NBA Western Conference Playoff: Thoughts and Predictions

It's the NBA playoffs and here are some of my thoughts on the Western Conference.

(1) Warriors vs (8) Clippers - Warriors win, 4-2

The unexpected rise of the LA Clippers has been one of the more compelling and mind-boggling stories of the NBA this year. How exactly does a team who loses their acknowledged superstars in consecutive years (first Chris Paul, followed by Blake Griffin, then DeAndre Jordan, and finally, Tobias Harris) manage to not only make the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference but also cement their reputation as the team no one wants to face in the first round? Well, excellent coaching, defined roles, and skilled players would be the answer you'd be looking for. Still, the Golden State Warriors have more than enough to beat the Clippers, but not before the Clips make them sweat buckets.

Matchup to watch out: Pat Beverley vs Steph Curry. The NBA's peskiest defender versus one of game's best shooter ever.  

 (4) Rockets vs (5) Jazz - Rockets win, 4-3

This is going to be on hell of a match up. The Rockets are almost unstoppable on offense...but if any team can stifle it, it's going to be the Jazz. Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Daunte Exum, and Thabo Sefolosha are all capable defensive players, which will serve the Jazz well versus the very potent offensive weapons that are James Harden, Chris Paul, and Eric Gordon. But it isn't like the Rockets are all offense, what with PJ Tucker, Iman Shumpert, Kenneth Faried, and Clint Capela providing some much needed punch on defense. The Jazz are going to be real good but for now, it's still Rockets time.

Matchup to watch out: Chris Paul vs Ricky Rubio. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell will wreak havoc regardless of who you put on them so moving on to the second round might come down to who between Paul or Rubio has a better series.

(3) Blazers vs (6) Thunder - Thunder win, 4-2

The Blazers had themselves a hell of a regular season but ultimately, it came down to a crucial injury. The loss of Jusuf Nurkic has made the Blazers the prime candidates for notable upset of the first round. Meyers Leonard, Zach Collins, and Enes Kanter have nowhere near the Bosnian Beast's impact on both ends of the court. Steven Adams is going to have a field day without Nurkic there and Russell Westbrook will probably average a triple double in the playoffs too. And we haven't discussed Paul George yet, who is supposed to stop him?

Matchup to watch out: Damian Lillard vs Russell Westbrook. There's some history there plus Lillard knows he has to carry more of the load so he's going to come out guns blazing. And Russ, well, he's Russ.

(2) Nuggets vs (7) Spurs - Nuggets win, 4-2

This may be the year when underestimating the Spurs may not actually be wrong. The Spurs are rebuilding which is weird because here they are again in playoffs. But they have neither the personnel, the experience, or the cohesion to progress beyond the first round. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are a team whose time has come. They've learned their lessons well and Nikola Jokic may be the most versatile playmaking big man in the NBA. If Jokic can keep his cool and get ample support from Will Barton, Gary Harris, and former All-Star Paul Millsap, the Nuggets should be able to usher the Spurs out with relative ease.

With that being said, let the games begin.