Doesn’t matter how hard they play. We will be BETTER this season than last, but the west has gotten TOO strong. Not sure what the Vegas line is for wins, but I’m thinking 35.
I am wondering why people think the West has gotten that much stronger this year.
OKC has not changed much and they were already had an amazing year before. Just as likely to have a post-championship downturn as they are to be better, overall, my prediction, same as the year before.
Denver are likely to be better if Cam Johnson really is an upgrade over MPJ, they did get Bruce Brown back, my prediction - a little better than last year.
SAS - If Wemby is healthy will be better, no doubt.
LAC - Likely to have some issues with all the drama around KL and the investigation. I am guessing they will, at best, be as good as last year or decline a bit.
LAL - Hard to tell, Luka looks great. LBJ is older. They got DA which can go either way. Hard to predict that one, but let's imagine they are a little better.
PHX - Last year was a disaster. But they also downgraded talent. My prediction, maybe a little better than last year, but still not good.
NOP - Downgraded some talent for sure, but if Zion is healthy... - I think they will be about the same as the year before.
Utah - Just as bad as the year before, maybe even worse
Kings - No idea what these guys are doing, they are trying to rebuild the 2020 Bulls only older on the west coast? Do not think they got better
Rockets - Better on paper, until FVV went down. Will still be a very good team, but they lost some depth and is KD still someone that brings teams up? With FVV out, I am not sure they are better than last year's team
T-Pups - Lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker, They are now committed to Randle - are they going to be better? I suspect that they are more likely to be a let down than take another step and finally crack the conference finals conundrum
GSW - Looked great last year with Steph, Dray and Jimmy, but they are old and are another injury away from folding like a house of cards, add the JK drama - and I am not sure they will be better overall than last year.
I think the western conference has not changed significantly over the summer to what it was after the trade deadline last year. Portland had a fantastic after the trade deadline performance last year, so overall, I am more bullish on the Blazers improving than the western conference is so much stronger overall. If the Blazers are really better than they were last year, I think they will flirt with an extra 3-4 wins - I do not believe the rest of the western conference got so much better.