Community Shootaround: Western Darkhorse

Earlier today we asked readers to weigh in on who they thought might be capable of contending with the Celtics and Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. This time around, we’d like to hear who could emerge as a serious threat to win the Western Conference ahead of Kevin Durant and the Warriors.

Currently pegged by Vegas as 4/11 favorites to win the West, the Warriors are head and shoulders above their closest peers. That’s not so surprising considering that earlier this week we asked readers whether they thought the club would exceed the 67.5 win-threshold that NBA oddsmakers had set for them.

A whopping 54% said Over!

Sure the Warriors have won 67, 73 and 67 games over the course of the last three years, respectively, but it’s worth pointing out that a 68-win campaign would put them in a tie with the 1967 Sixers for the fifth most wins of all time.

Appreciating the historical context of what the Warriors have done and truly recognizing the consensus that says Golden State will once again put forth a blisteringly dominant campaign, who of the remaining Western Conference clubs could possibly top them in a seven-game series?

Will the addition of Chris Paul push the Rockets into the conversation? Can the Spurs strike gold again after falling short the past few seasons? Could an upstart like the Timberwolves or Nuggets catch them sleeping in a second-round battle?

You tell us in the comments below.

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