Golden State Warriors (34-48 SU, 41-38-3 ATS)
Last season was another in what seems like an endless line of rebuilding years for the Warriors ? a team possessing young, talented players, but no superstar to take the team to the next level.
Golden State appears to have found that player in Baron Davis. Acquired in a trade from New Orleans in late February, Davis led the Warriors to an 18-10 record straight up and 20-8 against the spread.
The Warriors will also benefit from the presence of rookie forward Ike Diogu in the paint. Diogu will sit out the preseason with an injured finger, but the Arizona State product and ninth overall pick in this year?s draft is expected to see ample playing time in the Warriors shallow frontcourt.
While slightly undersized for his position, the 6-foot-8 Diogu is a proven talent. He makes up for his lack of height with superior stamina and a high basketball IQ.
In the Vegas Summer League, Diogu shot almost 60 percent from the floor while averaging 18.4 points a game.
Los Angeles Clippers (37-45 SU, 42-37-3 ATS)
The Clippers could be a dream come true for over bettors.
Los Angeles lost top defender Bobby Simmons to free agency in the offseason. Simmons, who often guarded the opposition?s top defender, signed a $47 million deal with Milwaukee.
A trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves also saw the departure of guard Marko Jaric. Arguably the Clippers second-best defender, Jaric was sent to Minnesota in exchange for Sam Cassell and a first-round pick.
Cassell is averaging 18 points over his last seven seasons, but defense isn?t a word in the 35-year old?s vocabulary.
He?s joined by free agent acquisition Cuttino Mobley. Brought in to replace Simmons, Mobley?s .439 3-point shooting ranked third in the league last season. However, much like Cassell, he will do well if he is half as effective defensively as his predecessor.
Los Angeles Lakers (34-48 SU, 35-45-2 ATS)
Phil Jackson rebuilding with the Lakers?
Joining Jackson and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles are a mishmash of rookies and journeyman rarely seen on a Phil Jackson squad. With so many new faces, Jackson?s complex triangle offense may take a while to click.
?Some guys just don`t get (the triangle),? Jackson said. ?It takes a smart player to understand it. Even a player like Ron Harper, who I brought here to teach others, struggled for a year learning it.?
They will have a lot of help. Among those Jackson has brought in to ease the transition are triangle innovator Tex Winters, former player Scottie Pippen and former Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Phoenix Suns (62-20 SU, 41-39-2 ATS)
While Amare Stoudemire?s injured left knee is the story of the season for Phoenix, it`s far from the only concern for the NBA?s top offense.
The departure of guard Joe Johnson leaves the Suns without a legitimate 3-point threat. Johnson, who signed with the Atlanta Hawks this summer, hit 48 percent from behind the arc last season.
In his place with be four-year veteran Raja Bell. While his defense is an asset, the 29-year-old lacks Johnson`s offensive explosiveness. Never a full-time starter, Bell averaged 12 points and 28 minutes off the bench for the Utah Jazz last season.
Sacramento Kings (50-32 SU, 38-42-2 ATS)
For the better part of a decade, the Kings were annual contenders ? epic battles with the Lakers and Timberwolves proving the mettle of Rick Adelman?s team.
Now entering his seventh year in Sacramento, Adelman has put together seven straight winning seasons, including 50-plus wins in the past five.
However, the last twelve months have seen long-time Kings Vlade Divac, Bobby Jackson, Chris Webber and Doug Christie depart, leaving only Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby from the original core.
Among newcomers, the most prominent is forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Now on his fourth team in the last six years, Rahim was limited by injuries for the first time last season.
Rahim is among the most consistent scorers in the NBA, averaging 19.8 points per game in his nine-year career.
Last season was another in what seems like an endless line of rebuilding years for the Warriors ? a team possessing young, talented players, but no superstar to take the team to the next level.
Golden State appears to have found that player in Baron Davis. Acquired in a trade from New Orleans in late February, Davis led the Warriors to an 18-10 record straight up and 20-8 against the spread.
The Warriors will also benefit from the presence of rookie forward Ike Diogu in the paint. Diogu will sit out the preseason with an injured finger, but the Arizona State product and ninth overall pick in this year?s draft is expected to see ample playing time in the Warriors shallow frontcourt.
While slightly undersized for his position, the 6-foot-8 Diogu is a proven talent. He makes up for his lack of height with superior stamina and a high basketball IQ.
In the Vegas Summer League, Diogu shot almost 60 percent from the floor while averaging 18.4 points a game.
Los Angeles Clippers (37-45 SU, 42-37-3 ATS)
The Clippers could be a dream come true for over bettors.
Los Angeles lost top defender Bobby Simmons to free agency in the offseason. Simmons, who often guarded the opposition?s top defender, signed a $47 million deal with Milwaukee.
A trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves also saw the departure of guard Marko Jaric. Arguably the Clippers second-best defender, Jaric was sent to Minnesota in exchange for Sam Cassell and a first-round pick.
Cassell is averaging 18 points over his last seven seasons, but defense isn?t a word in the 35-year old?s vocabulary.
He?s joined by free agent acquisition Cuttino Mobley. Brought in to replace Simmons, Mobley?s .439 3-point shooting ranked third in the league last season. However, much like Cassell, he will do well if he is half as effective defensively as his predecessor.
Los Angeles Lakers (34-48 SU, 35-45-2 ATS)
Phil Jackson rebuilding with the Lakers?
Joining Jackson and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles are a mishmash of rookies and journeyman rarely seen on a Phil Jackson squad. With so many new faces, Jackson?s complex triangle offense may take a while to click.
?Some guys just don`t get (the triangle),? Jackson said. ?It takes a smart player to understand it. Even a player like Ron Harper, who I brought here to teach others, struggled for a year learning it.?
They will have a lot of help. Among those Jackson has brought in to ease the transition are triangle innovator Tex Winters, former player Scottie Pippen and former Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Phoenix Suns (62-20 SU, 41-39-2 ATS)
While Amare Stoudemire?s injured left knee is the story of the season for Phoenix, it`s far from the only concern for the NBA?s top offense.
The departure of guard Joe Johnson leaves the Suns without a legitimate 3-point threat. Johnson, who signed with the Atlanta Hawks this summer, hit 48 percent from behind the arc last season.
In his place with be four-year veteran Raja Bell. While his defense is an asset, the 29-year-old lacks Johnson`s offensive explosiveness. Never a full-time starter, Bell averaged 12 points and 28 minutes off the bench for the Utah Jazz last season.
Sacramento Kings (50-32 SU, 38-42-2 ATS)
For the better part of a decade, the Kings were annual contenders ? epic battles with the Lakers and Timberwolves proving the mettle of Rick Adelman?s team.
Now entering his seventh year in Sacramento, Adelman has put together seven straight winning seasons, including 50-plus wins in the past five.
However, the last twelve months have seen long-time Kings Vlade Divac, Bobby Jackson, Chris Webber and Doug Christie depart, leaving only Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby from the original core.
Among newcomers, the most prominent is forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Now on his fourth team in the last six years, Rahim was limited by injuries for the first time last season.
Rahim is among the most consistent scorers in the NBA, averaging 19.8 points per game in his nine-year career.
