Brooklyn Nets: How Will They Match Up Against the Southwest Division?

Jan 29, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) guards Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Nets 91-79. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The wait is almost over, as we are just about a month away from the start of a highly anticipated NBA season. The Southwest Division is full of playoff contenders that always give other NBA teams a hard time. How will the Brooklyn Nets fare against the teams in the Southwest?

The Southwest Division is unique in the sense that every team has the potential to make the playoffs. In fact, every team from the Southwest Division did make the playoffs in 2015.

This is also a very experienced division, with every team having a plethora of veterans on their rosters. As a result, this division could play out in many different ways.

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The Southwest Division is also one that is going through a transition period. With the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets both taking steps backwards this offseason, it may pave the way for a different squad to break out. The Memphis Grizzlies have reloaded their roster and should be able to continue their string of playoff appearances. In addition, everyone is still waiting for Anthony Davis to gain a supporting cast in order for his prime to not be wasted on teammate injuries.

However, those four teams are simply in a race for second in the division. The San Antonio Spurs still stand at first, as they are coming off 18 straight playoff berths. Nonetheless, the Southwest Division will be an interesting one this season. New look rosters and well-known ones will clash in a race to claim a playoff spot.

The Brooklyn Nets always appear to have an issue against teams from the Southwest Division. It’s widely known that every team from the Eastern Conference dreads the Texas road trip. This trip consists of games where teams play the Rockets, Mavericks, and Spurs consecutively.

Fortunately, the Nets only take a trip to Texas once this season. They will also welcome every Southwest team to Barclays once. This division will be a tough matchup for Brooklyn as every team from the Southwest will compete for the playoffs.

Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks’ run of success with Dirk Nowitzki at the helm may finally be coming to an end. Don’t be deceived by this prediction, as finishing last place in the Southwest Division does not necessarily mean that they will be lottery bound. However, it will be tough for an aging Mavericks team to make the playoffs in a Western Conference. The conference features several teams who are expected to break out.

Signing former Warriors, Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut to replace Chandler Parsons and Zaza Pachulia respectively were good moves to fill several holes in their starting lineup. Dallas will also run out Rick Carlisle staples: Nowitzki, JJ Barea and Devin Harris to start this season.

Brook Lopez should be able to get whatever he wants in the paint against this Mavericks team. With the lumbering Bogut being their man interior defender, Lopez will have the ability to go off in both of these matchups. Look for Brooklyn to come out on top in one, if not both, of these games.

Apr 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) as a timeout is called against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are another team who will be fighting for a playoff spot in a very crowded, middle of the Western Conference. After losing defensive anchor Dwight Howard to Atlanta, play on the defensive end will be challenging for Mike D’Antoni’s squad.

Some may look at James Harden‘s offensive-dominant style of play and Coach D’Antoni’s offensive mindset as a match made in heaven. On paper, this may seem like the logical outcome, especially after the additions of sharpshooters Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson.

But fans must remember that Harden will be running this offense. This is a player who is very isolation heavy and likes to slow it down when creating his own shot. Of course, D’Antoni’s seven seconds or less offensive scheme worked well when Steve Nash was gliding the ball around the court. He also had a dominant interior big in Amar’e Stoudemire to dump the ball off to. This is not something Harden will have.

Look for this Rockets team to have a good shot at the postseason if every player commits to D’antoni’s up-tempo, ball movement heavy offense.

When the Nets matchup with the Rockets this season, the outcome is very predictable. These games will be high scoring and competitive. Both teams will leave something to be desired on the defensive end of the floor. Brooklyn will have a decent chance to come out on top in both of these games.

Surprisngly, Brooklyn matched up well against the Rockets last season, winning both meetings with ease. The Nets should be able to carry that confidence from last year’s matchups into this season.

Feb 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans

After disappointing many who raved that the New Orleans Pelicans would break out last season, Anthony Davis will look to lead his team to the postseason. Despite what critics have said about the addition of Solomon Hill, New Orleans may have found a future star to pair with Davis.

The Pelicans’ front office should be ecstatic, as Buddy Heild was the best option for them with the sixth pick. With this move, New Orleans able to find a fantastic perimeter scorer who can create his own shot as well as one of the most durable players in basketball. Despite being physically double teamed or even tripled teamed during his last two years at Oklahoma, Heild was still able to play nearly every game and produce while doing so. Injuries have been a fatal flaw for the Pelicans the past few seasons, but they may have found their solution in Heild.

New Orleans will be an interesting couple of games for Brooklyn. Davis will be able take away Lopez’s post game. However, a lack of perimeter defense on the Pelicans’ end will allow the Nets’ sharpshooters and Jeremy Lin to have a field day.

Dec 14, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Jared Dudley (1) during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies

After having one of the best offseason hauls in the league last summer, Memphis is primed to make one more run for a chip. However, staying healthy will be the key to success for this Grizzlies squad. They have all the tools to make it to the second round or even the Western Conference Finals. However, with their two best players coming off major injuries, this may be a difficult task.

Sustaining a torn achilles has a track record of completely diminishing a player’s athletic skill. Mike Conley, who is a approaching 29, must beat the odds after training the past several months. Marc Gasol will also need to return to All-Star form for his team to have success after breaking his right foot last year.

Some big men recover from this injury better than others. The Nets’ very own Brook Lopez appears to be fine after going through several major foot surgeries. However, Yao Ming was forced to retire after it was determined that his foot would never recover due to his large frame.

With health being a major stipulation, the Grizzlies have the potential to nab the fourth seed in the West. Failure to reach the Western Conference Finals this season may force management to consider a rebuild in the future. Their stars are aging, and there is a large amount of money tied to them.

When Brooklyn faces the Grizzlies this season, it will be difficult for them to put the ball in the basket. Tony Allen will shut down the Nets’ main scoring threat, Bojan Bogdanovic, on the perimeter. Gasol will also be able to handle Lopez down low easily. Overall, this will be a very difficult matchup for the Nets this season.

Dec 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and guard Patty Mills (8) celebrate after a score by Leonard against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. San Antonio defeated Memphis 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs

With the very quiet retirement of Tim Duncan, the Spurs will enter their first season without their leader since 1997. Ironically, it is now more then ever that San Antonio will need leadership to take down the juggernaut that is, the Golden State Warriors.