The Real Contenders of the Western Conference

The NBA’s power conference is without a doubt the Western conference. It has sustained a category of excellence for a better half of the decade. With the exception of the short run the Miami Heat endured, the NBA usually comes to a close with a Western conference squad hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. Even with the Eastern conference adding Kevin Love to a star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers team, I doubt it will be enough to take down my top choices in the Western conference. The west is loaded but after careful consideration, I have chosen three teams who I feel have the strongest chance to win the NBA title at season’s end.

3. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have had a great team for a very long time, led by All-star forward Marc Gasol. Memphis is currently the second best team in the conference and have played well as a unit all season long. Playing Memphis in the postseason will be no easy task especially at home; they are currently 27-7 at home. It’s no secret that in years past teams have struggled to play in Memphis. The crowd and atmosphere is electric to say the least. The noise level is earth shattering and the fans are right up on you. Big man, Zach Randolph is a double-double threat averaging 16.5 points along with 11.0 rebounds per game; he is the true X-factor for the Grizzlies. Gasol and Z-Bo have taken the Grizzlies to the next level. This may be the year that they take the next step and avoid an early playoff exit.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Now I know what you are saying, how can the Spurs be a threat and they are only a sixth seed. Well, they are the defending NBA champions for one as well and it is their style of basketball. How often have we seen them run in the middle of the pack for the entire season? They still will quietly win 50 games as they currently sit at 44-25 and will only get better as the playoffs draw near. Ask anyone in the west and I’m sure nobody wants to face Gregg Popovich if they do not have to. Playing San Antonio on the road or at home isn’t easy for even the most elite teams and players. Just ask Lebron James, he is 1-2 against the Spurs in the Finals, and if not for a botched rebound by Danny Green, he may have been 0-3 in Finals matchups versus San Antonio.

The Spurs have heard it all over the years. They’re too old, too slow, how long can they keep it going. Yet and still, the Spurs… Keep…Winning! I think this year may be no different. If its one thing we’ve learned it’s that the Spurs are as fundamentally sound and yet still a fierce team that can break you down on both sides of the ball.  If they yet again win the title, how can we not be surprised?

1. Golden State Warriors

Every once in a while, a team takes that next step and becomes something special. Teams who produce and obliterate matchups mentally before the opening tip do not come around that often. The level of intimidation you face playing the Warriors is unlike any other. The great duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson is just down right epic. I mean my goodness some nights it’s as if they play a game of who can destroy the defense more efficiently. Curry, who is having an MVP year, is now an elite point guard in this league. Night after night he plays great confident basketball. Not only is he a sniper from beyond the arc, but Curry has added an effective crossover to his arsenal. Just ask the Clippers about Curry and that crossover. Who could forget him performing a crossover dribble and a sweet somewhat effortless three-point shot?

Klay Thompson is the other half of the “Splash Brothers”. His effectiveness from beyond the arc is unreal. Posting career highs in three-point shooting percentage, Thompson will only get better in what is a young but promising career. The Warriors also have depth that makes them a problem for most teams. Andrew Bogut, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Marreese Speights all contribute to the cause of winning. This team as a unit has mastered being fundamentally sound as well as including flashy, jaw dropping plays. Barring serious injury or an absolute shocking downfall, I do not see the Warriors falling short of at least a trip to the Finals. They have a great shot at representing the west in the Finals and could easily dispose of any Eastern conference team in a seven game series.