Summer Forecast: Who will be best out West?

ByABC News
September 1, 2015, 3:43 PM

— -- The Golden State Warriors rolled to the Western Conference crown in 2014-15. But in a reloaded West, can the defending champs pull it off again?

We asked our ESPN Forecast panel to predict who will emerge as Western Conference champions in 2015-16. For our picks for the Eastern Conference champs, click here.

To participate in the discussion and perhaps get your opinion published on this page, #ESPNForecast is the Twitter hashtag to use. Or you can just follow along @ESPNNBA.

So who will be best in the West? Read on:

Western Conference champions projections

1. Golden State Warriors

Proj. record: 60-22

Points: 122

The Warriors haven't even reached their full offensive potential yet. Expect to see that in their 2nd year under Kerr. #ESPNForecast

- Guru Ramprakash (@gururamp30) September 2, 2015

2. San Antonio Spurs

Proj. record: 57-25

Points: 96

. @ESPNNBA so many fans gonna be so mad over this... #ESPNForecast pic.twitter.com/67tMpWHCDn

- Angelo Mendoza (@iAMgoldenstate) September 1, 2015

I'm all in on the Spurs taking one last title before the big three change over entirely. #ESPNForecast

- Rodney Scearce (@rscearce) September 1, 2015

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Proj. record: 55-27

Points: 30

The Thunder have the deepest roster during their stay in OKC. Durant is back, Ibaka is getting healthy. 15-16 Champs! #ESPNForecast

- Jacob Barber (@NBA_Jacob_B) September 1, 2015

4. Los Angeles Clippers

Proj. record: 56-26

Points: 23

5. Houston Rockets

Proj. record: 56-26

Points: 9

@espnnba #espnforecast HOU has #1 seed potential if Ty performs better than expected and if Howard and Harden remain healthy and productive

- Zach (@zjl00) September 1, 2015

@ESPNNBA @JHarden13 @HoustonRockets I say they have a better chance because Harden will lead them higher than 5. #espnforecast

- Maximo Bonarriva (@mab200216) September 1, 2015

6. Memphis Grizzlies

Proj. record: 51-31

Points: 4

Even if there was a playoff realignment, or lucky bounces, the Grizzles still aren't making the finals #ESPNForecast

- B. Stew-Gotti (@onlyicanbstew) September 1, 2015

@ESPNNBA @memgrizz if they ONLY had a lil more OFFENSE. Second rd at BEST. #NBA #??

- Mr. Sutton (@SuttonDonnell) September 1, 2015

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2. San Antonio Spurs
Proj. record: 57-25
Points: 96

. @ESPNNBA so many fans gonna be so mad over this... #ESPNForecast pic.twitter.com/67tMpWHCDn

- Angelo Mendoza (@iAMgoldenstate) September 1, 2015

I'm all in on the Spurs taking one last title before the big three change over entirely. #ESPNForecast

- Rodney Scearce (@rscearce) September 1, 2015

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Proj. record: 55-27
Points: 30

The Thunder have the deepest roster during their stay in OKC. Durant is back, Ibaka is getting healthy. 15-16 Champs! #ESPNForecast

- Jacob Barber (@NBA_Jacob_B) September 1, 2015

4. Los Angeles Clippers
Proj. record: 56-26
Points: 23

5. Houston Rockets
Proj. record: 56-26
Points: 9

@espnnba #espnforecast HOU has #1 seed potential if Ty performs better than expected and if Howard and Harden remain healthy and productive

- Zach (@zjl00) September 1, 2015

@ESPNNBA @JHarden13 @HoustonRockets I say they have a better chance because Harden will lead them higher than 5. #espnforecast

- Maximo Bonarriva (@mab200216) September 1, 2015

6. Memphis Grizzlies
Proj. record: 51-31
Points: 4

Even if there was a playoff realignment, or lucky bounces, the Grizzles still aren't making the finals #ESPNForecast

- B. Stew-Gotti (@onlyicanbstew) September 1, 2015

@ESPNNBA @memgrizz if they ONLY had a lil more OFFENSE. Second rd at BEST. #NBA #??

- Mr. Sutton (@SuttonDonnell) September 1, 2015
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