The Western Conference has been run by the warriors for the last decade, with some other teams sprinkled in, but this season seems to be more open than the past decade.
The West has a few “Super Teams” by the old definition, but that doesn’t mean that they will be at the top of the conferene at the end of the year. There are three distinct tiers of teams in the west.
Tier 1: Title Contenders
Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers
The Denver Nuggets are the defending champs, and they only lost role player Bruce Brown. They look to build on another healthy year of Jamal Murray. He wasn’t healthy until late, and once he was the Nuggets were dominant. Him and Jokic with some ascension of Christian Braun and continued support from the rest of the starters, they seem to be poised for another big year.
The Suns added Bradley Beal to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They are set to have some of the best three level scorers in the NBA. If Durant is healthy and his old self, they could be in the Finals.
The Lakers are deep, but old. Will AD be the best player on the team? If he is they can play with anyone. Can Lebron continue to be Lebron in his 21st season?
. | BRAD BOTKIN | JAMES HERBERT | JACK MALONEY | SAM QUINN | COLIN WARD-HENNINGER | JASMYN WIMBISH |
No. 1 |
Nuggets |
Nuggets |
Nuggets |
Nuggets |
Nuggets |
Nuggets |
No. 2 |
Suns |
Suns |
Suns |
Timberwolves |
Lakers |
Suns |
No. 3 |
Lakers |
Warriors |
Warriors |
Grizzlies |
Pelicans |
Warriors |
No. 4 |
Pelicans |
Clippers |
Kings |
Warriors |
Warriors |
Clippers |
No. 5 |
Warriors |
Timberwolves |
Lakers |
Thunder |
Suns |
Thunder |
No. 6 |
Thunder |
Grizzlies |
Clippers |
Lakers |
Kings |
Timberwolves |
No. 7 |
Timberwolves |
Mavericks |
Grizzlies |
Suns |
Timberwolves |
Kings |
No. 8 |
Kings |
Kings |
Timberwolves |
Kings |
Clippers |
Lakers |
No. 9 |
Clippers |
Thunder |
Thunder |
Clippers |
Mavericks |
Grizzlies |
No. 10 |
Grizzlies |
Lakers |
Pelicans |
Mavericks |
Grizzlies |
Pelicans |
No. 11 |
Mavericks |
Pelicans |
Mavericks |
Pelicans |
Thunder |
Mavericks |
No. 12 |
Spurs |
Rockets |
Jazz |
Jazz |
Jazz |
Jazz |
No. 13 |
Rockets |
Jazz |
Rockets |
Rockets |
Blazers |
Rockets |
No. 14 |
Jazz |
Spurs |
Blazers |
Blazers |
Rockets |
Spurs |
No. 15 |
Blazers |
Blazers |
Spurs |
Spurs |
Spurs |
Blazers |
Tier 2: Playoff Locks
Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks
These three teams are all younger, but extrememly talented. For the Grizzlies, they may be the most rested team in the NBA considering their best player is getting 25 games off to start the season, they could be in the 6 seed and be very dangerous. The Kings had a great season last year and they will more than likely be very solid again. They will need to get past their own demons though.
Can the Kings break thorugh? The Thunder are young and deep. It is probably a year early for them, but SGA is a bonafide MVP candidate. Speaking of MVP candidates, Luka Doncic could take that step this year and the mavericks could be great. What are they going to get from Kyrie Irving? If he is locked in they may be a contender.
Tier 3: Los Angeles Clippers
I have no idea about them. Will Kawhi and Paul George play enough? Doubt it.
CLASSIC FORMAT RETURNS FOR 2024 NBA ALL-STAR GAME
– Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference With Traditional Scoring on Feb. 18 in Indianapolis –
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 25, 2023 – The NBA today announced changes to the format for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played… pic.twitter.com/VJuGrZfQFM
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023
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| Title: NBA Western Conference Preview
| Author: Matt Catton
| Date: October 25th, 2023