Who Will Challenge the Lakers in the West?
Sean Deveney - SportingNews.com
Oct 25, 2010
It's not difficult to pick the favorite in the Western Conference -- that would be the Lakers, who have won the conference three straight years. But trying to figure out who is the likely No. 2 team in the West is a much tougher proposition.
The runner up in the conference last year, Phoenix, suffered a major blow when power forward Amare Stoudemire left for New York in free agency. The Suns attempted to make up for that loss by adding depth -- forwards Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress -- but their situation seems to be typical of most teams in the West. No matter how much a team may improve, it just doesn't look like anyone is going to get hold of the Lakers.
The team that took on the Lakers in the conference finals the year before -- the Nuggets -- could soon follow Phoenix in losing its star player, small forward Carmelo Anthony, who has refused to sign an extension and is likely to be traded. Denver has the talent to be a factor in the West, but the Anthony mess means they just won't be a threat to the Lakers.
"I think it'll affect his teammates a lot more," Hall of Famer Kevin McHale said of the Anthony situation. "It's a lot harder to play with a guy when you're wondering if he wants to be there. I think Carmelo will be fine. It's how his teammates adjust to a guy that [they're wondering], is he all the way in? Is he in the foxhole with us?' It's always harder for the teammates, especially with a superstar like Melo who always puts up great numbers."
Dallas has a very deep lineup and Dirk Nowitzki. The Spurs could have the healthiest bunch that they've had in years. The Blazers are still an exciting young team, as long as they can stay healthy. The Thunder have Kevin Durant, who has established himself as one of the top five players in the game. The Jazz were the best team in the preseason, and the Rockets have a rehabbed Yao Ming. All good teams and fine candidates -- for second place. Because none are close to the Lakers.
Deveney's All-West team
PG Deron Williams, Jazz. He has a rare combination of size, strength, scoring ability and playmaking skill.
SG Kobe Bryant, Lakers. At 32, he may not have the overwhelming athleticism of some younger opponents, but he wins.
SF Kevin Durant, Thunder. Only 22 and already the best pure scorer in the league -- and he's still improving.
PF Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks. Entering his 13th year, he is coming off back-to-back seasons of at least 25 points per game.
C Tim Duncan, Spurs. He has lost a step, but he is still reliable.
Second team
PG Steve Nash, Suns
SG Brandon Roy, Blazers
SF Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
PF Pau Gasol, Lakers
C Al Jefferson, Jazz
MVP
Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder. Durant's performance in this summer's World Championship was further evidence of his ability to take over a game.
Coach of the year
Alvin Gentry, Suns. With Amare Stoudemire gone, expectations have been lowered in Phoenix, but Gentry should keep the team in the West playoffs.
Rookie of the year
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kings. He could eventually become a force in a conference that has suddenly found itself light on big men.
Going up - team
Oklahoma City Thunder
SN says: Oklahoma City was a big surprise last season, winning 50 games and earning the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. This time around, expect some advancement in the postseason.
Thunder SF Kevin Durant says: "We improved a lot last year. But I think that was just the beginning. We are just scratching the surface of what we can do."
Going up - player
Hakim Warrick, PF, Suns
SN says: Warrick struggled with Milwaukee and Chicago last season, but the Suns' uptempo style should be a perfect fit for his versatility and athleticism.
Warrick says: "I know a lot of people will be expecting me to come in and replace Amare (Stoudemire). But I think I will do best if I just focus on my game."
Going down - team
Denver Nuggets
SN says: Plenty of problems have popped up in Denver in the past year, but none so big as the hoopla surrounding the potential trade of Carmelo Anthony.
Hall of Famer Rick Barry says: "The Nuggets have themselves painted into a corner. It's a no-win situation for them because that is going to hang over that team until they make a deal."
Going down - player
Yao Ming, C, Rockets
SN says: He's coming back from a foot injury that will limit his minutes, so his numbers will slide.
Hall of Famer Kevin McHale says: "They're doing the right thing because he is still a young guy and you have to think about his whole career and not just this year."
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
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