Portland Trail Blazers: Portland is due for a breakout season. Despite back-to-back 50 win seasons the Blazers have yet to join the Western Conference elite. This season they will make the jump if they can avoid the injuries that plagued them last season. All-NBA guard Brandon Roy averaged 21.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game and he just keeps getting better. All-star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, veteran point guard Andre Miller, and emerging star Nicolas Batum all join Roy to compose a team that has the makings of a Western Conference powerhouse. If Greg Oden can finally stay healthy and produce, the Blazers might just shock the basketball world and win the conference.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder were easily the most improved team in the NBA in 2009. The young team quickly matured behind superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant became one of the league’s top three players by averaging an incredible 30.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and Westbrook turned into an elite point guard by scoring 16.1 points while still averaging 4.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. Despite their rapid improvement, the Thunder should experience some growing pains this season, as they will struggle to find reliable production from the role players. Jeff Green, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka will all need to step up for Oklahoma City to win the division. While it looks like they will fall short of the Northwest title, they should easily make the playoffs.
Utah Jazz: The Utah Jazz have quietly become a regular season juggernaut by averaging over 50 wins a season since 2006. However, it has not translated into post-season success. This off-season, the Jazz revamped their roster by replacing all-star power forward Carlos Boozer with all-star Al Jefferson. While Jefferson is very talented, he has never been a winner, and needs to find his niche on a stacked team. Deron Williams could be the best point guard in the league and Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko and Raja Bell are all valuable players. The Jazz will struggle early, as future Hall of Fame coach Jerry Slaon learns to integrate Jefferson, but by midseason the Jazz should once again be one of the conference’s best teams.
Denver Nuggets: Denver is a team in decline. After a tumultuous off-season in which franchise player Carmelo Anthony wanted to be traded and Kenyon Martin voiced his displeasure with his contract, the Nuggets will struggle to make the playoffs. Adding Al Harrington will add talent to the team but it will not solve the chemistry problems. If this team is not looking like a title threat by the halfway point, look for Carmelo to be traded away. That only leaves the team with Chauncey Billups and a bunch of misfits. Unfortunately for Nuggets fans, it looks like its about to be rebuilding time in Denver.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves have the misfortune of being stuck in a division with four very good teams. While it is a lock that they will finish in the Northwest’s cellar, there are still some bright spots in Minnesota. Kevin Love is an absolute beast having averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. They have a young talented roster with second-year guard Jonny Flynn, Miami castoff Michael Beasley and rookie Wes Johnson. This season should be focused on developing these young players and creating a unique team identity. While the playoffs are out of reach, the future is finally starting to look brighter.
