NBA Midseason Grades: Western Conference

After losing Greg Oden for the season, last year's Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy has led this team of youngsters to the brink of a playoff spot. Imagine what this team will be like next year when Oden is healthy. Scary.

Sacramento Kings (Grade C)

I'm going to give the Kings a break because of all the injuries that they have sustained during the course of the year. Losing Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin for an extended period, they kept their heads above water.

Now that Bibby, Martin, Ron Artest, and Brad Miller all healthy they are two games below .500 and playing good basketball. Although I don't think they have enough to get to the playoffs, they have enough talent to spoil someone else's bid.

San Antonio Spurs (Grade B-)

The recent offensive struggles and losing Tony Parker are not good omens for the defending champs. Although any team would like to be in the Spurs' shoes, with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Parker, and sitting at 30-16, they are only 6th in the conference.

I'm not concerned with the Spurs, they have proven that they can coast through the regular season and turn it on in the playoffs, and they usually use their rodeo trip as a catalyst for their run in the playoffs. Look for them to be the usual Spurs and go deep in the playoffs...again.

Seattle Supersonics (Grade D+)

Another team that nothing was expected of before the season started, and a 14-game losing streak can't get them a grade above a D+.

Rookie Kevin Durant has found relative success as the Sonics best player, and the improving Chris Wilcox has provided a reliable low post threat, but a point guard is sorely needed to give Durant and Wilcox more open looks. With their departure from Seattle still rumored, they need a lot of help if they want to win some games.

Utah Jazz (Grade B+)

Their success last year carried over to the beginning of this season, as they proved that their Western conference finals run was no fluke. They hit a snag a couple of weeks ago, however, and lost a few games in a row to lesser teams.

Now they are one of the hottest teams in the league, and on a current 9-game winning streak. With Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams they have two players who complement each other very well, and have the potential to return the Jazz to the level of the late 1990s Jazz.

Those are my grades for each team, feel free to give your opinions on these grades, or make your own report card.

Next I will publish the midseason grades for the Eastern conference 

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