Power Rankings for 2017-18 NBA season, Part 1 – Western Conference

Only injuries or complacency can stop this group from their destiny as NBA Finalists or, more likely, champions. Their top 4 players (Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green) could easily be rolled out in the All-Star game as starters. Battle-hardened, and rolling to a 16-1 playoff record – who can argue?. Projected '17-'18 record: 65-17. . Golden State Warriors. 1. team. 41

Houston now has its own All-Star backcourt, with Chris Paul joining the astonishing James Harden. Ryan Anderson might be a monster, draining open-look long balls from all over. If Clint Capela takes a step forward, their defense will be barely adequate. It may not matter – this team will lead the league in points per game.. Projected '17-'18 record: 54-26. . Houston rockets. 2. team. 169

Another 50+ wins are in the cards for pro sport’s most successful franchise. There are chinks in the armour: Kawhi Leonard, heir apparent to LeBron James as the game’s best two-way player, is nicked up, and several key contributors (Tony Parker, Pau Gasol) aren’t young. But no one gets more value out of his group than Gregg Popovich.. Projected '17-'18 record: 55-27. . San Antonio spurs. 3. team. 29

Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook – they are all in orange & blue. While there’s a considerable talent drop-off after those three, the Thunder simply need their supporting cast to hold their own. Dudes like Steven Adams, Andre Roberson and Patrick Patterson should manage. Will one ball prove enough for their scorers?. Projected '17-'18 record: 50-32. . Oklahoma City thunder. 4. team. 149

86. This is the best roster of Timberwolves in more than a decade. Adding tough and talented veterans Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford to their superb young core was masterful. Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns should be ready for their close-up. Even a notorious grouch like head coach Tom Thibodeau might crack a smile on occasion.. Projected '17-'18 record: 47-35. . Minnesota t'wolves. 5. team

Portland trail blazers. 6. team. 34. Portland, like Houston, has lots of firepower. Their starting guards are C.J. McCollum and Damien Lillard, both of whom can fill it up from everywhere. They also boosted monster center Jusuf Nurkic from Denver, who was superb in his half-season of 2016-17. Now they have to become shut-down defenders, which won’t be easy. The bench is a bit thin for a top-rank team.. Projected '17-'18 record: 45-37.

Denver Nuggets. 7. team. 73. This roster has a lot of young talent. I suspect they need this season to figure out exactly what they want to be when they grow up. If I’m wrong – if Jamal Murray is the gunner they thought they drafted, Gary Harris starts repaying their huge investment, and Emmanuel Mudiay finally gets it – Denver could be a dark horse. They can play big or small; a team to watch.. Projected '17-'18 record: 45-37.

118. The entire state of Utah was devastated by Gordon Hayward’s decision to head east for a reunion with his old coach. Dry your eyes, and move on, guys. The Jazz aren’t ruined. They have a DPOY candidate in Rudy Gobert to make the paint most unfriendly, Derrick Favors can score from inside and Joe Ingles (and Rodney Hood? I’m not sold) from out. I like Ricky Rubio at the point. Utah will make every team work hard for a W.. Projected '17-'18 record: 42-40. . Utah jazz. 8. team

The loss of Chris Paul was damaging, but bringing over Milos Teodosic from Europe may stop the bleeding in a hurry. He’s a 30-year-old NBA rookie who’s a dazzling passer. Blake Griffin leads the offense, and will get a lot of help from Danilo Gallinari. DeAndre Jordan is a significant paint presence, and Lou Williams can still fill it up. The Clips aren’t a title contender, but they are robust.. Projected '17-'18 record: 43-39. . Los Angeles Clippers. 9. team. 77

69. They have two of the game’s most talented big men in  DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. Their point guard is the newly rich Jrue Holiday. After that, their roster falls off a house. Is Omer Asik still in the league? This team could win a game by 25, then lose their next by the same margin. I’ve copped out and granted them a .500 record.. Projected '17-'18 record: 41-41. . New Orleans pelicans. 10. team

team. 66. The Suns roster is as young as it gets, and I may be jumping the gun by moving them out of the basement. But they have two serious talents in Devin Booker and Dragan Bender (OK, he’s still got some ways to go) and Marquess Chris might be on the verge of a leap forward. Brandon Knight is almost out of chances, but the skills are there. Be patient, Suns fans. You’re not far away.. Projected '17-'18 record: 38-44. . Phoenix suns. 11

Dallas mavericks. 12. team. 79. Dirk Nowitzki is, like everyone on the planet, losing his battle with Father Time. His latest collection of Mavs mates isn’t going to be delivering him another championship ring. They aren’t deep enough – not even close. There’s brave talk of Dennis Smith Jr. making a memorable debut in the NBA, but counting on rookies is foolish. Find another gem in the lottery, and look to next year.. Projected '17-'18 record: 36-46.

Mike Conley, the NBA’s most underrated point guard, is going to have difficulty finding someone worthy to pass to with this year’s Grizzlies. Sure, he can dish to Marc Gasol, or hope that either Chandler Parsons or Tyreke Evans is actually healthy enough to play a few games. Otherwise, the Grizz have too many G-Leaguers for my taste. I don’t get a sense of a team here. Watch for a lot of player churn as the losses pile up.. Projected '17-'18 record: 33-49. . Memphis grizzlies. 13. team. 211

Sacramento kings. 14. team. 84. I don’t have any clue as to how this franchise is going to climb out of the ditch it’s dug for itself over the last decade. This roster isn’t likely to provide much direction. Vince Carter will cash more cheques, Zach Randolph will bang under the hoop, George Hill will handle the rock, while the kids learn to lose. Skal Labissiere, Willy Cauley-Stein, and De’Aaron Fox need a lot of minutes, which means a lot of losing.. Projected '17-'18 record: 33-49.

20. The kids will play, and the veterans will lead the cheers. It all adds up to another lost season in Laker-land, but the fans should enjoy the development of Lonzo Ball. While the fantasy of playoff contention will be quickly dispelled, they might be a formidable opponent by season’s end as they develop some chemistry. Julius Randle is the X-factor – is he ready for bigger things?. Projected '17-'18 record: 30-52. . Los Angeles lakers. 15. team