Golden State is the team to beat out West, again
And now we know: It worked. The big question at this time last season was about Golden State and how it would work when taking a high-octane team and adding a dynamic scorer like Kevin Durant to the mix. Pundits wondered how the shots would be distributed, who would take the big shots in crunch time, how would Durant fare alongside another MVP in Stephen Curry.
The answer came in June, when the Warriors hoisted their second championship trophy in three years.
Another season has arrived, the Western Conference looks loaded yet again, and Golden State is going to be practically everyone’s pick to finish atop the heap yet again.
“We don’t have guys that are selfish at all, that are jealous of anybody else’s success or going to create drama if they get five shots one game and 15 shots the next game,” Curry said. “As long as we win.”
It may not be as easy this season, and the Warriors are welcoming that challenge.
Houston has gone all-in on a title chase, giving up seven players, a future first-round pick and cash to bring Chris Paul over from the Los Angeles Clippers to join James Harden in a backcourt that can match up with any other — the Warriors’ duo of Curry and Klay Thompson included. And Oklahoma City has the reigning MVP in Russell Westbrook, plus two new perennial All-Stars in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony who have relocated to resume their ring-chasing.
So there are new looks out West.
The Warriors are largely the same, with good reason. They’ve been almost unbeatable for three years, and have no plans to change that now.
“It’s crazy,” Thompson said. “The West just got stronger. But it will be fun.”
A look at the West, in predicted order of finish:
PLAYOFF BOUND
1. Golden State - The Warriors need to avoid injuries and boredom over the next six months. They know winning in June is the only thing that matters.
2. Houston - Chris Paul and James Harden in the same backcourt is only going to make Mike D’Antoni more creative. Legit concern: Will they overpass?
3. San Antonio - Kawhi Leonard dealing with a leg problem in the preseason isn’t optimal. But the off-season addition of Rudy Gay may prove significant.
4. Oklahoma City - MVP Russell Westbrook now has Paul George and Carmelo Anthony with him. How will they mesh? They have 82 games to figure it out.
5. Minnesota - This has to be the year where the Timberwolves break through. Jimmy Butler with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins will be superb.
6. Denver - The Nuggets kept the core of their roster intact, added Paul Millsap in a brilliant move, and Nikola Jokic is a budding star. Watch this team.
7. Utah - Don’t count the Jazz out. Gordon Hayward is gone and Dante Exum is hurt, but coach Quin Snyder has shown he knows how to adjust on the fly.
8. L.A. Clippers - Losing Chris Paul will hurt in many ways on and off the floor, but the Clippers still have enough to be in the playoff chase even out West.
IN THE MIX
9. Portland - It’s absurd to think that a backcourt of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard might not lead to a top-eight finish in the West. But over whom?
10. Memphis - David Fizdale has completely endeared himself to players, and that’s a big reason why the Grizzlies should hang around the race all season.
11. Dallas - Dirk Nowitzki isn’t playing a 20th season because of money. He’s thinking the Mavs will be better, and if they stay healthy he may be right.
FACING LONG ODDS
12. New Orleans - Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and (when he returns) Rajon Rondo on one team. Great for Kentucky. Unsure for New Orleans.
13. L.A. Lakers - Lonzo Ball will be exciting and it’s a new era for the Lakers. But the rebuild will take time, unless L.A. hits a free-agent jackpot in 2018.
14. Phoenix - Devin Booker had great numbers last season and the Suns have a strong young core. The development will have to continue this season.
15. Sacramento - It’s easy to see the plan. Kings have tons of youth, had a great draft in June and will let the kids learn from the likes of Vince Carter.