Power Ranking the NBA's Western Conference

Dating back to 1999 NBA Finals, a team from the Western Conference has won 10 out of the 13 championship series played.

Over the past decade, the West has had more overall success in producing better records in comparison to the East at the end of the season.

And with an early glimpse at the 2011-12 season, it looks like this trend will continue. So where does each team rank after the first 11 days of this new season? 

No. 15 Phoenix Suns

So far this season, the aging Phoenix Suns have done pretty much what people have expected of them. They have Hall-of-Fame veterans such as Steve Nash and Grant Hill who anchor the group, but not enough around them to be a successful Western Conference team.

After six games, they are 2-4 with their wins coming against Golden State and New Orleans, two of the worst teams in the West. Not to mention the 66-game season will surely affect the older legs on the team, spelling a losing record for the Suns.  

I blame management over the past few years for bringing down the Suns. And if they continue to stay stubborn and not trade Nash, who's in the last year of his contract, they'll be stuck in an even worse situation when the veterans retire.

No. 14 Sacramento Kings

Let's face it, Sacramento has a bright future. They have the youngest team in the NBA and a lot of talent, but unfortunately that hasn't transferred into the win column. They have faced a lot of tough teams at the beginning of the season and have already defeated the Lakers.

There have been issues recently with DeMarcus Cousins, and the last thing this team needs is a rift in the locker room.

I don't expect the Kings to stay this low throughout the season, but I don't see this squad making the playoffs. 

No. 13 New Orleans Hornets

After a rough offseason losing Chris Paul to the Clippers, the Hornets opened up their 2011-12 campaign with two straight wins. Now after a three-game skid, the Hornets are going the wrong way.

Consistency is the key for the young Hornets, and in a strong Western Conference, it'll be a real test for them to get into the postseason.

No. 12 Golden State Warriors

Has anything been more baffling than new coach Mark Jackson enforcing the "defense-first" mantra on the most offensive team in the league? Why not play to your team's strengths?

The Warriors finished seventh in the NBA in scoring last year, posting 103 points per game. With young talent in Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, they can score in bunches.

A lot has changed for Golden State. Can the addition of Mark Jackson push the Warriors into the playoffs for the first time since 2007?

No. 11 Minnesota Timberwolves

Has any "rookie" been more fun to watch than Ricky Rubio?

His electrifying assists have been a thing of beauty, and with the addition of head coach Rick Adelman, the T-Wolves may be relevant again.

After posting huge numbers last year, Kevin Love hasn't disappointed at the start of the season so far, averaging over 25 points and 15 boards per game. Although the Wolves are 2-3 to begin the season, watch for them to bounce to be strong in the coming years.

No. 10 Dallas Mavericks

Reigning champions? Hardly.

With the trade for Lamar Odom, and the losses of DeShawn Stevenson, J.J. Barea, Caron Butler and Peja Stojakovic, the whole team chemistry has been altered for this group. They've come out complacent this season.

After their starting five, the Mavericks have no one to back them up. At this point, it wouldn't shock many if owner Mark Cuban waits until the offseason and makes a big splash in free agency. 

No. 9 Memphis Grizzlies

Injuries. Injuries. Injuries. Not the way the Memphis Grizzlies wanted to start the season after a promising run in last year's campaign.

With point guard Mike Conley in and out of the lineup with an ankle injury and now the news of Randolph out six to eight weeks with torn ligaments in his right knee, the Grizzlies are not looking too good right about now.

The next few weeks will be key in seeing how this young team reacts to these issues and if they can keep pace with the other solid teams in the West. 

No. 8 Houston Rockets

The 2-3 Rockets are in that same boat as Utah. Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola are playing well, but after that, the team is thin.

The team looks poised to make the playoffs, but they lack the depth and star power to be a legitimate threat in the postseason.

No. 7 Utah Jazz

At 3-3, the Jazz are a big question mark. Will they be a contender after losing Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams?

So far, they've played alright, posting a 3-3 record. The Jazz have lost to Denver, Los Angeles and San Antonio, all on the road.

It seems like the experience of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Devin Harris could propel the Jazz into a mid-level playoff seed. However, I don't see the Jazz going very far in the playoffs because they have a plethora of big men, but not enough balance.

No. 6 Denver Nuggets

Going into the 2011-12 season, the Denver Nuggets lineup looked like a mess. With several key players stuck overseas due to lockout signings, it looked like the Nuggets were heading south this season.

But after a 4-2 start, the Nuggets look like a possible Western Conference contender. They've had solid wins versus the Lakers and at Dallas, and with the spark of Ty Lawson at point guard, Denver's future looks bright.

No. 5 San Antonio Spurs

When the 66-game season was announced, it seemed no team would be hurt more by it than the Spurs. The Spurs are one of the oldest, most experienced teams and it showed more than ever in the 2011 playoffs against the Grizzlies.

Now with Manu out for six to eight weeks with a broken hand, the older, experienced San Antonio Spurs will be looking for other people to step up and fill his place.

Come playoff time, you know Gregg Popovich's squad will be ready to play.

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers

No offseason acquisition was bigger than Chris Paul to the Clippers. And with CP3, the Clippers went from pretender to contender instantly.

They will be a playoff team, no doubt. The real question is how long will it take for this team to reach its full potential. They definitely have the pieces to make a deep run this year.

With DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin wrecking havoc down low, this team is not only fun to watch, but a legitimate contender come playoff time.

The real question is how long will it take to build up that team chemistry?

No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers

When everyone jumped ship this preseason after Lamar Odom left and the CP3 deal was voided, what people failed to realize is that the Lakers still have Kobe.

It is true that with his advanced age he will be more susceptible to injuries, but Kobe is still Kobe and he has the will to win games no matter what. No other person in the NBA has this and until he retires, don't count him out.

With this being said, the Lakers have some major issues to address. The loss of Odom is huge as he brought so much to the table as a sixth man.

The Achilles heel for them is going up against young, fast point guards (i.e. Derrick Rose on Christmas Day). Fisher is a veteran but when playoff basketball comes around after a long season, the Lakers could be in trouble at the 1.

No. 2 Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are for real. They made a pretty good case of that Tuesday night against the Thunder in OKC, where they won by 10. 

This team is formidable, all the while flying under the radar more than any other team in the league right now. They post an average of 102 points a night—good for fourth in the league, and they have the second-best rebounding numbers in the NBA.

With LaMarcus Aldridge playing at top form and the additions of Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford working out, the once injury-prone Blazers could be the most dangerous team in the West. 

The Blazers are right there with the Thunder; I just need to see a little more to give them the top spot. They have a great chance to show us even more Thursday night when they clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder

Coming into this new season, everyone had the Thunder winning the West, and rightfully so. With a plethora of talent beginning with two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant, and a premiere point guard in Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have all the pieces to make it to the NBA Finals. 

After a hot 5-0 start, the Thunder have cooled off recently, dropping two straight. Not to worry though, the Thunder have the youth to be successful over the shortened season.

One of the biggest surprises this season for OKC has been the brilliant play of James Harden. He's been spectacular off the bench for the Thunder, scoring 17 a game.

And come playoff time, the Thunder have the experience from last year's playoffs to finally top the West once and for all.