2010-11 SBNation NBA Blog Previews: Northwest Division

by Tom Ziller on Oct 13, 2010 4:27 AM PDT in Links

How will Big Al fit in out in Utah? Will the Blazers stay healthy? Will Melo still be a Nugget on opening night? Can the Thunder avoid a sophomore slump? Just what is the plan in 'Sota? All this and more in the Northwest previews.

Jazz : SLC Dunk | Salt City Hoops | SBN Recap

Nuggets: Denver Stiffs | Roundball Mining Company | The Nugg Doctor | SBN Recap

Thunder - Welcome to Loud City | Planet BBall | SBN Recap

Timberwolves - Canis Hoopus | TwolvesBlog

Blazers - Blazersedge.com | SBN Recap

Recaps: All Previews

Poll

Who will win the Northwest Division?

Denver Nuggets

8 votes

Utah Jazz

44 votes

Portland Trail Blazers

39 votes

Oklahoma City Thunder

191 votes

Minnesota TimberwHAHAHAHAHA (Sorry)

30 votes

312 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

The poll

Fascinating that the Thunder currently have 15 votes to the Jazz’s 7. I think the Jazz are the clear cut favorites for this division, even if Durant is strong candidate to be MVP.

When discussing two opposing point of views, the truth often lies somewhere in the middle.

by Exhibit G on Oct 13, 2010 6:54 AM PDT reply actions

I don't know

Last year the top 4 teams were all within 3 games of each other. OKC should improve just on natural growth of their young core. What did Utah do? Swapped Boozer for AJ. I don’t see how that makes them the favorite. It’s a 4 way toss-up imo, with Denver slipping a bit because of the Melo drama.

Don't say stupid shit. You won’t be perceived as stupid. - pookeyguru

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 13, 2010 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

A healthy Kirilinko and starting Millsap?

"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!

by caseycheesecake on Oct 13, 2010 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Jefferson will be a much bigger impact than most people expect

That knee recovery is a two-year recovery. I expect him to be fantastic, especially since he won’t be asked to lead the team, he can simply play his game with Deron Williams as the clear leader.

When discussing two opposing point of views, the truth often lies somewhere in the middle.

by Exhibit G on Oct 13, 2010 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I couldn’t agree more with this.

by rbiegler on Oct 13, 2010 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

With Okur still recovering, Utah has to rely on Jefferson & Fesenko

and I don’t think either of them is in the same league with Boozer when it comes to running the Pick & Roll with Williams. Plus the lack of length hurts them on the board. They actually got out rebounded by PHO by 7 in their last game.

I picked them to win the division, but that was based on the fact that Portland is still without Oden & Pryzbilla. And, I believe Okur will return before either one of those two. OKC has little depth especially in the middle, and are one injury away from being only average. Teams will devise ways to stop Durant, and the lack of an inside game will drop OKC to 3rd in the Northwest.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Oct 13, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I also am picking the Jazz

No sneaking up on people for Okl this year.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Oct 13, 2010 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

amazingly

two people voted for BWAHAHAHA

Childress then flew to Greece and asked the team if they would pay him in gold bars, hookiers, weed, and marijuana. The rest is history.

by TheFifthMookie on Oct 13, 2010 10:09 AM PDT reply actions

it seems to me

that the OKC story is getting a bit out of control….they’re a very good team, but I don’t see how they are so greatly above of the Jazz, the Blazers and the Nuggets…I voted for Portland cause I think that, if they somehow find a way to stay healthy (I’m looking at you, Oden), they could be not only the better team in the Northwestern, but also the only team that could beat the Lakers in the playoffs, but the Jazz and the Nuggets are almost on the same level in my opinion.
OKC comes with a lot of pressure into this season, and I’m not sure they can bear it for 82+ games, with their stars having played 88 games last season plus the world championships this summer

"Even when I’m old and grey, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game." — Michael Jordan

Go Kings!

by Panzerfaust on Oct 13, 2010 11:01 AM PDT reply actions

I agree about Portland.

They’re studly.

"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!

by caseycheesecake on Oct 13, 2010 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

4 of those teams should make the playoffs if Denver doesn't trade Melo.

And I think Utah is the one to win the division, although if Portland is healthy, they’ll win handily I think. But health has been too big of an issue for them to simply ignore.

Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.

by Aykis16 on Oct 13, 2010 12:58 PM PDT reply actions

I am all for staying in the Sloan Zone

The Jazz are bigger this year with Big Al and with a great assist man like DWill I expect them to score score score. I think the health of Okur is a medium concern they will miss him but they don’t “need” him. In this contract year I expect AK-47 to find his game and complement Jefferson well.
Health is a concern as it is for all teams – I believe last season one of the overlooked stats was the unusual health of the OKC team – Durant, Westie and Green – their Big 3 (the Thunder Three) – all played 82 games a piece last year. They are also a team in transition: still plugging in different combinations to see what works best – it makes them young, it makes them exciting and they have success but I don’t see them winning 55 games and I could see the Jazz doing just that.

by betweentheeyes on Oct 13, 2010 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions