Projected Final Team Standings for the 2008-2009 NBA Season by Fanbay.net
Fanbay NBA · NBA Stats. 2008-2009 NBA Standings Predictions: Eastern · Western

2008-09 Season Preview - Predicted Final Team Standings (April 23, 2008)



2008-2009 COMING SOON

Western Conference

Overview: Ok, Dallas and Phoenix look like the conferences best teams during the regular season. Denver has too many pieces to ignore and you just can't write off the Spurs. That's 4 of the 8 playoff spots. The rest are up for grabs. Utah has the pieces. Houston should get there and look ugly as usual in the process. The Lakers look on the verge of falling off a cliff, but we don't want to write off Kobe yet. And what would the playoffs be without Golden State's fans? That's 8 teams. Our darkhorse candidate is the L.A. Clippers. Granted Brand is out, but there is some talent on this roster, and can the Clippers be bad forever.

1. Dallas Mavericks Avery Johnson
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 67-15 (+7)
Record 2005-2006: 60-22 (+2)
Record 2004-2005: 58-24 (+6)
Record 2003-2004: 52-30 (-8)
Upside: This is the deepest, youngest team in the West. That means season-long energy which translates into a lot of wins. And, like Phoenix, Dirk Nowitski and the Mavs still having something to prove-- they were ousted in the 1st round last year (by Golden State) and lost the NBA Finals in 2006.
Recap: Can Dirk get back-to-back MVP awards like his friend Steve Nash? The stars may be aligned. His supporting cast is solid this year. Yes, the Dampier-Diop Center solution could be better, but it sure isn't bad to have 2 experienced 7-footers. And the addition of Trenton Hassell could be significant to boost the performance of guards Devin Harris and Jason Terry.

2. San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 58-24 (-5 wins from previous year)
Record 2005-2006: 63-19 (+4)
Record 2004-2005: 59-23 (+2)
Record 2003-2004: 57-25 (-3)
Upside: There will still be plenty of motivation for success in San Antonio. The trick is going to be the regular season long haul. The Spurs have tried, but been unable to find young pieces to complement (take pressure off) the big three (Duncan, Manu, and Parker).
Recap: The Spurs are aging. Getting through the regular season holding on to Finley, Horry, and Barry could be more of a challenge then it has been in the last 9 seasons. Nevertheless, San Antonio has enough to win 50 games for the 15th time in 19 years.

3. Phoenix Suns Mike D'Antoni
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 61-21 (+7)
Record 2005-2006: 54-28 (-8)
Record 2004-2005: 62-20 (+33)
Record 2003-2004: 29-53 (-15)
Upside: The Suns still have something to prove. For all the Steve Nash hype and two 60-win seasons, the Suns haven't been to the NBA Finals since Barkley in 1993. Throw in the tough loss to the Spurs last year and this is a hungry team.
Recap: Expect a few less wins in the regular season just based on the fact the team needs to a) conserve some energy for the playoffs and b) there's now some internal strife (having been together with 3 superstars and failing to deliver)-- Marion wanting a trade, etc. They added Grant Hill, but that actually could slow them down a little. Expect a solid team, and determined (but not destined) come the playoffs.

4. Denver Nuggets George Karl
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 45-37 (+1)
Record 2005-2006: 44-38 (-5)
Record 2004-2005: 49-33 (+6)
Record 2003-2004: 43-39 (+26)
Upside: No matter what happens with Marcus Camby, any team with Iverson, Anthony, and Nene is good enough to be a serious contender.
Recap: If only the Nuggets would realize they need a real spot-up shooting guard. It's amazing how some teams dance around their obvious need for years. Yes, Anthony is capable of shooting the long ball and that aspect of his game should continue to develop. However, the Nuggets could really take the pressure off Anthony by giving him a spot-up sharp shooter to kick the ball too. And Iverson too, should be maturing to the point he could take advantage of that type of option. For now, the Nuggets should still be good for 50 wins, especially if J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza can fill the role.

5. Houston Rockets Rick Adelman
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 52-30 (+18)
Record 2005-2006: 34-48 (-17)
Record 2004-2005: 51-31 (+6)
Record 2003-2004: 45-37 (+2)
Upside: McGrady needs to become more confident-- and consistent. And the Rockets need some role players to do the same thing. For example, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Bonzi Wells, and 1 of their guard options (Alston, James, and Head).
Recap: Houston won 52 games last year. So, just because McGrady disappeared when it counted at the end of Round 1 in the playoffs doesn't mean the Rockets should be written off this season. The Rockets are a grind it out team. And they should be able to grind their way into the playoffs.

6. Golden State Warriers Don Nelson
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 42-40 (+8)
Record 2005-2006: 34-48 (0)
Record 2004-2005: 34-48 (-3)
Record 2003-2004: 37-45 (-1)
Upside: The Warriors have all kinds of upside this season. They added Troy Hudson. And they have developing talent in K.Azubuike and M.Belinelli. But do they have enough to break out in the win column during the regular season?
Recap: After watching the Warriors in the playoffs last year, it just wouldn't be the playoffs without Golden State again. But the roster isn't set up as a team destined for the playoffs. The Warriors will have to will their way, earning wins all season.

7. Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 42-40 (-3)
Record 2005-2006: 45-37 (+11)
Record 2004-2005: 34-48 (-22)
Record 2003-2004: 56-26 (+6)
Upside: The Lakers have brought back Derek Fisher which could provide stability in the backcourt which has been desperately missing. And, Luke Walton played well last year, and c Bynum showed big potential. These are pieces the Lakers need for a big year, in addition to solid role playing by Chris Mihm and V.Radmonovic.
Recap: The reality is that the Lakers really didn't do much of anything in the offseason to improve the team. Fisher helps, but otherwise this is the same team that struggles to make the playoffs. Is this another year of the same: hope to make the playoffs and then hope Kobe can will the team to the 2nd round? At least this year, the depth on the roster does seem to be a little more solid. If Kobe is stuck in L.A., maybe coach Phil Jackson can work this team into a more competitive playoff opponent.

8. Utah Jazz Jerry Sloan
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 51-31 (+10)
Record 2005-2006: 41-41 (+15)
Record 2004-2005: 26-56 (-16)
Record 2003-2004: 42-40 (-5)
Upside: Two years ago, the Jazz won just 26 games, and by last season they had turned things around enough to be a championship contender. With one of the best coaches in the league, Jerry Sloan, anything is possible this season.
Recap: The Jazz are a bit of a wild card. If they play like they did in the playoffs they could win even more games this year. Utah gets solid play from Boozer and Okur. Last year Deron Williams established himself as the 3rd key piece, but he's got to keep it up. And, there are weak areas such as SG, and what to do about Kirilenko who could be a head case again despite his potential. Anyways, expect the Jazz can make the playoffs.

9. Sacramento Kings Reggie Theus
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 33-49 (-11)
Record 2005-2006: 44-38 (-6)
Record 2004-2005: 50-32 (-5)
Record 2003-2004: 55-27 (-4)
Upside: The roster is filled with mediocre talent. Brad Miller has been tailing off. Bibby and Abdur-Rahim are aging. But the upside is depth and heart. Artest and Bibby, if focused, know how to win.
Recap: The Kings ended last season with a 5-17 losing stretch, finishing last in the Pacific Division. And that was with Artest having the best year of his career. So why the prediction they could almost make the playoffs? This season, it will officially become Kevin Martin's team. And the way Martin racks up his points-- slashing and shooting a lot of free throws, usually makes for a successful team. Five seasons in a row of declining wins. We bet on a bounce this year.

10. New Orleans Hornets Byron Scott
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 39-43 (+1)
Record 2005-2006: 38-44 (+20)
Record 2004-2005: 18-64 (-23)
Record 2003-2004: 41-41 (-6)
Upside: Stojakovic, if healthy, will need to be the glue holding this team of odd sorts together. Because, on the one hand, this is a team with some interesting pieces for a possible upside breakout year-- Hilton Armstrong, West, Chandler, Paul, and Butler.
Recap: On the other hand, the true nature of this team seems to be that everything would have to go right for a successful year. In other words, there's upside, but they must all have career years for a run into the playoffs. Chris Paul has a little to prove this year after watching Utah's Deron Williams steal the limelight. Whether that helps or hurts the Hornets as a team is the question.

11. Memphis Grizzlies Mark Iavaroni
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 22-60 (-27)
Record 2005-2006: 49-33 (+4)
Record 2004-2005: 45-37 (-5)
Record 2003-2004: 50-32 (+22)
Upside: They only won 22 games last year, so it's not hard to say the Grizz got upside. Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick are entering their 2nd and 3rd season. They've added C Darko Milicic. And they drafted a PG, Mike Conley Jr with the ability to turn everything around.
Recap: Was last season an anomaly? Gasol missed 23 games last year. But a healthy Gasol all year may be only part of the solution. This is a team in transition. They may suffer some growing pains this season as Conley gains experience.

12. Los Angeles Clippers Mike Dunleavy Sr.
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 40-42 (-7)
Record 2005-2006: 47-35 (+10)
Record 2004-2005: 37-45 (+9)
Record 2003-2004: 28-54 (+1)
Upside: The Clippers were supposed to win 50 games (give or take a couple) last year. They were going to stop being L.A.'s other team. Instead, they won just 40 games. And that was with Elton Brand. Enter NBA Rookie of the Year darkhorse candidate, Al Thornton.
Recap: It's setting up as a tough season for the Clippers. The Clips preferred PG, Shaun Livingston is out indefinitely and the other 2 options are aging-- they added 10- year veteran PG Brevin Knight and the Clippers have been relying on 14-year vet Sam Cassell. If Dunleavy can get that experience (or the younger PG Dan Dickau) to work in his favor then maybe the Clips can put in a decent performance this year. The bright side is that Chris Kaman couldn't possibly have a worse season than last year. And the Clippers have some energy at the 2 and 3 spots with Maggette, Quinton Ross, Josh Powell, and Ruben Patterson. Were calling for another pullback in the win total, but this is a tough team to just write off.

13. Portland Trail Blazers Nate McMillan
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 32-50 (+11)
Record 2005-2006: 21-61 (-6)
Record 2004-2005: 27-55 (-14)
Record 2003-2004: 41-41 (-9)
Upside: All right, Blazers fans, back from the edge of the cliff now. Sure, your top pick Greg Oden is out for the year, and you may have to endure a year of Kevin Durant flying dunk highlights. But there is reason to be optimistic. In fact, there's 2 reasons. First, ok, maybe you'll be bad this year, again. But then you get a lottery draft choice and head into next season with another superstar. Or, two, while Oden is out of the line-up, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy (and maybe Martell Webster) have another year to really develop and mature their games without the Oden sideshow.
Recap: So much for upside. The fact is, losing a superstar for a whole season just stinks. In no way is anything like that good news. But the Blazers have finally remade the roster and there is a bright side because the Blazers have the right pieces to build upon for turning this franchise back into a winner.

14. Seattle Supersonics P.J. Carlesimo
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 31-51 (-4)
Record 2005-2006: 35-47 (-17)
Record 2004-2005: 52-30 (+15)
Record 2003-2004: 37-45 (-3)
Upside: The roster has been remade young and it bodes well for an exciting year and sets the franchise in an up-and-coming direction. But, the reality is they were 31-51 last year and they got rid of their best 2 players (Lewis and Allen).
Recap: There is a lot of position competition in Seattle. Will PG Ridnour lose playing time? And who's going to play C and PF between Collison, Sene, Wilcox, Swift, Petro, and Kurt Thomas? The Sonics should be an exciting team, but a realistic goal for the team should just be to top last year's win season, and hopefully sort out some of the position competition heading into next year.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves Randy Wittman
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 32-50 (-1)
Record 2005-2006: 33-49 (-11)
Record 2004-2005: 44-38 (-14)
Record 2003-2004: 58-24 (+7)
Upside: Two woeful losing seasons in a row were enough to push the Wolves to finally part with K.G. But, GM Kevin McHale made the deal, giving his former Celtics K.G. and getting back half the Celtics (24 wins last year in the East) roster in return. The upside lies solely in how well Al Jefferson plays.
Recap: Other teams, like the Sonics and Trailblazers are rebuilding with potential superstars like Durant, Green, Roy, and Aldridge. The T-Wolves up-and-comers (Foye, McCants, Brewer) don't really seem to have that type of potential. Maybe Al Jefferson can quickly make the T-Wolves forget about Garnett, but it may take another draft pick or two to really turn things around.