GOLDEN STATES WESTERN CONFERENCE COMPETITION
The Western Conference second place Golden State Warriors have surprised and shocked many through their first 42 games of the NBA season. There were numerous questions heading into the season whether or not they would have enough firepower to win games outside of star point guard Stephen Curry. Small forward Andrew Wiggins and shooting guard Jordan Poole have stepped up big time, both averaging over 17 points per game. Bench players like Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II have been great additions to the team providing them with an immense amount of depth. Finally, Splash Brother and the lethal three point weapon Klay Thompson has returned, making the Warriors one of the potential favorites to win their first NBA title since 2018.
So who can give this loaded team trouble down the road in a 7 game series?
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns: The Suns picked up right where they left off from last season. Currently the number 1 seed in the western conference, this team can beat anyone on any given night. Having a veteran leader and game-controlling point guard with experience in the playoffs is crucial and the Suns have just that in Chris Paul. The one two punch of Chris Paul and Devin Booker is a nightmare for opposing defenses as Booker has developed into one of the league's best shooting guards. Throw in a blossoming center in Deandre Ayton and we could easily see this team head back to a second straight finals. Additionally, the emergence of Mikal Bridges has allowed this team to become elite defensively as well. Suns, Warriors is a highly anticipated matchup come early May.
Memphis Grizzlies: After sneaking into the playoffs last season, the Grizzlies have built off of their late season success. The Grizzlies are 3rd in the western conference led by freak athlete and future perennial all-star, Ja Morant. Ja has been an enormous part of this young team's success and will likely wreak havoc across the league for years to come. The Grizzlies have defeated the Warriors twice this season and clearly present challenging issues for the Ws. If these teams meet down the road in the playoffs, these games will be must-see TV and one intense and evenly matched series.
Utah Jazz: The Jazz are continuing their excellent play from the last few years and are on their way to another stellar season. The Jazz rank 4th in the West and are led by rising star and team leader Donovan Mitchell. With key veterans like Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert, arguably the best rim protector in the NBA, the Jazz can definitely make a deep playoff push. They have all the pieces and experience to get over the hump and make a run at the finals. Don’t be surprised if the Jazz give the Warriors trouble late in the season.
The western conference is deep, has numerous teams with experience and of course, one of the greatest players of all time in Lebron James, so the Warriors road to the finals will be one filled with numerous bumps and challenges along the way. The Ws will need to be at full strength and firing on all cylinders to reach the finals and garner another ring. If they remain healthy, the Warriors will be hanging another title banner, this one not at Oracle, but at the new Chase Center in San Francisco