NBA Southwest Division Predictions

The Southwest Division usually brings us some of the best basketball the past decade, especially from the 3 Texas teams. Will they keep it up this year or are they going to fall?

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs were not in a pretty picture last year. They finished as one of the worst teams in the West. This year, I don’t see them becoming the powerhouse team they used to be, but I see lots of improvement. Adding DeAndre Jordan is a huge help. His defense is outstanding and will really boost the Mavs up. And drafting Luka Doncic was too. Trading their pick of Trae Young for Doncic was a really smart move, especially after seeing Young’s poor performance during Summer league. I can see Doncic becoming the star that Dallas is gonna need. I have high hopes for this kid. Keep him in the race for ROY.

The biggest problem I see for the Mavs is that they don’t have a leader. They got good players like DJ, Doncic, Dennis Smith Jr, Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews. But none of these guys are leaders. They have Dirk Nowitzki, but the man is 40 years old and can’t be the leader that he used to be. The Mavs need to find a new leader soon because right now, its just a team filled with good players but no direction to go.

Prediction: 30-35 wins. Miss the playoffs.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets were the number 1 seed last year in the West, but I don’t see them doing it again this year. The Rockets are one of the best teams, possibly the 2nd best team in the NBA, BUT they aren’t as good as they were last year. They lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, two key defenders. And the replacement for the position is Carmelo Anthony. Melo can provide the points but he definitely cannot provide the defense that Ariza and Luc did. People think that Melo is gonna be a disease for this team like he was for the Thunder, but I don’t think so. I think he can provide valuable minutes for them. Melo is an iso scorer and didn’t fit in the Thunder system, but I think that CP3 and James Harden can get him some good looks.

Brandon Knight and Michael Carter-Williams are also two good backups at the guard position. While the Rockets are still gonna be a threat, I don’t see them being a threat to the Warriors like they were last year. The Warriors easily got better while the Rockets got just a little bit worse. Golden State shouldn’t need to worry about losing to them like last year.

Prediction: 60+ wins. 2 seed. Western Conference Finals.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies were just awful last year. Marc Gasol is a tough player, but it seems like he was just done with this team last year, especially with Mike Conley out. With Mike Conley back and hopefully Chandler Parsons stepping up, they will be better. Jaren Jackson seems like a good pick in the draft and will help, along with adding Kyle Anderson. Anderson won’t be a star, but he knows how to play winning basketball which will help.

A few years ago, they had the best chemistry in the league and despite having no superstar, they took down the top teams in the league. The team now is just a shell of that team a few years ago. They still have some of the key players but no surrounding role players yet. Either way, the Grizzlies don’t yet have what it takes to make it in the West. Expect a better but still poor record.

Prediction: 30-35 wins. Miss the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans

I already gave an in-depth prediction for the Pelicans, so I won’t say much but just remember, I can see AD winning MVP this next year and Jrue Holiday becoming a star once again. The Pelicans will be good.

Prediction: 40-45 wins. 7 seed.

San Antonio Spurs

People can’t sleep on the Spurs. Especially when Gregg Popovich is coach. Arguably the best coach in history. With Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker gone, a lot of people think that the Spurs dynasty is done, but I say otherwise. Remember that last year, the Spurs made the playoffs with Manu and Tony playing very limited roles and WITHOUT Kawhi Leonard. Yes, losing them along with Kyle Anderson sucks, but they weren’t the core of the team, so don’t stress. Plus adding All-star DeMar DeRozan is only gonna make them better. The man can hit any mid-range jumper you give him. With LaMarcus Aldridge, the mid-range kings are gonna work well together.

Dejounte Murray is a name to keep an eye on too. The young kid made the All-NBA Defensive team which is impressive for that age. Him, plus other young guys are gonna get better and better. Especially because Pop is a master at training young talent that people have no expectations for. They will be good.

Prediction: 45-55 wins. 6 seed.