NBA Preview and Predictions 2009-2010: Western Conference

Northwest Division

HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Greg Oden #52, Brandon Roy #7 and Steve Blake #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers walk off the court during play against the Houston Rockets in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Cente

Portland Trail Blazers

HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Guard Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 30, 2009 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Denver Nuggets

DENVER - MAY 29: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on from the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, C

Utah Jazz

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz in action during the NBA pre-season game as part of the 2009 NBA Europe Live Tour between Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz at the O2 Arena on October 6, 2009 in London, England. NOTE TO USER: User

Oklahoma City Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY - OCTOBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder makes a shot over Richard Jefferson #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center October 29, 2008 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Bucks defeated the Thunder 98-87. NOTE TO USER:

Minnesota Timberwolves

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 01: Al Jefferson #25 of Minnesota Timberwolves takes a shot in the first half against the Boston Celtics on February 1, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Pacific Division

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers chews on his jersey as he plays defense against the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 15, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expre

Los Angeles Lakers

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-fives Andrew Bynum #17 during their preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center October 15, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Phoenix Suns

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 15: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on March 15, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Los Angeles Clippers

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 29: Blake Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the court after losing to the North Carolina Tar Heels during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional Final at the FedExForum on March 29, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Golden State Warriors

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors drives against the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game on March 30, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

Sacramento Kings

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 22: Kevin Martin #23 of the Sacramento Kings takes the ball to the basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during the game at Bobcats Arena on February 22, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Kings won 116-115. NOTE TO USER: Use

Southwest Division

DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Tim Duncan #21 and Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 99-90 loss against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April

San Antonio Spurs

DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS - FEBRUARY 04: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks during play against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 4, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading an

New Orleans Hornets

DENVER - APRIL 29: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets brings the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The N

Houston Rockets

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 12: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO

Memphis Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 12: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 12, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 92-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Playoff Seeding

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: (L-R) Didier Ilunga-Mbenga #28, Lamar Odom #7, Sasha Vujacic #18, Josh Powell #21, Trevor Ariza #3 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on