The SLAM NBA Preview: Southwest Division
SLAM’s official predictions for the 2006-07 NBA season…
A few years ago, I came up with the idea of running individual NBA team previews on The Links, and having each team’s preview written by a fan of that team. Nowadays, all the fans have their own blogs, and every NBA site (including ours, thank you) has been having fans/bloggers review their team’s chances for the upcoming year.
So in order to flip the script a little, I’m going to do quick NBA previews for each division. I wrote a gargantuan NBA preview in SLAM 103 (on newstands now!), and I’m using the illustrations from that issue here (drawn by the terrific Mike T).
If you want to read my full predictions and thoughts you’ve gotta go buy the magazine. But here’s how I ranked them and why.
Today, the Southwest Division…
How I picked it in the magazine:
1) Dallas Mavericks
2) San Antonio Spurs
3) New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
4) Houston Rockets
5) Memphis Grizzlies
Why I picked them that way:
The Mavs were really good last season in so many ways — don’t forget they won 60 games last year while playing in one of the toughest divisions in the League — but all anyone remembers is their collapse in the NBA Finals. And that’s really what it was, a complete 
and total collapse. No way that happens again, unless the refs start giving a player on the other team all the calls. (And that would never happen, right?) I think Dallas is going to win the West, but I’m not going to print my NBA champs pick until next week.
You guys know I have great respect for Gregg Popovich and Spurs GM RC Buford, who are each among the best in the world at what they do. But I still don’t get the Jackie Butler/Francisco Elson signings. Are those really the best centers the Spurs could find? What the Spurs do have going for them is that the Tim Duncan Robot, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all healthy and raring to go. (And isn’t it dope that we finally got a picture of the Tim Duncan Robot?)
I think the Hornets may have had the best offseason in the NBA. Peja Stojakovic wasn’t much in Indy, but he’s going to get wide-open looks for N’awlins, with Chris Paul setting him up over and over. I’ve always thought Tyson Chandler was underrated, and drafting Ced Simmons and Hilton Armstrong gives them unprecedented interior depth. I also really like David West. An official Wild Card Squad this season.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt better and better about the Rockets, who seem to coming together, and I thought the signing of Bonzi Wells was going to at least give them another offensive option. But now Yao’s hurt, Bonzi skipped out of training camp, and I still want to see T-Mac have a healthy season before I bank on him.
Kyle Lowry and Rudy Gay have looked great in the preseason. The only problem is that there’s no Pau Gasol, at least not for a while. And without Pau, the Grizzlies will struggle.
14 Responses to “The SLAM NBA Preview: Southwest Division”
Oct.27 at 4:52 pm
klobben says:
Spurs and Mavs will fight for the division title. Hornets might be good. Peja has got his hair back since 2003 but has he got his shot back?
Oct.27 at 5:02 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i remember when duncan came out of wake forrest, he was considered a center. but because the spurs already had mr admiral already, they put him as a 4. well it really doesn’t matter what position it is, TD’s just gonna get the job done.
i’m really hoping for spurs to win another ring, but mavs definitely did a lot better in offseason moves to bolster their bench. they got rid of the spare parts that didn’t work out last year and brought in upgraded versions of last year’s bench (anthony johnson > darrell armstrong, croshere > KVH, buckner = adrian griffin + 3 point range, devean george = marquis daniels). taken into account that the core of the group got a year of Finals experience under their belt, it’s hard to argue against that.
rockets and hornets are equally fascinating. i watched the rockets/heat preseason game and i think the new additions are all great hustle players who are also great shooters. it’s like the 2004 cast, except much much younger and more athletic. tmac was definitely the engine, so let’s hope it doesn’t stall. hornets are intriguing because of chris paul (ricky bobby you ain’t special, this guy has two first names too!). he may actually revive peja’s career and make chandler a stud.
grizz are…well…i think i’ll check out their games when pau comes back. i actually hope they don’t make it to the playoff (and hope that spot is claimed by warriors), so the Logo would actually blow up the team and start again. they ain’t going nowhere fast.
Oct.27 at 5:14 pm
Brian says:
I was ready to laugh about the Spurs signing Butler and Elson until I remembered that the Pistons signed Mazr Mohammed. F’ me!
Oct.27 at 5:38 pm
Ron Hitley says:
Finally, somebody giving the Hornets credit. I was beginning to think the whole damn internet was against them.
Oct.27 at 6:50 pm
sheed33 says:
1. mavs (dirk just rules the game, not the refs, he’s still no US-Superstar, LeBron gets all the stepps, wade gets all the free throw shots he wants)
2. spurs (so close, who would you try to get at C, Lang, Eddy Curry???)
3. rockets (they will come together)
4. hornets (peja is ooold)
5. grizzlies (no loss for the playoffs)
Oct.27 at 9:58 pm
next says:
the spurs unloaded rasho’s TERRIBLE contract and got 2 servicable big men on the cheap. 1 manu ginobili foul from going to the championship n most likely winning back2back rings. though what about luis scola?
Oct.28 at 12:59 am
DP says:
LISTENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
1. MAVS(DIRK, HOWARD, HARRIS, JET, STACKHOUSE, DAMPIER(HE FROM MISSISSIPPI)MUST I GO ON?
2.SPURS(DON’T LIKE THEM BUT THEY WIN)
3.HORNETS(PAUL; ENOUGH SAID)
4.ROCKETS( T MAC AND YAO ARE PRETTY GOOD TOGETHER)
5.GRIZZ(PAU WILL DOMINATE BUT NOT ENOUGH)
PLAY WIT IT
Oct.28 at 3:50 am
albert says:
dude that trobot picture IS pretty dope!
Oct.28 at 11:21 am
MG says:
Lang, As good of a writer you are, I would have to say that I lost a little respect for you. Well lets not go so far as to say respect but I would definitely like to ask what were you smoking when you rated the Nawlins Hornets over my H-Town Rockets. I know that T-Mac says he is back and everyone wants to see how he fairs in the actual season but you said that Yao is injured but he defintely is not. I know he sprained his ankle somewhat but he said it himself that it was nothing. The signing of Bonz and Shane are huge for us because it not only gives us two more options on offense but Shane is a good defender. We havent even gotten to Kirk Snyder, Steve Novak and John Lucas. I will stop here and just let the season play on and you will see it for yourself.
Oct.29 at 3:57 pm
Matthijs says:
Fransisco Elson is originally from my favorite basketballteam in the world: Rotterdam Basketball, they’re in the Dutch league. He can ball, given the proper coaching and right people around him. He’s the next Rik Smits, mark my words! Actually, Rotterdam Basketball is my second fav team. Westland Stars all the way!
Oct.30 at 1:21 pm
brickowski says:
What the Spurs did over the summer was get more versatile while unloading a little salary. Francisco Elson is a big man who can run and maybe turn into a shotblocker like Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic did upon arriving in San Antonio. Jackie Butler is losing weight and the coaches are focusing on bringing out his inner Moses Malone. Matt Bonner should help Robert Horry stretch the floor with his outside shooting so Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Michael Finley will have room to operate. Duncan’s going to play more center for the Spurs as well, and he’s in great physical shape again.
Look out for the highly motivated Spurs this year, they might improve on last year’s 63 wins if they stay healthy.
Couple other things to note: Parker’s outside shooting and free throws are looking much improved, and Manu Ginobili’s going to mix in a pull up jumper more this year.
Oct.31 at 2:19 am
Chris says:
yo kenobi: “croshere > KVH” thats totally a matter of opinion eh? could you really be definitive on THAT one? sorry had to laugh about the titanic croshere and KVH comparison (still glad grunwald missed out on croshere, that woulda sent us to memphis before the griz)
Dec.14 at 10:03 pm
Ram #3 says:
Its the Spurs All the way.
if the mavs can’t stop them then their ain’t a damn thang that can stop them in the East.
Dec.18 at 11:36 pm
steph says:
travelled all the way to san antonio from canada last month, and will do so to watch my spurs take over the finals and get their 4th!!!