Archives For Southwest Division

SCH Division Preview Hub

Jefferson —  October 26, 2010 — 1 Comment

New Season - New Logo

The Salt City Hoops staff has been hard at work previewing each of the contenders in the NBA.  Sure the season starts today, but come playoff time, only 16 teams will get to play in the second season – and have a shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy and a place in the hall of NBA champions.  Add the Utah Jazz to this list, and there are 19 teams fighting for 16 spots.  Who will be left on the outside looking in?

We’ve evaluated the key matchups, sounded the high notes and the low notes, revisited (sometimes painfully) the history between the franchises, scrutinized the players and coaches, and given you an outlook for the coming season.  Here, then, to kick of the 2009-2010 NBA season are links to each of those previews:

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics |  NY Knicks

Central Division: Chicago Bulls |  Milwaukee Bucks |  Indiana Pacers

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks |  Charlotte Bobcats |  Miami Heat | Orlando Magic

Northwest Division: OKC Thunder |  Denver Nuggets |  Portland Trailblazers

Pacific Division: LA Lakers |  LA Clippers |  Phoenix Suns

Southwest Division: Houston Rockets |  San Antonio Spurs |  Dallas Mavericks

Be sure to check back during the season to see how we did in our prognosticating!

In Divisional Previews, Utah Jazz , , , , , , ,
permalink

Division Previews: Dallas Mavericks, Southwest Division – Western Conference

Brian Henderson —  October 26, 2010 — Leave a comment

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Overview

No Mark, you can't play in the games.

The Mavericks are a head-scratching bunch. 50 plus wins in each of the past ten seasons, and a first round exit in three of the past four, despite being perennial favorites to advance deep into the playoffs after their NBA Finals appearance against the Miami Heat in 2006. Mad Hatter Mark Cuban spares no expense to assemble the most talented roster he can buy, but the Mavs have suffered some chemistry problems, it seems, despite having done so. This is Dirk Nowitzki’s team, and he carries the burden of their success, whomever else the team surrounds him with. With offseason acquisitions, nearly half of the team is new. Dallas has only a couple of seasons left with the current core to make a march on the Lakers and return to the Finals. Can they do it? They have the talent. Will they? If the Jazz don’t do it, I’m rooting for these guys.

Key Matchups

Expect to see the following starting lineup this season for Dallas: Jason Kidd – PG, Rodrigue Beaubois – SG, Caron Butler – SF, Dirk Nowitzki-PF, Brendan Haywood – C. The following key reserves will be coming off the bench: Tyson Chandler, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and DeShawn Stevenson.

Dirk Nowitzki vs. Paul Millsap

Nowitzki may be one of Millsap’s toughest challenges this season. The way he spreads the floor by shooting from anywhere on the court spells trouble for Millsap, who’s much more comfortable in the post. Expect Nowitzki to have the edge in these matchups.

Jason Kidd vs. Deron Williams

Jason Kidd is one of the best point guards to ever play the game. He is top five all-time in assists. At age 37, having developed an outside shooting threat over his career, he shows no signs of slowing down. Old Guard vs. New Guard, these two seem to have parallel skills and dominance on the court.

Caron Butler and Andrei Kirilenko are evenly matched, as are Brendan Haywood and Al Jefferson. Nevermind the backup center, Tyson Chandler, may be the best #2 center in the NBA.

High Notes | Low Notes

The Mavericks are healthy thus far, which seems to be a good sign. Nearly half the team is new, which normally would be cause for concern. But such is the case with the Jazz, so, if the Mavericks can make it work, more power to them. The primary question that goes unanswered is this: Why does Dallas keep losing in the playoffs with all the talent Cuban has brought to the team?

History

The Mavericks and Jazz have only met twice in the post season, with Dallas sending Utah packing in the first round in 1986 and 2001.

Coach Notes

Head Coach Rick Carlisle had a scare this preseason with a training camp fainting spell. But this 2002 NBA Coach of the Year (with the Pistons) is back in the saddle and ready to go. He’s got an ability to relate to players (himself a former Celtic from the 1986 championship team) and he dials in his player strengths well.

Outlook

Ich werde diesen Ball in die Menge gestellt! (Photo: nba.com)

Utah plays Dallas twice in eight days in early December, followed by a late February road game and a late March home game.

Expect the Mavericks to always be in the mix as long as veterans Nowitzki and Kidd are leading the charge. Few will be surprised at a Lakers – Mavericks Western Conference Finals showdown come springtime. Then again, few will be surprised if the Mavs follow their recent pattern of bowing out to lesser talent in the first round. Which Dallas team will the NBA get this season? I’m expecting the former.

In Deron Williams, Divisional Previews, NBA, Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz , , , , ,
permalink

Division Previews: San Antonio Spurs, Southwest Division – Western Conference

Jefferson —  October 25, 2010 — 2 Comments

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Manu and Millsap demonstrate Spurs and Jazz Basketball - If you're not bleeding, you're not playing hard enough. Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Key Matchups

Tim Duncan v. Al Jefferson & Company

Tim Duncan (AKA the Big Fundamental, AKA a quiet, boring, dominant MVP) is getting old.  He’s 34 years old and this will be his 14th season in the league.  For his career, he’s averaged 21.1 points per game to go along with 11.6 rebounds.  Much to the chagrin of John Stockton and Karl Malone, David Robinson pegs Duncan as the best power forward ever to play the game (for a extended discussion comparing Duncan and Malone, check out this posting).  Duncan is a lock for the Hall of Fame, for sure.  Last season, his numbers dropped a bit, but he still averaged 17 points and 10 boards.  He may be getting old, but don’t count him out – his fundamentals serve him well, on both offense and defense.

In the sweep-clenching game last year, Duncan scored just 14 points (leaving his career point total at 19,999 – he’d pass 20K two nights later against Houston).  In that effort, Duncan went 1-5 against Millsap (for 2 points) and 1-7 against Okur (for 5 points).  Against other defenders, Duncan went 3-3 for 7 points.  Al, Paul, Memo and company will guard Duncan by committee, as usual.  The youth and depth of the Jazz ought to translate to reduced output from the Senior Statesman from San Antonio.

Tony Parker v. D-Will

When healthy, Tony Parker must be included in the discussion of the top five point guards in the league.  Unfortunately, Mr. Eva Longoria watched a good chunk of last season from the bench.  Never finding a rhythm during the year, he posted average numbers – 16 points and 5.7 dimes.  A breakout season may be looming – his contract expires at season’s end and Parker will be playing for a raise. If he stays healthy, he ought to have a pretty decent year.  Playing against Utah in only 3 of the 4 games last season, Parker averaged 21 points and 3.3 assists.  Parker gives up nearly 30 pounds to D-Will, so look for D-Will to work him into the paint and find the open man once the double-team comes.  Deron didn’t dominate him as he could have last year, but he was the far superior play-maker.  If this matchup is decided on the court (rather than by injuries), this should be fun to watch.

High Notes | Low Notes

Age

Like Boston, San Antonio is flirting with the upper-age-threshold for success.  The starting five for the Spurs (Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and Duncan) combine for 53 seasons of NBA experience.  Granted, there are still some miles on their collective tires, but the tread is starting to wear thin.  Despite their age (or because of their experience), the Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Semi-Finals last year, only to be swept by Phoenix.

Consistency

This team is good.  The organization is sound.  Coach Pop knows what he’s doing.  The players know that they are on a perennial playoff team that can contend for a title.  Unless their age and/or injuries catch up with them, San Antonio will continue to be a winner.

History

The Spurs lead the all-time series 82-72.  Prior to last season’s four-game sweep on the Spurs, Utah hadn’t won in San Antonio since February 28, 1999.  It was the first season-sweep of the Spurs since 1993-1994.   During that dominance of the Jazz, the Spurs reached Dynasty-Status, winning championships in 1999 and 2003 on the backs of Duncan and the Admiral David Robinson, and ‘chips in 2005 and 2007 with stars Duncan, Parker and Ginobili (“GINOBILI!”).

Player/Coach Notes

Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich are the two longest tenured coaches in the league.  Though the coaching carousel continues each season, the benches in San Antonio and Salt Lake City never seem to change.

Tim Duncan was one of three players to post their 20,000th career point last season.  Joining him in the feat were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitski and Boston’s Ray Allen.

Notorious sixth-man Manu Ginobili will actually start for the Spurs this year.  He started only 21 games last season when filling in for an injured Tony Parker.  Much like Sloan, Coach Pop likes to toy with the line-up.  Don’t be too surprised if Manu returns to the bench, but still puts up starter’s minutes.

Outlook

Many think that the window on their dynasty is closed.  With a elite head coach like Pop and quality, veteran talent, they could still surprise some people this season.  My best guess, though, is that age and injuries will keep San Antonio from seriously challenging in the West once the playoffs roll around.  The Jazz only face the Spurs three times this season (twice in Utah).  I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that San Antonio will steal one from Utah at home (maybe on Jan. 26th after the Jazz fly in late from a game against the Lakers on Jan. 25th?).  Utah showed us last year that it is capable of winning in the Alamodome – Utah takes this series 2-1 this year.

–

Contact Jefferson W. Boswell at jeffersonboz [AT] gmail [DOT] com

In Al Jefferson, Deron Williams, Divisional Previews, NBA, Utah Jazz , , , ,
permalink

Division Previews: Houston Rockets, Southwest Division – Western Conference

Jeff Lind —  October 25, 2010 — 1 Comment

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Key Matchups

Yao Ming v. Al Jefferson - Yao is a beast. I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the game and one of the top 2 centers in the league. Dwight has shown himself to be more durable, but Yao passes better, has softer hands in the low post, and has a solid midrange jumper (and by “jumper” I mean, “no jumping necessary”). The only problem with Yao is his health, which consistently makes me sad. I hate that a person that is so nice, so good, and as ambassadorial as Yao could potentially have his career cut short by lingering foot problems. Anyway, considering that he will be given 24 minutes per night this season, he’s the guy to watch in this otherwise superstarless team. Yeah, it’s only 24 minutes, but don’t underestimate Yao’s ability to dismantle a team in that amount of time. He’s taller, better, and smoother than centers across the board. If Houston uses him well (and I personally think that he’d be amazing off the bench), then look out.

Kevin Martin v. whoever – This just in: Kevin Martin is good. Really good. He shot 53.6% from 3PT territory in the preseason. He’s a defensive liability, and that’s an area the Rockets will have to look out for, but his offensive abilities alone should make opposing guards nervous. He can shoot, penetrate, and knows how to draw a foul. If he can stay healthy, then stay on notice.

High Notes | Low Notes

Daryl Morey knows what he’s doing. He’s had an unfair helping of bad luck & bad contracts, but year in and out, he’s still managed to put together a team that seems to make everyone nervous. He’s a pioneer in the NBA world for his streamlined approach to statistics and his ability to build a cohesive team. A Morey team always gels, always competes, and always has players that compliment each other. This means that despite not having a team of stars, his teams will always be good. This Rockets team has a solid starting 5, and a strong second unit. It has some leaders, some veterans, some up tempo guys, and some workhorses. It has balance. It’s not a team that will wow anyone, but trust me, when you look back at their record in 3 months, you’ll be surprised. They can win in the regular season without a prototypical superstar. That model may not work come playoff time, but they’re pretty well set to start league play. Saying all of that, it’ll be particularly interesting to see what the Rockets do as the trade deadline approaches.

History

The Rockets finished the 2009-10 season at 42/40, in 9th place (by 8 games), and on the outside looking in to the playoffs. They played the season without Yao (broken foot) and used the injured player exception they were granted on Trevor Ariza. It was a frustrating, purgatorial season for Rockets fans.

The Rockets have played 169 games against the Jazz and are 76/93 all time. They split 4 games in the 2008-2009 season, and lost to the Jazz in the playoffs in both 2006-07 (in 7 games), and 2007-08 (in 6 games).

Player/Coach Notes

I respect Rick Adelman. In his 18 outings as coach, he’s had 16 winning seasons and 15 playoff appearances. He knows how to use the players he’s got, and he never gets rattled. If Jerry Sloan retired today, there are 3 coaches that I would be happy with as replacement, and Adelman is on that list. He’s an old school guy that rewards good players, not good contracts, and he’s the kind of guy that maintains stability in an industry flanked with tumultuous conditions.

Outlook

This season hinges on Yao and his lame foot. If he stays healthy, plays his 24 minutes of power, and the Rockets stay competitive until the trade deadline, I can see Morey and the boys pulling the trigger on a big-time guy to come in and make a push for the playoffs. If the chips ALL fall right, this team could be SCARY come playoff time. Imagine a healthy Yao (who probably wouldn’t have limited minutes in the playoffs) a hyped up Kevin Martin, and a determined Luis Scola. Throw in any ‘ol superstar (Carmelo?) and that team gets frightening. Saying all of that, any number of things could go wrong, the whole thing could implode, and you’d end up with another season that mirrors the 2009-10 mess that Rocket fans already suffered through once. Without Yao, things won’t be horrible, but there won’t be as much to get excited about… and if the Great Yao falls once more, then it could potentially be his last time in an NBA uniform.

In Divisional Previews, Features , ,
permalink