NBA: Top 10 Players In The Western Conference

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Without top NBA talent, it’s hard to win much of anything. Who is the best of the best in the powerhouse Western Conference?

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Although fans of the Milwaukee Bucks can easily forget, there’s a whole NBA world out there past the Eastern Conference. Bucks fans haven’t needed to care about the West in a while–the Bucks haven’t been back to the NBA Finals since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a Buck, after all.

But with Milwaukee having built a team around a talented young core featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton, maybe it’s time to start looking westward again.

It’s doubtful the Bucks sniff the Finals this year, but knowing what awaits them when they do make it that far could be useful in a year or three. It’s also fun to look over at the Western Conference, which currently reigns supreme as the more talented one despite the East having won the 2016 NBA Finals.

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This look at the West revolves around individual players, not teams. The team power rankings are coming soon, but for now this list will solely focus on which ten players in the Western Conference will be the best next season.

Team fit is taken into account, as is defense. Both things matter more to how good a player is overall than most fans like to admit, but there are two sides to the NBA floor and situations can either boost or hamper a player’s ability.

Without further ado, let’s get to the ten best players in the NBA’s Western Conference!

Next: Number Ten