It has long been contested which is superior between the NBA's Western and Eastern Conferences, with many historically favoring the West. But monumental shifts in player relocations and team performances over the past few years suggest a rebalancing act in the making.
Player Movements Changing the Landscape
In the past three years, five top-30 players—Paul George, Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Haliburton—have relocated from the West to the East. This migration has significantly boosted the quality of Eastern Conference rosters. Jaylen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, for instance, both had profound impacts on their respective teams’ fortunes.
Noteworthy is the fact that nine of the top 12 NBA players still hail from the Western Conference, underlining its breadth of individual star power. The Top 100 list similarly favored the West with 54 players compared to the East's 46. However, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Domantas Sabonis have all made impactful moves back to the West during the same period, indicating the high-stakes game of musical chairs continues.
Dominance in the West
The Western Conference remains home to the game's crème de la crème, with the best player in the league located here. This includes Nikola Jokic, widely regarded as the world's best player. His incredible playmaking ability has elevated him above his peers. Brad Botkin summed it up aptly when he noted that “His defense has made great strides. The fact that he has zero interest in being recognized as the world's best player is, in part, what actually makes him the world's best player.”
Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies is another standout from the West. Despite increased usage to 27.3% in his fourth year, Bane maintained his efficiency. With Ja Morant missing nine games last season, Bane stepped up to average 24.6 points, demonstrating his ability to carry the offensive load when needed. As James Herbert pointed out, “The Grizzlies' franchise player was willing to defer to Bane at times when they shared the floor.”
Significant Individual Performances
While the spotlight often falls on superstars, several Western Conference players had extraordinary seasons that deserve recognition. Rudy Gobert, for instance, won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time, tying with legends Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. Karl-Anthony Towns's impressive ranking as high as No. 11 on previous top-100 lists also speaks volumes about his shooting prowess. Sam Quinn rightfully noted, “Towns is among the best big man shooters of all time.”
Chet Holmgren’s delayed debut has been well worth the wait. He established himself as one of the best rim protectors in the league and is well on his way to becoming a perennial All-Star. Kevin Durant, averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists last season, remains a pillar of consistency, shooting 41% from the three-point range. Similarly, Kawhi Leonard, playing 68 games last season, scored 23 points per game while maintaining a better than 62% true-shooting clip, thus reaffirming his place among the league’s elite.
Team Triumphs and Trials
The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004, led by Anthony Edwards, who made his first All-NBA appearance last season. The Clippers, on the other hand, face the challenge of integrating James Harden into their offense following Paul George’s departure to Philadelphia. It will be fascinating to see if Harden can elevate his scoring burden, much as he did in his prime years.
Rising Stars and Championship Aspirations
In the Eastern Conference, the rise of Jalen Williams has been a sight to behold. His statistics without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the court were reminiscent of Kevin Durant's numbers, making him a versatile scorer and a defensive asset. His future looks bright with All-Star appearances seemingly just a matter of time, as James Herbert put it emphatically.
In the Mavericks' camp, Luka Doncic continues to defy logic with his incredible performances. “Even after six years in the league, it's not uncommon to walk away from watching Doncic play and still think, 'How is he doing this?'” notes Jasmyn Wimbish.
As the season progresses, these shifts in player movements and individual accomplishments highlight the ever-evolving competitive landscape of the NBA. Whether in the East or the West, the league is brimming with talent ready to carve its path.