NBA Power Rankings: Breaking down the divisions

May 29, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) react during the second half in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pacific Division

I know what you’re thinking. How can a division with the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers be higher up the list than the division with the Oklahoma City Thunder? Well, because as much as the Kings and Lakers figure to be terrible once again, the Pacific also has two sure-fire playoff teams from the start, not to mention a strong third contender in the Phoenix Suns.

At the top of the division, the Los Angeles Clippers look as dangerous a competitor for the Western crown as they ever have. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin lead the charge, but this is an extremely deep and well-coached team that added a valuable stretch-5 with Spencer Hawes in the offseason. The Golden State Warriors return a young, healthy and extremely talented nucleus, and even after passing on Kevin Love, they have the chance to make a postseason run with one of the NBA’s most talented starting lineups (that is now supported by a much-improved bench).

The Suns will have their hands full nabbing a playoff spot after Channing Frye’s departure, but Phoenix has the league’s deepest backcourt that could include Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis, Gerald Green, Archie Goodwin, Zoran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe (who would likely be playing on a $3.7 million qualifying offer). Since the Suns became quite possibly the best team in NBA history to miss the playoffs after winning 48 games last season, I’m thinking they sneak in for the 2014-15 season.

Finally, the Kings and Lakers might actually be better than they were last year, even if they aren’t playoff-bound. Losing Thomas and replacing him with Darren Collison was a bonehead move for Sacramento, but DeMarcus Cousins hopefully learned something from his time under Coach Mike Krzyzewski with Team USA this summer and Rudy Gay quietly had a very efficient half-season debut with the Kings last year. Meanwhile, if Kobe Bryant is able to do Black Mamba things, even that power forward logjam won’t prevent the Lakers from winning some games.

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