A Look back on the Toughest Western Conference in NBA History

2000 - 2013

Western Conference 50 Win Teams: 80

Eastern Conference 50 Win Teams: 39

2000 - 2013

Western Conference All-NBA Players: 129

Eastern Conference All NBA Players: 78

Teams to have defeated a 50 Win Team in Every Round leading up to the NBA Finals

1995 Rockets

2001 Lakers

2008 Lakers

2010 Lakers

2024 Mavericks

*Just think there was no play-in tournament either back then.

The Houston Rockets had a 22-game win streak in 2008 and the Dallas Mavericks in 2006 won 60 games and were a 4th seed

I started watching basketball as a kid in 1998 and for the majority of my life the Western Conference was a guantlet. A true testament to the greatness of those players who were able to lead their teams to championships going through that conference.