Northwest Division 2014-2015 Predictions

Welcome to my Northwest Division 2014-2015 Season Predictions.  So who do you think will finish 1st, 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th or last?  I want to see your lists.  I will give you my list and then explain a little bit about each team.


2014-2015 Northwest Division Predictions

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Portland Trailblazers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Utah Jazz

1) Oklahoma City-  I feel to me this is the obvious team to finish in 1st in this division.  They are fun and exciting to watch.  They do need to find a good third scorer ( I know they have Reggie Jackson, but then there bench is an issue).   They have an exciting big three in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.  The problem with this team is it's mostly plays I've seen ran for Durant or Westbrook, with once in a while Ibaka scoring a little bit.  I do feel this team will finish first in the division, but Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks has got to start playing more guys out there.  I feel like he uses the same 7-8 guys out there most of the time.  I want to see Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones get more playing time.  I like the addition of Anthony Morrow on this team.  I would prefer to see him start ,because it would give the Thunder another solid three point shooter out on the court in the starting lineup. 

2) Portland-  Last year the Blazers were a surprise team in the West.  They added Chris Kaman and brought back Steve Blake to upgrade their bench.  The Blazers I feel have a solid 8-9 man rotation.  Will the Blazers be as good as last year? I think they will.  Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge will lead the scoring punch.  Robin Lopez banging down low in the post.  Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum knocking down three point shots.   Could the Blazers finish in 1st?  I think possibly but I went with second because of how great the Thunder are during the regular season.   I'm excited to be watching how Damian Lillard will play this year.

3) Denver-  A little part of me was tempted to put Minnesota here, but I feel that having Arron Afflalo back is huge for the Nuggets.  Afflalo is a solid defender who can knock down the three.  Kenneth Faried though is my favorite player to watch.  Faried has such high energy and great hustle.  I'm glad he got an extension by the Nuggets.  Ty Lawson is a solid NBA point guard. I love that they have Nate Robinson coming in off the bench, why the Bulls didn't resign him a couple of years ago is beyond me.   I do hope Javale McGee will stop making so many boneheaded plays so he doesn't end up on Shaqtin-A-Fool.  

4) Minnesota-  They traded off Kevin Love to Cleveland.  Acquired Thaddeus Young, Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins.  I admit I'm excited to see how Andrew Wiggins will be for the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves are going to be having a lot of highlight plays on Sportscenter this season. They have some great athleticism on this team with Andrew Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Zach LaVine and Thaddeus Young.  I think they got an okay deal from the Cavs.  I feel if Anthony Bennett improves and Zach LaVine ends up working out, the Minnesota T-Wolves will have a solid 10 man rotation.  I don't know if they will make the playoffs considering it's the Western Conference, but it's possible. 

5) Utah-  I have no idea if Dante Exum will pan out or not.  Rodney Hood I think will be a solid role player in the NBA.  The starting five of Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Trey Burke isn't bad.  They got 3 point specialist Steve Novak this off-season which will help.  I do feel though that the Jazz will be one of the top 5 NBA worst teams this year.  If that happens you never know, the Jazz may get the 1st pick.  

So what would your list be?  What do you think about my list? Send me your comments. Thank you for reading Pro Basketball Hoops Land.  The place where you can read articles from the prospective of an NBA fan, send comments and purchase pro basketball merchandise.