11. Houston Rockets: So they lost Yao Ming, and there were scares that it would be permanently. These things happen. All in all, the Rockets made what they could out of a less than positive situation. They picked up Trevor Ariza and let head cases Ron Artest and Von Wafer walk. Perhaps they’re less talented now, but good news will hopefully be just around the bend. There are rumors T-Mac will be back and not in any shadowy echo of himself either. Keep in mind it’s a contract year for Tracy. I also have a feeling they’re still trying to land Marcin Gortat, and the center they’ve already brought in David Andersen could be a ringer in disguise. Besides, any off season that brings you Pops Mensah-Bonsu is a good one.
12. New Orleans Hornets: Emeka Okafor should fit in well with this team. He’s conscious enough for Chris Paul to use ably, and rather seems suited to the quiet fire CP3, Byron Scott, and David West radiate from down in the bayou. I really wish this team would break through, but look for them to struggle into the playoffs once again. Maybe Scott’s job will actually be at risk like the Sports Guy has been intimating for about a year (LINK?).
13. Charlotte Bobcats: Tyson Chandler makes this team interesting, and could draw a larger crowd if he makes good on some alley-oops with the ‘Cats host of middling young guards. This season really depends on Larry Brown’s management skills. I predict a bespectacled exodus around game 40.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: They got James Harden in the draft, and beyond that pretty much stayed pat. Etan Thomas will educate the kiddies. The real issue is Russell Westbrook angling for the team not to take Ricky Rubio with the 3rd pick. Can you imagine Rubio and Durant on the same team? The Beastie Boys would have to cut a new album just to redefine the meaning of “ill.” Think of the commercial possibilities! But I guess Westbrook is becoming the Mo Williams of the South-West. He’s the number two bullet in the gun, dammit! And you will respect and recognize him as such!
16. Indiana Pacers: It seems like the Pacers are spinning their wheels a bit. Bird says they’re waiting for a big star to come around and take this team solidly into contention. I don’t know when or why that would ever happen. This was a scrappy team last year, and it’ll continue to be so this year. Don’t expect them to make the playoffs though, even though they acquired Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, and Earl Watson. Actually, I take that back. I’m shaking in my boots. They did get rid of Jamaal Tinsley, which they’ve been trying to do for years.
17. Denver Nuggets: They could’ve done better, sure, but they kept some important pieces (namely Chris Andersen, but also Anthony Carter is nice too), so the off-season wasn’t exactly a bust, and Ty Lawson could be the steal of the draft. Still, losing Linas Kleiza hurts, and Dahntay Jones’ departure doesn’t help. Malik Allen and Arron Afflalo won’t make up for that production. Denver seems to be saying they were close enough last season, but can they really push the Lakers without having made any changes?
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: For all the headlines, the team didn’t make much of a splash this off season. Jonny Flynn will have his moments, and it’s kind of nice he doesn’t have to worry about Ricky Rubio, but the Wolves are still fairly thin across the board. Sessions looks to be slotted in next to Flynn in the starting lineup, which will be a nice experiment for the two young guards, but it’s not a lasting solution. The real question is did the off season allow Al Jefferson to get physically prepared for a return to action? Here’s hoping Kurt Rambis gets a few wins in what will probably be a difficult year.
19. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans will be a stud. That much, I think, is clear. The Kings didn’t do much else this off season – they acquired Sean May and Sergio Rodriguez – and they desperately need to. We'll see if the Paul Westphal signing does anything.
paul westphal, originally uploaded by bballchico.
