Los Angeles Clippers
With Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injured and out for the majority of next season, there is no doubt that Los Angeles Clippers is one of the strongest contenders to win not only the Western Conference but also the championship in the upcoming season. With the dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard along with Lou, Beverly and Montrezl Harrell Clippers have the best chance to win the NBA title. So it is be obvious to have them not only as a playoff contender but also as a championship contender.
Los Angeles Lakers
The combination of Lebron James, Anthony Davis, Boogie, Kyle Kuzma along with Rajon Rondo, Danny Green and KCP is going to be interesting to watch. If Lebron and Anthony stay healthy, there is no doubt that the Lakers will qualify for the playoffs and possibly to the next rounds. Lakers are even considered as a championship contender along with Clippers. So we will wait and watch how two Los Angeles teams battle for the possible championship.
Denver Nuggets
We have already seen the chemistry between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic along with Garry Harris, Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee working really well for Nuggets. Even though they are not considered as a championship caliber team, in my opinion this team will occupy one of the top 5 spots in the Western Conference.
Portland Trail Blazers
Even though this team was swept by the Warriors in last season’s Western Conference Finals, the addition of Hassan Whiteside will help this team a lot. Along with Lillard and McCollum, Seth Curry will play an important role as a scorer when these two guys well be on bench. Zach Collins will also be an important asset to help Whiteside. I expect them to occupy one of the top 6 spots in the Western Conference standings.
Golden State Warriors
Even though the build of the Warriors is very different than last 5 seasons, they are very strong contender to make it to the playoffs. And if Klay Thompson gets healthy before the playoffs, they can make it to the Western Conference. But I think with all the other teams in the Conference, Warriors will get a spot between 6 to 8. And if Klay gets healthy around the all star break, it will be interesting to see how the Warriors approach the second half of the season. Willie Cauley-Stein will be a key in this Warriors run. A healthy Warriors team will definitely make it to the playoffs.
Houston Rockets
The most important thing that will decide this team’s fate is the in game chemistry between James Harden and Russell Westbrook. If it works well, we will see this team occupying one of the top 4 spots in the Conference standings. But if this duo didn’t work, it will not be easy for them to make it to the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio has tied the NBA record for the most consecutive playoff appearances at 22. So it will be interesting to see whether they can break that record this season. The duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan will be the very crucial if this team want to make their record breaking playoff appearance. Along with these two guys, their other guards like Derrick White, Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills will play important tole in this team’s success. Rudy Gay will be an important asset as well.It will be interesting to see how Tim Duncan works as Greg Popovich’s assistant. But I think this team will make it to the playoff for the 23rd consecutive season.
Utah Jazz
The addition of Mike Conley will help Donovan Mitchell a lot since he won’t have to handle the basketball like he used to do it in the past. It will be very interesting to watch the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert along with Mike Conley and Joe Ingles. I think the Jazz will make it to the playoffs this season if the chemistry between these four guys work well.
Other than these teams, there are two more teams I would like to mention and I think they have sufficient talent to make it to the playoffs but the only problem is that both these teams lack in experience. So the only question is that whether they can work hard enough to compete with the 8 teams I mentioned.
New Orleans Pelicans
With Anthony Davis trade, the pelicans have obtained very talented young prospects and with the first pick in the 2019 draft, they already have a Superstar in Zion Williamson. So it is just a matter if time before we see this team fighting in the Western Conference Finals.
Dallas Mavericks
The duo of Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic definitely has a bright future but the only question is that can they play up to the level of Western Conference? If they do that, they will definitely qualify for the playoffs this year. I am sure that this team would have made it to the playoffs if they were in the Eastern Conference.
So the question is which 8 teams will qualify for the playoffs for the upcoming season in this very competitive Western Conference? Predict your 8 teams!
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