1. Los Angeles Clippers
Doc Rivers was brought aboard to get the Clippers a championship.
2. Golden State Warriors
A good learning experience last year will help them win those tough games.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
How long Kobe’s absence will be has the Lakers season up in the air.
4. Sacramento Kings
If they can reign in DeMarcus Cousins the Kings will be sneaky good.
5. Phoenix Suns
A clear re-building project is underway in the desert.
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Key Position: Power Forward – Blake Griffin has be a better all around player if the Clippers want to take that next step. Doc Rivers should be able to do that since he has coached Kevin Garnett to a championship in Boston. If Griffin becomes a dominant power forward the Clippers will be contenders for many years.
Key Acquisitions: G Darren Collison, F Jared Dudley, F Antawn Jamison, C Byron Mullens, G J.J. Redick
Key to Win the Finals: The time to win is now.
Head Coach: Mark Jackson
Key Position: Frontcourt – The Warriors lacked size against the Spurs in the playoffs last year and they hope to have improved that with a few additions to bolster their depth. With the injury history of Andrew Bogut the Warriors hope they have elevated any worries here.
Key Acquisitions: G Andre Iguodala, F Jermaine O’Neal, F Marreese Speights
Key to Win the Finals: You have to play defense sometimes.
Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni
Key Position: Frontcourt – With a duo of Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman most teams would be satisfied with that, but considering that the Lakers had Dwight Howard last season this looks like a major downgrade. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers make it work this year.
Key Acquisitions: G Jordan Farmar, G Wesley Johnson, C Chris Kaman, G Nick Young
Key to Win the Finals: The health of Kobe Bryant.
Head Coach: Michael Malone
Key Position: Center – When he isn’t an emotional recking ball DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best centers in the league. If the Kings can control that emotion and with a new extension this should be a big year for Cousins and the Kings.
Key Acquisitions: F Carl Landry, G Greivis Vasquez
Key to Win the Finals: A permanent home will ease their stress.
Head Coach: Jeff Hornacek
Key Position: All – There were a few spots that needed to be re-done and the Suns did so in a big way. Adding Eric Bledsoe is a good addition, but they’ll have to decide if he’s a point guard or a shooting guard with Goran Dragic entrenched at the point. The rest is up for grabs with holdovers and youngsters.
Key Acquisitions: G Eric Bledsoe
Key to Win the Finals: Build for the future.
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