A look into teams in the Western Conference log jam

After showing the crazy race for the postseason in the Western conference, it is apparent that there is a lot to talk about. Every team with it's own unique story and goals for the future. How these next couple weeks can change the NBA landscape in the future. Lets take a look at 4 interesting teams, Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs


Portland Trailblazers

Portland just a couple of weeks ago was in 8^th place until Dame just started going off and has led his team to 11 straight victories. First of all, just a crazy hot stretch and against quality opponents, beating the Dubs twice, Timberwolves, Cavs, Heat and the Thunder. Lillard averaging an insane 32 ppg over the winning streak shooting better than 45% from the field and 40% from deep. This team is getting hot at the best time, playing their best basketball with the playoffs around the corner. The defense is much improved post new year and the Dame, CJ and Nurkic combination is looking great. However, it would be really tough for them to make a Western conference final. The Blazers play a similar style to the Rockets and the Warriors. While yes, they do have a superstar in Damian Lillard, they don’t have the athletes or the shooters to compete with those two. Their defense is better but still relatively unproven. Their homecourt isn’t locked up and it wouldn’t be surprising if they got bounced in the first round. With Dame and CJ, they still have a chance.

Best Case: Second round exit

Worst Case: First round exit

Oklahoma City Thunder

What a whirlwind a season for the Thunder. The crazy offseason moves to retool the team and add Paul George and Carmelo Anthony with last year’s MVP Russel Westbrook. The high expectations of competing with Warriors and Rockets for the Western Conference championship, some people even had them ahead of the Rockets. They got off to a rough start as Paul George and Russel Westbrook took time to mesh. The Thunder finally start to click and make their march up the standings. When it looked like everything was going in the right direction, their defense anchor goes down for the season. The loss of Andre Roberson can’t be understated for this team. This team had a top 3 defense before his injury, after the injury it’s a crazy drop. The Thunder after the injury are a bottom 10 defense. That’s just mind boggling, and it’s scary. However, they have the most star power from this group. A reigning MVP in Westbrook and a superstar in George. Still struggling since the injury, there is a possibility that they don’t make the playoffs. However, I’m betting on the mamba mentality of Westbrook. There are enough easy games left on the schedule from them to take care of business.

This is a playoff team. They are built for the playoff basketball, obviously they would love to have their anchor in Roberson back, but life must go on. I’m certain this team will be able to handle the first round and go on to play the Warriors or the Rockets. As crazy as it sounds, I think they have a shot. They have the length, athleticism, strength, quickness to bother those teams and make them play the Thunder way. With Westbrook and George and might be as good a duo as anyone not named KD and Steph. With Steven Adams and his rugged style, it will really be beneficial in the playoffs.

Best Case: Championship

Worst Case: Lottery

New Orleans Pelicans

A devastating loss for the Pelicans in losing Boogie Cousins. However, what that has done is free up Anthony Davis. The brow has been on a tear and leading the Pelicans to huge gains in the West. Rallying a winning streak of 10 games propelling them into the 4^th seed in the Western conference. Anthony Davis is big time, a superstar and a top 10 player in the league. He gets it done on both ends, inside and out, can handle the ball, shoot jumpers and play in the post. He can do it all and is only 24 years old. Jrue Holiday starting to get closer to his all-star past. He has played much better since moving to the shooting guard spot as Rondo handles the point guard position. Besides those two this team doesn’t have much more. While Jrue Holiday is a good NBA player all this teams’ success starts and ends with Anthony Davis.

Let’s be honest even if this team can get out of the first round because of the likely superman efforts of Davis it will struggle against a Golden State or Houston. It will still be interesting to watch simply because of how good Anthony Davis is. A superstar and future MVP. This team will only go as far as he takes them.

Best Case: Second round exit

Worst Case: First round exit

San Antonio Spurs

Last season the Spurs were the 2^nd best team in basketball right behind the Warriors. They had a top 5 player and arguably the best two-way player in the entire league Kawhi Leonard. They have the best coach in NBA history just always keeping his team ready and getting wins like it’s a factory. The future looked bright as their superstar was still young and could only get better.

This season has been very strange to say the least. Kawhi Leonard out with a quad injury and just strange reports of him isolated from the team and tensions with the organization. However, the Spurs still started out and had the 3^rd best record in the West for a very long time. Then their offense started catching up to them as they just didn’t have enough weapons to compete on a night to night basis. Their schedule started catching up to them with their depleted roster of role players. The bright spot has been the play of Lamarcus Aldridge. After struggling the past two seasons and being asked to carry the legacy of the great Tim Duncan playing behind Kawhi, his play took a hige hit. This year however, as the number one option he has blossmed back to his Portland years.

This teams desperatley needs Kawhi back. Their aspirations are all based on Kawhi, his health and getting him integrated back into the fold. This team went from 3rd to 10th and are now sitting in 8th just barely making it in this crazy race for the playoffs.

Best Case: Conference finals visit

Worst Case: Lottery