After the Warriors won the NBA title fans everywhere were left asking how the NBA was going to fix this unequitable balance of power. Well we figured out within the first three weeks of the offseason. Instead of accepting that the Warriors are the super team in the west two teams in the conference went and grabbed two superstars of their own. The league is slowly finding its balance of power again by bringing all of it to the west. At this point 14 teams in the East have practically no reason to play a season. It is a forgone conclusion that the Cavs will be back in the finals next year. The western conference competitor not so much anymore.
With all the massive moves this week in the NBA there is one clear winner and that is the Western Conference. So with Paul George to the Thunder and Chris Paul to the Rockets here is how the new balance of power in the west shakes out.
- Golden State Warriors: With a Steph megadeal in place and all signs pointing to a KD re-sign the Warriors remain at the top of the mountain. Even if they lose some depth this season as long as Steph, KD, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green remain the Warriors should remain Repeat favorites.
- Houston Rockets: While Golden State may be repeat favorites they may not have as easy a path back to the finals as they have in the past years. Houston is a serious contender for the 1 seed. A team that lead the league in assists adds one of the league’s best passers and best shut down defenders. Imagine if that Rockets defense is existent next year they could do real damage in the Western Conference and give the Warriors a run for their money.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: The Reason the Thunder don’t rank 2 on this list is actually because of the leagues reigning MVP. The season Westbrook had this year can never happen again if the Thunder want a championship. Westbrook will have to readjust his game to playing with a superstar again, that shouldn’t be to hard though. Behind the scenes though is where this might get tricky. If Paul George truly intends to go to LA in free agency next year then that could cause heavy tension in the OKC locker room if things don’t start well, especially because of Westbrooks strong belief in loyalty. It could also put strains on a Westbrook Contract as the Thunder consider if they want to pursue George long-term.
- San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard changed my mind about MVP in the playoffs and I would have voted for him. That is however about all the Spurs have going for them. They are the Spurs though so their rebuilding year still leaves them a top 5 team in the league. If they don’t add younger pieces around Kawhi though a playoff run seems unlikely.
- Utah Jazz: This is all dependent if Gordon Hayward stays. If Hayward left I would not have the Jazz as a playoff team. A lot of people are high on Ricky Rubio but seem to forget he is a third tier streaky point guard at best. The Jazz need to make one more big move this offseason to sign Hayward to a long-term deal and start thinking Championship.
- New Orleans Pelicans: I really think an offseason together will make a Davis Boogie colab playoff season work.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: The addition of Jimmy Butler gives this team some leadership. KAT and Andrew Wiggins will take the next step with Butler in the Building and take the T Wolves to the playoffs.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Sorry Lavar, but as long as Damian is in Portland the Lakers aren’t making the playoffs. Come on back at the end of the season and ill have an article saying I told ya so.
