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WARRIORS TRY TO MAINTAIN: Golden State couldn’t have scripted last season much better: a fast start that left the rest of the NBA chasing them all season, no significant injuries and a run through the postseason that didn’t feature a single Game 7. The Warriors faced little adversity on the way to the franchise’s first championship in 40 years. Some doubters have speculated that Western Conference teams like San Antonio have passed them by: “All of a sudden we’re not a top dog anymore, which is fine,” center Andrew Bogut said. “More motivation for us.”
CLIPPERS’ NEW NAMES TRY TO MESH: L.A. bulked up the roster with nine new players in a bid to win a championship that has so far eluded the franchise. Coach Doc Rivers is in the process of figuring out how to use everyone while also getting better defensively. The Clippers won at least 56 games in his two previous seasons; last season, they were eliminated in the conference semifinals for a third time in four years, blowing a 3-1 series lead vs. Houston.
ROCKETS READY TO ROLL: Houston reached the Western finals last year for the first time since 1997 despite injuries to several players. James Harden believes they can win it all this season: “If we stay healthy I think we have a pretty good shot.” Dwight Howard is healthy after missing 41 games last season with knee problems. Houston returns almost all of its key players from last season aside from Josh Smith, who joined the Clippers in the offseason.
GRIZZLED VETS: Memphis has been to the playoffs five straight seasons, with a .629 winning percentage in that span (fifth-best in the NBA). The Grizzlies won 55 games last season and their biggest move this offseason was signing All-Star Marc Gasol to a five-year maximum contract. They also traded for Matt Barnes and signed Brandan Wright as a free agent. Vince Carter feels healthy and is part of 12 returning players for Memphis. “We’re a team that was pretty close last year, so we’re hoping to kick the door down this year,” GM Chris Wallace said.
DIRE STRAITS FOR LAKERS: The 16-time champions have only missed the playoffs seven times in a franchise history that began in Minneapolis in 1948. They’ve only missed the playoffs in consecutive years twice, including the past two campaigns. The Lakers have never missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, but last season (21-61) was the worst season in franchise history.