Southwest Division Preview

Kyle Lowry (Spurs)

Kyle Lowry is having a break out season in the NBA. He was traded in before the season in the Andrew Bogut deal. The reigns of Spurs are in his hands and he's having a solid offseason. PG spot is strong in the south-west, with Collison, Stuckey, Conley and teague. No real superstart, but no real weakness either.

Ray Allen (Hornets)

Ray is aging like a fine wine. He's in the last year of his contract, which makes him a potential tradee around the deadline. But if hornets look like contenders he's here to stay. he's having a prolific preseason, scoring 20+ on great efficiency. SG spot is weak in this group, with Gordon, Neal, Allen and Meeks far behind jesus.

Carmelo Anthony (Mavericks)

The one real superstar in this division is Melo. In NLL Melo is entering his 5th season in Dallas. Just like last year he lacks a quality supporting cast, even his old pal Tony Parker was sent flying to greener pastures. but Melo alone makes Dallas a dangerous team in the final standings. two young guys, Gallinari and batum, will fight Melo for his throne, but probably won't reach him till he falls

Amar'e Stoudemire (Hornets)

There's not much to choose here besides Amar'e. He's having a tough year in NBA, not really fiting into the offense and having career lows across the boards. It probably won't translate to the NLL where he will stay a star, as he shows in preseason with solid scoring on great efficiency. Kris Humophries and Jonas Jerebko are runners up for this spot, that's how bad PF position is in the division.

Spencer Hawes (Mavericks)

huh, Spencer Hawes is the best center here, really? He's having a tremendous year in NBA. others are falling, specially Noah and Kaman or aren't there yet, like Mullens. Will Hawesome's numbers translate to NLL? His preseason numbers are very pedestrian, 10 ppg, 3 rebounds, solid efficency with hawesome 2,5 blocks.

Byron Mullens for Mike Bibby (Spurs)

In NBA BJ Mullens was traded for a protected 2nd round pick. In NLL it was for Mike Bibby. I'm sure GM greenmig wishes he'd wait a week or two as Mullens is trending in NBA right now. Bibby, having his statisticaly worst NBA season, is out of rotation for Lakers.

Jonas Valanciunas for Channing Frye and 2 2nds (Rockets)

Channing Frye is below average starting center in the NLL, he should be playing PF really, where he would be a bad stretch 4. So he's playing out of position at 5 and might be the worst starting Center in NLL. Jonas Valanciunas will stay in Europe for another year. But he's dominant at his level, won U-19 WC MVP and is just the player houston needs - young stud prospect that won't bring any wins in a tank year. Real headscratcher.

Eddy Curry (Mavericks)

So, is Eddy ready for a big revival? Big Donut slimmed down and is coming to a team that he can't hurt. He'll give them solid backup minutes if ready. If he busts again he'll get cut without doing any harm to the teams chances this year. Great no risk, high reward move.

Andre Miller (Spurs)

Miller signed one year, 7 million FA contract with Spurs. Not a bad deal, made with a deadline trade for future assets in mind. Miller will come from the bench behind Lowry. He's known to cause problems in situations like that as he thinks, rightfully, he's still good enough to start. if he buys in his new backup role, he might be a difference between lose and win on a few nights. But is more wins really what Spurs should be aiming for this year?

San Antonio

Spurs were the radio favorites last year. But it didn't all go according to plan. So GM Leeroy decided to retool on the fly. He made some big deals and was ready to compete, then disaster striked in the form of an injury to Al Horford. More trades followed. Somehow it's still not a rebuild as Spurs look ready to compete for a playoff spot in the weak west.

New Orleans Hornets

Bold prediction, but hear me out. You can't chose memphis or Houston as they're already at the bottom. Spurs look ready to steadily improve so it's between Dalals and Hornets. Hornets are probably the best team in the division, but their biggest stars look like they mighht fall apart. Amar'e's inefficiency and knees, Ray's injuries, age and contract status, Kaman likely leaving, no real young studs on the team. it won't happen this year, but Hornets are looking for a retool/rebuild in enar future.

Bismack Biyombo, Enes Kanter

Two big guys with great potential that look years away from really contibuting at NLL/NBA level. Kanter is having a slow NBA start and will compete with Noah, Humphries, Young for minutes in the Grizzlies' frontcourt. Biyombo was thought to be more of the prospect but looks more ready then expected. Could be a nice defensive spark off the bench fo Spurs.

Leeroy (Spurs)

Spurs are in a tough spot. Should they compete and make a low seed payoff spot without much hope to beat the top guns or should they rebuild properly with Horford's missed year. Expect more moves and tinkering from Leeroy during the season.