Northwest Division

1. DENVER NUGGETS — A lot of experts weren’t happy with the team’s offseason (losses of Linas Kleiza and Dahntay Jones, and no real additions), but the Nuggets certainly have one of the best teams in the Northwest. Carmelo Anthony is the best pure scorer in the league, and Chauncey Billups may be the best point guard … no, really. The lack of depth may hurt the Nuggets throughout the season. Most importantly, however, with so many “volatile” players (Kenyon Martin, “Birdman,” Nene, J.R. Smith, Carmelo) everything could go wrong, especially with George Karl as head coach. It won’t, though, at least until later in the season, so this is a sure-fire playoff team.

2. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS — All I hear about the Blazers is potential, potential, potential. When will it all come together? Well, ESPN’s cast of experts finally has the Blazers as the consensus pick to win the Northwest. The Blazers improved by 13 games last year, finishing 54-28, and that was with Greg Oden averaging just about as many fouls as defensive rebounds per game. The Blazers are overstocked with talent and with Andre Miller at the helm; it is finally time for this team to do something. Playoffs seem like a certainty, and that is saying something in the West.

3. UTAH JAZZ — The Jazz made the playoffs last season even with injury and chemistry problems throughout the season. After getting swept by the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers, they re-signed Paul Millsap and Carlos Boozer returned. While most see this as a logjam at the power forward position, I’m thinking it just means more depth in the frontcourt. Deron Williams is a year older and that can only mean good things. Jerry Sloan is still the head coach, so look for the Jazz to reach the playoffs with ease.

4. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER — We get it, OK? The Thunder have the “best” young core in the league. Sam Presti (the general manager) is methodically amassing the greatest group of players in the NBA … supposedly. Look, the Thunder went 23-59 last year. I am just as excited as anyone about this team’s future; hell, I’m buying NBA League Pass just to watch them, but this doesn’t look like a playoff team to me. Better luck next year. On a side note, Kevin Durant, Most Improved Player of the Year this year.

5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES — What the hell was general manager David Kahn thinking? Nice job with that Rubio signing. Kahn is building for the future, but the present looks bleak. With a bunch of guys out there trying to prove themselves worthy, it might not be pretty for a while. Expect big numbers from Al Jefferson and Jonny Flynn, and tons of boards from Kevin Love when healthy, but very few wins (around 30). They will challenge the Kings and Grizzlies as the worst team in the West.