Western Conference commentary

[Crow]

"3rd pick and Simons for a Star"

A star broadly defined maybe, a Superstar unlikely.

Blazers might get Paul or Ayton or DeRozan or Hayward or J Collins or Anunoby for that package. Would any really make the desired difference for legit title contention? Almost certainly not.

Sign n trade for Irving or VanVleet? I guess it is possible. Current teams would ask for more but might settle.

Siakam? Maybe can get. Might be best realistic.

[Crow]

Warriors are not going to win another title standing pat.

At minimum, they should move Thompson or Poole.

[Crow]

I like the frontline players of the Jazz pretty well, the backcourt not so much. Hoping for backcourt revisions / additions, sooner than later.

[Crow]

For an awful team, the Spurs roster doesn't look as bad.

Will they settle for wins in 20s again or push for 30s?

Will Popovich play near 1000 lineups again or get serious and actually try to coach for wins? We'll see.

[Crow]

Heard a salary cap writer say that Jaden McDaniels was expected to get a $25-30 mil / yr extension.

I certainly wouldn't give that to him.

[Crow]

Suns have a wide range of potential moves and outcomes.

55 wins to maybe 35.

[Crow]

What do the Rockets need to fix? Almost everything. Except offensive rebounding. FT rate is ok.

[Crow]

All three of Western teams with best rs records were lead by PG-C duos as best players (if you count the Griz that way with Jackson over Bane in impact / importance).

(Sixers make it 4 of best 6 overall.)

The 4 best player wing duos by team record all came up short. (Among other style duos.)

[Crow]

Seems like a good chance Doncic will ask out in next year if upcoming season is not successful. Whether that criteria is make 2nd round or 1st round, I dunno. Meltdown could be quicker than that depending on Irving situation.

[Crow]

Lots will happen before October but at the moment I'd say the top 5 last season are the favorites to be in top 5 again.

[Crow]

Jazz should make a strong offer for Micic.

Thunder probably prefer to send him to East but I prefer they do something now.


If Jazz don't go for Micic, they should go for D Wright.

[Crow]

Apparently Jazz offered for Micic, but not successfully, yet

Will probably do so again in future.

[Crow]

It appears 13 (or possibly 14) western conference teams will vie for 10 playoff seeds out of the gate. It is possible 1 or more change course later but it probably will remain 11 plus trying. Several teams will fall short of the very first performance bar who expect to make it or more.

[Crow]

Are the Rockets a playoff level team now? I don't think so.

[Crow]

It is a big scramble for last seeds in west but for a handful ot teams the situation could boil down to: are they better than the Timberwolves?