NBA Northwest Division Preview 2006-2007

The Northwest Division was the Western Conference's weakest last season, as Denver won the division with only 44 wins and no other team finished over .500. Injuries and off-court problems weakened a number of Northwest teams, and with the talent level of the division's teams, a rebound seems likely in 2006-2007. With Denver and Utah sporting young, talented rosters, and Minnesota just two seasons removed from championship contention, it should be an interesting race in the Northwest Division.

Denver Nuggets
2005-06 Results: 44-38, Northwest Division Champions, lost to L.A. Clippers in Western Conference 1st Round

There's a good deal of talent on this Denver team; many felt that last season's 44-win total was a disappointment, despite the fact that the Nuggets won an admittedly shaky Northwest Division. Carmelo Anthony is one of the league's best players; Andre Miller and Earl Boykins form the league's best one-two combo at point guard; and Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, and Nene Hilario provide size and scoring up front.

Denver is a sleeper pick to win the Western Conference, if things fall into place for the Nuggets (and that's a big if). If Kenyon Martin can end his feud with head coach George Karl; if Marcus Camby can play 70 games (he's only done it once in ten NBA seasons); if 2-guard J.R. Smith can score 12-15 points a game in his first season as a starter; and if Anthony is as clutch this season as he was a year ago, the Nuggets have a shot at a 55- or 60-win season.

For a team surrounded by turmoil last season, Denver benefits from an easy opening schedule. Only six of their first 16 games are against playoff teams from a year ago, with only one against a top-four seed (at Miami November 14). A hot 13-3 or 12-4 start may ease some of the tension in Colorado, and build momentum to carry the Nuggets into 2007. As it stands, the Nuggets on paper remain the best team in the division, but there are enough questions for Nuggets fans to worry - a little.

Projected Finish: First

Utah Jazz
2005-06 Results: 41-41, 2nd place in Northwest Division