NBA Playoff Preview: Western Conference Ranks

We did this with the NCAA Tournament, and it worked well so we're running it back with the NBA Playoffs for the first round. We look at every team plus some insight on whom might be a big star of the series. 

1. Golden State Warriors (Actual Seed 1) - Duh. No one should have expected anything different in this round of playoffs. Golden State will face a Houston team who are hapless on defense. Steph Curry should be able to rain threes everywhere along with his splash buddy Klay Thompson. Draymond Green also figures to have quite the series.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (Actual Seed 3) - This will all make sense when you finish reading this post. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant back together in the playoffs for the first time in two years, and even that one is off given Russ got hurt midway through it. Westbrook and Durant finally fully healthy which is a scary thing for the rest of the league. Serge Ibaka should have a nice series as well along with Enes Kanter.

3. San Antonio Spurs (Actual Seed 2) - No one is doubting the Spurs to make the Western Conference Finals. Kawhi Leonard would be an MVP if a guy named Curry didn't play basketball. Tim Duncan will have a throwback series as the Grizzlies haven't done well in the post since Marc Gasol's injury. Expect these games to be very low-scoring compared to the rest of them.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (Actual Seed 4) - Los Angeles probably thought of themselves as a top three seed, and instead, they'll play the four-five matchup. Chris Paul versus the two Portland guards will be absurdly fun. DeAndre Jordan could have a big impact in this series with Portland's lack of post defense. Blake Griffin needs to find himself a little bit as he's been more of a liability since coming back from injury.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (Actual Seed 5) - Portland is a LaMarcus Aldridge away from being really good. They have Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but that's where it ends for this team. The depth is a major issue, and I know Terry Stots did some great things yet I can' t see how Portland keeps up for the full seven if needed. Ed Davis is a sneaky name to keep an eye on. Clips played good defense but every now and again a post guy can have a big night.

6. Memphis Grizzlies (Actual Seed 7) - No matter what their injury status is the Grizz will beat you up from start to finish, and it sometimes results in a victory. In the two times Memphis lost in the first round, each of the series went seven games. Zach Randolph has been a monster since returning from injury. Lance Stephenson in the playoffs is always a good thing.

7. Dallas Mavericks (Actual Seed 6) - Good to see Dirk Nowtizki in the playoffs, but I don't know for much long. Giving them the seven is a pure sign of respect to Rick Carsile and being mad Houston is in this dance.

8. Houston Rockets (Actual Seed 8) -  No, I really don't believe Houston can win a game versus Golden State, but they have a better chance than Dallas. James Harden is a turnover nightmare, but he can still get points up for Houston. Michael Beasley has been one of the best stories of the last month of the NBA season. He'll do some work versus Golden State.

Predictions:  Dubs in four, Clippers in five, Thunder in four,  Spurs in six

Charlie.