Beyond the Toronto Raptors: Powerhouse Pacific Division

Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Serge Ibaka (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Who is primed to usurp the throne and unseat the Toronto Raptors as NBA Champions? The loaded Pacific Division has a few contenders.

And now, we leave Toronto Raptors land and go across the league to scout the rest of the NBA teams. As you’ll probably notice from the rest of our division previews, not all divisions were made the same. And the Pacific Division stands above the rest.

The Pacific Division epitomizes the overly used “West is Best” catchphrase. With both Los Angeles teams favoured to win the title, the champion of three of the last five seasons in Golden State, and an upstart team in the Kings, this division could have the highest win total in the NBA.

Then there’s the Suns… the black sheep of the division could actually be better than what most fans and pundits are thinking. And even if they are utter trash, three championship-caliber teams plus a fringe playoff team makes the Pacific the NBA’s best.

Divisions don’t really mean much in the NBA. But it’s interesting to note that in terms of geography, the Larry O’Brien trophy has a significant chance of returning to the state of California.

Between the Atlantic Division and the Pacific Division, the title contenders are bunched within two of the six divisions. Move over Biggie and Tupac, we have a new “East Coast versus West Coast” rivalry shaping up. But before that happens, we should take a look at the more local battles to take place.

So how will the battle of California a.k.a. the Pacific Division shape up?