A piece by Thomas DeMeo.
The NBA season has just ended. Some teams are looking better than others. Just about every team needs something and the question is which franchises are the closest to getting it.
With that in mind here are (in reverse standing order) my thoughts on every NBA Western team.
Houston Rockets:
Some teams fall faster than others and the Rockets are the greatest example. This team went from dark horse title contenders with two some of the most exciting players in the sport… to the worst team in the league. James Harden forced his way out and the team went down from there. For the first time in a long time they must rebuild. The good news, they have some decent draft capital for the future, and better yet they have the second pick this year. If they get this draft right they'll be in solid shape. If Christian Wood can stay healthy and just one of their current young players develops, they'll be right back in the playoffs. Just keep the five out offense in 2020.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
This team has impressed me with what they've acquired. Sam Presti has gotten more first round picks than a 2k player in My League. His draft-based rebuild and tanking has put even Sam Hinkie's process to shame. They have a lot of options here and they even have some young talent coming up. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, if healthy, has elite scoring ability and even just rolling the odds and landing just one good player with all their picks will make this team deadly. Or they could go in a different direction and seek out an unhappy superstar in the near future and offer a very nice package. I'd say this team's doing well, just stay true to the rebuild and don't go all in too fast.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Minnesota I want answers… NOW! Why the heck do you still suck? Why have you only made the playoffs once since drafting KAT? This team has to be the biggest waste of potential I've seen in a while. You've had three number one picks (I'm not counting Anthony Bennett he doesn't deserve it) on your team over the past six years and you still can't make any noise. At this point I believe it's just the culture of this team, there's no reason you should still be this far down. Anyway on the plus side Anthony Edwards has been very good, but you do not have your pick this year cause you chose D'angelo Russell and the lottery odds are tired of seeing you waste talent. I'd really love for this team to prove me wrong, but I'm not holding much hope. You're fucked.
Sacramento Kings:
Sacramento you're in an interesting position. You have talent no question, Fox and Haliburton are some great young guards and Buddy Hield and Barnes are solid wing pieces. The problem, there's no one else, Marvin Bagley has not developed past his rookie year and Luke Walton still has a job. Unfortunately I feel this team will never become great with the current personnel controlling it. Fifteen years of no playoffs doesn't just happen, it takes a special level of ineptitude. Get a better front office and coaches and then I'll take you seriously, if not then please let Fox go, a man of his talent deserves far better.
New Orleans Pelicans:
They are in a similar situation to the Timberwolves except they've shown signs of wanting to improve. Zion and Ingram are some of the brightest young guys in the league and the team knows it. I feel like they're just one piece away from going somewhere similar to Chris Paul going to the Suns. I'd love to say Lonzo is going to develop further but right now he's not worth a big contract. Their future is bright but they need to handle their next few years carefully and hope they can find a coaching staff that can develop these players correctly. If things go well I can see them in the playoffs next year.
San Antonio Spurs:
This is a hard team for me to say is struggling. They are one of my favorite teams next to my own New York Knicks. After two decades of outstanding basketball the Spurs have to begin their first true rebuild since drafting Tim Duncan. The worst part of that though. Greg Popovich is the coach, he's not a bad coach by any means, he's actually too good for this situation. His teams do not believe in tanking, meaning that even in bad years like this they still lack a top draft pick. To make matters worse coach Pop probably won't be coaching for the long term, so there may be more changes coming. What I want to see from them is a fresh start with clear direction, this team has been known for finding steals in the draft and even if their picks don't become Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker I'd like to see them at least start piecing together a new core. Just please let Popovich be able to get the all time win record.
Golden State Warriors:
Steph Curry got to feel how Lebron did back in Cleveland. He carried this team from the bottom to at the very least mediocrity. Had it not been for the play-in tournament and ironically LeBron hitting that incredible three, the Warriors would have made it in. I can almost guarantee they would've been first round exits, but it's something. Curry clearly needs help. Hopefully Klay Thompson comes back not only healthy but in full form as well. They also have a lot of options with this year's draft. Do they try to invest for the future and hope for some rookies to be ready right away or do they go for a blockbuster trade and try to bring in more proven players? The options are there but they need to be well planned. Curry isn't getting any younger and their window is closing fast. I'd be watching this team carefully.
Memphis Grizzlies:
For the first time since Marc Gasol I feel there should be excitement in Memphis. They are arguably the most exciting young team in the league and they are showing serious potential. I know it's hard in a market like Memphis but I do feel they are a few years and one or so pieces away from being a dark horse contender. Keep flying under the radar guys, yes it's true no one takes you seriously, but use that to your advantage. Make your quiet moves and build up Ja Morant's supporting cast. I look forward to seeing your team develop.
L.A. Lakers:
You guys are fucked… like seriously fucked for what you're trying to do. Lebron James is showing signs of age and Anthony Davis can't stay healthy. The supporting cast is lacking in all areas. Yet every media outlet and Lakers fan alike keep saying you're gonna get every big name player. Damien Lillard, Steph Curry, and most recently Russell Westbrook, just to name a few. Here's the thing, even if big name players are available, who on your team is worth them. You really think Portland is going to trade Lillard for Kyle Kuzma and a first? The only thing this team has been good at recently is name chasing. Yes Andre Drummond and Marc Gasol were once great players, but now they've proven why so many teams were on the fence about them. This team has done nothing but bitch and complain, but the fact is even if this team was perfectly healthy they still probably would've lost. This team has become so desperate to win they've forgotten what makes a winning team. No player development, no adjustments. It's Lebron and A.D. vs the world and if they struggle so does the team. You all deserve this though, thank god you won that ring last year or heads would be falling faster than Davis in the playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers:
It's a serious shame to see incredible talent like Damien Lillard never be able to truly compete for a championship. I'm not gonna say he's gone because right now everything is hear say, but even if Lillard does stay, where does this team go? They've been treading water for years now and I don't know what they can do to fix that. No big free agents, no successful draft picks. As sad as it is I'd say even if Lillard wants to stay, just trade him and hit the reset button. This team is not going to be a serious contender at least for a while and Lillard deserves far better than this. When will teams realize they can't just expect their star players to carry them all the way.
Dallas Mavericks:
A lot can happen in the world of sports in a very short time. At the start of the playoffs Dallas and Luka were the talk of the league. They were one win away from knocking off the Clippers and potentially making a deep playoff run. Then the team is smacked back to reality and the sitcom begins. Porzingis is unhappy with his current role and has been hearing it for his struggles, Rick Carlisle is gone and Luka is both unhappy with him being let go and his replacement Jason Kidd. This team has a lot to figure out and not much time. You don't get talent like Luka's falling into your lap every day and with him you need to build up the team around him before he's up for a big (and very deserved) extension. Please don't waste this opportunity. I'd hate to see you become the new Portland.
L.A. Clippers:
Memes aside, I am impressed with this team. Paul George bounced back immensely and played arguably the best basketball of his career. But all that the internet will remember is his struggles in the late game. Sorry Paul sometimes you just can't win. As for the Clippers themselves they have to move fast. They traded away a good part of their future to land Paul George and it could very quickly blow up in their faces. Kawhi might not be coming back and even if he does, there's no guarantee he can return to form after his injury. If they can do just one thing please find a replacement for Patrick Beverley, yeah he's a good defender, but his offensive inconsistency and emotional bursts are starting to affect his team. I'd say stay away from the blockbuster moves and fill out the depth, I am curious where they go from here.
Denver Nuggets:
This team makes me very happy. Not only because of the great rebuild they've achieved, not only for having my favorite NBA player Nikola Jokic, but because ESPN hates this team and refuses to accept they are good. Yes they got swept by the Suns, but it was obvious in that series that Jokic needed help and was missing Jamal Murray, easing his workload. This team still has a great window for themselves if injuries don't become a factor. I feel they need better offensive help to get them over the top and I imagine that will be tackled this offseason. I'm rooting for this team, I can't wait for the day Skip Bayless and Stephen A. have to accept this team.
Utah Jazz:
I have zero interest or hatred in this team and still I'm left disappointed. I was waiting for them to prove everyone wrong. I saw the talent this team had and thought that much like the Nuggets, they too could shock the league. I've come to a conclusion about this team… they are cursed. No matter how talented their roster, well developed their youth, or how good their coaching is, this team still can't get over the hump. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Jordan took it a little too personal and made a blood pact to keep the Jazz from ever winning. I have no idea where this team goes. Maybe try for a new supporting cast, but even then how much can you acquire. I wish I had more for them, but I feel with the way the playoffs went this year was their best chance.
Phoenix Suns:
Fresh off their first Finals appearance since Charles Barkley, this team has made incredible strides. Chris Paul clearly was the piece to put them over the top, but let's not ignore Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. Those two are a frightening young duo with a long time left in the league. Yes they got beat by Milwaukee, but the team didn't play bad, Giannis just went god mode on them and there was very little they could do to stop him. I do think this team will be back, they have both great young players and tremendous veteran leadership, don't let the loss get you down. Stay focused and make it up next year.
So ends my evaluation for the Western teams. As usual the conference is a dog fight and that looks to continue for the future. Be on the look out for my Eastern teams evaluation as well.