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WESTERN CONFERENCE - NORTHWEST DIVISION (Teams listed in order of 2006-07 finish)
Utah Jazz (51-31)
The Utah Jazz started last season with a franchise record 12 straight wins out of 13 games. They remained strong for the most part of the season, finished as division champions for the first time in seven years and snuck up on the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. Until last season there had been a four-year playoff drought. The Jazz is still a young team with potential hall-of-famer Deron Williams returning for his third year as the point guard. Last season he was second in assists per game behind only Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. The tandem of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer echoes another Jazz hall-of-fame duo of past renown. Jerry Sloan begins his 20th season with the Jazz and as expected, not much will change with the Sloan system of basketball.
During the summer Utah lost veteran two guard Derek Fisher; waived to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz signed free agents Jason Hart and Ronnie Price, both guards, and traded for 7-foot center Kyrylo Fesenko of the Ukraine. They continued to feed their reputation for NBA draft thievery (as in this guy was such a steal) with guard Morris Almond.
The Jazz may see the majority of challenges in their backcourt with new player Jason Hart being the only back up at the point for Deron Williams. The person taking the shooting guard position is still in question this year with the loss of Fisher. Gordan Giricek could get the nod, but his point-per-game average was only 7.8 last year, and he is not the strongest player on the defensive end. Look to sophomore draftee Ronnie Brewer, third-year man C.J. Miles and Morris Almond to work toward gaining this spot.
The frontcourt is much stronger for the Jazz with two All-Stars Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur returning. Boozer was the rebounding leader of the team at 10.9 per game. He averaged 20.9 points per game. At center, Okur is a solid shooter from the perimeter and in the paint. The Jazz will profit from the return of former All-Star and current Eurobasket MVP Andrei Kirilenko. There is some question in regard to Kirilenko who has openly stated his frustrations with the team and the coaching style of Jerry Sloan. If Kirilenko can learn to fit into his role in the Sloan system, he should be an All-Star candidate once more. His all around talent and especially his defensive prowess is essential to the Jazz style of play. Matt Harpring is a key back up to Kirilenko and second-year draft bargain Paul Millsap should have a break out year at forward.
Expect a tight race between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz for the Northwest Division title.
Denver Nuggets (45-37)
“If” is the word to describe this team’s outlook. “If” their players stay healthy, and “if” they aren’t suspended; the season looks very promising for the Nuggets. Former All-Star Forward Kenyon Martin missed 80 of 82 games with double microfracture surgery last season. Carmelo Anthony, who averaged 28.9 ppg, missed 15 games due to suspension along with J.R. Smith who was suspended for 10 games because of the “scrap” at Madison Square Garden. A major change in the line up occurred when the Nuggets traded for Allen Iverson. The team went 32-32 after the arrival of Allen Iverson in late December. They won 16 of their last 22 contests.
The Nuggets signed free agent guard Chucky Atkins, traded for center/forward Steven Hunter and signed free agent forward Bobby Jones. Veteran Atkins should add depth and even more fire power to the Nuggets who already claim two of the best offensive players in the league in Anthony and Iverson. If J.R. Smith can continue to improve and mature, he adds another threat to the potentially strong backcourt. The front court is deep with Anthony, Nene, Marcus Camby, Martin, Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza.
Coach George Karl can enjoy his fourth season with the Nuggets more than ever, finally being able to field a complete team for training camp. Last year was a juggling act with all of the different faces available at different times during the season. Karl will try to round out his team’s overall strength with an emphasis on defense this year. With last years Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Camby, the Nuggets can prove to be a force on both ends of the court.
The Denver Nuggets have exited the playoffs in the first round for four consecutive seasons. If everyone stays healthy and eligible to play, and if they decide to play defense, first place in the Northwest Division shouldn’t be too lofty a goal.
Minnesota Timberwolves (32-50)
The face of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the last twelve seasons has changed. The T-wolves didn’t reach the playoffs with the “Big Ticket” last season or the previous two seasons. So in a glass is half-full viewpoint, the only way is up for Minnesota.
Look to power forward Al Jefferson to prove himself the new face of the Timberwolves. He has averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. His assist average of 1.3 per game will need to improve, as will his overall game along with the rest of his young team. Veteran Juwan Howard can provide some leadership if he decides to (he was not elated to come to Minnesota sans Garnett). Ricky Davis, already a good scorer, could also step into a leadership role for the team as well. In a team full of untapped potential, second-year coach, Randy Wittman, has a tough road ahead. Look for a good Minnesota team in a couple of years.
Portland Trailblazers (32-50)
While the loss of 1st draft pick Greg Oden is extremely disappointing for all of basketball, it provides an opportunity for the rest of the talented young Blazer team to continue to improve.
The Trail Blazers lost Jamaal Magloire and Ime Udoka as free agents and traded Fred Jones, Dan Dickau and Zach Randolph. Third-year coach Nate McMillan expects LaMarcus Aldridge to fill the gap left by the injured Oden and former teammate Zach Randolph who led the team last year with 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Coach McMillan has high hopes for Aldrige and expects that he is capable of putting up “Garnett-type numbers.” The frontcourt for Portland has some depth, even without Oden. New addition Channing Frye, Aldridge and Joel Przybilla should cover the power forward and center positions. Raef LaFrentz will help out at forward as well.
New free agent Steve Blake will compete with Jarrett Jack for point-guard duties. Jack started 79 games last season, averaging 10 points per game and 4 assists per game. Blake joins the team with a 6.5 point-per-game average, 5-assist average, and he usually grabs 3.5 rebounds per game. Shooting guard Brandon Roy returns this year, after earning Rookie of the Year honors last season.
The Blazers did improve from the dismal 21-61 record and last place in the Western Conference from the previous year. Despite the loss of Greg Oden, the potential for the Trail Blazers is promising if they continue in the same improvement-focused direction. Obviously, it would have been even more promising with the number one draft pick; this just gives the Blazers an opportunity to excel once Oden is healthy.
Seattle Supersonics (31-51)
The Sonics continued their downward spiral last season. The battle between the city and the new owners over a new stadium, and possibly new city, has left a cloud looming; making the prospects for the team as gloomy as the usual Seattle weather. Add the departure of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, the Sonics’ big two, and things are downright morbid for the Supersonics. One ray of sunshine exists in the drafting of #2 pick overall Kevin Durant. Things are also looking up for the Sonics with new superstar GM Sam Presti bringing P.J. Carlesimo on as head coach.
Seattle lost eight players in the off season including Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis who combined for 48.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. They gained five players over the summer, including Kevin Durant and fifth overall draft pick Jeff Green from Georgetown. The team also acquired Wally Szczerbiak (hopefully he can stay injury free), Delonte West and Kurt Thomas from Phoenix. Chris Wilcox will remain at power forward (backed up by Nick Collison). Luke Ridnour will take the point guard duties with back up from Earl Watson. Robert Swift should start at center with relief from Kurt Thomas.
Having assisted under Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, Coach Carlesimo will bring a defensive approach to the team philosophy. It is an understatement to say that this year will be tough for the Supersonics, but with a young team and a candidate for Rookie of the Year, there is much room for improvement for basketball in Seattle.
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