Three teams will be in the running for the title in this division with Portland, Denver and Utah fighting it out for guaranteed home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Oklahoma City has improved and Minnesota sees a mainstay come back to its lineup, but neither the Thunder nor the Timberwolves are not ready to challenge for playoff spot.
As a team that went to the Western Conference final last season, Denver is the early favourite while Utah and Portland will be looking to clearly define player roles to make a deep run in the playoffs next spring.
By PAUL JONES
sportsnet.ca
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
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It was a rough year in Minnesota. Randy Wittman was fired as head coach with about a quarter of the season in the books and that put the pressure squarely general manager Kevin McHale. Owner Glen Taylor basically said to McHale, 'You assembled this team, so go ahead and coach it.' For a time, the team responded as McHale's approach seemed to fit. But when a young inexperienced team suffers key injuries without depth behind them, well, you finish the season the way Minnesota did, going 7-24 following the all-star break. The lone bright spot during the post all-star break slide was the play of Ryan Gomes who may turn out to be an asset again this season in a number of ways.
There was sweeping change in the off-season with new general manager David Kahn coming in and hiring former Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis as the head coach. But that wasn't the only change in Minnesota as they had two of the top six picks selecting Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio, who has opted to stay and play in Europe and Jonny Flynn from Syracuse. Kahn proceeded to make a number of other deals to try and improve the team for the present yet maintain flexibility for future transactions.
Burning Questions:
Will Al Jefferson be effective in his return from major surgery?
The poor record at the all-star break was one of the major reasons that Jefferson was not voted to the Western Conference squad for the world's best pick up game in February. Jefferson put up tremendous numbers and was having a great season until he suffered a torn ACL. Jefferson is a throw back to a time when the bulk of the scoring took place on the inside by post players. "Big Al" has great footwork and an array of moves on the block. It remains to be seen how effective he will be as he returns to the line up, and if Rambis will take advantage of Jefferson's skills by running an offence that will get touches for Jefferson in the low post. On the flip side, if Ramibis leans toward an up tempo faster paced offence and a variation of the triple post offence where Jefferson may not be as prominently featured.
How do they improve their defense, particularly on the perimeter?
Minnesota's defence was woeful last season as they had all kinds of problems stopping opponents. Here are some bad numbers: Opponents' scoring rank 22nd, opponents' field goal percentage 26th and shot blocking 28th. Examining the players on the perimeter on the current roster it doesn't seem like it will be much better this season.
Cory Brewer is coming off major surgery and when you examine the roster nobody on the wing stands out as a stopper. The others players fit into one of two categories: They are either unproven such as Wayne Ellington, or others such as Sasha Pavlovic, and Damien Wilkins, who haven`t shown they can defend. Ramon Sessions will help at the point but both he and Flynn will have to work hard to keep opposing point men out of the lane. The interior defence was weak last season and with Kevin Love's injury, the interior presence is missing.
Can the Timberwolves win enough to attract players next season?
There is no question that the Timberwolves are still in rebuilding mode and will have some money to spend next season thanks to Kahn's off season moves. The problem is while Minnesota is banking on attracting players by throwing money at them, if you don't have a winning team or the potential for one, top free agents stay away. The result, overpaying for a player of lesser ability, becomes a distinct possibility.
How will the Timberwovles do?
It is going to be another long season in Minnesota, and it will be a rough start as the team will start the season with Kevin Love (hand) on the shelf. The rebuilding will continue but at some point all the building has to amount to results. Expect the Timberwoles to finish fourth or fifth in the division.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
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It was a breakthrough season for the Trailblazers in 2008-09, completing the transition away from the "Jail-Blazer" image a few seasons ago by cleaning house, hiring a new head coach Nate McMillan and starting to build with young players.
Last season those youngsters started to come of age winning 54 games and landing home court advantage in the first round. But in the playoffs, experience is key, and after a losing to the Houston Rockets it's about taking the next step this season.
Burning Questions:
Will the veteran leadership emerge to help the Blazers take the next step?
There were a number of young players that came together to make the season a success. Brandon Roy played superbly and others such as LaMarcus Aldridge, and Travis Outlaw made major contributions, but the one thing missing last season in Portland was veteran leadership.
Enter Andre Miller. Not the Blazers first choice in free agency and his perceived aloofness has not helped endear himself to the rabid Portland followers. Miller, who has never been out of the first-round, has also stated that he did not come to Portland to be a back up (to Steve Blake).
Juwan Howard is well traveled and should receive help from veteran Jarron Collins in becoming a positive influence on young big men like Aldridge, Greg Oden, and Nicholas Batum.
How well can Nate McMillan divide the minutes amongst a deep team?
It is a great problem for a coach to have a deep and talented team. But the sword has two edges, and keeping all players happy is the other side. While some will say it is up to the players to keep the coach happy, when players feel they are not getting a fair shake, it can make for a divided locker room. Internal competition is good, but not to the point where it ruins team chemistry.
The battle for minutes at the point between Miller and Blake has already had some players taking sides. After a year together in the backcourt, Roy has said he likes to play with Blake. Will it be Greg Oden or Joel Pryzbilla getting the key minutes at the centre spot? The perimeter spots will also see plenty of competition for floor time as Martell Webster is now healthy to push Rudy Fernandez, Batum was a starter last season but it was Travis Outlaw that earned the name "Mr. Fourth Quarter".
Can Brandon Roy continue to be an emerging star and leader in Portland?
Although he is only a fifth year player, Roy took a huge leap into the spotlight as an individual last season. If the team is going to take the next step, Roy has to produce an even better season than he did in 2008-09. If he is a max player after a great season where he continually delivered clutch plays, he will have shown it wasn't a fluke. Portland fans hope he has added to his arsenal as opposing defenses will focus more attention on him this season. Duplicating his feats of last season and more will be difficult.
How will the Blazers do?
It is going to be a different season in Portland because they had such a good season in 2008-09. Expectations will be higher and they are officially on the NBA radar. They are a trendy pick to finish with home court in the first round as they did last season. But young teams that have success occasionally forget, in their anxiety to get back to where they were and then surpass the previous season. Home court in the first round is a possibility but not without a serious battle.
UTAH JAZZ
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The Jazz scrambled last season to secure the final playoff spot and was a quick exit to the eventual champions from Los Angeles. Injuries were a big problem for Jerry Sloan's crew as centerpiece Carlos Boozer underwent surgery and missed 45 games. Paul Milsap took the opportunity, with Boozer out of the line up, to show that he is knocking at the door as potentially one of the top power forwards in the west. The caveat: He needs playing time. Milsap signed a new deal this summer and would love to be on the court full-time.
Memhet Okur also signed a new deal and the Jazz have a number of young players that have learned to play Sloan's system, and are developing well. Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Miles made solid contributions last season and Ronnie Price, the under rated back up at point guard has been re-signed. Kyle Korver is one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league and will get more of those looks this year in Utah's offensive system.
Burning Questions:
Can Carlos Boozer stay healthy and return to all-star form?
It's a contract year so everyone in Utah, including Boozer is expecting big things from him. Knee surgery and other ailments cost Boozer a larger portion of the season on the floor, a season which some thought would be his last in Utah. There were rumours that Boozer was going to opt out and this summer and look for a new deal and greener pastures. The economy dictated otherwise so Boozer will play out the final year of his deal and perhaps be on the move later in the season or next summer. If healthy, Boozer and Deron Williams form of one of the most lethal pick-and-roll combinations in the NBA.
Will the Jazz commit to the defensive end of the floor?
When you hear the name Andrei Kirilenko, you automatically think of his terrific defence off the ball. But it seems like he is the only Jazz player people talk about defensively. One of the under-rated defenders for the Jazz may not be there to help him out this season. Matt Harpring, who is the prototypical Jerry Sloan type of player -- tough and unyielding -- is considering retirement because of knee issues. So who else is a willing defender?
In spite of their vaunted offensive system, the Jazz had a below average year defensively finishing in the bottom third of the league in opponents field goal percentage. If they are planning on advancing past the first round, offensive execution is important but defensive efficiency is a must.
How will the bench perform?
When healthy, Utah has a solid starting five and gets solid help from the bench as Jerry Sloan does a nice job of assign roles and having players accept them, if they know what's good for them. With the Western Conference as competitive as it is, the reserves will have to provide time for the starters to get rest and not let leads slip away or deficits get out of hand.
How will the Jazz do?
Health is the key word for the Jazz this season. The system is so well defined with players fitting certain roles that when there is an injury their depth is taxed. The bench is adequate, but Utah can't afford to have a major pieces missing for any length of time. If health is not an issue, the Jazz will be a solid playoff team even if they do finish third in this division.
DENVER NUGGETS
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It's amazing what one trade can do for a team. The acquisition of Chauncey Billups last season made all the difference for the Nuggets. It sure made George Karl happy as he could not stop telling everyone how good it was to have a leader at the point position. When I walked up the tunnel with Karl last December as the team arrived for a game in Toronto, he was like a man in love with a new girlfriend. He strolled toward the locker room off the bus and smiling and saying, "I got a point guard!" to anyone who asked how he was doing.
That point guard made all the difference as the Nuggets finally got out of the first round and were one of the last four standing before being knocked off by the eventual champs, the Lakers.
Burning Questions:
Can Denver improve its defence?
The one staple of Karl's Seattle team that went to the finals was its defence. As much as people point to Denver's up and down, high-scoring style it was defence that helped them advance last season. Karl has talked about trying to improve the team's ability to get stops.
Chris Andersen was solid coming off the bench and blocking shots on the back line and he and Nene provided a serious deterrent for opponents venturing into the paint. They have lost Dahntay Jones to Indiana but Karl has a number of candidates who may fill the vacancy, among them, former Toronto Raptor, Joey Graham. It's a key spot when you consider the perimeter scorers on the wing in the west and hopefully the new starter will give a bit more offence than Jones.
Can JR Smith and Nene continue to improve?
Nene was outstanding last season coming back from testicular cancer. He was a force on the inside at both ends of the floor. He will have to do the same, and more this year. Remember, the Nuggets were close to the finals last season and to take the next step, there has to be a little bit of improvement from everyone. Nene was terrific last season but he needs to be as good as the last campaign and then some.
The same goes for J.R. Smith. He will start this season out of the lineup due to a suspension but when he returns, his play has to be on par with last season and then some for Denver to take the next step.
Can Carmelo step forward and become the equivalent of Kobe Bryant for the Nuggets?
Anthony was finally voted to an all-NBA team last season, his first. It was the third team selection but still a big step in the right direction. After getting to the conference finals he talked about what a huge learning experience it was for the team. But if the Nuggets are going to take the next step, Anthony will have to be a leader.
How will the Nuggets do?
Mental toughness will be a key for Denver, and fighting through the momentary lapses at critical times in games -- the same sort of miscues that cost them in the eventual loss to the Lakers. If all three questions above are answered, Denver could be one of the teams to derail Los Angeles chance at a second straight NBA title.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
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It was a tumultuous year for the Thunder. After a horrendous start, that cost coach P.J. Carlesimo his job after a the club won only two games in its first month of the regular season. Scott Brooks took over on an interim and had that label removed over the summer and is now the man in charge and not having to look over his shoulder, just yet. The Thunder picked up a couple more potentially good young pieces in James Harden (drafted third overall) on the perimeter and Byron Mullens (drafted by Dallas and traded to OKC) who will provide some size.
Burning Questions:
How quickly will the young core continue to develop?
Oklahoma City has a great trio of youngsters in Kevin Durrant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. Durrant, and Green are both entering their third year but it is Durrant that has seen most of the attention from the opposition. He seems to understand you have to work hard and know that as a young team, there will be losses.
Will the building plan be derailed by losing or will patience prevail?
Young general manager Sam Presti did his best to acquire draft picks and has assembled a ton of young talent. It seems as if Presti's plan is similar to the one in Portland years ago when they stockpiled youngsters and stayed the course with patience and teaching and allowed them to grow together regardless of the outcome. In addition to the draft picks, there were some moves made last season to acquire some young veterans. Thabo Selfelosha, who was obtained in a trade, and Nenad Kristic who was also added to the roster in the middle of last season have had a look at playoff basketball and can add some experience. They join a "young veteran" holdover in Nick Collison, who is a solid role player. Otherwise, it's the youngsters learning the hard way.
How will the Thunder do?
It's all about building right now in OKC. They need to have the youngsters develop before they start to go out and look to add veteran pieces. The timing has to be right since bringing in the wrong player at the wrong time can set the franchise back. They are talking playoffs, as a dark horse, but realistically this team only won 23 games last season.
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Poll
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Which team will win the Northwest Division?
