Is it a Fail Season?
The Playoffs are less than 2 months away and the Western Conference is a tight as ever. New teams are at the top of the pyramid — Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Those teams stand in the way of teams who have been around for awhile — Los Angeles (L) and Golden State. I would like to break this up into two parts: The Consistent Four and the Seed Swapping Six.
The Consistent Four: Clippers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Thunder
Los Angeles Clippers
Main Pieces: A “healthy” Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Head Coach Ty Lue
Why they should win: This team have a potential four future Hall of Famers and a Hall of Fame Coach. In a series, it will be difficult to beat them if they are healthy. With Russell Westbrook & Norman Powell coming off the bench, it gives them an edge most teams in the West don’t have. When it comes to close games – Kawhi, PG and Harden have plenty of experience.
Repercussion if they Lose 1st Rd: With contracts coming up for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, & James Harden will they ever win? The league is getting younger and they are getting older. The window is closing – minute by minute.
Denver Nuggets
Main Pieces: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr.
Why they will win: They already did it once remember?
Repercussion if they lose 1st Rd: If they lose, it probably be due to poor bench play. Outside of the starters its hard to lean on the bench productivity (26th in the league). Bruce Brown absence can be felt here.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Main Pieces: Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
Why they will win: The cohesive and consistency of the team this season. They have no weakness and didn’t stand in their way.
Repercussion if they lose 1st Rd: Ant Man didn’t fulfill the shoes to Superstardom or the more likely option is that Karl Anthony Towns immaturity showed up again. Will they let this duo give it another shot or do they break it up too early.
OKC Thunder
Main Pieces: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams
Why they will win: Youth will prevail. Why other teams are more experienced that usually comes with age. In this long season, youth is on OKC’s side and they have a MVP Candidate, in Shai, that’s playing like a veteran.
Repercussion if they lose 1st Rd: NOTHING, they made it to the top already, however decisions will be made about who will be apart of the core long term. This team is one star away from dominating the league. If that is true, how do they get them?
Wildcard TV 
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