The Southwest division has always been a tough group. For almost two decades the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs battled for supremacy, with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies occasionally popping up as contenders. Even the New Orleans Pelicans have fielded some plucky rosters from time to time.
Now the Rockets and the Spurs are rebuilding, the Mavericks and Grizzlies have ascended to the role of contenders, and the Pelicans are lurking. One thing is clear—whichever team wins the Southwest division will have certainly earned it. There are no easy games here.