Today is part two of our series listing the four best teams that can advance to the NBA Finals in each conference. Now that we have shown our four best teams from the East, it’s time to proceed to the Western Conference.
Derrick Branch
Phoenix Suns: The Suns were last year’s Western Conference representative in the NBA Finals. After going up 2-0 on the Milwaukee Bucks, they could not recover from two momentum-changing games in Milwaukee. Phoenix would lose the series 4-2 in last year’s NBA Finals. The Suns have the same core intact from last year’s deep postseason run. The experience is going to pay huge dividends once the playoffs start. Right now, Phoenix is the number one seed in the Western Conference. Unless something changes between now and the end of the season, the road to the NBA Finals will come through Phoenix.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Memphis Grizzlies rebuild was shorter than expected. Now they are right behind the Phoenix Suns for the top seed in the Western Conference. However, on Wednesday, the Grizzlies showed how lethal they could be when facing an opponent. Without the presence of star guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies dismantled the Brooklyn Nets 132-120 in a primetime matchup. Do not be surprised if these two face each other again on a much larger stage.
Golden State Warriors: There’s isn’t too much to say about the Golden State Warriors. You should know who they are and what they are about. When stars such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are on the court, they are difficult to stop. The newest addition to the nucleus, Jordan Poole will be crucial down the stretch.
Dallas Mavericks: While the Dallas Mavericks do not have a second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic, the supporting cast is solid. Due to not having a clear-cut favorite out of the West, the Mavericks could be a team that makes things interesting. As long as their top player Doncic is playing well, the Mavericks will have a chance to win a lot of postseason games.
Liaudwin Seaberry
Phoenix Suns: Led by star guard Devin Booker, the Suns will have the NBA’s best record after the season. Despite losing point guard Chris Paul for the rest of the regular season, they’ve continued their winning ways. Young players such as De’Andre Ayton and Mikal Bridges stepped up and continued to improve upon each game. With the perfect mixture of youth and veterans, Phoenix certainly seems to be the favorite to repeat as Western Conference champions.
Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry’s injury will sideline him for the regular season. The Warriors still feature a lot of talent that includes sharpshooter Klay Thompson, do it all big man Draymond Green, and improving young guard Jordan Poole. All-Star starter Andrew Wiggins contributes in a significant way as well. This team has the potential to make a Finals run, but they will need to get Curry back to 100% to have a chance to do that.
Memphis Grizzlies: The biggest surprise team in the NBA, Memphis’s rise has occurred along with the rise of superstar point guard Ja Morant. Sharpshooter Desmond Bane and stretch big Jaren Jackson Jr. complete a strong trio of performers for the Grizzlies, but their depth provides an avenue in case of injury. The NBA Finals may seem like a stretch for the youngest team in the NBA, but who thought they would reside in the position they are in right now??
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic leads a team that’s flown under the radar, but they will be able to make a run due to their superstar’s ability to dictate the pace of a game. Handyman Tim Hardaway blankets the opposition’s best scorer, and his defensive prowess allows Doncic to take off on the offensive end. However, their weakness lies in the middle. While Dwight Powell is a solid center, he fails to provide the juice needed for the Mavericks to make a deep run. However, this team lives and dies around the play of Doncic. If he plays well, the team will have a chance to open a few eyes around the country during the playoffs. If not, it could be a quick trip in the playoffs for Dallas.
Brian Bada
Golden State Warriors: The Golden State Warriors are back as contenders in the West. Steph Curry has his running mate back in Klay Thompson. Draymond Green is playing great defense once again. However, the player that will determine their ceiling is Jordan Poole.
Phoenix Suns: The Phoenix Suns are better than they were last year. They can beat you in many ways. The question is can they execute better when adversity hits.
Dallas Mavericks: The Dallas Mavericks have finally built a solid team around Luka Doncic. They have multiple shot creators that can make the game easier for Luka. In addition, their defense is much better this year.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Memphis Grizzlies can make it to the Finals. They are led by one of the best players in the NBA in Ja Morant. This team is very young, but they have players who play beyond their years.
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