A FUN POLL question for executives and coaches in this late July lull, with free agency nearly completed and two significant prospective trade-slash-contract scenarios — Lauri Markkanen and Brandon Ingram — still unresolved: If you had to pick one West team to reach the Finals, who would it be?
Approximately three-quarters of respondents open their mouths immediately as if to make a confident response, only to clam up and furrow their brows. For these fans, no club inspires as much confidence as the defending champion Denver Nuggets did a year ago, even when Bruce Brown left in free agency.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning No. 1 seed and offseason winners, are most popular among the 25% who respond with quick certainty.
