NORTHWEST DIVISION PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Utah Jazz

Last years record; 53-29 Points / Game: 104.2 Opponent Points /Game: 98.9 Scoring leader; Carlos Boozer 19.5 Rebounding leader; Carlos Boozer 11.2 Assist leader; Deron Williams 10.5

Denver Nuggets Last years record; 53-29 Points / Game: 106.5 Opponent Points /Game: 102.4 Scoring leader; Carmelo Anthony 28.2 Rebounding leader; Kenyon Martin 9.4 Assist leader; Chauncey Billups 5.6

Portland Trailblazers Last years record; 50-32 Points / Game: 98.1 Opponent Points /Game: 94.8 Scoring leader; Brandon Roy 21.5 Rebounding leader; Marcus Camby 11.1 Assist leader; Andre Miller 5.4

Oklahoma City Thunder Last years record; 50-32 Points / Game: 101.5 Opponent Points /Game: 98.0 Scoring leader; Kevin Durant 30.1 Rebounding leader; Kevin Durant 7.6 Assist leader; Russell Westbrook 8.0

Minnesota Timberwolves Last years record; 16-67 Points / Game: 98.2 Opponent Points /Game: 107.8 Scoring leader; Al Jefferson 17.1 Rebounding leader; Kevin Love 11.0 Assist leader; Jonny Flynn 4.4

2011 Northwest Division Predictions Oklahoma City Thunder – Ready for the next step into top tier teams. Durant is a handful on his own and Russell Westbrook is more than enough to guard as well. The Thunder have a young talented team.

Utah Jazz – Al Jefferson will be stepping into Boozers role on team as main scoring option, still a formidable bunch.

Portland Trailblazers – Roy being the only convincing scoring threat on the team, I would like to see LaMarcus Aldridge take the next step in his game.

Denver Nuggets –Gonna be tough in this division fighting for spots. The Nuggets defense worries me, they will have no problem scoring the rock, but defensively they look the same as last year.

Minnesota Timberwolves – The Wolves appear that they are building for the future with a lot of young talent. If they pan out, maybe in a few years this team will be ready for battle in a brutal division. Another hard season in Minnesota.

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PACIFIC DIVISION PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Los Angeles Lakers Last years record; 57-25 Points / Game: 101.7 Opponent Points /Game: 97.0 Scoring leader; Kobe Bryant 27.0 Rebounding leader; Pau Gasol 11.3 Assist leader; Kobe Bryant 5.0

Phoenix Suns Last years record; 54-28 Points / Game: 110.2 Opponent Points /Game: 105.3 Scoring leader; Amare Stoudemire 23.1 Rebounding leader; Amare Stoudemire 8.9 Assist leader; Steve Nash 11.0

Los Angeles Clippers Last years record; 29-53 Points / Game: 95.7 Opponent Points /Game: 102.1 Scoring leader; Chris Kaman 18.5 Rebounding leader; Marcus Camby 12.1 Assist leader; Baron Davis 8.0

Golden St Warriors Last years record; 26-56 Points / Game: 108.8 Opponent Points /Game: 112.4 Scoring leader; Monta Ellis 25.5 Rebounding leader; Andris Biedrins 7.8 Assist leader; Stephen Curry 5.9

Sacramento Kings Last years record; 25-57 Points / Game: 100.0 Opponent Points /Game: 104.4 Scoring leader; Tyreke Evans 20.1 Rebounding leader; Jason Thompson 8.5 Assist leader; Tyreke Evans 5.8

2011 Pacific Division Predictions Los Angeles Lakers – Obviously still the best in the division still. Defending champions come back with basically the same strong team that won it in 2010.

Phoenix Suns – Will score lots of points, with more 3pt shooting than ever. And they don’t play defense, 2 things that are always entertaining to watch. Channing Frye in the starting slot at PF will keep defenses running around, with his range.

Los Angeles Clippers – Interesting, Griffin can be a 17/9 guy who only gets better. But can they just stop being ‘The Clippers’?

Golden St Warriors – Adding talented David Lee, along with 7 footer, Andris Biedrins in the middle, who knows how much they can improve? I wouldn’t sleep on the Warriors.

Sacramento Kings – Still need a lot of help, Adding rebounding machine Samuel Dalembert will help on the boards, adding Carl Landry was a great move; they will score points, but need a defense presence. -------------------------------------------------

SOUTHWEST DIVISION PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS Dallas Mavericks Last years record; 55-27 Points / Game: 102.0 Opponent Points /Game: 99.3 Scoring leader; Dirk Nowitzki 25.0 Rebounding leader; Dirk Nowitzki 7.7 Assist leader; Jason Kidd 9.1

San Antonio Spurs Last years record; 50-32 Points / Game: 101.4 Opponent Points /Game: 96.3 Scoring leader; Tim Duncan 17.9 Rebounding leader; Tim Duncan 10.1 Assist leader; Tony Parker 5.7

Houston Rockets Last years record; 42-40 Points / Game: 102.4 Opponent Points /Game: 102.7 Scoring leader; Kevin Martin 21.3 Rebounding leader; Luis Scola 8.6 Assist leader; Aaron Brooks 5.3

Memphis Grizzlies Last years record; 40-42 Points / Game: 102.5 Opponent Points /Game: 104.0 Scoring leader; Zach Randolph 20.8 Rebounding leader; Zach Randolph 11.7 Assist leader; Mike Conley 5.3

New Orleans Hornets Last years record; 37-45 Points / Game: 100.2 Opponent Points /Game: 102.7 Scoring leader; David West 19.0 Rebounding leader; Emeka Okafor 9.0 Assist leader; Chris Paul 10.7

2011 Southwest Division Predictions

Dallas Mavericks – Adding big rebounder Brendan Haywood last year was a great change. Mavs have a very solid lineup again this year, ready to make their move.

San Antonio Spurs – Just strong enough to stay competitive, getting older every year (4/5 starters 30+ yrs of age). George Hill adds some ability off the bench as well. DeJuan Blair will continue to improve.

New Orleans Hornets – Chris Paul is back and healthy, the Hornets have been declining over the last 3 seasons. Should be greatly improved, no reason they shouldn’t be.

Houston Rockets –Getting Yao Ming back will help the Rockets, when he plays.

Memphis Grizzlies –Solid young team, need to work on defense to go forward. The team has some offensive skills no doubt about it. Mayo/Gay and Rudolph combined avg of 59 points a game is nice to have. Written by Tony Karpinski