NBA Western Conference Preview

NBA season start tonight. Here's my take on the West.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA Champions 2008-2009)- The Lakers are still the team to beat. Kobe has plenty of weapons around him. This summer LA added Ron Artest better known as a ticking time bomb. Ron Ron brings a lot to the team. But Ron is still a very high risk. Kobe should keep him focused. If Andrew Bynum stays healthy, he should have a solid season. What makes LA dangerous is, the fact that Kobe is getting older. He knows his time of greatness is coming to an end. Which for now makes Kobe very deadly.

2. San Antonio Spurs- The Spurs reloaded and are rejuvenated. With all the new faces they got over the summer. Richard Jefferson is a huge addition, insurance if Ginobili goes down. One thing I worry about is, Jefferson going to bring it, on the defensive side of the ball. The Spurs also signed veterans Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff and Keith Bogans. All three should bring depth to the frontcourt. The Spurs also got damaged goods in rookie DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh). Tony Parker should have a good season. Duncan looks ready to go and Ginobili looks healthy. The Spurs are loaded, health is their only concern.


3. Portland Trailblazers- I'm not convinced that Portland can compete for a championship. Not yet. Brandon Roy needs consistent help from LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. Portland signed Andre Miller. Miller will help start up the offense, which will allow Roy to focus on scoring. Miller will help this team a lot. The bench is solid and very deep. Nicolas Batum will be even better, he's got a lot of upside. If Roy gets help on the scoring end. No one will want to see Portland in the playoffs.

4. Denver Nuggets- Can Denver repeat last years success. I don't think they can, but this team is still very good. Chauncey Billups second year at the helm should help even more. If Carmelo Anthony wants to elevate his game to another level. He must take more of a leadership role on the team. The Nuggets also traded up, in the draft for rookie Ty Lawson (North Carolina). Great pickup. Dahntay Jones will be missed, but Aaron Afflalo is better. If Nene and Kenyon Martin can stay healthy the Nuggets have a shot at that success.


5. Dallas Mavericks- Good enough, to be a middle of the pack team. Nothing has changed since last season. Sure the Mavs have some new faces. They traded for Shawn Marion and signed Drew Gooden. But the Mavs need everything to go their way, for things to happen. Jason Kidd is really old, how long can he last? Dirk Nowitzki will put up numbers. This team is good enough to tease everyone of how good they are. I'm not fooled.

6. Utah Jazz- Deron Williams is a stud, the most complete point in the game. Glad to see Paul Millsap got paid. Great player. If Carlos Boozer can bring his A game. A lot of teams will be calling to trade for him. C.J. Miles is a good player. Can the Jazz win on the road? The Jazz are deep and still have the ability to make noise. But Jazz management must settle this Boozer mess.


7. New Orleans Hornets- Chris Paul is the best point in the game. But he doesn't have a lot, of help beyond power forward David West. The trade for Emeka Okafor is a trade that doesn't hurt or help the team. Okafor will be under pressure to perform at a high level and help out Paul. Can rookie Darren Collison (UCLA) be a steady backup for Paul? Can the bench contribute every night? A lot of questions to be answered. Stay tuned.


8. Phoenix Suns- The Run and Gun Suns are back! Amare Stoudemire will be wearing googles now. Grant Hill will remain consistently reliable. The bench is average. The Suns run and gun should help them against inferior opponents. Is this Stoudemire's last season in the desert? Suns should be fun to watch. But the Suns are a early round exit.


9 Los Angeles Clippers- The other LA team. The Clips got #1 pick Blake Griffin (Oklahoma) the guy can play. The Clips also have some talent to build around Griffin with Eric Gordon and Al Thornton. Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby provide depth at center. Oh yeah, the Clips have Baron Davis. If everyone stays healthy and focused the Clips might make the playoffs. But I'm not holding my breath.


10. Houston Rockets- The toughest team in the league. The Rockets are a scrappy bunch. But Yao Ming is out for the year. Tracy McGrady is out for half, the Rockets have no firepower. But why at 10? The Rockets will find a way to score. Point guard Aaron Brooks can score, power forward Luis Scola can as well. The Rockets signed Trevor Ariza he will help defensively. Not to mention 2 round draftee Chase Bundinger (Arizona) can fill it up. They have 1 player taller than 6'9 but this team will not make it easy to win. That's all you can ask for. I'm predicting a big summer for the Rockets. They will sign someone big.


11. Golden State Warriors- Better known as the circus. Stephen Jackson wants out. Monta Ellis says "he can't play with rookie Stephen Curry (Davidson)" what a mess. You also got Don Nelson he 's a circus by himself. With all that said, the Warriors have to much talent, to sink to the bottom. They won't make the playoffs, but they won't have the worst record in the league. But then again, that's not saying much.


12. Oklahoma City Thunder- Kevin Durant is a star in the making. The guy can play, but must improve his defense. Russell Westbrook is a lot better at point than I thought. Jeff Green is the man who does all the dirty work. Nenad Kristic is a good center. Rookie James Harden (Arizona State) will make an impact. The Thunder are young and have a promising future. But it will take time, before you can talk playoffs in Oklahoma.

13. Memphis Grizzlies- The FedEx Forum will be a little bit fuller. Thanks, to Allen Iverson. Hopefully, Iverson can be a good influence, if not, watch out! Memphis does have talent with Rudy gay, O.J. Mayo, and Marc Gasol. This team could be a lot better but AI and Zach Randolph will prove to be bad for the young Griz. Rookie Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN) looks lost out on the floor. The Grizzlies will be bad but entertaining to keep up with.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves- Al Jefferson lost weight and looks ready for the season. Rookie Jonny Flynn (Syracuse) will do so much more, than what Ricky Rubio could have done. Kevin Love, is good but should come off the bench, for depth reasons. Ryan Hollins, great pickup, should start at center, so Jefferson can abuse the opposing power forward. Ramon Session was also a good pickup. The T- Wolves will be bad. But I like the pieces they have for the future. Beware, If I were the GM I would move Rubio elsewhere. It good happen.

15. Sacramento Kings- Kevin Martin is healthy and ready to go. Rookie Tyreke Evans (Memphis) has a lot of potential. Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are pretty solid. The Kings have talent, but its still very iffy. The Kings are bad because the bench sucks. Expect trades throughout the season. Regardless, it should be a long year in the capital of California.