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Ranking the Western Conference by watchability
Can you believe just how stacked the NBA's Western Conference is already? And we're not even close to being done with free agency yet.
Still, as of July 3, we can start sorting out the best of the best and the also-rans in terms of watchability, especially for those of us who aren't out West and who will have to pick and choose what to watch from the national slate of games or from NBA League Pass.
Here's how they break down:
1. Houston Rockets
"What!? Where are the Warriors???" You yell at your screen. We'll get to why they're not No. 1 in a second. Let's focus on the team that acquired Chris Paul to pair with James Harden, giving a 55-win team a future Hall of Famer to throw on a roster that was already a blast to watch.
Here's why they're the most watchable heading into 2017-18: Because we all want to see how coach Mike D'Antoni will handle the Paul-Harden pairing a season after making Harden the primary ball-handler. Once that's all figured out, an offense styled to perfectly fit Harden and Co. may actually get better, and that's downright scary.
There's also the possibility that the experiment somehow crashes and burns if Paul doesn't get used to whatever his new role may be. And that possibility of drama or huge success is enough to vault them above …
2. Golden State Warriors
This is pretty easy: We know what the Dubs are capable of with Kevin Durant, and while it's modern basketball at its finest, we've seen it already. It'll still be amazing to watch Steph Curry perform magic on a nightly basis, to see what Draymond Green can do on both ends, and to see Durant - assuming he re-signs - continue to be a top-2 player. And aren't you kind of rooting for a team to challenge them and take them down this season, just so we don't have another yawn-fest in the playoffs again?
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves were already intriguing to watch thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. But after the last few days of moves, they boast Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague as starters and Taj Gibson coming off the bench. Combine that with what we know coach Tom Thibodeau likes to do - it's all about toughness and defense - and we know they'll be a playoff team for sure.
The only question is: What will they do without much in the way of outside shooting in a league that's put more of an emphasis on it? We'll all tune in to find out.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC is facing an uphill battle in the stacked West, but trading for Paul George for next to nothing means we get to see what MVP Russell Westbrook does alongside another superstar again. We all have dreams of Durant-Westbrook 2.0, but let's remember George isn't Durant. Still, I want to tune in to see if they can mesh.
5. Denver Nuggets
I know, I'm supposed to avoid personal bias here, but I can't. Nikola Jokic is one of the most thrilling young big men in the game, and I can't wait to see what Jamal Murray will do as he continues to develop. The signing of Paul Millsap can only improve the young squad defensively and the idea of him and Jokic in the same frontcourt will actually work.
6. San Antonio Spurs
They'll end up in the top-4 in the West, but it's a familiar sight: Kawhi Leonard being jaw-droppingly amazing and Gregg Popovich willing this team to win a bunch of games. We'll all be tuning in during the postseason if they face the Warriors with a healthy Leonard.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Look: There's no way they're making the postseason. But The Lake Show will be just that with a young nucleus and the potential for signing George on the horizon. And, oh yeah, that Lonzo Ball kid and his dad are involved.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
8. New Orleans Pelicans
Don't forget: DeMarcus Cousins is still there with Anthony Davis, and Jrue Holiday is back. If they can all gel, they'll move up this list quick.
9. Utah Jazz*
An obvious asterisk depending on whether Gordon Hayward comes back or not. If he does, I would tune in more, of course, especially to see how newly-acquired Ricky Rubio fits with a talented roster.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
RIP, Lob City. But a team that still has Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan - along with Patrick Beverley leaving Houston - could have some watchable moments.
11. Dallas Mavericks
On paper, this roster - Dirk Nowitzki, Nerlens Noel, Harrison Barnes and just-drafted Dennis Smith - might have playoff potential … if they played in the East this year.
12. Portland Trail Blazers
Another year of Damian Lillard playing good basketball.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
Moving down the list simply because ageless wonder Vince Carter might leave.
14. Phoenix Suns
Maybe we'll tune in a few times to see if Devin Booker can score 70 again, but this team is a couple of years away from being extremely fun and watchable.
15. Sacramento Kings