The final wave of NBA experts’ predictions for the 2019/20 season are still a week or two away, but a general consensus has already formed on the Western Conference’s playoff picture. The most commonly-held belief is that the West’s top eight teams in ’19/20 will look pretty similar to last season’s group, with the Lakers entering the mix and the Thunder dropping out. In other words, the following eight teams are viewed as postseason favorites:
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Utah Jazz
The playoff odds set by sports betting sites align with this consensus. Over at Bovada.lv, for instance, oddsmakers consider the Spurs the most tenuous playoff contender of the above group, but even San Antonio has -300 odds. In other words, you’d need to risk $300 on the Spurs making the playoffs in order to net a $100 profit.
While it may look as if the Western Conference has a clear-cut top tier of eight teams, it’s dangerous to assume that everything will play out like we expect. Every year, an NBA prediction that seems obvious in the preseason gets blown up a month or two into the season. It’s certainly possible that these eight teams are the ones left standing in the spring when the playoffs begin, but it’s just as likely that an upstart club or two cracks that top eight. There’s no shortage of contenders, with the Kings, Mavericks, Pelicans, Timberwolves, and Thunder among the Western teams that could surprise.
Of course, if one or more of those presumed lottery teams sneaks into the playoffs, that means at least one of the eight favorites will miss out. We want to know which of those eight teams makes you the most nervous and is most likely to miss the postseason.
Are you skeptical about the Spurs’ ability to extend their playoff streak as DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge get older? Do you think the Warriors have enough depth to withstand the loss of Klay Thompson for most of the season? Are both L.A. teams for real, or could potential health or chemistry issues sink one of them? How about the Trail Blazers — with Jusuf Nurkic out and many of their veteran wings not returning, can they continue to thrive? Are the Rockets susceptible to a down year if James Harden doesn’t go supernova like he did in 2018/19?
Vote below in our poll and then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts on which of the West’s presumed top-eight teams looks the most vulnerable.
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The SASpurs not only make the playoffs but … will at least make it to the 2nd round or higher :)))
The Spurs easily. Every other team listed is a lock in my opinion.
Fakers are far from a lock. If either one of AD or LBJ miss any amount of extended time,which is a decently likely scenario given AD’s fragility and LBJs increasing age, then the Lakers not only miss the playoffs but they are a likely lottery team. Over rated.
You could say that exact same thing about Golden State.
Their depth is mediocre at best while both Steph and Draymond are far from being one of the more durable players in the NBA.
We will remember that come playoff time just like how Houston was going to destroy GSW in the playoffs last year.
You realize if you miss the playoffs then you are a lottery team right?
I think this is the first time since Pop the Spurs don’t make the playoffs, with the Warriors and Blazers as dark horse predictions to fall out as well. But I still feel the that 8th seed is gonna come down to the Spurs, Kings, Mavs, and Pelicans in that order of likeliness.
I’d say GSW over the Spurs. Spurs have DeJonte Murray returning from injury. At 21 he was in the all defensive 2nd team making him the youngest ever player selected for a defensive team. He also joined DWade and Beverly as the only players to get selected in their first two seasons. He will come back and be a force.
Derrick White also just had a good break out campaign and will be even better this year after playing hard this offseason with Team USA.
DeRozen is pretty much in a contract year so expect to see him try his hardest too.
GSW on the other hand will be without Klay Thompson for ages. They lost KD, Livingstone, Iguodala, Bell, Cook, Cousins and Jones. That’s a lot of experience and a few of their main pieces. Yes they did replace some of these guys but it’s going to take time to gel and a DLo and Curry backcourt could have its own dramas also.
Evidently, I like the Spurs a lot more than most. I had a tough time placing teams in the West, before the preseason, this year. Ultimately, I think they’re better than where I placed them, although you can say that about most of the teams in the west. I’m not sure about Portland. I question their defense in certain areas, and they dont have anyone besides Anthony Tolliver at the 4, besides possibly using Nassir Little there. I think they’re arguably better on the wing than they’ve been though. Using Whiteside correctly could be of big importance. I think Zach Collins should start at the 5, with Whiteside off the bench. Their young guards should be an interesting dynamic for them though. They cant defend, but depending how they determine minutes, they could increase their offense
…I would also say I’m not so sure about OKC dropping out, assuming they dont make trades, and stay relatively healthy. They should still be pretty good defensively, and added 2 areas of need, scoring/shooting at the 4, and Chris Paul is still one of the best PGs in the NBA when healthy. They also have a bunch of young guys that can theoretically take steps forward. Ultimately, I placed them outside of the playoffs myself, but before I started looking at things, I was thinking of them as a potential playoff team…I also think a bunch of teams will be bunched up, and there could be multiple teams that narrowly miss the playoffs, as injuries and close games decide seeding
Each season, the media, as well as most casual fans, tend to underestimate the Spurs. And each season, the Spurs usually exceed those expectations. I expect the same to happen this year.
The Spurs were a good team last year despite integrating a lot of new pieces into a system that takes time to get accustomed to. With a full year under their belts, I think DeRozan and Poeltl will be better this year. On top of that, they’re getting back their starting PG, who should help shore up their uncharacteristically bad defense from last season. Finally, the Spurs have a number of young, athletic players like Lonnie who should be able to give them a different look off the bench.
Could they still miss the playoffs? Of course. But I don’t think them missing out on it is any more likely compared to teams like Portland, Golden State, etc.
I kinda like Portland. Hassan Whiteside could actually be a really good fit next to Lillard and McCollum.
Whiteside is one of the best rebounding and shot blocking players in the game. For his career he averages 11.5 rebounds and almost 2.5 blocks in only 26 minutes. At the peak of his career in good minutes he averaged 17 points 14 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Lillard and McCollum are both two amazing scorers and ball handlers but they haven’t had a dominant centre before and someone hungry to get after it. They are both not that good defensively but having someone like Whiteside in the paint will go a long way to stopping some points.
Obviously the huge hole on this team if at PF. I think with the West getting so much better and competitive that Portland should make a move to keep with the times. Kent Bazemore, Gary Trent Jr and a pair of second rounders for Marcus Morris and Frank Ntilikina would be a great deal.
Morris is also a good vet, solid defender and leader, can help score, stretch the floor, and do a little bit of everything. Frank is still a young prospect, he’s good defensively and can help play reserve PG minutes cause they also look thin. That would make Portland a better team. The Knicks don’t get a hell of a lot back. Bazemore helps their SG/SF stocks which are a bit thin. He’s solid defensively too. Trent Jr is a young prospect for them and maybe you have to turn that pair of seconds into a protected first but that’s alright.
Lol “someone hungry to get after it” doesnt describe Hassan Whiteside. Also, Whiteside doesnt play pick and roll defense. Portland still lacks half court scoring, with Nurkic out, unless they use Gasol more. Whitesides best year was when he came off the bench behind Amare. Whiteside should be good as an offensive rebounder for them though, as they miss a lot of jump shots. He doesnt set screens though, so jot sure how happy Lillard and McCollum will be with him there, unless he finally decides to come to play. When he desides to show some effort, he can be a game changer, but not in the ways you’re thinking
I think you’ll find that now he’s not in Miami he will be more willing. He got fed up by always being benched for Adebayo and especially in close games in the final quarter. He also had injury issues and all sorts. I’ve read a few story’s about when the heats coaching staff started to give up on him and DWade and Whiteside started doing private work outs and going hard. I think In a new environment with Portland where he will work with Lillard he will be hungry and get after it.
Obviously he needs to work on his pick and roll defence among other things but I think having all those haters out of his face everyday and having a new set of people continuing to push him everyday will make a huge difference.
If he fails and stuff they Portland get to clear him and 27 mil off the books at the end of the year. If he succeeds and becomes one of the most dominant players in the game again then they can resign him for a more reasonable deal
He was benched for Willie Reed, and then Bam in 4th quarters b/c the Heat were better with those guys on the floor, and he wasnt paying attention to detail, and wasnt bringing enough effort. He also was always better off the bench. I dont understand what’s so hard to get about that. He didnt earn more minutes, and should have been moved to the bench way sooner. I’ve explained it here before; they literally had to convince him to leave the locker room at times. I’m not saying I wont be rooting for him, b/c as a Miami Heat guy they brought into the league, that’s what we do when guys leave, but its ridiculous to blame the Heat, as much as he has, for the issues while he was here, and proves what a child he is. People keep talking about Portland’s culture and Lillard as if he didnt just come from Miami lol…
Also, if you think he is some sort of post threat, get ready to find out the hard way that you never saw him play. He is one of the most inefficient post players in the NBA. Hes a turnover machine, especially in those areas, and a black hole. When he passes the ball, it’s a historical moment you want to remember b/c you might not see it again. He is a great offensive rebounder, and knows how to chase blocks. If he can keep staying more disciplined with that, those are the areas he will be most impactful. Also, he has a FT mechanic which has proven to be effective, and allowed him to shoot closer to 70, or even close to 80% from the ft line, but instead chooses to not use it for most of the season, and shoot 55% b/c he “doesnt need that motion.” Then when he decides to, he goes back to it.
And again, he can still be productive for them, and I expect him to in a contract year, but that doesnt make what happened with the Heat their fault. I just hope he comes to play. If he does, as I said, he is a game changer for the things he does
Lakers. They’re probably NOT going to slip, but they’re the most likely in that group.
They’re under a lot of pressure, and expectations are huge. AD is going to play a completely different role, which is hard. The coaching situation is guaranteed to blow up at some level (maybe just Vogel gets fired, maybe Kidd gets fired after trying to stage a coup). LeBron is getting up there. A lot of teams are going to want to beat them too… They won’t be able to skate thru away games the way lower profile teams might.
And most importantly, they’re going to have to score a lot every night to win, because they’re not stopping anybody. With 10 good to great teams in the West, I don’t know that the Lakers will be good enough defensively.
Portland does not have the team they had last year. Something has to give in the WC… There’s no soft touches this year. Minnesota should bounce back. Guess I’m a Layman fan!