The Western Conference is loaded.
What else is new?
Defending champion San Antonio may not show up for preseason games — but the Spurs will be there when it counts. And that’s title time.
You don’t hear much talk anymore about the “they’re too old” Spurs. They’ll be pressed more than ever, however, by a bevy of title-worthy teams in L.A. (the Clippers, people), Oklahoma City, Houston and Portland.
And there are a number of intriguing teams ready to pounce if the champions stumble. Golden State, under new coach Steve Kerr, looks formidable, as do the retooled Dallas Mavericks, and the hard-charging Phoenix Suns.
There is no shortage of run-and-gun in the West, where it will likely take 50 victories just to qualify for the playoffs.
The twist is where all these teams shake out. Oklahoma City has to cope for the first quarter of the season without its injured star Kevin Durant. Will Kobe Bryant be able to lift the Lakers back to relevance? The motivation of a lower-than-normal preseason player ranking and a critical magazine story examining whether he’s had a negative impact on the current state of the franchise will be all the ultracompetitive Bryant needs to motivate him.
The teams
The West in predicted order of finish:
1. San Antonio
The Spurs will occupy the top spot until someone knocks them out of it.
2. L.A. Clippers
With the Donald Sterling distraction behind them, the Clippers can fully focus on winning.
3. Houston
The addition of Trevor Ariza raises the defensive profile of a deadly offensive team.
4. Oklahoma City
The price of losing an MVP (Kevin Durant)? A slip in the standings and a lower seeding.
5. Portland
Basketball now revived in Rip City, the Blazers must get consistent on defense.
6. Golden State
A new coach, but the same fearsome Splash Brothers.
7. Dallas
The return of Tyson Chandler and addition of Chandler Parsons boosts the Mavs.
8. Denver
With a full roster, the Nuggets will get back to winning, and back to the playoffs.
9. Phoenix
There may not be a more potent guard group than Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas.
10. New Orleans
Anthony Davis will make a run at league MVP.
11. Memphis
Securing a playoff spot will be a tough task for the aging Grizzlies.
12. L.A. Lakers
Their talent is better than it might appear, but West too tough for a playoff return.
13. Minnesota
Can rookie Andrew Wiggins make Minny forget about Kevin Love?
14. Sacramento
Center DeMarcus Cousins is the best player no one talks about.
15. Utah
Improved roster, but a long way to go for rookie coach Quin Snyder.
