2015 Western Conference Playoffs: WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT?

The NBA’s Western Conference has never been so dominant as it is today in 2014. It’s prominence over its counterparts in the East has been indisputable for years, but never so overt from top to bottom. The current gap between the leagues is more alarming than its ever been, as all eight playoff teams from last season’s Western Conference most likely would have claimed at least the third seed out East. Needless to say, it’s quite competitive in the Wild Wild West.

     Of the 15 teams in the Western Conference, 11 have the potential to make noise come playoff time. And with the free agency season coming to its close, teams are beginning to form their identities already in August. While analyzing all the new faces in new places out west, NBA experts have begun fine tuning their predictions, some bold, others not so much. I too, am one to look toward the future. I’m making the premature jump toward the 2015 NBA Playoffs, and telling you who’s in and who’s out.

2015 NBA PLAYOFF WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS: WHO’S IN & WHO’S OUT?

San Antonion Spurs:

The defending champs return the same roster from a year ago… Crafty vet Boris Diaw got paid. M anu’s still healthy. The greatest power forward of all-time announced his return. Four-time champion Tony Parker restructured his deal. Patty Mills, the energizer bunny from down under, earned himself a new paycheck. And the NBA Finals MVP is only going to get better and gain experience. The Spurs will be just as good as last year, if not better. Look for Kawai Leonard to step it up a notch and make a push for the all-star game, while the Big 3 of Duncan, Parker, andGinobli continue to do what they do. Even my grandma knows the Spurs will make the playoffs. Verdict: IN.

Los Angeles Clippers:

The Clippers needed to make a big off-season splash in free agency if a championship remains the goal, but failed to do so. Spencer Hawes will space the floor and Jordan Farmar can provide spark, but neither will prove a major difference maker for Doc’s team. Paul Pierce was the target, and unfortunately for Steve Ballmer’s new team, they missed that target. A disgruntled Donald Sterling stole the headlines for the Clips this off-season. If a championship is truly what they seek, that better not be the case in the summer of 2015. Chris Paul, however, is still the best leader in the game. He’ll lead them to a 4 seed, but Jamaal Crawford needs to play a bigger role if they expect better than that. Verdict: IN.

Minnesota Timberwolves:

The T-Wolves won more games than most people anticipated last season. Much of that was in large part because of Kevin Love’s 26 & 12 per night. This season’s team is soon to be loveless, as Kevin takes his talents to Cleveland in exchange for the future (Wiggins, Bennett, and a protected first round pick), which means many of those surprising W’s from last season will be L’s this season. The Wolves are now stockpiled with guards, and have very little in terms of size. Andrew Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Alexi Shved, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, Kevin Martin, free agent addition Mo Williams, and my role model J.J. Barea will all be splitting time at the guard positions. The bigs (Nikola Pecovic and Ronny Turiaf) aren’t exactly prominent post players. Ergo, this team better play fast. Flip Saunders wants to win now, but he’s better off grooming Wiggins and prepping for the future. Verdict: OUT.

Dallas Mavericks:

Dallas snuck into the playoffs last season. This year, no sneaking will be necessary. The team and the city have been re-energized by the return of Tyson Chandler and the signing of Chandler Parsons. Team that pair with the offensive prowess of Monte Ellis and the Great Dirk, and success seems inevitable. This Mavs should be in the top 5 in total points scored this season, but will have to make strides defensively if they want to turn their initial playoff push into a journeyed playoff push. The team’s only glaring weakness is depth at the center position. If Tyson Chandler can’t stay in the game as the rim protector, Brandan Wright and Dirk are plan B and C. In a league getting smaller and faster by the day, that shouldn’t be too much of a cause for concern. Verdict: IN.

Sacremento Kings:

The Kings signed Nik Stauskas so they are automatically out in my book. Verdict: OUT.

New Orleans Pelicans:

Omer Asik was a nice addition to help Anthony Davis down low. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, that’s all it was, a nice addition and nothing more than that. The Pelicans, like the Clippers, failed to make a big off-season move and didn’t add enough small pieces either to improve upon what they started to build last season. Unlike the Clippers, however, the Pelicans don’t have Chris Paul or Blake Griffin. Anthony Davis is a star in the making, but that’s not enough. Verdict: OUT.

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Over the course of the past three seasons, OKC’s roster has progressively gotten worse. The past two seasons they have been one piece away from making that jump from good playoff team to NBA Finals team. They’re still one piece away. Sharpshooter Anthony Morrow was a great pickup to space the floor for Westbrook and Durant, but I’m not convinced he’s enough to give OKC the nod over Duncan and company. Nevertheless, KD and Russ will be enough to claim home court advantage in the first round. Verdict: IN.

Portland Trailblazers:

Portland essentially returns the same team from a year ago. Damian Lillard adds another year of experience to his resume and LaMarcus Aldridge brings his deadly midrange game back to Portland. Portland defends well, plays team basketball, and plays with an edge needed in this dog-eat-dog world. Though they don’t have championship experience, they have all the makings of a future championship team. In fact, I believe Portland has the best chance of anyone to knock off the Spurs. Verdict: IN.

Utah Jazz:

Utah is far removed from the Stockton and Malone era. Jazz fans should expect their team to have the worst record in the NBA unless Dante Exum is actually Superman himself. Gordon Hayward is the team’s best player, and he’d make a good 6th man for most teams. Having personal ties to Australia has got me interested to see what Exum (the young Aussie point guard) can bring to the table, but other than that, there is little to be excited about in Utah. Verdict: OUT.

Houston Rockets:

Houston lost point production when Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin headed their separate ways. Ariza is a respectable downgrade from Parsons, and Beverly, who will now dominate minutes at the point, isn’t much of a scorer. A lineup of Beverly, Harden, Ariza, Jones, and Howard should excel defensively, however, with Harden and Howard each having the greenest lights of their careers on offense. Howard is one of the few true centers remaining in this game, and his physical presence teamed with Harden’s uncanny ability to score the basketball will be enough to finish in the top 8 out west. Verdict: IN.

Phoenix Suns:

The Suns no doubt entertain. Though this era’s team hardly compares to the Nash-Stoudemire teams of a half-decade ago, they do get up and down, they do run, and they do score. Similarly to the Denver Nuggets, they score by committee. If you could win an NBA Championship by having the most talent at the point guard position, Phoenix would take home the hardware in 2015 for the first time in franchise history. Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, and Eric Bledsoe will all need time to figure out how to co-exist and find happiness (if they all stay put in Phoenix). I see them playing Thomas and Dragic together and wouldn’t be surprised if Bledsoe leaves town. But whether the former Kentucky Wildcat stays or goes, there’s still not enough defense or effective size down in the desert. Vertict: OUT.

Golden State Warriors:

Steph Curry is well on his way to becoming the greatest shooter in NBA history. Sure, Steve Kerr and Steve Nash were more efficient, and sure Ray Allen and Kyle Korver can shoot lights out flat footed, but nobody shoots off the dribble going in either direction like Steph. His fellow splash brother Klay Thompson isn’t far behind, his wing-mates Iguodala, Green, and Barnes bring the athleticism and toughness, and Lee and Bogut provide what’s needed down low. Golden State has all the weapons to contend with anyone. The deciding factor will be how well they defend. Verdict: IN.

Denver Nuggets:

Denver does it by committee. Team basketball, incessant energy, and a fast pace gets it done in the mile high city. This team should be very similar to last season’s group, having a number of guys who can score, pass, and defend, but no superstars to dominate touches. I love Denver in the spoiler role, but unfortunately for second year coach Brian Shaw, there just are not enough playoff spots to go around. Verdict: OUT.

Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies style of play, contrary to that of the Nuggets, is blue-collar, tough, and slow. These guys have girth, grit, and toughness – normally everything I love in a team. This time around, however, I see Memphis falling off a bit and finishing with the 9th best record out west. Their defense and chemistry will keep them in the hunt, but droughts and lapses offensively will cost them a playoff spot by a game or two. Verdict: OUT.

Los Angeles Lakers:

 

The Lakers should have no problem scoring the basketball this season. Nick Young and Jeremy Lin are both capable of being high volume scorers. Nick Young even leaves his right arm void of tattoos because it’s ‘strictly for buckets.’ Steve Nash also claims he is 100% healthy for the first time in two years (time will tell how true that is), and Boozer has never struggled to score from midrange. Unfortunately for L.A., the other half of the game is played on defense. While Byron Scott claims that defending is the team’s top priority, don’t expect to see much of it. Will they have enough defense to grab hold of an 8 seed? No. Will they have enough offense to outscore people and grab hold of an 8 seed? Yes. NEVER BET AGAINST THE MAMBA! Verdict: IN.