ESPN posted an article the other day that I read before watching the Thunder vs Rockets game about how Billy Donovan was trying to reduce Carmelo's role on the Thunder, turning him into more of a spot up shooter instead of a ball dominant ISO scorer. It looked like that has been working for them based on the Rockets game and their game winning streak. They started the year pretty slow, entering December with an 8-12 record but they've gone 11-3 since then. They were just below 500 before their 5 game winning streak. They're now 5th in the West at 19-15. I know they beat Golden State earlier in the year but Paul George had a bad game and they didn't look very good despite winning. Here is a link to that article if anyone is interested. I'm glad they've got it figured out some because I want to see them in the playoffs this year against either the Rockets or the Warriors, perhaps both.
The Western playoffs could be really good this year though with 4 legit title contenders in the Warriors, Spurs, Rockets, and Thunder. It shouldn't be like last year with the Warriors just steamrolling past everyone. I could see those any of those 3 teams taking them down in 7 games. The Warriors are still the favorite but not the overwhelmingly unbeatable favorite they were last year. Even the Timberwolves and Pelicans should be tough matchups in the first round for any of those clubs. They're really young though with Anthony Davis having only been to the playoffs once 3 years ago, and he was swept then. They'll have to make the playoffs if they hope to keep Cousins in free agency. The Wolves have everyone locked in though and need experience since neither Wiggins or Towns has been before. They'll get experience this year and if they're kept together will make the playoffs even tougher next year.
I wish the Suns could make it to the playoffs but the 7 and 8 seeds are doomed this year, they'll get destroyed by teams motivated to get that extra rest by finishing early. The West is absolutely loaded this year. I'm not for tanking but I'm against trying to squeak into the playoffs this year, there is no point in it. Although McD does make better choices at the end of the lottery compared to the top of it.
The Western playoffs could be really good this year though with 4 legit title contenders in the Warriors, Spurs, Rockets, and Thunder. It shouldn't be like last year with the Warriors just steamrolling past everyone. I could see those any of those 3 teams taking them down in 7 games. The Warriors are still the favorite but not the overwhelmingly unbeatable favorite they were last year. Even the Timberwolves and Pelicans should be tough matchups in the first round for any of those clubs. They're really young though with Anthony Davis having only been to the playoffs once 3 years ago, and he was swept then. They'll have to make the playoffs if they hope to keep Cousins in free agency. The Wolves have everyone locked in though and need experience since neither Wiggins or Towns has been before. They'll get experience this year and if they're kept together will make the playoffs even tougher next year.
I wish the Suns could make it to the playoffs but the 7 and 8 seeds are doomed this year, they'll get destroyed by teams motivated to get that extra rest by finishing early. The West is absolutely loaded this year. I'm not for tanking but I'm against trying to squeak into the playoffs this year, there is no point in it. Although McD does make better choices at the end of the lottery compared to the top of it.
