The 2018/19 NBA season is now over a quarter of the way through, with many teams having played at least 30 games. At this point, the Western Conference is still extremely crowded, with 12 teams that are .500 or better fighting for playoff spots. Even the top of the conference is tough to figure out, with teams like the Nuggets, Thunder and Lakers battling to distinguish themselves as the second-best team in the conference (behind a healthy and engaged Warriors team).
The Nuggets have continued to impress after a fast start, as they have withstood several injuries to key players such as Paul Millsap, Will Barton and Gary Harris. They currently own the league’s 8th ranked offense and 5th ranked defense while posting a 19-9 record, good for first in the conference.
The Thunder have used the league’s best defense to carry them to a 20-10 start. Paul George is having the best season of his career as the Thunder continue to stifle opposing offenses. The addition of Dennis Schroder has stabilized the team’s bench units, something previous Thunder teams couldn’t rely on.
Finally, the Lakers have rebounded from their slow 0-4 start to find themselves at 18-12. LeBron James has been his usual terrific self while several of the team’s young players have continued to settle in around him. Of course, it’s also possible that the Lakers make a trade to further improve their team as a result of the crowded playoff picture in the West.
When fully healthy and engaged, the Warriors are still regarded as the clear favorites in the Western Conference. However, the battle for second-best in the conference will likely continue throughout the season and early rounds of the playoffs.
With all that being said, who do you think is the second-best team in the Western Conference? Perhaps you believe that it could be a team that hasn’t been mentioned here. Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Love that we just crown the warriors as the best this season.
They’re just a few more draymond KD meltdowns from imploding…..
Right? It’s not just the WEST that has gotten better! – ITS THE WHOLE DAMN LEAGUE! But, of course, leave it up to the media to put the crown on teams a quarter of the way in.
Not the whole league, it seems that way since every team other than the suns in the West could be in playoff contention. The east has 4 very good teams, 1 good team, and the rest are bad. The majority of the eastern Conference is worse than the suns and they can barely win.
Thunder
Supersonics
The only team that stands a chance against the Bobcats tbh.
Right now Denver but if I had to pick one by playoff time I’d go with OKC.
I’d still bet on the rockets being able to sort it out by May-June.
Right now, Warriors. Nuggets look like the best team in the west so far this season.
Nuggets
Already said Lakers. This was asked a few weeks ago.