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Los Angeles Lakers have been crowned the Western Conference Champions 31 times out of a possible 65. They along with the San Antonio Spurs dominated in the 2000′s winning a combined 9 times in the first decade of the new millenium.
But the purple and gold has not tasted success in the ongoing decade and the 3 years in this decade has seen three different teams being crowned the Conference Champions.
So what can we expect this season?
Well keeping in mind the changes to the rosters in the off-season, and the health status of the rosters, my top 5 contenders to be crowned the Western Conference Champions are as follows:
5. Golden State Warriors
Key Starters: Stephen Curry (22.9 ppg this season), Andre Iguodala (46% FG %, 1.7 steals per game last season), David Lee (All-NBA 3rd team, 56 double doubles)
Key Reserves: Harrison Barnes (All-Rookie first team)
An extremely young talented team, who if healthy can make a serious challenge to be one of the Western Conference Finalists, Curry and Klay Thompson might right now be the best back court tandem in the NBA right now.
However, they lost experienced bench players like Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry while Curry, Lee and Andrew Bogut all have reoccurring injury problems. Their chances rely heavily on how healthy their roster can be.
All of you might debate regarding the absence of Oklahoma City Thunder as a candidate but let’s face it with Russell Westbrook out with injury (second surgery to right knee) and Kevin Martin traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves they lack offensive depth; Kevin Durant being the sole offensive threat.
4. Houston Rockets
Key Starters: Dwight Howard and James Harden (both All-NBA third team) and Chandler Parsons (48.6% FG shooter last season)
Key Reserve: Omer Asik (10 ppg, 11.7 rebs. per game, 54% FG% last season as starter)
They are the newest super team in the league. They rank fourth purely based on the talent on display with Howard, Harden, Parsons, Asik and Jeremy Lin. However they lack bench strength with Asik being the only one who looks like he can have an above average season.
Don’t be shocked if this new super team fails to click, because we all know from the Lakers show last season that along with multiple talents, you need chemistry to make the team a success and one that can threaten the two time defending champions the Miami Heat.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Key Starters: Marc Gasol (All-NBA Second team), Zach Randolph (15.4 ppg, 11.2 rebs. per game) and Tony Allen.
Key Reserves: Ed Davis (7.8 ppg, 5.7 rebs. per game last season)
Do not make the mistake of judging them by their regular season performance. Irrespective of what position they finish the regular season at, their Playoff performance rises to another level altogether.
Their team is built on a defensive system that is led by the duo of NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and a 2 time selection to the All-NBA Defensive first team Tony Allen. The contribution of Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Tayshaun Prince cannot be taken for granted.
Don’t expect spectacular games from them during the regular season but mark your calendars with the dates they play their matches during the Playoffs for a display of a gritty, grinding Playoff defense.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Key Starters: Chris Paul and Blake Griffin (both All-NBA) and J.J. Redick ( 14.1 ppg and 43% career FG shooter)
Key Reserves: Darren Collison (A talented and young PG) and Jamal Crawford (16.5 ppg off the bench)
Definitely not lacking in talent, the Clippers are looking at a strong season ahead.
They have an athletic front court duo of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul and the addition of Redick make their team an inside-outside threat on offense.
Although not mentioned above they have experienced bench players in Matt Barnes and Antawn Jamison to go along with outside threat and an excellent perimeter defender in Jared Dudley.
They would battle with the Warriors for the Pacific division title but don’t be surprised if they make the Finals.
1. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs
Key Starters: Tim Duncan and Tony Parker (both All-NBA), Kawhi Leonard (X- Factor and rising star)
Key Reserves: Manu Ginobili ( NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2008 and a veteran)
The veteran team has maintained its core set of players for a final title run. We say every year that it will be their last shot at the championship, but let’s face it, they have consistently performed year in and year out and I would never count them out heading into a season as long as Greg Popovich is their coach and they have Tim Duncan on their roster.
With their core set of players still intact and rising youngsters such as Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, I would expect them to win the Southwest division and go a long way in the Playoffs in their quest for another championship.
