2017-2018 Midwest Division Preview
Aug 4, 2017 20:25:57 GMT -5
Kots (Colorado GM), studiscus(Vegas), and 2 more like this
Post by Miege22 on Aug 4, 2017 20:25:57 GMT -5
This might be my favorite division to preview because it's both very obvious how it will turn out, and it is incredibly diverse when it comes to the the level of good/bad. Last year, this division contained both the league's best regular season team (Memphis), and it's eventual champion (Houston). After that, it's got two new owners, one going for broke, and the other overseeing a budding dynasty. Finally, there's our league's version of Mark Cuban.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
No disrespect to Houston, they're loaded, but the Grizzlies were last year's best team... and they got better. Not only did the Grizzlies add the top overall pick, Markelle Fultz, but they traded for both Al Horford and Victor Oladipo. Along with expected growth from Joel Embiid and Julius Randle, plus larger roles for Dennis Schroeder, Kent Bazemore. This team is absolutely loaded. So much so that the only thing stopping them from taking home the crown is an injury or two. This is likely the strongest team Memphis has ever had, and it's certainly a stronger team than they will likely have next year. Ibaka, Oladpio, Bradley, and Schroeder will all be free agents. Randle and Embiid are both in line for $5,000,000 pay raises. Things are about to get very expensive next season. It won't totally derail this juggernaut, but it will make for some interesting decisions.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are the two-time defending Western Conference champions, and it really hasn't been close. There is just so much star power on this roster that it overwhelms opponents when the lights get brighter in the playoffs. Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic is, arguably, the best trio in the league right now. The Rockets will be without Jabari Parker for the first half of the year, but that only means Khris Middleton will get more work. And, oh yeah, Houston has Middleton as well. However, much like Memphis, things are going to get interesting. Two summers from now, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic will all be due for re-signs. If all four are still on the team in two years, only two will be coming back. Until then, the Rockets look poised to continue their run at the top of the Western Conference.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Here's where things get interesting. The Wolves have a really good inside-out duo in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. They've got a couple of nice supplemental pieces in Reggie Jackson and Jordan Clarkson. After that, it's a little bare. But it should still be enough to slot third in the division and, potentially, compete for a playoff spot. The new Wolves owner was done no favors by our friend cornvan, but they've come out of it with a solid team. They're also set up to have a boatload of cap space next offseason.
4. OKC Thunder
The Thunder are a year away. They are absolutely loaded with young talent, and productive players still in their prime. Take a look up and down the roster. Jamal and Dejounte Murray, Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Jayson Tatum, Aaron Gordon, Tristan Thompson. There is a lot to like here. There are also some empty spots on the roster, enough to, in all likelihood, keep them out of the playoff hunt. But they're going to play spoiler late in the year. There's no chance they don't.
5. Kansas City Kings
It's tough to put the Kings down here. Despite Poopy MckBucket Head!'s name and posts, he's actually been a very astute and successful owner in this league. There are some things to like here. Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Brook Lopez and Nerlens Noel are four great to solid players. Unfortunately, the roster is really bare after that. Burks, Stuckey, Foye and Snell either don't play, are hurt, or barely see the floor. The Kings have their own pick in what many think will be a pretty good 2018 draft, so that's the positive. The negative is this isn't a team that's going to win very much this season.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
No disrespect to Houston, they're loaded, but the Grizzlies were last year's best team... and they got better. Not only did the Grizzlies add the top overall pick, Markelle Fultz, but they traded for both Al Horford and Victor Oladipo. Along with expected growth from Joel Embiid and Julius Randle, plus larger roles for Dennis Schroeder, Kent Bazemore. This team is absolutely loaded. So much so that the only thing stopping them from taking home the crown is an injury or two. This is likely the strongest team Memphis has ever had, and it's certainly a stronger team than they will likely have next year. Ibaka, Oladpio, Bradley, and Schroeder will all be free agents. Randle and Embiid are both in line for $5,000,000 pay raises. Things are about to get very expensive next season. It won't totally derail this juggernaut, but it will make for some interesting decisions.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are the two-time defending Western Conference champions, and it really hasn't been close. There is just so much star power on this roster that it overwhelms opponents when the lights get brighter in the playoffs. Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic is, arguably, the best trio in the league right now. The Rockets will be without Jabari Parker for the first half of the year, but that only means Khris Middleton will get more work. And, oh yeah, Houston has Middleton as well. However, much like Memphis, things are going to get interesting. Two summers from now, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic will all be due for re-signs. If all four are still on the team in two years, only two will be coming back. Until then, the Rockets look poised to continue their run at the top of the Western Conference.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Here's where things get interesting. The Wolves have a really good inside-out duo in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. They've got a couple of nice supplemental pieces in Reggie Jackson and Jordan Clarkson. After that, it's a little bare. But it should still be enough to slot third in the division and, potentially, compete for a playoff spot. The new Wolves owner was done no favors by our friend cornvan, but they've come out of it with a solid team. They're also set up to have a boatload of cap space next offseason.
4. OKC Thunder
The Thunder are a year away. They are absolutely loaded with young talent, and productive players still in their prime. Take a look up and down the roster. Jamal and Dejounte Murray, Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Jayson Tatum, Aaron Gordon, Tristan Thompson. There is a lot to like here. There are also some empty spots on the roster, enough to, in all likelihood, keep them out of the playoff hunt. But they're going to play spoiler late in the year. There's no chance they don't.
5. Kansas City Kings
It's tough to put the Kings down here. Despite Poopy MckBucket Head!'s name and posts, he's actually been a very astute and successful owner in this league. There are some things to like here. Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Brook Lopez and Nerlens Noel are four great to solid players. Unfortunately, the roster is really bare after that. Burks, Stuckey, Foye and Snell either don't play, are hurt, or barely see the floor. The Kings have their own pick in what many think will be a pretty good 2018 draft, so that's the positive. The negative is this isn't a team that's going to win very much this season.