Winning the West: Can anyone topple the Lakers?

Making definitive lists for a tough and competitive Western Conference is difficult. So much can go wrong for several teams, while some teams who aren’t expected to make the playoffs can ride a streak of momentum that could take them to the postseason.

Some teams on this list are perhaps an injury or two away from not making the playoffs. Some are more stable, walking on solid and steady ground rather than a thin tightrope. It’s risky to predict how these teams will perform, yet at the same time, the volatility and unpredictability is what makes it all very appealing.

Here is part two of the 2020-2021 Western Conference rankings.

8. Golden State Warriors

2019-20 record: 15-50 (15th) | Offensive rating: 104.4 (30th) | Defensive rating: 113.0 (26th)

Draftees: James Wiseman (2nd), Nico Mannion (48th) | Key additions: Kelly Oubre Jr, Brad Wanamaker, Kent Bazemore | Key loss: Klay Thompson (Achilles tear)

The Warriors could have easily belonged to the top tier of Western Conference teams. They had the potential to return to their title-contending status, and had a legitimate chance to topple the Los Angeles duopoly that currently rules over the West.

An untimely Achilles rupture changed that notion overnight.

With Klay Thompson sidelined for an additional season, Stephen Curry won’t have his fellow Splash Brother beside him to terrorize opponents like they did in previous years. 

The Warriors’ season may very well live or die on Curry’s ability to be an offensive force on and off the ball. Thompson’s absence will make the burden on Curry much more difficult.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are looking to become a top defensive unit, and they have the tools to be one. 

Draymond Green is a proven elite defender, while the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr will drastically improve the Warriors’ wing defense, especially when combined with Andrew Wiggins’ length and athleticism. Such a combination can be a recipe for numerous defensive stops and transition opportunities.

James Wiseman, the second-overall pick in the draft, will be put to the test throughout the entire season, and the Warriors will need him to show that he can be a serviceable NBA center, if not already a transcendent talent.

Despite the early preseason challenges, the Warriors are still capable of being a mid-to-low playoff seed. Curry deserves the benefit of the doubt – after all, he is a two-time MVP, a three-time champion, and the man who changed the game of basketball simply by stepping on the court.

That is contingent on Curry being healthy and staying that way throughout the year. If he sits out a significant number of games, then the Warriors will have another disappointing season.

7. Phoenix Suns

2019-20 record: 34-39 (10th) | Offensive rating: 111.3 (12th) | Defensive rating: 110.8 (17th)

Draftees: Jalen Smith (10th) | Key additions: Chris Paul, Jae Crowder | Key losses: Kelly Oubre Jr, Aron Baynes

After not making the playoffs despite going 8-0 in the regular season bubble, the Phoenix Suns were bent on making an offseason splash – and what they managed to pull off was a monumental wave.

They were able to acquire Chris Paul through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, all while managing to keep Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges. With Paul proving that he can still perform at an All-Star/All-NBA level, the Suns managed to improve their playoff stock overnight.

They also were able to sign Jae Crowder, whose late season performance with the Miami Heat significantly improved his value. His ability to defend wings and forwards, as well as his improved three-point shooting (44.5% on threes in 20 regular season games with the Heat), will be useful in the Suns’ push toward a playoff berth.

With Paul acting as a mentor, leader, and on-court floor general – in addition to Booker’s emergence as the Suns’ franchise player and Ayton’s steady improvement – the Suns are looking like a dangerous opponent for a top seed in the first round of the playoffs.

6. Dallas Mavericks

2019-20 record: 43-32 (7th) | Offensive rating: 115.9 (1st) | Defensive rating: 111.2 (18th)

Draftees: Josh Green (18th), Tyrell Terry (31st), Tyler Bey (36th) | Key additions: Josh Richardson | Key losses: Seth Curry, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The impact of Luka Dončić on the Mavericks was monumental, as evidenced by the fact that they posted an offensive rating of 115.9 points per 100 possessions – the most efficient offense in NBA history.

However, the Mavericks were a below-average defensive unit, and if they are to compete with the behemoths of the Western Conference, they will need to find a way to defend much better than they did last season.

The addition of Josh Richardson will improve the Mavericks’ perimeter defense, but as to whether that will be enough for them to make a leap is still unknown. The general sentiment is that the Mavericks will need another star-level player next to Dončić and Kristaps Porzinģis in order to make that leap.

Until then, count on the Mavericks to be a mid-tier playoff seed. 

5. Portland Trail Blazers

2019-20 record: 35-39 (8th) | Offensive rating: 113.2 (3rd) | Defensive rating: 114.3 (27th)

Draftees: CJ Elleby (46th) | Key additions: Robert Covington, Harry Giles, Enes Kanter, Derrick Jones Jr | Key losses: Hassan Whiteside, Trevor Ariza

Just like the Mavericks, the Blazers are a team of two extremes. On one end, they were among the best offensive teams, with their efficiency (113.2 points per 100 possessions) being ranked third in the league. Not surprising, considering they have Damian Lillard, one of the best offensive guards in the NBA.

But on the other hand, they were the fourth-worst defense in terms of efficiency (114.3 points allowed per 100 possessions), so it was natural for them to acquire one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league in Robert Covington, as well as adding some length with the acquisition of Derrick Jones Jr.

But will they be enough? Most probably, to a certain extent. Lillard and CJ McCollum can continue to do their thing on offense, while Covington, Jones Jr, Gary Trent Jr (who had a breakout bubble stint) and the returning Rodney Hood can focus on backing them up and covering for the duo’s defensive deficiencies.

The presence of Jusuf Nurkić makes the loss of Hassan Whiteside virtually negligible, but he will have to stay healthy. Otherwise, the Blazers will have to count on Zach Collins, who is decent on defense but not as excellent as Nurkić, and Enes Kanter, a notoriously bad defender. 

Carmelo Anthony, as always, will be a defensive liability, especially at this point of his career. It’s his offense, or whatever’s left of it, that will be counted on heavily.

The Blazers have been on the cusp of championship contention for what seems like forever now. If they manage to fall short again this season, more drastic changes may have to be implemented – which could mean breaking up the Lillard-McCollum backcourt.

4. Utah Jazz

2019-20 record: 44-28 (6th) |Offensive rating: 111.8 (9th) |Defensive rating: 109.3 (13th)

Draftees: Udoka Azubuike (27th), Elijah Hughes (39th) | Key addition: Derrick Favors | Key losses: None

The Jazz are another team that seem to be a constant presence in the playoffs but have experienced little progress, despite adding pieces that should improve their chances. 

They signed Mike Conley to a two-year contract last season, and a mid-season trade for Jordan Clarkson improved their bench instantly. Bojan Bogdanović added elite shooting, and Donovan Mitchell ascended to All-Star status last season and was rewarded with a max extension.

But the one question mark on their team happens to be their best defender. Rudy Gobert is no doubt a game changer on defense, but it’s his individual offense – or lack thereof – that is the concern. 

Gobert has problems with shot creation, and the only way he can be effective is if he is set up by a teammate or through offensive rebounds. It is because of that limitation that the Jazz are hesitant on offering Gobert a five-year, $247.3 million supermax extension. 

With little changing in terms of roster makeup, the Jazz might continue being a middling Western Conference playoff team. At that point, they will have a lot of introspection to do in terms of who to keep, who to let go, and who to acquire.

3. Denver Nuggets

2019-20 record: 46-27 (3rd) |Offensive rating: 112.6 (5th) | Defensive rating: 110.4 (16th)

Draftees: Zeke Nnaji (22nd), RJ Hampton (24th) | Key additions: JaMychal Green, Facundo Campazzo | Key loss: Jerami Grant

Making the Western Conference Finals was a significant improvement for the Nuggets, and they had to come back from a 3-1 deficit twice in order to do it. Jamal Murray’s game skyrocketed to stratospheric levels, and Nikola Jokić showed why he is the best offensive center in the NBA.

Even if the Nuggets lost to the Lakers in the WCF, they still had much to be proud of. Despite losing Jerami Grant – an important piece in their playoff run – they managed to replace him with JaMychal Green, someone who shoots better (career 37.4% shooter from three-point range) than Grant (career 34.7% on threes).

Michael Porter Jr displayed his potential as a versatile scorer. While his defense left a lot to be desired, Porter is still young, and if he shows a desire to improve defensively, he could become the Nuggets’ third star.

Can the Nuggets repeat their playoff run? Definitely, but they’ll need to shore up their defense, which was subpar in terms of efficiency (110.4 points allowed per 100 possessions, 16th in the league). 

If the defense improves – and the Murray-Jokić tandem continues from where they left off – then the Nuggets could take the next step of upsetting the Lakers in a potential WCF rematch.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

2019-20 record: 49-23 (2nd) | Offensive rating: 113.3 (2nd) | Defensive rating: 106.9 (5th)

Draftees: Daniel Oturu (33rd), Jay Scrubb (55th) | Key additions: Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum | Key losses: Montrezl Harrell, Landry Shamet, JaMychal Green

The most controversial team in the Western Conference last season – for a variety of reasons – the Clippers also were the biggest disappointment.

Most people considered the Clippers as preseason favorites last year. Many thought the addition of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to an overachieving squad would be more than enough to win them a title.

But that never happened, mostly because of circumstances beyond the Clippers’ control, such as the global pandemic ruining their momentum and ruining their on-court jelling process. This was most noticeable in Montrezl Harrell, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year who regressed during the bubble because of missing a considerable amount of time due to the death of his grandmother.

There was also conflict behind the scenes. Several players in the organization thought that Leonard and George received preferential treatment, such as control of practices and control of their playing time. Leonard and George seemingly did not set a good example as the perceived leaders of the team. 

Despite such troubles, the Clippers actually did pretty well on both offense (113.3 points per 100 possessions, 2nd in the league) and defense (106.9 points allowed per 100 possessions, 5th in the league). 

They managed to get better through their offseason additions, with Serge Ibaka being a significant improvement over Harrell in terms of defense. Batum’s profile as a lengthy and versatile wing will also provide defensive depth.

Barring any more pandemic-related interruptions, the Clippers will have no excuse on their path to translating regular season success into a championship. Anything less will be considered another catastrophe of a season.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

2019-20 record: 52-19 (1st) | Offensive rating: 111.7 (11th) | Defensive rating: 106.1 (3rd)

Draftees: None | Key additions: Montrezl Harrell, Dennis Schröder, Marc Gasol, Wesley Matthews | Key losses: Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee

Remember when the Warriors acquired Kevin Durant in 2016? Most people were up in arms over that coup simply because the Warriors – already replete with All-Stars and a two-time MVP in Steph Curry – went ahead and got themselves another MVP in Durant. It was a classic case of the rich getting richer.

While the Lakers’ offseason had nowhere near the amount of pomp and circumstance, it was still very much a case of the rich getting much richer. 

Sure, they lost Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, and Dwight Howard – but they replaced them with the winner and runner-up of the Sixth Man of the Year award (Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schröder), a former Defensive Player of the Year and one of the greatest passing big men in NBA history (Marc Gasol), and a highly dependable 3-and-D wing (Wesley Matthews).

Add to that the fact that both LeBron James (two years, $85 million) and Anthony Davis (five years, $190 million) signed contract extensions, and it’s looking like the Lakers aren’t giving up their status as top dogs anytime soon. 

They are unquestionably the team to beat, with the most likely outcome being the Lakers winning another title and James winning his fifth ring.

Check out the first part of the NBA Western Conference preseason rankings: West end: Can these teams defy preseason rankings?

– Rappler.com