2008-2009 NBA Preview: Southwest Division

West

1. San Antonio Spurs

It's not a good time to overlook the Spurs; every time they have been, they've turned heads and won a title. It's that time again, another odd numbered year (2009), and they've won their last four titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. The Spurs are loaded again with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Bruce Bowen, and Michael Finley. Ginobli may be injured right now, but once he's back around December, he'll be healthier than ever.

2. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets will be a very solid team again, especially with as tough of a division the Southwest is. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and is becoming a superstar. David West can bang it down low and hold his own vs. anybody else in the league. Tyson Chandler is a solid defender and makes the Hornets frontcourt just scary. Mo Peterson is a solid role player and Peja Stojakovic is their deadly three point shooter.

3. Houston Rockets

The top 3 of this division are so even and it will be a horse-race until the end. The Rockets look like a solid title contender this season, they're loaded with experience and some stars. If Yao Ming can stay healthy this season they'll be stellar. Tracy McGrady is their go-to scorer and add Ron Artest as a tough defensive minded player and someone who can rebound and put up points as well, is a terrific 3rd scoring option. PG Rafer Alston is a leader, but must concentrate on making better decisions. If the bench can step up, the Rockets can go deep.

4. Dallas Mavericks
Oh how the might have fallen... The x-factor will be Jason Kidd. He's lost a step and when he goes up against the better NBA point guards, this team struggles. They have a decent frontcourt with Dirk, Erik Dampier, and DeSagana Diop. Jason Terry must step up in clutch situations. He is a key scorer for them. But the big thing that has set this team back is defense, they just give up way too many points and they don't have enough consistent offensive firepower to go far in the playoffs. They may not even make the playoffs this season...

5. Memphis Grizzlies

Look for the Grizz to be improved from last season. They're a young team and Hakim Warrick, Rudy Gay, and OJ Mayo are solid young talents. I am very high on Rudy Gay, he will put up some good numbers this season. Mike Conley is developing into a pretty good PG, look out for him. This team won't be a playoff contender, but they will continue to get better as the season progresses.

I have Freedom of Speech too

To start off, in case some of you don't know what happened, Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard stated this about his country and national anthem at Allen Iverson's charity flag-football event:

"'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black …"

I think that is self-explanatory. But when it comes to this, it's rather stupid. I see people on both sides saying, "He's unpatriotic" and "He's a fool for denouncing his country"; and those on the other side that say "Leave him alone" and try to pull the free speech argument.

Sure, he does have a right to free speech. He has a right to say it, but free speech isn't always intelligent speech. Howard should be thanking our founding fathers for protecting his "stupidity".

I recently read an article on Slam Online titled "Leave Josh Howard alone" by Dave Zirin.

Zirin wants everybody to leave Howard alone because he has a right to say what he wants, yet he condemns J.A. Adande of ESPN for slamming Howard, claiming Howard is lucky:

“What makes America the best country on the planet is that you are free to stand or sit for the national anthem, to sing along or to yell in anger at the government as much as you want without getting tossed in jail for your political beliefs.”

Hypocrisy at it's finest. We have people defending Josh Howard for his freedom speech, yet they condemn others who also have that same right to form opinions based on what he says and treat him accordingly.

Josh Howard has a right to say what he wants, but I also have a right to think he's stupid for saying it. I have a right to form an opinion of him too.

There are so many people quick to defend Howard's antics, but yet they don't want to hear the other side. They want to censor other people's opinions about Howard.

I won't be surprised to see Mavs owner Mark Cuban, other NBA players, or Howard for that matter, defend himself, but when Howard hears boos in the crowd, sees ticket sales drop, his paycheck cut, or nobody wants to sign him, then he can only thank a little something called "free speech".

2007 NBA Predictions

West

Northwest

1. Denver Nuggets

A very talented team is poised to make a run at an NBA Championship. This team is ready to compete with San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix. Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers and players for that matter, in the NBA. If Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin can stay healthy, I have a feeling they will be one of the best.

2. Utah Jazz

Deron Williams is looking to be a great PG in this league and is surrounded with some pretty good talent. As long as Carlos Boozer stays healthy they should be a contender. But they also need more consistent play from Andrei Kirilenko.

3. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is a very young team and should be playing for next year. With Greg Oden out, LaMarcus Aldridge will have to pick up the slack in the middle. Jarrett Jack is still an iffy point guard. Brandon Roy is a solid player, but I think they are another year away from being a good team.

4. Seattle Supersonics

They lost Rashard Lewis, their main scoring threat. It will be interesting to see how Kevin Durant performs. I say give him a year to build some mass before he becomes a key player for the team; but hey I've been wrong before.

5. Minnesota T'Wolves

I think the Wolves benefited a lot with the Garnett trade. They got some great young talent to help the franchise out, but it may take two or three seasons to get the franchise back on the map.

Pacific

1. Phoenix Suns

I feel this is the most talented team in the NBA. They will obviously be one of the best again. Steve Nash will put up amazing stats. Shawn Marion is Shawn Marion. Amare Stoudemire should be 100% after the off season. Boris Diaw was out of shape last season and wasn't impressive at all; he could be a key for them to make the Finals.

2. Golden St. Warriors

The Warriors are looking for even more after a solid playoff run last season. Baron Davis can hold his own now and is a great point guard. Monta Ellis turned a lot of heads last year. Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington were two other important parts in the playoff run as well. With balanced scoring and good defense, I expect this team to keep surprising people.

3. Los Angeles Lakers
As long as you have Kobe Bryant on your team you will always be a playoff contender. Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, and Derek Fisher will look to provide Kobe with help again. But the main component here is Andrew Bynum; Will he live up to what Kobe expects of him?

4. Los Angeles Clippers

The play of Corey Maggette and Cutino Mobley will be huge if they want to make the playoffs. I also think Al Thorton will start and be a great attribution to the team. It's just too bad this team doesn't have Elton Brand.

5. Sacramento Kings

This team is getting rather old and they probably should look to adding some younger talent soon.

Southwest

1. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are my favorite to win the title again and continue the dynasty. Tony Parker is just a dazzling play maker and Tim Duncan is the best big man in the league still. They're a championship team because of their defense and most importantly they play as team, unlike most NBA teams.

2. Dallas Mavericks

Avery Johnson has done a great job on the defensive side with this team. They had a letdown losing to the Warriors in the playoffs. Dirk will finally try to lead this team to a championship.

3. Houston Rockets
It's too bad the Rockets play in the best division. They would probably win any other division in the league, except for probably the Pacific. Rafer Alston is a good point man and can make the plays when needed. Tracy McGrady is a stud. They have the ingredients to win a title with a good point man, and shutdown defender ( Shane Battier), a dominating big man (Yao Ming), and a long range shooter in Luther Head.

4. New Orleans Hornets

With the return of Chris Paul I am expecting them to make the playoffs. Tyson Chandler has improved and is great on the defensive side. David West is a force inside. Luis Scola will probably be rookie of the year. Peja Stojakovic will be a big part in how this team fares. Also, a good bench should improve their playoff chances.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

They weren't a good team at all last year. A healthy Pau Gasol will help. But they need more help then that.

Western Playoff Predictions

Suns over Hornets
Spurs over Warriors
Nuggets over Jazz
Rockets over Mavs

Suns over Rockets
Spurs over Nuggets

Spurs over Suns

NBA Finals

Spurs over Celtics

The Spurs are back to back for the first time ever because of 3 things; Defense, Coaching. and team play.