Now that the dust has settled from the NBA Draft and the preceeding free-agent frenzy that was, we can take stock of where teams are sitting in their respective conferences in terms of power rankings.
The Western Conference saw it’s fair share of player movement and shake up, albeit not to the extend of the East, but nonetheless some fairly significant signings certainly impacted the power rankings. Here are eDraft’s 2014-15 NBA Western Conference Power Rankings.
1- San Antonio Spurs
It is really tough to displace the reigning NBA Champs here as the top team in the West. They have the entire team returning for another run at a title and there is no reason to think that they can’t do it. The Spurs are a well-oiled machine and they will cruise through the regular season with the best record. Come playoff time they will show once again that team basketball will come out on top versus individual excellence.
2- Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers continue to stockpile talent in hopes of finding that group that can lead them to a championship. This season they signed Spencer Hawes and Jordan Farmar to add some size and bench-scoring punch. They also picked up a decent shooting guard in the draft in the form of C.J. Wilcox who will be stuck down the depth chart behind proven veterans but could nonetheless fill it up if called upon. The Clippers will open the season as a solid favorite to win a title and if they can stay healthy there is no reason to think that a deep playoff run isn’t possible.
3- Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder didn’t do a lot to improve their roster over the offseason as they failed to land a true impact player who could improve their bench play. Sebastian Telfair and Anthony Morrow are minimum level deals that will have minimum level impact. New draftee Mitch McGary could see some minutes to stretch the floor and Steven Adams will be called upon to do the same. This team’s success is still entirely on the shoulders of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and as we have seen from previous years it just isn’t enough.
4- Golden State Warriors
A lot of turmoil around the Warriors this offseason as they fired their coach and then dealt with the persistent Kevin Love trade rumors. The Warriors big acquisition this year was Shaun Livingston, whom they poached from Brooklyn. The time is now for the Warriors, they aren’t taking anyone by surprise any more so now they need to finish teams off in the playoffs. Biggest need for them throughout the season is to stay healthy. Stephen Curry, David Lee and Andrew Bogut must stay on the court and Harrison Barnes needs to find his form again to make this team successful.
5- Houston Rockets
The offseason was not a good one for the Rockets. They lost out on getting a max-deal guy to pair with James Harden and Dwight Howard then the followed that failure up by losing Chandler Parsons to their state rival Dallas. The Rockets did sign Trevor Ariza in an attempt to fill Parsons spot, but there is a drop off there for sure. It will be another up and down season for the Rockets that will culminate in a short playoff run.
6- Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are making a push to be relevant come playoff time. The acquired the beloved Tyson Chandler from New York along with the maligned Raymond Felton. They then signed Chandler Parsons and Richard Jefferson for some offensive help and roster depth. The Mavs look like a playoff team if Dirk Nowitzki can stay healthy. A first-round playoff matchup against Houston is a real possibility.
7- Portland Trailblazers
This Blazers team is bursting with potential as the combination of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge is about as good as it comes in the NBA. Unfortunately the Blazers failed to make any significant additions this offseason and as teams around them like the Dallas Mavericks were aggressive in acquiring new talent, the Blazers stood pat with what they had. Chris Kaman is a decent plug-in player who can spell off minutes for the frontcourt but he isn’t a game changer by any stretch and it remains to be seen if he can even be effective after four injury riddled years. Portland will still be a force to content with and they won’t be anyones preferred first-round playoff matchup that’s for sure.
8-Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were big offseason players as they aggressively hit the market and by all accounts fleeced the Orlando Magic in a trade for Arron Afflalo. I like the Nuggets to squeeze into the final playoff spot here ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. A lineup that boasts of Timofey Mozgov, Kenneth Faried, J.J. Hickson, Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson could really do some damage. A fast-paced team like this that gets the advantage of playing in thinner air will be a real threat come playoff time.
9- Phoenix Suns
I love the Phoenix Suns, i’m just not as high on them as most are when it comes to seeding them in the conference. I’ve seen them as high as the four spot; but I really don’t see how that is justified. They might surprise here and sneak into the playoffs but it will be a battle and for the Suns to catch lightning in a bottle in consecutive seasons will be difficult. The addition of Isaiah Thomas was brilliant; however, it did nothing to help their frontcourt situation. Throw in the distraction that has become Eric Bledsoe and the uncertainty on Gerald Green’s contract past this season and the Suns could be primed for a letdown year.
10- Memphis Grizzlies
One cannot discount the Grizzlies in the West. They are a persistent bunch that always seems to be there when it counts. Unfortunately the Grizz did little to really improve their roster heading into the season; when your big acquisition comes in the form of a 37-year old Vince Carter, one knows that he wasn’t the team’s top target. I originally had the Grizzlies seeded in their usual seven spot in the rankings, but upon closer review of the rest of the conference, the Grizzlies made no moves to keep pace here and as a result of that they slid down the board considerably.
11- Los Angeles Lakers
Count me among the few who believes that the Lakers will do better than most expect this year. Having said that it will take a herculean effort from Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Carlos Boozer to propel this club into the postseason. The competition is just too fierce in the conference to have a mediocre club slip into a playoff spot. New head coach Byron Scott will have his patience tested with this group as he had no input or involvement in assembling the roster or drafting the rookies. A new coach with a new system and a veteran crew who are wearing down doesn’t make for a winning combination.
12- New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans remain one of the league's more exciting teams to watch; however, that fails to translate into wins for the young team. The backcourt for the Pelicans is akin to that of Phoenix's but alas only two guys play at a time generally and even with the double-double machine that is Anthony Davis it isn't going to be enough to get into the playoffs. The addition of Omer Asik will help take some of the burden off Davis but he lacks the mobility to keep pace with the offence in the open court.
13- Sacramento Kings
The Kings are set up for yet another year of absolute futility. First off we have Rudy Gay who finally opted into his contract for next season, as if $18 million wasn’t enough of an incentive. Next up we have the combustible DeMarcus Cousins who flirts with the edge of ejection on a nightly basis. The supporting cast is comprised of Ben McLemore, Darren Collison, rookie Nik Stauskas and a collection of serviceable veterans. One would think that having two USA Dream Teamers would equate to some success, unfortunately it doesn’t for amount to much more than another trip to the NBA lottery for the Kings.
14- Minnesota Timberwolves
The only thing keeping the Timberwolves from utter obscurity and last place relegation is of course their much coveted and yet to be traded Kevin Love. Once the Love trade occurs, and it will, the Timberwolves will assume their rightful spot in the basement of the Western Conference.
15- Utah Jazz
The Jazz should really be better than their record will indicate. They have a decent enough nucleus of players in Gordon Hayward, Trey Burke, Enes Kanter and the newly drafted Dante Exum. There are reasons for optimism in Utah; however, it is at least two years away from being a playoff threat in the West.