We've heard about the very real potential of Western Conference front runners repositioning themselves at the end of the season to avoid having a first round matchup against the Thunder. I think this gamesmanship could be taken further this year.

Teams are already starting to give guys night off. I foresee teams taking this opportunity to rest guys when they play the Suns. If you are going to rest a star and risk dropping a game, better it be to the Suns to keep OKC fighting hard through all 82 to grab a spot at what should be an amazing Western Conference playoff.

For the record, I hope this doesn't happen because I love playoff Westbrook and it wouldn't be the same without the KD vs Westbrook narrative that will inevitably be spewed.