2014 NBA Western Conference Predictions

I’ll say it again — it’s never too early for NBA predictions.

Since LeBron James (or Ray Allen depending who you talk to) led the Miami Heat their second straight NBA title, the other 29 teams have been making many moves to try and compete with the defending champs. While not all teams will even be given a chance to dethrone the champs, I thoroughly believe that most teams in the league improved from a year ago, which is going to make for a great NBA season.

Even with adding Dwight Howard, James Harden and the Rockets aren’t in the top 5 in the Western Conference. By Derral Chen derivative work: Bagumba via Wikimedia Commons

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Yes, you read that correctly. The Clippers are the number one seed in the Western Conference but that doesn’t always lead to a title. The additions of Jared Dudley, JJ Redick, Daren Collison  and of course coach Doc Rivers make the Clippers, in my opinion, the best team in the West right now.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: I think losing Kevin Martin and finding no replacement for him is going to be a huge loss for the Thunder whom basically traded away James Harden for nothing now. They still have Durant and Westbrook and nobody really wants to play those guys come playoff time, unless you’re the Miami Heat.

3. San Antonio Spurs: Meer seconds and one rebound away from another title, all the Spurs did this offseason was get even better. Marco Belinelli adds both shooting and toughness. Look for another great year from the ageless wonders.

4. Memphis Grizzles: People keep forgetting about the Grizzles and I don’t understand why. They are much like the Knicks in that sense. They made it to the Conference Finals — granted they beat a Westbook-less Thunder team — but still they are good. They play defense and Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are only going to get better.

5. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry had an incredible coming out party last season and so did the Warriors franchise. Yes they lost Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry but they added Andre Igoudala. When Harrison Barnes is coming off the bench as a 6^th man, you know that your team is in good shape. Plus they gained much needed playoff experience.

6. Houston Rockets: For the people whom may be reading this and think I am crazy for putting the Rockets so low, think again. I know that they added Dwight Howard who will pair with James Harden to make a pretty good one-two punch. Aside from them though, who else do they have? Chandler Parsons? He can play, no doubt about it, but seriously who else? As we saw last year with the Lakers, having big names but no bench doesn’t equal success. We shall see how their top two mesh but for now they are at best my 6 seed in the stacked Western Conference.

7. Denver Nuggets: Losing Igoudala is a huge blow to this up-tempo team but I’m sure new coach Brian Shaw can figure out how to make it work. They will be getting Danillo Gallinari back from his injury and added Nate Robinson and J.J. Hickson. The Nuggets have one of the most stacked frontcourts in the league but they need to learn how to win on the road, which was their downfall last season.

8. Portland Trailblazers: I really like what the Blazers have done this offseason improving their horrible bench from last season. Led by rising star Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers should make the playoffs baring any major injuries like they unfortunately have had in the past.

9. Los Angeles Lakers: People keep writing the Lakers off and I believe that will just inspire Kobe to play even better. I think that they actually got better by losing Howard because now they don’t have to worry about him wanting the ball every time down the floor and the question whether or not he will stay or leave. Adding Nick Young, Chris Kaman, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson aren’t season changing moves but its good enough for them to fight for a playoff spot again.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves aggravate me so much because they have so much potential but never can live up to it because of constant injuries. I am done betting on them to stay healthy so I will put them at the 10^th spot in the West. The additions of Kevin Martin and rookie Shabazz Muhammad should improve the team but like I said, I am expecting some sort of injury that costs the hopes of makes the playoffs.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Dallas is a tricky one because they didn’t really get worse in the off-season but they didn’t get better either. Adding Monta Ellis doesn’t qualify in my opinion as getting better. For now they are 11^th in the West.

12. New Orleans Pelicans: Welcome to the NBA Pelicans, your 12^th best team in the Western Conference in 2014. I liked the moves to get Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evens but this team is still too young to compete. Give it a few years and maybe New Orleans will be back in the playoffs.

13. Phoenix Suns: I really liked the trade that sent them Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. Bledsoe is an up-and-coming star point guard who will improve the team and Butler is a good SF to have on a roster. If Michael Beasley could stop smoking pot for once in his life, this team might be able to do something in the coming years in the West.

14. Sacramento Kings: The Kings are similar to the Magic in the East as they have a rising star in Ben McLemore, whom I believe will be ROY when it’s all said and done. They have done some good building in Sacramento but not for the present. Wait it out a few years and good things will happen in Sac-town.

15. Utah Jazz: It’s not normal that a team who was competing for a playoff spot a year ago drops to the bottom of the standings but its also not usual for a team to lose both its starting center and power forward in the same off-season and not bring anyone in to fill the holes. Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward are two good pieces for the Jazz but the rest of the team isn’t quite remarkable. Dark times again for the fans in Salt Lake City.