PART 4 OF 30

The Golden State Warriors:

PG:  Stephen Curry|Toney Douglas

SG:  Klay Thompson|Kent Bazemore|Nemanja Nedovich

SF:  Andre Iguodala|Harrison Barnes|Draymond Green

PF:  David Lee|Marreese Speights

C:  Andrew Bogut|Jermaine O’Neal|Festus Ezeli

They’ve added All-Star Iguodala to the mix, giving the Dubs a boost defensively and efficiently.  I don’t think Douglas can replace Jarrett Jack’s leadership role and I’m not crazy about demoting Barnes to the bench.   Iggy was added for one thing only, postseason defense, because Curry and Thompson shooting the lights out can only take you so far if you can’t stop anybody on the other end.  I think the bench took a definitive step  backwards because they are clearly banking on these being healthy but history shouldn’t be ignored, this roster is a Who’s Who of injury prone guys.  Curry, Lee, Bogut, O’Neal are all capable of spontaneous joint implosion and I don’t trust any guys behind them to really pick up the slack.

Bottom line:  Will tear through the regular season, possibly winning the division but will only make noise in the playoffs if they stay healthy.

PART 5 OF 30

Los Angeles Clippers:

PG:  Chris Paul|Darren Collison|Malik Wayns

SG:  J.J. Reddick|Jamal Crawford|Willie Green

SF:  Jared Dudley|Matt Barnes|Reggie Bullock

PF:  Blake Griffin|Byron Mullens

C:  DeAndre Jordan|Ryan Hollins

Charles Barkley said last year that when the Clippers played well, Paul got the credit but when they played like crap, Vinny Del Negro got the blame.  Now that they no longer have VDN to kick around, if the Clips fail to reach expectations will new coach Doc Rivers get the blame?  Nope, he’s the media’s darling just as much as CP3 is so the new NBAPA prez better be on notice.  If the Clip’s sails get shot out during the playoffs again then Paul will hopefully get the blame he deserves.  He has a reputation of making his teammates magically better but a history of disappointing postseason play and his whole career he’s pointed fingers at everyone but him.  He’s running out of fingers.  Lob City went out and got some substance to go with their style in Reddick and the super serviceable Jared Dudley.  Underrated pick Reggie Bullock is another well-rounded, level-headed player that LA’s other team desperately needed.  The real problem lies in the frontcourt.  Blake Griffin is actually getting worse as his postgame continues to stagnate.  Jordan is not a bad player but he’s paid a lot of money to finish Oops and brick free throws.  Mullens finally gets a decent coach and a chance for minutes, this is feast or famine time for him.

Bottom line:  They’re just too shallow in the frontcourt to not end up being the Grizzlies’ bitch again.  I actually would not be surprised if this team misses the playoffs.  They definitely have the talent to breeze through the regular season but they’re injuries and chemistry problems away from self-destructing.