Fansided

10 reasons we’re thankful the NBA is back

By Joshua Axelrod

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Tyson Chandler #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers after he blocked the final shot of the game by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks to win the the game at Staples Center on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Tyson Chandler #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers after he blocked the final shot of the game by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks to win the the game at Staples Center on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — NOVEMBER 8: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 8, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — NOVEMBER 8: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 8, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. The West is chaos

While the Eastern Conference playoff teams are more or less set and the best four teams — Bucks, Raptors, Celtics and Sixers — have separated themselves from the pack, the West is pure, unadulterated chaos right now. Literally anything could happen, as every team but the Suns and Mavericks have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs.

The only thing probably set in stone is the Golden State Warriors winning the conference handily. That team looks more engaged than they have since Kevin Durant first got to the Bay Area in 2016, which should be terrifying for the rest of the West. But that’s about the only thing one can reasonably predict about how the West will shake out.

The aforementioned Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs seem to be the best of the non-Warriors bunch out west, though that could easily change. The Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings (?!) currently look like playoff teams, which kind of makes sense for the Grizzlies but is shocking to see from the usually terrible Kings.

This could all change the second the Rockets get their act together, LeBron figures out how to make this Lakers team work or Anthony Davis wills the Pelicans into the playoffs practically on his own. We haven’t even discussed the Jazz, Timberwolves or Los Angeles Clippers, all of who are circling the bottom of the Western Conference playoff seedings as well.

NBA fans should always, always be grateful for uncertainty like this. It’s no fun when the outcomes already feel predetermined (with the exception of the Warriors’ dominance; that’s somehow still enjoyable). It will be a lot of fun to see which Western Conference teams fall and which assert themselves in the conference’s hierarchy.

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