Half of the Western Conference playoff teams call the NW Division home (and 1/4 of all playoff teams)
Yes, one of the most competitive divisions (if not the most competitive division) in all of basketball. We have to play the likes of Denver, Oklahoma City and Utah 4 times each while the Lakers get to play Golden State, Sacramento and the Clippers. Hardly seems fair, right?! That extra 2-3 wins per year is the difference between 2nd and 8th this year.
Good point, but at least we go up against the Elite more on the regular. Its a better test for our team.
What's funny, is that going into the season NOBODY predicted the division to be this strong. The Thunder were dismissed as being at least a year away from the play-offs, and a fair number of people were predicting Utah was headed for a crash.
Since we're the only team in the NW, we should be the only team in the NW division. Top 3 Western seed guaranteed!
Umm... we play(ed) the Kings, Clippers, and Warriors 4 times each this season. And the Lakers play(ed) Denver, Oklahoma City, and Utah 4 times each this season. There is no advantage.
It USED to be, back in the day when there were less teams, that you played your division opponents 5 times and everyone else in the conference 4 times. Now, you basically play everyone 4 times with only a few exceptions that you play only 3 times.
There are 5x teams tied for the 2-5th spots right now in the Western conference.. all with 27 losses. We are actually only 3 games out of 2nd spot. But time is running out wow