The Southwest can be a bit tricky to predict. San Antonio is aging, so is Dallas. Houston has Yao Ming back but will he be the same Yao Ming? Memphis added Tony Allen but will he be a big difference maker. New Orleans has all world Chris Paul and David West but what else?
1. Houston
Point Guard Aaron Brooks Kyle Lowry
Shooting Guard Kevin Martin Courtney Lee Jermaine Taylor
Small Forward Shane Battier Chase Budinger Mike Harris
Power Forward Luis Scola Chuck Hayes Jared Jeffries Patrick Patterson Alexander Johnson
Center Yao Ming Brad Miller Jordan Hill
Looks like Houston added depth every where but where they finish ends up with Yao Ming in his comeback season. They could beat out Dallas and give the Lakers fits in a 2nd or 3rd Round matchup.
2. Dallas
Point Guard Jason Kidd Rodrigue Beaubois Jose Juan Barea
Shooting Guard Caron Butler Jason Terry Dominique Jones
Small Forward Shawn Marion DeShawn Stevenson
Power Forward Dirk Nowitzki Brian Cardinal Alexis Ajinca
Center Brendan Haywood Tyson Chandler Ian Mahinmi
I put Dallas right there with Houston in this division over the other Texas teams only because they have the most depth in the division. I know that the same cast of characters has been here a long time and they have a good coach.
3. San Antonio
Point Guard Tony Parker George Hill Garrett Temple Curtis Jerrells
Shooting Guard Manu Ginobili James Anderson Gary Neal
Small Forward Richard Jefferson Alonzo Gee
Power Forward Tim Duncan DeJuan Blair Matt Bonner
Center Antonio McDyess Tiago Splitter
I picked them third due to lack of depth and age all around the starters. If they lose enough man games to injury, this team could be in trouble for making the playoffs.
4. Memphis
Point Guard Mike Conley Acie Law Greivis Vasquez
Shooting Guard O.J. Mayo Tony Allen Damien Wilkins
Small Forward Rudy Gay Sam Young DeMarre Carroll Xavier Henry
Power Forward Zach Randolph Darrell Arthur
Center Marc Gasol Hasheem Thabeet Hamed Haddadi
Memphis has chosen to build a team around Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, and OJ Mayo. Tony Allen is a backup SG. Save your pennies kid. Does Marc compare favorably to Pau? Thabeet or not Thabeet? That is the question. They are going in the right direction but they will still be fighting a numbers game in the WC.
5. New Orleans
Point Guard Chris Paul Mustafa Shakur
Shooting Guard Marco Belinelli Marcus Thornton Willie Green
Small Forward Trevor Ariza Peja Stojakovic Quincy Pondexter
Power Forward David West Jason Smith Joe Alexander
Center Emeka Okafor Aaron Gray D.J. Mbenga
I am not impressed with this lineup - Chris Paul deserves better than this. And how did Trevor Ariza end up here? Who is Marco Belinelli? And how is Peja Stojakovic still in this league. Looks like Ole Larry in Indiana may have pulled a fast one in acquiring Darren Collison for flotsam. Look for a Chris Paul trade this winter.
Topic: Southwest Division Preview (Read 988 times)