#5 Golden State Warriors
(54/28)
I love watching the Warriors play this year. They always put on a show and hardly disappoint. Their coach Mark Jackson is a crafty coach who gets the most out of his players. Steph Curry is a stellar player who continually is at the top of his game but sadly, his teammates let him down by not always turning up on a nightly basis. They need to put consistency together to really put their stamp on the league.
#6 Dallas Mavericks
(50/32)
The acquisition of Monta Ellis has been a master stroke as he's guided the team well around the court and has great shooting ability too. As for Dirk Nowitzki, well, he's just been flat out Dirk. They have a pretty cruisy run heading into the playoffs but they won't be doing too much damage once they get there.
#8 Memphis Grizzles
(47/35)
A team that plays no frills basketball. Much like the Spurs, are boring to watch but continue to get the job done but unlike San Antonio, they don't have the big stars. They'll continue to go about their business but due to their lack of stars, they won't feature too highly for the rest of the year.
#9 Minnesota Timberwolves
(43/39)
Now I know they aren't in my mind, going to play playoffs but I just wanted to demonstrate the depth of the Western Conference. I think they'll finish on 43 wins or thereabouts which will place them seventh in the Eastern Conference. Not playing playoffs in the West but a record that is good enough to play playoffs in the East. You have to feel sorry for them as I feel they have been ripped off but that's the way the cookie crumbles in a seeded playoff system.
#7 Pheonix Suns
(49/33)
Currently sitting sixth on the standings, their slight unpredictability will see them slide down one spot. The biggest improvers of the year, who deserve to be where they are. Goran Dragic has been better than expected and the Morris twins have really stepped up. I don't expect them to figure heavily in May but they will cause some upsets leading up to the playoffs.
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