2013 NBA Playoff Predictions: Western Conference Power Rankings

2013 NBA Playoff Predictions: Western Conference Power Rankings: While the seeding for the Western Conference playoffs are somewhat of a ranking system in themselves, the seeding is more of a reflection of a team’s body of work for the entire season rather than a measure of a team’s chances to reach the NBA Finals. After all, injuries have crept up during the course of the season, and different teams have improved or fallen out of rhythm along the way. With that in mind, here is a look at how the eight playoff teams in the Western Conference stack up with the 2013 NBA postseason set to begin.

1.      Oklahoma City Thunder (17/4): The defending conference champs have to versatile, explosive scorers in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and no other team in the West has two players that can consistently shoulder so much of the scoring load. Meanwhile, the Thunder have size inside on the defensive end, and while they do have a high-scoring offense, they can also thrive in half-court sets because of their ability to get to the foul line. This team was better last year when it had James Harden coming off the bench, but even without him, Oklahoma City still has a dynamic duo that can carry this team to a championship.

2.      San Antonio Spurs (10/1): It would be nice if the Spurs were at full strength heading into the playoffs, but as long as Tony Parker and Tim Duncan stay healthy, they can make another run at a championship. San Antonio has an excellent blend of experience and youth to go along with excellent coaching. A sluggish end to the regular season cost them the No. 1 seed and has some dismissing the Spurs as too old, but by sacrificing a few games, Gregg Popovich may have rested his players just enough to get San Antonio over the hump and back to the NBA Finals.

3.      Los Angeles Clippers (25/1): Yes, the Clippers still face the challenge of making their highlight-producing offense work in the slower pace of the playoffs, and they still have an issue with their big men being able to shoot free throws. However, Los Angeles also has the best point guard in the NBA in Chris Paul and a much deeper bench than it had last year. The Clippers have a chance against any team because of Paul’s ability to control the pace of the game. No one orchestrates an offensive attack better, and despite some flaws, the Clippers do have plenty of firepower for Paul to work with.

4.      Memphis Grizzlies (40/1): What Memphis lacks in offensive firepower, it makes up for with a relentless defense and a powerful frontcourt. The Grizzlies led the NBA in fewest points allowed, ranked second in defensive efficiency and ranked third in opponent field goal percentage. Meanwhile, they force most opponents to play at their pace by pounding the ball inside to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph on the offensive end. On the flip side, their defensive-minded philosophy tends to make a lot of games come down to the wire. Plain and simple, Memphis can beat any team in a series or lose to any series. Guard play will be crucial for the Grizzlies.

5.      Denver Nuggets (25/1): Denver brings the NBA’s top-scoring offense into the playoffs, along with an active defense that ranks second in steal and third in blocks. On the flip side, Denver’s balanced scoring attack lost one of its main contributors in Danilo Gallinari late in the year, and the lack of a go-to scorer can hurt the Nuggets because of the half-court nature  of the postseason. Yes, Denver is practically unbeatable at home where they can control the pace of things, but with home-court advantage only guaranteed through the first round, the Nuggets’ unconventional style of play could backfire on them.

6.      Golden State Warriors (100/1): With explosive scorers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the backcourt, double-double machine at power forward in David Lee and a potential defensive force at center in Andrew Bogut, the Warriors have some pieces in place to do some damage. That being said, Golden State’s young roster in new to the playoff scene, and winning in the postseason tends to be a learning process. Granted, Curry can almost single-handedly shoot the Warriors to a win on any given night, but winning a best-of-seven series takes a group effort.

7.      Houston Rockets (100/1): They have a true superstar scorer in James Harden, and with streaky perimeter shooters like Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin and Carlos Delfino, the Rockets can put up a ton of points. Unfortunately, Houston’s second-ranked scoring offense is often offset by the league’s third-worst defense. Unless the Rockets suddenly figure out how to mount some resistance on the defensive end, they won’t even have a puncher’s chance.

8.      Los Angeles Lakers (40/1): Even if Mike D’Antoni is willing adjust his offensive system and commit to playing through Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol in the post, it still doesn’t change the fact that the Lakers’ backcourt is a joke. Steve Nash is literally limping into the playoffs, and losing Kobe Bryant leaves Los Angeles without a leader and proven closer at the end of game. The Lakers are in the playoffs because Bryant wouldn’t accept the alternative, but without him, they will fall apart at the seams.

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