Tiers of the West: Contenders, Climbers & Pretenders (25-26 Conference Preview)

The Western Conference is as unpredictable as ever — and The Baseline NBA Podcast is breaking it ALL down.

In this episode, Cal Lee and Warren Shaw go team by team through their 2025–26 NBA Western Conference Preview — ranking every squad, debating roster moves, and spotlighting the players who could flip the West upside down.

Key Talking Points:

• Zion’s make-or-break year in New Orleans
• Portland’s defensive mindset under Chauncey Billups
• The Sacramento “Chicago Kings” experiment
• Can Memphis survive without consistency?
• Cooper Flagg’s fit in Dallas next to AD
• Wembanyama’s breakout season in San Antonio
• Clippers vs. Warriors: depth vs. dysfunction
• OKC, Denver, Minnesota, and Houston — who’s built for a run?

This episode is packed with analysis, banter, and bold predictions. The West is deep — but someone’s gotta rise.

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