On The Ball

NBA Southwest Division Preview

Simply put, this division epitomizes the slogan, “The Wild, Wild West.” The Southwest Division may be the strongest division in the NBA. As a matter of fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that it is unequivocally the strongest division in the league. No other division features three teams that all have legitimate reasons to believe they'll be playing in the NBA finals.

Let's see exactly what the southwest division has to offer.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have to be the odds-on-favorite to win the 2006 NBA title. Everybody knows the Spurs have the best player in the game today in Tim Duncan, and one of the most exciting in Manu Ginobili, but by adding scorers, Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel, the Spurs have all but guaranteed themselves a return trip to the finals.

Not only did the Spurs add two former all-stars in Finley and Van Exel, but they also added a talented frontcourt player in Argentine, Fabricio Oberto, who will contribute to the Spurs' cause right away.

This team has become the model franchise for all NBA teams to pattern themselves after. Not so coincidentally, the fortunes of this franchise changed dramatically right after they drafted Duncan.

Dallas Mavericks

Everyone knows the Mavs lost former all-star Michael Finley as an amnesty tax casualty, but the real question is whether they will be able to overcome the retirement of Shawn Bradley. Bradley's presence was ... okay, I'm just joking, don't shoot.

The Mavs' most important move came last March when assistant coach Avery Johnson took over for the retiring Don Nelson and promptly led the Mavericks to a 16-2 finish to close out the regular season.

Johnson instilled more of a defensive mentality while simultaneously incorporating a younger lineup featuring Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels. If the Mavs can avoid the disappearing act that Dirk Nowitzki pulled in last year's playoffs and get consistent offensive production from Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, then the sky's the limit for the Mavs - until they meet the Spurs that is.

Houston Rockets

Although the Rockets were knocked out of last year's playoffs by the Mavs after taking a two games-to-none lead, they have reason to believe they can go even further this season. The acquisition of power forward Stromile Swift and point guard Rafer Alston, may be the tonic the Rockets need to vault them to the Western Conference finals.

Power forward, Lonny Baxter, rookie guard Luther Head and backup swingman, Dion Glover should provide a competent trio of off-the-bench players that should only make this team better in the long run.

If Jeff Van Gundy can get Tracy McGrady to play any amount of defense, he automatically gets my vote for coach of the year. No offense, but there is now way the Rockets should have lost the palyoff series to the Mavs after winning the first two games - on the road no less. If McGrady and center Yao Ming are the superstars the league portrays them to be, an appearance in the conference finals is a must this year.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies will have a totally different look than the team that closed out the season last year. The acquisitions of guards Bobby Jackson, Damon Stoudamire and Eddie Jones, not to mention the subtractions of head cases, Bonzi Wells and Jason Williams instantly make this team, not only more responsible, but better at both ends of the court. The Griz also got a steal by drafting lanky forward Hakim Warrick and will depend of versatile forward, Pau Gasol to lead them where they want to go. Whether or not this course of action lands the Grizzlies back in the playoffs, remains to be seen, but GM Jerry West should be lauded for not standing pat with an underachieving team full of malcontents.

New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets definitely got a gem by drafting point guard Chris Paul out of Wake Forest University and have an exciting swingman in second-year player, J.R. Smith. They also acquired a competent guard in Arvydas Macijauskas and another talented player with a huge upside in Kirk Snyder. However, this team is seriously lacking in the frontcourt department where veteran forward P.J. Brown is their best option.

Obviously the Hornets are quite a few years away from shocking anybody. Until then, I'll just sit back and watch the growth of their young players.

Previous Editions

• Pacific Division Preview - October 26, 2005
• 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