PREVIEW CAPSULES: Western Conference

Other Sport News

Oct 24, 2009, 4:44 GMT

Los Angeles - Oklahoma City Thunder Last season: 23-59, did not make playoffs Coach: Scott Brooks (2nd season with Oklahoma City) Additions: G James Harden (draft), F-C Serge Ibaka (draft), C B.J. Mullens (draft), G Kevin Ollie (free agent), C Etan Thomas (trade with Minnesota), G Robert Vaden (draft) Subtractions: G Chucky Atkins, G-F Desmond Mason, C Robert Swift, G Earl Watson, G-F Damien Wilkins Projected starters: F Kevin Durant, F Jeff Green, C Nenad Krstic, G Russell Westbrook, G James Harden Outlook: GM Sam Presti is using trades to accumulate draft picks and those picks to put together a young nucleus that will grow together. Durant could lead the league in scoring, and Green, Westbrook and Harden all will become solid pros. But this group is too young to make a dent in the loaded West. LA Lakers Last season: 65-17, beat Orlando in NBA Finals Coach Phil Jackson (10th season with Lakers) Additions: F Ron Artest (free agent) Subtractions: F Trevor Ariza, F Sun Yue Projected starters: F Ron Artest, F Pau Gasol, C Andrew Bynum, G Kobe Bryant, G Derek Fisher Outlook: The seasoned but mercurial Artest replaces the younger Ariza at small forward, which could present chemistry problems but also could make the Lakers even better. With newlywed Lamar Odom still coming off the bench, the Lakers still have the best top six in the NBA and have forced every true contender to make moves in an effort to dethrone them. But this is still the league's top team. Phoenix Suns: Last season: 46-36, did not make playoffs Coach: Alvin Gentry (2nd season with Phoenix) Additions: F Earl Clark (draft), C Channing Frye (free agent), F Taylor Griffin (draft) Subtractions: F Matt Barnes, C Shaquille O'Neal, F-C Stromile Swift Projected starters: F Grant Hill, F Amare Stoudemire, C Channing Frye, G Steve Nash, G Jason Richardson Outlook: Where have we heard this before? The Suns are going back to their run-and-gun ways, but Gentry wants better focus on defence. They don't have the same firepower they had in their heyday and don't have enough players committed to defence. Don't be surprised if they miss the playoffs. Golden State Warriors Last season 29-53, did not make playoffs Coach: Don Nelson (4th season Golden State) Additions: G Stephen Curry (draft), F Devean George (trade with Toronto), G Acie Law (trade with Atlanta), F-C Mikki Moore (free agent) Subtractions: G Marco Belinelli, G Jamal Crawford, F Rob Kurz Projected starters: F Anthony Randolph, F Stephen Jackson, C Andris Biedrins, G Monta Ellis, G Stephen Curry Outlook: Nelson ignores management and has shown a wavering commitment to coaching. Jackson demanded a trade and was stripped of his captaincy. Ellis questioned whether the starting backcourt will work. Randolph and reserve Corey Maggette are me-first players, and the bench is filled with guys who want more minutes. It should be a fun season. LA Clippers Last season 19-63, did not make playoffs Coach: Mike Dunleavy (7th season with Clippers) Additions: F Rasual Butler (free agent), F Blake Griffin (draft), G Kareem Rush (free agent), F Craig Smith (trade with Minnesota), G Sebastian Telfair (trade with Minnesota) Subtractions: G Fred Jones, F-C Zach Randolph, G Mike Taylor Projected starters: F Al Thornton, F Blake Griffin, C Chris Kaman, G Baron Davis, G Eric Gordon Outlook: Griffin is everyone's pick for Rookie of the Year, and the Clippers did a nice job of adding veteran role players who bring a winning attitude. If they can stay healthy - backup big man Marcus Camby already is hurt - and youngsters Thornton, Gordon and DeAndre Jordan can take the next step, the Clippers will contend for a playoff spot. Sacramento Kings Last season: 17-65, did not make playoffs Coach: Paul Westphal (1st season with Sacramento) Additions: C Melvin Ely (free agent), F Jon Brockman (draft), F Omri Casspi (draft), G Tyreke Evans (draft), F Desmond Mason (free agent), F Sean May (free agent), G Sergio Rodriguez (trade with Portland) Subtractions: F-C Ike Diogu, F Cedric Simmons, G Rashad McCants, G Bobby Jackson, G Bobby Brown Projected starters: F Jason Thompson, F Andres Nocioni, C Spencer Hawes, G Kevin Martin, G Beno Udrih Outlook: With a new coach and seven new players, the Kings have a long way to go to get back to their glory days. They should turn loose Evans - who has a chance to be a star - and develop their other youngsters while trying to convince supreme scorer Martin to stay.