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jtsredsox24
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PORTLAND ME
Age: 27
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NBA Western Conference Power Rankings
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jtsredsox24 wrote this 3 months ago | Permalink |
Tonight it’s time to take a look at the Western Conference power rankings. The West is clearly the better conference which currently holds the top 3 records in the NBA. This race should be exciting as we head towards June and the playoffs.
Oklahoma City (32-9) – The only team in the NBA with single digits losses the Thunder come in at #1 but have plenty of competition for the top spot. They have the leagues best scorer in Kevin Durant and plenty of other weapons that make this team dangerous and ready to get back to the NBA finals. Serge Ibaka has a much improved offensive game and that may be the difference this year.
LA Clippers (32-10) – The Clippers are the team to beat in LA and have proven that through the first half of the NBA season. Chris Paul is playing at an MVP level and Jamal Crawford has brought scoring to a team that wasn’t very deep a season ago. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan boasts one of the most athletic frontcourts and both are a real threat to block shots. They got much needed playoff experience last year and that should suit them well as they plan to go on a deep playoff run.
San Antonio (33-11) – The Spurs are always one of the best coached teams and aren’t ready to end this great run they have been on over the years. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli may be getting older but they still have what it takes to win in the NBA. This team will be a factor in June as long as they can stay healthy and are able to remain fresh.
Golden State (25-15) – The Warriors have to be one of the surprise teams in the NBA as they currently are ten games over .500. Steph Curry and David Lee are having all star seasons and have really energized the Warriors fan base. Mark Jackson is doing a great job coaching this young team as they look to make a rare playoff appearance.
Memphis (26-14) – The Grizzlies get it done playing defense as they are only 1 of two teams giving up less than 90 points a game. They are very athletic but are not very deep and they do have trouble scoring at times. Not having a great shooter also hurts them as defenses tend to pack it in to contain Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Their defense will keep them in games and will make them a tough out come playoff time.
Utah (22-19) – The Jazz are a team who I think has the potential to be a very difficult team to matchup with come playoff time. Al Jefferson is one of the top big men in the NBA and Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter ooze with potential that is still untapped. Mo Williams being healthy is crucial as he has been out the past few weeks but is expected to make a full recovery and give this team an offensive lift when he returns. The Jazz are very tough at home so if they can get themselves into a position where they have home court advantage in the first round they will be very dangerous.
Denver (25-18) – Denver is a team that is day and night different at home and on the road. A 14-2 home record is among the best in the NBA but a dreadful 9-14 record on the road will eventually be their downfall. They have good players but I worry that they don’t have that star player who can take over a game come playoff time. They will be a tough out with the way they play at home but to be taken seriously they need to get their road woes addressed.
Houston (22-21) – The highest scoring team in the NBA currently sits in the 8th spot in the west. They score the most but also give up the most so that won’t do you much good especially in the west. It looks like they will be battling for that last spot as there are a few teams in the west that remain within striking distance. They have some pieces to potentially make a move but I don’t know if anyone out there will make them that much better.
Minnesota (17-21) – The Timberwolves have managed to stay in contention despite all of the injuries including Kevin Love their franchise player. They have plenty of talent but I don’t think they will be able to keep up with all of the injuries they are sustaining to key players. I see them dropping off as the season progresses.
Portland (20-21) – Portland is a team in the midst of a 6 game losing streak and stuck looking for answers. A very thin team that see’s their starters all playing heavy minutes might ultimately wear on them. Damian Lillard is the leading candidate for rookie of the year right now and Nicolas Batum is among those vying for the most improved player award. Developing some kind of bench is what Portland needs to do if they want to contend in the west.
Dallas (18-24) – Dallas has welcome Dirk back from injury but unfortunately they aren’t seeing great results in the win column. A team that is talented enough to figure it out and go on a run still has a shot to make the playoffs but fans can’t expect anything other than a first round exit. You have to wonder if it’s time to make a deal to set them up for the future.
LA Lakers (17-24) – It’s hard to see the Lakers this low in the rankings but a disastrous season has led them here. The team many expected to give the Heat a star laden NBA finals is now in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. Steve Nash and Pau Gasol have been in and out of the lineup. Dwight Howard hasn’t been the dominating figure everyone thought and the team just doesn’t have god chemistry. All of this while Kobe Bryant is having one of his most efficient seasons. They have the talent to put together a run but it might be too late in Laker land.
Sacramento (16-26) – The Kings are on the move to Seattle next season and DeMarcus Cousins may or may not go with them. A player who has a world of potential cant stay out of the news but for all of the bad reasons. A couple of suspensions have really sunk this team who doesn’t appear to be improving despite having a roster of talented players.
New Orleans (14-27) – The Hornets are a team on the rise and they have some very good players that they can build around led by Anthony Davis. Grievis Vasquez is having a coming out party this year and Ryan Anderson has proved to be a threat off the bench and a leading candidate for 6th man of the year. Eric Gordon is finally healthy and this team has reasons to be optimistic.
Phoenix (13-28) – Phoenix struggles to score and doesn’t have that go to scorer which makes life in the NBA tough. Alvin Gentry was just fired and you can’t think that this team is going to improve at all as the season progresses. Jared Dudley has really improved this year and Gorin Dragic has been decent but they don’t really have any skilled big guys. I see them finishing last in the west.
-jtsredsox24
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