Mid-Day Report: Pacific Questions

By: Jason Fleming Last Updated: 9/5/08 1:09 PM ET | 456 times read



Pacific Full of Questions: In the final part of our analysis of divisional improvements we come to the Pacific Division. Every team in this division is facing questions, and how those get answered as the games are played will factor heavily into this division's strength.

Yes, even the Los Angeles Lakers. Without a doubt they are the class of the Pacific, and it's not even close. They have the MVP, they have two forwards still in the prime of their careers who have been All-Stars, they have veteran leadership, they have one of the top coaches of all time, and they have Andrew Bynum • hence the question. On paper this team should run through the West, but how effectively and how much they dominate will depend on how Bynum fits into the picture. Everyone assumes he is the answer to any issues the Lakers have; he probably is, but the games will show us for sure. Clearly, his presence makes the team better.

The Phoenix are also likely a playoff team with guard Steve Nash, forward Amare Stoudemire and center Shaquille O'Neal. D'Antoni ball is gone and in its place new coach Terry Porter will stress an offense that can play halfcourt and uptempo, taking advantage of running chances rather than forcing them. The Suns are still a playoff team, but are they a 55-win team like last season? Or will a full season of Shaq not be the answer? The team's depth • not an issue with D'Antoni's seven-man rotations • could also become a question mark.

The Golden State Warriors looked ready to make the next step after being the summer's big spenders, but the injury to guard Monta Ellis really puts that in doubt. Again, scoring points will not be an issue with swingmen Corey Maggette and Stephen Jackson, but they are entrusting their offense now to young point guard Marcus Williams, someone the New Jersey Nets drafted to replace Jason Kidd but they felt ended up not being the answer. Can he handle it? If not, can Jackson handle running the show? Will Al Harrington be part of the team despite asking for a trade? With all those issues, getting again to 48 wins would be amazing.

The Los Angeles Clippers won only 23 games last season, and then lost Elton Brand and Corey Maggette. Sounds like a recipe for disaster…but remember, Brand didn't play much last season, so losing him doesn't mean they will be worse. In fact, considering they not have able bodies in the roster spots for Brand and guards Sam Cassell and Shaun Livingston it's easy to argue this team will be better. Sophomore Al Thornton should provide everything Maggette did • plus some defense • and forward Marcus Camby should fit nicely next to center Chris Kaman. With a deep bench • veterans Ricky Davis and Jason Williams lead the way • and more youth in rookie Eric Gordon, the Clips will be better. In fact, 12 or more games better looks perfectly obtainable. Challenge for the playoffs? Maybe, if the players mesh well and quickly.

The Sacramento Kings are this division's sleeper. Presumably without Ron Artest they are worse, but the changes it will mean to the offense • in a positive way • will make this team more dangerous. Kevin Martin will finally be the focal point and John Salmons should be a consistent starter. The questions remain up front where the aging Brad Miller is still solid, but backed up by sophomore center Spencer Hawes. They have a glut of players who aren't part of the rotation or capable of staying healthy at power forward • talking to you guys, Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim • so how quickly rookie Jason Thompson can fit in could be very important. The Kings were only three games under .500 in 2007-08, and they might be right about there again, fighting for third place with Golden State and the Clips.

The Lakers should be even better, the Clippers will be better, Phoenix is still a playoff team • can the Pacific have three playoff teams? Especially when the Southwest hopes to have four? Judging against the rest of the talent in the West, it doesn't seem likely.

Check out the previous analyses for the Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Central and Atlantic Divisions.

Randolph Trade Surfacing Again: We've discussed this proposal a few times over the past couple weeks, about the Memphis Grizzlies sending forward Darko Milicic and guard Marko Jaric to the New York Knicks for forward Zach Randolph. Apparently it's suddenly a news story again, with the worldwide leader reporting the Knicks have proposed the deal officially and it's on the Grizz now to make the next step.

Should they pull the trigger? Is that a positive move for the Grizzlies? Maybe. Milicic and Jaric are both expendable, but Randolph may not be the answer. The perceived problem with Randolph in New York has to do with his tendency to control the ball and the offense in the post, and that he isn't an uptempo player. How, exactly, would that be different in Memphis? With guards O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley, and forward Rudy Gay, this team is built to run. Coach Marc Iavaroni wants to run.

Just looking at the talent on the table, it would seem Memphis should pull the trigger. Yes, it's one more year of a big contract, but they are getting the best player • by far • in the transaction. If it doesn't work this season, Randolph then has one less year on his contract and is a tad more tradeable.

For the Knicks, maybe Darko and Marko make an impression, maybe they don't. Either way, it's all about the summer of 2010. Jaric still gets paid in 2010-11, but at a much reduced rate from Randolph, making him an easier contract to move again if they desire.

Send Them Home or Make Them Stay? NBA commissioner • reportedly livid • chose to send Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers and Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur home from the Rookie Orientation after they were caught with "friends" in their room and, apparently, a marijuana cloud. Was that the right choice or a rash one? What would you do in his situation?

Clearly he wanted to send a message to the stupidity. It's not about whether or not marijuana is an issue; it's illegal. Whether it should be or should not be is not part of this debate. It's about the NBA setting down clear rules and Chalmers and Arthur not only breaking them, but blatantly breaking them in the presence of the league and the commissioner, at a league event, where the league teaches rookies about life in the NBA and the guidelines on representing their team and their league as a player.

Chalmers and Arthur thought it was a joke. They should be punished. The $20K fine and the probable five-game suspensions are a good start.

However, should they have been sent home? I asked a couple colleagues to see what they had to say.

"It stands to reason that these two guys need the class MORE than others, as they're already doing some of the primary issues that the program is preparing players to stand against," said Bill Ingram.

"It comes down to either making an example of them this year for the current rookies or having them return next season as an example for the next draft class," said Jessica Camerato. "I think Chalmers and Arthur should have been forced to stay in the program this year. They obviously need to learn the lessons being taught. This program was an obligation so it's not like they were kicked out of a luxury resort and are be punished by missing out on a five-star experience. They should be there learning the rules so they do not make more mistakes this season."

"In this instance, I probably fine them the $20,000 and suspend them the five games for missing a mandatory NBA function," said Joel Brigham. "It sounds like that's the only way the league is going to justify fines and suspensions, so you've got to start there.

"Then, I make them speak at next year's Rookie Orientation about the stupid mistakes they made. After going through a year without having undergone the program, they can discuss aspects of NBA life they wish they would've known more about at the start but didn't get because they didn't take the conference seriously."

Personally, I fine the guys, suspend them, and then make them stay. Use them as the examples throughout the entire program anytime an example is needed. Call them out. Make it clear this is not who you, as another player, want to be.

Then I make them come back next year and talk to the new rookies about their experiences, about what they learned.

If you were in charge, what would you have done with them?

• http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9921