Phife Previews The NBA’s Western Conference

Ed. Note: A Tribe Called Quest's Phife will be writing a regular, monthly column throughout the NBA season where he'll combine player and coach interviews with discussions with other rappers and analysis of the season's progress. This first installment sees Phife predict how the Western Conference will shake out. Find his preview of the Eastern Conference here.

The TIP-OFF continued... Now for the WESTERN CONFERENCE!

Northwest Division | Pacific Division | Southwest Division

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets
Am I the only one who's still shocked by the firing of George Karl after he was awarded Coach of the Year? Could it be because the Nuggets lost in the first round to Mark Jackson's Golden State Warriors? I don't know, but I'm quite sure the Nuggets will miss Karl, despite the hiring of Brian Shaw. Shaw will be a great coach eventually, but it's hard to replace the X's & O's of a veteran such as Karl.

First order of operations would be for Shaw to make sure that he and point guard Ty Lawson are on the same page at all times. How Lawson goes, the Nuggets go. Ty is Denver's top offensive player, playmaker, clutch player and coach on the floor.

Add the defense of Kenneth Faried, the all-around play of J.J. Hickson and Wilson Chandler, and the Nuggets can be fun to watch. But can Danilo Gallinari stay healthy? And when will we see the full maturation of JaVale McGee? The Nuggets will finish 3rd in the Northwest, and as the 8th seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: C-

Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year, this team had a plethora of injuries and could never find their groove; this season showcases a healthier squad with a few new faces to help make a playoff push.

In my book, the two main straws that stir this drink are Ricky Rubio and power forward Kevin Love, who I believe is the best power forward in the league (after Tim Duncan) when healthy. Love can do it all.

Coach Rick Adelman has a lineup that can cause a mismatch or two in the backcourt (size wise) with 2nd round pick (6'5 point guard) Lorenzo Brown from NC State, 6'6 Russian guard Alexey Shved and former Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Kevin Martin.

But is there anyone on this team that can play defense? This remains to be seen, and until then the T-wolves will finish 4th in the Northwest division.
Off-Season Grade: C-

Oklahoma City Thunder
We all know this team runs on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant like cars run on gas; without these two, the Thunder become a broken-down vehicle with four flats.

Who can become that third scoring option, that other go-to guy? It doesn't matter if it's a starter or off the bench. This has been the Million Dollar Question since the departure of James Harden. I need to witness backup point guard Reggie Jackson become that playmaker, and he'll have a chance to do just that until Westbrook's return.

What about Serge Ibaka? Can his offensive game reach new heights? How about second year players Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones? Somebody has to step up; if not, Coach Scotty Brooks and Durant can only take this team but so far. Remember, the Rockets, Warriors, Grizzlies and Clippers have all gotten better. I see OKC finishing 1st in the Northwest, and with the 3rd seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: D

Portland TrailBlazers
This is a team that I'm dying to see do well. I love the game of shooting guard Wesley Matthews and Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard. Thank God for DirecTV NBA League Pass; if not for that purchase, I wouldn't be able to watch whatever game I want, and Lord knows I enjoy the excitement that the Blazers bring to the Arena every night. I guess I'll always have a place in my heart for Underdogs.

Take a look at the Blazers' roster—other than LaMarcus Aldridge being the No. 2 overall pick out of Texas in 2006, they've got Damian Lillard—unknown out of Weber State—Wesley Matthews—under the radar out of Marquette—and Rookie C.J. McCollum out of Lehigh University. Not exactly highlight-reel prospects.

Take my word for it folks, this will be a dangerous team out West. They will finish 2nd in the Northwest, and with the 7th seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: B-

Utah Jazz
Where do I start?

This is strictly a youth movement going on here, with a lot of youngsters with great potential. The question is, how much can Coach Tyrone Corbin get out of them?

Forward Gordon Hayward must have a breakout year, and with the veteran losses of Al Jefferson (to Charlotte) and Paul Millsap (to Atlanta), this gives center Enes Kanter a chance to blossom as well as versatile forward Derrick Favors the chance to show the promise he once had.

Put 6'6 guard Alec Burks at the 2 spot, then add rookie—and 2013 college player of the year—Trey Burke to the fold (despite his struggles during summer league) and allow these kids to grow. They won't contend for a championship overnight, and that we all know. Utah will finish 5th in the Northwest division.
Off-Season Grade: D

Pacific Division | Home | Southwest Division

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors
I hated to see the Warriors lose the services of Jarrett Jack, but they may have had their best off-season in a while. Starting with Andre Iguodala, who brings defense and unbelievable athleticism, along with veteran Jermaine O'Neal, who may not be the Jermaine of old, but Mark Jackson will love to have his basketball IQ on the floor as well as in the locker room.

Marreese Speights fills a void just in case Andrew Bogut has another injury-riddled season and backup point guard Toney Douglas has to make the Bay Area forget about Jack.

I shouldn't have to mention starters like Stephen Curry, David Lee and Klay Thompson, but with Iguodala inserted as the starting small forward, this can very well become the Harrison Barnes coming out party as possible sixth man of the year as well as Mark Jackson becoming coach of the year. The Warriors will finish 2nd in the Pacific, with the 4th seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: B+

Los Angeles Clippers
As a coach, Doc Rivers can do no wrong in my eyes. In Orlando (despite injuries to Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill) he won with what he had. In Boston, Doc brought pride back to the NBA's most storied franchise by winning a title in 2008 and making another Finals appearance in 2010. Word has it that he didn't always see eye to eye with his point guard Rajon Rondo, but they won. Imagine what it will be like coaching the best point guard and leader in the league in Chris Paul.

J.J. Redick is a great pickup, since his jump shot remains one of the most lethal in the league, while Jared Dudley, who comes over from Phoenix, can defend and shoot. If DeAndre Jordan can develop his defense, low post moves and foul shooting, the sky's the limit.

As for Blake Griffin, the brother can play, but in the immortal words of Gang Starr: "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY." Especially when facing Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies. The Clips will finish 1st in the pacific, and grab the 2nd seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: A-

Los Angeles Lakers
I so badly want to say "DON'T SLEEPm"  but unfortunately I don't believe in Mike D'Antoni as a coach. I'm not saying he can't coach, but how do you NOT take advantage of one of the best big men in the league in Pau Gasol?

As a kid I dreamed of coaching The Lakeshow and my hometown heroes The New York Knicks; this man single-handedly tarnished both franchises in a span of two seasons.

What bright ideas will D'Antoni and Jim Buss have up their sleeves this season? Chris Kaman is not a bad pickup, a healthy Steve Nash can be the engine to help this team run, but when will the MAMBA return? By not believing in D'Antoni, and with an injured Kobe Bryant and no Metta World Peace to lock up any of the opponents' best players, it's not gonna be a good look at all. The Lakers will finish 3rd in the Pacific, and wind up fighting for a playoff spot, only to miss out.
Off-Season Grade: D- (until Kobe becomes 100 percent)

Sacramento Kings
I love what the Kings did in the draft by grabbing possible Rookie of the Year Ben McLemore along with  point guard Ray McCallum (my sleeper pick in the draft)! Here we have another team filled with a lot of talented youth, which means it's going to take patience and the maturation of stud DeMarcus Cousins before we label this team a contender.

Point guard Isaiah Thomas will be looking over his shoulder while former Hornet Greivis Vasquez and the aforementioned rookie McCallum try to take over the point guard spot.

The Kings will finish 4th in the Pacific.
Off-Season Grade: B+

Phoenix Suns
I'm not sure what to make of this team, mainly because I'm not sure of the type of coaching job that former Sun fan favorite Jeff Hornacek will do.

How will rookies Alex Len and Archie Goodwin pan out? Will the newly-acquired Eric Bledsoe show that promise that he showed playing in L.A. behind Chris Paul? Will one of the Morris twins emerge this season?

As you can see, there are too many questions, and it'll more than likely take a season or two—or three—before we get any good results. Phoenix will finish 5th in the Pacific.
Off-Season Grade: C-

Northwest Division | Home | Southwest Division

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks
It seems like ever since the Mavs won the 2011 NBA championship, the front office lost it's luster and hunger for winning, as well as signing above-average ball players. Letting Tyson Chandler sign with the Knicks two seasons ago was the start of a huge downfall. Assuming Deron Williams would leave the Nets and return to his hometown of Dallas, Texas only made things worse.

Now in 2013, a lot of questions must be answered by Mark Cuban & co. Will Dirk get back to where he was in 2011? Is it time to trade him? How will Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon exist in the Maverick backcourt? Will rookies Shane Larkin and Ricky Ledo see the light of day under the tutelage of Rick Carlisle? Will Brandan Wright finally show glimpses of what we saw his 1 and only year at UNC?

Time to implode this roster and start from scratch, from the coach to the last man sitting on the bench. I don't see the chemistry for these guys to compete on a nightly basis. Whatever happens, the Dallas Mavericks will finish 5th in the Southwest.
Off-Season Grade: C-

Houston Rockets
Just like the beginning of the NFL season, Houston fans had a lot to look forward to. The Texans (on paper) looked like they were well on their way to finally being successful in the postseason. Thanks to the horrible play of QB Matt Schaub and another season-ending injury to defensive stud Brian Cushing, the season seems all but over.

Now with the NBA pre-season done, the Rockets have no excuse not to contend for their 3rd NBA championship. They have a good coach in Kevin McHale, a decent point guard in Jeremy Lin, a top-5 shooting guard in James Harden (if not the best after a healthy Kobe and Wade), a hell of a small forward in Chandler Parsons, and last but not least Dwight Howard, who is arguably the best big man in the league.

Expectations are soaring higher than NASA, and anything less than a Western Conference Finals or Finals appearance will not be tolerated or taken lightly. But be easy H-Town, this, my friends, will be the start of something BIG. The Rockets will finish 1st in the Southwest and take the 1st seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: A+

San Antonio Spurs
I can still hear former Rockets Coach Rudy Tomjanovich's voice (from the 1994 Finals win over my Knicks) in my head: "DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION!" When it comes to the Gregg Poppovich-led San Antonio Spurs, Rudy's statement rings so true.

Similar to Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, you can never count these guys out. The older they get, the better they become (like fine wine) and Tony Parker has matured into the Alamo City's Tom Brady. Tim Duncan is definitely the greatest power forward to ever lace them up, and Kawhi Leonard has a great future in front of him. Let's be real: if the Clips, Golden State or Rockets can't beat the Spurs now, they never will.

Memphis had them on the ropes a few seasons back and knocked the Spurs out of the playoffs, but like a true championship squad, the Spurs rose to the occasion in the following season and battled the Miami Heat to a riveting 7 game series. We all know the outcome to that.

The moral of the story? "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS!" They'll take 2nd in the Southwest, and the 5th seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: C+

Memphis Grizzlies
When karma hits you, it hits you hard.

I'm not sure what Memphis was thinking letting Coach Lionel Hollins go. I thought the Nuggets letting go of Coach of the Year George Karl was bad, but this is a hard slap in the face after Hollins led the Grizz to the Western Conference Finals.

The Grizzlies had their best season in franchise history, winning a blistering 56 games in the regular season, and this is the thanks Coach Hollins gets? I'm not saying new coach Dave Joerger won't be a good coach, but disrespectful is disrespectful.

I love the frontline of Tayshaun Prince, Marc Gasol & Blake Griffin's best friend Zach "Z-BO" Randolph. Tony Allen's defense and the steady hand of slept on point guard Mike Conley give the Grizz a chance to win every night. The return of Mike Miller along with Quincy Pondexter and Jerryd Bayless solidifies the Memphis bench, but there are a handful of teams in the West that have gotten better.

Unfortunately, only 8 get to dance in the postseason. Memphis will finish 3rd in the Southwest, but still hang on to the 6th seed in the West.
Off-Season Grade: C+

New Orleans Pelicans
I'm not sure what to think of this new name, and yes I heard it's the Louisiana State bird, but I wish I could turn back the hands of time and take the Jazz name back from Utah (Have you ever heard jazz in Salt Lake City?), the same way Charlotte will get the Hornets name back. I guess Utah can become the Bobcats?

Anyway, if Eric Gordon can stay healthy for one season, this could be the start of something GREAT! With Jrue Holiday coming over from Philly and the smooth and versatile Tyreke Evans leaving Sac-Town, The Pelicans can very well have lots to celebrate other than February's All-Star game. Anthony Davis will absolutely be a stud in this league, while forward Ryan Anderson continues to shoot lights out.

Does this make Austin Rivers the odd man out, or can Doc's son provide a huge spark off the bench? The Pelicans will finish 4th in the Southwest, and miss out on the playoffs.
Off-Season Grade: B-

Northwest Division | Home | Pacific Division

Western Conference Playoff Tree
1. Houston rockets
2. L.A. Clippers
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Golden State Warriors
5. San Antonio Spurs
6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Portland TrailBlazers
8. Denver Nuggets

NBA Eastern Conference Finals
Heat over Bulls

NBA Western Conference Finals
Clippers over Warriors

NBA Finals
Heat over Clippers (I hope I'm wrong)!

NBA MVP: Derrick Rose
NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
NBA COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors
NBA SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: Jarrett Jack, Cleveland Cavaliers