NBA Northwest Division Preview 2006-2007

The Northwest Division was the Western Conference's weakest last season, as Denver won the division with only 44 wins and no other team finished over .500. Injuries and off-court problems weakened a number of Northwest teams, and with the talent level of the division's teams, a rebound seems likely in 2006-2007. With Denver and Utah sporting young, talented rosters, and Minnesota just two seasons removed from championship contention, it should be an interesting race in the Northwest Division.

Denver Nuggets
2005-06 Results: 44-38, Northwest Division Champions, lost to L.A. Clippers in Western Conference 1st Round

There's a good deal of talent on this Denver team; many felt that last season's 44-win total was a disappointment, despite the fact that the Nuggets won an admittedly shaky Northwest Division. Carmelo Anthony is one of the league's best players; Andre Miller and Earl Boykins form the league's best one-two combo at point guard; and Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, and Nene Hilario provide size and scoring up front.

Denver is a sleeper pick to win the Western Conference, if things fall into place for the Nuggets (and that's a big if). If Kenyon Martin can end his feud with head coach George Karl; if Marcus Camby can play 70 games (he's only done it once in ten NBA seasons); if 2-guard J.R. Smith can score 12-15 points a game in his first season as a starter; and if Anthony is as clutch this season as he was a year ago, the Nuggets have a shot at a 55- or 60-win season.

For a team surrounded by turmoil last season, Denver benefits from an easy opening schedule. Only six of their first 16 games are against playoff teams from a year ago, with only one against a top-four seed (at Miami November 14). A hot 13-3 or 12-4 start may ease some of the tension in Colorado, and build momentum to carry the Nuggets into 2007. As it stands, the Nuggets on paper remain the best team in the division, but there are enough questions for Nuggets fans to worry - a little.

Projected Finish: First

Utah Jazz
2005-06 Results: 41-41, 2nd place in Northwest Division

After a .500 finish a year ago - and a third straight year of missing of the playoffs - Utah did little to upgrade its team over the summer. Draft picks Ronnie Brewer and Dee Brown have potential, but neither is expected to contribute immediately. Acquiring former Laker PG Derek Fisher and former lottery pick C Rafael Araujo strengthened the bench, but the starting five will remain the same.

That may be good enough for a playoff berth. Utah improved by 15 games a year ago, despite losing Carlos Boozer and shooting guard Gordan Giricek for over half the season, as well as star forward Andrei Kirilenko for 13 games. PG Deron Williams made the All-Rookie Team and C Mehmet Okur averaged 18 points a game. All five starters averaged in double digits a year ago, and Utah ranked ninth in the league in points allowed. The Jazz are still young, and players like Okur, Williams, and Giricek still have room for improvement.

Health will be the big key for Utah, as there is little scoring punch beyond sixth man Matt Harpring. If Boozer and Kirilenko can somehow stay healthy, the Jazz will have a shot at a 50-win season and a return to the playoffs. Bear in mind, however, that the two have combined to sit out over 130 games combined in the past two seasons.

Projected Finish: Second

Minnesota Timberwolves
2005-06 Results: 33-49, 4th place in Northwest Division

A year ago, the T-wolves dipped below .500 for the first time in nine seasons, crashing to a fourth-place finish in a weak division which led to a blockbuster spring trade, netting shooting guard Ricky Davis. The Wolves added guards Randy Foye in the draft and Mike James via free agency, giving them a wealth of options on the outside.

Despite the presence of franchise player Kevin Garnett, Minnesota has serious questions on the inside. Center Mark Blount is an awful rebounder for a player his size, and there is little depth behind them besides Eddie Griffin, who has never - and will never - fulfilled his potential as a 2001 lottery pick.

Despite their holes, Minnesota should improve this season. The additions of James and Foye, plus a full season with Davis, will improve an offense which ranked 28th in the league in points scored. Minnesota should be a decent defensive team, if anyone besides KG can rebound, and a .500 season is a distinct possibility. Anything beyond that, however, seems unlikely.

Projected Finish: Third

Seattle SuperSonics
2005-06 Results: 35-47, 3rd place in Northwest Division

In what may be their last season in Seattle, the Sonics don't look to bid a fond farewell to their long-devoted (and long-suffering) fans. After a 52-win season in 2004-05, the Sonics plummeted out of the playoffs, largely due to their defense. Seattle finished 30th in points allowed and 29th in opposition field goal percentage, and were labeled by ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger as the "Worst Defense Ever". Ouch.

With ownership changes looming, the Sonics were reluctant to spend money, and little was accomplished in the off-season, after three trades in the spring. Seattle did grab Saer Sene in the first round, a 7-foot project who will back up 7-foot projects Robert Swift and Johan Petro (though, to be fair, Swift and Petro were a serviceable combination a year ago).

With so little change and so much off-court turmoil, it's unlikely that Seattle will return to its 50-win status of two seasons ago. A repeat of last year's mediocrity will be the likely swan song for the Sonics.

Projected Finish: Fourth

Portland Trail Blazers
2005-06 Results: 21-61, 5th place in Northwest Division

One of the league's most storied franchises (it's easy to forget that before the current three-year playoff drought, Portland reached the post-season for twenty-one consecutive seasons) hit bottom in 2005-2006, winning a league-low 21 games. Truth be told, the Trail Blazers stunk last season: last in wins, last in offense, last in point differential (an astounding -9.5 points per game).

Portland's off-season moves - particularly the draft-night acquisitions of LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy - laid the groundwork for a rebuilding season. Trading for C Jamaal Magloire gives the Blazers an inside presence, as he, Zach Randolph, and Darius Miles will form an athletic frontcourt with offensive ability.

With a solid head coach in Nate McMillan and some young talent, the Trail Blazers should improve this year, if they can keep the off-court shenanigans to a minimum. But it is a long road for Portland back to respectability. It seems unlikely they'll repeat last season's last-place league finish, but a last-place division finish would surprise few observers outside of the Pacific Northwest.

Projected Finish: Fifth