Did you miss out on the original introductory piece of the “Bring It Back” series? Well do yourself a favor and check out right here how we’re doing this multi-part NBA series!
This week we’ll hit the Western Conference. Did you miss the Eastern Conference last week? Good thing it’s right here for you to enjoy. Some teams may look a little funny, so have an open mind! We’re going to field 8-10 man rosters, some might go up to 15 but it’s just the best players on the teams. It’ll be fun because some teams might not have a complete team at all and may just include some guys who might be injured, but they’re still going to be a big part of the way this goes. This is all going to depend on the teams and my research of players available and pick the best of the best players that each team drafted and finally where they landed in the draft.
Now, Time to display some teams!
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Starters:
Guard: Jarrett Jack; 1st round (22nd pick, 22nd overall), 2005 NBA Draft
G: Evan Fournier; 1st round (20th pick, 20th overall), 2012 NBA Draft
Forward: Carmelo Anthony; 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2003 NBA Draft
F: Kenneth Faried; 1st round (22nd pick, 22nd overall), 2011 NBA Draft
Center: Rudy Gobert; 1st round (27th pick, 27th overall), 2013 NBA Draft
Bench:
F: Doug McDermott; 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 2014
G: Jameer Nelson; 1st round (20th pick, 20th overall), 2004
F: Quincy Miller; 2nd round (8th pick, 38th overall), 2012
G: Devyn Marble; 2nd round (26th pick, 56th overall), 2014
Analysis:
This is a pretty solid team overall. Definetely alot of scoring but the problem here is the depth in the front court. While you can rotate McDermott off the bench, move Melo to the 4 and Faried to the 5 to give Gobert some rest, you’re still lacking up front. The perimeter scoring of Fournier, Jack and Anthony can cause a lot of problems especially when you go to the bench and mix in the veteran Nelson and rookie McDermott. Faried and Gobert will definitely get their share of rebounds but again, there’s no real depth up front which could cause some concern compared to some of these other teams.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Starters:
G: Ty Lawson; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2009
G: O.J. Mayo; 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2008
G/F: Corey Brewer; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2007
F: Kevin Garnett; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1995
C: Nikola Vucevic; 2nd round (1st pick, 31st overall), 2008
Bench:
G: Ricky Rubio; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2009
G: Trey Burke; 1st round (9th pick, 9th overall), 2013
F: Donatas Motiejunas; 1st round (20th pick, 20th overall), 2011
G: Andre Roberson; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2013
G: Zach LaVine; 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 2014
G/F: Wesley Johnson; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2010
G: Mario Chalmers; 2nd round (4th pick, 34th overall), 2008
F: Derrick Williams; 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 2011
F: Trevor Booker; 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2010
G: Wayne Ellington; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2009
F: Glenn Robinson III; 2nd round (10th pick, 40th overall), 2014
F: Robbie Hummel; 2nd round (28th pick, 58th overall), 2012
F: Luke Babbitt; 1st round (16th pick, 16th overall), 2010
G: Nick Calathes; 2nd round (15th pick, 45th overall), 2009
Analysis:
Well this team automatically can contend just due to depth alone. The point guards are dangerous, at any point you can get a mix of different style with Rubio, Lawson and Burke. Mix in the ever athletic Zach LaVine and 3-point specialiast in Chalmers and that’s just a recipe for disaster for teams trying to slow down the scoring. Lawson would need to take reigns here at the star of the team, allow the others to create like Mayo, Burke and Motiejunas. Garnett will lead the locker room and be able to catch a breather with formidable reserve in Booker, Williams and Robinson. Defense can also be a strong suit on the perimeter with Roberson and Brewer in at the same time, with Rubio, not many teams will be able to get the ball in anywhere as all thre33 of those guys can swipe the ball. A bunch of role players, but this still is one of the better teams.
Oklahoma City Thunder (Seattle Supersonics)
Starters:
G: Russell Westbrook; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2008
G: James Harden; 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2009
F: Kevin Durant; 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 2007
F: Serge Ibaka; 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 2008
C: Steven Adams; 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 2013
Bench:
G: Eric Bledsoe; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2010
G: Reggie Jackson; 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 2011
F: Carl Landry; 2nd round (1st pick, 31st overall), 2007
F: Perry Jones III; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2012
F: Nick Collison; 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 2003
F: Quincy Pondexter; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2010
G: Archie Goodwin; 1st round (29th pick, 29th overall), 2013
F: Glen Davis; 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall), 2007
F: Mitch McGary; 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2014
G: Willie Green; 2nd round (12th pick, 41st overall), 2003
G: Luke Ridnour; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2003
Analysis:
I would love for someone to find holes on this team. I’ll wait. You can even tweet me (@r0bato) if you find one. I don’t see one. Sure, the egos might be a problem, but if you put those aside, this is hands down the best team in this whole thing. The Thunder/Supersonics sure know how to draft. The reining MVP, Durant, with the team that Thunder fans dreamed about. Westbrook at the point with Jackson being his immediate reserve, Harden with Bledsoe coming in for him, Jones being the reserve for Durant, Landry in for Ibaka and Collison in for Adams and that’s a scary team 1-10. The other 2 guys rounding out a 12 man squad are Pondexter who can play the 3/4 and Goodwin who can play the 1/2. Surviving the starting lineup would be a ridiculous test and then the bench, when switched right, can just come in and take over. This is hands down, no doubt, the BEST team in this whole ‘Bring It Back’ series. The big 3 that everyone was dreaming of years ago would dominate. Westbrook, Harden and Durant would lead this team to amazing things.
Portland Trail Blazers
Starters:
G: Damian Lillard; 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2012
G: C.J. McCollum; 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013
F: Dante Cunningham; 2nd round (3rd pick, 33rd overall), 2009
F: Zach Randolph; 1st round (19th pick, 19th overall), 2001
C: Omer Asik; 2nd round (6th pick, 36th overall), 2008
Bench:
G: Patty Mills; 2nd round (25th pick, 55th overall), 2009
F: Josh McRoberts; 2nd round (7th pick, 37th overall), 2007
C: Meyers Leonard; 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 2012
F: Joel Freeland; 1st round (30th pick, 30th overall), 2006
F: Grant Jerrett; 2nd round (10th pick, 40th overall), 2013
F: Victor Claver; 1st round (22nd pick, 22nd overall), 2009
F: Joey Dorsey; 2nd round (3rd pick, 33rd overall), 2008
F: Martell Webster; 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2005
C: Jeff Withey; 2nd round (9th pick, 39th overall), 2013
Analysis:
Damian Lillard with a powerful front line can mean some dangerous things. Z-Bo and Asik can pull down the boards and kick to Lillard or McCollum to create. Cunningham is a nice do-it-all player in the lineup that can score if needed, play good defense and do all the other unrecognized things needed to succeed. The bench is also pretty solid with Mill, McRoberts, Leonard and Freeland being the main rotation guys. Lillard with Z-Bo though will definitely need to shoulder the load of this team and hope that McCollum can come into his own as a full-time serviceable NBA player. A drastic jump for him from the end of the bench to starter.
Utah Jazz
Starters:
G: Deron Williams; 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2005
G: Alec Burks; 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 2011
F: Gordon Hayward; 1st round (9th pick, 9th overall), 2010
F: Paul Millsap; 2nd round (17th pick, 47th overall), 2006
C: Gorgui Dieng; 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2013
Bench:
G: Mo Williams; 2nd round (18th pick, 47th overall), 2003
C: Enes Kanter; 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2011
G: Shabazz Muhammad; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2013
F: Kris Humphries; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2004
G: Dante Exum; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2014
G: Rodney Hood; 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2014
F: C.J. Miles; 2nd round (4th pick, 34th overall), 2005
F: Andrei Kirilenko; 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 1999
C: Kosta Koufos; 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2008
F: Jarnell Stokes; 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall), 2014
F: Jeremy Evans; 2nd round (25th pick, 55th overall), 2010
C: Nazr Mohammed; 1st round (29th pick, 29th overall), 1998
Analysis:
Yikes, this team will definitely complete with that Thunder team. The front line of Millsap and Dieng along with Kanter and Humphries coming off the bench can cause alot of problems for teams trying to score inside or pull down rebounds. Deron Williams will need to play at his very capable all-star lead this team. Burks can score when called upon but will have to take a back seat as the fourth, maybe even fifth option if you factor in Williams off the bench. Muhammad, Hood and Exum off the bench will provide a spark and guys like Kirilenko and Miles will be the veterans looked upon for big moments. Very solid team overall.
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
Starters:
G: Stephen Curry; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2009
G: Klay Thompson; 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 2011
F: Harrison Barnes; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2012
F: Draymond Green; 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall), 2012
C: Festuz Ezeli; 1st round (30th pick, 30th overall), 2012
Bench:
G: Monta Ellis; 2nd round (10th pick, 40th overall), 2005
G: Vince Carter; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1998
G: Marco Belinelli; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2007
F: Ekpe Udoh; 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2010
C: Ognjen Kuzmic; 2nd round (22nd pick, 52nd overall), 2012
Analysis:
Starting lineup kind of similar to this year’s team huh? So in that case, this team should do a lot of the same damage. I mean it’s very similar to what’s going on now in Oakland, very strong back court play but a weak frontline. This is way more weak than what the Warriors have right now though, especially off the bench with Udoh and Kuzmic not being the exact choices you want down load to control the paint. The splash brothers will need to lead this team to super success.
Los Angeles Clippers
Starters:
G: Shaun Livingston; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2004
G: Eric Gordon; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2008
F: Al Farouq-Aminu; 1st round (8th pick, 8th overall), 2010
F: Blake Griffin; 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2009
C: DeAndre Jordan; 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall), 2008
Bench:
C: Tyson Chandler; 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 2001
C: Chris Kaman; 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2003
F: Furkan Aldemir; 2nd round (23rd pick, 53rd overall), 2012
F: Reggie Bullock; 1st round (25th pick, 25th overall), 2013
G: C.J. Wilcox; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2014
Analysis:
The front line will not be anything to mess with, that’s for sure. Griffin, Jordan with Chandler, Kaman and Aldemir coming off the bench? Good luck scoring inside or grabbing a rebound. Gordon will have to carry most of the back court load but this team team can survive with him and Livingston leading the back court. That front-line is just so scary. Lob City in full effect.
Los Angeles Lakers
Starters:
G: Patrick Beverley; 2nd round (12th pick, 42nd overall), 2009
G: Jordan Farmar; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2006
F: Ryan Kelly; 2nd round (18th pick, 48th overall), 2013
F: Julius Randle; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2014
C: Marc Gasol; 2nd round (18th pick, 48th overall), 2007
Bench:
G: Darius Morris; 2nd round (11th pick, 41st overall), 2011
C: Robert Sacre; 2nd round (30th pick, 60th overall), 2012
Analysis:
Well then. Gasol, Randle and Baverley will have to lead this team but I can’t see them doing any serious damage. They will struggle to score anything and the bench is supremely weak. Not much going on in Laker-land.
Phoenix Suns
Starters:
G: Rajon Rondo; 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2006
G: Nate Robinson; 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2005
F: Luol Deng; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2004
F: Markieff Morris; 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 2011
C: Marcin Gortat; 2nd round (27th pick, 57th overall), 2005
Bench:
F: Amar’e Stoudemire; 1st round (9th pick, 9th overall), 2002
F: Shawn Marion; 1st round (9th pick, 9th overall), 1999
C: Alex Len; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2013
C: Robin Lopez; 1st round (15th pick, 15th overall), 2008
G: Steve Nash; 1st round (15th pick, 15th overall), 1996
F: T.J. Warren; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2014
G: Kendall Marshall; 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 2012
G: Tyler Ennis; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2014
Analysis:
With no true shooting guard on the roster, there will be a lot of inside out scoring going on, mixed with alot of pick and roll. This team is going to try and out score with their front-line. The bench is where this squad excels and will have a good time with Morris, Gortat, Stoudemire, Marion, Len and Lopez rotating around. Mix in Deng to possibly shoulder the load of leading this team along with Rondo and they can cause some problems. The x-factor on this team will without a doubt be if Steve Nash can produce anything. If you have a future hall-of-famer coming off the bench, the possibilities are endless then. Nash and Amar’e running an older version of that old school pick and roll would be fun to watch too.
Sacramento Kings
Starters:
G: Isaiah Thomas; 2nd round (30th pick, 60th overall), 2011
G: Kevin Martin; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2004
F: Tyreke Evans; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2009
F: Jason Thompson; 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 2008
C: DeMarcus Cousins; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2010
Bench:
G: Ben McLemore; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2013
C: Spencer Hawes; 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2007
F: Thomas Robinson; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2012
C: Bismack Biyombo; 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2011
G: Ray McCallum; 2nd round (6th pick, 36th overall), 2013
F: Gerald Wallace; 1st round (25th pick, 25th overall), 2001
G: Nik Stauskas; 1st round (8th pick, 8th overall), 2014
F: Omri Casspi; 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2009
F: Hedo Turkoglu; 1st round (16th pick, 16th overall), 2000
Analysis:
A squad who won’t stop scoring, that’s all I see here. Boogie Cousins will undoubtedly lead the way and he’ll power this team as they defeat a bunch of other teams. It’s a pretty solid team starting in the back court with Thomas, Martin, McLemore and McCallum in the main rotation. They’re long as well with Thompson, Robinson, Hawes and Biyombo so getting anything to go on the inside will be hard but this is a team that Boogie Cousins would be very happy with for a very long time.
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
Starters:
G:
G:
F: Mike Muscala; 2nd round (14th pick, 44th overall), 2013
F/C: Kelly Olynyk; 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 2013
C: Tyler Zeller; 1st round (17th pick, 17th overall), 2012
Bench:
Analysis:
Seriously, that’s all the Mavericks have to offer. They’re just a franchise that builds through trades and free agency. Sorry Mavs fans, but don’t blame me!
Houston Rockets
Starters:
G: Aaron Brooks; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2007
G: Jeremy Lamb; 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 2012
F: Rudy Gay; 1st round (8th pick, 8th overall), 2006
F: Chandler Parsons; 2nd round (8th pick, 38th overall), 2011
F: Patrick Patterson; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2010
Bench:
F: Nikola Mirotic; 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2011
F: Marcus Morris; 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2011
F: Nicolas Batum; 1st round (25th pick, 25th overall), 2008
F: Terrence Jones; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2012
G: Isaiah Canaan; 2nd round (4th pick, 34th overall), 2013
F: Richard Jefferson; 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 2001
G: Nick Johnson; 2nd round (12th pick, 42nd overall), 2014
F: Steve Novak; 2nd round (2nd pick, 32nd overall), 2006
Analysis:
Forwards galore! No serious depth up front, just a bunch of athletic guys in Gay, Parsons, Morris, Batum, Jones, Lamb and Johnson running all around the court. Brooks as the option at point it good with canaan backing him up but it won’t be able to contest with the other premiere point guards in the league. The serious problem here will be the lack of a guy over 6’10. No inside presence means no rebounds, no rebounds means no quick outlets or easy offensive rebound scores. It will provide an interesting scenario if Morris, Batum and Mirotic are on the floor at the same time though, because the starting 5 will just stretch the floor like crazy.
Memphis Grizzlies
Starters:
G: Mike Conley; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2007
G: Kyle Lowry; 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 2006
F: DeMarre Carroll; 1st round (27th pick, 27th overall), 2009
F: Kevin Love; 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2008
C: Kendrick Perkins; 1st round (27th pick, 27th overall), 2003
Bench:
G: Greivis Vasquez; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2010
G: Tony Wroten; 1st round (25th pick, 25th overall), 2012
F: Drew Gooden; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2002
G: Jordan Adams; 1st round (22nd pick, 22nd overall), 2014
Analysis:
The starting front line is solid, but nothing to be too intimidated of. The real bonus this team has is the 2 point guard sets they will run with a mix of Conley, Lowry, Wroten and Vasquez. Beyond that, Love and Perkins will have to play big in a league that is run by huge guys on the interior. They’ll be able to survive off the point guards alone but i’m not sure how long they’ll last with out anything scary on the inside.
New Orleans Pelicans
Starters:
G: Chris Paul; 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2005
G: Austin Rivers; 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2012
G/F: J.R. Smith; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2004
F: Nerlens Noel; 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2013
C: Anthony Davis; 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2012
Bench:
G: Darren Collison; 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2009
F: David West; 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 2003
F: Brandon Bass; 2nd round (3rd pick, 33rd overall), 2005
F: Darrell Arthur; 1st round (27th pick, 27th overall), 2008
C: Cole Aldrich; 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 2010
F: Darius Miller; 2nd round (16th pick, 46th overall), 2012
Analysis:
Well hello team of the division. Yes, Austin Rivers is starting. Only because putting Collison off the bench would be a smart thing to do with West, Bass and Arthur joining him. The main thing here is the immediate big 3 with Paul, Noel and Davis. Scary stuff to see those 2 guys on the interior, no way anyone is going to score consistently. Scoring for them will easy running an effective pick and roll with Paul or Collison. Smith being able to create his own shot adds a good mix up too when it comes to scoring.
San Antonio Spurs
Starters:
G: Tony Parker; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2001
G: Goran Dragic; 2nd round (15th pick, 45th overall), 2008
F: Kyle Anderson; 1st round (30th pick, 30th overall), 2014
F: Tim Duncan, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1997
C: Tiago Splitter; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2007
Bench:
G: Manu Ginobili; 2nd round (28th pick, 57th overall), 1999
G: George Hill; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2008
F: Luis Scola; 2nd round (27th pick, 55th overall), 2002
C: Ian Mahinmi; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2005
G: Cory Joseph; 1st round (29th pick, 29th overall), 2011
G: Leandro Barbosa; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2003
F: Cory Jefferson; 2nd round (30th pick, 60th overall), 2014
G: Beno Udrih; 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2004
F: John Salmons; 1st round (26th pick, 26th overall), 2002
Analysis:
This team just SCREAMS Spurs. All these guys are ‘Spurs’ guys and in Coach Pop’s system, they’ll all prosper. Nice 2 point guard set here as well with Parker and Dragic to set up a constant scoring output from Ginobili and Hill off the bench. Timmy will be Timmy, Splitter will rebound and cause havoc for anyone trying to score inside and the same goes for Mahinmi coming off the bench. Scola will come off to fill Duncan’s role very well and you can go all the way down the bench to find guys who can come in and do the Spurs way of passing and finding the open man. Anderson starting will be a good change of pace as well for teams because of his spark of athleticism he’ll be able to bring to mix up how teams defend this squad.
Interesting to see all these teams and how they stack up! Keep it locked here and we’ll be back next week with the way the teams would break down for the playoffs! Keep it locked!
[credit – basketball reference and nba.com]
