Just like many of you predicted over the summer, Los Angeles would propel from a lottery team to the top of the Western Conference. You all called it. You told me and I didn’t listen. If only I had listened. Ever since LeBron James announced that he was leaving Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, you all told me that that Los Angeles would be a top 4 team in the West. Well, if the playoffs started tomorrow, Los Angeles would be the no.1 seed. Indeed, the West runs through Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Clippers (13-6):

Okay, you guys were partially correct. Los Angeles is the no.1 seed, but it sure isn’t the Lakers. Is it just me, or can you plug Jerry West anywhere and the team becomes relevant again? His presence blessed the Lakers in the 80s, and again in the early 2000’s. He was there in some sort for the Warriors as they were building their future dynasty. West joins the Clippers and boom, they’re winning games. I could give credit to their coaching, roster changes, and being healthy. But nah, let’s just give all the credit to West.

The Utah Jazz (9-11):

As it turns out, the Jazz are capable of beating a team that isn’t the Boston Celtics after all. Ricky Rubio’s 27 points and Gobert’s 18 & 15 helped the Utah Jazz upset the Sacramento Kings last night. The Jazz have been another let down thus far this season. If they had just picked up where they left off last season, they would be competing for a top spot in the West right now. I fully expect them to bounce back, at some point. To be honest, I’m not even sure why they’re doing so poorly.

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-8):

Ben Simmons is still a coward, Jimmy Butler is not. Let’s rewind the clock for a second, before Butler was traded. Think of a young team that actually cares about winning that could afford to lose a couple pieces in order to get a guy like Jimmy Butler. If we all really sat down and thought about it, there were only a couple of teams that were a fit for Butler. The 76ers got a guy that can help them close games. You need a guard who can do that. The 76ers, are certainly a threat in the East. Don’t be surprised if they knock off the Raptors in the playoffs.

Other stories around the NBA:

Devin Booker is still not done with missing the playoffs. Trail Blazers are great at playing 3 quarters. As it turns out, the Kings are actually not the best team in California. The Knicks are terrible at tanking. Kawhi Leonard thinks being quiet and quitting on your team is being a leader. Dwyane Wade is still the best player on the Heat, yikes. Brookly Nets have more wins than the Heat. Hawks eat Hornets. Blake Griffin was a steal for Detroit. Vucevic’s 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists has too many people in my DM’s asking me if he’s a top 5 Center. Relax, the Orlando Magic are still a .500 team. Then again, so are the Boston Celtics. Dwight Howard was not trending because he had a great game.

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Per Sources Misses Nothing.