Ranking The Northwest
HOOPSWORLD continues its look at how the conference divisions stack up now the 2011 NBA Draft is history and many trades have taken place. Today we focus on the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. A quick review of last season reminds us the division consisted of one team that vied for the conference title (Oklahoma City Thunder), two teams eliminated in the first round (Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers), one team that missed the postseason for the first time in the past five years (Utah Jazz), and finally, one team that came in dead last in the conference (Minnesota Timberwolves).
This division was extremely busy on draft night with picks reaching double-digit figures, in addition to some surprise trade action, as teams try to improve their roster.
With all this activity in mind, we ranked each team as it stands right now based on the new faces and undetermined status of others:
1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
2010-11 season record: 55-27 (13-3; ranked first in Northwest Division)
Last year the Thunder extended their postseason further than the year before, and both runs were ended by the eventual title champions. This suggests the team is headed the right direction. Just a little more experience and confidence, along with devotion to closing out games, and they just might make it to the Finals next season.
In recent days, Oklahoma City exercised fourth-year contract options on James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Eric Maynor and Byron Mullens, as well as a third-year option on Byron Mullens. They also extended Nazr Mohammed’s contract for one year much to the delight of franchise-face Kevin Durant. As a result of all this activity, the core group and the rotation players (with one exception – Daequan Cook, restricted free agent) are set through the 2011-12 season.
Expectations are high Kendrick Perkins will return at 100% health, a bit lighter and ready to duplicate the production he provided in Boston.
The Thunder welcomes, via the 24th pick in the draft, versatile 6’3″ guard Reggie Jackson, a mini-Russell Westbrook. Though not confirmed, James Harden may be moved to the starting lineup leaving Eric Maynor and Jackson to come off the bench together.
2. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS:
2010-11 season record: 48-34 (10-6; ranked third in Northwest Division)
The Blazers have been very busy in the offseason; such decisions may have far-reaching success in all sorts of areas. They extended qualifying offers to Greg Oden ($8.8 million) and Patty Mills ($1.2 million), making both restricted free agents. They picked up third-year contract options on Luke Babbitt and Elliot Williams. With an eye firmly on the future, they traded aging Andre Miller for the younger Raymond Felton, who desires a long-term relationship with the team. They finally shipped out disgruntled Rudy Fernandez. In the draft, they selected Nolan Smith (no. 21) and Jon Diebler (no. 51). Plus they are in the market for a new general manager following the release of Rich Cho.
While it appears the organization still believes in the seven-foot Oden and guard Brandon Roy, they are taking real steps to tighten things up. Smith is a scoring point guard and Diebler is a from-anywhere-type shooter. LaMarcus Aldridge made his mark last year, and Gerald Wallace fit in quickly.
Wesley Matthews’ ankle injury was far worse than previously known; he’s undergoing alternative treatments, but surgery is not off the radar. As for the status of Roy, he expects to be 100% when the season begins.
With Felton now manning the floor and acquisition of the draftees, not to mention the prospect of a healthy Oden (who has played 82 games over a four-year span) and Roy, the Blazers could be a much better squad.
3. UTAH JAZZ:
2010-11 season record: 39-43 (7-9; ranked fourth in Northwest Division)
The rebuilding continues. The Jazz grabbed two NBA-ready players in the draft: center Enes Kanter with their no. 3 pick and guard Alec Burks with no. 12 pick. Kanter, 6’11″, joins an already-impressive frontcourt including 6’10″ Al Jefferson, 6’11″ Mehmet Okur and relatively-new 6’10″ Derrick Favors in place. Throw in talented 6’8″ Paul Millsap, and that’s one tall team. Coach Tyrone Corbin seems excited at the rotation prospects. Many expect the departure of 7’1″ Kyrylo Fesenko, an unrestricted free agent.
The biggest question mark is unrestricted free agent Andrei Kirilenko, as his unbelievable contract finally comes to an end. Utah picked up a team option on C.J. Miles for the 2011-12 season.
It still seems strange to see Deron Williams or Jerry Sloan missing from this team, but that era is over. Devin Harris wants to make it work long-term and Corbin seems to be a good fit despite his 8-20 start last season.
It may take Kanter a couple of years to fully develop into a quality player, but that doesn’t bother Utah; they are enamored with his toughness. The Jazz should have an improved season, surely better than the disappointing 39-win season last year.
4. DENVER NUGGETS:
2010-11 season record: 50-32 (9-7; ranked second in Northwest Division)
One of the biggest surprises on draft night didn’t involve a pick at all; the Nuggets traded guard Raymond Felton for Portland’s Andre Miller. The trade signaled Denver’s belief in Ty Lawson to run the floor, plus the contract numbers worked perfectly. With Miller, the team will enjoy a veteran presence with considerable playoff experience who won’t mind coming off the bench.
{AUTHOR_BOX}Denver had a nice draft, acquiring two first-rounders: rebounding wonder Kenneth Faried (no. 22) and outside scorer Jordan Hamilton (no. 26).
The Nuggets didn’t collapse after Carmelo Anthony’s departure last February. Quite the opposite, in fact. With Anthony in the line-up last season, they won 56% of their games (32-of-57), and without him they won 72% (18-of-25). Injuries and lack of crunch-playing hampered them in the first round vs. the Thunder, and they were eliminated 4-1.
However, the disposition of many players’ contracts in the upcoming season is unsettled. J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin are unrestricted free agents, with many predicting Smith has played his last game for the mile-high team. Further, Denver may not be able to afford Martin. Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo (on record as saying he wants to return) are also unrestricted free agents (Author’s Note: that should have said “restricted” – typo). Lastly, Nene has decided to opt out of his final contract year, which would have paid him $11.6 million, to become an unrestricted free agent. You can bet many teams will come knocking on the door of the 6’11″ 28-year-old, including the Nuggets.
5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES:
2010-11 season record: 17-65 (1-15; ranked fifth in the Northwest Division)
At long last Ricky Rubio is set to make his NBA debut in Minnesota. His impending arrival spelled goodbye to Jonny Flynn and hello to veteran Brad Miller (who is out until next January recuperating from micro fracture surgery).
President David Kahn had one eventful draft night. The activity was far too involved to re-state here, so suffice to say they ended up with Derrick Williams, Malcolm Lee (nice acquisition) and rights to Tanguy Ngombo. With the second pick in the draft, the Wolves wisely selected forward Williams. You always go with the best guy, but now there’s a logjam at the forward position with Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Wesley Johnson and Anthony Randolph.
The draft moves also netted the Wolves extra cash and future picks. Currently the team has 15 players under contract; expect more activity by the time the season begins. They still have positional needs, beginning with an athletic starting center and a shooting guard. Kahn is done with adding youthful players and will turn to veterans in free agency.
Unfortunately, the disposition of who’s going to coach this team remains unsettled. As of now, Kurt Rambis still holds the position.
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The teams in the Northwest Division probably win the prize for the most changes to its rosters in the past week. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the lockout. At this point, nobody knows how long it will last or if there’s even going to be a 2011-12 season. We choose to remain optimistic and commend these teams for making real attempts in improving their teams for the upcoming season.
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