State of the West

[TD 21]

Tier 1 Spurs, Warriors, Thunder

Tier 2 Rockets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Mavericks

Tier 3 Pelicans, Jazz, Suns, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves

Tier 4 Lakers, Kings, Nuggets

Better, not just based on additions, but improved health or internal growth . . . Spurs, Thunder, Rockets, Pelicans, Jazz, Timberwolves

Same . . . Warriors, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Suns, Lakers, Kings, Nuggets

Worse . . . Clippers, Trail Blazers

Overall, not much has changed.


A few thoughts on the Spurs . . .

Between the addition of Aldridge, the Clippers subtraction of Jordan and the fact that they have no means with which to adequately replace him, they've went from slightly behind the Spurs, Thunder and Warriors, to clearly behind again.

That means getting the 1 seed is extremely important again, as it would mean avoiding the Thunder/Warriors until the WCF and having them wear each other down in the WCSF.

The biggest key to getting the 1 seed for the Spurs, aside from not being decimated by injury, of course, is Parker. Aldridge should be a near seamless fit and they can live with the most recent contributions of the other returning rotation players, but what they can't live with is Parker not having a bounce back. It's not reasonable to expect a return to the form of 3 and 4 seasons ago, but 2 seasons ago probably is and that's good enough.

[ElNono]

Pretty much agree, I would just put a big asterisk next to the Thunder... due both to new coach and injuries... we'll see how Billy Donovan handles his NBA duties and especially rest for his main players...

[dbestpro]

Clippers down one, Pelicans up one, Trailblazers down one, Suns down one. The bad teams in the west will be really bad.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

Tier 1 Spurs, Warriors, Thunder, Cavs

Tier 2 Rockets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Bulls, Hawks

Tier 3 Pelicans, Jazz, Suns, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Wizards, Pacers, Raptors, Heat, Magic, Bobcats, Bucks

Tier 4 Lakers, Kings, Nuggets, 76ers, Knicks, Nets, Pistons, Celtics

The East sucks.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Pretty much agree, I would just put a big asterisk next to the Thunder... due both to new coach and injuries... we'll see how Billy Donovan handles his NBA duties and especially rest for his main players...

Good point. Chemistry and learning curve caveats apply on top of the injury question.

[Dex]

Good point. Chemistry and learning curve caveats apply on top of the injury question.

Jury is still out on Durant, too. He may not be the player OKC needs him to be to be top tier anymore.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Jury is still out on Durant, too. He may not be the player OKC needs him to be to be top tier anymore.

Lisfranc is no joke and having to have a second surgery does not speak well of his prognosis. Brooks allowing him to rush back was a huge mistake and the FO should have never let that happen.

[cd98]

Not sure about Mavs. Dirk looked average last year. How good will Jordan be on the Dallas roster? No point guard as of yet. Who knows if Matthews can recover from torn achilles. Lost their leading scorer. Just not sure they could be better than a 7 or 8 seed.

[benstanfield]

Thunder are a pretty big question mark tbh. Their whole roster outside of KD/WB are all pretty one-dimensional, and putting them in the top tier assumes both that KD will be back at near 100% and that he'll be able to play 35+ mpg. They also have some dangerously cancerous elements like Waiters and Kanter.

[tholdren]

Thunder are a pretty big question mark tbh. Their whole roster outside of KD/WB are all pretty one-dimensional, and putting them in the top tier assumes both that KD will be back at near 100% and that he'll be able to play 35+ mpg. They also have some dangerously cancerous elements like Waiters and Kanter.

pfffttt waiters. lol at that draft, and cleveland in general. They are such a dumb organization. waiters and bennett are just funny.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

The Thunder will be scary with health. They have a real coach finally. Not to mention as much talent as anyone in the NBA. Look out!

[myhc]

I put the Rockets and Grizzlies in their own tier, ahead of the clippers and Mavs.

[spursistan]

Not sure I would put OKC with in the same tier of Warriors/Spurs, plenty of health/coach adjustment question marks..

Tier 1 (1-2 seed) le Favourites

Golden State
Spurs

Tier 2 (3-5 seed) (dependent on above teams injuries/upset casualty)

OKC
Memphis
Houston

Tier 3 (6-8 seed) (pretenders who are one key injury away from falling out of PO)

Dallas
Clippers
Pelicans

Tier 4 (Playoff push)

Utah
Sacramento ( if Cousins stay put)
Phoenix

Tier 5 (Lottery-bound)

Portland
Denver
Minnesota
Lakers

[spursistan]

A 1/2 seed is imperative for the Spurs this year..As much we wanted to downplay it-- even the numbers were starting to back up the assumption-- HC is still of great value in POs especially in Game 7 situations..There is a great chance this year for a soft 7/8 seed..Pelicans and Clippers are AD + CP3/Griffin extended injury away from possibly missing the playoff and opening the door for Utah team or somebody else..