Well this review is a couple of days late but it is here now.  The Western Conference non playoff teams were infused with the two best NCAA prospects to come into the NBA in about 15 years.  Unlike Boston in the East, non of the Western teams are projected to be in the NBA finals this season.  Let me tell you how the worst of the West did this summer:

15.  What went right: The Memphis Grizzlies are finally out from under the iron fist of Jerry West.  The gray days are over.  New GM Chris Wallace has breathed fresh air into a franchise that has seen very little success since coming into the NBA.  How that will translate into wins and losses is yet to be seen. The Grizzlies finally signed a big man to compliment Pau Gasol.  Darko Milicic will be the first talented center to play for the Grizzlies since Big Country called it quits and should play well off of Gasol.  The Grizzlies also drafted Mike Conley Jr.  Conley is going to be an impact PG.  His stats might not be but it will show up in the wins column much like TJ Ford's rookie year in Milwaukee but better.

 

What went wrong: The Grizzlies lost the NBA lottery.  The entire atmosphere of the organization would have changed with Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in Memphis.  The Grizzlies are still in need of a superstar (box office) talent.  We need a player that can energize the fan base and pack the FEDEXFORUM.  We are hoping that player can be Rudy Gay but I am doubtful.

14.  What went right:  The Sonics were able to draft the most exciting talent to come into the NBA since Vince Carter.  He will eventually be must see around the league and they should begin to construct a roster around him immediately.  Kevin Durant had the most electric college basketball season I have witnessed since Chris Jackson of LSU.  The Sonics also made a shrewd GM hire in Sam Presti.  I thought he was a good choice even though I am going on 2nd hand knowledge.  I liked his trade of Ray Allen and what he got for taking on Kurt Thomas' contract from Phoenix.  However, I am skeptical on his selection of Jeff green at #5 when he plays the same position as Durant.

What went wrong: The new owners have not be a hit in seattle and are looking for a new arena.  I am one who does not think that they really want to move, they just want a sweeter arena deal.  The Sonics did not deal any of their young 7 footers.  It is just impossible to develop that many young players at the same position and they are all suffering for it.  I think Saer Sene is the best project and the best compliment to Durant if developed and the others should be given away.

13.  What went right: Nothing. Seriously.  They waited to long to trade KG.  Drafted the wrong player and traded for Trenton Hassel for a worse player with a worse contract.  This is the pit of the NBA now that KG is gone.  If I were Al Jefferson, I would not sign an extension here.

What went wrong:  McHale is still in charge.  Instead of getting AL Jefferson and the #5 for KG at draft time, he only gets Al Jefferson and spare parts. about a month later.  He then drafts Corey Brewer, who some like much more than me as an NBA player, over  three bigs (Wright, Noah, Hawes) when you have to know that KG's time in Minnesota is coming to an end.

12. What went right: The Portland Trailblazers won the NBA draft lottery and the right to draft the next great big man: Greg Oden.  In bringing in the next Blazer era, they decided to rid themselves of one of the last parts of Trailgangsta lore by giving away Zach Randolph to New York.  I think this was a good move because Oden is going to be so good that they will not need a steady  NBA veteran to keep the team afloat.

 

What went wrong: Micro fracture.  Greg Oden followed up a horrible summer league by having to go under the knife for micro fracture surgery and is projected to miss the entire season.  To add injury to insult, 2007 NBA rookie of the year is now projected to miss the playoffs with a recurring heal injury.  It looks like LaMarcia...LaMarcus Aldridge will get his time to shine this season.

 

11. What went right: The Sacramento Kings had the wisdom to lock up Kevin Martin without letting negotiations get public or nasty.  $55 million over 5 years is a steep price but his talent seems to warrant that type of contract.  Ron Artest and Brad Miller are supposedly in much better condition than they were last season.  If this is the case, then the hole everyone projects this team to fall into might never be dug.  There is some talent here, especially on the perimeter.

What went wrong:  They missed out on Stan Van Gundy as coach.  Just think, if Billy the Kid does not get scared and run back to the swamp, this team would probably be projected to be much better under the respected SVG.  Hiring Reggie Theus, a rookie NBA coach, to deal with Artest is a risk but as a former NBA player it could work out.

10. What went right: Tyson Chandler was able to spend the entire summer playing with and against some of the best players the NBA has to offer.  It can only help his perspective.  The team has also moved back to New Orleans full time, which should help them get back some stability because I don't think the homecourt advantage of OK was going to last much longer.

 

What went wrong: Peja is still not 100%.  Peja is the key to this team taking the next step into the playoffs and without his ability to stretch defenses, it is going to be a grind trying to get Chris Paul into the playoffs to shine.

 

9. What went right: I am not sure what went right here.  If you got something, please email me.

What went wrong: Elton Brand went down with an achilles injury.  If he loses some of his explosiveness, he will not be the same player.  Sam Cassell is a year older and at age 63, we should not expect much more out of him.

Linkage:

Here you can listen to Chad Ford's Podcast with Mark Stein where they both project the Grizzlies to be the surprise team of the season.