Top Seeds In Western Conference
Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton
Anyone who thought the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals in 2021 was a fluke was proven wrong this season. They ran through the rest of the league, finishing with the best record, eight games clear of the closest team.
This team is battle-tested and ready to make another run. Their X-Factor is Deandre Ayton. Ayton has a lot to prove as the Suns’ ownership didn’t believe he was worth a max rookie extension coming into the season. If he can produce and help get the team a championship this season, he will be setting himself up nicely for free agency in the summer.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies were arguably the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. They ended up earning the No. 2 seed, as they took a major step after winning the NBA Play-In Tournament and being the No. 8 seed last year.
This is a very talented team that should contend for years to come. All eyes are on Ja Morant, but their X-Factor in the postseason is Jaren Jackson Jr. There is a reason that the Grizzlies went 20-5 in games that Morant missed this season and Jackson is a major part of that. Healthy for the first time in his career, the postseason will be his coming-out party.
Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole
The Warriors are back among the contenders after a two-year hiatus of watching the postseason from home. The health of Stephen Curry is something to keep an eye on, but it does look like he will be able to suit up after suffering a foot injury in mid-March.
For Golden State, their X-Factor is Jordan Poole. He has come into his own during his third season in the NBA, setting himself up for a lucrative rookie extension this offseason. He will play an important role in the postseason, as he will be the starting point guard should Curry not be able to go.
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If Curry is healthy, he becomes the leader of the second unit. Poole has thrived in both roles and the team needs him to continue to do so if they are to advance.
Dallas Mavericks: Spencer Dinwiddie & Jalen Brunson
The Mavericks are facing an uphill battle at the start of the postseason with superstar Luka Doncic ailing. Doncic is dealing with a calf strain and it is unlikely he will suit up for Game 1 and his status will be updated daily.
Replacing him will take a total team effort, as there are very few players in the NBA that can produce at the clip that Doncic does. Without him, that means the team will be relying even more on the backcourt duo of Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie, dual X-Factors for the Mavericks.
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Brunson has stepped his game up throughout the season whenever Doncic was sidelined and will need to once again. Dinwiddie has played much better after struggling with the Washington Wizards at the start of the season. They will be the focal points of the Mavericks’ offense as long as Doncic is sidelined.
