NBA: Southwest Division Review

Posted by Tom Blaz on 01/22/2012 | 2 Comments

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, O.J. Mayo, DeJuan Blair, Brendan Haywood, Samuel Dalembert, Chris Kaman, Talking Hoops

Throughout the 2012 NBA season, we will review the Association, division by division. We wrap up the Western Conference with the Southwest Division, home of the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. The Southwest is also home of San Antonio, owner of the 2011 season's best regular season record. We also find the Memphis Grizzlies in the southwest, last season's surprise team. As with each division, we suggest our best waiver/free agent bargain, based on availability in Flea Flicker leagues.

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Southwest Division

Memphis Grizzlies- Last season's Southwest surprise, the Memphis Grizzlies, find themselves atop the division. Storming into the post season a year ago, the Grizzlies did so without their best player, small forward Rudy Gay.  Memphis has taken another major injury hit, this time power forward Zach Randolph, who will miss several months. Big man Marreese Spreights was brought over from Philadelphia to help ease the load inside for center Marc Gasol. Gay hasn't missed a beat in his return, averaging 36 minutes per game and leading the team in scoring. Mike Conley has taken hold of the point guard spot, alongside Tony Allen. O.J. Mayo has embraced the sixth man role and actually garners more minutes than Allen. Flea Flicker bargain: O.J. Mayo 35%

San Antonio Spurs- Can the Spurs give it one more run? After a solid regular season a year ago, San Antonio was bounced immediately from the playoffs. The injury but hit early this season with shooting guard Manu Ginobili expected to miss a month and a half due to a hand injury. The Spurs remain in good hands at point guard with Tony Parker in his prime. Small forward Richard Jefferson was expected to be a amnesty casualty, but was retain due to necessity. Rookie Kawhi Leonard has been a pleasant surprise, filling in for Ginobili at the two and also versatile enough to contribute at either forward position. The Spurs plan to rest Tim Duncan on occasion, case in point last night's game, just to keep him fresh. DeJuan Blair continues to contribute, despite lacking ligaments in either knee. Look for Tiago Splitter to spell him more as the season progresses. Flea Flickerbargain: DeJuan Blair 32%

Dallas Mavericks- Enter Lamar Odom, exit Tyson Chandler. Dallas also lost Caron Butler and J.J. Barea from the title group and now Dirk Nowitzki will miss a week to work on conditioning? Vince Carter was brought on board to help score the basketball, but he too is hurt. Shawn Marion continues to excel at both forward spots and should eventually pair with Odom along the front court. Brendan Haywood is the only legit center getting minutes and pairs with Dirk when the Mavs go big. Jason Kidd missed some time due to injury, but that can be expected now at his advanced age. Delonte West has been starting at the two with Jason Terry in his familiar sixth man position as part of the three man guard rotation. Free agent Yi Jianlian was brought up from D-League and could surprise.  Flea Flicker bargain: Brendan Haywood 17%

Houston Rockets- After the retirement of Yao Ming to politics, the Rockets thought they had their new big man in Pau Gasol. That well documented deal fell through and Houston settled for Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert has been playing the best ball of his career over the past ten days, averaging nearly 15 points and a dozen boards per game. Luis Scola has been provided solid scoring at more than 15 ppg, but needs to pull more than six bounds per contest. Jordan Hill and Patrick Patterson are good young prospects in the paint. Chandler Parsons has taken over at the three for now, but plenty of competition remains from Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams. Make no mistake, Houston is a back court driven team with Kevin Martin and break out point guard Kyle Lowry. Goran Dragic and Courtney Lee offer a nice change of pace from the bench. Flea Flickerbargain: Samuel Dalembert 51%

New Orleans Hornets- When you have a chip like Chris Paul, it makes things much easier when trying to rebuild quickly. After a deal with the Lakers was rejected by the Association's front office, the Hornets put together an even better deal with the cross town Clippers. While New Orleans isn't enjoying the fruits of that deal yet, the roster is in much better shape because of it. Center Chris Kaman, small forward Al-Farouq Aminu and shooting guard Eric Gordon are current or future starters in New Orleans. The icing on the cake was getting Minnesota's unprotected first round pick in the 2012 NBA draft. While Paul is a superstar, when you have a roster with less than 10 worthy players, adding four is a no brainer.  Point guard Jarrett Jack is having a breakout season and power forward Carl Landry is solid in the paint. Emeka Okafor is a nice compliment to Kaman inside, and also a future trading piece. Flea Flickerbargain: Chris Kaman 63%

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Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.

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