Last week, Russell Westbrook agreed to a max extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder that will keep him in OKC through at least 2018. While the deal is huge for the Thunder, it does little to alter the NBA landscape this season. In fact, the inevitable reality of a 2017 Finals rematch of 2015 and 2016 just got a little more inevitable.
Some sports books currently have both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors as -250 favorites to win their respective conferences. Any other season, it would be insane for both conferences to feature such heavy favorites, but not this year. Neither the Warriors nor Cavs have seen their conference rivals take a major step forward. This paves the way for yet another Warriors-Cavs matchup in June. Moreover, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both teams coast through their first 12 playoff wins.
Russell Westbrook Extension Increases Chances of Warriors-Cavaliers Rematch
Western Conference
The Golden State Warriors won 73 games last year (just in case you forgot). They also signed the 2014 NBA MVP inKevin Durant, who will be just 28 this season. Simultaneously, Golden State crippled the team that gave them the biggest scare in the Western Conference. Who is going to challenge the Warriors out West?
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