We’re about thirty games in give or take a few on each team. It’s time for my first Western Conference Power Poll of the season.I have to admit…I did fall helplessly in love with the Warriors during the Thunder’s draconian tanking…so being the good guy I am–I’m still at this point hoping for the Warriors to somehow slide into a playoff spot.
I know, I know…Draymond appears to be acting as an undercover spy for the rest of the conference and Andrew Wiggins is playing like he’s half dead…but I fell in love with the Warriors in Game 6 in 2016 and will value the respect I have for Steph, Klay, and Coach Kerr to the end of this season.
I wonder in retrospect if the Warriors had kept Jordan Poole and just allowed Draymond to become Pat Bev’s podcast soulmate on a full-time basis if the win total would be all that different. But as you’ll see on my poll…I think the poll itself is pretty objective given you would think at the end Steph can beat anything the Rockets and Pels will put on the floor.
Plus…I like seeing Johnny K, Brandon P, Moses, and TJD playing key minutes.
So…my first poll.
1 Denver Nuggets–The Nugs miss Bruce Brown for certain. but still in my view the class of the West. Plus, I have an official Nugs Championship ball cap that I now parade around in a the OKC Health Wellness Center.
2 Minnesota Timberwolves–I remember when the Daily Thunder’s power child Justin told me Anthony Edwards would be a bust. Sigh.
3 Sacramento–I actually have the Kings and Thunder in a tie for third, but it was the Kings who did in fact go through that classic seven game series with the Warriors last season. So one would think they accrued some post season acumen from that experience.
4 OKC Thunder–The Thunder have three dudes who are probably going to be super max players and seven mini dudes who are going to be coveted by other GMs throughout the league. I don’t know how long Sam Presti holds this group together, but if I were him I’d wouldn’t make a crazy trade, but I would make Isaiah Joe my fifth starter and make Josh Giddey my Sixth Man.
5 Dallas Mavericks–Kyrie Irving is on this team, right? If I were a GM this is like holding the future rights to Draymond Green or hedging Kawhi Leonard isn’t hurt again come the playoffs. To me, Draymond, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving are like top heavy investments in a crypto fund. I will pass on all three.
6 Phoenix Suns–Devin Booker is great, but can he carry the brittle bodies of KD and Bradley Beal deep beyond April? Call me jaded and cynical, but as with the crypto funds I’m passing on the Suns for now as well.
7 LA Clippers–Without Kawhi…this group is about an eight seed or so battling with the Warriors to get into the playoffs. As Kawhi’s health goes…the Clippers will go. I wonder if cash happy Steve Ballmer would take Draymond at the deadline and send back Terrance Mann and Norman Powell?
8 LA Lakers–LeBron will play how many games is the question? Will he play in OKC on Saturday night? I love Austin Reaves like a favorite nephew…but Austin as the third best best player…I dunno.
9 New Orleans Pelicans– This team has some nice pieces, but until I see Zion get his fat ass in shape and take care of himself…I can’t rank this team any higher.
10 Golden State Warriors–This could be a stretch. Depends on what happens between now and the trade deadline. Houston itself has three young dudes with a passionate coach finally in place. This will probably go down to the last game of the season for my Warriors.
11 Houston Rockets–The Rockets have three dudes of their own in Green Sengun, and Jabari Smith. Don’t sleep on the Rockets.
12 Memphis Grizzlies–The Grizz have already won two straight with the new Ja steering the ship. This team with Ja is just goofy enough to reel off thirteen in row or so and climb back into relevance. If the Memphis front office can keep Ja out of the strip bars with his guns…this could be a sleeper pick.
13 Utah Jazz–They suck and should be in all out tank mode soon if not already.
14 Portland Trailblazers– Ditto the Utah Jazz.
15 San Antonio Spurs–Ditto… and Wemby should not even be mentiobed with Chet for Rookie of the year.
That’s it for me and my first Power Poll of the season. Have a wonderful Friday and take in the almost Christmas air.
Peace to all.
MJ