Terry Foster's Western Conference preview
Terry Foster of The Detroit News breaks down the teams in the Western Conference, in predicted order of division finish.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Oklahoma City
Projected record: 53-29
Additions: Cameron Payne and Dakari Johnson
Losses: Perry Jones III
Kevin Durant is back, which means the Thunder goes from a team that missed the playoffs to one that can challenge the Warriors. But there is speculation the Durant-Bryant Westbrook duo could be breaking up after this season. The downside is this is not a good enough defensive team to win a title.
Portland
Projected record: 45-37
Additions: Gerald Henderson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Noah Vonleh, Mason Plumlee
Losses: LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Arron Afflalo
The Trail Blazers lost a lot of talent — LaMarcus Aldridge being the biggest. Without Nicolas Batum and Arron Afflalo, this becomes the Damian Lillard show. Look for C.J. McCollum to launch threes (48 percent).
Denver
Projected record: 45-37
Additions: Emmanuel Mudiay, Kostas Papanikolaou
Losses: Ty Lawson
Ty Lawson and his toxic alcoholic binges are gone, along with coach Brian Shaw. The team can build around Emmanuel Mudiay. The Nuggets should be a bad defensive team despite Jusuf Nurkic’s defense.
Utah
Projected record: 34-48
Additions: Trey Lyles
Losses: None
Big man Rudy Gobert is a terrific and strong talent who could help any team. He is flanked by Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, who are on an upward swing. The three together makes the Jazz dangerous at home.
Minnesota
Projected record: 18-64
Additions: Karl Anthony-Towns, Tyus Jones, Kevin Garnett
Losses: Chase Budinger, Gary Neal, Arinze Onuaku
Veteran Kevin Garnett comes in as mentor, baby sitter and future team owner. But Andrew Wiggins and Anthony-Towns must learn. And is PG Ricky Rubio all flash? It seems that way.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
San Antonio
Projected record: 57-25
Additions: LaMarcus Aldridge, Ray McCallum, David West
Losses: Jeff Ayres, Aron Baynes, Marco Belinelli, and Tiago Splitter
The Spurs are aging but have enough youth and talent in LaMarcus Aldridge to make one more run. Throw in Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Boris Diaw, and the Spurs are cooking.
Houston
Projected record: 53-29
Additions: Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Ty Lawson, Marcus Thornton
Losses: Nick Johnson, Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Prigioni, Josh Smith
James Harden is an MVP, Dwight Howard is talented but can’t stay healthy. The Rockets are taking a chance on Ty Lawson. He can push the ball, but will he be in the lineup enough to do it with his past drinking problems?
Memphis
Projected record: 49-33
Additions: Matt Barnes, Brandan Wright
Losses: Kosta Koufos
The Grizzlies are steady but unspectacular. They have more muscle inside with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, G Mike Conlin is steady outside, and Matt Barnes provides grit. They need more outside shooting to contend.
New Orleans
Projected record: 49-33
Additions: Brandon Dawson, Kendrick Perkins
Losses: Toney Douglas
Most general managers will tell you they want F Anthony Davis to build a team around. He is unstoppable many nights and is an underrated defender. But the Pelicans also have a solid backcourt in Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday. This team is dangerous.
Dallas
Projected record: 44-38
Additions: Wesley Matthews, JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia, Deron Williams
Losses: Rajon Rondo, Richard Jefferson, Tyson Chandler, Al-Farouq Aminu, Monta Ellis, Amare Stoudemire
Dreams of adding DeAndre Jordan lasted a few hours as the Clippers got him back. There is a collection of players that can handle the load for Dirk Nowitzki, who picks his spots to turn up the heat.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State
Projected record: 58-24
Additions: Kevon Looney, Chris Babb
Losses: David Lee
Gs Klay Thompson and Steph Curry are one of the best backcourts in history. Throw in glue guy Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut, and it is easy to see why this team won.
L.A. Clippers
Projected record: 53-29
Additions: Josh Smith, Lance Stephenson and Paul Pierce
Losses: Matt Barnes, Spencer Hawes
The Clippers have tough guys in DeAndre Jordon and Blake Griffin, but the rest of the league continues to throw sand in their faces.
Phoenix
Projected record: 41-41
Additions: Tyson Chandler, Mirza Teletovic, Devin Booker
Losses: Marcus Morris
The Suns struck out in the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes and traded half their team. Markieff Morris can be a third cog in the Suns’ two-guard, uptempo, spread-the-ball attack.
L.A. Lakers
Projected record: 33-49
Additions: Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert, Jonathan Holmes, D’Angelo Russell
Losses: Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, Wesley Johnson, Jeremy Lin
Kobe Bryant is old and stumbling a bit, but plays as if he were 24 years old again. This should be the final year of Bryant in Los Angeles.
Sacramento
Projected record: 26-56
Additions: Marco Belinelli, Willie Cauley-Stein, Rajon Rondo
Losses: Jason Thompson, Nik Stauskas, Derrick Williams
The last time they played meaningful games, Chris Webber was on the squad. The Kings will suffer their 10th consecutive losing season.
terry.foster@detroitnews.com
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