Ranking the Southwest Division: Summer Edition

Oct 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Fox Sports Southwest logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 123-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The apex of the off-season has come and gone with the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony signing their contracts, but there has been other action around the league.

The Southwest division is arguably the best, and most difficult division to play in.  Teams include the Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans.  Four out of the five teams were in the playoffs last year, where the other two divisions in the West provided two teams each.  With the Spurs having won it all last year, do they remain at number one?  Did Houston’s off-season push them into title contention?  Are the Grizzlies just another “tough out”?  Let’s take a look at the answers to these questions as we rank the teams in the Southwest #1 through #5.