The NBA Western Conference Ain't Soft Like Charmin!

8 teams. All representing the west side. The NBA quarterfinals have revamped and it's go time! Round one of the playoffs has tipped off with stellar performances from each respective team going all out beast-mode. These hoopers definitely aren't here to play games if it doesn't involve an orange basketball and a free throw line! If their aggression on the court doesn't tell you other wise, then I don't know what to tell you! Ultimately only two teams from the Western Conference can stand up and represent in the semifinals. Who's going to make it to the final four and who's getting the boot?

The Western Conference Shows Out

With the Lakers ranked 1st in the Western Conference, they have 3 things working in their favor to help them represent the Western Conference: excellent defense, setting a new playoff record, and AD's aggression. With those 3 facts combined on the court, the Lakers can for sure be champions

However, there is a twist of talent in an unlikely place that could be standing in the Lakers' way - Portland. The Trail Blazers with their star player Damian Lillard have been killing it like never before! His skills on the court definitely show that he isn't "soft like charmin." Though he sustained a dislocated finger due to his playing on the court, he's still a trooper who's going to play with his team during Game 3 of the Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday, August 22nd at 5:30 PM. Lillard is ready to go hard and recuperate from his team's nail biting 23 point defeat against the Lakers from the August 20th game.

The Los Angeles Clippers are on a 2-1 winning streak right now against the Dallas Mavericks, currently ranking 2nd in the Western Conference. Friday night was a special triumph for the Clippers, who beat the Mavericks 130-122. The Mavericks did face signs of despair on the court however with the left ankle sprain of Slovenian point guard/small forward Luka Doncic. This injury he has sustained has led onlookers to ask if he will be able to play in Game 4 against the Clippers on Sunday, August 23rd.

Now if we are talking about tenacity, the first team that comes to mind is the Houston Rockets. This team is determined to get a spot in the final four against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets have beat OKC back to back with a standing of 2-0 and are aiming for a 3rd try this Saturday, August 22nd. The stellar performer for this team has been Jeff Green. When he steps foot on the court, it's nothing but net! This team has won by averaging 14 points against OKC. Even with the Thunder's point guard Chris Paul clawing at the ball, the team needs much more focus and skill on the court to get out of this losing streak.

The Utah Jazz has made a turn around like never before. They have improved on their game in ways that we can't even fathom. They are currently standing at 2-1 against the Denver Nuggets. The thing that is so mind blowing about their huge feat is that they went from never beating Denver this season to suddenly surpassing them by blowing them out not once, but twice. With the eye on the prize weighing heavy on their minds, the Jazz is maintaining their focus on this high intensity playoff series with plans of earning a spot on the final four. Game 3 was a sign of redemption for Utah Jazz as Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell played their hearts and souls into this game, helping their team win 124-87 against the Nuggets. Although this had been a rough year for the both of them due to the NBA season being cancelled and even contracting COVID-19, they brushed aside their hurt feelings which led up to this very moment of victory.

The 2020 NBA Playoffs are one to remember. With the play-in tournaments, basketball lovers young and old eagerly watch as these teams go full force and work on earning their spot on the upcoming highly anticipated Final Four. Which two teams are going to represent the Western Conference at the Semifinals? Only the strong survive in this league.