The Golden State Warriors rolled to the Western Conference crown in 2014-15. But in a reloaded West, can the defending champs pull it off again?
We asked our ESPN Forecast panel to predict who will emerge as Western Conference champions in 2015-16. For our picks for the Eastern Conference champs, click here.
To participate in the discussion and perhaps get your opinion published on this page, #ESPNForecast is the Twitter hashtag to use. Or you can just follow along @ESPNNBA.
So who will be best in the West? Read on:
Western Conference champions projections
1. Golden State Warriors
Proj. record: 60-22
Points: 122
The Warriors haven't even reached their full offensive potential yet. Expect to see that in their 2nd year under Kerr. #ESPNForecast
- Guru Ramprakash (@gururamp30) September 2, 2015
2. San Antonio Spurs
Proj. record: 57-25
Points: 96
.@ESPNNBA so many fans gonna be so mad over this...#ESPNForecast pic.twitter.com/67tMpWHCDn
- Angelo Mendoza (@iAMgoldenstate) September 1, 2015
I'm all in on the Spurs taking one last title before the big three change over entirely. #ESPNForecast
- Rodney Scearce (@rscearce) September 1, 2015
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Proj. record: 55-27
Points: 30
The Thunder have the deepest roster during their stay in OKC. Durant is back, Ibaka is getting healthy. 15-16 Champs! #ESPNForecast
- Jacob Barber (@NBA_Jacob_B) September 1, 2015
4. Los Angeles Clippers
Proj. record: 56-26
Points: 23
5. Houston Rockets
Proj. record: 56-26
Points: 9
@espnnba #espnforecast HOU has #1 seed potential if Ty performs better than expected and if Howard and Harden remain healthy and productive
- Zach (@zjl00) September 1, 2015
@ESPNNBA @JHarden13 @HoustonRockets I say they have a better chance because Harden will lead them higher than 5. #espnforecast
- Maximo Bonarriva (@mab200216) September 1, 2015
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Proj. record: 51-31
Points: 4
Even if there was a playoff realignment, or lucky bounces, the Grizzles still aren't making the finals #ESPNForecast
- B. Stew-Gotti (@onlyicanbstew) September 1, 2015
@ESPNNBA @memgrizz if they ONLY had a lil more OFFENSE. Second rd at BEST. #NBA #��
- Mr. Sutton (@SuttonDonnell) September 1, 2015