Will the new-look Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard live up to expectations? Are the Clippers a championship team or just a really good team?
Will Andrew Bogut and Stephen Curry be in the lineup enough to help the Warriors fight for a playoff spot? How will the Suns’ season pan out in the post Steve Nash era?
Division Standings Predictions
1. Los Angeles Lakers (60-22)
2. Los Angeles Clippers (54-28)
3. Golden State Warriors (42-40)
4. Phoenix Suns (34-48)
5. Sacramento Kings (21-61)
Next Page: Los Angeles Lakers
1. Los Angeles Lakers- 41-25 (2011-12)
There is not much doubt the Lakers are the class of the Pacific Division, but whether or not they are the class of the entire Western Conference, or the entire NBA for that matter, is yet to be determined.
Two of the biggest questions surrounding the Lakers’ newly formed starting lineup, consisting of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace, is whether or not the can stay healthy and/or form chemistry.
Thanks to members of both the starting lineup and reserve unit missing time this preseason, the starting five only played one game together,
Barring a major injury, the Lakers should be ready for a deep playoff run this spring. It’s just going to take a while for the team to start clicking on all cylinders, which could lead to some unexpected, early season losses.
The Lakers were one of the worst three-point shooting teams (25th in three-point percentage) in the league last season, in addition to having one of the worst benches (dead last in scoring in 2011-12).
Jodie Meeks, who is best known for his outside shooting prowess, will look to improve the team’s outside shooting woes and bolster the bench this season, which also boasts the likes Antawn Jamison, Jordan Hill and Devin Ebanks.
If Meeks for some reason can’t find his groove in purple and gold, the team’s bench may struggle to put points on the board for the second straight season.
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard
Key Additions: Steve Nash and Dwight Howard
Key Losses: Andrew Bynum
Next Page: Los Angeles Clippers
2. Los Angeles Clippers- 40-26 (2011-12)
The Clippers will win 50 games this season and will likely be a top four team in the conference. Chris Paul alone will make this team competitive 
But I can’t help but think the Clippers are one of those teams that are good but not good enough. It’s still to be determined if the team’s starting frontcourt, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, is ready to evolve from being best known as great, athletic dunkers. From what I have seen in the preseason, Griffin’s overall game on both ends of the court seems to be more honed than it was at the end of last season, even after suffering a meniscus tear before the start of the Olympics in July.
Despite the new additions, it seems as though many of the positions played by the newcomers overlap with one another, potentially causing a logjam in the rotation.
After being named the Sixth Man of the Year in 2010-11 playing for the Lakers, Odom battled demons last season after being traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks after the vetoed Chris Paul trade, eventually being dismissed by Mark Cuban and Co. If the Clippers get an Odom who has everything together above the shoulders, they are a completely different team.
Key Players: Chris Paul and Blake Griffin
Key Additions: Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford
Next Page: Golden State Warriors
3. Golden State Warriors- 23-43 (2011-12)
Yes, I have the Warriors finishing the season with a winning record and fighting for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. But that 
Curry injured his surgically repaired ankle earlier this month (but is expected to play in the season opener), and Bogut is still looking to make his comeback after having ankle surgery last January.
The team also has a solid core of complimentary players to surround Curry, Bogut and David Lee with. The team had a successful off-season, signing backup point guard Jarrett Jack and rugged forward Carl Landry through free agency. Shooting guard Klay Thompson will also look to improve on his rookie season numbers of 12.5 points per game and 41 percent three-point field goal percentage.
Harrison Barnes will likely be the Warriors’ starting small forward opening night, but unlike some of the other players who were drafted before him, he won’t have the pressure on his shoulders of rescuing a franchise from futility. This will allow him to play a relaxed, more natural brand of basketball for a team who could be fighting for a playoff spot. Expect Barnes to snag some Rookie of the Year votes at the end of the season.
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Bogut
Key Additions: Harrison Barnes
Next Page: Phoenix Suns
4. Phoenix Suns- 33-33 (2011-12)
For the last two seasons the Suns have been on the outside looking in come playoff time. And that was with Steve Nash in the 
This current Suns team reminds me of the Houston Rockets squads of the last several season. They are a tough and competitive team, there’s just not enough talent to crack the postseason.
After spending the start of his career as a backup, Marcin Gortat proved his worth last season as a starting center in the NBA, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds. But that was while playing alongside Steve Nash. This is Gortat’s chance to prove last season’s performance wasn’t solely a byproduct of playing with Nash.
Key Players: Marcin Gortat, Michael Beasley and Luis Scola
Key Additions: Michael Beasley and Luis Scola
Key Losses: Steve Nash
Next Page: Sacramento Kings
5. Sacramento Kings- 22-44 (2011-12)
For the fifth straight season, the Kings will finish in the cellar of the Pacific Division and likely the entire Western 
Sophomore point guard Isaiah Thomas and the sharpshooting Marcus Thornton have the capability of filling up the box score as well. Unfortunately, none of the team’s players have the maturity or ability at the moment to be a strong leader. Young talent is one thing. But without no direction or organization so to speak, it’s all for naught.
The Kings don’t have much leadership on the sidelines, either. Coach Keith Smart heads into this season with only one full season of coaching experience under his belt.
Jimmer Fredette is looking to bounce back after a disappointing rookie season (averages of seven points and two assists). If he has another sluggish campaign, the former college standout will likely start hearing whispers of being a bust.
Key Players: DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans
