After a season full of commotion at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff race, the postseason field has all but been officially set. The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and LA Clippers will all be making the playoffs; the only thing left to be decided is seeding that will inform matchups in all rounds and home-court advantage.
It seems like just yesterday that 14 teams were fighting for eight postseason spots in the West. Despite the field finally taking shape, though, one coach still believes turmoil could rule the day come playoff time.
“You look at the playoff possibilities now, I think every series regardless of the matchups, every series is going to be an interesting series,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts' said on Saturday, per Paul Garcia of Project Spurs.
“I think anybody can win their series, no matter what the matchups are. The West is really intriguing.”
Terry Stotts would know a thing or two about the unexpected taking place in the postseason. Not only did his Portland team, a consensus favorite, get swept by the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round last season, but he was also an assistant under Rick Carlisle when the Dallas Mavericks shocked the world by beating the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and upstart Oklahoma City Thunder en route to winning the 2011 title.
Could things unfold as most expect in the Western Conference? Sure. But given the quality of the playoff field from top to bottom, any upset — that doesn't involve Golden State, at least — would hardly be surprising.
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