NBA Western Conference tier rankings: Chasing the Golden State Warriors

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: The Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is introduced prior to the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Tier 3

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

5. Memphis Grizzlies

6. Denver Nuggets

These three teams are really good and would have a chance of winning the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, they play in the Western Conference, so they have a zero percent chance of making it to the NBA Finals. T

he Thunder will automatically be better with the addition of Paul George. They won’t be as successful as they were during the Durant-Westbrook years, but they’ll win a lot of games. The Grizzlies will be great again because of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Many “experts” think they’ll struggle, but Gasol and Conley are stars. Memphis will be Memphis just like they always are.

The Nuggets will be a lot better because of the addition of Paul Millsap. Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray are all one year older, and should all improve upon last season’s outputs.

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