The Western Conference is loaded, and there is no denying that. However, teams like the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers have been underwhelming so far this season. Can the Portland Trail Blazers take advantage of the shifting landscape?
The Golden State Warriors are the clear favorite to win the NBA title. However, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant are not exactly getting along. The Warriors also did not look impenetrable against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals last season. Nevertheless, DeMarcus Cousins has not even played a game for his new team yet, and the Warriors should still win the title.
Outside of Golden State, the Western Conference landscape is murkier. The Houston Rockers were expected to repeat last season’s performance and perhaps even challenge the Warriors. Well, the Rockets are currently 5-7. Sure, James Harden missed three games and Chris Paul missed two games. However the Rockets did not just lose two of their games without Harden, they lost them by a wide margin. They lost to the Los Angeles Clippers by 20 points and then the Portland Trail Blazers by 29 points. Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza are gone. Paul is struggling at age 33. The Rockets are clearly not as deep as they were last season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were a mixed bag last season. The Thunder had talented players on their roster, but they did not seem to fit well together. In the offseason, they offloaded Carmelo Anthony, re-signed Paul George, and signed Nerlens Noel.
As a result, the Thunder have looked better this season, but they have had a relatively easy schedule. Their wins have come against the following teams: the Phoenix Suns (twice), Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Hornets. To be fair, the Clippers have been very impressive this season, but the Thunder lost another game against them. They have yet to pick up a signature win; the Thunder are just winning the games that they are supposed to win. The fact that they rank only 18th in points per game this season is concerning, as well.
Despite having a weak roster, the Los Angeles Lakers had high expectations because of the arrival of LeBron James. The Lakers shortcomings, however, seem to be too much to overcome. They currently own a record of 7-6 and rank 25th in opponent points per game.
Enter the Portland Trail Blazers. After earning the three seed last year, the Blazers have upped their game to another level. They are currently the second seed in the Western Conference, and there are plenty of reasons to believe that they will remain there for the rest of the season.
The Blazers have picked up wins against the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and San Antonio Spurs. They rank 8th in points per game and 5th in opponent points per game. Zach Collins has been one of the most efficient big men in the game, thus far, and is leading one of the most effective second units in the league. Damian Lillard is a superstar, and CJ McCollum is not too far behind.
The Blazers are firing on all cylinders. Now, they suddenly have a chance to establish themselves as a top two team in the Western Conference. So far, they have been seizing it.