Spurs should be the strongest, no doubt about it
Well, they have the deep bench, last year, they may depends too much on Tim Duncan, this year, they could have many people to reduce his loadings from his shoulder
Tony Parker didn't play it well, especially in Playoffs, that's why they sign Van Exel and Michael Finley
cos they could use Barry, Mino, Van Exel in guards or Barry Mino and Finley if they need to tall, and need to score points in important situation.
only weakness of this team, if Nazr Mohammed is injured, it maybe in troubles, especially their backup, Rasho Nesterovic could play who he is when he was in T' Wolves
Hoston Rockets:
They maybe the 2nd or 3rd in leauge this season (my prediction, Spurs, Pacers, Rockets, Heats)
Well, sorry, 1st, Rockets is playing with Dallas/Spurs in the same division
2nd) their bench are not as Great as Spurs
The good news is: they are much younger than last season.
they couldn't play the potentials for Tracy McGrady due to... they players were so old in last year.
That's great signing for Swift and Alston too.... the new team, which looks much younger and more athletic.
Let's see how Van Gundy could guide this team, from a defensive team to attacking team.
Dallas:
Great coaching for Avery Johnson, and they are really lucky to keep him in this team.
Yes, they don't have many "stars" as they were 2 years ago
But it's good for a team like this, cos if they have so many "stars' in there, they could try to catch the balls too much, i.e. Dallas in 03 (with A. Jamison and A. Walker) and Lakers 04 (Karl Malone+Gary Payton+Kobe Bryant+Shaq O'Neal)
Only weakness for Dallas, after Eric Dampier gets his max contract, his stats and power is slowing down, (well many NBA scouts were predicting this when he got this contract, they are so smarts)
Keith Van Horn is good, but can he play on the same floor with Drik? That's a good testing for Avery Johnson. Doug Christie couldn't solve the problem in defense, but Josh Howard could get this job done.
Memphis:
The defensive specialist is back... we may have another boring team in NBA.
That's great question mark as Damon, who is an attacking player (PG), and joining Mike Fatello team.
Remember in 90s? Mark Price and T. Brandon?
They were great in PG, but .. as always, they shot the ball with 4 hands in front of him with 2 seconds left....
Can Damon settle in this situation?
Another notes, after all the trading (except losing Swift) you could see Memphis is starting to be more defensive and ... they don't have 10 man rotations anymore
so look out, they will be more trading this season.
Hornets:
Forget about them, they are in rebuilding mode
They lost Allan Bristow in GM.
and for the disaster in New Orleans, they need to be relocated in Oklahoma.
especially in this tough division, as they are in really tough situation internally and externally, they may break the record for the less win in one season (76ers, 9 wins)
(p.s. it is not the fault for Bryan Scott, please understand it)