Best and Worst Case Scenarios

Is the glass half-empty or half-full for the NBA teams in the Southeast and Southwest? By Matt Rose

NBA Southwest

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

· Dallas Mavericks:

Best Case: Repeat Champions- The Mavs resign sparkplug JJ Barea, defensive force Tyson Chandler, and contributing wing DeShawn Stevenson. Dirk has another 23 PPG, 7 RPG season, and Jason Kidd and Jason Terry show no signs of slowing down.

Worst Case: Sneak into the Playoffs- On the contrary, they are unable to resign some key contributors and Dirk is forced to carry the offense even more, drawing even more double teams. Jason Kidd begins playing like a 38 year old.

· Houston Rockets:

Best Case: The “Grizzlies” of 2011- The Rockets launch behind the stellar guard play of Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry and post play of Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson. Come playoff time, young legs prevail and they are able to upset an unsuspecting veteran team.

Worst Case: The “Rockets” of 2010- The Rockets display no signs of growth and find no leadership on the court. They once again discover that potential does not necessarily produce victories (Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Terrence Williams, Hasheem Thebeet, Courtney Lee...). Coach Kevin McHale brings with him the tradition of losing he established in Minnesota.

· Memphis Grizzlies:

Best Case: Finals Berth- Memphis has overwhelming amounts of talent. The youthful Grizz work their way through more veteran teams in the playoffs behind F Rudy Gay, PF Zach Randolph, and C Marc Gasol.

Worst Case: Self- Destruction- Guards OJ Mayo and Tony Allen exchanged punches on an airplane last season over a gambling debt. The fight was eventually broken up by notorious troublemaker Zach Randolph. Chemistry could become an issue at any point for the immature Grizzlies squad.

· New Orleans Hornets:

Best Case: Add Help for Chris Paul- Best case scenario would be better worded as “only hope.” The Hornets must add help for Paul to keep him from demanding a trade or testing free agency in 2012.

Worst Case: Paul Remains Discontent- Chris Paul once again asserts that he wants to join Carmelo Anthony in New York and form a second “Big Three.” Even if the Hornets choose not to trade him for value before he leaves in 2012, Paul was recently spotted playing in Philly out of shape and off his game.

· San Antonio Spurs:

Best Case: Veterans Find the Fountain of Youth- 35 year old C Tim Duncan demonstrates that last seasons drop in productivity was an anomaly. The Spurs out-coach and out-execute younger teams, and PG Tony Parker, C Tim Duncan, F Richard Jefferson, and F Manu Ginobili make one more run at the Finals.

Worst Case: Changing of the Guard- Duncan’s numbers continue their steady decline and fans grow tired of Jefferson’s mediocrity. Tony Parker develops Tiger Woods syndrome (Loss of beautiful woman= decreased performance).



NBA Southeast

· Atlanta Hawks:

Best Case: Finally Make a Deep Run in the Playoffs- Al Horford has a breakout season and asserts himself as one of the best centers in the game. Meanwhile, F Josh Smith continues to be a freak on both ends of the court and Joe Johnson is as consistent as ever. Miraculously, Jeff Teague or Kirk Hinrich step up and play like an NBA point guard, providing some stability for the offense.

Worst Case: Continued Disappointment- Horford has another average season and the enigma at point guard does not improve. Marvin Williams continues to make Atlanta fans wonder why he was chosen ahead of Deron Williams and Chris Paul.

· Charlotte Bobcats:

Best Case: Michael Jordan Decides to Play- As a player-owner, MJ briefly increases revenue and gets the Bobcats on national TV for a few games. He out-scores and out-rebounds Kwame Brown at the age of 48.

Worst Case: The Season is NOT Locked-Out- Honestly, nothing good can come out of the Bobcats playing this season. Kemba Walker will be exciting to watch, but he and fellow rookie Bismack Biyombo are not ready to carry the Bobcats alone. They add a big man with offensive game in the 2012 draft.

· Miami Heat:

Best Case- Finals Champions- F LeBron James, G Dwyane Wade, and F Chris Bosh get their first ring together, silencing the many critics.

Worst Case: Trouble in Paradise- After Coach Erik Spoelstra makes some questionable coaching decisions, LeBron aggressively bumps into him again, prompting Spoelstra to get in LeBron’s face. Chris Bosh is brought to tears by the exchange, and Wade sprints over to intervene, slipping in Bosh’s tears and tearing his ACL. The Heat still reach the playoffs.

· Orlando Magic:

Best Case: Magic Ride Howard Deep in the Playoffs- Dwight Howard carries the Magic, supported by the improved play of Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson.

Worst Case: Howard Departs- The Magic decide that it is wise to trade for Andrew Bynum and that JJ Reddick should get increased minutes. The Cameron Crazies go wild, and so does the Magic’s loss column.

· Washington Wizards:

Best Case: John Wall Leads the Wizards to the Playoffs- Wall progresses faster than many expect and Javale McGee becomes a dominant force down low. The Wizards capitalize on the ineptitude of the rest of the bottom feeders in the Eastern Conference.

Worst Case: Wizard Fans Must Impatiently Wait Another Year- Wall and the young nucleus around him are unable to close out games and the Wizards head for the lottery again.