Who wins the west?

[JohnnySic]

The Warriors, Spurs, Clippers, Rockets, and Thunder each have no excuses, depending on who you listen to. Well, 4 of those teams are bound to need excuses. Who wins?

[GIF REACTION]

It's amazing that the top 5 got even better again

I honestly can't pick a definitive winner

[GIF REACTION]

Spurs beat OKC/GSW

Spurs in

[Clifton]

I just have no idea.

I would say the Warriors have an advantage because they're the only one of these teams that isn't going to have to make any adjustments this year. Spurs have to incorporate Aldridge, OKC Westbrook needs to get used to playing with another star again, Clippers have a new bench look and the disappointment of last year, and the Rockets have a new point guard with alcohol problems.

The Warriors were the best of the bunch last year and they don't have to change. But the other 4 teams all improved (if all goes well). It's a total crapshoot.

They need to have open seeding. This isn't fair. Do you realize one of these 5 teams is going to have to lose in the first round? There could be a 58 win team with a 5 seed next year. They'll lose to a 59 win team in 7 games, and that team could be the Thunder and they could go on to win the championship, after "toppling" the 62-win 1-seed. Absolute garbage.

[Heavincent]

Warriors won 67 games last and are bringing back pretty much the same team.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Spurs.

[Fudge]

Thunder or Spurs.

[Cold soul]

Thunder or Spurs.

[iTare]

Clippers will win it all this year.

[Dbrog]

Haha well played OP. I honestly think it's just going to come down to injuries. If all these teams were at full health, we might witness one of the GOAT playoffs. I think it comes down to matchups though with SA or GS being favored.

Spurs lose to OKC and maybe Clippers
OKC lose to Warriors and maybe Clippers
Warriors lose to Spurs
Rockets lose to Spurs and OKC
Clippers lose to Rockets and Warriors

[senelcoolidge]

Spurs or Warriors will be the #1 seed and the Clippers represent the West in the Finals.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Thunder or Spurs.

The Warriors will be an afterthought if KD is healthy once the playoffs hit. From there it's another Spurs vs Thunder matchup

[Paul George 24]

clippers :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Gus Fring]

I think the Spurs match up well against the Thunder and Warriors and I think they are just simply better than the Clippers and Rockets. I would go with them and if not them than the Warriors.

[WayOfWade]

They need to have open seeding. This isn't fair. Do you realize one of these 5 teams is going to have to lose in the first round? There could be a 58 win team with a 5 seed next year. They'll lose to a 59 win team in 7 games, and that team could be the Thunder and they could go on to win the championship, after "toppling" the 62-win 1-seed. Absolute garbage.
That really is insane, and we haven't even mentioned the Grizlies who (although won't ever win the west) always are a thorn in the side of contending teams. But sadly we probably... Not probably, are going to see one of these teams lose in the first round. Last year it was the Spurs, and this year I predict the Rockets.

[Dbrog]

It would actually pretty badass if, in despite of all these other stories, KD goes apeshit and runs away with the MVP. Silencing mofos with 32ppg

[Paul George 24]

It would actually pretty badass if, in despite of all these other stories, KD goes apeshit and runs away with the MVP. Silencing mofos with 32ppg

when is the last time kd play full 82 games ???????????

[RidonKs]

i cannot bet against the spurs

had their new additions been championship pedigrees, they might not have the fire to go for another one. but aldridge and especially west are driven competitors and its hard to think the spurs already with rings won't feed off their energy.

tbh they probably won't even hiccup much at another substantial decline from parker and ginobili. green and mills can each be 35+ mpg producers if pop were so inclined as to enhance their roles. by all measures, duncan won't regress much, certainly not with aldridge handling the offensive load down low.





it's really them or a healthy cavs team. honestly i don't see any other team in the league capable of handling the cavs at full strength.

oklahoma city is a glut of poorly selected talent.
houston happens to match up perfectly with the spurs... not so much with the cavs.
the clippers cannot hope to defend james.
golden state proved they would have a hard time tho with steph and klay anything can happen.

it'll be matchups that determine victory as has been the case in the west for so long. anybody with predictions on favourable/unfavourable matchups?

golden state beats the rockets and the clippers
oklahoma city beats the warriors and the clippers
san antonio beats the warriors and thunder
houston beats the spurs and the thunder
los angeles beats the spurs and the warriors

clipps upsetting the warriors & rockets upsetting the spurs might seem farfetched but i dunno. dwight howard seems to always get the upper hand against the spurs. chris paul is the best man in the league to make curry work his ass off at both ends. and griffin has that ideal versatility to make it tough for green to do everything green likes to do.

bla bla bla

[JerrySeinfeld]

It would actually pretty badass if, in despite of all these other stories, KD goes apeshit and runs away with the MVP. Silencing mofos with 32ppg

I mean, if he's truly healthy whats stopping him?

Even on a bum ankle he scored like 30 on the Warriors at half last year and made it look effortless.

No more Brooks means he might actually be playing within a system that makes the defense actually have to give a shit about anyone other than Westbrook or Durant meaning he won't be double teamed nearly as often as he has been, like by whoever was guarding Sefolosha/Perkins but could freelance and not give a single **** (LeBron in the Finals on Perkins) since those two were total trash on offense

Don't know why Durant is getting so underrated other than concerns about his health. Last year he was fully healthy we saw how the MVP race played out between him and LeBron.... Anyways, I played the new 2k and he was even rated below Harden lmao

[Dbrog]

when is the last time kd play full 82 games ???????????

I feel like he's not been injured THAT often. Still though, it would be part of the reason why the story would be so special. KD out of nowhere overshadowing all these dramaqueen offseason moves

edit: lol @ KD rated lower than Harden. Gj 2k

[Rocketswin2013]

Very tough to predict. If I had to choose, I'd go with the Warriors. Purely because of the stability. But I could see them being as low as the #4 seed.

[Young X]

Only teams that will matter will be the first 2 seeds. No team is winning the west with 2 series on the road. Shit has literally never happened besides the '95 Rockets. My guess right now is either the Warriors or possibly the Spurs.

[ClipperRevival]

I think it's the Clippers time. They have been the team hanging around for the last 4 years. Blake and DJ are entering their primes and they really added to a team that had already won 55-57 games the last 3 years. They now have the depth and the wing players to compete with the elite. Last year, they were a team that went 6 deep and the bench was a joke.

A huge X factor is Wes Johnson. Doc has already said he might start because he has about as much raw talent as any 3 in the league. If Doc can get him motivated, the Clips could be scary.

Of course having said all that, wouldn't surprise me one bit if another team made it out the West. I just think it's their time.

[ClipperRevival]

Only teams that will matter will be the first 2 seeds. No team is winning the west with 2 series on the road. Shit has literally never happened besides the '95 Rockets. My guess right now is either the Warriors or possibly the Spurs.

Aren't you a Clip fan? No faith in your team?

[Young X]

Aren't you a Clip fan? No faith in your team?Not a Clippers "fan" but watch them alot and root for them if that makes sense.

The Warriors and Spurs are just safer picks right now, they're more balanced, actually have reliable role players and have championship experience.

The Clippers' new additions are still question marks for me. Pierce is old af, Stephenson is a knucklehead coming off a horrible season, Smith is also a knucklehead and they still held onto Crawford who is a horrible player.

I'm just the type of person that needs to see how shit plays out first. Until I see that the Clippers have truly improved their defense and bench play I will rank other, more balanced, 2 way teams higher. Same thing with OKC.

I do hope this is their year though, I'd love to see them get to the finals.

[ClipperRevival]

Not a Clippers "fan" but watch them alot and root for them if that makes sense.

The Warriors and Spurs are just safer picks right now, they're more balanced, actually have reliable role players and have championship experience.

The Clippers' new additions are still question marks for me. Pierce is old af, Stephenson is a knucklehead coming off a horrible season, Smith is also a knucklehead and they still held onto Crawford who is a horrible player.

I'm just the type of person that needs to see how shit plays out first. Until I see that the Clippers have truly improved their defense and bench play I will rank other, more balanced, 2 way teams higher. Same thing with OKC.

I do hope this is their year though, I'd love to see them get to the finals.

Yeah, Clips added a lot of guys with mental questions. If those guys don't show up, they aren't winning anything. Doc has to make these guys buy in and play up to their potential to have a chance. That's a big if. But if he does, I like their chances because on paper, they are right there with anyone.

[AnaheimLakers24]

I cant see the spurs or warriors not being in the finals. Cant choose between the two

[Young X]

Yeah, Clips added a lot of guys with mental questions. If those guys don't show up, they aren't winning anything. Doc has to make these guys buy in and play up to their potential to have a chance. That's a big if. But if he does, I like their chances because on paper, they are right there with anyone.People don't understand that the Clippers starting lineup last season was incredible. Their offense was GOAT level and they completely destroyed opposing teams. The problem was that they dropped off so much when their 2nd unit came in to the point where they went from having double digit leads to trailing. They lost like 7-8 games strictly because of that and they almost lost to the Spurs because of it too.

This season if they don't get any key injuries, improve their bench, and became a solid/good defensive team then they'll have a historic regular season and could very well win it all.

[RidonKs]

People don't understand that the Clippers starting lineup last season was incredible. Their offense was GOAT level and they completely destroyed opposing teams. The problem was that they dropped off so much when their 2nd unit came in to the point where they went from having double digit leads to trailing. They lost like 7-8 games strictly because of that and they almost lost to the Spurs because of it too.

This season if they don't get any key injuries, improve their bench, and becaome a good defensive team then they'll have a historic regular season and could very well win it all.
+1

i can't wait to see chris paul play with lance stephenson and paul pierce. that array can't miss even if they play like sh!t.

throw in josh smith and blake griffin at center? switch in crawford or redick or johnson?

AUSTIN RIVERS????

this will be fun

[Sakkreth]

Rockets.

[Fire Colangelo]

Clipppers need to get rid of Crawford.

[Bankaii]

I'm gonna go with Spurs if Timmy can still do what he did last playoffs.
Heaven forbid the Warriors have to face a team that isn't injured the entire playoffs.

[Legends66NBA7]

I'm gonna go with Spurs if Timmy can still do what he did last playoffs.
Heaven forbid the Warriors have to face a team that isn't injured the entire playoffs.

Were the Pelicans injured in the playoffs ?

I'm not sure who else they were missing and don't think anyone was hurt that run.

[Bankaii]

Were the Pelicans injured in the playoffs ?

I'm not sure who else they were missing and don't think anyone was hurt that run.
Jrue Holiday was hurt the majority of the series.
It wouldn't have made a difference but he's arguably their 2nd best player.

[poido123]

Spurs.


They will curbstomp the West

[Paul George 24]

clippers would be lucky pass 2 nd round............:lol

[I<3NBA]

it will be the Spurs

Warriors will have championship fatigue

their role players will be resting on their laurels and won't be motivated this season

Clips and Houston have always been pretenders

i'm much more likely to believe in Memphis than OKC, Clips, or Houston

[Gileraracer]

West is stacked a f :biggums: :biggums:

Save to say that Cleveland wouldn't even make the Playoffs in the West

[T_L_P]

Warriors.

No way Spurs can win with Pop being too scared to bench Parker.

[Naero]

The Western Conference has always had at least five teams that are shoe-in for the playoffs; but we're looking at an upcoming season wherein you could lump the names of five teams in a hat, pull one off, and not end up scoffed-at for the prediction. :bowdown:

I'd give the edge to the Spurs, as they already had the championship-contention makeup last season; they just got off to a slow start when recuperating from the championship hangover and due to injuries, and they were one win away from clinching HCA-seeding in the playoffs

[Lebron23]

Houston Rockets or OKC Thunder

[Naero]

West is stacked a f :biggums: :biggums:

Save to say that Cleveland wouldn't even make the Playoffs in the West

If you extrapolate their record against Western Conference teams last season (18-12; 60%, in percentage notation), they'd only manage to outdistance the Pelicans (54% winning percentage) for the clinching the eight playoff berth...

[Lebron23]

Houston are the only likable team in the West. Spurs are older than Dirt. I can see Duncan and Manu having a major decline in their performance next season. You cannot beat father time.

Forty is Forty.

[T_L_P]

Houston are the only likable team in the West. Spurs are older than Dirt. I can see Duncan and Manu having a major decline in their performance next season. You cannot beat father time.

Forty is Forty.

:biggums:

Dwight has a hundred kids.

Harden is disgusting.

Lawson drives drunk.

Beverly injures people.

Thorton looks like a pug dog.

Ariza doesn't care about basketball.

Likeable?

[Lebron23]

:biggums:

Dwight has a hundred kids.

Harden is disgusting.

Lawson drives drunk.

Beverly injures people.

Thorton looks like a pug dog.

Ariza doesn't care about basketball.

Likeable?

They haven't won a championship for almost 20 years. And last season they managed to advance in the western conference finals despite missing 3 key players. I respect a team who continues fighting even though they lost some major players in the playoffs.

[Paul George 24]

Houston are the only likable team in the West. Spurs are older than Dirt. I can see Duncan and Manu having a major decline in their performance next season. You cannot beat father time.

Forty is Forty.
ANY TEAM IN THE WEST CAN BEAT THE CAVS EASILY :applause:

[Paul George 24]

Houston are the only likable team in the West. Spurs are older than Dirt. I can see Duncan and Manu having a major decline in their performance next season. You cannot beat father time.

Forty is Forty.
CAVS IS DONE :lol

[Lebron23]

CAVS IS DONE :lol


Your Done. You are a terrible poster. And you are a FAKKIT. This forum sucks because we have guys like you who's posting in this forum.

[4 Inches]

Clips gon' win it

[inclinerator]

clippers

[GoatBoy]

A healthy Thunder Squad

[Heavincent]

Houston are the only likable team in the West. Spurs are older than Dirt. I can see Duncan and Manu having a major decline in their performance next season. You cannot beat father time.


At least the teams out West are actually good. You just like the Eastern teams because they serve as crappy fodder for Bran and his stacked teams to walk all over...like the Washington Generals or something.

[1manfastbreak]

The defending champs are bringing back basically the same team from last year.

Mind you that team last year is one of the greatest 10 teams in history. The 2016 Warriors can be every bit as good as last year. People are already disrespecting this season and writing them off, and I don't think they mind that one bit.