How seriously do you take each potential Western Conf. playoff opponent for Houston?

The way I see it the Clippers, Spurs and OKC are all better than anyone in the East. They are all capable of winning it all.

But of all the teams the Clippers are the team I worry most about. They are still improving. CP3 is just returning and unlike Westbrook who took a while to Gel back with Durant and OKC CP3 is almost instantaneously plugged in.

THe team is clearly better with him and they were pretty good without. CP3 and Grffin are equally as good as Westbrook and Durant right now. Deandre Jordan is the perfect center for them. Barnes is shooting lights out and playing tough. Granger looked good the last game. Collison is a solid backup who has to start but looks good. If Reddick and Crawford come back they will be smoking hot. Anyone who doesn't believe they can win it all is stupid.

So I do not want any path that puts them in the way. Let them and OKC fight it out in the second round. Maybe Perkins will eat Blake or Westbrook bust up CP3. For us I think the Blazers are the best match up first round. Give me the 4th seed and Portland in the 1st and the Spurs in the second. Who knows maybe the Grizzlies will beat SA. Not saying they're an easy match up but do not doubt the Spurs resilience in the playoffs.

Get us to the WC finals against the Clippers and we will have grown as a team and ain't nobody as good a closer on both teams than Harden. I'll take our chances.

The Rockets have to worry about those teams the most. Yeah you can argue the Blazers, Warriors, Grizzlies and even the Mavericks will be tough.