First power rankings are here; starting with the Western Conference.
1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
It feels like the Lakers are very well equipped for the regular season with a roster full of veterans who are able to play every night against anybody with of course few young guns who can carry on at the times. I do not see any team in the West beating healthy Lakers in the series of 7 games just because they possess a cheat code whose name is Anthony Davis, pretty much unguardable and is probably the best defensive player in the NBA. Oh, there is one more guy who just had time to replenish his energy and health, LeBron is there and still holds the crown for the best player in the league when wants to and is able to play. With the addition of Russell Westbrook, LeBron can play as a secondary playmaker in the line-up which allows him to rest up and be ready for when it matters. THT got a new contract and is surrounded by future Hall of Famers, he needs to evolve his game to a new level this season. Many questions of course arise but there are many puzzle pieces for the Vogel to figure out everything until playoffs time but I think as long as AD plays center there should not be major issues. Can’t wait to see PnR actions with LeBron being a screener to Russ, a fun year ahead for the Lakers if they can stay fit.
2. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Clippers kept the team together as much as they could, they parted ways with PatBev and Rondo but added forgotten Eric Bledsoe. I would say they did not get better or worse with these moves, they added offense but lost defense. Terence Mann will need to take another step forward with his development. Luke Kennard got paid a lot for what he is (not) doing so he needs some kind of revenge season. The main thing for Clippers is similar to the Lakers, which is to stay healthy. I have put them in the 2nd spot with Kawhi being healthy but if he is out for the whole season they are likely to slide down the order.
3. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Warriors are back after two years of despair, many new faces since the last time they played playoffs. Deep roster with versitale players who can do many things on the court. Still few questions come to mind when talking about Warriors. Can Klay play defense as he played before injury, his shot will always be there but what made him unbelievably good was the defensive part. Another question is James Wiseman, where does his development status stand, will he be a player who can play a big role at the center position which is very delicate in Warriors basketball philosophy. I am guessing they will still run Draymond at 5 in crunch time no matter how good Wiseman gets. In my opinion, they still lack a backup playmaker, Darren Collison is the name that comes up lately and would be a great fit. We will see how two lottery picks develop this year, can they contribute right away or not. One thing is for sure, the Warriors will be playing playoffs this year and will fight for home-court advantage as long as Klay does not play any pickup games during the remaining of off-season.
4. DENVER NUGGETS
What a signing is Jeff Green for them, amazing. Nuggets will be again a nightmare in the playoffs, Murray will come back sometime during the second part of the season and get in the shape for the playoffs. I expect MPJ to blow up this year and average around 25ppg. This is the playoffs-ready team and although they will maybe not have the home-court advantage, I think they win in a series against every team listed below.
5. UTAH JAZZ
I really liked what they did this off-season. They needed to resign Conley, checked, they needed 3&D wing, Rudy Gay checked, they needed a backup center, Whiteside checked (defensive philosophy stays the same since Whiteside is also rim protector who cannot switch), they needed depth, added Eric Paschall and drafted Jared Butler who is both able to contribute right away. I expect a great regular season for them and home advantage in the playoffs. To me it seems like Jazz is the better team this year but still with the same issue when it comes to playoffs, they will never win a championship with Rudy Gobert playing center. It is shame that a man who is a multiple DPOY winner is not able to stay on the court because he is so abused by the opponent side, tells you enough about the people who are voting who should get rewards.
6. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Is it time for Luka MVP season yet? Depends on the Latvian diva Kristaps Porzinigis. Mavs season results will depend exclusively on how Porzingis plays both in the regular season and playoffs. I like the addition of Bullock (although a little bit overpriced) and Brown since they replace roster spots of Redick and Richardson, both of them did not play at all (Richardson did but it would have been better that he did not).
7. PHOENIX SUNS
Why are they so low, nothing specific actually. I just do not see them doing the same thing this year and I do not expect Chris Paul to be fit as he was last year. Monty Williams is a great motivator and if he is able to pull out a similar thing to last year then a big prop goes to him. I think Deandre Ayton has hit the ceiling of what he can be unless he comes out with a consistent three-point shot. The team stayed the same pretty much but I just don’t see them running it back.
8. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Blazers are on the right path but still need a major move to get going. The addition of Larry Nance Jr. is really great and exactly what they needed. The frontcourt of him and Nurkić looks just fine on both ends of the floor. Blazers struggle massively with defense last year and they can fix that this year by playing Covington at the 3 with the already mentioned frontcourt that would be a really solid defensive unit. Unfortunately, this will not happen because their three-headed monster of Lillard-CJ-Powell needs to play obviously. That is as I said wrong turn for them, simply put, one of them must play the sixth man in the rotation and eventually, depending on the situation, play crunch time instead of Nurkić/Covington/Nance Jr. What will Blazers do with this matter will be crucial on the season they have. Oh yes, they finally got a backup center who can actually benefit the second unit, welcome to Zeller.
9. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
One more solid year for Grizzlies as they continue to play a long-run game, they realized that there is not a possibility to be contenders in this setting so they will continue to sharp out their rotation and develop players. I would like to see Morant make one more step in the development and JJJ get back to his form before the injury. Also, looking forward to seeing rookie Williams play but he is also more of a long shot than contributing right now.
10. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Finally a good season for Minnesota in my eyes, I just wish they somehow trade for Ben Simmons. I hate that there is Dangelo Rusell in this team, he keeps the ball away from Edwards who needs to make the step forward in his development and Wolves need Edwards to become their Donovan Mitchell. Edwards makes a huge leap forward and the organization has a new vision with new owners which makes Timberwolves much better – that would be the ideal scenario.
11. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
One year later they are doing what they should have done the moment they realized they will draft Zion, spread the floor for him, and let him have a ball in his hands more. Could be a cool-season for them this year and I am expecting Zion to compete for the scoring champion title. Keep an eye out for the rookie Trey Murphy III, could go all-rookie first team.
12. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Similar to Blazers, very unbalanced rotation but with less talented players. They need to part ways with Hield as soon as possible and then they can move forward as a team. Looking forward to seeing a line-up with Fox-Mitchell-Haliburton, could be fun to watch the Kings this year.
13. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Spurs will not go into the season tanking but if they realize that playoffs are far away they may switch to tanking mode. Josh Primo is the next big thing in San Antonio, looking forward to his season.
14. HOUSTON ROCKETS
A lot of new guys with potential, can they turn it up in their rookie year? Jalen Green certainly can! I just want to see the Wall-Porter Jr.-Green lineup, please. Thunder-Rockets is a must-watch game definitely.
15. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Same thing as last year, developing players. If Giddey is the guy then they might not tank as hard as last year. Could be a fun team to watch.