Rockets ranked 4th! US media predicts the Western Conference ranking in the new season: Warriors ranked 9th and Lakers third

Rockets ranked 4th! With less than a week away from the new season and the teams gradually entered training camp, the US media "fadeawayworld" predicted the Western Conference ranking and record in the new season based on the existing lineups of each team. Among them, the Warriors ranked 9th, and the Lakers, which introduced three major new players, ranked third.

Fifth place: Timberwolves (50 wins and 32 losses)

Timberwolves have entered the Western Conference Finals in the past two seasons. Even though they let go of the important core rotation Alexander Walker in the offseason, they still ranked fifth with a predicted 50 wins.

This is thanks to the potential growth of core Edwards. As a representative of the new generation of American stars, Edwards made great progress in three-point shooting last season, becoming the number one person to hit three-pointers in the season.

With the growth of Walker's players at the same position such as Dillingham and Shannon Jr., and the improvement of chemical reactions between core players such as Gobert and Randall, the Timberwolves' competitiveness is expected to be further improved.

4th place: Rockets (51 wins and 31 losses)

With Durant being introduced at a low price and three powerful new players, Finney Smith, Capela and Okogi, the second-placed Rockets in the Western Conference last season, did not rise but fell to fourth.

The fundamental reason for this is that in the training camp, Rockets starting point guard Van Jordan suffered a torn cruciate ligament. Even if he has successfully undergone repair surgery, it is highly likely that he will be reimbursed in the new season.

This means that the Rockets, which have a terrifying front line and inside rotation depth, are actually stretched in the back line and can only look forward to Amen's transformation and Shepard's growth. Such adjustments and strikes will obviously affect the Rockets' competitiveness and record at the beginning of the season.

Third place: Lakers (51 wins and 31 losses)

Compared with the Rockets, which have drastic adjustments to the lineup, the Lakers are cautious in the trading market this summer, and it is rare that no operations have been completed throughout the offseason.

The reason why the Rockets beat the Rockets and entered the top three is mainly due to the team's successive bargaining in the buyout market. Not only did they introduce Ayton to strengthen the inside, but they also won the former DPOY Smart to share the pressure on Doncic.

plus the new core Doncic has completed his weight loss, and his physical condition is the best since entering the NBA. As long as James' form does not decline significantly, the Lakers' competitiveness is indeed expected to be further improved.

Second place: Nuggets (56 wins and 26 losses)

The competition for the top two is less suspense. If it weren't for the sudden release of the general manager and coach Malone in the last stage of the regular season last season, the Nuggets would have a chance to win the second place.

plus the Nuggets finally completed a comprehensive strengthening in the offseason, and introduced four new players, Cameron Johnson, Valan, Hardaway Jr. and former player Bruce Brown, to solve the in-depth problem.

As long as Jokic stays healthy in the new season, the Nuggets will be one of the most powerful championship contenders in the West.

No. 1: Thunder (63 wins and 19 losses)

As the defending champion, the Thunder is the undisputed number one leader in the West. Whether in terms of lineup configuration, chemistry and tacit understanding, star ability and risk resistance, the Thunder are the leaders of the West and the entire league in the new season.

The rest of the rankings are as follows (predicted record in brackets)

6-10: Clippers (47 wins and 35 losses), Mavericks (45 wins and 37 losses), Spurs (44 wins and 38 losses), Warriors (43 wins and 39 losses) and Grizzlies (41 wins and 41 losses);

11-15: Trail Blazers (39 wins and 43 losses), Kings (34 wins and 48 losses), Suns (29 wins and 53 losses), Pelicans (25 wins and 57 losses) and Jazz (17 wins and 55 losses).

Among them, the Warriors were trapped by the difficulty of Kumingga's contract renewal, which led to zero strengthening in the offseason, but four new players, Horford, Payton Jr., Curry Jr. and Melton, have already solved the issue of Kumingga's contract renewal. As long as the issue of Kumingga's contract renewal is solved, the Warriors' ranking is expected to improve significantly.