The top 6 in the NBA’s Western Conference
1) Utah Jazz – The Jazz is a regular-season machine. They will pass the Warriors because of an inevitable adjustment period following Klay Thompson’s return, and the Suns because of an inevitable Chris Paul injury.
2) Phoenix Suns – But that doesn’t mean the team will be terrible. They should still be a top-three seed, and likely a game or two better than…
3) Golden State Warriors – Because Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will need to load manage, and the reintegration of Klay Thompson will not necessarily be effortless.
4) Memphis Grizzlies – This team has proven something in the games Ja has missed: the sum is greater than its parts.
5) Denver Nuggets – Aaron Gordon is the only top 75-ish player left on Jokic’s team, but the reigning MVP could carry a roster full of Sir Charles in Charge writers to the playoffs.
6) Los Angeles Lakers – This is a risky proposition with the injury to Anthony Davis, which will hurt the team’s defense, but help its abysmal shooting.