Plus, the crazy thing is we're only TWO GAMES behind for 3rd place - something that was realistically the highest expectation from this team that we would be the 3rd best team in the West behind the Warriors and Spurs. So far all that we've been through; terrible start, lack of effort, throwing away games, firing our coach, etc. - the end result we are still in the hunt. Heck, if we can pull it together and go on a run like 5-10 game win streak we would be in top echelon on the West, which is so within reach right cause the entire West has severely under-performed this season. 3rd through 8th are all up for grab.
We can easily take 3rd seed if we start playing up to expectations and keep winning, I think the Spurs will likely stay in 2nd with Warriors locked solid in 1st.
The west is just more balanced. Too many teams with talent. Most of the losses for each teams are from western conference teams rather than the eastern conference teams. There are occurrence of some teams having more losses to the east but that's not the norm.
Call me crazy but I would love to see the Rockets fully healthy, having all players in great shape, with great team chemistry, putting 100 % effort on the court by the end of the season and upsetting the Warriors in the 1st round of the playoffs putting an end to their so far terrific season.
Call me crazy, but I don't think the Rockets sneak into the playoffs as the 8th seed. I want a rematch of last year's WCF, and I want to watch Harden drop 60 on Curry's b**** ass.