Today, we preview the best, and that would be the west. The Western Conference has been tremendous the last few seasons with playoff races being tight and matchups being undetermined until the last night of the regular season. There is no reason why we should expect anything different, and fans should be in for an entertaining season.
Dallas Mavericks: I will have an in depth preview of the Mavs on Monday.
Denver Nuggets: Things fell in place for Denver last season as they won the most games in franchise history (54) and won a post season series for the first time since 1994. The Nuggets had a terrific season last year, but a lot of the people I have talked to expect the Nuggets to take a step back. They lost role players Dahntay Jones and Linus Kleiza who were big for them in the playoffs, but it really comes down to how Carmelo and Chauncey perform. I expect Denver to be in the playoff hunt, but could be a few seeds lower than last year.
Golden State Warriors: Oh the Warriors…They had one good season and playoff run, but since that point it has been all downhill. Golden State used 47 starting lineups last season and finished the year with the youngest team in the NBA. Don Nelson and the front office did do a good job of bringing in some fresh talent as they added Stephen Curry through the draft and Acie Law through trade, but you never know with these guys.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets had a nice run to the conference semi-finals and put up a good fight against the Lakers last season, but the biggest problem with Houston is always injuries. The team will likely be without center Yao Ming for the entire season and Tracey McGrady is coming off microfracture surgery which will force him to miss the beginning of the season. The Rockets did add Trevor Ariza, but lost key defender Ron Artest to free agency.
Los Angeles Clippers: L.A. brings in number one overall pick Blake Griffin to a team who failed to win twenty games last season, and apparently think they are now a playoff team. The Clippers have the talent to be competitive and win some games, but I don’t quit see them as a playoff contender just yet.
Los Angeles Lakers:Kobe Bryant and the Lakers look to defend their title this season and they are in a good spot to do it. L.A. brought back Lamar Odom and was able to add Ron Artest to a lineup that is already potent. The Lakers have to be the unanimous #1 in the Western Conference going into this season and they will be a force come playoff time.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies are one of the young teams I really like in the West. Rudy Gay is nasty, and O.J. Mayo will be a superstar in this league very soon. Memphis also added big man Hasheem Thabeet and Sam Young through the draft and Allen Iverson through free agency. This team will be very good eventually, when they are able to put it all together is a different story. This team is on the brink of being good, but I don’t know if they are there yet.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota is another young team in the West that could be a force in a couple of years. The T-Wolves ended up with dirt on their face after not being able to bring Ricky Rubio over from Spain, but they were able to draft some very good players in Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington. This team has good, young pieces, but at this point it is hard to tell what we can expect.
New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets could be one of those teams like Golden State who have one good run and fizzle out, or they could rebound from their first round loss last season and be back in top form. New Orleans makes a significant upgrade at the center position trading for Emeka Okafor and adding Darren Collison through the draft. The Hornets added some depth from last year’s squad but the biggest question will come at the 2 guard.
Oklahoma City Thunder:This is probably my favorite young team in the West and also has my favorite young player in Kevin Durant. Durant blossomed last season and I expect nothing but good things again this year. The Thunder also has Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green who I really like. This team will be a lot better than they were last season, and should be very fun to watch.
Phoenix Suns: In my opinion, the Suns run as an elite team in the West is over. I have always thought Steve Nash was overrated and now he is old. Grant Hill is another year older, and I don’t think Amare Stoudemire can carry this team on his back. Yes, they have Jason Richardson but they lost Shaq, and Matt Barnes in the offseason and I think Phoenix is in for a long season.
Portland Trailblazers: Portland was the second youngest team in the NBA last season and still managed to make it to the playoffs. This team has a lot of talent and depth, and is a sure lock for the playoffs unless something drastic happens.
Sacramento Kings: Can I just skip this one? Does anyone really want to read about the Kings? Sacramento does have a new head coach who I like in Paul Westphal, but I am really not a fan of their roster, team, or starting lineup.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs had a solid offseason and are considered by most the second best team in the West behind the Lakers. San Antonio added a key piece in Richard Jefferson, and also picked up Antonio McDyess through free agency and DeJuan Blair through the draft. The Spurs also bring back a healthy Manu Ginobli (Obi-Won Ginobili) who wasn’t available for their first round loss to the Mavericks. Expectations are high for the Spurs and rightly so.
Utah Jazz: The Jazz battled a lot of injuries last season, but everyone looks to be healthy and ready to return to form. We all know Utah can win at home, but their biggest problems have come on the road. They were 1-19 on the road last season against teams with winning records. The Jazz have got to become better on the road if they want a chance at contending.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant and the Lakers look to defend their title this season and they are in a good spot to do it. L.A. brought back Lamar Odom and was able to add Ron Artest to a lineup that is already potent. The Lakers have to be the unanimous #1 in the Western Conference going into this season and they will be a force come playoff time.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs had a solid offseason and are considered by most the second best team in the West behind the Lakers. San Antonio added a key piece in Richard Jefferson, and also picked up Antonio McDyess through free agency and DeJuan Blair through the draft. The Spurs also bring back a healthy Manu Ginobli (Obi-Won Ginobili) who wasn’t available for their first round loss to the Mavericks. Expectations are high for the Spurs and rightly so. 
