Who's the King??

With the first month of 2015 coming to a close, now is a better time than ever to reflect and debate: Who are the top 5 rappers today? With all of the hype always surrounded picking a top 5 of all time, the current debate kind of gets lost in the shuffle. We've seen some dope releases lately with J. Cole's critically acclaimed 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth, Joey Bada$$' B4.DA.$$, and of course Lil' Wayne's Sorry 4 The Wait 2. With Action Bronson's Mr. Wonderful & Wale's The Album About Nothing both slated for a March release, 2015 is shaping up to have a good start. Hip Hop heads are also expecting (more like hoping for) some new products from heavyweights Kendrick Lamar (maybe sooner rather than later), Drake, and Kanye West. Taking all of that into account I came up with who I feel are the top rappers of today. With this ranking I wanted to focus more on this new turn of the generation. In Hip-Hop today, you can kind of feel a shift happening where these younger artists are taking the forefront while artists like Ye, Jay-Z, Eminem, etc are all focusing on other ventures to ensure their legacies..... As if they need any help. With all that being said I present to you Swanky Times' Top 5 Rappers Today....

5. A$AP ROCKY 

      At number 5 kicking off the list we have no other than the Pretty Muthafucka himself A$AP Rocky. While this ranking may come as a surprise to some, to many there's no surprise. Flacko has been one of the most electrifying Hip Hop artists of the past few years. With the 2011 release of Live. Love. A$AP, Rocky made his entrance in to the rap game. Tracks like Peso, Purple Swag, & Brand New Guy featuring Schoolboy Q, catapulted Rocky to a new fame and landed him tour spots with artists such as Rihanna & Drake. While those endorsements helped, Flacko showed that he was more than the hype with the 2013 release of his debut album Long. Live. A$AP. He showed a mainstream appeal with summer bangers Wild for the Night & Goldie while showing he can compete with the big boys by shining on songs like Fuckin' Problems which featured Drake & Kendick and the ultra lyrical 1 Train which featured Joey Bada$$, Kendrick, Action Bronson, Danny Brown, Yelawolf & Big K.R.I.T... With a line up of artists like that featured on your debut album you have to be pretty confident in your ability to knock shit out of the park, & confidence is one area Rocky doesn't lack in. We're still awaiting the release of his long awaited sophomore album, but with a few recent single drops you can expecting that to have a 2015 release. If you have any unanswered questions about Rocky (http://noisey.vice.com/read/asap-rocky-svddxnly-part-1-documentary) or his ability to rock the mic (http://youtu.be/lu2-2wJ9W_s) just check out those two videos.

4. JOEY BADA$$

     In 2012, a fresh faced 17 year captured the minds of Urban America with the release of his debut mixtape 1999. Spittin' golden age reminiscent rhymes over old Doom beats and new samples, Joey BADA$$ forced his way into the rap game instantly garnering "Savior of Hip Hop" titles. While the progression for Joey has been slower than some anticipated, he's slowly making his way to the top of the mountain. His Pro Era crew which is littered with some of the best upcoming talent has demonstrated a collective movement unseen since A Tribe Called Quest & the Wu-Tang Clan & Joey is right at the forefront. Tracks like Survival Tactics (#LONGLIVESTEELO), Hardknock, & School High showed the raw potential and uncut lyricism in a young Joey. His progression continued with the 2013 release of Summer Knights which while not being as strong as 1999, was a dope tape in its self with standout cuts such as Reign, my personal favorite BADA$$ song 95 Til' Infinity, the ultra emotional #LongLiveSteelo about the late Capital STEEZ. For about a year now Joey has been knocking on the top 5 front door but hasn't really had the mainstream appeal needed or that one piece of work that hits the mainstream in the mouth, but on 1/20 that all changed. Joey released his highly anticipated debut album B4.DA.$$ to great reviews and great first week numbers. The album was number 2 overall on iTunes & Billboard and was number one in the Hip Hop section of each. The album was exactly what I was looking for him to bring and exactly what he needed to catapult him into mainstream fame. Hip Hop Heads will be pleased with tracks like Belly of the Beast & the J. Dillard produced Like Me. He also has a potential radio smash with the Kiesza assisted dance tune Teach Me. This album combined with a recent endorsement from Malia Obama (video below) has given BADA$$ the cred he needs to boast a top 5 ranking. 

3. Kendrick Lamar

     To say Kendrick Lamar has been M.I.A. lately would be an understatement, other then the single "i" K dot has been ultra quiet lately which is why he is now at #3 on the list. While "i" was pretty lyrical and delivered a good message, I personally thought it was below expectations considering it was some of the first material he was releasing since his ultra celebrated Good Kid, M.A.A.D City album that sent him up the rankings. Since unleashing GKMC & dropping the Control verse which shook the game up, Kendrick hasn't really capitalized on the crazy hype that has come his way. This slip is not attributed to his bars but more so to the lack of production, but with his upcoming untitled album rumored to be coming rather sooner than later (1/27 to be exact) he could be gunnin' for his #1 crown again real soon. This next album will reveal whether K dot is a legend in the making of just a one album wonder.

2. Drake

     Let's get one thing straight right now before y'all get it twisted Drizzy is the man in Hip Hop right now. He is the man you go to if you need a hit and he's the man you go to if you need a cosign. He's made Billboard monsters out of PARTYNEXTDOOR & iLoveMakonnen & no matter what anybody says he made Migos famous by remixing their Versace single. Taking all of these in to consideration you might ask why he's not number 1? Well for the same reasom Kendrick dropped, Drake must be penalized as well. While he's dropped an album more recently than Lamar with 2013's Nothing Was The Same, the fact that he didn't release an album in 2014 hurt him. '14 was still a good year for Drizzy though as he's still Grammy nominated (Tuesday & 0 To 100), dropped some hot singles; 0 To 100, 6God, & How About Now, and dropped one of the hardest guest verses to start 2015 off on Nicki Minaj's Only. If recent work is any indication we can expect another Canadian classic with his upcoming studio album Views From The 6 which has yet to be tagged with a release date. Also we can expect a big year from the OVO crew if recent comments are taken in to account, Drizzy has said he wants 2015 to belong to OVO. 

1. J. Cole

    Hip Hop is, has always been, and will always be a "What have you done for me lately?" kind of art, & nobody benefited from this more than J. Cole. In a down year for Hip Hop & our country in general, 2014 belonged to Cole. When recent events which caused riots and protests in places like Ferguson, Missouri & NYC, you saw Cole at the forefront protesting with the people. He doesn't shy away from stating his views on political issues and current events alike and at the end of the day that's what music is about. It's about making a statement, standing up for your beliefs and being a voice of the people and nobody exhibited this attribute better than him. Not only was he an activist, but Cole also had a good year musically which he ended off with a bang with 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which was no doubt the album of the year, regardless of genre. Tracks like 03' Adolescence, Apparently, & Wet Dreamz showcase Cole's insane story telling ability while songs like GOMD & Fire Squad show his ability to switch up his style to a more ruthless & aggressive style. Fire Squad in particular started a country wide debate on the place of white people in Hip Hop and really got everybody talking. Cole's rise to the top has been a long time coming and has taken longer than expected but it finally came to fruition. The crown will belong to J. Cole until somebody takes it, which might be harder than expected. 

BEST OF THE REST: With so many up and coming artists getting shine we are seeing a shift into the newer generation of Hip Hop. These artists aren't quite ready to be thrusted in to the top 5 but would make creating a top 10 list an awfully difficult task. In no particular order, this is the "Best of the rest": Wiz Khalifa, Action Bronson, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Big K.R.I.T., Childish Gambino, Dom Kennedy, Big Sean, Wale, Mac Miller, Tyler The Creator, Freddie Gibbs, Logic, Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle, YG, & Chance The Rapper.  Check out the top freestyles of 2014 by HOT 97!  

Agree? Disagree? Let us know what you think in the comments or social media! 

Joey BADA$$ - B4.DA.$$.

With all due respect to Joey & the Pro Era crew, I think Beastcoast fans all over deserve a preview of this album before we all hit stores and iTunes to buy it on Tuesday! Fans all over have been so patient waiting for this potential game changer to drop, so without further a due B4.DA.$$. #LONGLIVESTEELO http://www.sharebeast.com/hk0gxdza7m2u.

Predictions for the upcoming NBA 2013-2014 season. (Part 3: SeasonAwards edition)

       As part of our NBA prediction series, we give you part three which is the Season Awards edition. We will be giving you our predictions on the MVP award, Rookie of the Year award, Coach of the Year, Defensive player of the Year, 6th Man, & All-NBA 1st/2nd teams. Enjoy!  $wank!

2013-2014 NBA MVP Rankings

 

1. Kevin Durant- Oklahoma City Thunder
2. LeBron James - Miami Heat
3. Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers
4. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
5. James Harden - Houston Rockets
6. Carmelo Anthony - New York Knicks
7. Paul George - Indiana Pacers
8. Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls
9. Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
10. Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder

 

 

                 Now let me clear something up before I catch hell with NBA fans, LeBron is the best player on the planet and is the MVP of the league every year that he plays, BUT America is a country that gets bored really fast when somebody is this good. One example is the year Derrick Rose won his MVP, LeBron had the better year no question, but he had just won 2 in a row and people were bored. The one person that will benefit from this greatly will be OKC Forward Kevin Durant. While LeBron will have his typical year of 27, 7, & 7, voters and fans alike will be bored with giving the same player the award year after year. Kevin Durant will also put up his monster scoring numbers to go along with improved shooting percentages and a probable number one seed in the West. The reason Rose is so far down this list is because he's been out of the game for a long time, and he will have to get use to the speed and flow of the game again which won't translate to an immediate MVP caliber season. People may say, "Well Kobe is high on the list and he's having surgery plus he's older than Rose". My response to that would be that Kobe's team absolutely sucks, while Rose is playing with 2 other all stars. If Kobe is able to drag one of the worst Laker teams in recent memory to the playoffs, he will win the NBA MVP. Plus..... HE'S KOBE BRYANT!!

 

Dark Horse Candidates: Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, & Deron Williams

 

 

2013-2014 NBA ROY Rankings

 

1. Trey Burke - Utah Jazz
2. Victor Oladipo - Orlando Magic
3. Michael Carter-Williams - Philadelphia Sixers
4. Ben McLemore - Sacramento Kings
5. Cody Zeller - Charlotte Bobcats

                  While this year's crop of rookies has been looked upon as a relatively "weak" class, there are still some gems to watch for. Our pick for ROY is Trey Burke, but not because we think he's the most talented, but because he has the best opportunity. Burke is going to step right in and be one of the best players for the struggling Utah Jazz and he will get the full set of keys to that car. Oladipo and Carter-Williams are in similar situations, but both teams have better and more seasoned players. Utah does not. (other than Gordon Hayward) I also think Kelly Olynyk has a realistic shot of winning this award. He will not only be able to shoot a lot of those sweet jumpers he likes, he will get the benefit of playing with one of the best PGs in the league. Look out for him to climb up the rankings fast.

 

 

Dark Horse Candidates : Kelly Olynyk, CJ McCollum, Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Len, & Archie Goodwin

 

 

 

2013-2014 NBA Coach of the Year Rankings

 

1. Mark Jackson - Golden State Warriors
2. Gregg Popovich - San Antonio Spurs
3. Erick Spoelstra - Miami Heat
4. Scott Brooks - Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Doc Rivers - Los Angeles Clippers

                    This year is going to be a big year for the Warriors, which is going to directly results in 2nd year coach Mark Jackson receiving the COY award. He's a great coach that I believe paired with this talented group, is going to make some serious waves in the NBA this year. The other usual suspects are going to contend as well.

 

 

Dark Horse Candidates : Kevin McHale, Jason Kidd, and Tom Thibodeau

 

 

 

 

 

2013-2014 NBA DPOY Rankings

 

1. Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City Thunder
2. LeBron James - Miami Heat
3. Dwight Howard - Houston Rockets
4. Marc Gasol - Memphis Grizzlies
5. JaVale Mcgee - Denver Nuggets

          Every year I tend to believe that LeBron is the DPOY and every year I'm wrong, and this year will be no different. For some reason, NBA voters never seem to want to give Bron credit for what he does on the defensive end for his team. With that being said, I think Serge Ibaka is going to have a breakout year for the Thunder. If we were doing Most Improved Player predictions, he would be our pick. Also, I think JaVale Mcgee will break out of his shell for the Nuggets and contend for DPOY.

 

 

Dark Horse Candidates : Tony Allen, Tyson Chandler, and Andre Iguodala

 

 

 

 

2013-2014 NBA 6th Man of the Year Rankings

 

1. Jamal Crawford - Los Angeles Clippers
2. Jason Terry - Brooklyn Nets
3. JR Smith - New York Knicks
4. Tyreke Evans - New Orleans Pelicans
5. Ray Allen - Miami Heat

 Dark Horse Candidates : Reggie Jackson, Harrison Barnes, and Manu Ginobili

 

 

 

2013-2014 NBA 1st/2nd Team All-NBA Selections

 

                 

                        1st team All-NBA selections

 

                  PG : Chris Paul- Los Angeles Clippers

                  SG : James Harden- Houston Rockets

                  SF : Kevin Durant- OKC Thunder

                  PF : LeBron James- Miami Heat

                   C : Dwight Howard- Houston Rockets

 

 

                                         

 

 

                       2nd team All-NBA Selections

 

                  PG : Russell Westbrook- OKC Thunder

                  SG : Kobe Bryant- Los Angeles Lakers

                  SF : Paul George- Indiana Pacers

                  PF : Carmelo Anthony- New York Knicks

                   C :  Marc Gasol- Memphis Grizzlies

 

 

 

 

 

                      Well, that's it for part 3 of our NBA Season predictions! Come back or follow on twitter (@SwankyTimes) for updates on when the next installments will be dropped! Make sure to comment or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook and tell us what you agree and disagree with!

 

Stay $wanky,

 

  Ashton Howard 2

 

 

 

 

Tey Campbell- "Control remix"

It seems like everybody & their mama has been coming out with a remix to Big Sean's "Control" which featured the controversial Kendrick Lamar verse. Check out this one by up & coming Hip-Hop artist Tey Campbell, it's one of the better ones I've heard! We will be doing a feature on Tey pretty soon. $wank!  Tey Campbell- "Control Remix" (stream)

Earl Sweatshirt - "Doris" (Album Download link)

The Highly anticipated "Doris" album by the OFWGKTA artist Earl Sweatshirt was finally dropped earlier today. I've listened to it and I really like, if you like Earl or Odd Future in general, this album is for you. Here's the link, enjoy! Doris- Earl Sweatshirt (Download)

Predictions for the upcoming NBA 2013-2014 season. (Part Two "Eastern Conference Standings edition)

Even though many people, including myself, view the Eastern conference as the weaker of the two conferences, they have produced the last two NBA champions in the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat have basically ran the NBA since the Big 3 assembled 3 years ago. They have won 2 championships, almost broke an NBA record for a regular season winning streak, and have had the winner of the last 2 MVPs in LeBron James. To put it plain and simple, they have completely dominated teams while making it look easy. This year proves to be a more tough challenge for them, as its always hard to 3 peat, but also because virtually every team in the East have gotten better this off season. Here are my Eastern Conference Standings predictions!

Eastern Conference Standings

 

1. Miami Heat - Anything and everything you want to know about the Miami Heat was said in the introduction, this team is on the brink of becoming a dynasty. There are some questions surrounding this team, though, and the biggest one is interior defense. If there was one thing exposed about the Heat last year, it's that teams score fairly easy on them in the post. They tried to answer that question by signing talented but injury prone Greg Oden. If Greg Oden can stay healthy, the supporting cast plays well, and Dwyane Wade is able to give them one more productive year, then this will be another championship year for the Miami Heat.
2. Indiana Pacers - Last year the Pacers had one of their best years since the Reggie Miller era, and I think they will be even better this year. The emergence of Paul George as well as the supporting cast of Roy Hibbert, David West, and co. make this team the biggest threat to the Heat in the East. If they can get good production out of Danny Granger, who is coming off of a knee injury that sidelined him for most of last season, I think they have a real shot at taking down the champs.
3. Brooklyn Nets - The Nets had arguably the best off season in the NBA by trading for future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. By adding those two as well as Jason Terry and Andre Kirilenko to an already productive core of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, they make up for one of the best starting 5s in the NBA. The two biggest questions surrounding this team will be age and how 1st year head coach Jason Kidd (I know it sounds weird saying it to me too) will be able to manage the many egos of this team. If they can gel well together, this might be one of the top 3 teams in the NBA.
4. New York Knicks - This off season the Knicks quietly made one of the biggest moves of the summer with the signing of Metta World Peace. World Peace is really going to help this team in their weakest department, defense. They won't need him score as that position is filled by reigning scoring champ Carmello Anthony and the always exciting JR Smith. The biggest question looming over this team is whether or not Iman Shumpert can take his game to the next level. If Shumpert can become a reliable 2nd or 3rd scoring option for the Knicks, they could challenge their cross town rival for that 3rd seed.
5. Chicago Bulls - Last season the Chicago Bulls really overachieved by winning a playoff series despite the very controversial decision by their superstar Derrick Rose to sit out. With Rose coming back this season after sitting all of last year out after ACL surgery, the Bulls will have an established superstar to lean on, but I don't think that will make them a better team. I was a firm believer that the absence of Rose led the rest of the team to step their game up and overachieve, but I think Rose coming back will lead some of them to ease up a little bit. Ultimately, though this is a talented team with D Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah and they will contend.
6. Detroit Pistons - After what was a terrible year for the historically great Detroit Pistons, the team got the ball rolling this off season with some great additions. The Pistons have had a great championship tradition, but in recent years have fallen off the wagon a little bit. Despite a 29-53 record last year, there was room for optimism as the team discovered budding stars in Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. The team decided to build around those two and make them their front court for the future. The biggest question surrounding them is whether or not new additions Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings will be able to conform of the idea of team ball. If they do, they will be a dark horse team in the East.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers - This team has been hurting hard since "The Decision" made by their hometown hero to take his talents to south beach, but the emergence of Kyrie Irving into a budding superstar has eased the pain a little bit. They also had a very good off season by acquiring a good back up point guard in Jarrett Jack and drafting Anthony Bennett to go along with an already talented team. The biggest question irking this team is the health of their big man of the future and new addition Andrew Bynum. When healthy Bynum is the 2nd best center in this league and in the conversation for number one. If he can stay on the floor this season, Cleveland will finally have a winning team to cheer after a few years of sheer depression surrounding the city.
8. Washington Wizards - Like many other teams in the league, the biggest issue plaguing this team is the injury bug. They have a very good young back court in John Wall and Bradley Beal, and whenever their on the court together it's trouble for the other team. If they can get good production out of Nene and Emeka Okafor in their front court as well as the bench, this team will reach the playoffs for the first time since the Gilbert Arenas era.
9. Toronto Raptors - While many other sites and experts are writing off this team, I really believe this team can compete for a playoff spot. They have a very good young core in Rudy Gay, Demar Derozen and Jonas Valanciunas who was the summer league MVP in Las Vegas. If this team gets their chemistry together and plays hard every night, I think we might see the best team in Canada since Half Man Half Amazing.
10. Boston Celtics - This team went into straight rebuilding mode this off season by blowing up their core. They sent KG, Pierce, and Jason Terry to the Celtics for draft picks, and expiring contracts in hopes of building a younger team through the draft. All of these moves basically left top 3 PG Rajon Rondo to be the unquestioned leader. Although it's going to be tough, I think a core of Rondo, Jeff Green, and Avery Bradley can contend in for an 8th seed in the East.

 

Best of the rest : Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia Sixers. (In order) 



Predictions for the upcoming NBA 2013-2014 season. (Part One "West Conference Standings edition")

Although it's only August, it's never too early to start talking about the NBA season. This off season has been a wild one! From Dwight bolting for Houston, to Doc Rivers heading to Hollywood, a lot of changes were made. I will be doing a series previewing and predicting different aspects of what I believe is going to happen this upcoming season. I will be doing predictions for standings, season awards, playoff predictions, and key games to look out for this season. I will only be previewing the top 10 teams in each conference, so check back here for the next few days as I'll post a different blog every day. So without further ado I give you the Western Conference Standings edition!

 

 

Western Conference Standings

 

1.     Oklahoma City Thunder - Last year was a great year for OKC as they went 60-22 in the regular season, and had big expectations going into the playoffs. They seemed primed for another finals appearance when Russell Westbrook went down with a knee injury in the 1st round against the Rockets which led to an early exit against the Grizzlies. With Westbrook coming back for the start of the season and Kevin Durant being well, Kevin Durant, this team is the best in the west. They've had a relatively quiet off season other than the Kevin Martin loss, which will hurt, but I think the emergence of Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb will help ease that loss. All in all, when you have 2 of the top 10 players in the world on your team in Durant and Westbrook, you're going to be a good team.

2.     San Antonio Spurs - Every year people, including myself, say that the Spurs are too old to do it again, but every year we're wrong. Coming off of an NBA finals appearance and taking the Heat to 7 games, the Spurs will be just as good this year. They haven't made any big moves this off season other than the controversial re-signings of Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili, but they still have the best PG in the league in Tony Parker and the best coach in Gregg Popovich. They also have the best PF in NBA history in Tim Duncan, and although age will be a big factor, I think this team will be right at the top of the standings once again.

3.     Los Angeles Clippers - This team is my dark horse championship contender team. I think they have a chance to be REALLY good. They have been getting better every year but it always seems like they're missing that one piece. Well that one piece showed up this off season in the form of Doc Rivers. Doc is going to take this team over the top along with the underrated additions of JJ Redick and Jared Dudley. Ultimately Lob City will go as far as Blake Griffin and CP3 take them, but I think the X-factor will be Deandre Jordan. If Jordan can hit his free-throws and be able to stay on the floor during crunch time situations, this team will be scary good.

4.     Golden State Warriors- Last year was a coming out party for the Warriors and Stephen Curry, especially in the Playoffs. They have a great young team and arguably the best shooting back court of this generation in Curry and Klay Thompson. The Warriors also had one of the best off season additions in Andre Iguodala. Iggy will provide lock down defense and another scoring option on this already loaded team. If Andrew Bogut and David Lee can stay healthy down low this team is another dark horse contender.

5.     Houston Rockets - We all know about the major turnaround and good luck the Rockets have had the past 2 years in basically having James Harden and Dwight Howard gift wrapped to them. The Rockets have a great young team with two superstars; the only question surrounding this team is how they will gel together. Will they all be able to coexist, or will Dwight Howard ruin yet another locker room? One thing last season taught us is that talent alone doesn't get you to the promise land (cough cough LAKERS).

6.     Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies are basically returning everybody from a team that was in the West finals last year. They have a top 2 center in Marc Gasol and the most underrated player in the league in Zach Randolph as well as plenty of other complimentary pieces. The biggest question surrounding this team is how well new coach David Joerger will do in his first NBA head coaching job. I believe this team will still be very good, just not western conference finals good

7.     Minnesota Timberwolves - The Timberwolves have been pretty bad for a while now, but the past couple season haven't been their fault. This team is very talented but has been hurt by the injury bug very hard. They have Kevin Love, who is the best PF in the league when healthy,  and Ricky Rubio, who is a very good up and coming point guard, leading the way. They also addressed some issues on the perimeter with the addition of sharp shooting Kevin Martin. I'm also a believer that despite his off the court issues, 2013 draftee Shabazz Muhammad can really help this team. If they can stay healthy and keep their full team on the court all season, this team has a chance to crack the playoffs for the first time since KG.

8.     Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets lost out big in free agency when their leader Andre Iguodala bolted for the Warriors, but this team still has plenty of talent. Ty Lawson is an exciting young PG who will have a chance to really show out this year with the absence of a defined 1st option on offense. They also signed the always exciting Nate Robinson for virtually nothing during free agency. Robinson will be the X-factor on this team, if he can do for them what he did for the Bulls in the Playoffs, this team should have enough to crawl into the last seed in the always tough Western conference.

9.     Los Angeles Lakers - Although I think ESPN had it right ranking the Lakers as the 12th best team in the West, I refuse to rank a Kobe Bryant led team any lower than 9th. He says he will be healthy for the season opener, and I believe him. Kobe is the ultimate competitor and I think he himself, old or not, will be enough to help this team of misfits compete for the last Playoff spot. I also think the additions of Jordan Famar and Wesley Johnson will help answer some of their perimeter defense questions, but ultimately this team's future rides on the Achilles of Kobe Bryant.

10. New Orleans Pelicans - The new named and new look Pelicans have had an interesting off season. They literally went through a complete make over with a new name, team, and look. I think they could've had either the best off season or worst in the league and only this season will be able to tell. They picked up an All-star PG in Jrue Holiday as well as former rookie of the year Tyreke Evans. The new additions could either create a very exciting and good young back court in NO or a complete log jam and toxic locker room. I think it will be the latter and this team will complete for the last seed in the West.


Best of the rest : Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns. (In order)