For years, people have talked about how the NBA’s Western Conference has been so superior to the East, at least in terms of how stacked it is with competitive teams.
Several Eastern Conference teams even made the playoffs with a losing record, whereas winning teams went home empty-handed in the West.
That also prompted the debate about whether the league should change its playoff format and have the 16-best teams make the postseason, regardless of the conference, but that’s not happening any time soon.
Things haven’t changed all that much this season.
However, two Eastern Conference teams currently look as good — if not better — than others from the West, at least according to Stephen A. Smith.
Per Smith, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks stand alone at the top of the East, and they’re teams to look out for come playoff time.
The Celtics and Bucks are still atop @stephenasmith's NBA Eastern Conference rankings 🏆 pic.twitter.com/SPXDy8yjV8
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 27, 2023
The Celtics have been the best and most consistent team in the league throughout the course of the season, but the Bucks continue to close in on them, even winning some games without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Of course, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to be a threat for as long as James Harden and Joel Embiid are healthy, but they don’t seem to be in the same tier as the aforementioned teams.
As for the West, it feels like it’s up for grabs now more than ever.
One can never count the Warriors out, but the same can be said of LeBron James and the Lakers.
The Suns added Kevin Durant, but the Nuggets have the MVP in Nikola Jokic.
The league is unpredictable and full of talent, and that’s why it’s where amazing happens.
NEXT: The Celtics Finally Get A Clean Bill Of Health