Who is First in the Western Conference?
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The Western Conference is one of the two conferences in the NBA. It is made up of 15 teams, and each team plays 82 games in the regular season. The conference is split into three divisions: the Pacific Division, the Southwest Division, and the Northwest Division.
The Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are currently on top of the Western Conference with a record of (48-4). They are led by MVP candidate Stephen Curry, who is averaging 29.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. The Warriors are also getting significant contributions from their other All-Stars, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Their Record
The Warriors have the best record in the Western Conference. They have fifty wins and fourteen losses.
Their Key Players
The Warriors have had many great players throughout their history. Some of their key players include:
– Stephen Curry
– Klay Thompson
– Draymond Green
– Kevin Durant
– Andre Iguodala
– Rick Barry
The Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 53-22. They are two games ahead of the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets have been red-hot lately, winning 12 of their last 13 games.
Their Record
The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center, located in downtown Houston. The Rockets have won four Western Conference titles. The team was established as the San Diego Rockets, an expansion team originally based in San Diego, in 1967. In 1971, the Rockets moved to Houston.
Their Key Players
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center, located in downtown Houston. Throughout its history, Houston has won two NBA championships and four Western Conference titles. It was established in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets, an expansion team originally based in San Diego. In 1971, the Rockets moved to Houston.
The Rockets have won four Western Conference titles (1981, 1986, 1994, and 1995). In political terms, that’s a blue state winning a title for every red state since 1968 when Nixon won his first term.”]}]}}
The Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 35-12. They have been led by their star players, Russell Westbrook and Paul George. The Thunder have a lot of talent and they have been playing great basketball. They will likely be one of the top teams in the Western Conference this year.
Their Record
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently first in the Western Conference with a record of forty-five wins and nineteen losses. They have clinched a playoff berth and are looking to secure the number one seed in the conference. The Thunder are led by MVP candidate Russell Westbrook, who is averaging a triple-double for the season. Other key players for the Thunder include Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Steven Adams. The Thunder have one of the best homecourt advantages in the NBA, thanks to their passionate fans. They will look to continue their success in the playoffs and make a run at the NBA Finals.
Their Key Players
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays its home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Thunder’s NBA G League affiliate is the Oklahoma City Blue, which it owns. The Thunder are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues based in the state of Oklahoma.
The team was established as the Seattle SuperSonics, an expansion team that joined the NBA for the 1967–68 season. The SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 after a settlement was reached between former owner Clay Bennett and lawmakers from Seattle and King County, Washington following a lawsuit. In Seattle, the SuperSonics qualified for the NBA playoffs 22 times, won their division six times, advanced to three NBA Finals, and won their lone NBA championship in 1979. In Oklahoma City, theThunder have appeared in seven playoff seasons since 2010, won their division four times (2010–11 to 2013–14 Northwest Division), advanced to two NBA Finalswinning conference titles in 2012 and 2016 before losing to annual eventual champions Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers respectively – becoming only one of five teams during 2010s decade without a finals appearance but with streak of four consecutive division titles alongside Chicago Bulls (2011–12 to 2014–15 Central Division), Golden State Warriors (2014–15 to 2017–18 Pacific Division), Boston Celtics (2015–16 to 2018–19 Atlantic Division), and Houston Rockets (2016–17 Southwest Division) – and have one conference title during this decade despite being eliminated by Houston Rockets in second round of 2018 playoffs which delayed them from winning five consecutive division titles like Chicago did while playing against teams that becameHouston’s victims on way to back-to-back championships those years..
The Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are currently in the lead for the Western Conference with a record of (insert record here). They are followed by the (insert second place team here) and then the (insert third place team here).
Their Record
The Denver Nuggets have a record of 38 wins and 17 losses. They are currently in first place in the Western Conference.
Their Key Players
The Denver Nuggets have had a lot of success in recent years, thanks in large part to their key players.
Their star player is Nikola Jokic, who is one of the best centers in the NBA. He is a great scorer and rebounder, and is also an excellent passer. He was named to the All-NBA First Team in 2019 and is a two-time NBA All-Star.
Jamal Murray is another important player for the Nuggets. He is a very good shooter and scorer, and has emerged as one of the best young guards in the league. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2019, and was also an NBA All-Star that year.
The Nuggets also have two other players who were named to the All-Star team in 2019: small forward Paul Millsap and point guard Gary Harris. Harris is a very good defender, while Millsap is a great all-around player who can score, rebound, and defend well.
The Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 37-18. They are two games ahead of the second place Denver Nuggets. The Trail Blazers have been led by their All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who is averaging 27.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Portland has also been getting solid contributions from their big man Jusuf Nurkic, who is averaging 15.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Their Record
The Portland Trail Blazers compete in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As of February 11, 2019, they have won 44 games and lost 20 games. This record puts them in first place in the Western Conference.
Their Key Players
The Portland Trail Blazers are currently first in the Western Conference with a record of 33-12. They are led by a dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who are both averaging over 21 points per game. They also have a solid supporting cast, including big men Jusuf Nurkic and Enes Kanter. The Blazers have been one of the most fun teams to watch this season, and they look like they could be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 51-18. They are followed by the Los Angeles Lakers who are in second place with a 50-19 record. The Jazz have been led by Rudy Gobert who is averaging 15.1 points and 2.0 blocks per game.
Their Record
The Utah Jazz are currently first in the Western Conference with a record of 50-28. They have clinched a playoff berth and are looking to make a deep run in the postseason. The Jazz are led by All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 24.0 points per game. Other key players for the Jazz include Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, and Jae Crowder. The Jazz have one of the best defenses in the NBA, and they will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
Their Key Players
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. Since 1991, the team has played its home games at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The franchise began play as an expansion team in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in NBA history in their early years. However, after the retirement of longtime star Karl Malone and acquisition of John Stockton in 1984, they qualified for 14 straight NBA Playoffs (1985–1998), and won two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998 with players such as Malone, Stockton, Andrei Kirilenko, Shandon Anderson, Danny Manning; and head coach Jerry Sloan. They also failed to qualify for the playoffs from 1999 to 2004; and held a lottery pick for their first draft choice between 2002 and 2012.Derrick FavorsIsiah Thomas
The Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 53-26. They are two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets, who are in second place. The Clippers have clinched a playoff spot and are looking to finish the regular season strong.
Their Record
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division. The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, one of three expansion teams to join the NBA that year. The Braves moved from Buffalo, New York to San Diego, California in 1978 and became known as the San Diego Clippers. In 1984, the franchise moved to Los Angeles.
Through much of its history, the franchise failed to see significant regular season or playoff success. The Clippers were frequently seen as an example of a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to their geographically nearby rivals, the Lakers, with whom they have shared a arena since 1999. Since 1994, however, the franchise has enjoyed more success, qualifying for ten consecutive playoffs behind All-Star power forward Blake Griffin, point guard Chris Paul, and head coach Doc Rivers.
The Clippers have appeared in four conference finals series: two Western Conference First Round losses (2006 and 2015) and two Western Conference Semifinal losses (2013 and 2014). They have qualified for nine divisional finals series: four Northwest Division titles (1974–1976; 2012–2014), four Pacific Division titles (2016–2019), one Southwest Division title (1975),and two first round losses (2006 and 2015).
Their Key Players
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division. The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, one of three expansion teams to join the NBA that year. The Braves moved from Buffalo, New York to San Diego, California in 1978 and became known as the San Diego Clippers. In 1984, the franchise made a move to Los Angeles.
The franchise began with great promise, led by stars such as world class dunker and eventual Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes, future star Wes Unseld, and promising players like Bob Dandridge and Archie Clark. However, despite posting winning records in eight of their first nine seasons in San Diego, they only made the playoffs twice during that span.
In their first year in Los Angeles, the Clippers posted a 67–15 record – good for second place behind only the defending champion Lakers – and won their first division title since 1976–77. Led by new head coach Gene Shue (who had also coached them during their final days in Buffalo), center Moses Malone, and Rookie of the Year forward Derek Smith, they finished with 53 wins – matching their previous best season – but lost in six games to the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
following seasons were marked by mediocrity as they traded away most of their best players without getting much back in return; however they did manage to make it back to the playoffs led by veterans James Edwards and Larry Drew en route to a 36–46 record in 1989–90. After missing out on making it back-to-back trips to the playoffs for only the second time since relocating to Los Angeles (and also finishing dead last in attendance for only the second time), they finally put together a competitive team again led by All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway and versatile forwards Rod Strickland and Malik Sealy which resulted in a 44–38 record – good for 7th place in a loaded Western Conference – but ultimately losing out on a playoff berth after losing a win-or-go home game on April 18th against eventual Conference Finals participants Seattle SuperSonics which resulted angering Hardaway so much that he yelled “We sucked!” during his post game press conference which caused him being suspended for one game without pay by then head coach Larry Brown; Seattle would go on to lose out to Portland Trail Blazers who went on make it all way to NBA Finals where they would be swept by Eastern Conference Champions Chicago Bulls. Despite missing out on playoffs that season due mainly due subpar play down stretch which saw them losing 10 of final 15 games; that season is best remembered for an ugly fight between teammates Strickland and Sealy during practice Christmas Eve which resulted each player being suspended 3 games without pay which ultimately overshadowed team’s decent season overall up until fight took place.
With new head coach Bill Fitch taking over coaching duties from Brown; team would get off slow start winning only 13 of first 28 games before going on fire winning 34 of next 50 games en route 57–25 finish good 2nd place behind only 62 win Sonics earn trip back playoffs where they would face off against young upstart Suns team led by All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson, reigning NBA Sixth Man Award Winner Danny Manning & reigning Rookie Of Year forward Vin Baker who although getting swept aside fairly easily by experienced & battle tested Lakers squad who went onto win NBA Finals that year; Suns gave Clippers everything could handle ultimately going down swinging barely losing out series 4 games 3.
The San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Their Record
The San Antonio Spurs are currently in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 50-16. They have won five championships in their history, the most recent being in 2014. The Spurs are coached by Gregg Popovich and led by Kawhi Leonard.
Their Key Players
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The Spurs have won 22 division titles in their 46 seasons of existence, making them the team with the third-most division titles in NBA history behind only the Los Angeles Lakers (35) and Boston Celtics (21). The franchise has also won five conference championships, nine NBA Championships (tied for 5th all-time), while tying the Golden State Warriors for second with 17 playoff appearances. The franchise made their debut in 1976 as an expansion team joining seven other teams that began play that year.
Their key players include:
-Demar Derozan
-Rudy Gay
-LaMarcus Aldridge
-Bryn Forbes
-Derrick White
The New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently in first place in the Western Conference. They have a record of 27-22 and are just half a game ahead of the second place Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans have been led by Anthony Davis, who is averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
Their Record
The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays their home games at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when then-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, George Shinn, relocated the franchise to New Orleans. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, where they spent two seasons officially known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The team returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season. On January 24, 2013, it was announced that the team would be renamed from New Orleans Hornets to Louisiana Pelicans effective with the start of the 2013–14 season.
As of March 12th, 2020, their record is 31-36 which places them 11th in the Western Conference and 3rd in the Southwest Division.
Their Key Players
The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays their home games at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when then-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, George Shinn, relocated the franchise to New Orleans. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, where they spent two seasons officially known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The team returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season.
On January 24, 2013, the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after the conclusion of the 2012–13 season. Their achievements include one division title (in 2018–19), and four playoff appearances (in 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19). Experiencing much struggle throughout their short time in NBA history, they have never made it further than the Conference Semifinals since their establishment as a franchise.
Since acquiring Anthony Davis from 2012 NBA Draft and DeMarcus Cousins in a trade during 2017 NBA off-season, The Pelicans have been one of most dominant teams inside paint with both All-Star caliber players. Nikola Mirotić was signed during 2018 NBA off-season providing outside threat for this young yet talented team. Recently signed Jrue Holiday is also one of key players for this organization as well. They currently lead by head coach Alvin Gentry who previously was an assistant coach for Golden State Warriors when they won their first championship in 40 years back in 2015.
Some key players for New Orleans Pelicans are:
-Anthony Davis
-DeMarcus Cousins
-Jrue Holiday
-Nikola Mirotić
The Minnesota Timberwolves
Their Record
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. Founded in 1989, the team is owned by Glen Taylor who also owns the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The Timberwolves play their home games at Target Center, and their head coach is Ryan Saunders.
The franchise made the NBA playoffs for the first time in 2001 and again in 2003, but failed to make any significant progress until Kevin Garnett was acquired from the Boston Celtics in a trade prior to the start of the 1995–96 season. Garnett went on to lead Minnesota to eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2004 to 2012. In those years, the team won six division titles and advanced to the Western Conference Finals once, in 2004. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Garnett was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for that season. The team has been rebuilding since then; trading Garnett back to Boston in 2007; acquiring Jimmy Butler from Chicago in 2017; and signing Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, who were both drafted number one overall into the league.
Their Key Players
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in first place in the Western Conference. They have been led by their key players, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Towns is averaging 21.2 points per game and Wiggins is averaging 19.4 points per game. The Timberwolves are also getting contributions from their other players, including Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, and Jamal Crawford.