The NBA regular season is in full swing, and another game day has come to an end. On this game day, many teams in the West faced off against each other, but many popular teams ultimately lost, causing some subtle changes in the standings. With the current ranking situation showing some changes, let's take a look at the latest rankings in the NBA Western Conference. The Western Conference standings are as follows: Thunder in a league of their own, Lakers still in seventh, Suns on a losing streak at 12th. Ranks 11 to 15 in the standings are the Suns, Kings, Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Pelicans; the rankings and positions of these last five teams have not changed, but there have been some subtle changes. The last three teams can basically be ignored, while the Kings recently won a game with a record of 14 wins and 19 losses, placing them 12th in the standings. The Suns were originally ranked quite high, but they have recently suffered a losing streak. Earlier, they surprisingly lost to a weakened Grizzlies team upon Booker's return, suffering a three-game losing streak with just 15 wins and 17 losses. Currently, they can't even hold onto the 11th spot. In fact, the Suns' problems cannot be solved simply by changing coaches, and the same goes for the Kings. Ranks 5 to 10 in the standings are the Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Spurs, and Warriors; there is a maximum difference of only 2.5 games between these teams. The Warriors have also been losing more than winning recently,…

Translation of the article content into English: Based on Kevin Durant's performance in the 2023-2024 season, there are various opinions regarding his ranking in terms of pure strength within the league. Here are some analyses: Outstanding Performance in Statistics: In the regular season, Durant played in 75 games, averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. His shooting percentage was 52.3%, three-point shooting percentage was 41.3%, free throw percentage was 85.6%, and true shooting percentage was 62.6%. These statistics reflect his efficient scoring ability and comprehensive skills, keeping him at the top level in the league. For example, in some games, he repeatedly scored high points, with 22 times scoring over 30 points and 5 times scoring over 40 points, demonstrating his powerful offensive capabilities and remaining one of the top scorers in the league. In advanced statistics, Durant also performed commendably. His offensive efficiency is high, making a significant contribution to the team's offense, and he can also provide support in rebounding and assists, giving him an advantage in comprehensive strength evaluations. Still a Major Influence on the Court: Despite being 36 years old and having suffered a major Achilles injury, Durant's influence on the court remains significant. As one of the core players for the Suns, he can attract defensive attention from opponents and create opportunities for his teammates. For instance, in some games, his presence created more open shot opportunities for his teammates. Durant's extensive game experience makes him reliable in crucial moments. In tightly contested games, he can score for the team using his…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, according to NBA reporter Shams, the Suns' total salary for this season exceeds 220million,andtheyalsoneedtopayover220 million, and they also need to pay over 220million,andtheyalsoneedtopayover180 million in luxury tax, totaling a staggering $400 million. Currently, with a record of 15 wins and 17 losses, the Suns are only ranked 11th in the Western Conference, missing out on the playoff play-in tournament. Additionally, they only lead the 12th-ranked Kings in the West by one game. In the past 23 games, the Suns have managed only 7 wins and 16 losses, with this win rate ranking just 25th in the league during the same period. It is clear that the Suns will make changes before the trade deadline, aiming to reduce their payroll and regain their future first-round draft pick. This summer, the Rockets acquired the right to swap first-round picks with the Suns in 2025, as well as unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 from the Nets. The Rockets' goal is very clear: they hope to acquire Suns forward Kevin Durant. Currently, the Rockets are temporarily ranked third in the West. This season, the Rockets have repeatedly faced reversals by opponents in the fourth quarter, which is largely due to the lack of a star player on the team. Although names like Butler and Fox have appeared in the trade market, the Rockets' management and coaching staff have higher expectations for Durant. Moreover, the Rockets' management has maintained sufficient patience in trading for Durant. American media outlet BR has also made predictions, suggesting that the Rockets, Suns,…

NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Rockets Create NBA Miracle, Nuggets Receive Big Gift, Suns in Peril Beijing Time January 2, 2025, Today there are 8 NBA games, involving the Nuggets, Rockets, Mavericks, Kings, Pelicans, and Jazz. After the games, the Western Conference rankings have changed.‌ The Rockets hosted the Mavericks at home, with the Mavericks missing Doncic and Marshall, and the Rockets missing Amon Thompson and Ison. In the first quarter, the Mavericks suppressed the Rockets and took a 6-point lead. In the second quarter, the Mavericks once led by 10 points, but then the Rockets launched a terrifying offensive to overtake the score. At halftime, the Rockets led by 9 points. In the third quarter, the Rockets expanded their advantage, leading by 14 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets stabilized their advantage and eventually defeated the Mavericks by 11 points. Shen Jing made 9 of 16 shots for 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals, while Irving made 7 of 13 shots for 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. After the victory, the Rockets have a record of 22 wins and 11 losses, maintaining their third place in the West. This season, the Rockets have faced the Mavericks twice and won both times, faced the Clippers three times and won all three, faced the Grizzlies once and won, and also defeated the Thunder once. The Rockets' performance against strong Western Conference teams has been outstanding, and their growth rate this season can be called a miracle. After the…

The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers with a score of 122-110. LeBron James, in his first game against his former team, had a record of 19 wins and 4 losses against the Cavaliers. He started the game with a series of three-point shots that penetrated the Cavaliers' defense and led the team to catch up. The older players took the lead, and the younger players followed suit, with electric fans and Milton scoring their first points for the Lakers through dunks and corner threes. After the departure of Rondo, Schroder naturally took over the output on the guard line, making mid-range jump shots, driving layups, and breaking through to shake off the defense for easy baskets. With LeBron's one-handed dunk, the Lakers launched an 8-0 counterattack wave! At 40 years old, he can still move quickly and use his strong body to open the way and punish opponents, which is unprecedented and probably will not be seen again in history. However, the Lakers' glory was short-lived as the Cavaliers gradually recovered from being stunned and showed their strength as the top team in the East; they combined inside and outside play to take back the lead with a 9-0 run. Allen performed various moves under Davis' watchful eye, continuously scoring to stop the Lakers. In the third quarter, the Cavaliers expanded their lead, with Strus setting up a platform for a continuous downpour of three-pointers. As the Lakers were about to experience another third-quarter collapse, Davis stepped up in time to regain control, hitting a three-pointer at the top of the…

The Phoenix Suns have suffered another loss, with their draft pick now having a 1.5% chance of securing the number one overall pick in this year's draft and a 7.1% chance of landing a top-four pick. Some Houston Rockets fans are hoping to secure one of the top three picks and bring Dylan Harper back to Houston, envisioning him as their new "prince." Dylan Harper, dubbed the "Little Harden" by draft experts, recently scored 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 12 assists with 3 steals and 1 block, committing only 1 turnover, leading his team to victory. Harper, 19 years old and standing at 1.98 meters tall, is a versatile guard capable of playing both shooting guard and point guard roles, reminiscent of James Harden. This season, Harper has played 13 games for Rutgers University, averaging 34 minutes per game with 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks, boasting a 52.5% field goal percentage, 37.3% from three-point range, and 75% from the free-throw line. Harper possesses good athleticism, able to drive to the basket and finish after physical contact with defenders. He utilizes the Euro step effectively, drawing fouls and converting them into free throws. This season, he averages 6.5 free throw attempts per game, inflicting damage on opposing frontcourts. Harper also has a reliable outside shot, averaging 1.9 three-pointers made per game. He demonstrates excellent court vision, willingly sharing the ball, and is actively involved in defense, seeking opportunities to steal and block shots to prevent opponents from scoring. Harper's scoring prowess is…

As the Lakers lose to the Cavaliers and the Suns narrowly defeat the Grizzlies! The Western Conference is in a mess, and the latest rankings are as follows Beijing time January 1, 2025, the NBA regular season continues to be exciting. The Lakers lost at home to the Cavaliers with a score of 110-122, ending their winning streak. And the Suns lost at home to the Grizzlies with a score of 112-117, suffering three consecutive defeats, and their playoff spot is precarious. After these two key games, the Western Conference has undergone significant changes again. The Suns narrowly lost to the Grizzlies at home, and three consecutive defeats fell into crisis In the first half, the Grizzlies showed strong offensive firepower. In the first quarter, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bane worked together to lead the Grizzlies to a 36-26 victory in a single quarter, quickly establishing a double-digit lead. In the second quarter, the Grizzlies' fiery state continued, with Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the first half, completely suppressing the Suns' interior, and Bane also contributed 17 points, leading the Grizzlies to a 14-point lead over the Suns at halftime. On the Suns side, Durant carried the team alone, scoring 16 points in the first half, while Booker scored 11 points. However, the team's defense was riddled with problems, making it difficult to contain the Grizzlies' multi-flower attack. Even worse, Bradley Beal left the game early due to a hip injury, scoring only 3 points, casting a shadow over the Suns' comeback. In the second…

The NBA regular season continues to play out, with the Suns suffering a 112-117 defeat at home against the Grizzlies, marking their third consecutive loss. In this game, the Suns' defense collapsed from the start, allowing the Grizzlies to score 36 points in a single quarter, trailing by 10 points at the end of the first quarter. The Suns then found themselves in a desperate chase for points, with their defensive efficiency remaining low. After scoring 29-33 in the second quarter, they still trailed by around 15 points at halftime. In the second half, the Suns increased their defensive intensity, limiting the Grizzlies to 22 points in the third quarter and closing the gap to within 5 points. In the final quarter, both teams remained in a tight contest, but the Suns failed to seize several key opportunities to overtake the score, ultimately resulting in a disappointing loss. Following this game, the Suns' record stands at 15 wins and 17 losses. So, where exactly did they fall short? Perhaps the data can provide us with some answers. Durant had an impressive offensive efficiency, shooting 11 for 19, including 2 for 4 from three-point range and 5 for 7 from the free-throw line, contributing 29 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block with 3 turnovers. Durant focused more on defense in this game, not only protecting the basket but also engaging in numerous assists. In the third quarter, as the Suns launched their counterattack, Durant hardly took any shots, yet his court efficiency remained high. Booker, who made…

On this remarkable day, the hands of Beijing time pointed to December 26th, and the NBA Christmas battle welcomed its last thrilling matchup. The visiting Nuggets faced the formidable Suns, and their game was like an epic narrative poem. The game began with the Nuggets' players stepping onto the court with full enthusiasm and determination, eager to leave their mark on this battleground. However, the Suns were superior in strength, suppressing the Nuggets' counterattacks with a strong offensive onslaught. Despite the Nuggets' efforts to fight for the ball, they could not break through the Suns' tight defense. The game entered a tense and heated stage, with the final score set at 100-110, leaving the Nuggets regretfully defeated by the Suns. This loss was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Nuggets. However, they did not give up, knowing that every failure is a stepping stone to success. They will continue to work hard, hoping to achieve victory when they face the Suns again in future games. Under the glittering NBA stars, two giants engaged in a spectacular contest. It was a competition of talent and skill, the dialogue between Jokic and Durant. On the NBA court, they each represented unique basketball styles. Jokic, like an all-around warrior, displayed his overflowing talent at every moment of the game. With his rich scoring methods and flexible mind, each of his attacks was like a meticulously choreographed dance. He could control the rhythm of the game, whether fighting for rebounds under the basket or passing assists on the court, showcasing his exceptional abilities. Durant,…

This season, the competition in the Western Conference is more brutal than last season, with a win rate of 50% currently unable to even make it into the top eight! For example, the Phoenix Suns have a temporary record of 15 wins and 15 losses, ranking only 10th in the Western Conference, which means that Durant and Booker may not be able to make it to the playoffs this season. Clearly, this is unacceptable for the Suns. With a three-star lineup that cannot obtain rebuilding resources through the draft in the next three years, they will immediately seek a way to change. According to American media outlet "FW," if the three stars don't work, what about four stars? It is reported that the media has proposed the latest trade for the Phoenix Suns, which is planned as follows: The Suns can try to send Jusuf Nurkic + the 2031 first-round draft pick to the Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic through a 2-for-1 trade! For Chicago, any plan that allows the team to rebuild faster is a good one. Therefore, this is a trade plan with a high probability of happening, and if it ultimately meets Phoenix's wishes, congratulations to Durant in advance. Because Vucevic's arrival can enable the Suns to form a four-star lineup, and his average of 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game is enough to make the Suns favor and trust him. It is worth mentioning that Vucevic's shooting percentage this season has reached 57.8%, with a three-point shooting percentage of 45.2% and a…