In celebration of the holiday season, what better way to welcome in Thanksgiving as an NBA fan than to praise the team you love the most.
In continuation of this two-part series, in this article we are going to take a look at the Western Conference.The West is definitely down in comparison to year’s past but that hasn’t stopped the best teams and players from putting on a show.
With that being said, going in alphabetical order, I’m going to share what I believe fans should be thankful for regarding their favorite Western Conference team through the first 20 games. Let’s get started!
Golden State Warriors: Hottest Team in Basketball…Without Klay Thompson
The Golden State Warriors sit at the top of the Western Conference with the best scoring offense and scoring defense in the league. Stephen Curry is the lead candidate for MVP while averaging 28.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Jordan Poole is emerging into the third splash brother as he is averaging 18.4 points a game. All of this while anticipating the return All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson who reported could return by as early as Christmas. Life is good for the Warriors.
Dallas Mavericks: Coach Jason Kidd Doing a Not Too Shabby Job in the Early Going
Team owner Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks were scrutinized for some of their hires this offseason, but none worse than bringing in former Mavs point guard Jason Kidd to coach. But in spite of this, Kidd has Dallas playing relatively well. They are 4th in the West, and we have not heard any complaints from the star duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Considering all the hoopla of the offseason, one could say that the Mavericks are overachieving thus far.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic Continuing His Reign
Last season Nikola Jokic won league MVP, but many believed it was undeserving when factoring in all the injuries. Well so far this season, Jokic has proven that last season was no fluke. In 14 games, Jokic is averaging 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. He is also shooting nearly 60% from the floor and 41% from three on a career-high 4.4 attempts a game. He continues to show why he is arguably the best big man in the game while keeping this Denver Nuggets team afloat as they await the return of stud point guard Jamal Murray.
Houston Rockets: A lot of Trade Chips to Work With
When you have only won one game, it is hard to be happy about much. But the Houston Rockets are a rebuilding team with solid prospects like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. Kenyon Martin Jr. and others to build around. They also have solid pieces like Christian Wood and Eric Gordon who could command some good draft capital. The Rockets are not looking to win anything besides the top pick. But the better guys like Wood and Gordon play, the better they look in the eyes of win-now contenders who may be willing to part with draft picks and young potential talent.
LA Clippers: Reggie Jackson Resurging His Career
After having a handful of spectacular performances in last season’s Playoffs, Reggie Jackson continues to revitalize his career with the LA Clippers. This season, Jackson is averaging 18.3 points per game which is the best since his second year in Detroit back in 2015-16. He also looks much more confident as a scorer especially from three where is taking a whopping 8.8 attempts which is easily the highest of his career. In Kawhi Leonard’s absence, the Clippers have needed Jackson to step into a bigger role offensively and thus far he has embraced the challenge.
Los Angeles Lakers: It Could Be Much Worse
The Lakers are just barely below .500 despite missing All-Star forward LeBron James for 11 games. Russell Westbrook has not been the greatest fit next to James and Anthony Davis as most anticipated. They have been relying on guys like rookie Austin Reeves, Avery Bradley, and DeAndre Jordan to play significant minutes. Truthfully matters could be much worse for this team yet they only sit a game and a half out of 5th place in the West.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant Taking That All-Star Level Step in Year 3
Third-year point guard Ja Morant has officially entered the All-Star point guard discussion this season. Morant is averaging 25.5 points, 7.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds a game. He even addressed his biggest weakness offensively as he is shooting more threes (5.1 attempts) and hitting them at a higher clip (36%). The Memphis Grizzlies are not a hot free agent destination so the only way they are going to put All-Star caliber players on the floor is through in-house development. Well, Morant already looks like an All-Star and guys like Jaren Jackson Jr, and Desmond Bane are on the come up. This scrappy Grizzlies team looks like their young core is starting to round out nicely and Morant is at the forefront of this team being a real player in the West.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards Building Upon Last Season
Second-year guard continues to build off his late surge from last season and is playing really well despite Minnesota’s shortcomings. Edwards is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals a game. He continues to improve as an offensive player while using his raw athletic ability to also be a more present perimeter defender. The Timberwolves still have a way to go if they want to be a real threat in the Western Conference playoff race, but Edward’s development in a year’s time is hopefully a sign of good things to come.
New Orleans Pelicans: At Least This is All Happening Without Zion Williamson
Sitting at 14th in the Western Conference, this definitely was not the start to the season that New Orleans Pelicans were hoping for. But at least there are a few excuses to point to. Brandon Ingram missed seven of their 19 games. The transactions that David Griffin made this past offseason seemed to gear more towards catering to Zion Williamson who has not played a game this season.
So, they have missed two All-Stars for extended time and with that has come bad production on the court. Better that it happens without those guys than with them. This kind of season happens with Williamson on the floor and the Pelicans would surely be backed even deeper into the corner.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey Impressing Thus Far
The Oklahoma City Thunder were criticized by most for passing on Jonathan Kuminga with the 6th overall pick for Josh Giddey. But thus far Giddey has proved that he was at least worth the Thunder taking a flyer on.
According to Sportingnews.com, Giddey is viewed as the 4th best rookie of the class thus far behind only Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Scottie Barnes. He is averaging 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Giddey is on pace to become only the 3rd teenager to dish out 100 assists and 100 rebounds through their first 20 games next to only LeBron James and Lamelo Ball.
He may not be leading the Thunder to more wins, but he is slowly shaping up to potentially be the second locked in piece of the OKC’s rebuild next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Phoenix Suns: Proving That Last Season Wasn’t a Fluke
After a tough 1-3 start, the Suns have not lost a game since October 27th as they continue to ride a 12-game winning streak. The Suns have six players averaging double-digit points and nine players averaging at least eight points a game. They also have been one of the better defensive teams in the league as they are 9th in opponents points per game and are 3rd in defensive net rating. Despite coming up short in the NBA Finals last season, that has not discouraged them from getting back to winning ways and proving that last season was not an aberration.
Portland Trail Blazers: Still in the Mix Despite a Down Season for Damian Lillard
So far this season, All-Star guard Damian Lillard has not really played up to “Dame-Time” standards. He is averaging his lowest point per game (21.8) since the 2015-26 season while also having career-low shooting splits (40.2% from the field, 30.8% from three). Nonetheless, the Portland Trailblazers sit in 6th place in the West with 5th best scoring offense in the league. It’s really a matter of if rather than when in regard to Lillard’s shooting slump, but once he snaps out of it the whole league is going to be in a lot of trouble.
Sacramento Kings: Finally Pulled the Plug on Luke Walton
Kings fans, your prayers have been heard. You have the talented young guards. You have a productive big man. You have solid veteran pieces. But the coach was holding you back. Now you guys can see what life is like with Alvin Gentry who has produced his fair share of playoff teams and comes from the coaching tree of Mike D’Antoni.
San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray Having a Career Year
In a heated debate regarding the lead candidates for Most Improved Player, Dejounte Murray is quietly making a case of his own in San Antonio. Murray is averaging career-highs in points (18.1), rebounds (8.3), assists (8.0) and steals (2.1). Not to mention that he continues to be more aggressive as an offensive threat. Just two seasons ago he was averaging 9.7 shot attempts a game and now he’s all the way up to 17.5 attempts.
Murray won’t get the love he deserves because he plays for the Spurs who are not in a crazy NBA media market by any stretch. But Spurs fans know that Murray is quietly becoming the next Jrue Holiday in terms of elite under the radar two-way guards.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert Dominating as an Inside Presence
For a Utah Jazz team that has pretty much been a model of consistency over the last three seasons, there isn’t anything outlandish to get excited about. Donovan Mitchell is still an elite scorer. Jordan Clarkson continues to play like a 6th Man of the Year candidate. Rudy Gobert is still one of the best defensive anchors in the league. But one thing that does stand out about this season is unprecedented increase in overall production by Gobert this season.
Through 17 games, he is still his normal double-double machine self with 15.7 points (2nd best of his career) and 14.9 rebounds (career-high). But what has been truly impressive is his shooting splits. A career-high 73.3% shooting from the field which is four percent higher than his previous best. 67.6% from the free throw line which is his highest since the 2017-18 season while taking a career-high 6.5 free throw attempts per game.
So, Rudy Gobert is improving as a finisher while still being a defensive monster and not being heavily featured within the jazz’s offense. It’s a small thing, but it could end up playing a big factor for this team in the postseason.
BSL Analyst
Hi there! My name is Jalon Dixon, but most people just call me Jay. As an aspiring, young sports writer and podcaster, I enjoy discussing sports (mainly basketball and football) and sharing my knowledge with others. Growing up right in the middle of Towson University, Morgan State, Goucher College and others, I have gotten the chance to learn so much about a handful of the different athletic teams that thrive here in Baltimore. I want to be the voice of local fans and teams that may not get the same spotlight as others, but still play a big part in our everyday lives. My motto is “Always Embrace Conversation,” so if you ever want to give me feedback on a piece or even just have a friendly sports debate, feel free to email me! Hope you enjoy my work and maybe even learn something along the way.