Its very early, but East - West parity this year?

[otherdave]

I know we are only 11,12,13 games in but the standings reflect the closing of the gap between the two conferences.  Each has a power house - GSW and Cleveland once K Irving returns.  Each has 2 awful teams - Philly, Nets, LAL and NOP.  Right now East actually has 13 teams one game under .500 or better.  Am I seeing this right?  Thoughts?

[chilidawg]

I've noticed the same.  So far the West is better at the top (GSW, SA), but there is more depth in the East.  Houston and Memphis are down substantially from last year.

[otherdave]

Portland of course is down too - losing 4 of 5 starters from last year.

[fairweatherfan]

I've noticed the East seems to be beating the West headsup more often, though I haven't looked at the records. 

...NBA.com says it was 27-25 East as of Monday.  So fairly close, unlike past seasons.

EDIT: 4-4 by my count since then.  So 31-29 East.

[apc]

I don't think a losing record will get you into east playoff this year.

[slamtheking]

I don't think a losing record will get you into east playoff this year.

agreed.  8th will probably go to someone at 41-41. 

[Celtics18]

I think every team in the East (with the Sixers being the obvious exception) sees themselves as a possible playoff team (probably even the woeful Nets). 

I hope it remains this way throughout the season.  Obviously, some teams will fall off, but I don't want to see any blatant tanking.  I like it when everybody competes. 

 

[fairweatherfan]

East currently has 11 teams over .500 vs the West's 5.  It'll even out but advantage East so far.

[mgent]

Still don't think we're winning the all star game.

Curry
Westbrook
Harden
Durant
Griffin/Davis


Good news is we're tied with that "power-house" Cleveland for highest points differential (7.2) in the East.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think there's just more overall parity in the NBA itself this year. But it's still early, some will separate from the pack.

[fairweatherfan]

I think there's just more overall parity in the NBA itself this year. But it's still early, some will separate from the pack.

Maybe, but we have strong contenders for the best AND worst starts in league history right now.  The great middle - the #5-25 teams or so - seems pretty tightly packed though.

[Big333223]

I think there's just more overall parity in the NBA itself this year. But it's still early, some will separate from the pack.

Yeah. I expect the Clippers, Thunder, and Houston to go on big runs at some point in the season and separate themselves. I also think Utah has been in a funk on offense that they'll break out of.

But it's nice to see everyone in the East competing.  Detroit and Charlotte are tied at #10 at 7-6. The Celtics are going to be right in the middle of this race all season.

[Robb]

I think it's the same as it's always been.  The Western teams that aren't good look worse because they're around better teams.  Ironically this will mean that they will get better players through the draft and the West will continue to stay strong.  The East, meanwhile, with mediocre depth will continue to draft lower, as a whole and will stay worse.

[PhoSita]

The West still sports the only teams in the league who I think have a shot against Cleveland in a playoff series, but the East might have more teams that have a chance of finishing above .500.

[SHAQATTACK]

Cavs vs Warriors looks like replay of last year.

Kinda all use,to James and Curry health