Same eight teams in NBA West likely to make playoffs again

The same eight teams that made the playoffs in the Western Conference last season will make the postseason again in the 2014-15 season.

But trying to figure out the order of finish in the super-tough West is the hard part.

And the fun part and intriguing part and must-see-TV part.

Last season, the order of finish in the West was San Antonio first, Oklahoma City second, the Clippers third, Houston fourth, Portland fifth, Golden State sixth, Memphis seventh and Dallas eighth.

The presumption is that the Thunder will automatically drop down in the West standings because All-World forward Kevin Durant will be out eight weeks after surgery to repair a bone fracture in his right foot.

OKC had been considered one of the favorites to win the NBA championship. It also seemed natural to pick OKC as the team to earn the best record in the West and perhaps even in the NBA.

But with league MVP Durant out, it’s hard to see that happening.

So how will the West shake out?

1. The Spurs. They are the defending champs.
2. The Clippers have more experience and a better bench than last season.
3. The Warriors will make the biggest leap to third from sixth because they are a better team.
4. The Thunder drop because of the Durant injury.
5. The Trail Blazers are still very good.
6. The Rockets didn’t do enough to improve.
7. The Grizzlies could finisher higher, but they don’t score enough.
8. The Mavericks actually got better and could finish higher.

Sorry, Lakers fans, your team is not in the top eight again.

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner