Instead of your normal, run-of-mill NBA preview you can read on any sports site with a domain name, I decided to take different approach. Starting with the basketball gauntlet known as the Western Conference, we give you a guide to being a NBA fan in the West.
by +Rodney FisherThe Western Conference, by far, has been the toughest route for any team to take on their way to The Finals. That route has been navigated by the older San Antonio Spurs for the last two years as if their GPS has only one setting. This year, returning all their players for one last try, again they are the favorites to win it all. The fan guide will help you stay interested in the regular season, because as most fans know the Spurs don't begin to play until the playoffs.
Storylines
Guards Make the Best Coaches...Maybe
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| Steve Kerr makes his coaching debut with the Golden State Warriors. Photo credit: AP |
The other new coach to watch is Byron Scott with the Los Angeles Lakers. As long as the media keeps poking at the Black Mamba, Scott's first year should be to sit back and watch Kobe like us. Other former guards to watch coach are Jeff Hornacek with Phoenix and Brian Shaw with the Nuggets.
Kobe's Revenge
I referenced the media's recent bashing of the 19-year veteran Kobe Bryant. From a current player ranking of 40 to phantom reports of free agents not wanting to play with the "overpaid" hall-of-famer, Bryant has not backed down. Nor should we expect him too. At 36, I still can't name 39 players on the planet better than Kobe. His career 25.5 ppg is 10th all-time in the NBA and ABA combined. For the next two seasons, he will be the highest paid player in the league and still have the most to prove. After being deprived of watching him for two years, he will be can't miss TV.Have We Seen The Best of Kevin Durant
I do not want to be the bearer of bad news, but a fractured foot for a basketball player is a big deal. If you would rather downplay the seriousness of the injury like the Thunder have then you should talk to Rockets, Mavericks, and Nets fans. I'm speaking about the mystery injury history of Yao Ming, Roddy Beaubois, and Brooke Lopez. The four to six week timeframe normally turns into an off-and-on season with scattered appearances. There is no doubt that he will attempt to return soon, and fans need to be watching...closely.Evolution of Kawhi Leonard
Many might have forgot about the NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but his coming out party was outplaying LeBron James. The Spurs have already passed the torch to Kawhi, but the NBA has yet to really recognize him as a premier player in the league. Will this be the year Kawhi gets his just due?Houston, Do We Have A Problem?
The Houston Rockets entered the 2013-14 NBA season with plenty of gusto and high hopes surrounding the coming of Dwight Howard only to end with a first round loss in the postseason. They may have lost Chandler Parsons, but the did replace him with a better defender in Trevor Ariza. Their rookie Kostas Papanikolaou has been impressive and can be a good surprise to have come off the bench. Can Kevin McHale finally get this talented team performing in the postseason?Five Teams To Watch
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
So we know that Kevin Love has taken his talents to Cleveland to play with Lebron James, but the Timberwolves got the most hyped rookie to enter the league since King James with Andrew Wiggins. They also acquired the 2013 #1 pick Anthony Bennett to join Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, JJ Barea, Mo Williams, Shabazz Muhammed and coached by Flip Saunders.2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are always a good late game to watch. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will be legitmate MVP caninidates this season, and if DeAndre Jordan can continue to improve the team has a chance to finally make it to The Finals. Plus there is no Sterling around to sabotage the team this year.3. Dallas Mavericks
Why watch a team that has another new roster? After taking the Spurs to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, they return with their best roster since breaking up the 2011 championship team. Rick Carlisle is arguably the best head coach in the NBA. Give him a good roster with a veteran point guard, legitimate big man, more scoring, and Dirk Nowitzki and you need to watch.4. New Orleans Pelicans
I can understand the hype surrounding Anthony Davis this season to have a breakout year. The Pelicans are not the easiest team to find on the TV, but if you can they will be a good watch. Most teams overlook New Orleans and they end up in a tight game with a good young team. Davis has proved that he can hold his own in the NBA and with his unique skill set this season could be big in the Big Easy.5. Memphis Grizzlies
After starting the season trying to adopt a different playing style under a new coach, the Griz went back to their Grit and Grind that made them the team nobody wanted to play in the postseason. Now that Marc Gasol is healthy and they have added Vince Carter as their new sixth man, the team is going to be tough this season.Milestone Moments
- Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant will continue to climb the all-time ladder in a few categories.
And the Nominees Are...
- MVP: Kawhi Leonard, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, James Harden, Step Curry, Klay Thompson
- Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle, Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich
- Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle,
- Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Tony Allen, Tyson Chandler
Stay tuned for the Eastern Conference next...
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