NBA Western Conference Forecast

Forecast is simple in the NBA Western Conference, Spurs, Clippers and Rockets are the one of the teams that will be stumped on by the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals this upcoming season.

Southwest

San Antonio Spurs loss NBA Finals in heartbreaking fashion to the Miami Heat (especially Game 6 collapse), team should hang their head up high after a very good season.  Spurs have developed a young team in transition by drafting SG Kawhi Leonard, PG Corey Joseph, C Tiago Splitter.  Spurs also have SF Matt Bonner and SG Gary Neal entering their primes in their careers.  Spurs need to find athleticism similar to former SF Stephen Jackson had before being waived prior to the playoffs.  Spurs need and more scoring from the backcourt to help PG Tony Parker by trading Pf DeJuan Blair who is out of the rotation or trade for enigmatic SF Danny Green before the start of next season.  Tim Duncan played his best when the games mattered and his health has never been better.  Spurs need to draft a PF or C to have Duncan mentor similar to Hall of Fame Spurs great C David Robinson was to Duncan.

Memphis Grizzlies releasing Lionel Hollins as head coach after the franchise won 56 games is a head scratching move.  Grizzlies were a sad sack of poop before moving out of Vancouver at the end of the 2000-01 season.  Former great coaches Hubie Brown and Mike Frattello built a foundation that Hollins used to finish by turning a malcontent star Zach Randolph to a grown up player who can record 20 points and 15 rebounds a game just about every night.  Hollins lost his job due to new ownership group believing analytics, and not the hear of the player, especially proven to be so after Rudy Gay was traded to brother franchise the Toronto Raptors while receiving Tayshaun Prince in return from the Detroit Pistons.  Grizz future looked powerful with Randolph and Marc Gasol (who was acquired in the seem-to-throw*away trade for older brother Pau during the 2008 season) turned out to be one of the best moves the franchise made in a long time.  Mike Conley being re-signed was a good move before the season, now how do the team withstand the cost of becoming an elite franchise?

Houston Rockets were always the team which misses the playoffs by 2 games or less reached the playoffs until last season by giving the Oklahoma City Thunder a scare in the first round.  Acquiring former thunder back up SG James Harden was the boldest move prior to the start of the season after requiring Jeremy Lin by free agency from the New York Knicks one year ago is still a top 15 PG although turnover ratio needs work by making better decisions without the ball.  The acquisition of C Dwight Howard will bring suffocating shot-blocking, man to man defense within the baseline and would give guards chances to steal the ball at will.

Dallas Mavericks 13 year playoff run came to an 41-41 end last season.  Many parts of the team gone including former North College Hill product O.J. Mayo who left to the Milwaukee Bucks (was essentially) traded for Monta Ellis after being expendable when the Bucks traded Brandon Jennings to the Detroit Pistons.  SF Shawn Marion is still on layaway for any team who wants an adequate double team defender and an older player who still can amass 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals a game.  Congrats to PF Dirk Nowitski of becoming a father during the off season.  Nowitski's numbers dropped off due to missing 27 games to start last season due to knee being cleaned up.  Bad draft picks and no trade assets will be crippling for Nowitski and the remaining parts left for the team that were seen to have luck on their side winning the NBA title verses the Miami Heat just 2 years ago.

New Orleans Pelicans trading for Jrue Holliday for the 2013 number 6th pick Nerlens Noel was a move that dubfounded me at the time.  Trade looks to be a wise move assuming SF Eric Gordon is healthy, Ryan Anderson continues to be a box out rebounder who shoots 3 point shots and Anthony Davis inprove his low post play and shooting high percentage shots beyond 14 ft. Holliday may not be what Baron Davis or Chris Paul was as a point guard, but Pelicans need more shots distributed  to others and a willingness to say no when the pace is disrupted.

Pacific Division



Los Angeles Clippers signing Doc Rivers to coach this team leves no more "I'm a stepchild to the Lakers" excuses now into the future.  Jared Dudley being acquired for Caron Butler is the compliment for PF Blake Griffin for defensive lapses he seems to show and a tough scorer who does not have to be told to fill an assignment is what PG Chris Paul would like the most in Dudley. Trading for former Paul foe J.J. Reddick from the Milwaukee Bucks bring a tenacity, nasty 3 point shooter and a man who has a chip on his shoulder similar to Paul as the SG.  C DeAndre Jordan still has to improve on playing toward the basket and improve on shot blocking when the Clippers need it most.

Los Angeles Lakers have Steve Nash who is the only player under contract at this seasons end are struggling to identify what type of team to build around an aging SG legend Kobe Bryant.  Bryant have knee work done along with repairing a blown out Achilles tendon makes the Lakers wonder was it wise to have even been involved in the 4 way deal involving former Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard at this time one year ago.  Lakers are being punished in luxury tax woes and the teams bench production has worsened since winning the NBA title in 2010.  SF Pau Gasol can hold his own until Bryant returns, what will the rest of the team do to curb the 105 points a game allowed last season is anyone's guess.

Phoenix Suns are in an extensive rebuilding mode.  This rebuilding will take time and patience considering omitting the expansion season of 1969 the Suns recorded the franchise's worst season in franchise history 25-57.  Suns traded Caron Butler to his hometown Milwaukee Bucks not long after trading him for Jared Dudley for draft picks that may pan out before 2018 season.  Also in the same trade, Suns acquired a young PG Eric Bledsoe from Clippers who was a good back up for Chris Paul is destined to become a superstar if he can cut through screens due to lack of controlled speed and become a better player with the ball.  Sky is the limit for Bledsoe, PG Kendall Marshall (who was traded from the Washington Wizards for SF Shannon Brown) is a streaky shooter 3's like Dan Majerlie without the assertiveness needed to compete at times.  Phoenix Suns are a young team in serch of new direction with former Suns star Jeff Hornacek as head coach,  don't expect team to win beyond 20 games but will be exciting to watch.

Sacramento Kings signed DeMarcus Cousins to a contract extension....wise move.  Chuck Hayes and Patrick Peterson who are former Kentucky Wildcats player will evoke more toughness that Cousins need to become more of and adult and take the NBA game seriously.  Reacquiring Carl Landry from the Golden State Warriors was the move in the off-season, not to be as Landry will miss most of this seson due to hip flexor issue. PG Isiah Thomas is the Kevin Johnson of this era in the NBA with his desire to become a complete PG, steals, 3 point shooting, perimeter shots within the baseline and a double team defender.  SG Jimmer Fredette is still a valuable team defender and a reliable shooter when a lay up is needed when the 3 point option is not a given especially after naming Ben McLemore as the teams number 1 pick in this seasons draft.  Kings arena crisis is now in the distant past, franchise can embrace a new beginning coming close to wining 30 games this season.

Golden State Warriors acquiring Andre Iguodala as a free agent from the Denver Nuggets means more shots from the outside for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for the 3 point line.  Iguodala also bring relentless man to man defense and back door screen the Warriors need to become close to competing with the Clippers.  Ageless Jermaine O'neal being acquired as a free agent from the Phoenix Suns give team backbone and shot blocking in the post when needed due to foul difficulties Andrew Bogut has had over the years until last season averaging a career high 38 minutes a game.  Mark Jackson is becoming an Elite NBA coach in the tough Western Conference, the team will go as far as he goes and Curry does for a long playoff run this season.

Northwest

Oklahoma City Thunder had a tough off season to say the least as the team lost SG Kevin Martin to the Minnesota Timberwolves after trading for him in the James Hardin deal from the Houston Rockets and 2nd knee surgery for G Russell Westbrook.  SF Kevin Durant is as close to compete player who still needs to be a mean rover type defensive player and a stronger player emotionally who tells the players that I know I can hit this shot and shove it.  PG Reggie Jackson who lacks defensive principles (not the skill itself) Will have to be the glue for Durant and Serge Ibaka until Westbrook is able to return around Christmas.

Utah Jazz a young team on the rise fell flat missing postseson play by 2 games.  PGTrey Burke who was the replacement to be for PG Mo Williams (before leaving to the Portland Trail Blazers) will miss at least 2 months due to a knee injury.  Signing PF Derick Favors who many bloggers and journalism excluding myself thought he would be a bust when drafted by the New Jersey Nets has shown groth in his low post offense, blocks, rebounding and perimeter defender.  Signing Sf Gordon Hayward who improved his 3 point percentage 15% the last 2 seasons and better off the ball scoring will give Enas Kanter low post scoring and offensive rebounding.

Denver Nuggets fired George Karl after winning NBA coach of the year award as the Gm was hired by the Toronto Raptors.  Nuggets acquired Nate Robinson from the Chicago Bulls can score with the best guards in the leagus with PG Ty Lawson leading direction for PF Kenneth Fareed SF Wilson Chandler and C Javale McGee.  Nuggets are a young team coming of age since the Carmelo Anthony trade during the 2011 NBA deadline went as far Karl could coach them before losing in the 1st round to the Warriors. PG Andre Miller who is the playoff tested veteran is still able to guide this young team by leading in transition and know when to score and knows when to drop the ball off to Chandler or J.J. Hickson.  Nuggets lost the go to scorer in Iguodala, but the team knows how to win without stardom bound players hopefully increases playoff success.

Portland Trail Blazers being lead by 2013 rookie of the year winner Damian Lillard, savvy veteran PG Mo Williams and SG Wesley Matthews have an underrated backcourt in the division.  the Addition of Allen Crabbe who was a reliable for his defensive skills and scores easy baskets without the ball while at school in University of California looks to be the Jamal Mashburn (injuries aside) in the NBA today.  Blazers have been desperate to trade franchise PF LaMarcus Aldridge for lottery picks or contracts expiring, at this moment no team has made an adequate offers for their needs since the failures of C Greg Oden who was the 2007 number 1 draft pick and the injuries that limited the promising career of the 2009 number 4th pick SF Brandon Roy.  Acquiring Robin Lopez from the Phoenix Suns adds to the rebounding and baseline defense Aldridge already has from the bench.  Sf Nichlas Batum has been seen in may NBA GM's eyes as an asset to trade especially after the Timberwolves made an offer sheet but the Blazers matched the deal.  Blazers are in similar situation the Phoenix Suns were in before reacquiring Steve Nash in 2004 season, the future can go either way.

Minnesota Timberwolves have another "Kevin" eager to see the playoffs for the first time and a team willing to work for every thread of nylon for Kevin Love.  Timberwolves have not reached the playoffs since the first "Kevin" PF Kevin Garnett lead the way with PG Sam Cassel, SF Latrell Sprewell and SG Wally Sczerbiack were on the roster in the 2004 season.  Timberwolves do have players that resemble the previous Kevin era today with PG Ricky Rubio recovering from breaking his fibula near the end of last season, F Derrick Williams, PF Chase Budinger and reserve PG Jose Barea all can shoot 3 point shots, made pick and rool screens which allows Love to open for a junk, open for a baseline shoot, transition 3 point shot and rebounding opportunities for the offense.  With Rick Adelman who pondered retirement staying as teams head coach can be a team that has the parts similar to the Trail Blazers he coaches to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 seasons, but first thing first for the Timberwolves is become a 45 win team and possibly a playoff team.

Photos taken from vacation at New York City area.

Remembrance and Rebirth statue at Essex, New Jersey.  Photo was taken on July 22, 2013.

Eagle Rock monument at South Orange.  Photo was taken on July 24, 2013.

Madison Square Garden.  photo was taken on July 27, 2013

Fox reporter Erin Andrews as SK Energy spokeswoman at Times Square.  Photo was taken on July 27, 2013.

Carbonara meal I did order form Goodfella's restaurant at West Orange, New Jersey.  Photo was taken on July 22, 2013.

Flower at my sister's new apartment she moved to in New Jersey.  Photo was taken on August 2, 2013.

William Sloan statue at South Orange, New Jersey.  photo was taken on August 2, 2013.

Photos as I returned to town

Sorta coach Gillig 2113 at my final trip at the Mercy-Franciscan Hospital at Mount Airy.  Photo was taken on August 7, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 1217 in clouds at the Center of Cincinnati Shopping Center on August 13, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 954 one year later at the Marburg Avenue layover.  Photo was taken on August 14, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 943 at Anderson Township Park & Ride as Route 30X Beechmont Express.  Photo was taken on August 15, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 1213 and bike rack at Fairview Loop 

Sorta coach Gillig 1213 at the Center of Cincinnati Shopping Center.  Photo was taken on August 17, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 1214 at the Center of Cincinnati Shopping Center.  Photo was taken on August 17, 2013.

Sorta coach Gillig 1214 in final run at the Fairview Loop on August 17, 2013

Sorta coach Gillig 1213 in final run at the Fairview Loop.  Photo was taken at 8:52PM on August 17, 2013.

Sorta coach New Flyer 9040 becomes the final bus to land at the Fairview Loop.  Photo was taken at 9:48PM on August 17, 2013.  Queen City Metro left the loop abandoned.

Homemade Philly Cheese-steak made on August 18, 2013.

Sorta coach New Flyer 9048 at the Center of Cincinnati Shopping Center.  photo was taken a day after my birthday on September 5, 2013.  On my birthday I received confirmation I were moving to Hyde Park neighborhood.