NBA Playoffs Western Conference Preview

Welcome to the toughest bracket in previewing; as a very crowded wild, 
Wild West came down to roughly 2 games of separation in the 
standings. Typical western conference madness, we witnessed highs, 
lows and how could this be in 2025. Let's breakdown the craziness shall 
we! 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 8. Dallas Mavericks/Memphis 
Grizzlies

Oklahoma City put together one of the best seasons in franchise history 
led by potential MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Running away with the 
conference early on, the Thunder look to make a serious title push. With 
a young core of guys who mesh well together, they don't have any egos. 
Athletic, long and can defend at an high-level, it creates bad matchups. 
By far the best team in franchise history, not winning a title would be 
disappointing.

As for the Dallas Mavericks, a season of misery, disgust, anger and 
tears as former franchise player Luka Doncic was traded to Los 
Angeles. It became the biggest story prior to trade deadline. Fans have 
voiced their disgust with general manager Nico Harrison. Superstar 
point guard Kyrie Irving went down with a torn ACL, it felt as if Dallas 
lost all hope. Even with Anthony Davis' come and go play, they'll need 
him to lead the way in making an 8th seed matchup with OKC. If Dallas 
has any remote chance of sneaking passed Memphis, Davis has to 
dominate from start to finish. No time to sleepwalk and make excuses 
for Davis, this will be a make or break game in determining the future of 
Mavericks basketball. 

Memphis... What a strange start, head coaching fire a few weeks ago 
and now playing for the 8th seed. Superstar point guard Ja Morant's on  
court celebrations have become more and more eye raising in part of 
past transgressions. Warning after warning from league offices, Morant 
hasn't gotten the message. In a strange turn of events, former head 
coach Taylor Jenkins was ousted in favor of Morant. Even with a 
comfortable seed, Memphis pulled the plug on their coach. 

With a roster of Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr, Scotty Pippen Jr and 
rookie Zach Edey, the Grizzlies have been disappointing to say the 
least. Even in the play-in game versus Golden State, they erased a 20 
point lead; only to beat themselves with seconds to go. Morant turned 
his ankle and is questionable as we speak. With their season on the line 
versus Dallas, a win will somewhat cover the blemishes but not heal self 
inflicted wounds from Morant and front office. 

2. Houston Rockets vs 7. Golden State Warriors 

Houston has launched itself back into relevance, as they make their 
return to postseason play since 2020. A turbulent rebuilding mixed with 
high draft picks, it's been a difference of night and day. Second year 
head coach Ime Udoka's hard nosed mentality and aggressive schemes 
play well for a young, athletic Rockets team. 

Led by Jalen Green, Houston's formula is built around their cornerstone 
player. With the core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed 
Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and Jabari Smith Jr, this team will be a tough
first round out. Veterans Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet and Jeff Green
fill the roles of voices and impact players. Given the age of players,
Houston will go as their young superstar goes. Making his first
postseason debut, Jalen Green will have to be spectacular. If he can do
that, everyone else will follow suit.

The gold standard of its decade, Golden State has seen their fortunes
turnaround since trading for Jimmy Butler. A team who looked all but out
of postseason play a few months ago with Steph Curry playing elite, it
was either make a move or risk making a colossal mistake. Missing out
on former Warrior Kevin Durant was a blessing in disguise; as Butler's
on court presence adds another dimension. The hottest team in March,
Golden State climbed out the gutter into the 7th seed.

With a championship pedigree, head coach Steve Kerr has stayed the
course in keeping this team afloat. Draymond Green's impact on
defense still creates mismatches for opposing teams. Golden State has
the ability to flip a switch and let Curry splash three's from anywhere on
the court. Houston presents a very interesting matchup, but Golden
State should handle this series in a competitive manner.

3. Los Angeles Lakers vs 6. Minnesota Timberwolves

Well, well, well, what do we have here? All the talk about Los Angeles'
slow downfall with new head coach JJ Redick being hired to replace
Darvin Ham. Redick in his first season has Los Angeles hosting a home
playoff series in over a decade. Considering the noise surrounding a
first time head coach, it's worked out perfectly. Aging superstar LeBron
James is defying the odds of longevity at age 40. In the midst of LA's
drafting of Bronny James, nothing has phased James Sr's game.

A big trade nobody thought would happen in acquiring Luka Doncic put
the Lakers title chances into reality around February and March, it was
met with highs, lows and trying to stay within a top three seed. Austin
Reaves has proven to be a playmaker when called upon. With the depth
of Gabe Vincent, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dalton Knecht, and others Los
Angeles' quest to win it all begins Saturday evening. In his first

postseason as a head coach, expect Redick to have this team ready
and locked in for what'll be a fascinating playoff run.

Minnesota has slowly emerged as an under the radar team. Led by
superstar Anthony Edwards, he's out to prove 2024 wasn't a fluke
playoff run. His aggressive play and ultra confidence sparks the
Timberwolves chances. Even if he exhausts himself and runs out of
gas, Edwards will need more than himself to win a game versus Los
Angeles. Julius Randle will need to somehow show up and have an
impact. Yes, Edwards is special, but one man can't battle alone. Chris
Finch will need everyone on board but if this series gets out of hand
early, LA will cake walk to a series sweep as Doncic will likely dominate
Minnesota's guards.

4. Los Angeles Clippers vs 5. Denver Nuggets

The other team in Los Angeles won enough games to avoid traveling in
round one. A big win over Golden State this past Sunday stamped their
seeding. Kawhi Leonard has looked healthier since 2020 and playing
really good basketball. James Harden's postseason woes can linger as
pressure mounts in a series.

A team who's been up, down and out the last few years since their epic
collapse in the NBA Bubble of 2020. Roster changes, questionable
decisions far as who's the blame, this team has been consummate
under head coach Ty Lue. For what he's dealt with since taking over in
2021, his understanding of keeping guys focused goes under the radar.
Can they somehow have enough firepower to win a seven game series
and keep Leonard at full strength? If he has a flare-up in his knee, it's a
wrap.

You wanna hear strange but true events? Denver fired former head
coach Mike Malone with a handful of games to go. Now, it's uncommon
for this to happen, but let's keep it real here. Just two seasons ago,
Denver won their first championship in franchise history. On top of
basketball galore, a budding dynasty cut short a few weeks ago.

Former general manager Calvin Booth and Malone weren't seeing eye
to eye; which led to internal conflict. Playing mind games and guys
trying to keep their emotions together reared its ugly head. Russell
Westbrook's bonehead miscues in which Nikola Jokic had a 60 point
triple double meant nothing. Denver losing in double overtime to
Minnesota cost Malone his job.

In other words, how will this team navigate through turmoil and try to
advance? What's the team's morale going into this series versus the
Clippers? We will find out this weekend as two championship frauds
face-off for game one.