Despite having a much better year than the past few the East still does not have the strength of the West, at least on top. The Western Conference is very top heavy. The past few seasons a team only needed 50 wins to get into the playoffs in the West, but at the break the 7th and 8th seeds are both at .500. Let’s get to it!
Come on Lottery!
I am going to put the Los Angeles Lakers (11-44), Phoenix Suns (14-40), and Minnesota Timberwolves (17-37) in this bottom group. The most depressing/confusing team is Phoenix who has been terrible. Not confusing as to why they are bad – they lack players (traded away) and fired their coach only two weeks ago. What’s sad is that only two years ago they had 48 wins which was only good enough for 9th. They barely missed the playoffs in a loaded West and then last year they only had 39 wins. What they are doing right now may be Philly a la dessert. I understand it’s just they won’t be relevant this year.
Meanwhile it was obvious to everyone that the Lakers would be bad this year. I mean, Metta World Peace is on the team after being in China for a season. If that wasn’t a red flag I don’t know what is. Plus it really has just been the farewell tour for Kobe. Why should they care if he jacks up shots and only makes 35% of them….they want those ping pong balls!
Disarray, Discord, Disorder?
Some or all of the words can be used to describe New Orleans (20-33), Denver (22-32), and Sacramento (22-31). New Orleans tried this year. There were high hopes for Anthony Davis and despite making the All-Star game he has absolutely no shot at any MVP consideration with his team floundering. He is still a great player but they need more than him.
Sacramento tried too. Their problems are more obvious though. Their owner and general manager are incompetent. I will not be surprised if there are changes to the front office in the offseason, and you can never under estimate Vivek’s (owner) craziness (Stauskas? Stauskas? Stauskas!).
Does Denver even care? They did just win a Super Bowl. I believe their fans are going to let the team get a pass this year.
The Scrum
There will be plenty of jostling between Houston (27-28), Utah (26-26), and Portland (27-27) between now and the playoffs. Houston has been a major disappointment with The Beard coming into the season out of shape and getting a coach fired after a horrendous start. With trade rumors swirling about Dwight they better pray a team is desperate enough to sign him. I see them eeking into the playoffs just from experience.
Portland lost Lamarcus Aldridge to the Spurs last off season and have….Mason Plumlee instead? That can’t be right. They do have Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Despite the ability to score they can’t guard the rest of the west. I would like to predict that this team missed out on the playoffs but Lillard scares me in the clutch; they are in.
That leaves Utah out. Sorry, Utah. Next year? They are very young and have Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert (The Stifle Tower) but their point guards, Trey Burke and…Raul Neto (?), don’t even lead in assists. I see them missing out. An interesting team and there are many other clubs out there wanting some Gordon Hayward.
Solid? Solid.
Despite problems, Dallas (29-26), Memphis (31-22), and LA Sailing Ships (35-18) won’t lose their spots. They have weathered the storm: Memphis – injuries, SS Los Angeles – Blake Griffin, and Dallas – old age. I put Dallas in this category mostly because of coaching. They have one of the best coaches in Rick Carlisle, who should be played by Jim Carrey in a bio pic.
Los Angeles has to worry about Blake Griffin and whether they actually need or want him anymore. Their record is great without him, but they have been shooting down every trade rumor. They have been playing well enough (JJ Redick and Chris Paul especially) to earn a spot. I mean JJ is shooting 47% FROM 3 POINT RANGE! DeAndre is averaging 12-14. Their bench is worrisome, which is exactly why they lost a seven game series to Houston. It is still hard to believe and it puts into perspective just how badly Houston is playing compared to what is expected.
Memphis just gets it done. Their offense is nothing to envy but their defense has been great with Gobert blocking shots and Conley eating point guards.
Runners-Up (but nipping at the heels)
San Antonio Spurs (45-8) and Oklahoma City Thunder (40-14). Have we all learned our lesson of saying to ourselves that the Spurs can’t possibly play elite basketball and get the 2 seed again? Because I have. You know a team and organization are really good at basketball when you just get jealous of them, and that’s what I am. Jealous. Why D.C., why must you do this to me. They move the ball as good as anyone, take the right shots and play hard defense. Kawhi Leonard deserves mention here as possibly the best defender in the league yet again. They also find the time to rest tons of players, somehow Duncan is still out there, and yet they have only lost 8 games. They have that two seed locked.
Kevin Durant is back. His foot is fine and he is one of the best players in the game. Russell Westbrook is a man-beast. And no, your team will not get KD this summer because they might win a championship or get very close and they aren’t about to break up the band. The new coach, Billy Donovan, will be battle tested this post-season.
The Favorite
You don’t need me to tell you how awesome Golden State (48-4) are. They may beat the best record in a season set by Michael Jordan. They have the best player in the game – Stephen Curry. Arguably the best shooting back court in Klay Thompson and Curry and they haven’t even had their coach on the sideline for 80% (roughly) of the games.
Predictions for final season standings:
- Warriors
- Spurs
- Thunder
- Clippers
- Mavericks
- Grizzlies
- Rockets
- Trail Blazers
Last out – Utah. Matchup of Western Conference below with winner in bold.
Golden State Warriors – San Antonio Spurs
I predict it will be LeBron vs. Warriors Part II. You know I almost had the Spurs winning, but I just couldn’t. Curry is scary.
Header image courtesy of paradimetime.com
