I think over the past years we've seen teams come from the Western Conference with serious depth and a great understanding of team ball. These teams include: the 2000 Blazers, 2002 Kings, 2004 T'Wolves, 2005 Suns, and 2006 Mavericks. When you look back on the 90's, yea you're going to think MJ but you will also think back to those early 90's Blazers teams, Stockton and Malone, Barkley's Suns, Hakeem's Rockets, the Sonics with Kemp and Payton, etc. I think these teams of the 2000's are a bit different. You have your exceptional players but you also have your excellent depth and versitility.
I left off the Spurs and the Lakers as I felt those two teams were pretty exceptional at their peak and are pretty much the clear cut #1 and 2 teams.
IMO, I would rank them:
1. 2002 Kings. Not only do I feel that this team has the best starting five from top to bottom of the bunch, but they also have Bobby Jackson and Hedo Turkoglu coming off the bench and providing great depth. Had some calls went their way, I think they beat the Lakers that year.
2. 2006 Mavericks. Could move to the top with a title or down below if they don't win it. This is by far the deepest team of the bunch. As I said in the playoff thread, there 5 main reserves are better than a couple of teams starters. They have the biggest matchup problem in Nowitzki and perhaps the greatest number of weapons at their disposal. Even with a title win, however, I think they're still a notch below the Spurs and Lakers in their prime.
3. 2000 Blazers. This team had the biggest meltdown in perhaps sports history. This team is almost as deep and versitile as Dallas and frankly they could beat down any team on this list because they were so tough and played together so well.
4. 2005 Suns. Although this years team is more talented all around they don't compare to last years team simply because of Stoudamire's presence. As seen this year, he's the difference between a team who the Lakers almost beat to a team that could've almost sleepedwalked it's way to a title this year. You also have the very talented Joe Johnson, who if healthy, could've made that series with SA much closer.
5. 2004 T'Wolves. They have the best player of any of these teams in Garnett. But you had all the guys who could fill there roles as well. It was the only year that Trent Hassell was good and the only year that Wally was at his most dangerous...as a solid(when healthy) 3rd or 4th option.
Next year I think we will be adding a new team to this discussion tho...the 2007 Clippers. Brand is quietly becoming one of the top players in the game, Mobley and Cassell will have another year of chemistry, Maggete hopefully will be at his peak and healthy, and players like Ross and Livingston should develop into headaches. They made a bad move in trading Wilcox as I think he was eventually going to become another threat for them but nonetheless they will be a FORCE next year.
I left off the Spurs and the Lakers as I felt those two teams were pretty exceptional at their peak and are pretty much the clear cut #1 and 2 teams.
IMO, I would rank them:
1. 2002 Kings. Not only do I feel that this team has the best starting five from top to bottom of the bunch, but they also have Bobby Jackson and Hedo Turkoglu coming off the bench and providing great depth. Had some calls went their way, I think they beat the Lakers that year.
2. 2006 Mavericks. Could move to the top with a title or down below if they don't win it. This is by far the deepest team of the bunch. As I said in the playoff thread, there 5 main reserves are better than a couple of teams starters. They have the biggest matchup problem in Nowitzki and perhaps the greatest number of weapons at their disposal. Even with a title win, however, I think they're still a notch below the Spurs and Lakers in their prime.
3. 2000 Blazers. This team had the biggest meltdown in perhaps sports history. This team is almost as deep and versitile as Dallas and frankly they could beat down any team on this list because they were so tough and played together so well.
4. 2005 Suns. Although this years team is more talented all around they don't compare to last years team simply because of Stoudamire's presence. As seen this year, he's the difference between a team who the Lakers almost beat to a team that could've almost sleepedwalked it's way to a title this year. You also have the very talented Joe Johnson, who if healthy, could've made that series with SA much closer.
5. 2004 T'Wolves. They have the best player of any of these teams in Garnett. But you had all the guys who could fill there roles as well. It was the only year that Trent Hassell was good and the only year that Wally was at his most dangerous...as a solid(when healthy) 3rd or 4th option.
Next year I think we will be adding a new team to this discussion tho...the 2007 Clippers. Brand is quietly becoming one of the top players in the game, Mobley and Cassell will have another year of chemistry, Maggete hopefully will be at his peak and healthy, and players like Ross and Livingston should develop into headaches. They made a bad move in trading Wilcox as I think he was eventually going to become another threat for them but nonetheless they will be a FORCE next year.
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