There is less than a week left before the start of the NBA season in the 2022-23 season. The Western Conference Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers are both one of the most popular teams in the league. Therefore, the US media "Fadeaway World" also ranks the strength of 15 Western Conference teams in the 2022-23 season. Let's see which teams have high or underestimated strength.
15. San Antonio Spurs
Best Players: Kelden Johnson, Wassell, Pearl, Jeremy Sohan
Spurs once again entered a comprehensive reconstruction mode. They traded the star Dezhangtai Murray to Atlanta Hawks , and let Lonnie Walker IV leave as a free agent. The Spurs chose to leave Kelden Johnson and Devin Vassel as the core team building. Many people couldn't understand the meaning of the Spurs doing this at first, but now they understand that they are aiming for Wenban Yama. He is the most popular candidate for the No. 1 pick next year. If the Spurs take him, it will probably turn the tables.
14. Utah Jazz
Best Players: Jordan Clarkson, Collinsexton , Markanen, Vanderbilt
In the 2021-22 season, the Utah Jazz entered the playoffs with a record of 49 wins and 33 losses, but the playoff defeat directly allowed Jazz to cut the mess, sending away Gobert and Mitchell, and completely entering the reconstruction. Trading the two leading stars also brought various draft picks and rebuilding chips to the Jazz. With the Jazz's determination to rebuild, they are probably also going to sign No. 1. After the new season begins, they will continue to trade other players in their roster, such as Conley, Jordan and Clarkson.
13. Houston Rockets
Best Players: Jaylen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabbarry Smith Jr., Alperen Shenjing
In the past three seasons, the Houston Rockets have achieved a record of 37 wins and 117 losses under the leadership of head coach Stephen Selas, and the winning rate in the 2022-23 season is estimated to not look too good. In the just past offseason, the Rockets traded their top scorer Christian Wood , and it was obvious that they were making the team's roster younger. For Houston, their goal is to continue to develop their young core, who hope to rise in the second half of the 1920s.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Best Players: Alexander, Josh Gidy, Dolt
In the 2021-22 season, Oklahoma City Thunder only achieved a record of 24 wins and 58 losses due to injuries and other reasons. Although they chose Chetholmgren in the offseason, he announced that he would be reimbursed for the season due to injury before the NBA season started. Under the leadership of Alexander and Joshgidi, it seems unlikely that the Thunder will become better. Instead of doing so, it is better to win the No. 1 pick and choose Chinese Bama to rise up instantly.
11. Sacramento Kings
Best Player: Sabonis, Fox. Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes
Kings in the 2021-22 season they can get Sabonis through a trade to prepare for the future. The duo formed by Sabonis and Kings' head defender Fox can be said to have brought hope to Kings fans to break the playoff drought. The team has also strengthened the young outside pitcher Malik Monk in the new season, who is a former Lakers player.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
Best Players: Damian Lillard, Anthony Simmons, Jerami Grant , Nurkic
In the 2021-22 season, Trail Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time in 9 years while Damian Lillard led the team. Changsy Billups lacks coaching experience as the team's new coach, and the injury of Lillard is the key to the team's failure in the 2021-22 season. All this may change in the 2022-23 season, because if Anthony Simmons continues to get better, he may replace , McCollum, and become the second leader of the team.Moreover, the team also has two players, , Joshhart, and Jerami Grant, who are both offensive and defensive.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
Best Players: LeBron James , Anthony Davis , Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverly
2021-22 season. When the team was plagued by injuries, their hopes of winning the championship were quickly shattered, which also led to the team missing the playoffs this season completely. The best player for the Lakers is of course LeBron James. Although he is 37 years old, he will still do everything he can to keep the Lakers in the fierce competition in the playoffs. The Lakers have strengthened the defenders' defense and offensive abilities in the offseason, but they need to find players who can replace LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Once the two are injured, the team can almost be said to be beaten back to their original form.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Best Player: Downs , Anthony Edwards , Gobert, Tangiero Russell
Minnesota Timberwolves were one of their best seasons in the last few seasons in the 2021-22 season, and now they hope to improve in the 2022-23 season, so they got the defensive gate Gobert in the offseason trade. Gobert's arrival also completely solved the team's inside defense problem and liberated Towns. The four-star Timberwolves is finally going to use the team of wolves to play against teams with duos and big three in the league.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Best Player: Zion, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones
New Orleans Pelicans are another successful team in the 2021-22 season. New Orleans Pelicans won a playoff spot through the playoffs because of the addition of CJ McCollum , which also makes them a completely different team in the middle of the season. Now that Zion is back, they are also optimistic that they will become the top five teams in the West in the new season, but Zion is still playing in the preseason and is already injured. It can only be said that without Zion, the Pelicans are probably only in the top 6-8 teams in the West.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Best Players: Jamorant, Desmond Bain, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Adams
Memphis Grizzlies have just finished a historic season. In the 2021-22 season, their regular season winning record tied their best record in team history, and the Grizzlies also won the second place in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are one of the best teams in the league right now, and despite Jamorant missing a lot of games due to injury, they can still keep winning games. Entering the new season, the Grizzlies' young players have made considerable progress, which may help the Grizzlies perform better.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Best Players: Doncic, Christian Wood, Dorian Finney Smith , Spencer Dinwiddie , Javier McGee
Dallas Mavericks played their best season in more than a decade in the 2021-22 season. They finally entered the Western Conference Finals, and Doncic's leadership ability is undeniable, but the coaching ability of head coach Kidd should not be underestimated. Although the team lost scorer Jalen Brunson in the offsealey, two major inside players were added Christian Wood and Javille McGee to strengthen their inside offense and defense.
4. Denver Nuggets
Best Players: Jokic, Jamal Murray , Michael Porter Jr. , Aaron Gordon, Hylander
In the past two seasons, the Denver Nuggets have been plagued by injuries, which is a roadblock that has prevented them from realizing their full potential. Without Jokic's wonderful performance, the Denver Nuggets may miss the playoffs in the 2021-22 season. We can see that when Jokic leads the team in the new season, the playoffs are in the first round. If you can get more help, it will definitely be in the second round or even the Western Conference Finals.
3. Phoenix Suns
Best Player: Devin Booker , Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton , Mi Kal Bridges , Cameron Johnson
Phoenix Suns scored the best regular season record in the team's history with a record of 64, and the best record in the entire NBA in the 2021-22 season. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs. The boss of Suns in the offseason was forced to sell his team due to problems such as discrimination against players. The Suns' new season may have a significant impact, and with the Claude requested to be traded, it is obvious that the Suns' new season is not stable enough. However, with Chris Paul, the Suns are still optimistic that they can become the top three teams in the Western Conference. After all, the number one in the Western Conference is due to strength, not luck.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Best Player: Leonard , Paul George , John Wall
Los Angeles Clippers have just ended a very disappointing 2021-22 season. The two leading stars are constantly injured, which is the key to stopping them from moving forward. In the new season, they traded John Wall and strengthened the offense and defense of other positions of the team. Obviously, the Clippers became the team that is most likely to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the league. It can only be said that Leonard is almost enough to destroy the Golden State Warriors. Now, with Paul George and John Wall, the Clippers' strength is enough to be optimistic that they can win the championship this season.
Any time, as long as a team has healthy Cassie Leonard and Paul George together, they should be the favorites to compete for the championship. When you add John Wall , he looks great in the preseason and the Clippers look like they are going to usher in the first NBA Finals in team history. Their supporting roles will also play a key role. Reggie Jackson and Terence Mann hope to make the Clippers' huge commitment to them pay off. Norm Powell and Robert Covington are the latest players on the team, and each of them has an impact on both sides of the ball when their stars need a break. Ivika Zubak is also well-behaved enough to take on the responsibility of being a starting center in a team that is striving for the championship. Looking forward to the Clippers knocking on the NBA Finals at the end of the season.
1. Golden State Warriors
Best Players: Stephen Curry , Draymond Green , Klay Thompson, Wiggins, Jordan Poole
We still believe that the Golden State Warriors will not affect their strength because of Draymond Green and Jordan Poole. After all, the Golden State Warriors won a big victory with a group of young players in the preseason. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson may get more help in the new season than last season.
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