Does Any Team in the West Really Pose a Threat To the LA Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers are heavy favorites to clinch their 4th consecutive Western Conference championship, and although the conference is known for parity, the Lakers seem to defy that logic.

The Lakers upgraded their roster during the offseason, and the difficult task of unseating them became a little more complicated in the process, because in 2010-11 the Lakers will be deeper, and presumably more healthy.

The additions of Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff will help improve an already great defensive squad, and Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum's injuries should be fully healed when the 2010-11 season commences.

On paper the Lakers should plow through a conference that will have a much different look next season, but it is likely at least one team will step up and prove to be a test for the two-time defending champions.

But, who will assume that role?

The teams most likely to challenge the Lakers in the West are the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Some observers feel the Thunder are a strong dark horse pick to upset the Lakers, but unless Oklahoma City finds a way to significantly upgrade their post players their fate will likely mirror last season's.

Oklahoma played the Lakers tough during their first round playoff series last season, but Nick Collison, Serge Ibaka, and Nenad Kristic were no match for the the Laker's front line of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom.

The Thunder were able to hold their own in the paint, but that was against a hobbled version of Bynum, and Bryant was suffering through knee pains as well.

Russell Westbrook's penetration turned out to be a bigger problem than Kevin Durant's scoring in the series, and the addition of Barnes gives the Lakers another defensive option besides Ron Artest.

Dallas has a roster that can match the Lakers' in depth and talent, but the Mavericks' problem has never been an issue of talent.

The Mavericks consistently field teams that qualify for the postseason, but they have yet to find a way to make their regular season success translate in the playoffs.

A team with players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, and Shawn Marion would appear to be good bets to stage a deep postseason run, but the Mavericks' desire and toughness doesn't match their talent.

Dallas can match the Lakers' size in the paint, and their back court players are just as capable as L.A.'s, but most observers would be surprised if Dallas even managed to survive to reach the Western Finals.

Portland may be the most intriguing option of any team in the West because they can match the Lakers' roster in the same manner as Dallas, but they have none of the same mental issues.

The Trail Blazers' biggest question mark will always revolve around health, and if Greg Oden is unable to successfully return from yet another leg injury, any hopes Portland has of being a true contender is erased.

Oden is not much of an offensive player, but he can help counter Gasol and Bynum on defense, and LaMarcus Aldridge may be one of the most underrated power forwards in the NBA.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Blazers make a strong run at one of the West's top four playoff berths if they can remain healthy, but their inexperience would be a major factor in a seven game series with the Lakers.

Denver and San Antonio may be better suited to give the Lakers a run for their money in the West, mainly due to the experience and talent they have at key positions.

In Denver's case much hinges on the decision of forward Carmelo Anthony, because if he forces a trade as most people are predicting, the Nuggets will cease to be a legitimate force in the West.

Even if Denver receives multiple players in exchange for Anthony none of them will bring the same superstar element to the team that Anthony does.

Regardless, even if Anthony stays the Nuggets have some interior questions of their own to answer, as well as explaining the defensive lapse that happened against Utah in the playoffs.

Many people discount San Antonio due to the age of their primary core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, but the Spurs seem to always be in the discussion once the postseason starts.

When healthy Duncan is still one of the elite players at his position, and players like Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Dejuan Blair, and George Hill form a decent cast of supporting players.

All of these teams have dreams of reaching the Western Finals and de-throning the Lakers, but will the reality of Los Angeles' talent and experience be to much to overcome in a seven game series?

The Lakers seem primed to reach their 4th Finals' series in as many years, but none of their journeys have been easy, and the basketball has a funny way of bouncing once the season starts.

One of the above-mentioned teams will rise up to challenge the Lakers during the course of next season, but whether or not any of them has what it takes to actually beat Los Angeles remains to be seen.