Northern Exposure - djp's Toronto Raptors

[djp73]

2012-2013 NBA PREVIEW

Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder - With the core of the team back and another year of experience The Thunder are expected to contend for a title.

Los Angeles Lakers - Dwight Howard and Steve Nash join an already potent Lakers team and will be going for the ring.

Memphis Grizzlies - A young, potent team that could surprise people. The entire starting five are entering their 4th season together.

Phoenix Suns - After a mess of trades last year Phoenix is looking to contend with a new look starting five. Darren Collison, Bradley Beal, Chandler Parsons, David Lee and Marcin Gortat.

San Antonio Spurs - Additions of Goran Dragic and Landry Fields add some depth to a solid lineup. With Duncan going into his 16th season time is running out.

Utah Jazz - This is a young team in the midst of a rebuild on the fly around Jefferson. They could make some noise but will likely falter against the top teams in the conference.

Denver Nuggets - Another young team with Iguodala leading the way now. Will have to hope Faried and rookie Sullinger develop quickly.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Love, Beasley and Rubio lead the way. No notable additions likely means another year in the middle of the pack.

New Orleans Hornets - Trading for Hickson last season gave them some help in the front court but losing Chris Kaman to free agency likely offset that. No offseason additions.

Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Paul didn't resign so once again Blake is expected to do it alone. Caron Butler is a nice second option but a weak back court will cause them to struggle.

Portland Trailblazers - Aldridge and Batum lead the way again. Additions of Jarrett Jack and George Hill last season improve the back court. Lack of depth is their biggest issue.

Houston Rockets - Chris Paul signed with Houston and then promptly tore his hamstring during the Olympics. If he can get back to 100% the Rockets could sneak into the playoffs. Paul would have been much better off staying in LA.

Dallas Mavericks - No one is quite sure what direction Dallas is trying to go. They made a number of trades last season and look to be stuck between rebuilding and trying to stay in the hunt.

Sacramento Kings - Young team that needs time to develop. Cousins and David West could become a formidable tandem in the middle while rookie Damian Lilliard and Tyreke Evans have a ton of potential in the back court.

Golden State Warriors - With Stephen Curry carrying a major injury over from last year and no notable help brought in it looks like another bleak season in the Golden State.



Eastern Conference

Miami Heat - Already dominant team adds Ray Allen. Favorites to represent the east.

New York Knicks - Losing Jeremy Lin but adding Kyle Lowry should prove to be an upgrade. Shumpert's development last season gives NY one of the best starting fives in the league.

Boston Celtics - Tough team adds JR Smith and Chris Kaman. Anyone who thinks Garnett and Pierce have fallen off is mistaken. Probably wont miss Allen much.

Indiana Pacers - Ramon Sessions and Elton Brand come to town. Solid young team with depth. Could make a run.

Philadelphia 76ers - Losing Iguodala and gaining a top young center should prove to be a good move for Denver. Bynum, Bargnani, Young, Turner and Williams are a solid young core. Need some depth to truly compete.

Chicago Bulls - Rose is carrying an injury into camp and will need to be at 100% for Chicago to make a run. No major offseason moves.

Atlanta Hawks - Linsanity comes to Atlanta and gives the Hawks a guy who can distribute the ball to Smith, Johnson and Horford. Rookie Harrison Barnes could be a key player.

New Jersey Nets - Scola replaces Humphries at the 4 but the remainder of the team is largely unchanged. Rookie forward John Henson and Lamar Odom add depth and Morrow gives them a sharpshooter off the bench.

Washington Wizards - Washington will be leaning heavily on #1 pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He will be the teams #2 option behind Wall and his development will play a big role in the teams future.

Toronto Raptors - Good mix of young talent and experience off the bench. May be a couple years away but if players catch on quick they could sneak into the playoffs. Expected to start both rookies Davis and Robinson.

Orlando Magic - A team that many thought would compete a couple years ago has basically been gutted. Afflalo and Marion may make the team respectable.

Detroit Pistons - Ilyasova and Green bring in some depth but the team still lacks a dominant scorer.

Cleveland Cavaliers - ROTY Irving and incoming rookie Austin Rivers give the Cavs a nice young back court. Jamison, Childress, Thompson and Varejao won't cut it against Eastern Conference big men.

Milwaukee Bucks- The Bucks let Ilyasova walk. That means Ellis and Jennings are essentially on their own. Not a recipe for success.

Charlotte Bobcats - No players added in free agency and a poor draft means more of the same in Charlotte.