NBA: Three West Teams That Need A Post All-Star Break Turnaround

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Sep 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) poses for a portrait during media day at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Breaking down three Western Conference teams that need to make a significant turnaround after the NBA All-Star break

In the Eastern Conference, there’s much parity from team-to-team right now and there’s no past precedent to say that won’t change up until the final playoff races conclude. In the Western Conference, while there may be teams still neck and neck fighting to stay in the hunt, the dominance and talent present in the West force teams to get in gear sooner than later when compared to their Eastern Conference counterparts.

So far there’s been the emergence of young international talent Nikola Jokic, D-league turned NBA talent Yogi Ferrell and that “super team” in Oakland. The Portland Trail Blazers have disappointed early on, Russell Westbrook seems the likely NBA MVP while continuing to place an average at best supporting cast on his shoulders, and the Dallas Mavericks have started to find something in Dirk’s final hours.

In the Eastern Conference, it’s Lebron James – and some other guys he has to fend off, none of which can compete with the King in a seven-game series. In the Western Conference, you have the Kings in the Bay and a host of teams 1-8 that can prove to be a formidable opponent in any playoff round.

Here are the teams in the Western Conference that are positioned outside the playoff picture at the moment, but can make the most of the NBA All-Star Weekend to turn things around.

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