NBA RANKING 2019-20 Western Conference Teams with Grades

2019-20 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDING PREDICTIONS AND RATING/TEAM GRADES

Written By Kyle Crabbe
Twitter:@KthetruestKnick






2019-20 TrueFan Western Conference Standing Projections

1) Houston Rockets : Last Season Placed 4th

2) Los Angeles Lakers : Last Season Placed 10th

3) Portland Trailblazers : Last Season Placed 3rd

4) Los Angeles Clippers : Last Season Placed 8th

5) San Antonio Spurs : Last Season Placed 7th

6) Golden State Warriors : Last Season Placed 1st

7) Denver Nuggets : Last Season Placed 2nd

8) Utah Jazz : Last Season Placed 5th

9) Sacramento Kings : Last Season Placed 9th

10) Dallas Mavericks : Last Season Placed 14th

11) New Orleans Pelicans : Last Season Placed 13th

12) Phoenix Suns : Last Season Placed 15th

13) Minnesota T'Wolves : Last Season Placed 11th

14) Memphis Grizzlies : Last Season Placed 13th

15) OKC Thunder : Last Season Placed 6th







TrueFan 2019-20 Eastern Conference Team Grades And Win Projections



5 Levels Of Team Tier's

1) Championship Contender

2) Playoff Team

3) Competitive Team

4) Young Developing Team

5) Rebuilding Team








15) Oklahoma City Thunder

True Fan Off-Season Grade: D

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: C-
Defense: C+
Chemistry: C-
Coaching: C+
Front Office: B-

2018-19 Team Record: 49 - 33

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 14 – 25 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Young Developing Team / Rebuild Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) How good will newly acquired Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander be for OKC in his 2nd NBA Season?

2) Will Chris Paul play well in his second stint with the OKC Franchise? Will he be bought out or traded by the NBA Trade Deadline to a contender?

3) Will OKC Thunder Forward and Defensive Specialist Andre Roberson return to form for the Thunder in 2019-20 from injury?

4) Will OKC continue the rebuild and trade veteran players like : Steven Adams, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala?

5) How much will the thunder young players develop and contribute of : Hamidou Diallo, Darius Bazley, Terrence Ferguson, and Justin Patton?










14) Memphis Grizzlies

True Fan Off-Season Grade: C+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: C-
Defense: C+
Chemistry: C
Coaching: C-
Front Office: D

2018-19 Team Record: 33 - 49

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 15 – 22 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Young Developing Team / Rebuild Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) How will 1st Year NBA Head Coach Taylor Jenkins establish a team identity following the Memphis “ Grit And Grind” Era?

2) Can former 2017 4th Overall NBA Draft Selection Josh Jackson develop and shine this season with Memphis?

3) Can 2019 2nd Overall NBA Draft Pick Star Point Guard Ja Morant play well enough in his 1st NBA season to capture the Rookie of the Year?

4) Can young 24-Year Old Forward Bruno Caboclo develop to an effective NBA contributor this season in Memphis?

5) How good will Big Man Jaren Jackson Jr play and develop in his 2nd NBA season with Memphis?









13) Minnesota T'Wolves

True Fan Off-Season Grade: C+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B+
Defense: C+
Chemistry: C
Coaching: D
Front Office: D-

2018-19 Team Record: 36 - 46

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 26 – 34 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Competitive Team / Rebuilding Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) What system will Head Coach Ryan Saunders implement around Minnesota two young stars of Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins?

2) What kind of season will Wolves' Young Star Karl Anthony-Towns have? Can he take the next step to Superstardom and elevate to All-Star level?

3) Will this season be Star Wing Andrew Wiggins' last season in Minnesota?

4) Can Coach Ryan Saunders help develop Star Wing Andrew Wiggins to his immense potential with no longer having to share opportunities with Jimmy Butler?

5) How well will 1st year Guard Jarrett Culver perform as a rookie this season in Minnesota?











12) Phoenix Suns

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B-

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B
Defense: B-
Chemistry: C+
Coaching: C+
Front Office: C+

2018-19 Team Record: 19 - 63

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 25 – 33 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Young Developing Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Will new Suns' Head Coach Monty Williams be able to turn the Phoenix fortunes around this season?

2) How good can the backcourt of Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio be for the Suns in 2019-20?

3) Will Phoenix Suns Star Shooting Guard Devin Booker make his 1st All-Star Appearance in 2019-20?

4) How good will 2018 1st Overall Draft Pick Center DeAndre Ayton perform in his 2nd NBA season?

5) Will the Phoenix Suns show enough promise this season for Star Devin Booker not to demand to be traded elsewhere?











11) New Orleans Pelicans

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B
Defense: B
Chemistry: C+
Coaching: C
Front Office: C+

2018-19 Team Record: 33 - 49

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 31 – 37 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Young Developing Team / Competitive Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Will Young Superstar Zion Williamson in his 1st NBA season perform well enough to win 2020 Rookie of the Year?

2) Can Point Guard Lonzo Ball maintain his first healthy season in his 1st year in New Orleans?

3) Will New Orleans trade Star Guard Jrue Holiday this season at the NBA's Trade Deadline?

4) How good will star Wing Brandon Ingram perform in his 1st season with New Orleans?

5) Can the Pelicans be a Top 10 Offense and Top 10 Defense in 2019-20 under Head Coach Alvin Gentry?









10) Dallas Mavericks

True Fan Off-Season Grade: C+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B+
Defense: C
Chemistry: C+
Coaching: B-
Front Office: B-

2018-19 Team Record: 33 - 49

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 35 – 42 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Competitive Team / Young Developing Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Can Mavericks Star Forward Kristaps Porzingis return to his dominate form pre-injury from 2017 this season?

2) Are the Mavericks a playoff Team in 2019-20?

3) Can Young Star Luka Doncic become a 1st time All-Star in 2019-20?

4) Can the 2019-20 Dallas Mavericks become a Top 5 Offense under Head Coach Rick Carlisle?

5) Can Shooting Guard Tim Hardaway Jr win 2020 6th Man of the Year in Dallas?









9) Sacramento Kings

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B
Defense: B
Chemistry: B-
Coaching: C-
Front Office: C-

2018-19 Team Record: 39 - 43

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 39 – 44 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Competitive Team / Young Developing Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) How big of a 2nd season will Kings fans be treated to by Forward Marvin Bagley?

2) In 2019-20 will DeAaron Fox and Buddy Hield become an elite NBA backcourt?

3) Will new Head Coach Luke Walton's philosophy work well with the Kings young core and depth of talent?

4) Will the Kings lead the NBA in pace in 2019-20?

5) Can the Kings make their first post-season appearance in over 10 years in 2019-20?









8) Utah Jazz

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B
Defense: B+
Chemistry: B
Coaching: B
Front Office: B-

2018-19 Team Record: 50 - 32

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 49 – 55 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Can the 2019-20 Utah Jazz improve on the previous season 50 wins?

2) How good of a addition will Point Guard Mike Conley be for the Jazz this season?

3) How good will Star Shooting Guard Donovan Mitchell perform in his 3rd NBA Season?

4) How will the off-season acquisitions of Shooter Bojan Bogdanovic, Point Guard Emmanuel Mudiay and back-up Center Ed Davis prove successful in improving the Jazz bench in 2019-20?

5) In 2019-20 Can the Utah Jazz reach the Western Conference Finals?










7) Denver Nuggets

True Fan Off-Season Grade: C

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: A-
Defense: B-
Chemistry: B
Coaching: C+
Front Office: C+

2018-19 Team Record: 54 - 28

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 49 – 56 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) How good will Denver Nuggets Star Center Nikola Jokic be going into his 5th NBA season?

2) Will Star Guard Jamal Murray be a 1st time All-Star in 2019-20?

3) Can the Denver Nuggets develop to a Top 5 Defense in 2019-20?

4) Will 2018 1st Round Pick Forward Michael Porter Jr make a significant contribution for the Nuggets this season?

5) Can the Denver Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals this season?








6) Golden State Warriors

True Fan Off-Season Grade: C+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B+
Defense: B
Chemistry: B
Coaching: A-
Front Office: B

2018-19 Team Record: 57 - 25

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 48 – 54 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Can Warriors Superstar Guard Steph Curry be able to remain healthy this season with the pressure being returning to him as the Warriors main offensive weapon?

2) Can Point Guard D'Angelo Russell continue to improve on his 2018 All-Star campaign in his 1st season in Golden State?

3) Will Center Willie Cauley-Stein develop to become a impactful player with the Warriors this season?

4) Will Star Shooting Guard Klay Thompson return to play at all this season and if so how much will he be able to play and contribute?

5) Without elite Two-Way Wing Andre Iguodala and Superstar Forward Kevin Durant can the Warriors still make a extended post-season run in 2019-20?









5) San Antonio Spurs

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: B+
Defense: A-
Chemistry: B
Coaching: A
Front Office: B+

2018-19 Team Record: 48 - 34

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 51 – 58 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Will Point Guard Dejounte Murray win 2019-20 Comeback Player of the Year?

2) Can the Spurs Maintain a Top 10 Defense and Top 10 Offense in 2019-20?

3) Can Star Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan post great averages of 20+ ppg-6+ass-6+reb per game again for consecutive seasons in San Antonio?

4) Can the Spurs emerge as NBA Title contenders in 2019-20 lead by the great Head Coach Greg Popovich?

5) How much will 2nd Year Shooting Guard Lonnie Walker develop and contribute for the Spurs in 2019-20?










4) Los Angeles Clippers

True Fan Off-Season Grade: A-

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: A-
Defense: A
Chemistry: B
Coaching: B+
Front Office: B+

2018-19 Team Record: 48 - 34

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 52 – 60 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team / Championship Contender


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Will the LA Clippers be a Top 3 Defense in 2019-20?

2) How well will SuperStar Two-Way Wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George mesh playing together this season?

3) Will the Clippers emerge to win the 2019-20 Western Conference lead by the great Head Coach Doc Rivers?

4) Do the Clippers make a move in-season to acquire a elite Big Man / Center ?

5) Will the 2019-20 LA Clippers win more than 55 games?







3) Portland Trailblazers

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: A-
Defense: A-
Chemistry: A-
Coaching: B+
Front Office: B

2018-19 Team Record: 53 - 29

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 53 – 61 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Playoff Team / Championship Contender


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Can Portland core players remain healthy all season to make an extended post-season run?

2) Will SuperStar Portland Point Guard Damian Lillard win the 2019-20 NBA Most Valuable Player Award?

3) How much of an impact will the acquisition of Elite Center Hassan Whiteside bring to Portland this season?

4) Can Portland this year take the next step to winning over 55 games and claiming the Western Conference top seed?

5) How much development and contribution will Portland get from young 20-Year Old Guard Anfernee Simons in his 2nd NBA Season?










2) Los Angeles Lakers

True Fan Off-Season Grade: A

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: A
Defense: A-
Chemistry: B
Coaching: B-
Front Office: C+

2018-19 Team Record: 37 - 45

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 55 – 64 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Championship Contender


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) Will newest Los Angeles Lakers Superstar Big Man Anthony Davis win Most Valuable Player and/or Defensive Player of the Year in his 1st season in LA?

2) What system and style of play will new Head Coach Frank Vogel and his coaching staff develop for the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers?

3) What kind of contribution to the Lakers season will the acquisition of former Defensive Player of the Year Center Dwight Howard will be?

4) Will The 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers win out of the Western Conference?

5) Can the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers be a Top 5 Offense and a Top 5 Defense?









1) Houston Rockers

True Fan Off-Season Grade: B+

True Fan Team Skills' Grades
Offense: A
Defense: B
Chemistry: B
Coaching: A-
Front Office: B

2018-19 Team Record: 53 - 29

TrueFan Season Wins Projections : 56 – 65 Games

TrueFan Team Tier : Championship Contender


5 Critical Questions For 2019-20 Successful Season


1) How well will the supremely elite Backcourt of Superstar Guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook perform in this season in Houston?

2) Will Superstar Guard Russell Westbrook see his statistical output improve this season as many guards do in his 1st season under Legendary Offensive Head Coach Mike D'Antoni?

3) Will the Houston Rockets become the 2019-20 NBA's Top Rated Offense?

4) Will Houston win the Western Conference and make it to their first NBA Finals since the 1990's?

5) Will the Rockets add another playoff tested veteran for their post-season run such as : Cleveland Power Forward Kevin Love, Memphis Grizzlies Forward Andre Iguodala, New York Knicks Marcus Morris, or another team's disgruntled star?




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