This will be one of the most interesting seasons of the second decade of the 00s, especially with all the transfers that have been made between the teams, some teams were completely dismantled.
This is one of the most common questions for this year, and now that LeBron James is at the Western Conference the chances of this conference remaining with the title are much greater than before.
The Western Conference definitely has 3 teams with a lot of potential to reach the finals.
First we must name the Golden State Warriors, champions, swept the Cavaliers with James; the second team is the Rockets, last season was almost perfect but they just missed reaching the final. The third and last team are Los Angeles Lakers, a team renewed with LeBron James and other important figures.
The probability is in favor of the Western Conference at least 70%.
Realistically we are going to name 5 teams with the best odds to win the championship.
Golden State Warriors: They have been favorites for 3 years continuously to win the championship, the team will keep the majority of the lineup and continue playing the same. The Warriors lost Javale McGee but his absence did not mean much to the team. Last year they finished the season with 71.8% effectiveness.
Houston Rockets: In the same conference with the Warriors, with the arrival of Chris Paul the team had an incredible improvement, they won 76 games with 76.8% effectiveness and took the Warriors to a seventh game in the playoffs. The Rockets are probably the strongest rival that the Warriors have in the conference. The Rockets should not improve much of the current strategy, with new additions like Ryan Anderson, and a guard to improve the defensive aspect of the game.
Boston Celtics: With Kyrie Irving back this season things could get better for the Celtics, remember that Irving was not actually necessary to get to the conference finals against the Cavs, besides Gordon was not available either. The effectiveness was low without Irving, 65.3% counting the playoff games. The strength of the Celtics is the versatility of the players, the level of physical play is unattainable by other teams like the Warriors.
Toronto Raptors: Canadians always have opportunities, this year without LeBron James in the conference those opportunities improve even more, they should focus on winning games as they did last year closing the season with 68.5%. The most dangerous rivals for the Raptors in the conference are: Celtics and 76ers. The Raptors could improve the roster with some free agents and in the draft.
Los Angeles Lakers: Hopes for the Lakers, new team, Lonzo Ball with LeBron James as many expected and ahead of time. Actually the Lakers enter this list only because LeBron James is in the team, but it is a young team to aspire to a title in the first season with James, also they are in one of the most dangerous conferences with the Warriors, Rockets and Spurs. They must beat those teams in order to reach the final and that is unlikely to happen this season.
The issue of injuries always affects the favorites, last season the Celtics and Warriors were two of the favorites most affected by injuries, Curry and Thompson were important absences as was Irving for the Celtics. Injuries can change everything for a bet on a favorite. Watch the preseason for injuries.