-Originally published 12/22/20-

1) LA Lakers
2) LA Clippers
3) Denver Nuggets
4) Golden State Warriors
5) Houston Rockets
6) Dallas Mavericks
7) Utah Jazz
8) Portland Trail Blazers
__________________
9) Phoenix Suns
10) New Orleans Pelicans
11) Memphis Grizzlies
12) Minnesota Timberwolves
13) San Antonio Spurs
14) Sacramento Kings
15) Oklahoma City Thunder

Northwestern

Denver Nuggets
Last Season 46-27
Lost to LA Clippers 4-3 in 2^nd round
Projected Starters:
PG *Jamal Murray (18.5 ppg, 4 reb, 4.8 ast, 1 stl, 45 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SG *Gary Harris (10.4 ppg, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1.4 stl, 42 Fg%, 33 3p%)
SF Michael Porter Jr. (9.3 ppg, 4.7 reb, 51 Fg%, 42 3p%)
PF *Paul Millsap (11.6 ppg, 5.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 stl, 48 Fg%, 43.5 3p%)
C *Nikola Jokic (20 ppg, 9.7 reb, 7 ast, 1.2 stl, 52.8 Fg%, 31 3p%)

Denver has played some epic playoff series the past couple years going to seven games 4 times. Last season’s Denver came back from two 3-1 season defeats against the Jazz and Clippers to pull two huge upsets before falling to the Lakers in 5. Jamal Murray looked excellent in the bubble and is truly a start now along with Nikola Jokic. Michael Porter Jr will log more minutes with space freeing up in front of him. Bol Bol is eligible for Rookie of the Year this season and his goal is to win the award. Both Porter and Bol will be exciting to watch as they’re integrated into the rotation with increased playing time. Monte Morris (9p/2r/3.5a/46 Fg%/ 37 3p%) and Will Barton (15p/6r/3a/45 Fg%/37.5 3p%) are excellent shooters off the bench. Jamychal Green (7p/6r/38 3p%) was a great free agent addition. Rookie forward Zeke Nnaji and wing RJ Hampton were late first round picks that’ll have to carve out their roles. Hampton could be sneaky good, he was a top high school recruit that played overseas for a year rather than going to college.

Denver will be an awesome team to watch this season. Jamal Murry can drop 50 any night and is an excellent complement to Jukic’s passing ability and forces defenses to do some weird things to cover all that those two allow them to do. Porter Jr and Bol Bol’s development give the offense two more big long weapons.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Season 19-45
Projected Starters:
PG *D’Angelo Russell (23 ppg, 4 reb, 6.3 ast, 1.4 stl, 41 Fg%, 34.5 3p%)
SG *Malik Beasley (11 ppg, 2 reb, 2 ast, 47 Fg%, 38 3p%)
SF *Josh Okogie (8 ppg, 4 reb, 1 stl, 42 Fg%)
PF Jake Layman (9 ppg, 2.5 reb, 45 Fg%, 33 3p%)
C *Karl-Anthony Towns (26.5 ppg, 10.8 reb, 4.4 ast, 1.2 blk, 1 stl, 50 Fg%, 41 3p%)

Minnesota made the biggest move since the Kevin Garnett Trade and shipped out underwhelming Andrew Wiggins to the Warriors for D’Angelo Russell. KAT and Russell are buddies and bringing the two together will hopefully allow the Timberwolves to hold onto their star center and build a contender. Okogie, rookie Anthony Edwards, last season’s 1^st rounder Jarrett Culver (9p/3/1s) and undrafted 2019 pick-up Naz Reid are pieces for the future. Culver can handle and will play some point with returning guard Ricky Rubio (13 ppg, 4.7 reb, 8.8 ast, 1.4 stl, 41.5 Fg%, 36 3p%). Reid was a projected lottergy pick at one point, but slowly dropped in a good draft class. I was high on him and he’s looked good in his minutes with the Wolves. There isn’t much depth in the backcourt. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (7p/4r/2a/47 Fg%), Ed Davis… Juan Hernangomez (6 ppg, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 45 Fg%, 42 3p%). The West is brutal and the T-Wolves will need to see young guys really develop and find their roles and develop chemistry this season.


Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Season 44-28
Lost to 4-3 to Houston in 1^st round
Projected Starters:
PG *Shai Gilgerous-Alexander (19 ppg, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 47 Fg%, 34.7 3p%)
SG Hamidou Diallo (6 ppg, 3.6 reb, 44 Fg%)
SF *Luguentz Dort (7 ppg, 2 reb, 1 stl, 39.5 Fg%, 29.7 3p%)
PF Darius Bazley (5.6 ppg, 4 reb, 39.4 Fg%, 34.8 3p%)
C Al Horford (12 ppg, 7 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 45 Fg%, 35 3p%)

Vets Al Horford, George Hill, Trevor Ariza, and Mike Muscala are just hanging out. 2017 draft picks Justin Jackson, Frank Jackson, T.J. Leaf have found their way onto the roster as young guys that can still develop. The real story is the starting quartet of Shai G-A, Diallo, Dort, Bazley, 2019 2^nd rounder Isaiah Roby and Rookies Theo Maledon and Aleksej Pokusevski. OKC will find out which if any of those seven recent picks are going to be part of the rebuild. The Thunder have 16 first round picks over the next six years. That’s three more picks than they have roster spots available. Of course some will be packaged in trades to either move up in drafts or to acquire free agents, but it’s entirely possible that none of these players will be on the team in a couple years outside of the emerging Shai Gilgerous-Alexander.

Portland Trail Blazers
Last Season 35-39-
Lost to Lakers 4-1 in 1^st round
Projected Starters:
PG *Damian Lillard (30 ppg, 4 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl, 46 Fg%, 40 3p%)
SG *CJ Mccollum (22 ppg, 4 reb, 4.4 ast, 45 Fg%, 38 3p%)
SF Derrick Jones Jr (8.5 ppg, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 52 Fg%)
PF *Robert Covington (12 ppg, 6.6 reb, 1.7 stl, 43.5 Fg%, 34 3p%)
C *Jusuf Nurkic (17 ppg, 10 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 1.4 stl, 49.5 Fg%)

The Blazers had a rough start to the season with multiple injuries including Lillard and Nurkic. They rallied and won the first play-in playoff game against the Grizzlies for the righter to lose against the Lakers in the 1^st round of the Playoffs. It was a major disappointment after making the Western Conference final against the Warriors in 2019 (also a sweep). Carmelo Anthony (15p/6r/38.5 3p%) returns as a starter coming off the bench. Gary Trent Jr (9p/35 Fg%, 41 3p%) and Rodney Hood (11p/3r/50 Fg%, 49 3p%) have been part of a solid rotation. Anfernee Simons (8p/2r) Enes Kanter (8p/7r/57 Fg%), Harry Giles III (7p/4r),  Zach Collins (7p/6r) and 2019 pick Nassir Little make up the rest of the bench.  The Blazers are essentially “running it back” and hoping good health will provide them with results closer to 2019 than 2020. The top core of Lillard, McCollum, Nurkic, and Carmelo and compete with anyone. Contributions from Covington, Trent, Hood, Kanter can place this team with all the best in the West, competing for #2 behind the Lakers.

Utah Jazz
Last Season 44-28-
Lost to Nuggets 4-3 in 1^st round
Projected Starters:
PG *Mike Conley (14 ppg, 3 reb, 4 ast, 43 Fg%, 33 3p%)
SG *Donovan Mitchell (24 ppg, 4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 45 Fg%, 36 3p%)
SF *Bojan Bogdanovic (20 ppg, 4 reb, 2 ast, 44 Fg%, 41 3p%)
PF *Royce O’Neale (6 ppg, 5.5 reb, 2.5 ast, 43 Fg%, 37 3p%)
C *Rudy Gobert (15 ppg, 13.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 2 blk, 69 Fg%)

The eight man rotation with Jordan Clarkson (15 ppg, 2 reb, 2 ast, 46 Fg%, 36 3p%), Joe Ingles (10p/4r/5a/ 44 Fg%, 40 3p%), and Derrick Favors (9p/10r/1b, 61 Fg%) reunites the band. It seems Gobert has made peace with his team after being the first know NBA player to test positive for covid. Rookie Udoka Azubuike out of Kansas is a true center that could be groomed to replace Gobert, his contract is up after this season. Utah led the league with 38 3p% and 6^th in fg% (47.1%). They were 9^th best in the league allowing 108.8 ppg defensively. This is a great team that’ll rely on Mitchell continuing to grow to try and push this team to the Western Conference Finals. Mike Conley will have to operate at a high level and the bench will have to continue to play a high level.

Pacific

Golden State Warriors
Last Season 15-50
Projected Starters:
PG *Stephen Curry (5 Games played last season)
SG *Andrew Wiggins (20 ppg, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 45 Fg%, 34 3p% -12 Games w/Warriors)
SF Kelly Oubre JR (19.7 ppg, 6 reb, 1.5 ast, 1 stl, 45 Fg%, 35 3p%)
PF *Draymond Green (8 ppg, 6 reb, 6 ast, 1.4 stl, 39 Fg%, 28 3p%)
C James Wiseman (Rookie)

Klay Thompson suffering another injury was devastating. The Warriors had a legitimate chance to win another title if he was healthy this season. As it stands, they’ll still have enough firepower to compete in the West. Curry has looked awesome in the preseason and Wiggins and Oubre are great additions. This is a squad where the culture can chemistry can help push the talent through a tough playoff season, the opposite of a team like the Clippers last year. 2019 picks Eric Paschall (14p/4r/2a) and Jordan Poole (9p/2r/2a) received plenty of playing time last year with all of the injuries. As did Damion Lee (12p/5r/2a/35 3p%) and Marquese Chriss (9r/6r/2a) who is still only 23 despite bouncing around several teams. Brad Wanamaker (7p/2r/2.5a/45 Fg%, 36 3p%) was snatched up off the Celtics, Kent Bazemore (9p/4r/1s) was added for scoring, and Kevon Looney returns after injury issues of his own. He was a solid start for the Warriors in 2019. Hopefully rookie James Wiseman can make an impact by mid-season. I expect this squad to be able to win a series in the playoffs, maybe they’ll return to the Western Conference finals. The defense is really hurt without Klay and I’m not sure who, outside of Draymond and Looney, really picks up the slack defensively.

LA Clippers
Last Season 49-23
Lost 4-3 to Denver Nuggets in 2^nd round
Projected Starters:
PG *Patrick Beverly (8 ppg, 5 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 43 Fg%, 39 3p%)
SG *Paul George (21.5 ppg, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1.4 stl, 44 Fg%, 41 3p%)
SF *Kawhi Lenard (27 ppg, 7 reb, 5 ast, 1.8 stl, 47 Fg%, 38 3p%)
PF *Marcus Morris Sr (16 ppg, 5 reb, 42.5 Fg%, 31 3p%)
C Serge Ibaka (15 ppg, 8 reb, 51 Fg%, 38.5 3p%)

The Clippers fell apart against the Nuggets last season after a 3-1 series lead. Doc Rivers was fired and Paul George blamed Doc for some of the issues. Ty Lou was hired as the new coach and he was….sitting right next to Doc as an assistant last season. Doc’s quote on George’s criticism:  “Ty Lue was sitting right next to me, so hope it’s not adjustments. It ain’t going to be much different.”. It sounds like chemistry is still going to be an issue. Reggie Jackson (12p/3r/4a/45 Fg%/41 3p%), Lou Williams (18p/3r/5a/35 3p%), Iviva Zubac (8p/7.5r), Patrick Patterson return to the bench and vets Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard (16p/3.5r/4a/40 3p%) Serge Ibaka are added. Montrezl Harrell swapped jerseys and went to the Lakers and Jamychal Green is gone. Serge coming in is a great signing and Kennard is underrated but the talent in/out is about the same. This should be going to game 7 in the Western Finals with the Lakers, but that didn’t happen last year and I’m not sure it happens this season either.

LA Lakers
Last Season 52-19-Won Championship
Projected Starters:
PG *Lebron James (25 ppg, 7.8 reb, 10 ast, 1 stl, 49 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SG Dennis Schroder (19 ppg, 3.6 reb, 4 ast, 47 Fg%, 38.5 3p%)
SF *Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (9 ppg, 2 reb, 46 Fg%, 38.5 3p%)
PF *Anthony Davis (26 ppg, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk, 1.5 stl, 50 Fg%, 33 3p%)
C Marc Gasol (7.7 ppg, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 42 Fg%, 38.5 3p%)

James and Davis might be the top two players in the league they’ve upgraded the pieces around them this season. Schroder, Gasol, Wesley Matthews (7p/2.5r/36 3p%), and Montrezl Harrell (18p/7r/1b/58 Fg%) all join the roster. Schroder and Harrell were the 6^th man of the year and runner up for the award last season. Kyle Kuzma (12p/4.5r/31 3p%), Markieff Morris (10p/4r), and Alex Caruso (5.5p/2r/2a/1s/33 3p%) all return. Talen Horton-Tucker only played 6 games in the bubble last season but he’s looked great in the preseason this year. Lebron has played in the preseason after threatening to sit out for the beginning of the season due to the quick turnaround for the bubble. It looks like he’ll play right away. This squad is ready to win again; it’s hard to pick who might beat them in a seven game series.

Phoenix Suns
Last Season 34-39
Projected Starters:
PG Chris Paul (17.6 ppg, 5 reb, 6.7 ast, 49 Fg%, 36.5 3p%)
SG *Devin Booker (26.6 ppg, 4 reb, 6.5 ast, 49 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SF *Mikal Bridges (9 ppg, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1.4 stl, 51 Fg%, 36 3p%)
PF Jae Crowder (10.5 ppg, 6 reb, 2.5 ast, 1 stl, 37 Fg%, 29 3p%)
C *Deandre Ayton (18 ppg, 11.5 reb, 2 ast, 1.5 blk, 54 Fg%, 23 3p%)

Infusing Chris Paul and Jae Crowder to the young core of Booker, Bridges, Ayton, Cameron Johnson (8.8p/2r/43.5 Fg%/39 3p%), Dario Saric (11p/6r/2a/36 3p%), and rookie Jalen Smith moves this from a fun team to a competitive team. Booker was 9^th in the league in scoring and led the Suns to 113.6 ppg last season, 10^th in the league. The Suns needed to improve defensively to become a threat in a series and both Paul and Crowder help with that.

Sacramento Kings
Last Season 31-41
Projected Starters:
PG *De’Aaron Fox (21 ppg, 4 reb, 7 ast, 48 Fg%, 29 3p%)
SG *Buddy Hield (19 ppg, 4.6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 43 Fg%, 39 3p%)
SF *Harrison Barnes (14.5 ppg, 5 reb, 2 ast, 46 Fg%, 38 3p%)
PF *Marvin Bagley III (14 ppg, 7.5 reb, 1 blk, 46.7 Fg%)
C *Richaun Holmes (12 ppg, 8 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 65 Fg%)

The Kings are essentially a group of great role players and 6^th men. Buddy Hield has literally been in the running for the 6^th man award and the team is more efficient with his scoring coming off the bench. Fox is still a great young guard but he can’t hit a 3 reliably and the West is full of All-Stars and Hall of Famers playing point with Curry, Lillard, Chris Paul, Jamal Murry, D’Angelo Russell and on and on. Off the bench Hassan Whiteside (15.5p/13.5r) has been an empty stat guy and he’s so slow defensively that he’s force off the court in some matchups. Glenn Robinson III (11.7p/4r) and Nemanja Bjelica (11.5p/6r/3a/42 3p%) provide more scoring and vets Cory Joseph and Frank Kaminsky are also hanging out. Rookie Tyrese Haliburton has promise but he plays the same position as Fox, the only other player on the roster that looks like he has start potential still. The Kings were fortunate Haliburton fell to them at #12. His sophomore years at Iowa State was cut short due to injury, but he averaged 15 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.5 assist, 2.5 steals, and shot over 40% from three. Two seasons will 2018 #2 pick Marvin Bagley and he looks like the 5^th man in a starting roster bordering a 6^th man if he doesn’t make a jump. Luka, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are just some of the other lottery picks that went after him in 2018.

Southwest

Dallas Mavericks
Last Season 43-32-
Lost to Clippers 4-2 in 1^st round
Projected Starters:
PG Luka Doncic (28.8 ppg, 9.4 reb, 8.8 ast, 46.3 Fg%, 31.6%)
SG Tim Hardaway Jr (16 ppg, 3 reb, 2 ast, 43 Fg%, 40 3p%)
SF Josh Richardson (13.7 ppg, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 43 Fg%, 34 3p%)
PF Maxi Kleber (9 ppg, 5 reb, 1 blk, 46 Fg%, 37 3p%)
C Kristaps Porzingis (20 ppg, 9.5 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk, 43 Fg%, 35 3p%)

Luk Doncic is already a front-runner to win MVP this season and it’s well deserved. Porzingis is still a star even though he’s old news with Doncic around. If he can stay healthy we haven’t seen the ceiling for this team yet. Richardson will help defensively. Rookies Tyrell Terry and Josh Green will get playing time. Role players Jalen Brunson (8r/2r/3a/36 3p%), Dorian Finney-Smith (9.5p/5r/37 3p%), Dwight Powell (9p/5r), Trey Burke, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Boban Marjanovic all return.

Houston Rockets
Last Season 44-28-
Lost to Lakers 4-1 in 2^nd round
Projected Starters:
PG John Wall
SG *James Harden (34 ppg, 6.6 reb, 7.5 ast, 1 blk, 1.8 stl, 44 Fg%, 35.5 3p%)
SF *Eric Gordon (14 ppg, 2 reb, 1.5 ast, 37 Fg%, 32 3p%)
PF *P.J. Tucker (7 ppg, 6.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 stl, 41.5 Fg%, 36 3p%)
C Christian Wood (13 ppg, 6 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, 57 Fg%, 38 3p%)

This team is impossible to gauge with Harden showing no desire to stay. If he is traded it’ll be for another superstar so this team will be talented regardless. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have looked good in the preseason. Wood is on his sixth team in as many years, but the Pistons finally showcased his abilities last season and he fits great on this team with Harden. Ben Mclemore (10p/2r/40 3p%), Sterling Brown (5p/3.5r) and rookie Kenyon Martin Jr will be part of the rotation. Turmoil never suits a team well especially when the #2 and 3 haven’t played in extended time and the Rockets aren’t sure what they have. This could be a three seed in the West if everything goes well or they could good the opposite direction. The gap between this team’s floor and ceiling is greater than any team in the league.

Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season 34-39
Lost Play-In Game for 8^th seed
Projected Starters:
PG *Ja Morant (18 ppg, 4 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 47.7 Fg%, 33.5 3p%)
SG *Dillion Brooks (16 ppg, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 40 Fg%, 35.8 3p%)
SF *Kyle Anderson (6 ppg, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 47 Fg%, 28 3p%)
PF *Jaren Jackson Jr (17.4 ppg, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.6 blk, 47 Fg%, 39 3p%)
C *Jonas Valanciunas (15 ppg, 11 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, 58.5 Fg%, 35 3p%)

Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr are locked in as the cornerstones of the future. Valanciunas, Brooks and hopefully young guys Tyus Jones (7p/1.5r/4a/38 3p%), Brandon Clarke (12p/6r/36 3p%), Grayson Allen (8p/2r/40 3p%) form a solid group. Rookie Xavier Tillman Sr. will join fellow Spartan JJJ to create a roster with length, capable of playing good defense, rebounders, and high-effort.

New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season 30-42
Projected Starters:
PG *Lonzo Ball (12 ppg, 6 reb, 7 ast, 1.4 stl, 40 Fg%, 37.5 3p%)
SG Eric Bledsoe (15 ppg, 4.6 reb, 5.4 ast, 1 stl, 47 Fg%, 34 3p%)
SF *Brandon Ingram (24 ppg, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 46 Fg%, 39 3p%)
PF *Zion Willianson (22.5 ppg, 6 reb, 2 ast, 58 Fg%, 43 3p%)
C Steven Adams (11 ppg, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, 59 Fg%)

Steven Adams was an excellent pickup for this squad. JJ Redick (15 p/45 3p%) and Blesdsoe are solid vets but the youth movement, including rookie Kira Lewis Jr, Josh Hart (10p/6.5r/1s/34 3p%), Jaxson Hayes (7p/4r/1b/67 Fg%), Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the real juice. Zion looked good offensively when he finally made his debut but he has a long way to go before he meets the hype as “face of the NBA”. Ingram become an all-star last season and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. The Pelican’s will be scrapping for the playoff. Whether they make it or not, new coach Stan Van Gundy will have the Pelicans playing defense and moving in the right direction.

San Antonio Spurs
Last Season 32-39
Projected Starters:
PG *Dejounte Murry (11 ppg, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1.7 Stl 46 Fg%, 37 3p%)
SG * Derrick White (11 ppg, 3 reb, 3.5 ast, 1 blk, 46 Fg%, 36 3p%)
SF *Demar DeRozan (22 ppg, 5.5 reb, 5.6 ast, 53 Fg%, 26 3p%)
PF *Lamarcus Aldridge (19 ppg, 7.4 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.6 blk, 49 Fg%, 39 3p%)
C *Jakob Poeltl (5.6 ppg, 5.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.4 blk, 62 Fg%)

San Antonio’s 22 year playoff streak was broken last season. They’re an efficient shooting team, top 5 in Fg% and 3p% but they’re 28^th in 3p attempts. The defense was near the bottom of the league giving up over 115 ppg and allowing opponents to hit on over 37% of threes. Lonnie Walker IV (6p/2r/40 3p%), Rudy Gay (11p/5r) Trey Lyles (6p/6r/38 3p%), Patty Mills (11p/38 3p%), 2019 1^st round Keldon Johnson (9p/3r/ 59 3p%), and rookie defensive specialist Tre Jones from Duke make up the rest of the rotation. Murry, White, Walker, Johnson, and Jones are a solid group of you guys to build around DeRozan and Aldridge. This team has to get it together defensively and it would help if DeRozan could improve his three point shooting. It can happen under one of the best Basketball coaches in history, but Pop will have struggles again in the West.