Just like the Eastern Conference part 2, the Western Conference get’s it’s own part 2 predictions. Here are my all west breakout team, my all west team and the top 5 storylines in the west.
All West Breakout Team
Point guard- Russell Westbrook
Westbrook was great last season (16-8-5) but I still see improvement for him. To me, there’s 2 ways he can go here. Westbrook can become the 2nd scorer on the Thunder and give them maybe 19-7-5 or become a more passing point guard and help develop the younger players. Either way, signs point to Russell Westbrook having a great season.
Shooting guard- O.J. Mayo
Had you asked me this time last season, I would have said Mayo was the #1 on Memphis. Rudy Gay took that spot this past season but I still like Mayo. He’s a top 50 guy for me because he provides defense, scoring and he WANTS it. He wants the ball late. He loves to defend the best guard on the opposing team. I could see Mayo having a amazing season next year.
Small forward- Micheal Beasley
Sometimes, the troubled player just need a change of scenery. Beasley was traded from Miami to Minnesota. Now? There’s no excuses for Beasley not to perform. There’s no clear cut #1 scorer on the Timberwolves. Micheal Beasley could provide points if he’s the starting small forward. If Beasley’s head is on right, I could see 19 points and 7 rebounds next season
Power Forward- Jason Thompson
When Thompson was drafted 12th by Sacramento, alot of people shook their heads. Now, he’s one of the solid big men in the NBA. Thompson will probably never average 20 points in the NBA but with Tyreke Evans and now DeMarcus Cousins being potentially double teamed, Thompson can get alot of looks. 16ppg- 8rpg and 1.5bpg is not too far for Jason Thompson.
Center- Robin Lopez
I said this before ” When your the reason people are not picking your team, you must be valuable”. Robin Lopez? Could be the most valuable player for the Suns next season. The Suns have NO legit big men besides Lopez so for the Suns to have any chance, Lopez has to stay healthy. Lopez could be a top 10 rebounder next season if he remains healthy.
All West Team
PG- Chris Paul
SG- Kobe Bryant
SF- Kevin Durant
PF- Zach Randolph
C- Tim Duncan
Top 5 Western Conference Storylines
– Valley Of The Sun
Amar’e Stoudemire is gone but that won’t stop Steve Nash and the Suns. Phoenix reloaded by making a couple splashes. First, they resigned Channing Frye. Then, they added Hakim Warrick from Chicago and Josh Childress from Greece. Then, the Suns traded Leonardo Barbosa for Hedo Turkoglu. The Suns will look to run and with Steve Nash running the show, the Suns should be looking for a playoff spot. Do they get one? Time will tell…
– The Three Peat In Cali
In case you were living under a rock, The Los Angeles Lakers did repeat as NBA champions. Now, the hunt for the 3 peat begins. The Lakers had a great offseason, resigning Shannon Brown, adding Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, Steve Blake along with rookies Devin Ebanks and Derrick Character.
– The Spurs’ holding on
The Spurs last season were swept by the Suns. This offseason, they added Tiago Splitter from Brazil. Drafted James Anderson who should play right away and resigned Richard Jefferson. Watch out for the Spurs potentially moving Tony Parker. Gregg Popovich fell in love with George Hill during the playoffs and if Parker doesn’t want to sign a extension, Parker could be on the way out.
– Development in OKC
Last season, OKC surprised everyone in making the playoffs. This season, there is no surprise. Kevin Durant lead the league in scoring, Russell Westbrook is slowly becoming today’s Dennis Johnson and Jeff Green contributed well for OKC last season. This year, James Harden must step up. Cole Aldrich will get some solid time as a rookie and Serge Ibaka must look down that PF spot.
– Carmelo Anthony
As we all know, Carmelo Anthony is looking for a trade. Denver is not looking to trade him right now but there are two issues for Denver potentially looming. The longer they hold on to Carmelo, the less they probably get in trade. Denver could also see attendance records plummet if Melo is traded. As of right now, Chicago is hot on the case for Melo.