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The West is a beautiful mess right now. Every team (except the Phoenix Suns obviously) has a chance at making it to the playoffs, as the data suggest that the 8th team on the standings is just 3.5 games behind the Conference leader. It's more like a traffic jam at the moment and it seems to be getting stranger day by day.
Surprisingly, this early in the season, every game is as crunch as they come. While a bunch of teams have separated themselves from the pack in the East, there is no clear leader still, out West.
Keeping in mind that the shift of power in the West is so volatile and dynamic at the moment, it's a tough task to pick out the front-runners from the ever-changing scenario. But the following piece will make an effort to rank the 5 best in the West based on their performance this season so far.
Note: These power rankings are based on the current status quo and are subject to change in the future, especially considering how cut-throat the competition is.
#5 Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron had a 0-4 start to the season for the first time in his entire career, but the Lakers have found solid ground ever since. They acquired Tyson Chandler, trusted LeBron down the stretch and now find themselves with a 16-10 win-loss record(0.615) having won 7 out of their last 10 games.
Bron is averaging 28.3 points per game(3rd best in the league), being duly aided by the sophomore, Kyle Kuzma who has improved his rookie average of 16.1 ppg to 17.3 ppg currently. It has been interesting to see how Kuzma has managed to keep up his scoring numbers even in the presence of LeBron on the team, knowing he will keep the ball for the most part of the game.
Surely, Lakers are not the strongest side in the West for now, but if they can keep up the pace and energy, things are clearly looking bright for the LeBron-led young core.
#4 Los Angeles Clippers
Doc Rivers has conjured nothing short of a miracle out of the Clippers this season. Without Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Austin Rivers, and DeAndre Jordan, all of whom actually were the familiar names of the Clippers franchise, this team(devoid of any big-names) has performed substantially well in a conference that might eat you up and spit you out if you don't have quality All-stars on your roster.
Last month, they beat Milwaukee, Golden State & San Antonio(all single-digit wins) in quick succession, and made a league-wide statement that you don't need All-Stars to beat All-Stars. They are very much in contention to lead the West as their record just hovers a game below the summit.
It is no secret that the Western Conference has blown open this year and is up for grabs for those who are willing to risk it all.
Tobias Harris, Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Montrezl Harrell & rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all averaging double-digits in points per game this season, with Harris(21.0 ppg) leading the charge from the front.
#3 Denver Nuggets
As the season progresses, the Denver Nuggets are becoming the team to beat in the West. What they represent is one of the more complete squads in the league on both ends of the floor.
Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Will Barton are all averaging at least 16 points per game or more. With arguably the most unguardable center at the helm, the Nuggets have shown that they can beat any team, anywhere, anywhere if need be.
They have slipped off the top spot in the West lately, and are carrying a 17-9 win-loss record, just half-a-game behind the current leaders. They've come a long way from finishing 9th in the Western Conference last year and being denied the playoff spot they so dearly deserved.
Coach Malone has done a terrific job at keeping Denver on pace to finish the season off on a high, despite injuries to prominent players from the roster. With a core group of promising young players, this is just the beginning of success road for the Mile High City.
#2 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have won seven out of their last 10 games after starting 0-4 this season, and the duo of Westbrook & George has really germinated into something special.
They're both averaging 20+ points per game this season, with Westbrook back at it with his triple-double averages again this year. With Steven Adams by his side, averaging a double-double of 15 ppg & 10 rpg, this is by far the best collective Thunder unit we have seen in a long time.
Owing to the duo's 2+ steals per game, Oklahoma is leading the league in steals per game as a team, and also possess the best defensive rating of 102.3 amongst the rest of the 29 squads. This deadly combination of All-star offense and the league-leading defense has kept them afloat this season, after a sluggish start.
They are 9-3 at home and are currently just half-a-game behind the Conference leaders with a 16-8 (0.667 win percentage, best in the West) record.
#1 Golden State Warriors
It took more time than expected but we all knew deep down that the Champions would come through.
Even with Curry missing 11 games due to a strained groin, the defending Champs did not fall too far back in the ever so competitive West. Now, with the 2-time MVP fully restored and recovered, Golden State look familiar again.
Curry has the second-most three-pointers(84) in the league this season, with his team shooting a league-best 39.2% from beyond the arc. Through the 27 games they have played so far, the Warriors are also leading in Field-Goal percentage, assists per game & Blocks per game.
Next in line is the offensive machine, Kevin Durant, who is averaging a blistering 29.1 ppg this season, along with 7+ assists and rebounds per game. With Klay, KD & Curry, all averaging at least 22 points or more, there's nothing much the defense can do to stop GSW in their tracks.
They are sitting atop the Western Conference leaderboard at the moment, carrying an 18-9 record, having won 11 of their 13 home games so far.
