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1990 SSBL Pacific Division Preview
Topic Started: Jul 11 2009, 08:03 AM (189 Views)
Maverick41
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1990 SSBL Pacific Division Preview

With the 1990 season just around the corner, this article serves as a preview to each division. It will give an insight to every team, such as, key players, improvements, key additions, etc. The East still looks like it holds the upper hand, but the West did improve as well. It's going to be tough for the Bullets to repeat, inless they can make some trades. The division highlighted in this article is the Pacific Division.

Color key for improvements:
Red is always a loss in rating
Green = +1
Blue = +2
Purple = +3

Golden State Warriors
Last season's record: 52-30
The Warriors had a very nice inagural season. They were able to finish the regular as the #1 seed in the West, only to be knocked out in the 2nd rd. by the Grizzlies in 7 games. They are still led by their superstar C Hakeem Olajuwon. He's projected to have another strong season, as another prime candidate for All-League 1st Team, All-Defensive Team, and Defensive POTY. The Warriors did not make any significant changes, so its hard to see them going deeper in the Playoffs this season.
Key Additions:
None

Key Improvements:
None


Los Angeles Clippers
Last season's record: 27-55
The Clippers are still building their team, so last season was a bit of a struggle. They had their up's and down's, but their main player F Danny Manning showed Clipper fans that things are hopefully going in the right direction. They haven't been able to make any big time deals, but were a lotto team in the past draft. This team is still building for the future, but it seems like they have some of the right pieces. However, either Smith or Maxwell have to go.
Key Additions:
SG Steve Smith
Key Improvements:
Steve Smith SG 21 6'7'' 200 C+ B C+ B- C A
Johnny Newman SF 26 6'7'' 190 C+ B C B+ D+ B

Los Angeles Lakers
Last season's record: 46-36
The Lakers had a good regular season, finishing #3 in the West. However, they really came through big time in the Playoffs, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, only to loose to the Grizzlies in 6 games. Their marquee player is PF Shawn Kemp. Kemp really disappointed this offseason as the young stud did not improve. Other than that, their key players either stayed the same or got better. Therefore, I see another solid regular season and Playoffs for the Lakers.
Key Additions:
PF Ty Hill
Key Improvements:
Ty Hill PF 22 6'9'' 240 B- C- D+ B B+ C
A.C. Green PF 27 6'9'' 230 B C C- B- B C
Pooh Richardson PG 24 6'1'' 180 C+ C A- A D+ B
Otis Smith SG 26 6'5'' 210 B C+ C A C D
Armen Gilliam C 26 6'9'' 260 B+ C- C- B C+ C

Phoenix Suns
Last season's record: 32-50
The Suns are another team building for the future. They actually started off the season really strong, but fizzled out along the way. They were led by G Bernard King, but he was traded in the offseason to the Celtics. The Suns have a really good core forming, but are still seasons away from making a huge impact in the West. TC also crippled one of their players.
Key Additions:
SG Dell Curry
PF Terry Mills
C Elden Campbell
Key Improvements:
Elden Campbell C 22 6'11'' 220 B- C- C- A- B- B
Terry Mills PF 23 6'10'' 230 C+ C C- B- B- B
Dan Majerle SF 25 6'6'' 220 B- C+ C+ A- C+ A

Portland Trailblazers
Last season's record: 38-44
The Blazers could have had a better record if their superstar PF Karl Malone didn't get injured in the beginning of the season. They were still able to make the Playoffs, but lost in 5 games to the Spurs in the 1st rd. The story around the league and Blazers camp is Karl Malone. He worked extremely hard this offseason and really improved. He is one of the elite players in this league. The Blazers have a good supporting cast, but could use another star to go alongside Malone.
Key Additions:
C Felton Spencer
SF Cedric Ceballos
PG Bimbo Coles
Key Improvements:
Karl Malone PF 27 6'9'' 254 A C+ C A- A- C
Drazen Petrovic SG 26 6'5'' 208 C+ A- C C+ C- A
Nate McMillan PG 26 6'5'' 195 C+ C A- A C B

Sacramento Kings
Last season's record: 35-47
The Kings are in building mode, but actually were in the Playoff picture until the last part of the 1989 season. To make things better in their building effort, they were able to make a huge jump in the draft lotto all the way from late lotto to the #3 spot. Selecting PG Kenny Anderson as their future starting PG was solid. It will be up to Corbin and Hawkins do the scoring for the Kings. They might be able to slip into the Playoffs, but I still see this team not quite ready to make a strong Playoff push.
Key Additions:
PG Kenny Anderson
Key Improvements:
Tyrone Corbin SF 27 6'6'' 222 B C C A- C+ C
Hersey Hawkins SG 24 6'3'' 190 C+ A- C+ B+ C- B
Kenny Anderson PG 20 6'0'' 170 B- C+ B B+ C B

Seattle Supersonics
Last season's record: 36-46
Don't be fooled by the Sonics record from last season. After starting out fairly strong, they lost their star PG John Stockton to an ACL injury. Losing him really cost the Sonics their season. Stockton has gone through rehab and said that his knee is back to 100%. McDaniel will continue to do their scoring, with Rodman providing good rebouding and defense. Who will they start at SF is their main question and position they should focus on going into the season.
Key Additions:
SF Robert Horry
Key Improvements:
Robert Parish C 37 7'0'' 235 B- C- C- A- A- C
Dennis Rodman PF 29 6'8'' 210 B- C- C- A- A- C
Robert Horry SF 20 6'9'' 210 C+ C+ C A- C+ B
Xavier McDaniel SG 27 6'7'' 205 A- C C+ B C+ C

The Best Team in the Pacific Division: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers might not get the better record between the Warriors, but with their Playoff run and improvements across the board, they have to be the better team. The Warriors will still be on their heels, with the Blazers following. The Blazers need one more star to really be a great team.

Posted ImageKemp and Co. are looking for another strong season
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blazer003
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Very nice. Great write up.
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theschmaranz
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Indeed, awesome job man.

$400
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