A new NBA battlefield is taking shape. This offseason has brought some new faces to different teams, and these teams each have a fresh set of challenges before them as the season approaches. As you'll see, some once great teams are now beginning to fall victim to the natural sports cycle of "talent turnover,"
which all teams of all sports must inevitably accept as their shared fate. Older players decline, younger ones improve, and departed talent is replaced for better or worse.
It is this cycle that gives us hope for each new season; a chance for us to overtake our rivals and send them plunging perilously towards rebuilding mode. It's the sheer possibility of finally seeing your team turn the proverbial corner (unless, of course, you're a fan of the Hawks, Clippers, or Grizzlies).
Find out which teams have dug their own grave this season, who we need to be looking out for, and who is simply treading water. In this three-part series covering the Western Conference, you'll notice that the balance of power is definitely shifting, but you might not like how it's turning out.
Western Conference Part One: "Job Well Done"
L.A. Lakers
Sometimes the best action is inaction. In the Lakers' case, their obvious goal this offseason was to shore up their own free agents, and let the rest take care of itself. By making it through the gauntlet of Western Conference powerhouses, and earning a trip all the way to the NBA finals last season, the Lakers have proven that they have the talent to go all the way. What's needed now is another season to gel as a team, and get back healthy.
When Andrew Bynum went out with a knee injury that took him out for the latter half of the season, the team powered on without him. However, a talent downgrade such as that was too much to overcome against the Celtics. This year, with a healthy Bynum at center, the team can enjoy a more physical post presence down the stretch. Heck, any presence is better than what the Pau Gasol/Lamar Odom combo can muster alone. In the NBA Finals, the Lakers sorely missed Bynum's rebounding and aggressiveness. That won't be the case this year.
Other than that, the Lakers made a smart move by resigning their restricted free agent Sasha "The Machine"
Vujacic. His underrated defense and quick three point shot made him an asset last year. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, they weren't able to hold on to their other free agent, Ronnie Turiaf, who left for a bigger contract in Golden State. Turiaf provided some tough defense in the front court for the Lakers, but with Bynum coming back healthy, and Gasol and Odom in the front court, as well, they simply couldn't justify giving him the kind of contract he deserved due to the reduced minutes he would likely see.
Although I have some legitimate concerns about their depth, especially if the injury bug bites again, you can nonetheless expect to see the L.A. Lakers right back in Finals contention again this season. If Andrew Bynum continues his progression as one of the game's best up-and-coming centers, it just might be a different outcome this time around.
Houston Rockets
In a relatively short time, the young GM of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, has reshaped the Rockets roster into what could be their most talented ever this upcoming season.
To start things off this offseason, the Rockets finally realized that they had grown tired of Luther Head's streaky play, and decided to sign veteran two-guard Brent Barry away from their division rivals, the San Antonio Spurs. While Barry is no doubt at the end of his career, the Rockets were able to acquire him for a fair price, and there's no denying that they can use his consistent three-point shooting and overall leadership skills.
However, the most important move the team has made this offseason has been through trade. During the NBA draft, the Rockets were able to acquire Donte' Greene of Syracuse through a draft night trade with Memphis. Little did anyone know that this would end up being part of another move in the weeks to come that would send the Rockets one of the leagues most talented, aggressive, and imposing forces: Ron Artest.
While Artest comes with a heavy risk factor regarding his on and off the court behavior, when focused, he can be a dominating player. By pulling the trigger on this deal, they are assuming even more risk due to Artest's expiring contract giving him the ability to sign elsewhere after this year.
However, when winning games and competing under a player's coach in Rick Adelman, Artest has shown the ability to be a loyal team player. The Rockets sent the Kings Greene, next year's first round pick, and Bobby Jackson's expiring contract in exchange. Not a bad move.
Artest fills an immediate need for the Rockets by providing toughness, and a legitimate third scoring option behind Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. His elite defensive skills are compiled to one of the league's best defenses last season.
With these moves in place, the Rockets are now looking to resign their own restricted free agent, Carl Landry, which would help solidify their frontcourt. By drafting Memphis standout Joey Dorsey in the second round of this year's draft, they can now utilize Dorsey's athleticism, length, and defense against slightly shorter, quicker centers that seem to give Yao Ming fits.
They are still in need of a true backup center if Dikembe Mutumbo decides to retire, and there is no arguing that their point guard play could use some upgrading, especially when comparing it to the other superstar level talent in the West, but having three stars of their own now should all but lock the Rockets in to a deep postseason experience.
Of course, their Achilles heel this season, like the last few, will be injury concerns. It's become a given that Yao and T-Mac will miss their share of time with bumps and bruises, but as long as they can avoid season-ending injuries, this team should be set to go. Look out Western Conference, because this season the Rockets have gone all in.
Portland Trailblazers
If I'm talking about teams who are greatly improved in the Western Conference this year, then you know I have to give a shout out to the Portland Trailblazers. This team is quickly becoming everyone's favorite team to root for, even if they won't admit it. How could you not like a team with so many young quality players?
The Trailblazers began their offseason shakeup by completing a draft night trade that sent their pick to the Indiana Pacers for Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless. This was a phenomenal move by GM Kevin Pritchard. Bayless was projected to be picked in the top five, but somehow slipped to the Pacers at No. 11.
Why the Pacers didn't want to keep him themselves, I'll never know. (And don't give me the "They had just traded for T.J. Ford"
excuse, either. Ford is solid, but he isn't spectacular, and with the league putting more and more value on guard play, it's a wonder Bayless fell that far in the first place. I'm telling you, Bayless is going to be special. Think a young Steve Francis type, with a better outside shot, and without the attitude problem.)
In addition to this roster shakeup, every fan will be anxiously awaiting the debut of last year's first overall pick, Greg Oden. Oden was sidelined all of last year with knee surgery, making this year his official rookie season. He will come in and fill a big need for a playmaking center in the middle for the Trailblazers.
He will no doubt have the typical rookie woes and learning curve, but by midseason, I predict he'll be a walking, talking double-double. An improvement in the frontcourt such as this is by itself enough to boost your team to new heights, but for this year's new playoff threat, it doesn't end there.
Along with the additions of Oden and Bayless, both of whom fill immediate needs for the team, the 2008 Portland Trailblazers are enjoying a plethora of other young up-and-comers, who are only going to get better with time. Newcomer Rudy Fernandez looked like an elite talent on the Spanish Olympic team this summer, while players such as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, and Martel Webster are only going to further improve upon their numbers from last year. And with the assistance of a new playmaking point guard and a prominent force at the center position, things are only going to get easier for this group.
All in all, I fully expect this team to earn a seven- or eight-seed in the playoffs at the end of the season. The biggest issues facing them right now are experience and defense. Sharpening their defensive skills, and gaining valuable experience against the Western powerhouses this season will enable them to go even further next season. While they're still a couple years away from having legitimate title hopes, teams in the Western conference need to be aware of what's going on in Portland, because if not, they just might pass them by.
Now, I know many of you are still wondering where your team ranks on their offseason changes. You may get your answer by checking back later for part two of this Western Conference offseason recap entitled "Have They Done Enough?"
