swing team (noun)

1. a team that is “good on paper,” but regularly falls short of expectations
2. a team that relies on 1 or 2 players with a history of injuries
3. an unproven team with a lot of talent, but little experience

So, here are 5 swing teams for the 2008-2009 season

1. Toronto Raptors – After a .500 season last year, the Raptors decided to mix things up a bit and traded T.J. Ford for Jermaine O’Neal.  O’Neal, of course, is a former all-star, but missed half of last season due to injury and put up just average numbers when he was on the floor.  Then, there’s 22-year old Andrea Bargnani who has lots of potential, but is coming off a sophomore slump.  Raps fans are hoping JO is his healthy old self and Bargnani blossoms.  If that happens, the Raptors will do some damage.
2. Denver Nuggets – A lot of fans were scratching their heads when the Nuggets basically gave Marcus Camby away to the Clippers this off-season, but maybe their roll of the dice will pay off.   Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are still a scary duo and maybe Anthony’s gold medal in Beijing will rub off on his teammates.  For the Nuggets to swing upward, they need those two to play well and as a team, plus some help (and health) from Camby’s replacement Nene.
3. Washington Wizards – It’s the same old story for the Wizards.  Injuries, injuries, injuries.  Remember this is the same team that was in 1st place in the East in 2007 at the All Star break before injuries decimated them.  They’ll start off without Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood, but a cast of youngsters along with Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will try to hold down the fort until 2009.  It seems unlikely, but if everyone gets back to 100% this team could swing in a big way.
4. Miami Heat – Coming off a 15 win season, there’s only one way for Miami to swing, but they could really surprise some people.  They’ll need Dwyane Wade to stay healthy and for Michael Beasley to make an immediate impact.  Shawn Marion needs to play up to his capabilities as well.
5. Houston Rockets – Talk about a swing team!   The Rockets two stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are two of the league’s best talents, but have spent more time with ice packs than they have on the floor the past few seasons.  Add the combustible Ron Artest to the mix and that’s like adding vinegar to baking soda.  Unbelievably, the Rockets could realistically win the Finals or see their best 3 players injured and suspended by December.

Unfortunately there’s no voting when it comes to swing teams or we’d all be stuffing the ballot boxes….all we can do is sit back and watch.  Any predictions?

1. Lakers – I do give the nod to L.A., but just barely.  With a healthy Bynum and the duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, there’s no reason for the Lakers to not be competing for the trophy again this season.  It won’t be so easy, though, because even though the Lakers should be better, their competition will also be better, and that brings us to #2.

2. Hornets – The Hornets got better this summer by bringing in James Posey from the world champion Celtics.  Posey gives New Orleans that defensive stopper they’ll need to get far in the post-season.  Chris Paul is still going to give other teams fits and now that the Hornets have some playoff experience, they’ve got a good shot to survive the West.

3. Rockets – The Rockets enter the season with a great upside, but also a great downside after their acquisition of Ron Artest.  Artest, a gritty defender and third scorer, looks to be exactly what Houston needs, but he could bring chemistry problems as well.  Not to mention, T-Mac and Yao will need to be healthy come playoff time.

4. Spurs – The Spurs are aging and, like the Rockets, they have some questions of their own.  They’ll need Manu Ginobili to recover from his ankle injury and come back at full strength.  The regular season is not San Antonio’s forte, but they do know how to win in May and June so don’t count them out.

Who do you think will win the West?

Also, check out the new poll which asks who will win the East!

All the pieces are there and Rick Adelman is a good, experienced coach, but I’m not putting my money on the Rockets to win it all. You’ve got to worry about the fact that T-Mac is probably going to miss a fair chunk of games, same goes with Yao, and then even if they do get to the playoffs healthy, T-Mac has never gotten out of the first round!

No question this is an intriguing move and the Rockets could have a magical season, but Rockets fans shouldn’t hold their breath.

What do you think? Can McGrady finally do it?