I am going to do my NBA playoff predictions for the Western conference this week based on my judgment of who will take a step forward into the playoffs this year. Again, I have included a record prediction too.

Here it is:

1. Golden State Warriors (64-18)

I’ll keep this one short: they are the probable 2019 NBA champions and will win their 4^th title in the last 5 years. They added Cousins to make their entire starting lineup All-stars. At this point, boredom, motivation, and injuries are the only things that can derail this team, not “rivals.”

2. Houston Rockets (56-26)

This team still has Harden, CP3, and Capela, making them contenders in the West. The loss of Ariza and Mbah a Moute means the loss of versatile players who can provide scoring. The addition of Carmelo leaves a mystery as to how this team will improve or not. Still, they are more talented than the cluster of middle tier teams in this conference, and will remain in a position to try to catch the Warriors.

3. Utah Jazz (54-28)

This Jazz team is underrated. They proved themselves last year in defeating the Thunder. Donovan Mitchell is an absolute beast with his prime coming up in a few years still. He is supported by a defensive guru in Rudy Gobert. With the core of Ingles, Favors, and Rubio returning along with the polarizing Grayson Allen, the Jazz have a chance to make noise with stellar defense and multiple scoring weapons in their arsenal.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-35)

The loss of Carmelo should not make a huge difference for this Thunder team, who somehow retained Paul George and still have a triple-double machine in Russell Westbrook. They also return Steven Adams and Andre Roberson along with new player Dennis Schroder. This team is not built to contend for the conference crown, but they are a playoff lock. The Thunder will remain in the crowded middle tier of the conference.

5. Denver Nuggets (46-36)

I predict the Nuggets will return to playoff form this year. Nikola Jokic is a centerpoint, and the development of players such as Gary Harris, Malik Beasley, and Jamal Murray should help. This team came a quarter short of the playoffs last year, but I believe they will make it this year. Not to mention that IT coming here on a mission to prove himself should help the Nuggets chances as well as Michael Porter Jr. potentially playing this year.

6. New Orleans Pelicans (44-38)

This is where it gets interesting. There will be a lot of teams that will be fighting for the last three seeds since this conference is filled with above average teams. The Pelicans and Anthony Davis will get in. Davis is playing at an MVP level that I do not see diminishing this year. They added help with Julius Randle, Jahlil Okafor, and Elfrid Payton. They also have Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic returning. The Pelicans have a better star player than most Western conference teams, such as the Wolves, Spurs, and Clippers, thus propelling them to the postseason.

7. Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)

Simply because LBJ is on this team, I expect him to lead this team to at least the postseason. The rookies are now sophomores, with a little more experience. The Lakers signing fiery personality veterans will be interesting to see, because of how the young players will interact and mesh with them. Though signing Rondo, McGee, Lance, Beasley provides veteran presence, these are players on 1-year deals who still must prove they can play. LeBron and players such as Ball, Kuzma, and Ingram will be leading this team. It is obvious now that Lebron’s finals appearance streak is pretty much over in a new conference.

8. San Antonio Spurs (42-40)

I am not ready to concede that the Spurs streak of 21 playoff appearances will come to an end. Not with Coach Popovich that is, though this team is significantly weaker than previous seasons. This team is close to mediocre, but I can see them clawing with the Wolves, Clippers, Blazers and ultimately beating them out with extraordinary coaching, and well thought out game plans. DeMar DeRozan may not be Kawhi, but he is still worthy of the leading player on this team. Who knows if Manu will return, but he can light a spark sometimes if he returns. Additionally, the Spurs bring back Aldridge, Gasol, Gay, and new players Bellinelli and rookie Lonnie Walker. This team is average on paper, but I know they will find a way to get back to the playoffs in what could be Pop’s last season coaching.