NBA 2007-08 Season Preview: Pacific Division

Another beginning for the Pacific Division is coming up quick. The Lakers do not seem to be the team that was virtually unbeatable. The Clippers have been somewhat decent and much more improved in recent years over what they were in the past. Even a team like Golden State, whom has had some bad years, seems to have improved and wanted to play as a team. This division is actually up in the air as to who can actually take it. Teams like the Suns and Kings will be a threat to it without question. Without further or do, it is time to figure out who actually win the division and rank them based upon how well they play as a unit.

Phoenix Suns

Just last year, they won the division and it should be no different this upcoming season. In what looked to be a good year, they finished with the 2^nd seed having an impressive season. The post-season however they couldn't win it all. This year however with the chemistry they have formed, it would seem to be impossible for them to collapse really bad unless they decide to not want to play. Look for them to repeat as division champs.

Projected Finish: 1^st

Golden State Warriors

In what many would consider the upset of the year last season in the playoffs, they were the #8 seed and beat Dallas, which had the best record in the West. They're not a joke team anymore. Even though they barley made the playoffs, they will be going in a little more convincing manner. How did they get this good was because the people in charge finally decided they wanted to play like a playoff contending team instead of being some loser team that couldn't win a game if their lives depended on it. While they had an identical record then the records, they will finish by themselves in 2^nd place. Look for them to get that.

Projected Finish: 2^nd

LA Lakers

The Lakers won 3 NBA Titles under Phil Jackson as the coach and right now is not the big powerhouse team they once were but are decent enough to get in the playoffs. Right now they got Bryant who is honestly acting bi-polar or something. One minute he wants to be traded and the next minute he wants to stay and end his career as a Laker. It is rather ridiculous and seems to be a major distraction for this franchise. It will hinder this team but whether or not it gets them closer to getting in will be another story. With that in the way, they will not finish either higher or lower than 3^rd place.

Projected Finish: 3^rd

LA Clippers

This team by no means is bad. They are not the worst in the league at all. Looking at the standing, it would be something to think they will be bad but they may not be the case. To understand what this could mean, it could be that they might have a decent year but will have a hard time with a division that is probably going to be very competitive. The chemistry has slowly been getting discovered but it take at least one more season before they are for real as far as playoff contenders go. While there is no doubt they could compete and challenge for a Wild Card spot, it will be very hard. They won't finish last but they will get to 4^th and that's it.

Projected Finish: 4^th

Sacramento Kings

To say they were good is an understatement, now they are just bad. How a team fell down from grace is just astounding. This must be part of the new plan for them and that is to rebuild until they find the right combination. How long will that take is anyone's guess. What is the ownership thinking as they had a good team and now it's just gone? Sacramento was known as the team that would come short against the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals but now are just bad. Don't expect much out of them so they will be most likely last.

Projected Finish: 5^thIt sure seems that the division won't change much and that's about it. The Warriors and Lakers will be buying for 2^nd and 3^rd most likely and everybody else will continue to take the same position they were in just last season. It will be one of the toughest divisions to actually win in so that would be it. Coming up soon will be a preview of the Southwest Division.