Who's the best in the west?

[finalsY2K]

I personally think it goes like this:

5. Sacramento
4. San Antonio
3. Phoenix
2. Blazers
1. Lakers

Your thoughts?

[Francis3]

5. Suns
4. Kings
3. Spurs
2. Blazers
1. Lakers

[JuanValdez]

5. Rockets [I couldn't, in good conscience, leave them out altogether]
4. Portland
3. Jazz
2. LA Lakers
1. San Antonio

[finalsY2K]

I can understand the sentimental nod to the Rockets at number 5, but how can you place 3 other teams ahead of Blazers? Why do you have Lakers behind S.A. even though they have a much better record and beat S.A. head to head? This was supposed to be a "current state" look at 1-5. Are you guessing about Season-ending rank or is this retrospective?

[JuanValdez]

I'm thinking current state. I have SA first because I think they are better than everyone else. They lost to the Lakers and their record isn't as good, but I don't see those two elements as the end-all of the question. If they had to play one game or seven against any team for the championship right now today, I would put my money on the Spurs over anyone.

I've used a similar formula for the Blazers. If the championship was on the line right now in a game against the Jazz, Lakers, or San An, I'd fully expect them to choke. I can see them choking against other teams too, but I'm not as confident there.