Los Angeles Lakers
2011-2012 Record: 41-25
Place in Division: 1st
Head Coach: Mike Brown
Key Additions: Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison
Prediction: 58-24
Scoop: On paper, they are the best team in the Western Conference. The main question for them is how they will be able to mesh. The x-factor in this whole equation is the Black Mamba himself: Kobe Bryant. If Kobe is able to play without the ball in order to include Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash, the Lakers will be unstoppable. Expect the Thunder to have something to say about that.
Los Angeles Clippers
2011-2012 Record: 40-26
Place in Division: 2nd
Head Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Key Additions: Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Ronny Turiaf
Prediction: 49-33
Scoop: After taking a step in the right direction last year, the Clippers took the necessary steps to address their needs this off season. The additions of Jamal Crawford and Lamar Odom were very underrated. The latter should return to his normal, effective form, as he returns to his comfort zone in L.A. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are still the catalysts, and Grant Hill will provide much-needed veteran leadership as well as quality defense. This team should take a step forward, but it just depends on how big that step will be.
Golden State Warriors
2011-2012 Record: 22-43
Place in Division: 4th
Head Coach: Mark Jackson
Key Additions: Andrew Bogut, Jarrett Jack, Richard Jefferson
Prediction: 31-51
Scoop: In my opinion, the Warriors got the better of the deal with the Bucks. They got a proven scorer in Monta Ellis and a legitimate center in Andrew Bogut. The biggest question with this team will be if they can stay healthy. Their other scorer, Stephen Curry, has dealt with multiple ankle issues over the past few seasons, and Ellis and Bogut have dealt with their own issues. Mark Jackson is the perfect guy for this young team. They seemed to buy into the system last season, and it's only a matter of time before they start to become a prominent team.
Phoenix Suns
2011-2012 Record: 33-33
Place in Division: 3rd
Head Coach: Alvin Gentry
Key Additions: Michael Beasley, Luis Scola
Prediction: 36-46
Scoop: This team is well-known for their offense, but can their defense ever step it up? This has been the question that the Suns have not been able to answer the past four seasons. They're notorious for their run and gun offense and getting into high-scoring affairs. If they had any defense, they would be a legitimate playoff team. Last year, they allowed 98.6 points per game while scoring 98.4 points a game, a mix that led to the .500 record they had last year. Losing Nash is an immense loss for sure, and I'm not sure they can recover this season to compete for a playoff spot.
Sacramento Kings
2011-2012 Record: 22-44
Place in Division: 5th (last)
Head Coach: Keith Smart
Key Additions: Aaron Brooks
Prediction: 24-58
Scoop: You have to feel for the Maloof brothers, no? They tried desperately to get a new arena, but the plans fell through. And now they are stuck in a terrible arena with a terrible team. The Kings have decent individual talent -- DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, and Marcus Thornton to name a few -- but just cannot seem to put it all together. They were in the top ten last year in rebounds and points per game, but the trouble came on the defensive end: they were dead last in points allowed per game with 104.4. Don't expect this problem to get any better.
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