If the playoffs started today, how would the top 4 teams in the West fair?
OKC Thunder: The Thunder arguably have the best scorer, best point guard, and sixth man. But who do they have to play offense in the post? Serge Ibaka? Kenderick Perkins? The Thunder's isolation basketball will limit their title chances to some degree but you can almost pencil in the Thunder to make the Western Conference Finals. Will Russell Westbrook finally put his ego aside and be Durant's Robin, if so the Thunder have a great chance to make it to the promise land.
CONTENDER
SA Spurs: Everyone has been saying the Spurs are old for years now, dating back to their title run in 2007. The truth is outside of Duncan and Ginobili, who are both playing a career low in minutes, the team actually has a lot of young talented players: Splitter, Neal, Leonard, Blair, Green. They also have a solid mix of vets: Parker, Jackson, Diaw, Bonner to mesh with TD and Manu. Expect the Spurs to avenge last year's disappointing first round exit and make a serious run at the championship.
CONTENDER
LA Lakers: Any team led by Kobe Bryant has a chance to make it to the Finals. This year Andrew Bynum is having a career year and has established himself as the second best center behind Dwight Howard. With the trade deadline having past, expect Gasol to play much more freely and dominant. The Lakers addressed a glaring hole in the backcourt by aquiring Ramon Sessions who allows Kobe to be the beneficiary of plays made by the point guard. With solid contributions from Metta, Barnes, Blake, and Goudelock the Lakers have a descent chance for a title run but not as great as OKC or SAS.
CONTENDER
LA Clippers: CP3 has changed the culture out in Clipperland. The expectations are high and Lob City has become a great show, but the Clippers seem to lack front court depth. Blake Griffin is a couple years out from being a dominant playoff performer. Opposing defense will force him to take jump shots, and he is not reliable at this point of his career. He will also undoubtedly meet some physical, perhaps dirty play in the playoffs as well. DeAndre Jordan, Kenyon Martin, and Reggie Evans will simply not be enough front court fire power to help Griffin and Paul go deep into the playoffs. The acquisition of Nick Young helps overcome the loss of Billups, but the Clippers are a young team and not quite ready for a deep playoff run. Expect the Clippers to make it to the second round.
PRETENDER
Stay tuned for my evaluation of the 5-8 seeds...
OKC Thunder: The Thunder arguably have the best scorer, best point guard, and sixth man. But who do they have to play offense in the post? Serge Ibaka? Kenderick Perkins? The Thunder's isolation basketball will limit their title chances to some degree but you can almost pencil in the Thunder to make the Western Conference Finals. Will Russell Westbrook finally put his ego aside and be Durant's Robin, if so the Thunder have a great chance to make it to the promise land.
CONTENDER
SA Spurs: Everyone has been saying the Spurs are old for years now, dating back to their title run in 2007. The truth is outside of Duncan and Ginobili, who are both playing a career low in minutes, the team actually has a lot of young talented players: Splitter, Neal, Leonard, Blair, Green. They also have a solid mix of vets: Parker, Jackson, Diaw, Bonner to mesh with TD and Manu. Expect the Spurs to avenge last year's disappointing first round exit and make a serious run at the championship.
CONTENDER
LA Lakers: Any team led by Kobe Bryant has a chance to make it to the Finals. This year Andrew Bynum is having a career year and has established himself as the second best center behind Dwight Howard. With the trade deadline having past, expect Gasol to play much more freely and dominant. The Lakers addressed a glaring hole in the backcourt by aquiring Ramon Sessions who allows Kobe to be the beneficiary of plays made by the point guard. With solid contributions from Metta, Barnes, Blake, and Goudelock the Lakers have a descent chance for a title run but not as great as OKC or SAS.
CONTENDER
LA Clippers: CP3 has changed the culture out in Clipperland. The expectations are high and Lob City has become a great show, but the Clippers seem to lack front court depth. Blake Griffin is a couple years out from being a dominant playoff performer. Opposing defense will force him to take jump shots, and he is not reliable at this point of his career. He will also undoubtedly meet some physical, perhaps dirty play in the playoffs as well. DeAndre Jordan, Kenyon Martin, and Reggie Evans will simply not be enough front court fire power to help Griffin and Paul go deep into the playoffs. The acquisition of Nick Young helps overcome the loss of Billups, but the Clippers are a young team and not quite ready for a deep playoff run. Expect the Clippers to make it to the second round.
PRETENDER
Stay tuned for my evaluation of the 5-8 seeds...
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