The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • C10

10C THE DESERT SUN DESERTSUN.COM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017 This the much ballyhooed NBA draft class of 2003, but this class short on talent, either. Our pre- season favorite to win Rookie of the Year even drafted in June, though Ben Simmons gets lumped in with this rookies due to injury. Needless to say, competition and intrigue all throughout the league when it comes to the player most likely to win Rookie of the Year. 1. Ben Simmons: Drafted No.

1 by Philadelphia (2016) Simmons, whose rookie season was shut down after he broke his foot during training camp last year, is healthy, and that alone should make him a Rookie of the Year favorite. The 6-10 forward will play different positions, including point guard, for a Sixers team poised to end the five-year postseason drought. Simmons, not lacking confi- dence, says heading into the season a much better player than he was last year, and even 2. Lonzo Ball: Drafted No.2 by Los Angeles Lakers The hype surrounding Ball, for better or worse, has ensured that the spotlight will shine bright on the 6-6 point guard during his rookie campaign, as he heads into the season holding the keys to one of the most storied franchises. But after a strong showing during Las Vegas Summer League, which earned him MVP, and some exciting moments dur- ing his limited preseason action, early signs indicate that Ball is well-suited for the task.

3. Dennis Smith Drafted No. 9 by Dallas Smith, who could end up being the steal of the draft, will have the green light in Dallas, which in itself makes him a prime candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. But then you look at his talent a freak athlete and has elite play- maker potential and Smith taking home the hardware becomes all the more likely. believe us? Take it from peers, who voted him most likely to win the award in the annual Roo- kie Survey.

4. Markelle Fultz: Drafted No. 1 by Philadelphia Fultz has superstar potential and could easily end up being the best player from this draft class. But as far as his Rookie of the Year odds are con- cerned, the fact that Fultz is going to spend a lot of his time off the ball and will be forced to share the spotlight and the touches with Simmons and Joel Embiid. NBA Simmons, Ball lead solid class of rookies Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, left, works against Timberwolves guard Aaron Brooks during a preseason game Sept.

30 in Anaheim, Calif. RINGO H.W. AJ NEUHARTH-KEUSCH USA TODAY SPORTS And now we know: It worked. The big question at this time last sea- son was about Golden State and how it would work when taking a high-octane team and adding a dynamic scorer like Kevin Durant to the mix. Pundits won- dered how the shots would be distrib- uted, who would take the big shots in crunch time, how would Durant fare alongside another MVP in Stephen Cur- ry.

The answer came in June, when the Warriors hoisted their second champi- onship trophy in three years. Another season has arrived, the Western Conference looks loaded yet again, and Golden State is going to be practically pick to finish atop the heap yet again. have guys that are selfish at all, that are jealous of anybody success or going to create drama if they get five shots one game and 15 shots the next Curry said. long as we It may not be as easy this season, and the Warriors are welcoming that chal- lenge. Houston has gone all-in on a title chase, giving up seven players, a future first-round pick and cash to bring Chris Paul over from the Los Angeles Clippers to join James Harden in a backcourt that can match up with any other the War- duo of Curry and Klay Thompson included.

And Oklahoma City has the reigning MVP in Russell Westbrook, plus two new perennial All-Stars in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony who have relocated to resume their ring-chasing. So there are new looks out West. The Warriors are largely the same, with good reason. been almost unbeatable for three years, and have no plans to change that now. Thompson said.

West just got stronger. But it will be A look at the West, in predicted order of finish: PLAYOFF BOUND 1. Golden State The Warriors need to avoid injuries and boredom over the next six months. They know winning in June is the only thing that matters. 2.

Houston Chris Paul and James Harden in the same backcourt is only going to make Mike more cre- ative. Legit concern: Will they over- pass? 3. San Antonio Kawhi Leonard dealing with a leg problem in the presea- son optimal. But the offseason addi- tion of Rudy Gay may prove significant. 4.

Oklahoma City MVP Russell Westbrook now has Paul George and Carmelo Anthony with him. How will they mesh? They have 82 games to fig- ure it out. 5. Minnesota This has to be the year where the Timberwolves break through. Jimmy Butler with Karl-An- thony Towns and Andrew Wiggins will be superb.

6. Denver The Nuggets kept the core of their roster intact, added Paul Millsap in a brilliant move, and Nikola Jokic is a budding star. Watch this team. 7. Utah count the Jazz out.

Gordon Hayward is gone and Dante Ex- um is hurt, but coach Quin Snyder has shown he knows how to adjust on the fly. 8. L.A. Clippers Losing Chris Paul will hurt in many ways on and off the floor, but the Clippers still have enough to be in the playoff chase even out West. IN THE MIX 9.

Portland absurd to think that a backcourt of CJ McCollum and Da- mian Lillard might not lead to a top-eight finish in the West. But over whom? 10. Memphis David Fizdale has completely endeared himself to players, and a big reason why the Grizzlies should hang around the race all season. 11. Dallas Dirk Nowitzki play- ing a 20th season because of money.

thinking the Mavs will be better, and if they stay healthy he may be right. FACING LONG ODDS 12. New Orleans Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and (when he re- turns) Rajon Rondo on one team. Great for Kentucky. Unsure for New Orleans.

13. L.A. Lakers Lonzo Ball will be exciting and a new era for the Lak- ers. But the rebuild will take time, un- less L.A. hits a free-agent jackpot in 2018.

14. Phoenix Devin Booker had great numbers last season and the Suns have a strong young core. The develop- ment will have to continue this season. 15. Sacramento easy to see the plan.

Kings have tons of youth, had a great draft in June and will let the kids learn from the likes of Vince Carter. WHAT TO KNOW WARRIORS GOLDEN: not forget that on the way to winning their second title in three seasons, the Warriors went 31-2 in their final 33 games. A 16-1 record in the postseason is ridiculous to think about, and so is this counting the reg- ular season and the playoffs, Golden State went 82-8 when scoring at least 103 points. (When the Warriors scored 102 or less, they went 1-9.) WESTBROOK WATCH: To put MVP Russell averaging of a tri- ple-double last season into perspective, note that 11 other players averaged dou- ble-doubles in points and rebounds, and only two others did in points and assists. Having more help on the floor now with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony should allow Westbrook to have even more energy at winning time.

Scary. PLAYOFF HISTORY: If San Antonio makes the playoffs this season, which would seem like a bit of a safe bet, it would be the 21st consecutive postsea- son trip for the Spurs. That would tie Portland (1983-2003) for the second- longest streak in NBA history, and put San Antonio one shy of matching Phila- run of 22 straight appearances from 1950 through 1971. MILESTONES: Dirk Nowitzki will join the Kobe Bry- ant as the only player to play 20 NBA seasons all with the same club. also on target to become the sixth player in league history to log 50,000 minutes, and is within 1,160 points of passing Wilt Chamberlain for No.

5 on the all-time scoring list. SO MUCH TALENT: There were 16 in- stances of a player scoring 50 or more points last season, including playoffs, and 12 of those games were posted by someone in the Western Conference (Russell Westbrook 5, James Harden 2, Klay Thompson 1, Devin Booker 1, Da- mian Lillard 1, DeMarcus Cousins 1, An- thony Davis 1). And one of the Eastern 50-point nights came from Jimmy But- ler, who now plays in the West. WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, and guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrate during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif. AP FILE Surprise! Golden State is the team to beat out West TIM REYNOLDS ASSOCIATED PRESS KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Pat Perez turned in an 8-under 64 at the third round of the PGA CIMB Classic to open up a four-shot lead over closest rival Xander Schauffele.

The American, who led by a single stroke coming into Saturday, turned on the style on the back nine with six bird- ies, giving him nine for the day against just one bogey. After three rounds, Pe- rez is on 21-under 195. guys are so good and you can make so many birdies out there so fast and I know said Perez. if I can get another six (birdies) tomorrow, I might be tough to Schauffele remained within sight of his compatriot after a 5-under 67 in- cluding an eagle on the 10th while South Sung Kanghoon is a fur- ther shot away after a 7-under 65. Defending champion Justin Thom- chances appear over after he fin- ished the day tied 24th at 6 under, de- spite posting his best round with a 69.

The American had a double bogey on the par-5 fifth hole but recovered with a flurry of birdies and an eagle on No. 16. Clear skies at TPC Kuala Lumpur brought out the best from Whee Kim with a hole-in-one on the 199-yard, par-3 15th. The South Korean won a BMW hy- brid vehicle. landed perfect and thought made it, going to go Kim said.

LPGA Tour INCHEON, South Korea Jin Young Ko fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to take a two-shot lead after the third round of the KEB Hana Bank Championship. The South Korean carded six birdies on the Ocean Course, including two in her last three holes, to post a 15-under total of 201. Compatriots Sung Hyun Park and In Gee Chun both shot 68 and are tied for second at 13-under 203. iron shots today were really strong so I was able to make a lot of birdie chances for said Ko, a nine-time winner on the local KLPGA Tour. Park, looking for her third LPGA Tour victory of the year, played solid golf for most of the third round with five birdies and a sole bogey in her first 17 holes.

She did well to salvage par at the last after pushing her drive way right into a hazard and having to take a penalty drop. European Tour MONZA, Italy Matt Wallace held a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Italian Open as the Englishman seeks a wire-to-wire victory. Defending champion and home fa- vorite Francesco Molinari stood two strokes back along with Tyrrell Hatton, last winner of the Alfred Dun- hill Links Championship. Wallace sunk five birdies and had only one bogey before pulling off a dif- ficult par save after driving into the trees at the 18th to stay at 17 under. was the only bad drive I hit this Wallace said.

GOLF ROUNDUP Perez extends lead with 8-under 64 Pat Perez tees off during the third round of the CIMB SADIQ ASSOCIATED PRESS.