NBA Western Conference

A little while ago I posted my thoughts on the upcoming NBA season and how I see the playoff teams for the Eastern Conference lining up. And now, a little later then expected, here are my thoughts for the West.

1. Los Angles Lakers
Defending champs. That alone is enough of a reason to get them here. On top of that there is the weakening of the West with the departure of Amare and Carlos Boozer, leaving not many teams capable of dethroning the experienced Lakers.

2. San Antonio Spurs
They'll hop on Timmy's back once again and get their 50+ wins and then fade in the playoffs. But experience counts deep in the season, when enthusiasm and tiredness cancel each other out. If Manu and Tony Parker stay healthy, then this is a team thats won some titles and still have the core pieces.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
I expect these young bucks to build on last year. Kevin Durant is the future of this league, and in 3 years I expect him to be leading this team against Miami year in and year out. The 'Durantulla' is my pre season pick for MVP this year. I think there's every chance that it'll be a OKC v LAL Western Conference finals. Russell Westbrook is a dark horse for the Allstar game too.

4. Utah Jazz
Still have AK47 and Deron Williams. Lost Boozer but have Millsap and Al Jefferson still. Not the big game performers that Boozer is but still have talent. Gordon Hayward has a big upside too. Will be a make or break year though. Hopefully D-Will isn't the next John Stockton.

5. Denver Nuggets
These guys need to stay controversy free. If Melo can get focused on just playing and leave the contract stuff alone then they have the capability to be amongst the elite. Chauncy is back for all the big shots again which is a bonus for any side he plays in. Have added Al Harrington and still have K-Mart. Need to pull it together on the road and stay consistent.

6. Portland Trailblazers
Definitely not expected to perform as well as last year. They will be a team that every side prepares for and will turn up to play against. But PG depth will hurt. With the majority of their roster being SG and SF type players, an injury to Andre Miller will me more play making responsibility for Brandon Roy, thus taking him out of the attack and limiting their offence.

7.  Dallas Mavericks
They're the Mavs. They still have Caron Butler and Dirk, with Jason Kidd and the Jett. But I don't see them setting the world on fire. They'll now be a hard nose defensive team with 'Tough Juice' Caron Butler there but they don't have the attacking flair that they had in 2006 with Devin Harris and Josh Howard on board. Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood will share time in the middle and are solid players. Shawn Marion could be the difference though. If he can reproduce Phoenix like numbers then this team could push up towards a home playoff advantage.

8. New Orleans Hornets
They've lost too many players, like Mo-Pete and Tyson Chandler. This is now a two man team. Unless they can make some early trades to improve the team, I don't see them moving out of the first round of the playoffs. CP3 may have his eyes on a 'Decision' of his own next July already.

It was hard for me to select the 8th position and it was CP3 alone who got me there. Phoenix will push for a spot but if they couldn't get there last season with Amare I don't think they can do it this year. I have a soft spot for the Clippers as well and I'd love to see Blake Griffin bring this team along. Golden State are also a team that may push. Overall I think that the West has a better spread of talent then the East which will mean each of these teams will need to have a .500 record at least to make the playoffs, while in the East i think that the Knicks will squeak in with about .450.

My prediction is a Miami v Lakers finals battle. And I want to say that Miami will win in 5, but my gut tells me that Lakers may still take it. The year after though is when Miami takes over the world.. Champions tag that is.

Less then 8 weeks to go now and I can't wait! See you at tip off!