Another regular season is in the books and again the West proved it’s the superior conference. Unlike the East, the West’s play-off teams are formidable from the top seed down to the No8 seeds.
At the summit is a familiar franchise who continue to achieve consistent excellence year after year: San Antonio.
The Spurs could have easily broken down after a crushing loss in the Finals last season when they were a free throw or rebound away from claiming a fifth title.
Instead, they showed the gas tank isn’t close to being empty, fighting off younger teams to earn home-court advantage throughout the post-season.
It’s seemingly said every year and even though San Antonio often make you look foolish, it will be true at some point: the window for contention will close.
Until that happens though, the Spurs are always well positioned with their veterans, chemistry, the best head coach in the league and execution down to the smallest detail.
The bad taste of losing last year’s Finals still lingers and San Antonio know there’s only one way to wash it away.
Kevin Durant has other ideas, however.
From the first game of the season, the Oklahoma City star has appeared to be a man on a mission of not only returning to the Finals but winning a first championship.
Durant can’t do it alone and, along with Russell Westbrook, will need the surrounding cast of the Thunder to step up.
Durant may be beyond ready to win a title but it’s still a question of whether the younger, less experienced players can deliver in key moments.
Making up the middle are the LA Clippers, Houston and Portland – the three highest scoring teams in either conference.
Doc Rivers’ arrival has improved the Clippers and Blake Griffin has had an MVP-calibre season, but the lack of talent at the wing position could ultimately be Los Angeles’ downfall.
Houston and Portland, meanwhile, play similar styles and will attempt to out-score each other to the death in what will make for a very entertaining series.
The first one to play any defence will win.
To go deep in the postseason though, the ability to get defensive stops on big possessions is paramount.
Neither the Rockets nor Trail Blazers have shown any such ability, meaning the second round will be their final round.
Golden State, despite the recent turmoil on the sidelines, are always fun to watch if nothing else because of Stephen Curry.
The sharp-shooter wowed in the playoffs last season and is always a heat check 3-pointer away from sending his home crowd in Oracle Arena into a frenzy.
Toss in fellow guard Klay Thompson’s equally accurate shooting and Andre Igoudala’s defence and the Warriors could win in an upset in the first round.
That all depends, however, on the health of big men David Lee and Andrew Bogut, as well as Mark Jackson’s coaching.
Bringing up the rear in the West are two teams who had to fight into the last week of the season to punch their ticket.
Dallas and Memphis beat out Phoenix, who unfortunately missed out despite holding a record that would qualify them as a top five team in the East.
Whereas the Mavericks are spurred by their offence and the efficiency of Dirk Nowitzki, the Grizzlies rely on their defence and the big man tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
Both squads would have better luck in the East, but in a loaded Western Conference, it’s tough to imagine them getting past the Spurs and Thunder.
While the East may have the two-time defending champions, the West will send out its best challenger after they earn their Finals spot by emerging from what is sure to be a battle royal.
