NBA West Pre Season Playoff Picture

whoops...I forgot to write this before the season started. But don't worry, the games that have/are being played didn't affect my rankings. And does anyone else think Charles Barkley could be the funniest man of all time? He's hilarious. At the end of the night, I'm sitting here listening to the highlights, and whatever wack ass music they got playin behind them. Chuck just randomly shouts out "WHOEVER PICKED THIS MUSIC SUCKS."

and does anyone else think that T Mobile is trying to make D Wade look as gay as possible. I mean actually gay. Like last year in the commercials where he was a little too in to that lollipop and was watching old film of Charles Barkley and looked over and said "...sexaaayy"

then this year, there's a new one where he's trying to get in Chuck's Fave 5 by letting him wear the championship ring, and Barkley keeps refusing, so D Wade ups the amount of time. Finally he says, "OK, I'll let you wear it for a month." Right as Charles Barkley is about to say something a waitress comes up from behind them and he says "I don't want to wear your ring Dwyane!" Then the waitress looks at them and goes "...oh. sorry." and walks away. I'm telling you. T Mobile wants D Wade to be gay.

Forget that the playoffs are 6 months away. Forget that the season JUST started tonight. It's all about the playoffs, baby!

1. The Spurs

They're the champs. Their team hasn't done anything to get worse. They haven't made any significant moves to improve. But their starting 5 has been playing all together for 2 years now, and other players who get PT have been there for a while. Tim Duncan remains top 2 players in the league. The BEST player, depending on who you ask. He's certainly not exciting to watch, but you can't deny his dominance. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker form one of the best back courts in the league, and they sharp shooters Michael Finley and Big Shot Bob off the bench. Along with lock down defensive guy (and one of the dirtiest players in the league) Bruce Bowen.


2. The Suns

The boys from Phoenix are a trendy pick to win it all this year, because they got screwed last year. Amare Stoudemire got suspended for NOT jumping in fighting. Just because there was a possible fight brewing, and when he stood up and walked towards the scorer's table, where this was all going down, he walked on the court. Because David Stern said he had to go by the book. But not when he found out that more than half of the refs in the league were gambling (lotto tickets, poker games, casino games and things of that nature). When he found that out just last week, he said he had to change the rule, because it was silly. But regardless, they have Steve Nash, who could have easily won his 3rd straight MVP last year, The Matrix, and THE FUTURE of the NBA, Amare Stoudemire. That kid is in beast mode non stop. He's a problem. They also added Grant Hill to the squad, hoping that he's the one piece they've been missing. They only have one thing that could be a distraction. Shawn Marion wants a contract extension, or he wants out. But he's making the most money on the team this year. I've heard that rookie DJ Strawberry (yea, that's Darryl's son) has thoroughly impressed through camp and the pre season. He's a 6'5 guard who was guarding Steve Nash and running along with him the whole time.


3. The Mavericks

They're always at or near the top of the West. At least it's seemed that way lately. Dirk is a force. Devin Harris and Josh Howard are illmatic. I love Avery Johnson as a coach. The little general stomping his feet and yelling on the sidelines like an old timer. It's great. They have the best owner in sports right now, and arguably history. Marc Cuban is all about his players. It's doubtful they will win the ship, because they lack a force in the paint. It's no good having someone on your team Shaq once said would be pretty good in the WNBA. I'm talking to you, Erica Dampier.

4. The Nuggets

Melo and A.I. will have had the last half of last season and the entire off season to learn each other's games, and they were solid last year just off being as good as they naturally are. They will be leading the way, but J.R. Smith should contribute offensively. You can't forget about those big guys down low. Marcus Camby and NeNe hold it down in the post. The Nuggets would be elite in the East, but unfortunately they play in the West. Unless they catch fire, this really is a two team race.


5. The Jazz

Jerry Sloan has them boys on the come up. Deron Williams is in this new class of young amazing guards. They have the guy with the best nickname in sports. AK-47..I mean his initials are A.K. and he wears number 47. AND HE'S RUSSIAN. That's 3 for 3, and ballin. Boozer finally played last year like he is expected to play, and that should continue. The Jazz with a young PG and young PF to grow together...sound familiar? I would get used to hearing Williams to Boozer. Also, center Mehmen Okur is no slouch. Well, he is on defense, but he's a center who jacks up 3's on the regular, and you can't hate on a man who's gonna draw his man so far outside that a midget could become an inside force.


6. The Rockets

YAO and T-Mac. Need I say more? Mr. Ming has come along quite well. Although he's got a new coach, Rick Adelman, with a new offensive game play that involved a lot of movement, he should thrive because of his decent jumper and newly found balls which allow him to throw down inside. Tracy McGrady is a baller. As long as he doesn't get hurt, he'll be an all star averaging 25, 5 and 5. But McGrady is injury prone, and only played in 71 games, including the 7 game post season series all of last year. They have Rafer Alston a.k.a. Hot Sauce as their PG and defensive minded ex-dukey Shane Battier.


7. The Lakers

This is assuming Kobe Bryant stays a Laker. I believe they will, at least, say OK listen Kobe. Just play here this year, and we'll make a move next off season. It would be too much of a hassle and not fair to the other players on this team to bring in a new group of guys now that the season has already started. But they're gonna have to trade him, because he can opt out after NEXT season and you can't just let him walk away. You have to get SOMETHING for him.

8. Let the gasps, and hating begin. THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

That's right people. See, Chris Paul gives it the thumbs up. Chris Paul is THE. TRUTH. He's gonna need a lot of help from those around him, but I just can't help but be optimistic about this team. I know that some other clubs probably should be ahead of the Hornets, but Chris Paul never gets the respect he deserves. He's so ill, it should be illegal.