Western Conference Playoff Race

[rh0xxy]

So trade deadline is already a memory and the Playoffs is starting to shape up. It may be high time to talk about the teams fighting for the Playoffs.

This is purely based in my opinion, so feel free to voice out yours. It should be a good discussion to have...

1. Dallas - credit to wms for building a great complimentary pieces around Zion. As long as Zion is healthy, Mavs is expected to cruise in and take the top spot til the end of the regular season.

2. Denver - they have all the tools to challenge the Mavs with the acquisition of Mamba. The KAT-Mamba duo should spell trouble for the rest of the league if Brett intends to play both together. I think Epps should stay as the 6th man here but either way it's nice to have him ready all the time whether as a starter or a 6th man.

3. Memphis - the Grizz falls down a bit due to not having its GM in the fold. But the team is already built and setup to win so regardless this is a scary team come Playoffs.

4. Houston - the Rockets for me, is the wild card of the West. It would really really hard fitting against them in a series because of their versatility as a team.

5. Minnesota - man, the West is really deep and wide open. The Wolves are just around the corner and can surprise everyone all of a sudden. You can't count them out as long as Simmons is playing.

6. Portland - damn! I almost forgot those Blazers. With Bolden coming over, they have actually bolster their chances even more. They are a crazy offensive team from long range, now add a beast underneath the paint in Bolden. They could actually right their fighting for the 3rd spot.

7. Oklahoma - the Thunder is outside the top 5 lurking in. With almost no movement at all, not sure they have the talent to challenge the top but they have Jon, and he knows how to win so it won't surprise me a bit of they eventually roll over and get to the top all of a sudden.

8. Sacramento - not sure ROY Kofi led offense of the Kings is enough to outduel the top 6 but bt is a veteran and a proven winner so just like OKC, it's very very possible for them to move up.

9. Golden State - the retooled Warriors is probably too late to make a scare but still a dangerous team if they reach the Playoffs.

10. Utah - my homie pick to reach the Playoffs but it'll probably be too much to ask for them. Getting a chance in the Play-in should be a consolation price for hardworking Jazz.

[Stockton12]

warriors . jazz and spurs for the battle of the playins is going to be fun .

we are 7-2 in last 9 games

[Andrewu91]

6-7-8 will either go to Golden state, Sac, OKC or Timberwolves. Just too much great manager experience. Shame one of them might not make it either, as all three of teams are solid

[wms02a]

I jsut dont want to play SAC

[Andrewu91]

I jsut dont want to play SAC

Lol like last year? They have the secret weapon to slow down Zion

[GreenBear]

The West is incredibly annoying this year. Even when we play well for a stretch, I feel like we go nowhere in the standings.

[Andrewu91]

The West is incredibly annoying this year. Even when we play well for a stretch, I feel like we go nowhere in the standings.

I hear ya. Same with the East.

Anyway, I was gonna group you in the 7-8 spots but that trade deadline deal made you top 6 in the West. Keep up the good work

[TheTwoWallaces]

The Top 8 is quite clear with Utah and GSW well on the outside looking in. Between those 8 teams it's an absolute crapshoot IMO, though I think my playoff pick is the stupid sexy Houston Rockets

[Andrewu91]

The Top 8 is quite clear with Utah and GSW well on the outside looking in. Between those 8 teams it's an absolute crapshoot IMO, though I think my playoff pick is the stupid sexy Houston Rockets

Damn. Go take a west team at this rate lol

[Ramcus]

I wish I could be as sexy as the Houston Rockets

[Stockton12]

had the mega trade got done okc would be chsllenging the top

[bt]

We were 14-6 over our last 20 and starting to find a decent mix until that stinker to the Pels so now 14-7 but we lead the old Memphis team 2-0 last playoffs and now have Kofi onboard so hopefully we can rattle some of the higher seed cages when the time comes.

Assuming we can keep the Warriors off our toes with their recent moves of course.

[cb4raptorscb4]

I like our retool, but we have quite a hill to climb. Hopefully we can get healthy and stay healthy, as the injuries have been a struggle.

[Marcos_Beck]

In terms of overall talent, the Grizzlies are still too good and too deep and that’s important come playoff time. But I think it will be

1. Dallas
2. Nuggets
3. Grizzlies
4. Rockets
5. Portland
6. Timberwolves
7. Thunder
8. Kings
9. Warriors
10. Jazz

And I like both Warriors and Jazz chances of coming out as 8th seeds here via play-in.