2014-2015 NBA Playoffs Predictions (The Best of the West edition)

In light of the start of the highly anticipated NBA season, I have decided to create a beginning season predictions for which teams in both the West and East make it into the playoffs, and also which ones should start getting ready for next season

West

The Spurs are looking to repeat after a tremendous outing last year against Miami
(EPA/LARRY W. SMITH)

1. San Antonio Spurs - Until this team can prove to be anything but the continuous title contenders that they are, the Spurs will remain on my number one position in the West. With the future of this franchise being solidified in Kawhi Leonard, this team can be making playoff runs for many years to come. During last season, Leonard averaged 12.79 ppg and 6.24 rpg. With an excellent defensive showing in his only preseason game, I see him improving in points, rebounds, and assists this season. Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker will be there usual selves, and Coach Popovich will make sure the new guys will contribute and fit the system beautifully.



If their big men can start pulling down more rebounds, the Warriors
will be scary good this season.
(Fernando Medina/Getty Images)

2. Golden State Warriors - Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both finished the preseason in double digits in ppg and both finished with 50% or higher in 3 pointers. the back court of this team is stacked. Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes can and most likely will split the responsibilities at the small forward position. The biggest issue with this team is the front court.  Andrew Bogut (5.67 rpg) and David Lee (5.29 rpg) need to get stronger on the boards. Hopefully, with the addition of Draymond Green down in the post, this Warriors team can make a serious run in the playoffs.
3. Portland Trail Blazers - Damian Lillard continued to impress this preseason with 13.40 ppg and 1.2 spg), and with four players averaging over 10.00 ppg, this team is a serious threat on offense. Robin Lopez, Chris Kaman, and LaMarcus Aldridge were all averaging over 6.0 rebounds a game, which is an excellent compliment to that fast-paced offense. Expect this Trail Blazers team to be in the top half of the conference standings going into the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Clippers - After the tremendous outing this team had in the preseason, the Clippers are looking very intimidating. Blake Griffin carried a majority of the scoring load, averaging 23.43 ppg and pulled down 5.43 rpg. Chris Paul did a beautiful job with distributing the ball, averaging 9.00 apg. With an exciting win over the thunder last night, this team looks primed and ready to make a playoff run.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder - Although the reigning MVP (Kevin Durant) is out for the first eight weeks of the season, this team will do a stellar job at staying above .500 and will stay in a comfortable spot until Durant comes back. In their first game of this season, Russell Westbrook played extraordinarily well with 38 points and 6 assists. But in last nights 93-90 loss, the thunder took a blow that they could not afford. Westbrook fractured his hand. With the amount of time he will be out, this team will struggle greatly in the beginning of this season.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - This team has some solid, young tools to finally turn this franchise around, this season. The loss of Kevin Love was undeniably terrible, but the addition of Andrew Wiggins softened the blow immensely. The Timberwolves had EIGHT players

   

   They may be young, but the Timberwolves
   are ready to take the NBA by storm.
   (Getty Images)

   averaging double digits in scoring this preseason. The biggest concern this team will have this year is rebounding. Nikola Pekovic led the team this preseason with a dismal 7.00 rpg. Being 6-11 and 285 lbs, there is no reason that number should be that low.
7. Houston Rockets - The numbers from the Rocket's last year's preseason dropped significantly. Howard, although he only played 3 games, dropped his rebounding productivity by more than 2.00/game. James Harden will continue racking up points, but I see Howard growing softer and softer. A injury-laden Kobe Bryant should not intimidate a 7-0 Center. If Howard can find the strength that he had in Orlando, this team will improve significantly.
8. Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers may have lost Steve Nash, but they still have an older (but still productive) Kobe Bryant. Averaging 19.00 ppg this preseason, expect Bryant to yet again, carry the scoring load. The loss of Pau Gasol to Chicago will hurt this team in the post, even with the addition of Carlos Boozer, who pulled down 4.43 rpg this preseason. If the lakers want to get past the first round of the playoffs, they will need major production from their big men.

Stauskas was a perimeter threat in the Big Ten. Expect the same
results from him in Sacramento.
(Gannett)

I'm expecting the Sacramento Kings to be attending the draft lottery this season. The kings did the right thing in taking an outside threat like Nik Stauskas in the draft this year, especially to take some attention off of their leading scorer, DeMarcus Cousins, but they are still in need at the small forward position. Rudy Gay does a decent job scoring, but when it comes to other aspects of his game, he falters. During the preseason, he averaged only 2.17 rpg and 2.33 apg. His counterpart, Derick Williams was just as disapointing, pulling down 1.50 rpg and dishing out a pathetic 0.83 apg. This Kings team is one solid Small Forward away from making a serious run into the playoffs next season.