynum, lost last spring, relocated this fall. If Bynum gets over the hump, they're still the best thing going.
2. Portland
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: Andre Miller, Juwan Howard.
Gone: Channing Frye.
Like the Lakers, speculation revolves around their new player, Miller, but the real question is their young center. Greg Oden, a bust as a rookie, averaged 14 points and 9.7 rebounds in 22 minutes this preseason. With their own dynamic duo, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, a big move by Oden means a big future, maybe even now.
3. San Antonio
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Keith Bogans, second-round pick DeJuan Blair.
Gone: Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas, Drew Gooden, Ime Udoka.
The team that won four titles from 1999 to 2007 limped through the last two seasons before the crowning indignity, last spring's 4-1 first-round loss to Dallas. Missing the player they wanted, Rasheed Wallace, who went to Boston, the Spurs still found long-sought replacements. If they're not The Spurs they are still capable of moving back up, if not all the way to a title, enough to let the Lakers know they're still around.
4. Denver
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: No. 1 pick Ty Lawson, Joey Graham, Arron Afflalo.
2008-09 record: 65-17, No. 1 in West.
New: Ron Artest.
Gone: Trevor Ariza.
FOR THE RECORD:
Western Conference preview: In the Oct. 25 Sports section, the Western Conference preview for the NBA season said the Utah Jazz was 48-24 last year. Utah was 48-34. —
It's nice when champions get even stronger, not to mention good timing. With rivals regrouping, they won't win the West by 11 games again. I don't even expect them to win 65 again. Ariza fit effortlessly and Artest is Artest, but the key is Andrew Bynum, lost last spring, relocated this fall. If Bynum gets over the hump, they're still the best thing going.
2. Portland
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: Andre Miller, Juwan Howard.
Gone: Channing Frye.
Like the Lakers, speculation revolves around their new player, Miller, but the real question is their young center. Greg Oden, a bust as a rookie, averaged 14 points and 9.7 rebounds in 22 minutes this preseason. With their own dynamic duo, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, a big move by Oden means a big future, maybe even now.
3. San Antonio
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Keith Bogans, second-round pick DeJuan Blair.
Gone: Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas, Drew Gooden, Ime Udoka.
The team that won four titles from 1999 to 2007 limped through the last two seasons before the crowning indignity, last spring's 4-1 first-round loss to Dallas. Missing the player they wanted, Rasheed Wallace, who went to Boston, the Spurs still found long-sought replacements. If they're not The Spurs they are still capable of moving back up, if not all the way to a title, enough to let the Lakers know they're still around.
4. Denver
2008-09 record: 54-28, No. 2 (tie).
New: No. 1 pick Ty Lawson, Joey Graham, Arron Afflalo.
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