Around the Association Western Conference Primer

By Rob Fischer (Memphis Grizzlies Television Pre / Postgame Host and Sideline Reporter on FOX Sports Southeast)

NBA teams have arrived in Orlando for the Association’s restart, it’s time to refresh your memory on a season that will have had 141 days since its last game was played. We’ll look at what the teams have done up to this point, and what to expect from the dash for the cash at Disney. Last week we previewed the Eastern Conference. Today we look at the loaded West.

Western Conference (1) Los Angeles Lakers (49-14) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 12-5 (+240) The Lakers have an arguable GOAT and they have a huge difference maker. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are also both healthy which has vaulted them to the top of the West. Maybe it’s an advantage to just have the best players. If that’s the case, the Lakers should be in pretty good shape. But when’s the last time LeBron James played an intense game in front of nobody? 3rd grade? And when’s the last time the Lakers played without celebrities lining the front row? So maybe that’s a disadvantage. They’ll also be without Avery Bradley (opted out) and Rajon Rondo (injury) which puts their point guard position at a disadvantage. But when LeBron is on the team, he really runs the show. Alex Caruso is going to have to just be solid on the defensive end as the Lakers look for their first title since 2010.

(2) Los Angeles Clippers (44-20) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 33-10 (+333)The Clippers return to action with thoughts of a title chase. Yes. A title chase. For the Clippers. They won 7 of 8 before the halt in play and they were getting healthy. If defense is ahead of offense, the Clippers will be a tough out with Patrick Beverley, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. If depth makes a difference in Orlando, the Clippers are loaded averaging 51.5ppg from their reserves. Health has been the biggest question mark for the Clippers this season. It will be again after play resumes. They’ve handled it so far and the time away could have only helped George, Leonard, and Lou Williams.

(3) Denver Nuggets (43-22) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 25-1 (+2500)The Nuggets were in the conversation for contender before the season began and they’ve remained there heading towards the restart in Orlando. Jamal Murray emerged and progressed throughout the season and was getting healthier when the season was halted. His return to health alongside running mate Nikola

Jokic keeps the Nuggets in the conversation. Jokic, meanwhile, looks to be in the best shape of his life. The Nuggets also add great depth which will be important. One disadvantage for the Nuggets is not having home court advantage in the altitude where they are 25-8.

(4) Utah Jazz (41-23) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 33-1 (+3300)After being the poster men for the NBA shutting down the season, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have a lot to prove as the NBA season restarts. It’s been an inconsistent season for the Jazz after having contender status prior to the year. Adding Mike Conley was supposed to solidify their position, but it just hasn’t. And now the Jazz will be without second leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic who is out after undergoing wrist surgery. They were good enough to be the 4th best team in the West, but that’s about all they really are- between 4th and 7th best. I don’t consider them a contender.

(5) Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 100-1 (+10,000)The Thunder are just a game behind Utah for the 4th spot in the West. They’d love to be able to carry momentum over from when the season was halted. The Thunder had won 17 of their last 22 games and had people throwing Billy Donovan in coach of the year discussions. They’re 34-13 after a 6-11 start. Chris Paul has been clutch and a voice for what was thought of as a depleted Thunder team. Their 3 guard lineup is a tough matchup for anyone

(6) Houston Rockets (40-24) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 12-1 (+1200)The Rockets have the third best odds to win a title out of the West, yet they’re in 6th place. That’s kind of who the Rockets have been this season. Not meeting expectations, but rolling along to give themselves a chance. As a small ball team that gets up and down the floor, the long break may have been a good rest for Houston. It’s an important finish for the Rockets who will likely look at everything in the offseason from GM to coach to player personnel. They certainly didn’t get any closer this season even after acquiring Russell Westbrook. The question will be whether or not they’ve gotten further away. Harden and Westbrook alone will determine that.

(7) Dallas Mavericks (40-27) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 40-1 (+4000)The Mavs aren’t out of the race for 4th in the West. Luka Doncic has already proven to be a superstar who can single handedly win games. As he and Kristaps Porzingis continue to play together, they will be a force and a yearly playoff team. Dallas has a good complementary team, but probably not deep enough yet to make a serious run. That showed with the

Mavs dropping too many games in clutch time situations. Doncic will be healthy after going through a few nagging ailments and he’ll be dangerous. But in the end, he won’t be enough even with the compliment of Porzingis. (8) Memphis Grizzlies (32-33) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 200-1 (+20,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 5-6 (-120)The Memphis Grizzlies enter play with a 3 and a half game lead for the 8th spot with 8 games remaining. Barring a total collapse, the Griz should hold on to 8. One advantage for the Grizzlies is that they have a lineup that hasn’t been seen on tape. Justise Winslow joins the team for the first time this season and could play a pivotal part. Add a healthy Jaren Jackson Jr. and a healthy Brandon Clarke and the Griz find themselves in good shape heading back into play. Throw in dazzling rookie Ja Morant getting a lot of rest during a taxing rookie season and putting on 12 pounds of muscle, and you could get an even more explosive rookie of the year. The Grizzlies will take the 8th spot in the West and will scare the Lakers for a couple of games. But ultimately, the playoff race and playoff games will be a great experience for a young Grizzlies team.

(9) Portland Trailblazers 29-37 Vegas Odds to Win Title: 150-1 (+15,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 4-1 (+400)Injuries gave the Blazers headaches all season. Now they’re as healthy as they can be adding Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins back to the mix. The two combined for only 3 games played. Damian Lillard was also hobbled by a sprained ankle before play was halted. He’ll be ready to go and has the ability to win a game on any given night. It’s been a disappointing season for the Blazers that could be salvaged with any sort of accomplishment. But they’ll have to be better than 500 to have a chance. They’ll also be without a key defensive piece in Trevor Ariza who opted out of the restart.

(10) New Orleans Pelicans 28-36 Vegas Odds to Win Title: 120-1 (+12,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 11-4 (+275)It seems as though the NBA world is craving Zion Williamson vs. the Lakers in the playoffs. But first the Pelicans have to play over 500 to catch the Grizzlies. They haven’t done that all season. But they haven’t had Zion all season. They are 10-9 with Williamson in the lineup. Zion has averaged 24ppg in less than 30 minutes per game while shooting 59% and looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. Regardless of whether or not the Pelicans catch the Grizzlies, catch a play-in game, or get to the playoffs, they’ll get plenty of meaningful game experience in Orlando.

(11) Sacramento Kings (28-36) Vegas Odds to Win Title: 500-1 (+50,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 12-1 (+1200)

While most of the attention in the race for 8 surrounds Memphis, Portland, and New Orleans, don’t count out the pesky Sacramento Kings. The Kings were playing their best basketball when the season was halted. They’re young and energetic led by the speedster DeAaron Fox. But their youth has been a reason for inconsistent play. It’ll be a good experience for this young team, but it would be surprising if they got back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

(12) San Antonio Spurs 27-36 Vegas Odds to Win Title: 500-1 (+50,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 50-1 (+5000)The 22 year playoff streak will come to an end. They’re 4 games behind Memphis. They’re not very good defensively. They’re ok offensively. They need a winning streak, yet haven’t won 4 straight all year. Oh, and they’ll be without LaMarcus Aldridge (injury). Gregg Popovich pulls this off and it would be a miracle.

(13) Phoenix Suns 26-39 Vegas Odds to Win Title: 500-1 (+50,000)Vegas Odds to Win 8th Seed: 200-1 (+20,000)The Suns are playing the role of spoiler and at least trying to make a push for 9th in the West. They just have too big of a hill and too many teams to jump. They’ll be happy just getting to play ball. They have the most wins since 2014-15 and still being able to play will help them see what they have going forward. That includes Deandre Ayton who has only played 30 games in his career.

You can contact me with questions or comments at robfischer22@att.net.You can also reach me on Twitter (@thefishnation) or Instagram (@thefishnation_)