"NBA Wild, Wild West? Who's The Second Best Team?"

With a few weeks left to play in the 2025 NBA Season, we're sitting 
back combing through a very tight western conference. Oklahoma City 
Thunder have pretty much ran away with the potential number one seed 
as it stands today. From there, you can pick your poison and pencil in 
who's the second best team. 

Let's breakdown the teams below OKC and see what we can 
accomplish. 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder: 56-12 
2. Houston Rockets: 44-25 
3. Denver Nuggets: 44-25 
4. Los Angeles Lakers: 42-25 
5. Memphis Grizzlies: 43-26 
6. Golden State Warriors: 40-29 

Now, here's where the interesting aspect comes into play. Out of those 
five teams listed below OKC, which one is second best? You can say 
Denver in part of their championship pedigree and maintaining wins 
without Jokic, Murray and role players. Denver can beat you in multiple 
ways and if Murray has his hot hand, you're in for a long night. We know 
Jokic is a walking triple-double any given moment. Can they be a tough 
out? Yes in part of being able to grind out those nail clawing victories. 
But, if Jokic is taken away, it plays well into any team's game plan. 

Houston, head coach Ime Udoka has this team playing with fight and 
grit; a young group of guys who clearly don't care if you're the best or 
worst team, you'll have to deal with them for forty-eight minutes. 
Defense is Udoka's calling card and they can scrap until the final 

whistle. Only drawback is can they maintain spurts of teams scoring at 
will? If it boils down to making crucial stops, give or take. 

Los Angeles is the flying under the radar for second best for two 
reasons: JJ Redick and LeBron James. Yes, the forty year-old legend 
can still play elite basketball and use his mind to beat opponents. A 
team who's been the number one defense in basketball over twenty 
games. Redick has done an excellent job in his first season. Being able 
to implement exotic schemes and coverages; while adjusting each 
quarter. The big question will be James' health as mid March is here 
and playoffs around the corner.

Memphis can only do so much with Ja Morant leading the way. Great of
a player as he is, the Grizzlies inexperience hinders their next step into
being a true threat to OKC. We'd get the fireworks of SGA and Morant,
but the Thunder's role players can beat you as well. Memphis has
Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr, Zach Edey and that's about it. They'll
go as far Morant can take them and being the second best isn't quite on
their radar.

Golden State led by Stephen Curry has been sensational in all cases.
The once juggernaut dynasty has flexed their muscles but attrition is
catching up very slowly. Even with Jimmy Butler on board, they were
stating their case for the hottest team not named Los Angeles Lakers.
Head coach Steve Kerr has shown brilliance at times and out coached
the next. With Curry playing high volume minutes, can it be sustained
moving forward? Golden State will need all hands on deck and healthy
headed into the playoff push.

After general consensus, the Los Angeles Lakers to me are second best
behind OKC. I'm not saying this in part of bias or Lakers fandom; I'm
telling you what I've seen pre and post all-star break. Defense still

matters in basketball; the stats speak for themselves. You can review
them on your own time but my eye test tells me what's needed to back it
up. Yes, Doncic and James mesh very well; it's how the role players can
give you positive minutes and contributions. Redick's schemes and
ability to adjust gives the Lakers an edge over the rest.

Los Angeles' best game of 2025 has been a big road win over Denver a
few weeks ago. That informs me this team can play elite offense and
defense to win games. Say what you want, pick your team but I've gave
you who I felt is the second best team in a very tight western
conference. It's going to be interesting as the season is getting more
entertaining. Watch the games and let your eyes see for yourself.