NBA

Predicting The Final NBA Western Conference Standings For 2014-15 Season

Fresh Videos

By

Predicting The Final Western Conference Standings

Predicting The Final Western Conference Standings
Getty Images

Once again, the NBA's Western Conference is stacked with talented teams both young and experienced. From the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs to the rebuilding Minnesota Timberwolves, any team can win on any given night. With so much parity in the NBA, here's a prediction of the final 2014-15 NBA Western Conference standings.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves
Getty Images

15. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves
Getty Images

The departure of a player like Kevin Love will set almost any team back a couple seasons. The Timberwolves have a nice group of young athletic role players, but are very much inexperienced and lack a proven star. Look for Thaddeus Young and Ricky Rubio to lead the Timberwolves in points and assists, but don't expect too many wins from the young Wolves. Will Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine be Rookie of the Year candidates?

14. Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz
Getty Images

14. Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz
Getty Images

Despite returning their starting five from last season, the Jazz remain a few years away from actually contending for a playoff seed. The Jazz made the necessary moves during the offseason by re-signing scoring forward Gordon Hayward, while adding Rodney Hood and Dante Exum through the draft. If the Jazz can get consistent production from their post players, they will surprise a lot of teams in the difficult Western Conference.

13. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant
Getty Images

13. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant
Getty Images

Even the return of Kobe Bryant won't be able to save the Los Angeles Lakers, who've already gotten off to an 0-3 start. Already thin and inexperienced in the post, the loss of rookie Julius Randle will be more significant than most realize. Kobe will get his points, but if the trio of Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis and Jordan Hill can't stay out of foul trouble the Lakers will be playing for another lottery selection.

12. Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets
Getty Images

12. Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets
Getty Images

The Denver Nuggets always exceed expectations on the court, so don't be surprised to see them higher in the standings at the end of the season. Unlike last season, the Nuggets are healthy and forward Kenneth Faried is a growing beast on the boards. Who will be the leader of this team? Can Ty Lawson remain healthy?

11. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings
Getty Images

11. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings
Getty Images

The Kings are led by arguably one of the best centers in the league in DeMarcus Cousins and small forward Rudy Gay. The addition of point guard Darren Collison will prove to be a steal, as the pass-first guard is just what Cousins and Gay need. Will the Kings be able to get some production from their outside scorers so teams won't be able to double-team Cousins? Ben McLemore, Nik Stauskas and Ray McCallum will all be important for the Kings.

10. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies
Getty Images

10. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies
Getty Images

With a healthy Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies should again be in the thick of things this season. Although the Grizzlies have one of the most underrated post tandems in the NBA, their guard rotation is pretty average. Can the pair of Gasol and Randolph lead the Grizzlies back to the playoffs, or has the rest of the Western Conference caught up?

9. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans
Getty Images

9. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans
Getty Images

The Pelicans should be a much improved team this season with Anthony Davis running the show. In his first game of the season, Davis already looks like an MVP candidate, almost recording a triple-double (26 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks). With the return of Ryan Anderson, look for the Pelicans to spread the floor and let Davis control the middle.

8. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns
Getty Images

8. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns
Getty Images

Last season, the Phoenix Suns just missed out on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Despite being a little thin in the post, look for the Suns to contend for a playoff spot with their fast-paced offense. If they can find a way to keep all their guards happy and the Morris twins can stay out of foul trouble, the Suns will be much improved.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
Getty Images

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
Getty Images

With all the injuries to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a No. 7 seed may be a little generous. With Russell Westbrook added to the injured list, the Thunder will need both Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams to step up offensively if they want to stay in contention until their superstars get back. If Reggie Jackson can get back on the court soon, the Thunder might not slip too far. If Jackson is out longer than two weeks, the Thunder may struggle.

7. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
Getty Images

6. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
Getty Images

Anytime Dwight Howard and James Harden are both healthy, the Houston Rocket will be playoff contenders. The loss of Chandler Parsons and lack of depth at the point guard position might haunt the young Rockets. If Patrick Beverley can remain healthy and differ to his stars, the Rockets will be higher on this list.

5. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors
Getty Images

5. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors
Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors return one of the best scoring backcourts in basketball in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. However, with first-year head coach Steve Kerr at the helm and an injury-prone frontcourt, the Warriors might see a little drop off from last season. Can Curry and Thompson propel the Warriors to a top-four seed in the west?

4. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
Getty Images

4. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
Getty Images

On paper, the Dallas Mavericks have all the necessary tools to give the Spurs a run for the Western Conference title. If Dallas can stay healthy and rotate the basketball, they will be a scary team in the west. The addition of Chandler Parson gives Dallas a third scoring threat, and the return of Tyson Chandler should improve the Mavericks' defense tremendously.

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trailblazers
Getty Images

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trailblazers
Getty Images

With a year of playoff experience under their belts, don't be surprised to see the Portland Trail Blazers atop the Western Conference. Despite a thin bench, the Blazers return their starting five from last season and should see an increase in production from Thomas Robinson and C.J. McCollum. If the Blazers can't stay healthy or get production from their bench, they'll be competing with the Pelicans and Suns for one of the final playoff seeds.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers
Getty Images

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers
Getty Images

Look for the Clippers to go as far as Chris Paul takes them. The savvy point guard is one of the best decision-makers in the game and should lead the Clippers to a division title. Although the Clippers should easily win their division, their goal is an NBA championship. With Blake Griffin expanding his range and an improved bench, the Clippers should give the champs a run for their money. Can the Clippers dethrone the Spurs?

1. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
Getty Images

1. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
Getty Images

It would be crazy not to have the reigning NBA champions as the top team in the Western Conference. Despite their age or lack of athleticism, the Spurs remain fundamentally sound contenders, and it doesn't hurt to have a very good coach. With Kawhi Leonard growing into one of the game's premiere defenders and Danny Green launching threes, the Spurs should once again play for another championship.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on