Who makes the playoffs out West now?

[bdreason]

I like the Jazz. They were playing awesome at the end of last season. Best defense in the league I think for a stretch.


But I also like what Hornacek is doing in Phoenix, and I think the style they play can translate to regular season wins if done right. They'll still be pretenders, but they can win a lot of games.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Woah...easy there sonny....Thunder will be #1 seed from the West...so I suggest you edit your post.

Other than that

-Pels
-Kings
-Suns

[iTare]

I like the Jazz. They were playing awesome at the end of last season. Best defense in the league I think for a stretch.


But I also like what Hornacek is doing in Phoenix, and I think the style they play can translate to regular season wins if done right. They'll still be pretenders, but they can win a lot of games.

I like Pheonix! Well mostly because of Hornacek
But yes, the Suns do have that kind of squad.

[DMAVS41]

Guaranteed:

San Antonio
Houston
New Orleans
Memphis
Los Angeles C.
Golden State
Oklahoma City

Maybe:

Utah
Phoenix
Denver

No way:

Los Angeles L.
Dallas
Minnesota
Sacramento
Portland

Denver might offload everyone and start over. I think Minny and the Kings will be a lot better than people are giving them credit for as well.

[iTare]

Denver might offload everyone and start over. I think Minny and the Kings will be a lot better than people are giving them credit for as well.

I hope you're right! Makes the West even more fun to watch! Cheers man!

[DMAVS41]

I hope you're right! Makes the West even more fun to watch! Cheers man!

Outside of Dallas and the Blazers now...I don't see any teams in the West that won't be competitive most nights.

The Lakers might not be, but they added some real NBA players. If Kobe is right and the rookies are good...they'll be alright.


The tough part is that barring injury...that top 7 is locked.

[Legends66NBA7]

If everyone is healthy ? Hmmmm.... Not any real order but here's mine... I'm banking on Utah to make it.

Golden State
San Antonio
Oklahoma City
Houston
LA Clippers
Memphis
New Orleans
Utah

Phoenix
Sacramento
Denver
Dallas
Minnesota
Portland
LA Lakers

[Mr. Jabbar]

D'Angelo Russell.

[Cleverness]

Golden State
San Antonio
LA Clippers
Oklahoma City
Houston
Memphis
New Orleans
Utah

[iTare]

If everyone is healthy ? Hmmmm.... Not any real order but here's mine... I'm banking on Utah to make it.

Golden State
San Antonio
Oklahoma City
Houston
LA Clippers
Memphis
New Orleans
Utah

Phoenix
Sacramento
Denver
Dallas
Minnesota
Portland
LA Lakers

[disel]

Best 4 teams in the west are

Warriors
Spurs
Houston
OKC(HEALTHY)

then you have the
Clippers
Memphis

After that I mean you could say the Pelicans, Mavs, Sacramento and even Wolves are a chance.

The most realistic scenario is

Spurs
Warriors
Houston
OKC
Clippers
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Kings or Mavs

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Warriors
Spurs
Thunder
Clippers
Grizzlies
Rockets
Pelicans
D'Angelo

[Xiao Yao You]

Jazz should be there even with the disappointing off-season thus far. One of the best teams at the end of the season and they add a healthy Burks. Exum just had an encouraging Summer League game too! Great D and the offense should just get better.

[Sportal]

Teams that are, if healthy, absolute locks. Like, realistically, these teams just won't miss the playoffs without disasters:

OKC
GSW
Spurs
Rockets
Memphis
Clippers

Then I would like to see Utah, it's time.

But really it will be a group of:

Utah
N.O.
Dallas
Phoenix
Kings (Darkest possible horse)

5 into 2 obviously doesn't go, so I would hope for Utah and N.O.

[CakeorDeath]

Jazz have a very talented, young team. If Gobert continues to improve, he could make them playoff contenders. Hayward, Burke and Favors. Exum has high upside. Evans is athletic as hell but not much to show for it yet. Very long and formidable on the front court with Gobert, Favors and Booker. They can bang with anyone down low.

Great post; however, Evans signed with Dallas.

Unless Quinn Snyder, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Rudy Gobert kidnap him in his own house...

Sorry, couldn't resist!