On The Ball

NBA Pacific Division Preview

The Pacific Division features one team with championship caliber potential, one that should be a cut below the championship level and three other teams with unwavering hopes of reaching the 2006 playoffs.

The Pacific division was once the glamour division of the western conference and believe it or not, it could return to its former dominance in another season or two depending on what types of moves the respective general managers of each team make in the coming years.

At the very least, the division will provide for some entertaining basketball this season as each team in the division has a justified reason for its high hopes - besides the Los Angeles Clippers that is. At any rate, enough with the blabbering. Let's take a look at each team in the pacific division.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have totally transformed a team that won over 60 games last season and gave the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs, all they could handle before bowing out gracefully in six games in the western conference finals.

The 2005-06 Suns, although different from last season's team, should still win their share of games even if they aren't quite as exciting or don't score quite as many points.

They still have three all-star players in MVP, Steve Nash, all-world power forward, Amare Stoudemire and "The Matrix," Shawn Marion, but the losses of Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson will obviously affect their three-point shooting and the up-tempo style of play they used last season to run their opponents into submission.

In their places, the Suns have acquired several competent players to fill their void and add a defensive presence that was sorely lacking last season.

The signings of Raja Bell, Pat Burke, Brian Grant, Eddie House, James Jones, Kurt Thomas and drafting of rookie Dijon Thompson, should he make the roster, comprise the many changes the Suns made to their roster this past offseason.

Stoudemire will be out for up to four months to start the season which will have a huge impact on where the Suns will be seeded come playoff time. The acquisitions of Grant and Thomas could ultimately turn out to be positive moves, that weren't immediately embraced by basketball experts across the country including myself.

I like the Suns a lot and I believe they will still win at least 50 games, but I can most assuredly say that GM Bryan Colangelo made a mistake of major proportions by trading away the rights to rookie point guard Nate Robinson, who I can guarantee, will one day be a star in the league.

At the very least however, I expect the Suns to go deep in the western conference playoffs again this year even if they are still another player or two away from challenging the Spurs for western conference supremacy.

Sacramento Kings

Much like the Suns, the Kings have made several wholesale changes to their roster. Gone are mainstays like Chris Webber, the former face of the franchise, Bobby Jackson, Maurice Evans, little used Eddie House, Greg Ostertag and Darius Songalia, not to mention Cuttino Mobley.

The Kings did make some competent signings this offseason that should help counter their offseason losses. Number one, the New Jersey Nets' loss is now the Kings' gain. When the Nets decided to pass on signing Shareef Abdur-Rahim because of some minuscule knee problem that Abdur-Rahim has played with for over decade, they not only screwed themselves out of an all-star caliber player, but they inadvertently helped the Kings land a player that could conceivably put up 20 and 10 per night as he has done throughout his career.

The Kings also signed an immensely talented, albeit, major head case, in Bonzi Wells, who could either, be the player to push the Kings into the class of the elite or implode a team that has talent at nearly every position.

The Kings also drafted a talented wing player in Francisco Garcia who should provide immediate scoring help off the bench.

Wells will have a major impact on which direction this teams goes. If he plays with any kind of enthusiasm or sense of team play, then the Kings could surprise a lot of people. The more likely scenario is that this is a team that will win approximately about 45 games and make another quick exit from the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are a team that bears watching this season. When they acquired point guard Baron Davis at the trading deadline last season, it infused a team whose roster isn't as bad as most people think.

With Davis and scoring machine Jason Richardson in the backcourt, the Warriors boast one of the most formidable backcourt duos in the league.

The Warriors also drafted three players in Ike Diogu, Monta Ellis and Chris Taft, who should all make varying contributions this season.

The Warriors problems will come with their frontcourt players. Center Adonal Foyle is serviceable at best, while both, Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, while capable scorers, have never been known for their defense.

If second-year head coach Mike Montgomery, who should be better adjusted to the pro game this season, can get something - anything - out of his frontcourt players, then the playoffs could definitely be a reality for the Warriors this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers will be watched this season more than any other unexceptional team has been in recent years.

From the return of head coach Phil Jackson to the ongoing drama that is Kobe Bryant, the Lakers should be an entertaining team if nothing else.

In reality though, the Lakers will be a team searching for its new identity. Bryant and the talented, but underachieving, Lamar Odom will be asked to handle the ball a lot as the Lakers reintroduce themselves to the triangle offense.

If Kwame Brown can fulfill any of the potential that made him the first overall pick in the draft just a few short years ago, then the Lakers could be closer to turning their fortunes around than most people think.

The Lakers are at the very least another year away from challenging anyone for anything other than a playoff berth. Until then, I'll just sit back and enjoy the show.

Los Angeles Clippers

Let's see. The Clippers acquired Sam Cassell who pulled one of the all-time great vanishing acts last season while pretending to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clips also obtained shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, a player I played against when he was just a young pup attending Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and who is now, an aging veteran himself.

The Clippers will pair those two with Elton Brand, Chris Wilcox and Corey Maggette.

Theoretically, the Clippers have a realistic chance of making the playoffs. However, this isn't a psychology class so theories don't cut it in the real world. The most likely scenario for this team is another trip back to Seacaucus, New Jersey for next year's draft lottery.

This franchise will continue to flounder until both owner, Donald Sterling and GM Elgin Baylor take a hike. Until then, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Previous Editions

• Central Division Preview - October 12, 2005
• Northwest Division Preview - October 11, 2005
• Southeast Division Preview - October 10, 2005
• Atlantic Division Preview - September 12, 2005
• The Rich Get Richer - September 12, 2005
• Heat May Be Colder Next Season - August 9, 2005
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Larry Brown - July 31, 2005
• A True Friend - July 18, 2005
• McMillian Leaves Sonics Clutching Thin Air - July 11, 2005
• Cavaliers Land Larry Hughes - July 9, 2005

About Eric Williams

Eric Williams is an award winning sports columnist and six year veteran writer for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Eric was born and raised in Philadelphia and has covered all four major professional sports in the Philadelphia area. He has also covered golf, track and field, soccer, tennis and bicycling.

Lifetime Boston Celtics fan. Basketball and football are his favorite sports. Eric is married with five children and currently resides in Marshall, Missouri.

Comments and feedback can be sent to eklass66@yahoo.com