Stephen Curry knew that changes were inevitable.
That said, Curry and the Golden State Warriors don’t change their expectations.
Western Conference champions for the past five seasons, the Warriors are not the favorites to represent their side of the league in the NBA Finals Series, understandable after losing the likes of Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala. But Curry assures that the Warriors will persist to remain what they have been during the last five years: – “a team feared throughout the league.”
“You have to look at each era of basketball,” Curry said. “For a team to sustain this kind of level and this greatness, it doesn’t happen often. And when you need a replacement, it may look different, but in great teams, great players know how to solve.
The point is, there are so many great players – and teams that can be formidable – in the West this season.
The Los Angeles Clippers leave as big favorites to win the NBA title, according to the sportsbooks in Las Vegas, after signing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Los Angeles Lakers still have LeBron James and added Anthony Davis. Houston reunited James Harden with Russell Westbrook. Denver and Utah have very complete rosters. Portland might have the best shooting guard duo in the league.
“You can’t underestimate him,” said Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti. “It is extremely difficult to win games in the NBA, especially in the West, as things are.”
Perhaps more complicated than ever.
“Someone will finish ninth and get fired when they shouldn’t be because they did an excellent job,” said D’Antoni. But that’s the way it is.
Here’s a look at the teams in the West, in the order the teams are predicted to finish.
IN PLAYOFFS
1. Denver – Little is said about this team, and that is inexplicable. The Nuggets are young, they’ve shown they can win, and their win numbers have risen in each of the first four seasons with manager Michael Malone.
2. Houston – James Harden enters his 11th season, Russell Westbrook begins his 12th. Mike D’Antoni in his last year of contract. It’s now or never for Houston and they have the conference within reach.
3. LA Clippers – When Paul George returns after recovering from two shoulder surgeries to join Kawhi Leonard in the new Clippers, this will be a potentially scary team on defense. They will hit the ceiling towards the end of the campaign, and take it all.
4. LA Lakers – It is of relative importance to say that they are the fourth best team in the West. LeBron James fully understands that the months that matter are April, May and June, so he cares little about the Lakers’ placement as long as they secure a playoff berth.
5. Utah – Donovan Mitchell is just coming together, Rudy Gubert was the best defensive player of the year and Joe Ingles is much better than people think. Bojan Bogdanovic’s addition is huge, plus Mike Conley’s – if he’s healthy.
6. Golden State – They lost Durant, Iguodala and Shaun Livingston – plus Klay Thompson will be absent for most of the season. But the Warriors still have Curry. Quiet. They will survive.
7. Portland – Too low, but that’s the situation in the West. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are elite players, Terry Stotts is underrated and don’t be surprised if the Blazers step up later.
8. San Antonio – LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan lead a young core team consisting of Lonnie Walker IV, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. Incidentally, Gregg Popovich remains the coach. Don’t look down on the Spurs.
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IN THE FIGHT
9. Dallas – Dirk Nowitzki has retired, but the new duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis has enormous potential. The Mavericks haven’t won a playoff series since the 2011 finale, but they will be close this season.
10. Minnesota – Ryan Saunders’ first full season as coach will underpin the Timberwolves. But even a five-win rally wouldn’t reach them to make the playoffs. The difference could be a Karl-Anthony Towns playing at his best all season.
11. Sacramento – Rick Adelman led the Kings to their last postseason series in 2006. Luke Walton has been the team’s 10th coach since then. Although it has Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield, its task is very difficult
12. New Orleans – Zion Williamson’s knee is already causing concern, which is not a good sign for the first draft pick. If Williams is not physically fit, it could be a turbulent season for the Pelicans.
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Unprovable
13. Oklahoma City – There is a lot of talent on this team: Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams. If all goes well, the Thunder will fight for a ticket. Or will they prefer to keep making trades and piling up draft picks?
14. Phoenix – Devin Booker has not yet reached his prime. But the Suns have averaged 22 wins in the past four seasons and a fourth coach – Monty Williams – in a 24-month span.
15. Memphis – The 2020 Grizzlies’ first-round pick is guaranteed to be in the top six, or else it goes to Boston. The Celtics shouldn’t trust it. The Grizzlies’ goal this year? Simple: let Ja Morant adapt to the league.