The East closing the gap on the West?

[VideoGameJames]

To answer the original question, yes the East is slowly closing the gap but as of right now the west is still far superior no doubt.

Well it's about time. The east has been crap every since Lebron pretty much joined the league haha

East was arguably better than West from 2008-2011, and the east was a lot worse before Lebron and Wade came to the east and the Pistons got good, back when the WCF was the real finals from 2000-2003.

[HeartBreakKid]

I look at the Clippers and Rockets the same way many fans of Western teams look at teams like Atlanta and Chicago. They have plenty of talent and are, perhaps, "title contenders" but I honestly can't see any of those teams surpassing Golden State, OKC or San Antonio (Or the Cavs in Chicago and Atlanta's case.).

I don't see the separation for OKC. How is OKC as talented as Spurs or GSW?


OKC seems to be in the same tier as the Clippers. I really don't get why OKC is getting so much credit.

[JulesWinnfield]

I don't agree with those listing Atlanta behind Houston on a list of contenders. There is simply a bias against Atlanta due to the lack of true superstar. And on some level that's understandable. Years of watching basketball have conditioned us to expect a great team to match a certain profile, and they don't check every box. But at some point results trump all. They weren't some product of the eastern conference last season. They went 22-8 against the West. They are extremely well balanced and put together with an ensemble cast that operates at a high level in unison on both ends of the floor. They were top 6 in both offense and defense last year. As I type this post they're up 13 at New Orleans attempting to win number 6 in a row this early season. Someone said the hawks won't win 50 games this year? Don't bet on that.

I don't think they will actually win the title this year (nor will Houston for that matter), but people need to stop acting like they are performing some sort of magic trick there by winning at the clip they do. They're good. It's not a fluke. Much like many recent spur teams the whole is greater than the individual parts

[Madhouse]

The gap is closing and within 3 years the East will be better. I can easily see teams like Orlando or Milwaukee contend in the EC in a few years. Philadelphia could reach the playoffs in 3 years and they have a bright future but it will take a few years. The Knicks seem to be improved also.

As I look at the East and compare the teams to last season I don't see a single team that go worse tbh. Except the Nets. They are not NBA-caliber anyway. Just horrible franchise.

A lot of WC teams got worse. Portland, Memphis, Dallas maybe even more.

The gap is closing.

The West still has 5 or 6 really good team and is the better conference but after those 6 the West is a mess.

[Madhouse]

1. GS
2. Healthy Cavs
3. LAC
4. Spurs
5. OKC
6. Houston

I still have 5 West teams in the top 6.

Houston above Atlanta LMFAO!!!!

You could also add the Bulls at 5 or 6 for the Thunder if they continue to play iso ball and Rose improves.

[lakerhater]

1. GS
2. Healthy Cavs
3. LAC
4. Spurs
5. OKC
6. Houston

I still have 5 West teams in the top 6.

Houston above Atlanta LMFAO!!!!

You could also add the Bulls at 5 or 6 for the Thunder if they continue to play iso ball and Rose improves.

I have Atl at #3. Clips, Rockets, SAS and OKC aren't as good as advertised.

[G35]

I agree the WC is on a down swing. Its another reason why I think the Warriors can get to 70 wins.....

[Sky Bucks]

West is better, no question.

[JMAC3]

West is top heavy with good teams, but have a lot of bad teams.

East is more well rounded from top to bottom and that means they will beat up on each other.

A lot of teams have fallen off in the West such as Portland, Phoenix, Memphis and Dallas are all worse than last year.

Utah is still overrated and I would say the Celtics are better than them. Is Utah the 6th best team in the West?

Denver, Kings, T-wolves, Lakers are just bad.

Pelicans are not even that good when healthy outside of Davis, and they are the least healthy team in the NBA.

Portland will end up being bad.

Whereas, the east has 10 or so teams that are all good or better than last year and have a chance to make the playoffs.

[zeebneeb]

West is better, no question.

Does the current west vs east record indicate that?

[LouisLitt]

On average, the gap is closing.

When you consider contenders only, it's like 6-1 for the West.

Every year there is supposed to be additional contenders from the East, but there never is. Lack of superstars/all-stars in the East.

[New_Hawks_Era]

Houston and OKC don't scare me, only the 2 finalist from last season do as a Hawks fan.

[Sky Bucks]

West is better, no question.

Does the current west vs east record indicate that?

So I'm supposed to judge the East West gap off of 5-6 games? Yes the East is improving, but there is no debate as to which conference is stronger. The East needs more than 1 legit title contender for a discussion to even be warranted.

[zeebneeb]

West is better, no question.

Does the current west vs east record indicate that?

So I'm supposed to judge the East West gap off of 5-6 games? Yes the East is improving, but there is no debate as to which conference is stronger. The East needs more than 1 legit title contender for a discussion to even be warranted.

So it doesnt? I don't know what the current record vs each other is. Do you have a link? I'm not going thru teams and counting as I'm sure someone else has a current record.

Also maybe next time dont sound so defensive. I really was asking a question.

[Shock Defeat]

1. GS
2. Healthy Cavs
3. LAC
4. Spurs
5. OKC
6. Houston

I still have 5 West teams in the top 6.

Houston above Atlanta LMFAO!!!!

You could also add the Bulls at 5 or 6 for the Thunder if they continue to play iso ball and Rose improves.

Lol what has Atlanta done that puts them over Houston? Got further in the playoffs? No. Added players in the offseason? No.

All I see is they won 4 more games in a easy conference while having good health.

[New_Hawks_Era]

1. GS
2. Healthy Cavs
3. LAC
4. Spurs
5. OKC
6. Houston

I still have 5 West teams in the top 6.

Houston above Atlanta LMFAO!!!!

You could also add the Bulls at 5 or 6 for the Thunder if they continue to play iso ball and Rose improves.

Lol what has Atlanta done that puts them over Houston? Got further in the playoffs? No. Added players in the offseason? No.

All I see is they won 4 more games in a easy conference while having good health.

Return to sender

[vxmike]

Five of the best six teams in my opinion play in the West, but the East has a better "middle class" so to speak.

I think the West will have more really bad teams at the bottom. I think Philly and Brooklyn will be the only truly awful teams in the East.

[Sky Bucks]

Does the current west vs east record indicate that?

So I'm supposed to judge the East West gap off of 5-6 games? Yes the East is improving, but there is no debate as to which conference is stronger. The East needs more than 1 legit title contender for a discussion to even be warranted.

So it doesnt? I don't know what the current record vs each other is. Do you have a link? I'm not going thru teams and counting as I'm sure someone else has a current record.

Also maybe next time dont sound so defensive. I really was asking a question.

On Nov 7 of 2014, the East was 5-14 vs the West. As of today the East is 12-10 vs the West. It is a good start, but let's wait at least till Christmas before we can say if the East is going to be at least comparable with the West.

[zeebneeb]

So I'm supposed to judge the East West gap off of 5-6 games? Yes the East is improving, but there is no debate as to which conference is stronger. The East needs more than 1 legit title contender for a discussion to even be warranted.

So it doesnt? I don't know what the current record vs each other is. Do you have a link? I'm not going thru teams and counting as I'm sure someone else has a current record.

Also maybe next time dont sound so defensive. I really was asking a question.

On Nov 7 of 2014, the East was 5-14 vs the West. As of today the East is 12-10 vs the West. It is a good start, but let's wait at least till Christmas before we can say if the East is going to be at least comparable with the West.

Is there an easy way to keep track of this or is it all basically sort thru the data and count? I couldn't find the right filter at nba.Com

[Sky Bucks]

So it doesnt? I don't know what the current record vs each other is. Do you have a link? I'm not going thru teams and counting as I'm sure someone else has a current record.

Also maybe next time dont sound so defensive. I really was asking a question.

On Nov 7 of 2014, the East was 5-14 vs the West. As of today the East is 12-10 vs the West. It is a good start, but let's wait at least till Christmas before we can say if the East is going to be at least comparable with the West.

Is there an easy way to keep track of this or is it all basically sort thru the data and count? I couldn't find the right filter at nba.Com

I'm sure there is, but I haven't found it. Went game by game and day by day to determine record. That's pretty easy now, but would be an arduous task as the season goes on.