[nateoak10Participant]

 I’m not talking about current power rankings, there’s been injuries and trades that we have yet seen on how they change things and what not. This is purely on depth and talent, my list is this:

1. GSW – There isn’t a single weakness on this team other than the health of Bogut, but even when he was out they were still killing teams. They have the best depth in the league and defensively can completely stall a team’s offense.

2. OKC – They’ve had a rough start to the season with injuries but for the first time I feel as though this team has enough depth on its roster. Their starting front court is as good as anybodies and with Waiters, Westbrook and Jackson their backcourt rotation is also very good. Perry Jones and Morrow also are pretty useful rotation players. 

3. SA – They’re still the Spurs when healthy , the only reason I don’t have them higher is because I believe in OKC and GSW that much. 

4. HOU – They have good depth and a very good starting lineup. Between Moti, Howard, Jones and Smith up front they can really punish a team up front. When it comes to the playoffs though I’m not sure how their team will transfer over but at least for the regular season their talent is top 5 in the West in my opinion.

5. MEM- The addition of Green has given them that little bit of extra firepower that puts them ahead of the Clipper for me. Gasol has turned into a legitmate MVP candidate and the best center in the NBA this season. They still lack the talent on the wings to be a title contender in my mind but most nights that doesn’t even matter. 

6. LAC – They’re still a very good team with some fantastic players but I don’t know if their deep enough or good enough on the wing to compete with the other Western teams long term. They also lack a solid third big in their rotation as Davis and Hawes are not very reliable against the better teams out there, 

7. POR – This may seem very low for a team right behind the Warriors but I still do not think their bench is good enough to get deep into the playoffs if everyone else is healthy. Their starters are as good as anybodies though. 

8. DAL – Same situation as the Blazers. They have a fantastic starting unit but their bench won’t be able to compete against the top half of the west. 

I do think all of these teams are really REALLY good teams. The talent in the West has gotten to a crazy level of good and these are just my opinion. I think the only Eastern teams that can seriously compete is a fully healthy Cleveland (I really liked their recent moves) and Chicago. 

What are your lists?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

One thing will be for certain, and that is GS is at number and deservingly so by a good margin.

I do expect SA to make a run by years end.

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

One thing will be for certain, and that is GS is at number and deservingly so by a good margin.

I do expect SA to make a run by years end.

[TRC1991Participant]

Great list. No complaints. Spot on with your comments about Dallas and Portland having weak benches. Having a weak bench is a major inhibitor of a team having great postseason success

[TRC1991Participant]

Great list. No complaints. Spot on with your comments about Dallas and Portland having weak benches. Having a weak bench is a major inhibitor of a team having great postseason success

[trelos6Participant]

Warriors can be awesome with the whole Curry/Thompson offense and Bogut anchoring the D

Thunder can be awesome with KD/Westbrook killing it and Ibaka/Adams strong on D

Spurs can be awesome by sharing the ball and playing ridiculously efficient ball

Houston can be awesome by Harden taking over on O and Howard a beast on D

Memphis can be awesome because they have unstoppable big men in ZBo/Gasol and now Green adds some versatility

Portland can be awesome because Lillard is fearless and Aldridge is a beast

Dallas can be awesome with that unstoppable offense, and playoff Rondo in tow

Clippers can be awesome because never count out CP3 who can destroy teams on his own, and he also has Griffin

 

Take your pick, I got no idea.  haha.  All I know is I can’t wait for the Western Conference Finals Series!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[trelos6Participant]

Warriors can be awesome with the whole Curry/Thompson offense and Bogut anchoring the D

Thunder can be awesome with KD/Westbrook killing it and Ibaka/Adams strong on D

Spurs can be awesome by sharing the ball and playing ridiculously efficient ball

Houston can be awesome by Harden taking over on O and Howard a beast on D

Memphis can be awesome because they have unstoppable big men in ZBo/Gasol and now Green adds some versatility

Portland can be awesome because Lillard is fearless and Aldridge is a beast

Dallas can be awesome with that unstoppable offense, and playoff Rondo in tow

Clippers can be awesome because never count out CP3 who can destroy teams on his own, and he also has Griffin

 

Take your pick, I got no idea.  haha.  All I know is I can’t wait for the Western Conference Finals Series!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[nateoak10Participant]

 If the Cavs never live up to what their suppossed to be this season I honestly think the WCF will be a more exciting series than the Finals and will most likely really prove who the best team in the NBA is. It’s almost like WCF is the finals and finals is like a victory lap. 

[nateoak10Participant]

 If the Cavs never live up to what their suppossed to be this season I honestly think the WCF will be a more exciting series than the Finals and will most likely really prove who the best team in the NBA is. It’s almost like WCF is the finals and finals is like a victory lap. 

[trelos6Participant]

However, digging deeper.

Atlanta is 10-2 vs West

Toronto 9-5

Chicago 9-6

Washington 8-5

Cavs 4-10

 

Not sure how padded the stats are with wins vs Lakers/Wolves, but still, interesting enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[trelos6Participant]

However, digging deeper.

Atlanta is 10-2 vs West

Toronto 9-5

Chicago 9-6

Washington 8-5

Cavs 4-10

 

Not sure how padded the stats are with wins vs Lakers/Wolves, but still, interesting enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[nateoak10Participant]

 I just don’t see the elite level talent on any of those teams but the Cavs to be able to beat any Western team in a series. Maybe Dallas if one of those team’s superior depth get to them but that is really the only way. 

The Bulls could actually and probably are the most likely to as of today. The Cavs right now are totally hypothetical as their lineups we will see come playoffs haven’t even played a single minute together. But in theory they are probably deeper than the Bulls if healthy. 

 

[nateoak10Participant]

 I just don’t see the elite level talent on any of those teams but the Cavs to be able to beat any Western team in a series. Maybe Dallas if one of those team’s superior depth get to them but that is really the only way. 

The Bulls could actually and probably are the most likely to as of today. The Cavs right now are totally hypothetical as their lineups we will see come playoffs haven’t even played a single minute together. But in theory they are probably deeper than the Bulls if healthy. 

 

[raymondlyfParticipant]

GSW really surprise me with their depth. Almost everybody in the team can be starter…

[raymondlyfParticipant]

GSW really surprise me with their depth. Almost everybody in the team can be starter…

[nateoak10Participant]

 It’s kinda incredible really, the Warriors bring two all stars off their bench (Iguodala whom is 1st team all defense as well and Lee). And both have taken smaller roles to fit in with the team concept. The only guy not in the rotation who isn’t a definite starting caliber player is Holiday, but he’s a young athletic wing with a pretty darn good stroke and decent handle who made the roation based on his defense with a wingspan most guards simply don’t have. Once he adjusts to the NBA more I’m sure he can be a starter somewhere.

It’s not a sustainable team cap wise unless they decided to go DEEP into the luxury tax next season. But I don’t think their FO will let this team go. The odd guys out are likely Speights, Holiday and Lee as to keep Barnes and Green long term. But if they can find a way to keep this team together I’m willing to bet they will. 

Also looking at their reserves Barbosa is still a decent player and so is Ezeli (although he is hurt again). Really the only two guys on that team who aren’t that great are Kuzmic and Rush. And even Kuzmic has shown a bit of promise at times to maybe be a rotation level backup center. Rush however has lost all his speed due to injury sadly, Decent defender still but just slow and can’t seemingly get his legs into his jumper. 

 

[nateoak10Participant]

 It’s kinda incredible really, the Warriors bring two all stars off their bench (Iguodala whom is 1st team all defense as well and Lee). And both have taken smaller roles to fit in with the team concept. The only guy not in the rotation who isn’t a definite starting caliber player is Holiday, but he’s a young athletic wing with a pretty darn good stroke and decent handle who made the roation based on his defense with a wingspan most guards simply don’t have. Once he adjusts to the NBA more I’m sure he can be a starter somewhere.

It’s not a sustainable team cap wise unless they decided to go DEEP into the luxury tax next season. But I don’t think their FO will let this team go. The odd guys out are likely Speights, Holiday and Lee as to keep Barnes and Green long term. But if they can find a way to keep this team together I’m willing to bet they will. 

Also looking at their reserves Barbosa is still a decent player and so is Ezeli (although he is hurt again). Really the only two guys on that team who aren’t that great are Kuzmic and Rush. And even Kuzmic has shown a bit of promise at times to maybe be a rotation level backup center. Rush however has lost all his speed due to injury sadly, Decent defender still but just slow and can’t seemingly get his legs into his jumper. 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 The East is tough.  The East has given the Grizz fits this year (comparatively).

Atlanta is beating everybody and the Bulls are LOADED.

I like the Grizzlies’ balance if everyone is healthy with Marc as the first option, Conley as the 2nd option, Z Bo as our historical meal ticket and saftey valve (3rd option now), and Jeff Green at the 4th option.  No TRUE sixth man but Courtney Lee is a good 5th option type, Beno Udrih can do Beno Udrih things off the bench and Tony Allen always seems to grit and grind his way to 7 or 8 points a game.  I still think we can use one more 3 and D guy or a Stretch 4 (5?), but we look good.

Feels like it is the Warriors year though.

The Spurs and Thunder have the POTENTIAL to make a big run but they are looking sluggish right now.

Depending on matchups I can see the Rockets beating (or losing) to anyone in the West or East.

Yeah, the Mavs bench is a weakness so I don’t think they can go all the way unless Dirk gets 2011 Hot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 The East is tough.  The East has given the Grizz fits this year (comparatively).

Atlanta is beating everybody and the Bulls are LOADED.

I like the Grizzlies’ balance if everyone is healthy with Marc as the first option, Conley as the 2nd option, Z Bo as our historical meal ticket and saftey valve (3rd option now), and Jeff Green at the 4th option.  No TRUE sixth man but Courtney Lee is a good 5th option type, Beno Udrih can do Beno Udrih things off the bench and Tony Allen always seems to grit and grind his way to 7 or 8 points a game.  I still think we can use one more 3 and D guy or a Stretch 4 (5?), but we look good.

Feels like it is the Warriors year though.

The Spurs and Thunder have the POTENTIAL to make a big run but they are looking sluggish right now.

Depending on matchups I can see the Rockets beating (or losing) to anyone in the West or East.

Yeah, the Mavs bench is a weakness so I don’t think they can go all the way unless Dirk gets 2011 Hot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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